Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
One of our school strategic goals is around Community Hauora/Well-Being and ensuring that the school Gospel value of Unity/Kotahitanga is strengthened through inclusive community partnerships. Our goal is to develop inclusive, reciprocal and collaborative community relationships with all those who make up our Holy Trinity community.
We want our Holy Trinity families/whānau to be knowledgeable about what is happening at school for their child and for their community. This past fortnight has been a wonderful reflection of our community valuing the opportunities for school/home partnership and of being actively engaged with school in a variety of ways. We love the way our community is present and displays such a positive sense of belonging to HTCPS whānau and we love the way we work together to invest in creating a culture of inclusivity for all.
Thank you so much …
to our Indian and Sri Lankan families who were so dedicated in preparing the children for such a special role in our Feast of the Assumption Mass and sharing learning of India and Sri Lanka with the school!
Thank you so much …
to our Tongan families who helped us to celebrate Tongan Language Week by preparing children for their sharing of learning about tongan culture, dance, music and language. It was very special to watch our young ones share their love of their culture through dance and music! Thank you for the delicious panikeke and otai mango and watermelon drinks!
Thank you so much …
to a group of our Filipino students and to Mrs Maila Altamirano and Mrs Alma Santos for organising this group to perform an item for the 2024 Sabayang Pagbigkas Contest. This is the first time our school has been involved in this event. The contest has a focus on promoting the Filipino language and culture in the younger generation – fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage. Now that we know what it is all about, we look forward to participating again in 2025! Congratulations to Lilac Encina, Amara Antona, Sam Balbona, Kalila Borja-Sarmiento, Christen Altamirano and Lucy Buzmion. Please click on the link to watch Holy Trinity students performing their item!
School Board News …
Tēnā koutou katoa, to tātou whānau
Here we are in the middle of the third term, with two thirds of our school year gone already! I am aware that there is a lot of sickness amongst our families with the winter flu and other viruses. Hopefully, the worst of the winter is behind us and spring is around the corner.
Community Engagement
THANK you to all our families for your on-going involvement in the life of our school. At Holy Trinity, we are committed to providing the best Catholic education we can for our children, and it is encouraging to see so many of our families involved and making a valued contribution to our children’s education. Your involvement is much appreciated.
- Your attendance at Mahi Tahi Parent/Teacher/Student Conference meetings
- Different ethnic group gatherings to share ideas over a shared meal/afternoon tea
- The different cultural Language Weeks
- Attendance at our school Masses and Liturgies
- Involvement with the PTFA activities and your support with the various fund raisers
- Your response to surveys and questionnaires.
- Your informal daily conversations with staff, Board, PTFA etc.
As a school Board we are mindful of two key questions:
- Why do you send your children to Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School?
- What do you expect from the school regarding your children’s education and learning?
In all that we do as a Board, our focus is on your on-going feedback on these two key questions and what we need to do to positively respond to them, in the best interests of our children.
Again, thank you for your on-going engagement!
Education Review Office/Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga (ERO)
The Education Review Office is the N.Z Government external education evaluation agency, whose role it is to evaluate and report on education and care of learners in schools, kura, kōhanga reo and early childhood services.
It works in partnership with schools to inform and improvement for all learners- what is working well and what we can improve.
Schools are reviewed on a 3 year cycle and our school is scheduled for its next review, starting on 5 September.
ERO will be working with us, using a new reporting model of review, focused on continuous improvement over time. It will be a collaborative process, in support of equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners.
This will involve our school’s review partner looking at school documentation, including our Strategic Plan, looking at student achievement data, meeting and working alongside the leadership team, meeting with the school Board and observing the school in action, including spending time in the learning communities.
A key part of the process will be working alongside the school to determine future priorities and how we can continue the on-going journey of school improvement.
We are looking forward to this time with ERO. As a school family, we have much to be proud of in our school, which we will be sharing with our evaluation partner. So much has been achieved in our seven and a half year journey and we look forward to the time ahead, as we continue to build on the excellent work already done.
We will be keeping you all up to date with our time with ERO, as we look at where our school is at and where we go to next.
Ngā mihi mahana ma te Atua e Manaaki
Philip Cortesi
Presiding Member of the School Board
DRS Report
Congratulations!
On Sunday 18 August, Bishop Steve Lowe, Bishop of Auckland, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation for 130 young people at St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa. We congratulate 16 of our students who were a part of this special celebration and who also received their First Holy Communion. May the Holy Spirit, Te Wairua Tapu, strengthen your commitment as young disciples of the Risen Christ.
