St Joseph's Newsletter T4 Wk 6
23 November 2022
Principal’s Piece
Kia Ora Koutou
He tia, he tia, He ranga, he ranga,
Haere mai te toki, Hamui ē, hui e, taiki ē.
Rise and press on, When the challenge arrives,
We will gather and unite together, Strength together it will be done.
Recently we saw the Black Ferns overcome a range of challenges to become World Cup Champions. The nation was entertained and inspired by their confidence, passion, belief and flair. They had a plan but also had to adapt to the disruptions that came their way. It was a dramatic final, filled with emotional ups and downs and brave decision making for the full 80 minutes.
In education at the moment we have a number of challenges. These include a new NCEA structure, a refreshed curriculum, a teacher shortage and as mentioned in the media the high absentee rates. Over the next couple of days the teachers and principals will meet at Paid Union Meetings throughout the country to discuss their new collective agreements. This is another challenge to add to a growing number of pressures faced by schools. The way forward is to unite together and help those leaders make the brave decisions that put the students at the centre. That way we will start to build a world class education system that will prepare our students for the path ahead.
A big thank you to those parents who are able to pick up their children early on Thursday to allow the Teachers to attend the Paid Union Meetings. For those that cannot, supervision will be provided until 2.45pm. After School Care will continue to work as normal on Thursday.
The end of the school year is quickly approaching. There are many events and trips planned during this time. Make sure you add those dates to your calendar. This weekend also marks the beginning of Advent. This is the four week period that Catholics observe as we prepare for Christmas. Each Sunday a different candle is lit as part of the advent wreath.
Kia manaaki te Atua koutou katoa
Grant Stuart
Tumuaki / Principal
Gospel Reflection
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time), Cycle C Sunday, November 20, 2022
Gospel Reading
Luke 23:35-43
Jesus is crucified under the title King of the Jews.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today as a Church, we conclude our liturgical year and celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. The Gospel we proclaim shows the great mystery of our faith: In the moment of his crucifixion, Jesus is shown to be King and Saviour of all.
Luke's Gospel has been loaded with surprises: the poor are rich, sinners find salvation, the Kingdom of God is found in our midst. Here we see the greatest surprise of all. We are confronted with the crucified Jesus, whom faith tells us is King and Saviour of all. The irony is that the inscription placed on the cross, perhaps in mockery, contains the profoundest of truth. As the leaders jeer, the thief crucified by his side recognizes Jesus as Messiah and King, and finds salvation.
Jesus is King, but not the kind of king we might have imagined or expected. His kingship was hidden from many of his contemporaries, but those who had the eyes of faith were able to see. As modern disciples of Jesus, we, too, struggle at times to recognize Jesus as King. Today's Gospel invites us to make our own judgment. With eyes of faith, we, too, recognize that Jesus, the crucified One, is indeed King and Saviour of all.
Christmas Mass Times: Parish of the Holy Cross
Saturday 24 December
St Joseph’s 4.00pm
St Paul’s 6.00pm
St Peter Chanel 8.00pm
Sunday 25 December
St Anthony’s 9.00am
News
ICAS Achievements
Congratulations to the following students for their achievements in the ICAS Mathematics Exams:
Merit
Emilia Shyra
Ciaran Whaley
Credit
Theo Johnston
Enzo Lunas
Lucia McLauchlan-Hillary
Aodhan O'Toole
Distinction
Bella McLauchlan-Hillary
Hamilton City Council Helmet Design Competition
Tomorrow Thursday 24 November - Teachers Union Meeting - 12.45pm pick up for Year 0-6 students
*please fill in Google form below
NZEI (New Zealand’s largest education union) have announced Paid Union Meetings across the country in November to discuss an offer from the Ministry of Education regarding the Primary Teachers Collective Contract (pay and conditions). All teachers who are union members are entitled to attend these meetings.
For our school, this will be organised as follows:
Wednesday 23 November: Year 7&8 teachers will attend a union meeting with no impact on students at school. Year 7&8 are then on a trip to Waimarino the next day. Year 0-3 Athletics will take place in the afternoon as planned.
Thursday 24 November: Year 0-6 teachers will attend a union meeting in the afternoon of Thursday 24 November. We ask that children are picked up from school at 12.45pm if possible. Those who need to stay at school will be supervised by support staff. Normal learning programmes will not be taking place.
After-school care will still be available and will need to be booked through Enrolmy as normal.
Please fill in this google form for your Year 0-6 children so that we know how many children will need to be supervised. Google form - 24 November - 12.45pm pick up or supervision
After-school care will still be available and will need to be booked through Enrolmy as normal.
Gumboot Thursday!
Earlier in the term we held a Gumboot day to support the I Am Hope Foundation. Thanks to everyone who supported this we were able to donate $368 to the Foundation.
