Newsletter Week 10 Term 2

St Joseph's School Waipukurau 6h July 2022

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

‘He noa ana he puito mata’’

From the withered tree a flower blooms

Thus says the Lord GOD:

I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.

It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar.

Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom.

As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.

Ezekiel, Chapter 17:22-24

Kia Ora i te whānau kātoa,

Welcome to the last week of a very busy term of learning. When reflecting on this weeks Whakatauki and Reading, I see the representation of the tree as part of Gods kingdom, I envisage it as a symbol of strength, safety, shelter and protection. These same qualities are ones we feel and share when we think of Father Paul and our school. After such a wonderful celebration last week we are thankful that Father Paul’s operation went well on Monday and we pray that his operation next Monday is as equally successful. Thank you to our PFG for providing freezer meals for him to enjoy while he is recovering. We look forward to seeing him back sharing his love with our school community in the new Term.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos of Father Paul engaged with our students as we celebrated his 60th Jubilee: Sharing in our school mass, every child blessing his Pounamu, enjoying a PFG lunch after showing our skipping skills, playing at Anderson Park, relaxing at Ocean Spa, sharing a Liturgical dance at our community mass, and just having fun together as a school community. Thank you to everyone who joined us for Mass and the shared lunch on Sunday. It is an absolute honor to be part of such a caring community.

Leading in Faith, Learning for Life

Stone Carving

Thank you Murray and Jan Gosling for providing our students with the opportunity to learn the skill of stone carving. While this was their first session, their efforts and attention to detail is already shining through.

Skipping

Our key themes for our Jump Rope for Heart Skipping extravaganza was: Create, Innovate, Appreciate and Cooperate. Congratulations to all our risk takers who have all stepped up their skipping abilities. A compliment to the program were parent comments that were shared today: ‘I didn’t even know she could skip!, and ‘I can’t believe my son asked for his own skipping rope!’ A great move forward in acknowledging the importance of physical activity.

Dancing

WOW! Room 1 & 3, what superstars! Grit, determination and commitment are the 3 words that come to mind when I reflect on this afternoons wonderful demonstration of ‘opportunities’ in action. Thank you to the super large turn out of parents, it was absolutely wonderful to see you all. The smiles on all faces is evidence that the afternoon was a success. Thank you Louise, Kirsty, Gayleen and your learners.

Student Initiatives

Giving students a say over what happens at school promotes a real sense of engagement and a strong sense of community. With the guidance of Paula; our Vinnies liaison, our students in Room 6 continue to have the opportunity to contribute to the well being of others. Their next taking action initiative will be on Wednesday 10th August when they will be hosting a Nacho Lunch day to raise funds for families in Tonga.

Other initiatives taking action in Term 3 include:

Winter Hat - Beanies -This initiative has been proposed, organized and coordinated by Greer Webster - Please see the flyer attached if you would like to order your own St Joseph’s Beanie to keep your head and ears warm over these next few winter months.

Pet Day - You will have already received an information flyer and entry form from the organizing committee: Ruby Birdsall, Isla Malcom, Neve Barrett. More information will be shared leading up to this exciting day in the new term.

Talent Show - As a result of this terms inquiry into our God given talents, Rylee Hodgetts and Jayde Tipene have proposed that we hold our very own St Joseph’s Got Talent’ Talent Show - More information to follow.

Mid Year Reports

This Friday your child will bring home their Mid Year Progress Report. Inside the envelope is a cover letter to share with you how the information in this report was developed.

This following: ‘Letter from your child’ (Pinterest), while humorous, accurately reflects how ‘most’ learners feel and would like to share, if they had the opportunity.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Today you will be seeing my progress report. This progress report will be my teacher’s attempt to describe my actions and accomplishments at school during the past weeks. As you read through it, please remember that my teacher is describing someone who is near and dear to you, so please don’t get uptight if you see a blemish. I hope you will accept me as I am.

Remember that all children do not learn to walk and talk at the same age, nor do they learn math or reading at the same rate. Please do not compare me to my brothers sisters, or friends, because I am unique to this world. Be realistic in setting my goals. I need to be challenged, but not to be pushed beyond my abilities. I need to taste success, and I still need time to ‘smell the flowers’ while I am a child.

