Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
On Monday we celebrated the beautiful Feast Day – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr Kevin Murphy from St Anne’s Parish in Manurewa led us in this school Mass with students and families from our Indian and Sri Lankan communities sharing and leading in some of the ministries of the Mass.
This beautiful artwork here, is the Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua –
If you click on the link, you will be able to watch the video of an artist’s guide to Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua (Holy Mary, Mother of God) the painting commissioned by New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops to celebrate the Rededication of Aotearoa New Zealand to Mary, Mother of God, Assumed into Heaven (Feast of the Assumption, 15 August 2021).
On this Feast Day, we honour the Assumption of Mary, we contemplate Her as the Ark of the Covenant, in whom the Son of God, Jesus, took flesh and was born of Her as a human person. She led us to Christ with love and continues to do so. In Mary we see a strong courageous woman and a loving mother, who remained utterly faithful to God, even when she encountered grief and hardship throughout her life. And so, God assumed her into heaven, thus giving all of us the hope that one day we too shall be with her in heaven.
Father Kevin shared with us about how we too can be like Mary, the first disciple, by trusting in God in all that we do. We can learn to be like Mary by listening to God’s Word, by letting go of all our troubles and giving all that we do to Jesus, by loving all and by celebrating!
Indian Independence Days Celebrations!
We extend a HUGE THANK YOU to our Indian and Sri Lankan families for the fantastic support and contributions to making Indian Independence Day such a wonderful learning day at school this week. It is an auspicious day for our Catholic community in NZ as it is our day of Holy Obligation for the Feast of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary especially as New Zealand is under the patronage of our Mother, Mary. And it was a great day to be able to strengthen community by celebrating Indian Independence Day together.
Some of our highlights from this fantastic day were …
The powerpoint presentation created and presented by Ashleen, Martin, Aiden and Gee! There were lots of fascinating, interesting and fun facts to share about India – we were proud of the way all the students listened and were able to answer the quiz questions afterwards!
We loved watching Vasaugi’s beautiful storytelling through the gift of dance – Vaasugi’s dance talent was amazing and at such a professional level – it was breathtakingly awesome!
We loved listening to Minuli singing a lovely Sri Lankan song in Sinhalese – so pure and perfect!
We all stood proudly for the Indian National anthem and showed respect/manaakitia by being still and listening quietly.
We loved watching our students and friends from India and Sri Lanka parading around Taamaua in their special ethnic clothing!
We were surprised by the staff wearing the colours of the Indian flag and being able to create the flag by standing in the right order of colours!
And we loved the generous gift of an Indian flag and Indian sweets received at the end of our day – THANK YOU to our Indian and Sri Lankan families for including us in such a special day of celebration and for helping us to know and understand more about your identity, language and culture that makes you unique!
DRS Report
Feast of the Assumption Parish Mass
What a beautiful Parish Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary with Bishop Colin Campbell as the main celebrant of the evening. We had 6 of our tamariki who took part in the offertory and gifted roses for our Mother Mary in the church. It was also an extra special Mass when some of the parishioners witnessed a beautiful miracle when the statue of Mother Mary carrying baby Jesus, wept. Mary, a woman of faith, the first disciple, the mother of Jesus and our mother too. We continue to ask her to intercede for us to her son, Jesus Christ.
Fathers Day Liturgy
On Friday 1 September, we are inviting all our school whānau to come along and be a part of the Fathers Day Liturgy celebration in Taamaua/school hall at 1:45pm. Our kaitiaki and students from Pompallier and MacKillop whānau are leading this celebration. It’s a special time for our school to give thanks to God for our wonderful dads, uncles, grandfathers, godfathers and all father figures in our lives. We look forward to celebrating with you all.