We congratulate Olive Racaza, Alicia Soriano, Caitlin Atienza, Daniel Bangero, Ella Yu, Gracianna Wright, Ileanah Del Rosario, Isaiah Raenga, Kinsley Miravite, Lara Tamani, Mason Ochoa, Mia Yandall, Nathaniel Joypaul, Olivia Li, Ruby-Lee Drollét-Maoate, Rangimoateatua Drollét-Maoate and Alvarro Carambas.
Feast of the Assumption of Mary
We give thanks to God for the gift of Father Kevin Murphy of St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa, who celebrated the Feast of the Assumption Mass with us here at school last week on Thursday 15 August. We were lucky to have “visitors from heaven” who came down to remind us about being disciples of Jesus, just like our Mother Mary by doing these three things daily. To LISTEN to each other. To LOVE others as our neighbours. To PRAY always to God. May we too, in our busy lives learn to Listen, Love and Pray. We also acknowledge our Indian/Sri Lankan families who shared their cultural gifts by preparing a cultural liturgical dance that was shared at Mass after communion. It was a beautiful way to celebrate their culture with us all.
Father’s Day Liturgy
We are inviting all our HTCPS whānau and friends to come along to our Father’s Day Liturgy to be held next Friday 30 August at 1:45pm in Taamaua/school hall. We welcome all our Dads and father figures in our lives, to come along so we can celebrate the “special gift of you” in our families. We hope to see you there!
Can Drive for Christmas
The week starting from Monday 2 September to Friday 6 September, our school will be having our annual “Cans for Christmas Drive”. During this week, our school whānau will be bringing in cans of food to collect throughout the week. On Friday 6 September, it will be collected and delivered to St Vincent de Paul to be distributed across Auckland for families in need of food this Christmas time. Through the can drive, our school families are living out solidarity by standing together for our sisters and brothers in need. There will be more information for the can drive coming out on HERO closer to the time.
Parish Bulletins …
Please click on the links to access this weekend’s parish bulletins for St Mary’s Parish, Papakura and St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa – St Anne’s Catholic Parish Bulletin #31 – Sunday 25th August 2024 St Mary’s Parish Papakura Bulletin 25th August 2024
Teaching and Learning News
Professional Learning and Development for our Teachers
Each year, our teaching staff undertakes professional learning and development to help us in using effective teaching pedagogy, skills, knowledge and understandings to support our students in their learning. For the past two years we have been working with a facilitator, Del Costello, in increasing our capabilities as effective teachers of oral language. This learning has had a big impact on our students writing levels of achievement and progress through such great strategies as storytelling, increasing vocabulary development and knowing the purpose and structure of quality speaking and writing.
In the second part of this term, our teachers who work with our Year 0/1/2/3 students will also begin professional learning and development in structured literacy approaches. Our school was successful in accessing funding to support this learning as a part of the Government’s recent education directive. We currently have a very sound and effective literacy and phonics programme in place and this targetted learning will enhance the good teaching and learning work that is already happening. We look forward to sharing our learning with families as we work together to ensure our children continue to achieve excellent levels of literacy.
PTFA News
The PTFA wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who made last Friday night’s Disco such a success!HTCPS PTFA
Key upcoming PTFA Events …
- Pizza Lunch – Friday 20th September
- If there is anyone who can volunteer to help sort out pizzas for about an hour (12pm to 1pm) on 20th Sept please let me know
- We have a few volunteers but could do with a couple more if available
- Wave Rave – Friday 27th September
- Will provide more updates once we meet with personnel from Massey Park Pools
Learning Community News
Learning Community Kohanga
Our Learning Community Kohanga has enjoyed a lot since the beginning of the week as it’s their first time experiencing school activities such as the Hungerball game and Cross Country. The students also had the chance to see and watch the school play entitled “Reluctant Dragon” from NZ Playhouse Theatre Group. They felt ecstatic as they watched the show.
In RE, we are learning about the Holy Trinity, on making the Sign of the Cross and praying the Lord’s Prayer and Glory Be.
With maths, we have been learning counting numbers, number recognition and matching counters with numbers.
Learning Community Awa
This week, we integrated R.E. with Technology. In Awa we are using the ‘Design Thinking’ process to share and preserve messages of our Gospel value faith stories as taonga. We made puppets of the Good Samaritan story and paper coins to represent the story of The 10 Talents. This week we are at the ‘prototype’ stage of the design thinking process where learners are exploring different ways to keep these messages safe by enthusiastically making kete from different materials.
We discussed how sound and music are related to different emotions. Learners are excited about exploring different instruments and creating music using repeated patterns and rhythms.
When the weather was unpleasant to exercise outside, we integrated Maths and PE and learners continued being physically active indoors by moving while counting and adding numbers.
