Newsletter 5 September 2022
St Joseph's Catholic School Onehunga
Tongan Language Week - 4 September - 10 September
This year’s theme for Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week - is: Ke Tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tonga 'i Aotearoa, which means Sustaining the Tonga Language in Aotearoa.
Ke Tu'uloa 'a e lea faka-Tönga′ 'i Aotearoa has a positive and progressive connotation. To support the overarching Language Weeks theme of Sustainability, the word TU'ULOA in the theme this year means to continuously grow, nurture, and sustain a valued idea, practice, event, or memory in an enduring way.
In his acknowledgement of Tonga Language Week, Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio urges Tongans everywhere to embrace Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga, to help stop the decline in its use by the New Zealand born Tongan population.
Students will be doing a variety of activities in class this week to celebrate the Tongan Language. Below are some links that could support you at home with Tongan Langauge and a video of previous Tongan Langauge celebrations at St Joseph's.
On Friday 9 September we will be having a Tongan Mufti Day. Students are encouraged to dress in CULTURAL DRESS.
Reconcilation
We had a peaceful time of Reconciliation on Friday 26 August where our children were able to receive Gods love and Mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Fr Vijay and Fr Tino led our tamariki in liturgy and had a thoughtful reflection of being Salt and light of the earth.
Open Days
Is your 4 year old due to start school? Come along with your child to our Open Days for school initiation and parent sessions.
Book via school office 6368102 or admin@sjs.school.nz
This is an opportunity to welcome our new students as they begin their school learning journey, and their families, both those who are joining the St Joseph’s School community for the first time or those of you bringing another of your children to start at SJS.
Upcoming Events
- Open Day - 6 September
- PTFA Meeting - 8 September
- Piano lessons - 8 and 9 September
- Tongan Mufti Day - 9 September
- Maori Language week - 12 - 16 September
- Chess - 14 September
- Piano lessons - 15 and 16 September
- Priests visit - 16 September
Holiday Programme - 3rd - 14th OCTOBER
If you are in need of childcare during the upcoming school holidays book at;
ENROLMENTS
We welcome enrolments for 2022. If you have a child or know of a child due to start school in 2022 please ensure they are enrolled. It is essential we know who is wanting to join our school whanau and when.
Enrolment packs are available from the school office or can be downloaded from the school website. https://sjs.school.nz/enrolment-2/
IDEAS FOR KEEPING CHILDREN HEALTHY THIS WINTER
Follow this guidance to help keep children and whānau stay healthy during the winter months.
Provide children with healthy and nutritious food to eat. Healthy eating supports immunity and helps our bodies to work well and feel good.
Food, activity and sleep – Ministry of Health
Support children to get enough sleep. Sleep is important for restoring energy, maintaining mental and physically wellbeing, learning, and aiding healthy growth and development.
Helping young children sleep better – Ministry of Health
Encourage and create opportunities for children to be active. Being active at home, at school, at play during the weekends and in the community helps children maintain good health and wellbeing.
Activities for children and young people – Ministry of Health
It is a good idea to encourage children to play outdoors – they just need to be dressed warmly during the winter months!
Being outdoors helps to boost children’s immune systems through exposure to fresh air and enables them to make vitamin D from exposure to the sun.
SUPPORT
The impact of COVID to employment has lead to challenging times for many families.
If you or anyone you know wants some advice or support over this time here are some options that might be useful.
- VisionWest Community Trust https://visionwest.org.nz/
- Vaka Tautua Limited https://www.vakatautua.co.nz/
- TOA Pacific Incorporated https://toapacific.org.nz/
- MUMA Whanau Services Limited https://www.muma.co.nz/whanau-services
Work and Income services centres are closed, however you can apply for assistance via MyMSD or phone the contact centre on 0800 559 009.
If you need some assistance with food these food banks may be able to help out;
- Auckland City Mission, City 09 303 9200
- Salvation Army Royal Oak 09 639 1103
- Vinnies Auckland, Newton 09 815 6122 or 0800 6800
- Hope Centre, New Lynn 02108048436
- Vision West, Glen Eden (Mon, Wed, Fri only) 09 818 0716
School App
Download our school app (which is free) so that you receive announcements and newsletters from school to keep you up to date.
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: admin@sjs.school.nz
Website: http://www.sjs.school.nz/
Location: 125 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 09 636 8102
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJSOnehunga