ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Whanau

Today we celebrated our Mercy Values Day. This is an annual event which sees the Home Groups focusing on the school’s Mercy Values and the School Motto, along with our ‘muck up, own up, put it right, move on’. These are central to the school culture and the behaviour management programme. They are the foundation for all we do.

Our school was founded by the Sisters of Mercy who are now known as Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. Our values come from their values.

Mercy Values – who we are …

Aroha – Compassion – we look after each other
Tapu – Respect – we care for our environment
Pono – Truth – we tell the truth
Tika – Justice – we are fair
Manakitnaga – we look after each other

School Motto – how we act …

Care, Courtesy, Cooperation, Courage

Our Behaviour Management plan also includes ‘Catching Them’.

Catch them choosing the right behaviours, saying the right words, following peaceful, non-violent ways. Praise and reinforce what they are doing that is working.

Then there is ‘Above the Line’ (B.E.D) and ‘Below the Line’ (O.A.R.)

What is your response going to be if you make a poor choice …

Blame, Excuse, Denial or Ownership, Acceptance, Responsibility

Above the Line Below the Line

To restore the balance we talk children through …

Muck up
Own up
Put it right
Move on

These concepts support children in learning how to be a positive member of their community.

Preparation is underway for the Auckland Diocese Education Services Review. This afternoon you will have received an email from them with a link to their Primary Whanau Survey 2026. Please click on the link and complete the survey. This will support them with their review. If you are interested in meeting them as part of a parent group korero (conversation), please email me.

Have a lovely weekend

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

Colour Run Prizes
Bring Your Yummy Stickers to School
Lunchtime Football
Parish News
Community Notices

COLOUR RUN PRIZES

BRING YOUR YUMMY STICKERS TO SCHOOL

Do you want to help St Joseph’s get a share of $200,000 worth of Sports equipment?

We are running a competition involving all Home Groups – each HG will have from now until 20 October 2026 to collect as many Yummy stickers as they can. The winning HG will win extra playtime for their class (and an extra break time for their teacher!)

You can help your Home Group by purchasing YUMMY apples (they can be purchased from one of the supermarkets below), either bags with cut-out labels or individual apples with YUMMY stickers, then sticking these onto the Yummy Sticker sheet.

The more we can collect the bigger the share of the $200,000 we will get.

Sticker sheets will be available in the classrooms and extra sheets are available in the office by the sports box.We have until 20th October so get collecting & drop off to the box in the school office when they are ready.