St Joseph's School Newsletter
7th September - Week 7 - Term 3 2022
Principal's Message
Kia ora, Hi, Kia orana, Kumusta, Ciao, Hallo, Dia duit, Halo, Namaste, Bonjour,
Welcome to week 7,
There has been a change of day for Grandparents/ Grandfriends day. We will now be holding this on Friday 16th September. We look forward to a great day.
2023 - Intermediate - Year 7/8
We are now planning ahead to 2023. Next week I will be working with the Senior students to enhance and refine the Intermediate hub aspect of the school. The Year 6, 7, 8 students and families will receive a feedback/ feedforward survey next week so that we can hear from parents their aspirations for the Intermediate level of St Joseph's.
This week I have been at the Association of Integrated School's conference. It has provided lots of great learning and reflection time. Workshops included; Culturally Responsive Practise, NZ Curriculum Refresh, Localised Curriculum, National Education Learning Priorities, Policies and Community engagement. There is much change coming in the next few years in regards to Education in New Zealand and it is important that as a school we are able to be at the lead of implementing these changes with strong foundational knowledge.
Attendance Dues: If you have had a change in circumstance or need some assistance to pay the Attendance fees please come and see me. I am happy to support families fill out a form to have their fees reduced for this year.
Teresa Rush
Principal
Grandparents/ Grandfriends day
9am - Mass
10 am - Morning Tea
Time to visit classrooms and chat
11am - School concert for Grandparents / Grandfriends and Parish.
Cartias Mufti Mania- Social Justice Week
This Friday is a mufti day to raise funds for Caritas - Please bring a donation.
Social Justice Week 2022 runs from September 4-10 and focuses on the topic of racism. The title of the Caritas resources is WHAKAKĀHORETIA TE KAIKIRI. KOTAHI ANŌ TĀTOU I ROTO I TE KARAITI / SAY NO TO RACISM. WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST.
As we journey through this Social Justice Week the key question for each of us to reflect on is: “how are we becoming one in Christ?”
CATHOLIC CORNER
This week is Social Justice Week and this year’s theme is Say No to Racism. Many people in NZ and across the world are being treated unfairly, often because they are ‘different’. By helping our young people to become more aware of the inequality that exists we can help bring peace and harmony.
Prayer for Racial Harmony
Almighty God, E te Atua kaha rawa, Who loves and delights in all people, we stand in wonder before You, knowing that the spark of life within each person is the spark of your divine life. May we come to see the differences among cultures and races as different expressions of Your Light and Love. We place our hopes for racial harmony into your divine hands and pray for the strength to reach out and act with love and kindness to our neighbours. May all people come to know the peace of Christ.
Next Friday we welcome parents and grandparents to a special Grandparents’ Mass at 9:00 followed by Morning Tea and a Concert. As many grandparents live far away you're most welcome to invite a neighbour, family friend or parishioner as ádopted’ grandparent for the day. A plate of food for morning tea would be appreciated from school families.
Linda Hughes
Dentist
The school mobile dental van is a little behind schedule at the moment and will not be seeing St Joseph's students until around Term 2 next year. If your child has a dental issue or you would like them seen please contact the mobile unit on 021 359 798.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES UDATE
Dear St Joseph’s Whanau,
My apologies for the delay in between updates, this year has gone by quickly!
Last board meeting
The last board meeting was on 15 August 2022. At this meeting John Kazcon, Tina Nopper and Nigel Knight confirmed they have stood down in their roll as Board members and have chosen not to stand again in this year’s board elections.
As a board and on behalf of the school community, I wish to thank them for their hard work and contribution to the school community.
As I have said previously, Nigel has remained on the board despite his last primary school aged child now being at college. Nigel is a very community orientated person and has been very committed to the school, working behind the scenes to assist in the school’s property management and maintenance. His time and energy in this area will be particularly missed. Thank you for your contribution.
Tina has served the board for this last term of just over 3 years, and we are grateful to her for her governance contribution to the school. Tina brought to the role her expert knowledge in matters of scholastic performance of children. Tina has been robust in challenging the board table to look at issues from new perspectives, coming at matters from a place of integrity. Thank you Tina for your time.
John, has served several terms on the board and has also served in a continuous capacity as board chair. John’s contribution has seen countless hours ensuring the board is operationally sound and has functioned to a high level. John has applied his governance knowledge and skillset to the board to a high level. With his keen eye for detail and structure, John has also spent considerable time ensuring the school is compliant in terms of policy. Equally a community minded person, John has completed a long service and we thank you for your effort.
Proprietors Representatives
The board has two new proprietors reps, Geoff and Marie Bright who have now attended two meetings. Geoff and Marie are retired teachers, Geoff a former principal and both now local orchardists. They are active members of our parish. In terms of expertise – we are fortunate to have two people of such caliber agree to share their knowledge with us.
