Kia ora whanau,

It was wonderful to welcome the children back to school for the new term. They seem excited to be back and we are certainly excited to have them back.

Monday, 14 July was the tenth anniversary of the opening of our Pompallier Learning Centre. Coincidentally the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford announced this week that the government will not be building ‘modern learning environments’ (MLE) in the future. Over these ten years we have seen our teachers and children experiencing wonderful programmes of learning that are supported by the learning environment we have, along with great individual and school wide results.

We are fortunate to have a combination of learning environments; single cell and MLE. Both environments have their pros and cons. Central to both environments being effective learning environments are the teachers. Our teachers choose to teach at St Joseph’s fully aware of the learning environment. They enjoy working collaboratively in their teams and pods, and plan programmes of learning that reflect the benefits of the learning spaces.

Over the nine years I have been here the teachers have made various adaptations in order to effectively use the learning spaces, whether that be single cell or MLE, in order to cater for the children and their learning styles, as well as for the teachers and their teaching styles. When I take prospective parents on tours of the school, it never ceases to amaze me how focused the children are on their learning, no matter which learning environment we go to. And we do go through all the learning spaces.

I am grateful that you have chosen St Joseph’s Takapuna as the school community you want your child and family to be a part of. We are focused on supporting your child and their learning in a fun environment in which they are cared for and supported, through their early learning journey.

If you have any questions in regards to the Minister’s announcement please feel free to contact me directly (principal@sj.school.nz) or pop in and have a chat.

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• Welcome
• Whanau Meetings
• Board Elections
• Cross Country
• Moana – Coming This Term
• Perceptual Motor Programme – Help Needed
• PTFA
• Catholic Diocese of Auckland
• sKids
• Parish News
• Community Notices

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to the new students joining St Josephs this term:

Amelia, Ashley, Benjamin, Ezra, Kiyara, Maverick, Olivia and Taniela

Here’s hoping you’ve had a great first week and enjoy the rest of the year.

• Thursday 24 July 12 – 5:30 pm
• 10 minute slots
• 2 or more children – please allow a 10 minute break between meetings
• Booking Link – Whānau Meetings
• Bookings close Wednesday 23 July 6:00 pm
• Home Groups NOT participating – HG 4, 14, 19
• School will be open for the full day 8:50 am – 2:50 pm
• Parents are welcome to take their child to the whanau meeting
• Parents are welcome to take their children home following the whanau meeting

Nominations are now open!

Check your inbox for an email from the Returning Officer. 

(1) Check that your details are correct.  

(2) You can nominate online at www.myschoolelection.nz/mynomination.  

(3) Nominations close at midday on 6 August

Bernardine Vester, Returning Officer

Myschoolelection.nz

2025 Board Elections

We require a few more players for the following St Joseph’s Basketball Teams:

• Year 1/2 Rockets
• Year 3 Warriors

Please check out the information here

If your child is keen to play, please email sports@sj.school.nz as online registrations are now closed.

Disney’s “Moana” is coming to St Joseph’s this term – the cast and students across the school are busy preparing for what is going to be an amazing show!

Every child in the school will be involved in the show and will be expected to be at the performances.

We will have four performances to ensure that all parents have the ability to see their children perform. We ask that parents buy tickets to only one performance to support this. We know that many children will have other commitments outside of school and we have tried to create a balance between other commitments and our community’s availability to come and watch the performances. The performance times are as below:

• Monday 18th August – 1pm
• Tuesday 19th August – 1pm
• Wednesday 20th August – 6:30pm (Children to arrive in spaces by 6pm)
• Thursday 21st August – 6:30pm (Children to arrive in spaces by 6pm)

If needed, we will consider adding an additional night on Tuesday 19th August, depending on ticket sales.

Tickets will go on sale in a couple of weeks. We will be in touch with the school sports organisations affected.

Thank you so much to those who have already made kind offers to help –  we couldn’t do it without you! We are looking for parents and family members that can help us with the many parts of production preparation, rehearsals and assist on the production nights.

Could you please let us know if you are able to work with the teachers and students to assist with any specific area? We are looking for assistance with:

• stage set-up
• costumes
• scene decorating and props
• lighting
• music & sound
• make-up
• singing/acting

More information and details will follow as we set in place the rest of the production plan. We look forward to hearing from you.

St Joseph’s Production Team
natashal@sj.school.nz

The Year 1 and Year 2 students would like to continue the Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) in Term 3, starting today (Friday, 18th) July for five weeks.

The PMP programme works on supporting students with movement skills.

To achieve a successful PMP programme, we need parent helpers who are able to give up a few hours on a weekly basis. If enough helpers volunteered, we would be able to operate a roster.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate preschoolers under the age of 4 years. Pre-schoolers of parents wishing to help who are 4 years would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Perhaps consider asking grandparents if they would like to help.

We will be running the programme on Fridays, with 5 different sessions:

• 09.30am – 10.15am (after morning prayer/waiata)
• 11.00am – 11.45am
• 11.45am – 12.20pm
• 01.15pm – 01.45pm
• 01.45pm – 02.30pm

We would appreciate any help you are able to offer whether it’s one session or multiple.

As a helper, you would be working with a team of parents and supported by the Year 1 teachers, who will also be there during the weekly sessions.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to email me at: anitaf@sj.school.nz

Anita Foster
PMP Co-ordinator

The Reuben O’Neill Bursary has been established by the Catholic Diocese of Auckland to assist in making Catholic education available to some families and their children who otherwise would be unable to receive a Catholic education.  The Reuben O’Neill Bursary has been established to honour Reuben O’Neill, who was an exceptional volunteer and supporter of Catholic education throughout his lifetime. Reuben O’Neill (1932-2025) was a husband, parent and grandparent and was recognised by Pope John Paul II in 1989 receiving a papal knighthood for his services to the Catholic Church of New Zealand. Reuben was proud of his own Catholic education and worked faithfully to make Catholic education accessible to as many people as possible, through building the Common Fund Cooperative, developing new schools, and improving the standard of existing schools across the Diocese of Auckland.

Whānau/families can apply at primary or secondary levels. Eligibility criteria include a desire for Catholic education for their child, and financial benefit to their family. Students of any year level can apply for the scholarship.

Additional information and application forms are available at the Parish and School Offices.

sKids – St Joseph’s Takapuna

Latest News from St Joseph’s Church Takapuna

Please check out the latest community notices  which you can find on our school website.