Nau mai, haere mai St Joseph’s Whanau

The countdown is on as we approach the end of another busy year and preparing for 2023.

The last day of the school year for 2022 is Friday, December 16th at 12.00pm with all students expected to leave the grounds by 12.15pm please. Buses will be available for our regular bus students on a smaller scale.

Staff are involved in a number of Teacher Only Days towards the end of January and the start of February. Our school year for 2023 begins on

Tuesday, January 31st with this day scheduled to be a Learning Partnership Day. This is where parents/caregivers make a time to meet with the class teacher to discuss their child and share any information that you feel will benefit your child. It is also a chance to see the classroom space. You are encouraged to bring your child with you to the meeting.

Please note that school will not be open for learning on that day. Bookings will open on December 20th 2022 with all details being shared in your parent/caregiver letter.

Wednesday, February 1st our staff will be involved in professional development and learning, therefore,

School officially starts for students on Thursday, February 2nd 2023.

Monday, February 6th is Waitangi Day making it a long weekend.

The start to another busy year at St Josephs.

We are pleased to announce our team and class spaces and appointments for 2023...

Deputy Principal : Simone Campbell

Year 7 and 8 : Jeff Bennett and Lee Hudson - Ākonga

Year 5 and 6 : Kerry Horan and Jemma Van Eijk - Whakatipu

Year 3 and 4 : Emma Hyde - Tūmanako formally Rm 6

Year 2 and 3 : Jessica Phayer - Mātauranga formally Rm 4

Year 1 and 2 : Chris Follett and Rochelle Taylor - Manawanui formally Rm 3

Year 1 and New Entrants : Courtney Thomson - Hikuawa formally Room 11

Release teacher : Maree Nicholson and Debra Lautenslager

Support staff across spaces : Toyah Irwin, Renee Teague, Cathie Peddie & Meredith Vowles

Learning Support/Library : Claire Silvester

Administration : Robyn Wooller and Carolyn Findson

Caretaker : Lole Faaiuaso

The name meanings are as follows:

- Manawanui - perseverance, determination, persistence, dedication.

- Mātauranga - knowledge, wisdom, understanding, skill.

- Kaunuku - to move steadily

- Tūmanako - to hope for, wish for.

- Kōkihi - to shoot, begin to grow.

- Hikuawa - source of a river, feeder stream.

Today student receive their reports and stationery list, with the eldest and only students receiving advising their children/s class space and teacher/s for 2023.

Special thank you to staff: This year has been a challenging year for the school in many ways and I have seen St Joseph's staff working together strongly and successfully as a collegial team for the benefit of children and their learning. As Relieving Principal of two terms I have greatly appreciated the support of Deputy Principal Simone Campbell and Office Administrator Robyn Wooller. All staff have contributed to the very real sense that coming to St Joseph's each day has been a privilege and a pleasure. To the staff as individuals and as a team, I say a huge, "Thank you!".

To the students who are such a polite, respectful, caring group and who are so dedicated to their learning, I also say a huge, "Thank you!" You are a fabulous group of students and I know your next Principal will also think as I do. I know you will all go far and I wish you the very best for your learning next year.

To the Board, all parents and the St Joseph's Community I also wish to give my heart felt thanks to you all. To Board members and David Nickalls, Presiding Member, I thank you for your supportive governance and your decision making which puts the interests of all children first. To parents and whanau your children are a delight and are young people you can rightly feel proud of. And lastly to Father Mark and the wider St Joseph's Parish community, thank you for your much appreciated support and prayer.

Special mention to staff leaving.

There is always a sadness when saying farewell to people, but also a desire to give best wishes as they take on new challenges. So it is for us as we say farewell to:

Megan Walker-Timu who has been a teacher aide working with small groups of children and supporting their learning progress. We wish her well as she takes on new challenges in the finance support world.

Kirsten Marsh who has been a fixed term teacher in the junior school for the last year and a half. Her quiet and friendly approach has been appreciated by all. We wish her all the very best as she leaves us and takes on new challenges.

Jeanette Lalich who has been a long time member of staff at St Joseph's School. Jeanette has made the big decision to retire. Initially Jeanette was a permanent teacher here and then her children were students at St Josephs, then more recently Jeanette has been a valued relieving teacher. I think Jeanette's life will not slow down as she works on her property and spends more time with her extended family.

We look forward to seeing you all at Final Mass at 10:00am and Prize Giving at 11:30am on Wednesday 14th December.

Buses for last 3 days of school will be slightly different, but scheduled so all will receive the transport required. Communication with you is in progress.

Coming up:

Wednesday 14th December - Final Mass (10:00am) and School Prize Giving (11:30am):

Thursday 15th December - Whole school picnic 11.00am to 2.00pm Back for end of school

Friday 16th December - 12:00 school finishes.

A prayer for the coming week: attributed to Wilda English

God grant you the light of Christmas, which is faith;

The warmth of Christmas, which is purity;

The righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;

The belief in Christmas, which is truth;

The all of Christmas, which is Christ.

Every blessing and have a great week.

Paul Cooper

Relieving Principal

It is with sadness that we farewell one of our special teachers.

Jeanette Lalich has been a valued teacher and familiar face in a number of local schools for many years, and has been a part of the St Joseph's Family for the past 8 years.

As a teacher, Jeanette has many qualities that makes her a fabulous professional and an asset to any school. She has taught all ages across the school and even finds herself teaching children of children she has taught.

Jeanette has made the decision that life after teaching is to begin, and retirement from the classroom is calling. We wish her many happy years to travel, to take up hobbies and perhaps even more work on the farm, as well as spending more time with her precious family.

Jeanette, you will be missed around the place, and will always be welcome back any time.

Take care and enjoy that ‘R’ word, even though you will keep yourself busier than normal with all the new things you will find time for.

All our love and best wishes from the St Josephs Team.

Please wash vests so that they are all ready for allocating in 2023. Thank you.

School Pool Key Hire Agreements and Rules for 2022/23 Swimming Season are now available. The pool is now open for use.

Pool Keys are available for issue from the school office for our school families only.

Keys can only be obtained by Parents/Caregivers (not students) at a cost of $40.00 for the season.

Strict rules and conditions apply with regards to the use of the pool. Roll on summer.