Newsletter Wk7 28 Nov 2022
Holy Cross Catholic School Papatoetoe
Our Vision: Learning and Growing in Christ
Dear Parents and Caregivers
The Gospel for Sunday is taken from Matthew 24:37-44. It is the 1st Sunday of Advent and we have begun a new liturgical year, Year A.
We are challenged by Jesus to 'stay awake', because you do not know the day when your master is coming.' How do you react when you hear that statement? What does it mean to stay awake?
- Stay awake to the presence of the Lord who comes to us daily in all kinds of ways and through all kinds of people and situations in our lives?
- Stay awake to the reality that this world and its attractions are short lived and
one day will pass away for us personally and will ultimately pass away?
God's love revealed to us in Jesus, who came among us, and his promise of eternal life will never pass away. That gift is being offered to us here and now and gives us ultimate meaning.
In that light, read the closing prayer from Sunday’s Mass:
'May the mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
As we come to the end of November let’s continue to pray for our loved ones who are no longer on this earth but always in our hearts. Blessings on the week ahead.
Congratulations to Venessa Georges who received the Catholic Character Award this week.
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents
We are probably all asking where has 2022 gone? It has again been an interesting year with COVID still hindering what we thought was our normal way of life.
It is now time to pause and reflect with gratitude on what has been and begin our Advent Journey. It is time to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, the real reason Christians celebrate Christmas. Take time for prayer and quiet reflection rather than the commercial busyness of the pre-Christmas season.
We often decorate our homes with an Advent Wreath at this time but did you know? …..
In the 16th century the wreath was adopted by Christians, becoming a custom for Christmas as the shape symbolises eternity, a shape without end.
The wreaths were traditionally made of evergreens that symbolise eternal life.
The red berries and the thorny leaves of the hollyoak represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and the drops of blood they drew.
The tradition of the Christmas Wreath is now a common sight in many homes.
Nga manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa
Julie Paul
Principal
Sacramental Celebration
This week on Wednesday, 30th November, we will be celebrating with our students who have recently received the Sacraments. This group of children will have lunch together in the hall. They will all have a hamburger, chips and a bottle of water as a celebratory meal. This is our school community welcoming them as full members of the Catholic Church.
Friday 2 December 9.00am Mass followed by Morning Tea
This Friday we would, in previous years, have had our Gifting Mass followed by our Rest Home visits. Due to Covid this has not been possible, so we have decided to entertain the elderly in our Parish Community. After Mass we will invite these special people to come to the hall for morning tea and at 10.30am we will get some of our Year 0 - 4 students and the Senior Girls to entertain them with some items.
Covid and Sickness
Thank you to the parents who are keeping their children home when they have COVID symptoms and for testing them. We appreciate the families who are letting us know so we are aware of positive covid cases connected to our school.
Attendance
Our school is working with an Engagement Worker in Schools to track students who have irregular attendance that is not explained. At present we are monitoring students that have three or more days off school each week or have a pattern of unexplained attendance. It is important that you inform the school when your child is away to avoid us making unnecessary referrals to this service. We are still aiming for high attendance of all our students until the final day of this term as we know attendance and achievement are closely linked to the success in academic achievement.
If your child is sick for three days when they return, you should send a doctor’s certificate to the office for filing. All absentees should be explained so they can be correctly coded if not your child’s absence is recorded as an E which is unexplained, and it will be followed up initially by the school and then referred to the EWIS.
Past Pupils in Leadership Positions for 2023
We would like to congratulate the following students on their a[ppointments foir 2023
Kahlen Gray, Deputy Head Girl at McAuley High School
Marina Jones Head Girl Sancta Maria College
Aloyze Tafu House Leader Sancta Maria College
Electra Phillips Fawdray Hose Leader papatoetoe High School
We are always proud of our Past Pupils Achievements and are delighted when people share this news with ust, so please keep us informed by emailing office@hcsp.nz
IXL Champions
Year 6 Education Outside the Classroom Activities
Athletics
Scholastic Book Orders
The last book club offer, Offer No. 8 is out and orders can be placed online up until the 30 November and then it will be closed. No late orders can be accepted as the books may not be delivered before the end of the term.
Stationery, Attendance Dues and Catholic Character Donation
Please ensure you have met your obligations and paid the above monies. If you have any queries please contact Helen Peri or email accounts@hcsp.nz as we would like to ensure all our accounts are settled before the close of the school year.
Dates to Note
The end of the school year is fast approaching so please mark these dates in your calendar:
Thursday 8 December Senior Prizegiving 1pm Years 5 -8.
Tuesday 13 December Graduation For Year 6 Boys and Year 8 Girls 6pm in the Hall
Thursday 15 December Leavers’ Assembly - time to be confirmed
Friday 16 December Final School Mass 11.15am
School Closes on Friday 16 December at 12.30pm straight after Mass.
Students will be dismissed from their classrooms.
Please note:
All children must be collected promptly as there will be no staff on site after 1pm.
Holy Cross Parish Spirit of Christmas Concert
- When: 17th December at 7pm in Hall
- Children: Find in the YouTube any of Christmas Song, you would love to sing.
- Practise at home until you know it very well
- You may Sing alone {Solo} or in duet {2} or trio {3} or quartet {4}
- You could play your song with your own instrument, Super Great!
- Download the music of your song into a Flash Drive and you practise with it at home.
Parents: When the children finished choosing their songs then, contact us as soon as possible.
If you want any clarification or more information, you could contact to the Team OR
Sr. Nau Apikotoa smsm.
Mob: 021 026 16 323 Home Phone: (09) 278 0198
Thank you so much for your support.
Principal Awards
Room 1 Peyton Mahani, Bradley Coward Ramsey
Room 4 Taimanea-Atarangi Potangaroa, Ivanka Hirmiz
Room 5 Anthony Tuimauga, Lucas Ioane
Arohanui
Room 1A Evania Shijo, Jaxon Sepuloni
Room 2 Nora Sanday, Schulyer Tapelu
Room 3 Darius Younis, Mele Koula Bloomfield
Aroha
Room 4A Alexandra Tuponiua, Adon Shijo
Room 9 Jax Matai, John Matoha
Room 10
Te Matauranga
Room 11
Room 12 Easton Ofakeneiafu, Emily Matu
Room 13 Dylan Rai, Kesimia Ioane
Tumanako
Room 14 Matthew Toma, Bass Tuala
Room 15 Isabelle Maharaj-Bennett, Grace Misilei
Room 16 Eden Soo Choon, Harmony Fa’aui
Manaakitanga
Room 18 Joselle Filipo, Miguel Jefferson
Room 19 Roma Ofamo’oni, Ethan Rasch-Lemafa
Room 20 Rodel Wongtung-Komit, Romanuel Eseloma
Atawhai
Room 17 Jerry Ielemino, Fisaiah-Xanthus Fa’afiti
Room 21
Room 22 Conchita Jennings-Sio, Savanah Ngaluafe
School App
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This is what the app looks like on either the PlayStore (for Android phones) or the App Store (for iPhones). Please download it if you haven’t done so already.
Contact Us
Email: office@hcsp.school.nz
Website: https://hcsp.school.nz/
Location: Holy Cross Catholic School Papatoetoe 21 Carruth Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 278 8224
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hcsp.school.nz