St Joseph's School Newsletter
21st September - Week 9 - Term 3 2022
Principal's Message
Kia ora, Hi, Kia orana, Kumusta, Ciao, Hallo, Dia duit, Halo, Namaste, Bonjour,
Welcome to week 9,
This week we have prayed for the Queen, her family and our new King. Queen Elizabeth was an outstanding example of a servant leader led by a deep great faith. To recognise the Queen we have a public holiday on Monday, may families spend some time together in reflection.
Last Friday was a wonderful day. Celebrating Mass with the community, having a shared morning tea and the delightful concert by the students made for a fantastic celebration of our community. We were all very proud of the students who shone on the day.
It was a privilege to attend the Kaimai's speech competition yesterday with three of our Students, Janina, Safire and Marlo. Listening to the different students from year 6,7, and 8 and the variety and quality of speeches. It was great to reflect on how all our students did so well in the school Speeches and I have spoken to the students about how impressed we have been with their efforts in writing and preforming the speeches independently.
We look forward to the Hockey Big Day out and enjoying learning new Hockey skills.
Students are delighted and very excited to see their seeds are growing. We had a visit from Professionals to see how we were going this week. Students were able to tell the visitors all about what was happening. They are definitely enjoying creation.
Teresa Rush
Principal
Mercy Cup of Tea
Next Friday - 30th September, we would like to invite the Parish and Community to come along and have a "Good Cup of Tea" with us. We will celebrate Mercy Day (25th Sept).
The school will attend the Parish Mass at 9 am and invite the parishioners and community back to the school hall for a cup of tea.
Please join with us to celebrate this important day of our school's Charism.
Catherine McAuley died on 11 November 1841.
In her last moments, Catherine McAuley directed that the Sisters would have a good cup of tea together in the community room, after she had gone. Between 24 September and 12 December (the Season of Mercy), Mercy groups throughout the world are invited to join an international ‘Good Cup of Tea’ event. By supporting this event, you are helping Mercy International Association to keep the founding spirit of Catherine alive today.
Cartias Mufti Mania- Social Justice Week
We raised $46.50 for our Caritas Mufti Day. Thank you!
This equates to $186.00 for Caritas to use to help those in need.
The senior students attended a National Zoom on Monday to discuss what they have done as student leaders this year. The people from Caritas later wrote to me to say how impressed they were with our students and how they have engaged as leaders for change for a brighter future.
HOCKEY BIG DAY OUT
Just a reminder that students need to be at school by 8am this Friday. We will be leaving at 8.15am to head over to Ngatea. There will be food and drink available to purchase on the day. Please send money with your children if you wish them to buy anything.
CATHOLIC CORNER
This week’s gospel from Luke 16:10-13 reminds us to be honest and trustworthy - “if we cannot be trusted with small things then how can we be trusted with the things God gives us.” Our school value focuses on showing Compassion for the hungry. Scripture illustrates Jesus’ compassion when he fed the 5 Thousand.
Today, the community of Waihi also reaches out to those in need. Our local St Vincent de Paul group is very active delivering food parcels - maybe your family could contribute or participate in some way?
Thank you to the families who supported our Grandparents’ Day last week with baking and inviting family or friends. Fr Aidan shared a lovely homily about sharing our talents and many of these were on display in the concert later that day. But, as Father pointed out, just as important are the gifts of being a good friend, of kindness and generosity to name a few.
Linda Hughes
Dentist
The school mobile dental van is a little behind schedule at the moment and will not be seeing St Joseph's students until around Term 2 next year. If your child has a dental issue or you would like them seen please contact the mobile unit on 021 359 798.
FOOTBALL SEASON ENDS
Thank you to the students and families that supported a wonderful football season this year.
Could you please bring your washed football shirts to Jan-Marie at your earliest convenience.
Thank you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
22nd September - BOT meeting, 5.15pm
23rd September - Hockey Big Day Out, Ngatea
26th September - Queens Public Holiday
30th September - Mercy Cup of Tea Day
30th September - Skate Night Disco
30th September - Term 3 ends
Skate Night Disco. Come and join the fun!! 5pm to 7pm
Agricultural Day - Calf Club
Our school will have our annual calf club day on Friday 4th November. Children bring animals (calf, lambs, kid goat) they have raised and trained. It is now time for children to think about acquiring an animal. Please let Mrs Choat or Jan-Marie know if your child intends to have an animal for Calf Club.
Our Wonderful Sponsors
James and the Giant Peach
Kia ora,
Youth Theatreworks is a new charitable trust focused on creating theatre and performance opportunities for children and young people in Waihi.
We are very pleased to announce that we will be staging a community play of James and the Giant Peach in term 4!
We will be holding open auditions on Sunday, September 25th at 2pm at the Boyd Road Theatre, Boyd Road. Please see the attached flyer.
The play will be a wonderful opportunity for tamariki and rangitahi aged 7 - 18 to experience performing on a real stage. It will involve a significant commitment from the participants - rehearsals will be mostly Monday and Thursday evenings and Sundays for all of term 4.
Please could you let your families know about this fabulous opportunity, particularly tamariki who you think might be interested.
Any questions or inquiries can be directed to theatreworkswaihi@gmail.com.
Ngā mihi nui,
Victoria Menary
Secretary
Youth Theatreworks Waihi
Strategic Plan Update
The school each year has a plan which focus on particular aspects of development. In the fortnightly newsletter we will highlight a goal that we as a school are focusing on and what we are doing to achieve that goal.
The third goal relates to lifelong learners
Learning – lifelong learners
Our students develop creative and technology literate students
Students from year 5-8 now have 1:1 devices to use in learning. Through STEM activities student have been using a variety of different technologies to be creative and learn with.
Skills to be able to 'login' to a variety of websites, learning apps have been taught to students. As well as how to search for information and reliable websites. Sessions on Cyber safety and responsibilities of being an online learner have been discussed with students. Creativity this term has been a major focus for students in afternoon STEM programs. (STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering (Arts) and Mathematics learning).
Staff are investigating different ways that we can develop students literacy in technology.
Prayer for the Week
Children's prayer for religious leaders,
We thank you for the good news they preach to us.
Help them give a good example.
Give them words to preach.
Give them love to be shared.
Bless and protect our pope, cardinals, bishops, and priests.
We pray all this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Email: office@wsj.school.nz
Phone: 07 863 8653