St Joseph's Newsletter T1 Wk 6

Kia Ora Koutou

Ko ahau te whakamārama o te ao

I am the light of the world

This year’s theme “I am the Light of the World” reminds us that Jesus brings light to a darkened world. A world darkened by disease, disaster and violence. Jesus’ life and his proclamation of the truth is a challenge to each of us. But we are invited to a personal encounter with him every day, through the people we meet, the stories we hear, and through the Word that continues to echo down the ages, helping us meet the darkness of our times.

The Lenten season provides an opportunity each year to deepen understanding of our faith by reflecting on the Gospels. During Lent we are called both to turn away from things that encumber our faith journey and to turn towards God. To deepen our encounter with the Light of the World through prayer, fasting and almsgiving – the three tools of Lent. Next week marks the halfway point of the season of Lent which started on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days (not including Sundays) representing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.

Yesterday our Year 4-8 Swimming Sports at Waterworld, Te Rapa. Swimming Sports is a great opportunity for many of our students to use their talent and it was great to see all students who take part in the pool today doing their best. My thanks to the staff that have made this event possible and to the parents who have given up their time to help out.

I also need to let you know that Miss Caitlin Hollis has resigned from her teaching position here at St Joseph's Catholic School. Miss Hollis has been a teacher here since 2018. Over that time she has worked hard to help our learners be the best they can be. I wish Caitlin all the best for her new journey ahead.

Kia manaaki te Atua koutou katoa

Grant Stuart

Tumuaki / Principal

Second Sunday in Lent, Year A

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Gospel Reading
Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus is transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James, and John.

Background on the Gospel Reading

For the second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus’ retreat to the desert to his Transfiguration. Each year on the first Sunday of Lent, our Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. On the second Sunday of Lent each year, we hear the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.

The story of Jesus’ Transfiguration is told in the three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In each of those Gospels, the Transfiguration follows Jesus’ first prediction of his death and his teaching about the costs of discipleship. Jesus’ Transfiguration is a promise of Jesus’ glory, his Resurrection.

On a mountain in today’s reading, a voice affirms that Jesus is God’s Son in words reminiscent of the voice at Jesus’ baptism. In addition, the appearance of Moses and Elijah on the mountain connects this story with God’s relationship to the people of Israel. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Together with Jesus, they represent God’s complete Word.

The Transfiguration occurs in the presence of just three of Jesus’ disciples: Peter, James, and John. In Matthew’s Gospel, those disciples are among the first whom Jesus calls. The three men are identified as an “inner circle” among Jesus’ disciples when Jesus asks them to accompany him to the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest.

Come join us! We welcome whānau at all these events!

Week 6

Mass - Year 7&8: 9am Friday 10 March

Week 7

Mass - Year 0-3: 9am Friday 17 March

Whole School Assembly - 2pm Friday 17 March

Week 8

Mass - Year 4-6: 9am Friday 24 March

Week 9

Mass - Year 0-3: 9am Friday 31 March

Whole School Assembly - 2pm Friday 31 March

Week 10

Holy Week Liturgy - time to be confirmed

Some of you may have read in the media that teachers are voting on a proposed strike. Voting closes tonight for teachers, so an official strike is not confirmed as yet. Should it be confirmed, it is likely that next Thursday, March 16th would be the date for the strike, which will mean that school will be closed for instruction on that day. Should this be the case, we will share detailed information on what this will mean.

Dear Parents

This is to inform you that school will be closed on Monday 24 April 2023 for a Teacher Only Day.

The Ministry of Education has announced that there will be two Teacher Only Days in 2023 to support the implementation of new aspects of the curriculum which are being introduced. The Ministry has stipulated that the first teacher-only day in 2023 must be held during the first two-weeks of Term Two 2023, and that the timing of the second will be confirmed with the sector shortly.

We fully appreciate that Teacher Only Days have an impact on parents, and hope that you understand that we have to work within the parameters set by the Ministry of Education. We have looked carefully at our school calendar and chosen the 24th of April as it creates the least disruption to learning. Please note that the following day, Tuesday 25 April, is Anzac Day. This means that students' first day onsite for Term 2 is Wednesday 26 April.

On this day, our staff will be engaged in professional development, planning the implementation of the New Zealand Histories curriculum.

When it is your child's birthday, please don't bring in treats for their class. Our staff and BOT have had discussions about this recently, and we have decided to ask you to leave the treats for consumption at home. We have made this decision for many reasons, including hygiene, healthy eating and to relieve the pressure on families. We hope it will be one less thing for you to worry about on your child's birthday! If your child does bring treats in, the class teacher will return them to you at the end of the day. Thanks for your support.

St Joseph’s Fairfield’s school policies can all be found on a site called School Docs. This can also be found on our website under the Parent tab.

St Joseph’s School Policies and Procedures – link to SchoolDocs

The Community user name is: stjosephs

The Community password is: joseph

The Board of Trustees regularly reviews policies to ensure that they are comprehensive and up to date, meeting legislative requirements and reflective of the Special Character of our school.