Can Drive for Christmas
The week commencing Monday 4 September, we are having our annual ‘Can Drive for Christmas’ Week where all our tamariki and staff will be bringing in a can of food to donate to the ‘Can Drive for Christmas’. This initiative is a part of St Vincent de Paul’s outreach service for the Auckland families who need support for food during Christmas time. Holy Trinity school joins the other Catholic schools as we work together in solidarity for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
School Parish Mass – SAVE THE DATE
On Sunday 10 September, our school will be leading the 10:30am Parish Mass at St Mary’s, Papakura. Our children will be participating in the Mass and we encourage all our families to attend with their children. Students are asked to wear their school uniforms for this Mass.
Parish Newsletters
Please click on the links to access this weekend’s Parish Bulletins –
St Anne’s Parish Bulletin #30 – Sunday 20th August 2023 and St Mary’s Papakura Newsletter_ 20 August
Teaching and Learning News
BOOK WEEK!
Our annual Book Week was once again a great success. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making our week a lot of fun – our kaitiaki, our HTCPS whānau and, of course, our tamariki.
Ngā mihi,
Caritas Challenge
On Monday 28 August, 10 learners from Learning Community Maunga will be taking part in this year’s Caritas Challenge.
They have built prototype shelters that Fijian people could use to live in temporarily after a cyclone has destroyed their housing. This project has also helped them learn about the innovation design process; they learned about what materials are easy to find in Fiji and aren’t too expensive or bad for the planet.
In an act of solidarity, on the 28th, the learners will take turns doing their schoolwork in their shelters to help them imagine what it would be like to have to live and learn in not-so-comfortable conditions, much like some Fijian people have to do every day.
Learning Community News
Learning Community Whenua
In LC Whenua we have been strengthening community during our PE lessons by playing “pani 1,2,3”. A modification of the Fijian game “pani” and South African game of “3 tins”. The tamariki have been practising throwing a bean bag to knock down the containers and also re-assembling the containers as quickly as they can once they have been knocked down.
Their engagement in this collaborative play has developed their resilience/ngāwari when faced with challenges. It has been wonderful to see how much their hand-eye coordination, throwing, stacking and turn taking skills have improved. Apart from that, their enjoyment and full engagement has been fantastic!
Ka pai Whenua!
Learning Community Awa
In LC Awa, we began our week by celebrating Mass with Father Kevin. We learned some unique actions to help us remember how to be God’s disciples. This was fantastic learning, and the children were able to write personal recounts about this special Feast Day Mass on Mother Mary’s Assumption into heaven. We are improving our digital literacy in all learning areas, but especially in geometry, where the children are using ‘Beebots’ to learn about position and orientation. We continue to learn the fundamentals e.g. left, right, half turn, quarter turn, forwards, and backwards. LC Awa Kaitiaki are excited to see where this learning takes our children, inspired by their innovative ideas.
Awesome learning, Awa!
Learning Community Moana
In LC Moana we have done some amazing learning about India for Indian Independence Day. We learnt lots of facts about Indian culture, we were amazed at how large India is! We collaborated in small groups to create our own dances with Indian inspired moves. This was a little bit challenging but we showed resilience and tried our best. We also created an origami circle using the colours of the Indian flag!
Learning Community Maunga
Last week, LC Maunga’s Year 6 students met with teachers from St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, which some will be attending in 2024. Information shared with the students included the uniform they will be wearing and extra-curriculum choices. They were encouraged to take part in some awesome competitions, e.g. create a prayer that will be said at least 3 times during the school day, creating a design that will be on the cover of their school diary. Not only was it a time for the students to get to know their new school for next year, but also a chance for the teachers to get to know their future students. How exciting as they continue on their learning journey at the College.
What an exciting Book Week this year! LC Maunga was nominated as creating the door display that most fit the brief, i.e. created with minimal adult support and related to the theme of Read, Grow, Innovate. The students showcased their talents by creating an amazing display showing our love for reading and art. Well done to the other Learning Communities for their great effort and support of another successful Book Week.
We are super proud of some of LC Maunga’s Year 5 and 6 students who went through to the Inter-School Cross-Country at Te Hihi Primary School on Tuesday. An awesome spirit of resilience and perseverance shown by all as they raced across very muddy paddocks.
