School Newsletter 12th April 2024

Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei,  Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan

Dear Families

What a joy it has been to celebrate with our Easter season liturgies and to pray together as a school community, reflecting on the Resurrection of our Lord.

We celebrate because Jesus is risen from the dead. We are filled with hope and joy – Alleluia!

Jesus died; yet Jesus lives. This fills us with great hope. It reminds us to look for signs of new life and people doing good in the world, even when things are difficult. The risen Jesus is working with us to change things into justice, peace and love.

We can ask ourselves … Where have we seen kindness and people working together to make the world a better place? What actions can we do to bring hope and joy to the people around us, in our own communities? And just as Jesus appeared to the disciples and made them feel strong, He also brought them peace. We can think about how Jesus brings us peace and how we can share this peace with others.

Let us pray:
God of all, continue to walk with us as we journey through this Easter season.
Help us to keep you in our hearts as we remember Jesus’ dying and rising.
Help our own hearts to burn and overflow with joy and love.
Help us to be Easter people, alive with faith, joy and service of being your disciples.
Help us to love you more and more each day so that everyone else will love you too.
Amen

Thank You Holy Trinity Whānau

Once again, we have raced through another term of busy school life and now find ourselves fast approaching Term 2 but not until after the well deserved April holidays! So as we do go on holiday, we pause to give thanks to God for all that has been achieved as a school community. We give thanks to God for our staff and the dedication they show in working with each child as they grow in their learning and personal development. We give thanks to God for our children who take on the opportunities and challenges of school life with willingness and positive attitudes. We give thanks to God for our families/whānau who continue to support their child and school in the many shared activities and events AND we give thanks to God for all those who lead and support our school through governance (our School Board), prayer and spiritual life (our Parish Priest, Fr Mathew), fundraising and social events (our PTFA) – may we all be blessed for the work we do to nurture and grow this special school community in learning ka ako, loving ka aroha and serving ka manaaki.

DRS Report

Kāhui Ako Mass

On Thursday 11 April, our Year 6 students had the privilege of representing our school at the Kāhui Ako Community of Learning (CoL) Mass held at St Partick’s Parish, Pukekohe. As one of nine Catholic schools in South Auckland who is a member of the Kāhui Ako CoL, it was a beautiful gathering where we focussed on welcoming all people and seeing the face of Jesus in all people. Our students participated in the Mass and afterwards had some time to enjoy kai provided by St Joseph’s School, Pukekohe. This was followed by time playing and connecting with the tamariki of our Kāhui Ako schools. It was truly a wonderful day gathered in fellowship with our South Auckland Catholic Schools.

Parish Bulletins

St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa – please click on the link  St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa Bulletin #12 – Sunday 14th April 2024

PTFA News

Wheel-a-thon ‘THANK YOU’ – Ngā mihi nui!

Thank you so much Holy Trinity whānau for contributing to and participating in such a happy, fun and fantastic Wheel-a-thon last Friday. It was great! We are so appreciative of all of the wonderful support we receive from our hard working PTFA team, committed School Board members, our incredible staff and our wonderful tamariki and whānau!

We have raised over $15,000 for the school playground equipment! What an amazing result for our community. It is an achievement to be very proud of! Ka mau te wehi – you are amazing! Thank you Thank you Thank you.

A special and heartfelt thanks to Michelle Porter and Laura Cooper, our Co-Chairs of the PTFA team – these two young mums and their families have been heavily involved in organising, co-ordinating, finding sponsorship for raffles, designing posters, preparing and so much more for the Wheel-a-thon. We are very fortunate to have them both leading our PTFA with such skill, enthusiasm and wairua/spirit.

Thank you to our PTFA Team who have put their hands up for so many of the tasks such a community event entails – thank you for running stalls and providing your knowledge and wisdom and your practical support – you are champions!