Mrs Fitzwater’s Term 4 class 2022 - No Stationery required for the children in 2023
Dear Parents
This is just a reminder that when you see notices about buying stationery requirements for your child’s class in 2023, please ignore, as you have bought enough stationery for the end of 2022 and 2023
Many thanks
Donna Fitzwater
Students Arriving Early
Parking on Strowan Avenune and Clarkin Ave
When collecting or dropping students off at school, please do not park in the no parking zones or on or across our neighbours driveways.
“Now the weather is improving can we please make more of an effort to park appropriately around our school, please do not park on yellow lines and in the bus stop on Clarkin Road. Make a plan with your students to walk a bit further and meet you at safe and appropriate area”.
Sports
Weetbix Tryathlon
https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=48057&G=164337
Notices
Mass Schedule Term 4
Whanau are welcome to join us in celebrating the Eucharist on Friday’s at 9 am as follows:
BYOD & Devices
Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD)
At St Joseph's we are a BYOD school. This means we allow students to bring their own device (Chromebook, Netbook or laptop) to school. It is a tool to assist them with their learning. It allows them to access the internet.
There are a number of different devices that students use but if they decide to bring a device to school then there are certain requirements to be aware of. St Joseph's School’s minimum requirements for a device to assist with learning at school are:
- At least enough battery power for 5 hours learning;
- Internet capable;
- Ability to create and edit documents using Google tools;
- Suitable, durable bag/protective cover.
Please remember that ALL classrooms will have a minimum of one device/every two students so there is no real reason to feel that students will need to provide their own device. It is our strong belief that we have sufficient devices to allow students in every class to have access to devices when and if they are required for their learning.
The School Board continues to support us by providing sufficient devices for our classrooms.
School work carried out on a school device can still be accessed at home through the student's account and worked on. With the up coming sales over the next period you will be able to pick up devices at very good pricing if you would like your child to have their own device. The Online Safety Use Agreement will govern the use and access of all devices at/from the school.
Before and After School Care 2022
Here are the links to find out more details and to enrol for Term Four:
School Uniform
All items of the uniform can now be purchased via the school. We are no longer selling any uniform items at NZ Uniforms in Hamilton.
Please use the Kindo app to purchase items and these will then be sent to your child's classroom. If you need to try on items, please come to the school office after 9am and we can help you with this or you can call on 855 5434 to arrange a time.
Please be aware that there may be limited sizes of certain items.
School Uniform Items and Prices
Period Products
St Joseph’s Fairfield has opted into the government initiative to provide period products for students. This initiative aims to provide free period products to children and young people in all schools across New Zealand. Periods are a fact of life for half the population. Despite this, young people don’t always have access to the products they need to feel comfortable at school, engage in their learning, and manage what should be a normal and healthy part of life. If you want to know more, click here for a link to the Ministry of Education information.
At St Joseph’s, we have put in place a discreet delivery system so that girls can take home a monthly allocation of period products (two boxes per month). We know that some girls at this age might feel too shy to openly discuss period products with their peers or a staff member, so we want to make access easy and remove any embarrassment for them.
Click here for more information.
Each girl can fill in this Google Form which lets them select from various products.
COVID 19 - Update
New long-term strategy for COVID-19
You’ll be aware that New Zealand will move to a new, long-term approach to COVID-19. These changes have been made based on public health advice and reflect high levels of immunity and declining case numbers across New Zealand.
This new approach will only result in minor changes to the way we operate.
The very positive news is that household contacts of a person with COVID-19 do not need to isolate, but instead are asked to complete a RAT test each day, for five days. Therefore, ākonga who are household contacts but test negative and do not have COVID-19 symptoms, should continue to attend. It is the best place for them to be so they can be engaged in their learning, and connected with their teachers, classmates and friends.
Information on how to get RAT kits can be found here: Request a RAT– Ministry of Health
Mask wearing is no longer required.
All the other recommended public health measures will stay in place as we know they reduce the spread of infectious illnesses including COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene, encouraging everyone to cough or sneeze into elbows and, most importantly, staying home and getting tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting our community.
Past Student Sporting Achievements
PTFA
Entertainment App
Community Notices
The Parish of the Holy Cross Sacramental Programme 2023
This programme is for children who are baptised and are aged 8 years and above. Classes will run for 5 weeks at St Joseph's Church, Fairfield commencing mid February 2023. Registration is online at: holycross.cdh.org.nz under Sacramental Preparation.
The link will be live from 1 November to 9 December. Please note you will be required to supply a
copy of the child’s baptism certificate before your registration is complete.
Holiday Programmes
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
Term Dates
2022 Term Dates
Term 4: Mon 17th October – Fri 16th December
Teacher Only Day
Term 4 – Friday, 11 November
2023 Term Dates
Term 1: Tues 31 January - Thurs 6 April
Term 2: Mon 24 April - Fri 30 June
Term 3: Mon 17 July - Friday 22 September
Term 4: Mon 9 October - Fri 15 December