Principal’s Piece
Kia Ora Koutou
Māna anō e whakamāui ake
He may rally again like Maui
This week’s whakatauki refers to illness and recovery. Over this term we have seen a number of students come down with Covid 19. Now a number of our teaching staff have been affected by the virus. This week we welcome back two teachers who have had Covid and we have another three teachers at home. There are plans in place should we be unable to have a teacher in every classroom. Take care and if you or your child displays any symptoms, even just a runny nose then please test.
This morning I took a group of Year 8 boys to the St John’s College Mass. The college was celebrating 100 years of Marist education in Hamilton and 60 years of the college being open. Both are wonderful achievements for the Marist community in Hamilton. St John’s is a big part of our school community too, with a number of our boys continuing on their education there.
This Friday the PTFA are holding a bake sale. Every child in the school has an opportunity to purchase a cupcake. This can be ordered through Kindo. Each family has been asked to provide some baking to go towards the sale. The bake sale will start at the end of the Choir’s performance.
Coming up in Week 8 and 10 are the Learning Conversations. This is a great opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss their learning. The Hero mid year posts will also be available from Friday 17 June. It has been a year since our last round of curriculum reporting like this so it’s important to read the post and have a conversation with your child's teacher.
There are a number of events coming up in the next couple of weeks which is great for our students as we continue to get life back to normal under Orange settings. These events include the rippa rugby tournament, the senior swimming sports, tough guy and tough gal, CIS winter sports tournament and Matariki. Make sure you check out the dates on the school calendar which is available on the school app and the school website.
Kia manaaki te Atua koutou katoa
Grant Stuart
Tumuaki / Principal
Gospel Reflection
Pentecost Sunday, Cycle C
Sunday 5 June
Gospel Reading
John 20:19-23
Jesus appears to his disciples and gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Background on the Gospel Reading
The season of Easter concludes with today's celebration, the feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today's first reading. The account in today's Gospel, taken from the Gospel of John, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts to each other. It is enough to know that, after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.
We previously heard today's Gospel on the second Sunday of Easter. At that time, we also heard the passage that follows, which describes Jesus' appearance to Thomas. In that context, we were led to reflect on belief and unbelief.
In the context of the feast of Pentecost, this reading reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” As he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus sends his disciples to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins.
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. This reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church's sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are washed clean from sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God in forgiving sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.
Lucky Book Club Out Now
Issue 4 Brochures are now available. This issue will close for ordering on Thursday 23rd June. Please order on line using LOOP (see details on brochure). Please note that orders are not accepted at the school office. Thank you for your support.
COVID 19 - Update
We still have some students showing symptoms of Covid 19 and a number of these children are testing positive. If this is the case with your child, please let us know.
Please email the Principal directly: g.stuart@stjosephs.school.nz or ring (07) 855 5434.
All students who return a positive test result, and their household contacts, need to self-isolate for 7 days, then they are able to return to school provided they are symptom free.
Before and After School Care 2022
Here is the link to find out more details and to enrol for Term Two:
Parish Mass Times
St Peter Chanel
Tuesday 9am
Thursday 9am - Liturgy with Communion
Saturday Vigil 5pm
St Joseph's
Wednesday 9am - Liturgy with Communion
Friday 9am
Sunday 9am
2022 Term Dates
Term Dates
Term 2: Mon 2nd May – Fri 8th July
Term 3: Mon 25th July – Fri 30th September
Term 4: Mon 17th October – Fri 16th December
Teacher Only Days
Term 3 – Monday, 29 August
Term 4 – Friday, 11 November
