What a tragedy in Turkey and Syria this past week with the massive earthquake they have experienced. It is devastating for the local people affected especially with the huge loss of life and so many people now homeless. The people have a long road to recovery and of course for many life will never be the same. I am sure you have been holding all the people in prayer during this time.
Natural disasters and severe weather events remind us of our human frailty and vulnerability. Let's hope Cyclone Gabrielle on its way to the upper North Island is not too severe. Our Gospel on Sunday was taken from Matthew 5:17-37. Jesus is asking us to look deeper into our behaviour and responses in a number of areas of our lives.
One of those areas is anger. If we let our anger get away from us it can have damaging consequences on our relationships. Jesus challenges us to work at reconciliation with those we have hurt in any way or who have hurt us. Otherwise, we can be living a lie when it comes to living out our faith... 'be reconciled with your brother/sister first, then come back and present your offering,' Jesus says. Blessings on your week and stay safe.
Blessings on your week ahead.
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents
Once again nature has plans that are beyond our control. I understand that the closure of our school and many other schools is not ideal, and I appreciate it has caused numerous problems for working families, but safety is our number one priority for our school community. At three o’clock on Sunday we had an understanding of the devastation the approaching cyclone might cause and a decision had to be made. After online meetings and discussions with our neighbouring schools and our Kahui Ako we unpacked all the information available to us from the Ministry of Education, the Emergency Services and the Presiding Member of the Board and I came to the decision to close on Monday and to review the situation at 3pm Monday regarding the opening of the school on Tuesday.
Today we have followed the Met Services Reports and the advice from the Emergency Management Services and we will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday 14 February, as they are predicting the worst weather is still to come. Auckland Transport has also advised us to stay home unless travel is urgent. All our neighbouring schools and our Kahui Ako (South Auckland Catholic Schools) will also remain closed tomorrow.
We were all looking forward to a full week of learning and preparing our cricket. playball, softball and tag teams and for our swimming teams to continue their training regime.
Our newly formed Student Council were looking forward to meeting and preparing to develop their position in the school. Unfortunately these plans have been delayed but we know with our students’ “can do attitude” the outcome of this disruption will not be detrimental to their future progress and results.
Please keep safe, take care of each other and reach out to our school community if you require help and support. Please contact our SWIS ( Social Worker in School, Siueli Vatikani, via email SiueliV@atwc.org.nz or mobile 027 702 0864 if you need any assistance.
Nga manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa
Julie Paul
Principal
Facebook, TikTok and other Social Media Platforms
Parents, it is your responsibility to ensure that your children are NOT accessing Facebook, TikTok and other social media platforms when they are legally underage to do so. The age limits are set to prevent young children posting or viewing inappropriate material.
Students have a google account created for them which belongs to the school and should only be used to access approved learning material. The sites are monitored by the school. If any child chooses to use their account inappropriately, the school will close their account and this will be detrimental to their learning. We will also withdraw their privilege of having the use of a school Chromebook.
School Council
At our beginning of the term school Mass last Friday, we were delighted to announce our School and House Leaders for the first half of 2023. Congratulations to the following Year 8 girls and Year 6 boys who will lead our school and be our School Council:
School Leaders:
Amelia Brzozowski and Jernee Mika
House Leaders:
Liston
Starla Krone and Rick Feao
McAuley
Mili Mary Tojin and Ethan Rasch Lemafa
McKean
Ailey Ale and Taye Kyd
Pompallier
Veronica Maynard and Ivan Maharaj Bennett
Assembly This Week
Our School Assembly this week will be on Friday 17th February at 2pm in the McKean Centre. Our assembly will be led by Room 22.
Mark Your Calendars
Ash Wednesday - Wednesday 22 March.
Meet the Teacher’s Evening - Monday 27 February at 6pm in the hall. 
Stationery Accounts
Stationery invoices have now been issued to families. The cost of stationery is as follows:
Years 1 - 5 stationery is $25.00
Year 6 stationery is $25.00 Year 6 Camp is: $100.00
Years 7 & 8 stationery and technology will be: $120.00
Year 7 Camp will be $200.00
Year 8 Camp will be $200.00
We ask that all stationery bills are paid promptly by 31st March. Please note that we pass on all savings to our families for stationery and we do not charge for any of the software licences that our children have access to or for the use of school devices.
Camp fees may be paid in installments but must be paid by:
Year 8 by the end of Term 2
Year 6 and 7 by the end of Term 3.
All stationery, uniforms and camp fees are to be paid into the following account:
ASB Account 12 3028 0484186 00.
Please use your child’s initial and surname for reference and for code put stationery, camp, uniform etc.
Attendance Dues
Please ensure you have set up automatic payments or made arrangements to ensure your first term fees are paid by the beginning of April for each child attending our school. This is an obligation you agreed to when you enrolled your child at our school and it is your responsibility to ensure you pay this account by the end of each term. Attendance Dues is $122.00 per child per term for 2023. If you have any issues with this please email myself or Helen Peri at accounts@hcsp.nz
Please ensure that you pay Attendances into the BNZ account and stationery, trips and camp in the ASB account.
We are unable to access money that is put into the BNZ account as this money goes directly to the diocese for Attendance Dues and the Catholic Special Character.
Communication Platforms for School News and Information
Parents, please take advantage of all our communication platforms. Remember to sign up to our School Apps NZ for all up to date notices and alerts, check out our Facebook page, our school website and ensure that you sign up to Seesaw.
At the end of this newsletter you will find information regarding the School Apps NZ.
Book Bags
School Uniform
Thank you to all families who have made an effort to ensure their children are wearing the correct uniform with pride. Our whole school was very well presented and looked meticulous at our first school Mass last week.
Please keep up this standard as we encourage our children to take pride in their appearance. We have allowed our Senior girls and Year 6 boys only to wear plain black, waterproof shoes with white ankle socks for the girls or the navy knee length socks for the boys. Please ensure you are following this directive. Coloured sports shoes with Nike stripes, stars etc are not considered to be plain black, waterproof shoes.
Again, I must insist that all clothing is named, especially sweatshirts and rain jackets that will be worn more often if this weather continues.
sKids After School Care
Parents will collect their children from the hall. The after-school care is run independently of the school, so all bookings and payments are done directly through their organisation.
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.