Thank you to our wonderful parent/community cultural food and BBQ food stallholders – our Pasifika food stall, our Indian food stall, our Filipino food stall and our BBQ food stall – WOW! Your contribution to the success of the Wheel-a-thon is so greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generous contributions to the cultural food stalls and to the BBQ. The tasty food made it a truly happy, fun community event! We are so proud of you all!

Thank you to Ben, our Dad, as MC for the night on the speaker system and to Joe, our Dad, who ran the pedal power bikes and helmets corner for the evening. 

A BIG Thank You to our sponsors at the Wheel-a-thon – Cathy Mei and her team from Ray White, Takanini; Pedal Power from Counties Manukau Sport (for providing extra bikes and helmets), Auckland Transport Travelwise team who helped with bike and helmet checks and Hellers who provided the sausages and bread for the BBQ – we are very grateful!

Thank you to our School Board members who took on roles and responsibilities to help make this a great event and to our wonderful staff who helped with the stalls and setting up the ‘wheels’ circuits – it certainly is an ‘all hands on board’ type of event and with everyone contributing in such a positive way, that sense of belonging, unity and community is what makes us Holy Trinity Whānau! THANK YOU all!

Here’s some lovely photos of our wonderful community event – kotahitanga/unity at its best!

Term 2 Staffing Update

As we begin Term 2, we will be farewelling Mrs Amandeep Kaur, Learning Community Maunga kaitiaki/teacher. We are very sad to be losing Aman from our teaching team – she has been a very dedicated, committed and capable teacher. Aman joined our school community as a ‘provisionally registered teacher’ just starting out in her NZ school teaching journey. Over these past 3 years we have seen her grow and blossom into a fully registered teacher, taking on leadership and responsibility roles and undertaking these with a developing skillset and expertise. Aman is moving to a school closer to her home due to a change in family circumstances. THANK YOU Aman for your willingness to serve our school community and for your valuable contributions to our school family as a teacher/kaitiaki and colleague.

Mrs Esther Anitelea will be joining us from Term 2 to work alongside Mrs Kaur and Mrs Davies in Learning Community Maunga/Year 4 before Aman leaves us in early May. Esther is a very experienced teacher/kaitiaki, having taught at Holy Cross School for many years and in more recent times has been relieving in local catholic schools. We are looking forward to the many talents and gifts that Esther has to share with us.

In Term 2 we are also excited to be warmly welcoming three new teachers to our school whānau in Learning Community Awa Year 0/1.

Due to continued roll growth in our Year 0/1 area of the school, we will have Miss Carmel Stewart (a different person to our Mrs Carmel Stewart in the Office!) and Mrs Clare Williams join with us in a full-time shared teaching position. Miss Stewart will work 3 days and Mrs Williams 2 days in this teaching role. They will be joining the Learning Community Awa team. We are thrilled to have both Carmel and Clare working with us – they have previously worked in our school in their capacity as Resource Teachers for Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) so they know us, the children and our families very well. We are extremely blessed to have such experienced and knowledgeable personnel as staff members.

We also extend a warm welcome to Mrs Sydney Buzmion who will also be a kaitiaki/teacher in Learning Community Awa! Sydney is taking on this teaching role as parental leave cover for Mrs Danielle Clarivette who leaves us in Week 4 of Term 2 to begin preparations for welcoming their new little family member in June. Sydney is a parent of our school so it is wonderful to have her join with us as she brings her own expertise and teaching skills from her Primary and Early Childhood teaching backgrounds.

We are thankful to be able to appoint competent, caring and committed teaching staff to our school community. We look forward to all the gifts, talents and teaching strengths that they will bring to our dedicated staff team!

Congratulations!

We send our Holy Trinity love and Blessings to Alana Gaynor and her partner Sam Sherlock as they celebrate their wedding this weekend with family and friends.

We pray ..
May our God of Love
Keep you of one heart in love for one another,
May the peace of Christ dwell in you
and abide always in your home.
Amen.

We look forward to celebrating with Mrs  Sherlock (nee Gaynor) on her return to school in Term 2!

