Religious Education

The school follows the National Curriculum for Religious Education. It consists of four themes: Te Atua – God, Te Rongopai – The Good News, Ā Tātou Whakapapa – Our Story, Kia Noho Hāhi Being Church. Five cross themes Mana Tapu – Grace, Aroha Pūmau – Holiness, Tika – Justice, Whakaaronui – Wisdom, Inoi – prayer are woven through each of the themes. These are accompanied by teachers instructing the students in prayer and the liturgical year.

All students participate in prayer daily and the school celebrates a school mass each term.

St Joseph’s School Takapuna is based on the Mercy Values; these are incorporated into the teaching and learning programmes within the school.

The traditions of the school are made apparent to the students at the beginning of each year through a school charism focus. This focus is referred to throughout the year including Bishop Pompallier, Sister Catherine McAuley, St Joseph, Sister Alphonsus and Chief Patuone. The focus is on the values these people have and how they relate to our school values, the Mercy Values, the works of the Sisters of Mercy and how this impacts on our school.

The team plans incorporate a focus area in Special Character, Mercy Values, and an essential question relating to the focus.

Prayers, Masses, Liturgies

On Friday mornings at 9.00am, the whole school gathers together in the Hall for prayer and a conclusion to the week. Each day, every class starts the day with prayer. Parents are welcome to join in. Children pray before meals and at the end of the day.

On a rotation basis, the children’s Home Group attends the Thursday 9:15 Mass with the parishioners, and once a year each Year Group will celebrate a special Mass in Years 5 & 6 or Liturgy in Years 0-4. . Parents and parishioners are always welcome to attend.

Missions

Home Group mission money is collected as a way of raising the children’s awareness of how we can all help those less fortunate than ourselves. Please encourage your child to share a little of their own money as often as they can, by bringing it to school to add to their classroom collection. We encourage children to help out at home in some way in order to earn the money they are giving. Weekend Wear Days and other events are held occasionally to raise money for special causes. Weekend Wear Days means that the children come to school wearing clothes other than their uniforms and bring a gold coin donation.

There is a food bank basket in the administration office. The children are invited to put
a food item in it. The Parish distributes these items for us.