ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Parents

It was lovely, this morning, to be welcoming three new children and their families to our school community. Hearing the students say the blessing for the new children and singing their welcome song is a wonderful reflection of our school’s Catholic Special Character.

Yesterday, Annette Woodhead (Director of Religious Studies) and I met with the reviewer from the Catholic Office. Later this term they will be visiting us for two days to carry out the Catholic Character Review for the Bishop. All Catholic Schools throughout NZ are reviewed every four years to ensure they are fulfilling their integration agreement by upholding their Special Catholic Character. We look forward to sharing with the reviewers all the many ways we are reflecting the Special Catholic Character, including our school Mass next week for St Joseph the Worker. Details are in this Principal Message below.

This morning at school prayers, I reminded the children about ANZAC day which is tomorrow; and that they have a three day weekend with the ANZAC public holiday on Monday. I invited them to attend the ANZAC parade with me tomorrow. Details are below in this Principal Message

I also spoke about our upcoming Colour Run. Miss Luxford shared that they can, with your support, set up a profile and contact their family and friends for sponsorship. We would really appreciate your support with this fundraiser. It is the main PTFA fundraiser for the year. Details are also below. Thank you for your support.

Enjoy your long weekend.

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

Welcome
School Closed Monday
Takapuna ANZAC Parade
St Joseph the Worker Day
Mrs Pratt’s Path
Upcoming Colour Run
A Big Thank You!
Sacramental Programme
sKids Autumn Special – Morning Care Term 2
Vacancy – Head of Pastoral Services
Parish News
Community Notices

WELCOME

We are pleased to welcome three new students to the Kiwi team this term:

Gabriela, Jayden & Steve

We hope you’ve enjoyed your first week of school and have a wonderful year ahead.

SCHOOL CLOSED MONDAY

TAKAPUNA ANZAC PARADE

ANZAC Day is Saturday 25 April.

Our school participates in the annual Takapuna Anzac Parade. If you would like your children to represent our school in the Parade they are welcome to walk in the parade, in their school uniform, with Mr Bridgman.

Takapuna ANZAC Parade and Service 2026
When: Saturday, 25 April

The Parade
Assembly Point: Corner Lake Rd / Sanders Ave
Assembly Time: 8:45 am
Dress Code: School Uniform

The Service
Start Time: 9 am
Location: War Memorial, 1-7 The Strand, Takapuna

Mr Bridgman will be at the assembly point from 8:15 am. Parents are invited to bring their children to Mr Bridgman and then walk down to the War Memorial to be part of the Service.

The children will walk with Mr Bridgman in the parade and lay a wreath on behalf of our school community. Parents will collect their children immediately following the service at the War Memorial.

ST JOSEPH THE WORKER DAY

Next Friday, 1 May, is our school Feast Day, St Joseph the Worker. We will be beginning the day with all the children going to our Parish Mass beginning at 9:15 am. We invite whanau to join us for this school-led Mass. You are then welcome to join the staff for morning tea in the staff-room.

MRS PRATT’S PATH

On the first day of this term the Kiwi team attended the blessing and ribbon cutting of Mrs Pratt’s Path. Over the break that path at the back of the school hall was tar-sealed. This path is used daily by the Kiwi team for their morning run.

UPCOMING COLOUR RUN

We’re getting excited for the upcoming St Joseph’s Colour Run on 8th May 2026, and we’d love your help to get as many students involved as possible!

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to set up a fundraising profile for your child at myprofilepage.co.nz

It’s quick and easy to do, and makes a big difference to the success of the event.

What are we fundraising for?
Funds raised will go towards:

Sports equipment and outdoor games
Other valuable school resources to benefit all students

Weekly incentives to keep things fun:

Home Group Challenge: The Home Group with the highest number of sign-ups by Tuesday 21 April will win special sensory pens for their class!
Weekly Prize Draw: Every student who raises $10 or more goes into a weekly draw to win a lucky dip prize.
Weekly Challenge: Students who raise the highest amount each week win a prize!
Final Fundraising Week Challenge: Highest amount raised in the last week of fundraising wins a prize – and potentially the chance to slime a lucky teacher!

On top of that, the top three individual fundraisers will be recognised on event day with certificates and medals

Every little bit helps, and even small donations add up quickly. It’s also a great opportunity for kids to share their page with family and friends and get involved in something fun for the school.

Thanks so much for your support – we’re looking forward to a fantastic Colour Run!

Kind regards,

St Joseph’s Catholic School PTFA

A BIG THANK YOU!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the PTFA for their tireless fundraising efforts, and to every member of our school community who contributed to these initiatives. Your generosity truly makes a difference in the daily lives of our students.

We are thrilled to be able to purchase new gymnastics equipment, as seen being enjoyed by the Kiwi team!

This equipment provides our students with a safe, high-quality environment to develop their physical coordination, strength, and confidence. It is a wonderful example of what we can achieve when we work together to enhance our school’s resources.

We look forward to seeing our students enjoy this equipment for many years to come!

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

Sacramental Programme Certificates From 2025

We have a number of certificates from the 2025 programme last year that have not been collected by the parents. Please do so during the parish office hours.

St. Joseph’s Parish – Takapuna – Sacramental Programme 2026 – Orientation Night

The Orientation night for the upcoming St. Joseph’s Sacramental programme is next week, Wednesday, 29th April, 2026 in the church at 6:00pm.

The registration form (available in the foyers), along with a copy of the baptism certificate and programme fee will need to be completed after the orientation and brought to the parish office thereafter.

Any questions, click on this link or contact Edwin MacMac at pastoral@stjoseph.org.nz.

SKIDS AUTUMN SPECIAL – MORNING CARE TERM 2

VACANCY – HEAD OF PASTORAL SERVICES

The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is seeking a committed, faith‑filled leader to support the Bishop’s pastoral mission and provide strategic leadership across diocesan pastoral ministries. The role works closely with parishes and communities to strengthen evangelisation, formation, and pastoral life.

Applicants must demonstrate a strong Catholic faith, senior pastoral leadership experience, and strategic capability.
Full details and application information available via the Diocesan website –www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz, under Diocesan Services and staff vacancies. Applications close 30 April 2026.