Board of Trustees Newsletter September 2017

BOARD OF TRUSTEES NEWSLETTER- SEPTEMBER 2017

Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta

With another school term at an end, we see our school going from strength to strength as we live out our vision to: Learn, Love and Serve in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit- Ka Ako Ka Aroha Ka Manaaki

So much has been achieved in just three terms and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank Peta Lindstrom, our principal, the leadership team and the whole staff for the outstanding work they are doing in providing an excellent, faith-filled learning programme for our children.

In our mission statement, we recognise that families have a crucial role in the development of their children’s education and we thank you all for the support you give to your children’s learning and to the development of the school as a whole. Their education is a team effort and …

“Together Everyone Achieves More”

Foundation Board of Trustees

With four meetings of the new Board of Trustees under our belt, it is great to see the commitment and enthusiasm members are bringing to their role.

In Term 2’s Board Newsletter we listed our Board members, but do so again as we have had a number of new families to the school since then.

Parent Elected Representatives: Tony Nawisielski (Deputy Chairperson), Bradley Rudsits, David Kenyon, Joanna Petrie, Vavae Nuia.

Bishop’s Appointees: Philip Cortesi (Chairperson), Father Peter Murphy, Anna Soo Choon, Apaula Lautua

Staff Elected Representative: Ana Silva

Principal: Peta Lindstrom

The leadership ministry for the Board in our Holy Trinity community, is the activity of being chosen and called to govern within an environment that encounters the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. It is a progression from encounter, to growth in knowledge and to Christian witness. It is a journey of discipleship, a call to safeguard and strengthen an authentic Catholic identity.

Within this environment, the Board has the responsibility to ensure that children achieve the best possible academic standards. In its academic standards, the Catholic school is required to be “at least as outstanding” as other schools. Parents should not have to choose between the best academic standards and a Catholic education; the Catholic school should embody both. Expecting and facilitating the achievement of the best possible academic standards for all children, whatever their ability, is part of enabling each student to use his or her God-given talents in promoting the good of society and the spread of the kingdom of God”.
Refer- The Catholic Education of School-Age Children- N.Z Catholic Bishops Conference 2014

Property Up-Date

From our Board of Trustees property up-date newsletter, sent out to all our families on 1 September, we have issues with faulty electrical cabling which was installed during the school build.

Currently, remedial work is being completed in Taamaua/Hall, the Caretaker’s Shed and in the Sports Shed. From Saturday 30th October, cabling work will commence on the top floor of the Teaching and Learning Block. This is likely to take 4 weeks. Therefore once we return to school on Monday 16th October for Term 4, Learning Community Moana students will be based in Taamaua/Hall.

Our sKids Before and After School Care programme will also operate in Taamaua/Hall until the top floor is able to be reinstated.

Please take care when entering and exiting school and do follow the directions for areas of access if required.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as this remedial project progresses.

School Playground and Fields

A number of parents have been asking about the school fields and playground and when these facilities are likely to be developed.

The fields are under long term development because of the need to put drainage in before any further work can be done. This drainage work cannot be undertaken until the end of this year, because of weather and ground conditions. The Catholic Diocese are managing this aspect of the school’s development.

The new Board of Trustees is aware of the need for a playground structure for the children to play on and we are exploring options at the moment. This is a cost the school will need to budget for.

While the play area for the children is somewhat restricted at this time, we are blessed to have sizable sealed area for the children to play on, which is a lot larger than many schools.

Years 7 and 8 Student Enrolments for 2018

You will be aware, that with the approval of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, our school will be extending its enrolments to Years 7 and 8 next year. This is an exciting development in the growth of our school and one we look forward to. Staff are in the process of looking at the teaching and learning programmes, the N.Z Curriculum requirements and the resources required to meet the needs of this age group.

We have advertised through the St Mary’s and St Anne’s Parish bulletins, as well as in the local Courier regarding enrolments for 2018. If you know of any families considering Years 7 and 8 for their children at Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School for next year, please ask them to direct their enquiry to the school office. It is important that the school has this information which will help with planning ahead.

Community Meeting

A school Community meeting will be held Thursday 19th October 7:00pm in Taamaua/Hall. We will share updates about school policies and procedures, review our curriculum design and consult with you, our community on catholic special character, health programmes and cohort entry to school. As a way of gathering and sharing information, we will break into workshop groups where you will be able to work collaboratively with other family/whanau to share your views, opinions, wants and needs in relation to some of the big key questions about “how are we going?, what is being successful?, what would we like to improve on?” … Please do come along as your contributions are invaluable to the direction of our school.