Mālo e lelei  Parents/Caregivers,

Happy Tongan Language Week!

Today’s online school prayers were focused on “Justice in our World” and how love for each other can make a difference.

Today we listened to a Bible reading about God’s Greatest Commandment – to love one another. It doesn’t matter what we do, we are called to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are to love one another. 

This week is Social Justice Week and the theme this year is: Whakakāhoretia te Kaikiri. Kotahi anō tātou i roto i te karaiti – say NO to racism! We are ONE in Christ.

We have been exploring this in our classes and looking at ways that we can feel challenged, inspired and empowered to bring about positive changes in our communities.

Today we remember Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, a woman who gave her life in service of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for more than 70 years. Her inspiration and legacy will live on, may she rest in peace.

The following topics will be covered in this weeks Principal’s message:

• Sacramental Programme – Sign of the Cross in Te Reo
• Welcome 
• School Cross Country
• Commonwealth Games Speaker
• Daily Prayers
• Janbells Uniform Sales – Price Increase
• Yummy Stickers Promotion
• Touch Rugby Registrations (for Term 4)
• PTFA: Second Hand Uniforms
• Community Notices

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at principal@sj.school.nz

We hope that you have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards

Laura Bateman & Natasha Luxford

Co-Acting Principals (Term 3)

This week the Sacramental Students began their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We ask that as a school community, we continue to keep them in our prayers.

As we head into Māori Language week, you may like to practice the Sign of the Cross in Māori with your child / children. 

“Ki te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu. Āmene.”

You can find a Youtube link here to help with pronunciation.

This week, we welcome Adriana (Kakapo Team)

and her brother Kingsley (Kea Team).

We hope that they’ve had a great first week at St Joseph’s School!

2022 Cross Country

By Charlie

On Tuesday the 6th of September, St Josephs held our school Cross Country. All the children tried their very hardest with running in their costumes! We had a huge variety of costumes worn by students and teachers. A lot of competitive spirits were shown as we wore houses colors: Patuone (Red), Alphonsus (Yellow), McAuley (Green) and Pompailler (Blue). So many running abilities were shown, whether it was in the fun run or the competitive run! It was very funny seeing our teachers in silly costumes. It was obvious who was in which house. The whole event screamed with encouragement! Students supporting their fellow peers and closet friends. Even the ones who were scared or didn’t want to participate still did it! We didn’t have one student not do their course. The races were  judged on year groups!

Students watched from the court and got warmed up by some House Leaders when it was nearly their turn to run!

In the end everyone had fun and it is an amazing event to remember and cherish for years! Even if you didn’t get a place, you still tried you’re hardest! Well done to everyone who ran in our school cross country on Tuesday the 6th of September.

One of the Year 4 boys commented – “I love how I get to run with my friends and cheer other year groups on!”

Cross country isn’t just about the running (which some students dread). Its also about the cheering on and celebrating your friends. You might not like the running part but the encouraging part makes you feel good, screaming “Gooooo!! Good job!” helping someone along the way on their run!

Title: Selina Goddard      

Reporters: Janine and Arianna

Photographer: Rachel

On Tuesday, we were visited by Selina Goddard. She first spoke to the Kakapo team and then to Kakariki. While she was speaking about competing in the Commonwealth Games, behind her was the big screen and she gave a slide presentation. This was her 2nd Commonwealth Games that she has been to.

The sport she competed in was Lawn Bowls. They were called “Blackjacks”. It is similar to 10 pin bowling, but there’s a difference. Each team player has a turn to roll the ball closest to the jack. The wood or the bowl has a bias. Like a weight on the one one side. You learn to roll the wood to the little white ball called the jack.

After the presentation, she showed everyone the medals that she won, as they were very shiny. Her team won a bronze medal. Finally, students asked some questions. One person asked why she chose Lawn Bowls as her sport, and she said that it’s because Lawn Bowls is a sport that anybody could play.

She enjoyed her life at the Commonwealth Games, and it was fun in the Village. She told everyone that she was one of the people who woke up early and worked on her fitness. She was 14-years-old when she started. Everyone asked very fascinating questions, followed by interesting answers. We really enjoyed the presentation, and listening to all the answers. We are looking forward to meeting more people from the Commonwealth Games!

All of our Home Groups start their day with prayer at 8:50am. Prayer is a time for the children to connect with each other and develop and grow their relationship with God.

We ask that you prioritise getting to school by 8:40am as this enables your child to settle in, get organised and be ready to participate in this important aspect of our school day.

Thank you for your continued support with this.

Please be aware that there will be a small price increase on all items from the 1st of October this year. If you know that your child needs some new uniform items, you might like to purchase them before then.

Registrations for the following sports are now OPEN:

Please take note of the school registration close date.

We invite parents to enrol their children for:

Touch Rugby (Term 4) – Years 1-6

Played at Becroft Park or Sunnynook Park (this will be confirmed by the organisers ASAP) on Thursdays after school.

Games start on Thursday, 20th October until Thursday, 15th December.

Cost is $40.00.

Registrations close on Wednesday, 14th September.

How to enrol?

Please go to www.sj.school.nz   

 – scroll down to the link to SCHOOL/SPORTS PAYMENTS

 – this will take you to Enrolmy

 – Login/create a login (if you haven’t already got one)

 – Click “See School Activities”

 – When you click  ‘Book Activity’  if you have already registered your child for an activity through your enrolmy login, please just select the box of the child you are wanting to enrol. 

Please consider your child’s schedule carefully before booking.  Any refunds will be charged a $5 administration fee unless they can be transferred to another activity.

Any questions please email sports@sj.school.nz

If you’re having a clear out post winter and have any school uniform items that no longer fit, Mrs Kelly would welcome any good quality donations for the 2nd hand uniform shop at school.

We’re currently running pretty low across all items so please consider passing on anything that you may longer need.

A clear plastic bin has been placed just outside the office for any donations you are able to drop off.

If you are in need of any items, please get in touch with Mrs Kelly at office@sj.school.nz with your child’s name, HG and the items you are looking for.

Many thanks!

Please check out the latest community notices that are on our school website.

(see the last published notices below)