ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Tena koutou e te whanau
We have had a wonderful term which has ended with an amazing day of celebration.
The day began with Mercy Day Mass at the daily Parish mass. This was a wonderful way to complete Mercy Week and our Catherine McAuley themed term. We were joined by many of our whanau along with three of our Sisters of Mercy; Sister Margaret, Sister Agnes and Sister Marie. It was lovely to be able to acknowledge the 175 years of service that the Sisters of Mercy New Zealand have gifted to NZ through a small presentation followed by the waiata ‘Mo Maria’.
We also acknowledged a member of our staff who has worked at our school for 25 years. Mrs Kelly began her tenure here at St Joseph’s as a teacher aide and then moved into the school office role she currently holds. We appreciate all that she does supporting our students and staff and responding to the many daily parent queries. It was wonderful to have Phil O’Connell Cooper as part of the presentation. Phil preceded me in the role of tumuaki (principal) and appointed Mrs Kelly to the school office position.
Monsignor David’s homily acknowledged Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Maori Language Week). our children have had lots of fun looking for opportunities to use te reo māori through their school day. As on Aotearoa New Zealand’s official languages it is really important that we continue to encourage and support our tamariki (children) use te reo māori on a regular basis.
Our tamariki o te kura (school children) were absolutely amazing at yesterday’s Mass. Their singing and their behaviour was outstanding. A number of the parishioners and staff acknowledged that the children were exceptional. A very proud moment for us all.
Thank you for all the various ways you have supported our tamariki (children) and kaiako (teachers) through the term.
Ka manaakitia e te Atua
Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki
The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:
- Board of Trustees
- Cans for Christmas
- Term 4 Dates
- Yummy Stickers
- sKids Holiday Programme
- Parish News
- Community Notices
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our sincere thanks to the 2022 – 2025 Board of Trustees for their dedication and support of ako (student) learning, the kura o te kaimahi (school staff) and our St Joseph’s kura (school) community in their role of governance. As a kura (school) we have been blessed to have had a Board who has been focused on the needs of all, particularly the tamariki (children), and being future focused.
The 2025 – 2028 Board of Trustees had their first meeting last night. The returning officer declared the election results on Tuesday evening and the new Board took up their tenure on Wednesday. They took the opportunity to share a meal and introduce themselves to each other. We have a Board that represents our kura (school) community and has a wide variety of skill sets. The meeting had one item on the agenda, and that was to elect the ‘Presiding Member’. Congratulations to Franz Lim, who will hold the role until the beginning of 2026. The Presiding Member role is elected at the beginning of every kura (school) year.
Term 4
Monday 6 October 8:15 am School opens for the term
Monday 27 October. School CLOSED for Labour Day public holiday
Tuesday 16 December. 1:00 pm. School closes for 2025 school year
CANS FOR CHRISTMAS
Thank you to all the families who contributed cans of food and other food items to our annual Cans for Christmas food drive. The total of 1825 was an outstanding effort by everyone. As a school we appreciate being able to share our Aroha (Compassion) with those who need it most. We have already heard that it will be making a massive difference to a lot of people. The shelves in the food banks were near empty and as a community we have filled a need. We keep those in need in our prayers and those supporting them.
YUMMY STICKERS
Just a final reminder…
Collect the Yummy cut-out labels from bags (each cut-out label is worth 10 stickers) and individual Yummy apple stickers for our school’s share of the $200,000 free Sport sports gear prize pool. Yummy apples are available from New World, PAK’nSAVE and participating Four Square stores. The more we collect, the more sports gear we receive. So get going and start collecting your Yummy cut-out labels and stickers now!
You can download your Yummy sheets from the website:
Yummy Sticker Collection Sheet
New Variety Bonus Collection Sheet
Cut-Out Label Collection Sheet
SKIDS HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Please click here for the latest community notices which you can find on our school website. Once again, there are numerous notices posted on our website worth checking out:
- Takapuna Athletics “Have A Go Night”
- School Summer Footy League 2025
- Brain Play Holiday Programme
- School Holiday Art Workshops
- Bricks 4 Kidz Term 4 Classes
