Nau mai, haere mai St Joseph’s Whanau

Week 5 of Term 3 and children’s learning routines and steady focus on learning are clearly evident in all classrooms. There is what teachers identify as a healthy ‘learning humm’ going on - not silence, but rather multiple quiet conversations focused on the learning task at hand. Congratulations children and teachers alike - great teamwork.

Excellence and Honour Badges: Each week starts with a Monday Gospel Hui where there is a focus on our Special Character and the tone and focus for the week is established. It was a particular privilege at this week's Gospel Hui to celebrate student excellence with the presentation of Excellence Badges and the higher Honour Badges. The different Badge categories recognise Academic, Sporting, Cultural, and Service excellence. The children awarded badges are excellent role models for all - Congratulations all who received badges.

Thank you to the IHC: Representatives of the IHC came to school this last week and presented the school with four books that will support children and adults to better understand others who face challenges in their lives. These books will be a great addition to our school library.

Looking Ahead

Whole School Mass on Sunday 4th September 9:00am: Mark your calendars for the Whole School Mass on Sunday 4th September. Attending Mass is an important part of who we are as St Joseph’s Catholic School, it is part of the Special Character of the school which we uphold to a high standard. This is a once a term event and a great opportunity for the school and parish communities to get together, see you there.

Next Year Starting Dates: Last week the Board determined the starting dates for 2023.

• Thursday 26th and Friday 27th January … Teacher Only Days with new Principal:

• Monday 30th January … Auckland Anniversary Public Holiday

• Tuesday 31st January … Catholic Schools Professional Learning Day

• Wednesday 1st February … Parent Teacher Partnership Day

• Thursday 2nd February … STUDENTS FIRST DAY

This Week

Annual Year 6 Parent Information Evening: 7pm this Wednesday 24th August in Room 3 there will be a special meeting to inform parents about the Year 7 and Year 8 learning here in our school. St Joseph’s has a very good learning programme and leadership opportunities for Year 7 and Year 8 students. This will also be a good opportunity for parents to ask questions of teachers in preparation for next year. Coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided.

Kapahaka Performance for Catholic Inter-school Cultural Festival: On this Friday 26th August our Year 5-8 students and 5 teachers will travel to the Elim Church, Te Rapa, Hamilton to participate in a Catholic Schools Cultural Festival with 11 other schools including St John’s and Sacred Heart Girls’ High Schools. Our group has been rehearsing and I am proud to say they are performing at a very high standard and I know they will represent us well. They will perform from 11:30 to 11:45am. Children will be returning in time for the end of the school day. More on this exciting event in the next newsletter.

A prayer for the coming week:

Dear Lord,

Help me be a person of integrity

May my thoughts match your teachings

May my actions match my words

Help me see the positive in people and in my circumstances

Help me experience and live life joyfully each day.

Amen

Every blessing and have a great week.

Paul Cooper

Relieving Principal

Welcome to Our School:

Earlier in the term we had Dhiva Dhiraj and her sister Dhiray Dhiraj join Akonga Hub and Room 5 after transferring from Palmerston North, with both happily settling in to our school.

Last week we had the smiling Quinn Silcock join Akonga Hub, fitting in with confidence.

A special welcome to you and your families as you join the St Josephs team.

At assembly on Monday Gospel Hui, Jeff Bennett had the privilege of presenting Excellence and Honour Awards acknowledging the hard work and efforts of our Year 7 and 8 students.

These awards highlight the extra effort students have displayed with their academic studies, sporting prowess, school culture and service to our school.

Over the past two terms these efforts have been noted, and we acknowledge these outstanding high

achievements with extra merits for going over and above as follows:

To help us in our planning, the Parish Pastoral Council would like to hear from you!!

As a Parish, we are looking for ways to spend time with our school communities, so please speak to Michelle Hinton with all your great ideas of what we can do together, as the Parish of the Holy Family: Michelle Hinton mliddington@xtra.co.nz 021 122 6691

Thank you

Father Mark

At St Joseph’s we have 4 Core Values which we focus on over the year. Each term we look at a different Core Value and how we can demonstrate that in our lives everyday through all we think, do and say.

This term the focus is on Ngākaupono - Integrity. We talk about doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Being true to ourselves and having honesty.

Ngākaupono fits perfectly with our Scripture focus this week (Luke 13: 22-30). Where Jesus encourages us to make every effort to enter through the narrow door to reach heaven.

Even though we may face challenges in our lives we must show a spiritual integrity to our faith and beliefs showing that we are always faithful to Jesus and trust in God’s plan for us.

The hardest part of integrity is not only doing what is right when no one is watching but it is doing what is right when everyone is doing the opposite. Standing out and doing what is right can be a hard choice to make but God will always be there to give you strength in these times, all you have to do is pray.

Dear God,

Sometimes everyone around me is doing things their own way;

I feel like I want to do the same.But, I want to do your will and live well.

Guide me on what choices to make to find the right path that leads to you.

Give me strength to go that way, even if I feel alone, because I know you are always with me.

Amen.

God Bless, Have a lovely week