2024 Teacher Only Days

Please take note of the 2024 Teacher Only Days. School will be closed for students on Friday 7th June and Friday 15th November. 

Teachers and Support Staff will be involved in a professional development and learning day about the newly released New Zealand Curriculum Refresh. The Ministry of Education has granted this time/day to schools to allow teachers to work with the new document – to understand why changes have been made and to plan for the implication for our current Holy Trinity localised curriculum teaching and learning programme.

Please make alternative arrangements for your child/ren for these days.
.

Teaching and Learning News

Digital Online Reporting

We are pleased to let you know that report comments are now available on students’ achievements in Social Science and Health and Physical Education, reflecting this term’s concept learning in Korero Pūrākau. To view these comments, please log in to Hero using your personal email and password. Once logged in, navigate to your child/ren’s respective learning community to access the new posts.

The report comments focus on either surface, deep or transfer skills that your child/ren have achieved with evidence to support this.

• Surface learning is the essential first step where students are introduced to concepts, skills, and strategies, providing a foundational understanding upon which deeper thinking can later develop.

• Deep learning is when students build upon what they’ve learned, going deeper to fully grasp concepts, needing more time and a strong base of previous knowledge.

• Transfer learning is when students use what they’ve learned in new situations and contexts, also involving reflective thinking on their own learning processes.

We encourage you to enjoy reading and sharing the HERO online reporting comments with your child/ren. Together, let’s celebrate their learning successes and positive personal growth and development from Term 1.

Year 5/6 Camp

Our senior students are currently preparing and fundraising for their upcoming Camp to be held on Wednesday 29th May to Friday 31 May at Camp Adair in Hunua. As part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum, our Year 5/6 learners will be participating in a variety of activities which will build their knowledge, skills and resilience. What an exciting event to look forward to!

Term 2 Events

Important Notice for Term 2 Events and Activities

Term 2 is gearing up to be an exciting and busy time with several events planned. On these event days, students must wear their P.E. uniform.

For Year 5-6 students, fundamental skills and gym sessions will be held at Bruce Pulman Park every Wednesday from May 1st to May 29th. Year 5/6 students should also have good wet weather gear to wear over their P.E. uniform for the walks to and from Bruce Pulman Park, rain or shine.

Additionally, Year 3-4 students will participate in Fundamental Movement Skills sessions facilitated by Counties Manukau every Wednesday from May 1st to May 29th. These sessions will be held at school. 

Stay tuned for more details about the following upcoming events:

• CMS Balance Bike Day (Year 0-2) on May 30th
• CMS Pedal Power (Year 4) June 5/6
• CMS Pedal Power (Year 5-6) June 12/13

We look forward to an active and engaging Term 2!

Duffy Books in Schools Programme

Sports News

Hungerball

On Thursday 4 April, our senior student leaders had some time working with facilitators from Hungerball and Healthy Active Learning. The older students learnt how to work alongside and support younger students in modified inclusive games – games where everyone could participate. Our senior students learnt about the STEP method (Space, Task, Equipment, People) which helped them to differentiate games according to ability level whilst ensuring that it was inclusive for all tamariki. We look forward to having Hungerball again in Term

Learning Community News

Learning Community Moana

On 20 March, some Moana learners attended the Eye on Nature Day Programme held at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa. This year the theme was “Act Local – Growing with Te Taiao”. Some of the key maatauranga Maaori concepts covered were,

· Tohu (signs or indicators in nature)

· Kaitiaki (tangata whenua guardians) and kaiaawhina (assistants)

· Mauri (life essence)

The weather was perfect as our learners explored and discussed the local conservation and maatauranga maaori. They discovered how soil and plants can stop flooding in urban areas, learned about entomology, experienced the joy of sketching nature, and learned why reducing pollution and planting trees is so important for our environment. It is hoped that the experience will be a stepping stone for our learners to become the kaiawhina (helpers) that our environment needs.