Board Nominations for 2022
The board nomination process has closed. There were two nominations, Kenney Crockett and myself. As there were only two nominations for three parent elected seats at the board table, no elections are required.
It is great to have Kenney onboard. He will be inducted to the board in the following weeks and the school will then share his contact details with you, so you can speak to him about any schooling matters. Together with Kenney, we form your parent elected trustees of the board. Linda Hughes will be the teacher representative on the board.
We do require a further trustee in order to operate within the rules for school boards. We are keen to hear from parents who would like to do a term of up to three months to assist us.
Board matters
At the start of this year the board decided amongst its many focuses for 2022 we would support the school in working with all our children to ensure positive social behaviour and bullying prevention. We were pleased to hear that Teresa has now implemented Seasons for Change program for the children to participate in. The school has also focused on ensuring children understand their roll in displaying social behaviours.
A further key factor for the board was the development of the school roll to ensure the schools future. Teresa has reported to the board good pre-enrolment numbers for 2022 and the play group undertaken by Mrs Choat in room one on Thursdays has generated good enrolment interest in the school.
Teresa and staff will also be further focusing on developing an interesting and engaging program to provide our senior school students so they have a robust learning program, access to sports and real opportunity for personal development and leadership.
Meanwhile board members have continued to focus on fundraising. The school is securing funding of larger IPADS for the senior students for creative work, a new kitchen unit to make the kitchen more functional for students, funding from Mitre 10 for the spring seed growing competition (to be announced shortly), sports equipment, library books, and the KickStart breakfast program commencing term 4.
The school still needs to be active in this area and we are glad to hear from parents who can spare time to be involved in fundraising activities or complete funding applications. Any ideas are gladly received.
For the time being, this is my last report as Board Chair. Your new board will convene on 22 September and a new chair board will be voted into the job then.
In the meanwhile, I enjoy hearing from anyone who may have a suggestions or comments.
Ka kite,
Gemma Barden
UPCOMING EVENTS
9th September - Senior students, ASB Get Wi$e financial literacy program.
9th September - Mufti Day - Caritas
16th September - Grandparents/Grandfriends Day
22nd September - School Speech representatives to Morrinsville (St Joseph's)
22nd September - BOT meeting, 5.15pm
23rd September - Hockey Big Day Out, Ngatea
26th September - Mercy Cup of Tea Day
30th September - Skate Night Disco
30th September - Term 3 ends
HOCKEY BIG DAY OUT
The annual Hockey Big Day Out is on Friday 23rd September. The whole school is involved in the day. For this to go ahead we will need help with transport, to and from Ngatea. We would need to leave school at 8.15am and will return back to school by 3.00pm. Please let Jan-Marie know if you are able to help with transport and how many children you can take. You must have a current police check. More details will come closer to the time.
Skate Night Disco. Come and join the fun!!
Agricultural Day - Calf Club
Our school will have our annual calf club day on Friday 4th November. Children bring animals (calf, lambs, kid goat) they have raised and trained. It is now time for children to think about acquiring an animal. Please let Mrs Choat or Jan-Marie know if your child intends to have an animal for Calf Club.
Our Wonderful Sponsors
Strategic Plan Update
The school each year has a plan which focus on particular aspects of development. In the fortnightly newsletter we will highlight a goal that we as a school are focusing on and what we are doing to achieve that goal.
The second goal relates to building community
Strategic Goal 2
Community – successful together
We actively engage the community
The Matariki Cultural dinner gave us a wonderful opportunity to reconnect to the community. In term 3 Student/Parent/Teacher Goal setting conferences allowed the school and community to work together.
The Garage Sale was an excellent way that we have worked together as a community.
Matariki concert was a great community event and it is valuable for our students to connect with other schools in the Local area. Sports teams are now back up and going which really involves our students, staff and whanau working together.
Local histories education has begun, students have connected with the Mine Education Centre, visited the statues.
If you have any ideas on how we can develop and actively engage the community please contact Teresa Rush, we would love to hear from you.
KATIKATI CRICKET
Registrations close 20th September
Year 3-8
KEEP WAIHI BEAUTIFUL
Prayer for the Week
Overflowing Love Te Aroha Ranea God of peace, E te Atua o te Rangimārie,
We pray for peace in our world, and an end to war.
Instead of hatred, let there be love.
May this love overflow to drown any hatred and pain that lingers.
Shelter all your people and protect us.
Guide us and keep us from harm, so, we can build a world of love and live our lives in peace.
Help us to care for others and to love them just as they are.
May justice reign in our world and we pray that your Kingdom comes on Earth.
Āmene.
Email: office@wsj.school.nz
Phone: 07 863 8653