Please understand that my progress report is a picture of me at school. It is a whole different world from the one at home. Can you imagine having 18 children my age at the dinner table tonight, or 100 children in the backyard playing? Dont be surprised to find that I respond in a different manner at school.

My teacher knows me as I am at school. You know me as I am at home. The ‘real me’ may be somewhere in between. When these two images are blended with sufficient understanding, acceptance and love. I hope you will see a unique individual who can make you proud and bring you much happiness.

Love from,

Your Child.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Yesterday, you received an alert on your school APP and via Facebook, inviting you to sign up for a meeting time with your child’s teacher on Monday 1st August. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah J in the office and she will help you get sorted.

I wish you all a safe and enjoyable Mid Term break. I look forward to seeing all all on Monday 25th July, fresh and ready for a new term of learning.

A blessing

Living God, Giver of Life, Heart of Life, Breath of Life, Sustainer of Life, Water of Life,

Bless us all now and always.

Amen

Mā te Atua e manaaki

Betty Brown

School Interview Bookings

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MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL LEADERS

Tena Koutou Katoa

This Friday is a Mufti Day for YCC Day. ‘

‘YCC Day is the day when thousands of young people across New Zealand gather together in solidarity,(one of our Catholic Social Teaching Principles for a good cause and have fun wearing non uniform for a small cost of a gold coin.

We come together to bring about lasting change for a school who may not enjoy the same privileges as ourselves’.

For YCC Day in 2022, we are supporting Laura Vicuna School in Bethlehem.

Laura Vicuna School is a small school situated in the Holy Land.

The school began in 1988 and is in dire need of support to fix and repair toilets, purchase a new laptop and projector as well as round tables for small group learning activities.

Last week the school had lots of fun celebrating Father Paul’s 60th jubilee. We did fun skipping activities on Thursday after mass as it was the last day of jumping June, and we also had a sausage sizzle. On Friday everyone got to go to Anderson park and ocean spa. We first went to Anderson park, the playground was wet from the rain but everyone still enjoyed it. Both the staff and kids enjoyed the time. It was a very large and cool playground. After 45 minutes of playing the school hopped on the buses to go to Ocean Spa. At Ocean Spa everyone enjoyed the relaxing hot pools and the big cold pools.

Hope you enjoy your last week of term 2 and have a great two week holiday

Molly & Hannah

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CBG HOUSE REWARDS

Last week St Peter Chanel house won the CBG house points and Ruby and Alfie were the winning individuals. Well done!

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Student Achievement

‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ ST Mary MacKillop

Congratulations to the following groups of students who have dedicated their time and talents to organize and care for 2 critical play environments in our school: ‘The Bike Shed’ and ‘The Sandpit Shed’

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CATHOLIC CHARACTER

END OF TERM PRAYER

We thank you Lord, for this term. For the challenges, the successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends. Give us strength and courage to do what is right; to be witnesses of our faith. Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others, to be peacemakers in our family. Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us. May we always be conscious of you in our lives. Amen

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PFG Update (St Joseph's Parents and Friends Fundrasing Group)

Hello!

Friday - PIE day Lunches are back this week! Please take your order and the correct money to room 2.

Thank you all for your support this term with these! Have a lovely safe school holidays, see you in term 3!!

Our next meeting is Monday 25th July.

Facebook page: St Joseph's Parents and Friends Group - Waipukurau

Email: stjosephspfg@gmail.com

Sarah Martin - Chair and the PFG committee.

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PET DAY

St Joseph's School’s Pet Day will be held on 22 September 2022. We would like to remind your child/ren to bring back their entries for this to Ruby or Neve in room 6. If you need another entry form, please come and get one off Ruby or Neve. All entries are due by Friday week one Term 3. Some great prizes are being collected ready for the day! Here are some photos from our last pet day cake competition.

Ruby and Neve

Thinking of joining our school whanau in 2023?

Please contact Sarah Jackson in the school office for an application packet