Congratulations to the following students placed in the top twenty:
Ebenezer Ofori-Anyinam, Jana De Vera, Bella Harman
Well done to the following students for participating, representing their school with pride.:
Year 5
Aiden Sunil, Valentino Michael, Saxon Cooper, Langi Aeisi, Eli Hennessy, Maria Mangalassery, Emmanuella Ofori-Anyinam
Year 6
David Strub, Jovan Levkovski, James Santos, Kiean Platon, Lucien Chang, Evelyn Henderson.
Thank you to the families that came along to cheer them on AND a huge thank you to the Strub family for treating the students to a sausage sizzle and drink afterwards. Ka pai!
Learning Community Ngahere
In LC Ngahere, we have brainstormed ideas to find the possible relevant solution to solve the problems they discovered using the scientific inquiry cycle. Students are looking at different ways to combine their ideas to innovate new ideas to inspire and strengthen communities. Some students are trying to figure out how they can generate electricity using different sources except water. Other students are looking at the new innovative ideas to reduce human interference in nature and natural processes to help the community.
We are also learning about different cultures from our learning community. Students are encouraged to share their cultural stories with us.
Sports News
St Anne’s Shield
Next week, we are excited to enter our three teams in the Annual St Anne’s Shield Tournament held at Bruce Pulman Park on Tuesday 22 August. This is a wonderful tournament that involves 8 Catholic schools competing in netball, rippa, rugby and soccer. We look forward to a day of fun and competition as our students showcase their resilience in soccer and netball.
Hauora/WellBeing News
Hauora for All
One of the best things we can do for our hauora/wellbeing is to be kind or give to others (our time, actions and words). So it’s important that we encourage kindness, giving and expressing gratitude.
Whānau Challenge: Think of a way to spread kindness as a family. You could bake something for your next door neighbour, give others compliments, spend time with someone you don’t see very often!
Peer Mediation Programme
Kia ora whānau
Our tamariki have been learning about what the peer mediation process is so they know what to expect if they go to the Awhi Team for help with a minor conflict.Through role-plays, the learners have had a chance to see the process in action, and to practise following the rules for mediation.The tamariki have also been learning that mediation is voluntary and confidential.
The Awhi Team have been out in the playground for several weeks now, and are very eager to help the tamariki solve conflict in healthy, positive ways.
Cultural Groups
Mālo ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia orāna, Tālofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Talofa, Noa’ia, Ni sa bula vinaka, Mauri, Tēnā koutou katoa and warm greetings to you all.
Our Cultural Groups are off to a fantastic start, and we’re delighted to inform you that students from Learning Communities Moana, Maunga, and Ngahere will be actively participating in cultural activities every Friday morning between 9.30-10.30am. These groups include Māori Kapa Haka, Filipino, Pasifika, and Indian.
These cultural groups offer our students an opportunity to connect with their heritage, learn about different cultures, and share their talents.
We look forward to a special cultural performance evening later in Term 4 to showcase the diverse cultures that make our school community truly special. It’s a chance for our students to shine and for all of us to celebrate and appreciate our cultural diversity. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the details.
If you are asking about what Learning Communities, Awa and Whenua will be doing? Well, they will also be busy preparing for a special event – the Nativity. A special time for us to gather and remember the true meaning of Christmas before the school year comes to an end!
Tongan Language Week
Celebrate: Sunday 3 September – Saturday 9 September
THEME: Uike Lea Faka-Tonga 2023 is ‘E tu’uloa ‘a e Lea faka-Tongá ‘o ka lea’aki ‘i ‘api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-‘a-kāingá.
We’re excited to celebrate the wonderful cultural heritage of our Tongan students and families this year. The theme is all about understanding and speaking the Tongan language, lea faka-Tonga. It reminds us that speaking Tongan at home, in church, and in our community is important. When you are proud of your language and can speak it, you will also be more grounded in your identity as a Tongan.