On 26 March, some of our Year 5 and 6 learners took part in the North Counties Football Inter-Schools Day at McLennan Park. All of our tamariki showed our school Gospel values of ngākau pono/integrity, hiranga/excellence and manaakitia/respect while having a fun time playing football against other South Auckland schools.

School Enrolments

It is really important that we know of all younger brothers and sisters that are commencing schooling with us in 2025. 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 2025.

School enrolments for 2025 CLOSE by 31st August 2024 and
placements for 2025 will be confirmed by 30th September 2024.

Reminders!

School Winter Uniform

Students will be expected to wear the correct winter school uniform in Term 2. This includes the long sleeved blouse or shirt, school navy knee high socks and black closed shoes. Please name all items of clothing so that they can be returned to the children immediately when found.

Our School uniform is only available for purchase from NZ Uniforms on 5/20 Lambie Drive, Manukau.

All students are required to wear the correct school uniform for winter as listed below. NZ Uniforms have school jerseys available to purchase. Our preference is for students to wear their school jumper/school fleece inside the learning community and school jackets outdoors.

Girls Uniform
Tartan skort
Blue long sleeved monogrammed blouse (winter)
Black closed shoes (winter)
School navy knee high socks
Navy bucket sun-hat monogrammed
Navy wollen monogrammed school jumper OR Navy monogrammed fleece
School jacket

Boys Uniform
Navy shorts
Blue long sleeved monogrammed shirt (winter)
School navy knee high socks
Navy bucket sun-hat monogrammed
Navy woollen monogrammed school jumper OR Navy monogrammed fleece
School jacket

School Attendance

We are asking parents to refrain from requesting early afternoon finishing time for their child/ren unless it is necessary or a special circumstance. If you need to collect your child early from school then you must notify school the day before where practicable.

Please do not be offended if we say “no” to your child leaving school before the end of the school day if you do not have a legitimate reason. We are abiding by the Ministry of Education guidelines.

Job Vacancy

Accountant – Graduate Role

The Accountant role will assist the Diocesan Accounting Manager and CFO with operational leadership for the financial management of the Diocese and its related entities. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring all financial reporting requirements, imperatives are delivered accurately and add value to the organisation.  You will provide accurate, timely and relevant statutory and monthly management reporting information for entities which ensures the Diocese both fully meets its statutory requirements and to support the Diocese in the achievement of its strategic goals.  This role will suit a recent graduate of a Bachelor’s degree or relevant tertiary qualification (Accounting).

To view the full advert and the position description please go to our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz under Diocesan Services and Staff Vacancies.

Applications close 12 April 2024.

Upcoming School Events

Term 1 Concludes
Friday 12th April

Term 2 Commences
Monday 29th April

School Whakatau/Welcome for New Families – School Liturgy and Assembly led by the Senior Leadership Team
Monday 29th April @ 9:15am in Taamaua/school hall

“Ready Steady Go” Fundamental Skills programme for Year 3&4 students
Wednesday 1st May @ 9:00am – 1:00pm @ school

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Moana/Year 5
Wednesday 1st May @ 10am-11am Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Moana/Year 6
Wednesday 1st May @ 11am-12:00 Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Scholastic Duffy Champion Awards
From Monday 6th May 

EOTC Trip to Kirks Bush – Year 5/6 LC Moana team
Tuesday 7th May @ Kirks Bush 9:00am-2:30pm

“Ready Steady Go” Fundamental Skills programme for Year 3&4 students
Wednesday 8th May @ 9:00am – 1:00pm @ school

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Moana/Year 5
Wednesday 8th May @ 10am-11am Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Moana/Year 6
Wednesday 8th May @ 11am-12:00 Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Mothers Day Liturgy
Friday 10th May @ 1:30pm in Taamaua/school hall

TEACHER/STAFF ONLY DAY – school closed for students
Friday 7th June

Term 2 Concludes at 2:50pm 
Friday 5th July

Term 3 Commences at 8:50am
Monday 22nd July

Public Transport Fee Changes for Under 25s