If you have not looked at our Policies, we recommend browsing the following key policies which are fundamental to our the way our school operates on a daily basis:

• Special Character

• Behaviour Management

Each term, the whole community (board, staff, whānau) are invited to review and comment on specific policies and procedures. This feedback is captured using the review button on the School Docs site, or there are physical forms for feedback at the School Office on request.

The policies that are open for review this term (until 6 April) are below. We welcome your feedback.

• Legislation and Administration Policy

• Student Attendance

• Enrolment

• Privacy

• Official Information Requests

• Uniform/Dress Code

Thank you to those parents who have attended our Uniform Consultation Sessions and provided feedback. If you were unable to attend, you can view the powerpoint below and provide feedback on the attached survey:

Uniform Consultation

Uniform Consultation Survey

There are also samples of some of the uniform options we are considering in the main office.

We are pleased to be able to offer the services of our Counsellor, Katrina Roberts again this year. She will work closely with individuals and small groups. If you wish to make a referral to the counsellor for a student please fill in the following form:

School Counsellor Sign Up Form

A message from our Pastoral Care Worker:

Hi,

Now that we are settled into a new year it would be lovely to meet with the school community. Come in and join me for a cuppa and a chat and relax before you pick the kids up. I hope to see some parents each Wednesday from 2 pm in the long room. Balloons will lead the way.

See you there

Martha

In March, the Catholic Diocese will be sending out invoices for Attendance Dues which are payable by 20 April. Financial Assistance is available for those parents who are finding it difficult to pay these fees. Please email Martha, our Pastoral Care Worker, for support and advice: m.enderwick@stjosephs.school.nz

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.

Breakfast Club and After School Care is continuing this year. Here are the links to find out more details:

Breakfast Club

After School Care

Congratulations to Quin Mawdsley who has been selected in the U10 squad to travel to Christchurch in the July School holidays with the Ricki Herbert Football Academy. He was chosen after attending a 4 day National football camp in Hamilton during January. He will fly to Christchurch with his team for 5 nights and play in the Christchurch International Football Cup.

This meeting is to discuss the options for the Year 7 & 8 Sports Week in Term 3. All parents whose children would be interested in sporting opportunities are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held in Room 1.

Saints United trials/give it a go day is being held on Saturday 11th March 8 - 12.30 at Minogue Park.

Year 7 and 8 students enrolled at St Joseph’s, St Peter Chanel, Marian, St Columba’s and St Pius Catholic schools are invited to trial for these Saints United teams. The teams are expected to play competitive netball in a higher grade than what individual school teams can offer.

Each Saints team will have a squad of approx 9 players chosen at trials by a trio of independent selectors. The selection policy will be available at trials, and selections will be final. Players who are not selected, or who do not trial, will still play netball under the Saints United umbrella.

After trials, our individual schools will make school based teams as usual, combining our players together only if required to ensure numbers.

We urge and encourage all eligible players to attend trials. Trials offer our netballers significant participation based experience and learning, and provide valuable preparation for high school netball.

Sign up using the following link:

https://enrolmy.com/saints-united/book-now/1-Saints-United-Netball

Below are the links for the various sports groups that children can join:

St Joes Flipper Ball

St Joes Year 5&6 Waterpolo

St Joes Year 7&8 Waterpolo

Saints United Basketball

St Joes Junior Touch Year 5&6

St Joes Junior Touch Year 1-4

Saints United Volleyball

St Joes Volleyball

IT'S THE LAST WEEK FOR COOKIE DOUGH SALES!

There is still time to sign up for our PTFA Cookie Dough fundraiser! It only takes a minute or two to sign up, share your page and get selling! Head to https://stjosephsfairfieldcookies.raiseit.co.nz/hub to sign up for your own fundraising page you can share with friends and family and help us fundraise (or buy through another fundraiser's page). All money raised will be going towards new junior playground equipment. Thank you for your support.

Last day for sales is Sunday 12th March so spread the word!

St Joseph's

Wednesday 9am - Liturgy with Communion

Friday 9am

Sunday 9am

St Peter Chanel

Tuesday 9am

Thursday 9am - Liturgy with Communion

Saturday Vigil 5pm

The St Joseph’s Church is looking for singers to join their Junior Choir. The Choir sings every third Sunday. Practises are after mass every second Sunday (from 10 am) and before mass on third Sunday (8.30am).

They are looking for dedicated and committed children who are passionate. Please see Marianna after mass this Sunday or send her a message 0212164492 if your child/ren is interested. Thank you

Term Dates

Term 1: Tuesday 31 January - Thursday 6th April

Term 2: Wednesday 26 April - Friday 30th June

Term 3: Monday 17th July - Friday 22nd September

Term 4: Monday 9th October - Friday 15th December

Email: admin@stjosephs.school.nz
Website: https://www.stjosephs.school.nz
Location: St Joseph's Catholic School, Fairfield Clarkin Road, Fairfield, Hamilton, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7-855 5434
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Josephs-Fairfield-Hamilton-155139431353445/