School Organisation
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School Enrolments 2024
It is really important that we know of all younger brothers and sisters that are commencing schooling with us in 2024. If you have little ones at home, please contact the school office to make a time to meet with Miss Lindstrom so they can be assured of a placement at Holy Trinity School for when they are ready to start in 2024.
School enrolments for 2024 CLOSE by 31st August 2023 and
placements for 2024 will be confirmed by 30th September 2023.
Reminders!
School Photolife Ordering
You will have recently received an email with your child’s unique Key Code to go online to view and purchase 2023 School Photos.
PhotoLife has extended Free Delivery until Sunday 20th August 2023.
So if you haven’t ordered your photos yet, you have an extra 3 days to do it to get a Free Delivery at School.
If you can’t find your code email, please check in your SPAM email folder.
St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College 2025
If you are intending to enrol your child in St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College in 2025, please go online to their school website page https://www.saintignatius.school.nz/ and complete the Expressions of Interest online form as soon as possible. This is for Year 5 students in 2023 who will be Year 7 students in 2025.
Upcoming School Events
St Anne’s Shield Sports Day – Catholic Schools
Tuesday 22nd August @ Bruce Pulman Park Sports Ground
PTFA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 22nd August 7:00pm in the school staffroom
School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 23rd August 6:00pm in the school staffroom
Caritas Challenge – Learning Community Maunga Student Group
Monday 28th August @ school
Gathering School Liturgy/Assembly – led by Learning Communities Whenua/Awa
Monday 28th August @ 9:15am in Taamaua/school hall
Fathers Day Liturgy
Friday 1st September 1:45pm in Taamaua/school hall
Tongan Language Week
Monday 4th – Friday 8th September
Social Justice Week
Monday 4th – Friday 8th September
Students’ Religious Education Books Going Home for whānau comments
Monday 4th – Friday 8th September
Mathew Competition for Year 6-8 Students
Monday 4th September @ 5:00pm-8:00pm Papakura Normal School
NZ Playhouse Theatre group – Treasure Island Performance
Thursday 7th September @11:30am in Taamaua/school hall
School/Parish Mass
Sunday 1oth September 10:30am @ St Mary’s Parish Church, Papakura
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Monday 11th – Friday 15th September
Term 3 Concludes at 2:50pm
Friday 22nd September
Term 4 Commences at 8:50am
Monday 9th October
Catholic Diocese of Auckland
Auckland Transport
This is a reminder to provide your feedback on Katoa, Ka Ora: A draft speed management plan for Auckland 2024-27.
Variable speed limit changes are proposed near your school. We would like your local knowledge to help us understand the length the variable speed changes should be. We would also like to hear your thoughts on standardised operating times for variable speed limit signs. You can provide your feedback here.
Upcoming Community Events
Artz On Show
We are a children’s performing arts School Holiday Workshop provider, called Artz On Show, helping develop a child’s self-confidence and self-esteem. We tutor Drama, Theatre Arts, Art, Vocals, Jazz, and Hip Hop dancing, as well as having Team building and Specialist elements at each Workshop. On the Friday afternoon of our week, the children perform a small Show of what they have been learning for their parents.
Professional Resuscitation Services
We would like to offer the parents of your cchool the opportunity to brush up on their First Aid awareness.
Our Child Infant First Aid course is the perfect way to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to act should something go wrong.
In the course, parents will learn on the following topics:
- Basic Life Support including the use of an AED
- Management of Choking
- Management of Anaphylaxis
- Bleeding & Shock
- Fractures and Soft Tissue Injury
- Burns
- Poisoning
- Asthma & Diabetes
- Seizure & Environmental Conditions
We have the following date scheduled for South Auckland that the parents are welcome to attend:
Wednesday 6th September, 9:30 – 1:30 Due Drop Events Centre Manukau
We would love to offer this course to the parents for $40.00 per person (Our regular price is $60.00 per person).
If you have any parents interested in taking up this opportunity, please have them contact us directly to this email address – Professional Resuscitation Services info@prsnz.co.nz