Learning Community Whenua
Learning Community Whenua had a fantastic week beginning with the Hungerball game on Monday. The students are not only enjoying the game physically but it is also building social skills with their peers as they play it in pairs. They are developing their learning on keeping themselves safe while playing physical games such as Hungerball.
In RE, we are learning stories about the Gospel value Kotahitanga-Unity with the story of The Vine and the Branches. Our little ones enjoyed learning the song “Fruits of the Spirit.” Thank you to Father Mathew who shared more learning about the message of this faith story.
Our tamariki were pleased and entertained with the NZ Playhouse Theatre Group who presented the play “Reluctant Dragon”.
In Maths, our learners are learning about statistics. They had fun carrying out their investigations, gathering and doing their tally marks. They have come up with interesting investigations such as which learning area do most people like, which car is the most popular, which ice cream flavour is most liked etc. They enjoyed learning how to use tally marks using ice lolly sticks. They are now in the process of interpreting data by finding out what is most/least popular/ how many more/how many less. Next they will learn how to display their data on a pictograph!
Learning Community Ngahere
In Learning Community Ngahere we have been learning how to carry out a statistical investigation. We learnt how to collect our data using tally marks and have been focussing on how to display our data through a bar graph.
We have also been working on following the ‘design thinking process’ to create a way to preserve important messages. We have worked in small groups to carefully select our audience and discuss the issue of sustainability. We are working towards brainstorming different ways of preservation while keeping our selected audience in mind so that what we choose to create can really make a difference for the audience we are creating it for!
Learning Community Maunga
Learning Community Maunga have had a fun-filled week of events celebrating Tongan Language Week. We have been learning simple phrases, a welcome song and reading a Tongan myth and legend. This week in Technology, we used the design thinking process to test our waka hourua prototype to make any improvements. From our results, we shared our reflections with our class for feedback. In RE, we have been learning about the seven ‘Gifts of the Holy Spirit’ and how each gift is ‘a spiritual gift’ that helps to empower us to respond to our mission. We also enjoyed playing Hungerball in the inflatable arena which was a super highlight of our week!
Learning Community Moana
In our LC there have been lots of opportunities for learning and it has been a tremendously busy term. We have participated in many liturgies beginning with the Transfiguration of the Lord and attended Mass for the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady on the 15th August. We have acknowledged the multicultural diversity of our school families and shared language weeks throughout the term. We have enjoyed in and out of school activities such as Cross Country, NZ Playhouse Theatre, Duffy Theatre, Hunger Ball and more.
Although this is valuable learning, our targeted learning has been on how to write a persuasive letter to our future self-2 years from now. It has been a challenging idea to think of how to convince oneself to continue growing in faith when it is so hard to imagine life away from Holy Trinity Catholic school. All of us in Moana will be in a college or high school in 2026. So we are learning to use the correct structure of a persuasive letter beginning with a statement, an introduction, body and conclusion. To encapsulate this letter we will be using the ‘Design Thinking Process or DTP’ to construct an item to contain each letter for the ‘Future Me’ to read.
Thinking of the future, we are also using our gifts and talents to construct lyrics with a couple of verses and a chorus. Our song relates to how we can continue to be part of the Church’s mission and walk in faith with God every moment of the day. Once we are happy with the words then we can begin adding a tune and build a melody so we can sing our song for Liturgy.
Hauora/WellBeing News
Awhi Team – Peer Mediation Programme
Take Some Time for YOU!
Try to find a few minutes on your own each day. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths, step outside and take notice of the environment, have a hot drink or a hot shower. Although it may seem hard, if we can create some space in the day for ourselves then we are more likely to have emotional energy to be there for those around us.
Don’t be tempted to catch up on chores and work at every spare opportunity – take time instead to prioritise yourself and your well being!
Sports News
Hungerball Game
Our school is lucky to have the opportunity to have the Hungerball equipment here at our school this week and to stay at school for the rest of the term. Hungerball is an inflatable arena that can be used for modified games for students. On Monday 19 August, our teachers worked with Hungerball facilitators to learn about different ways they can adapt Hungerball for the students in their Learning Community. We look forward to seeing our students explore ways they can show inclusivity and cooperation during Hungerball games and for our student leaders to run these sessions with our younger learners at lunchtime.
North Counties Inter-school Cross Country Event
Some of our Year 5/6 tamariki went to Te Hihi Primary School on Tuesday 20 August to represent our school at the North Counties Inter-school Cross Country. They did an absolutely fantastic job withstanding the wet weather and ran through the tough, hilly paddocks. There were so many participants on the day! We are grateful for our parent supporters who went along to assist Mrs Chung and our student runners. Congratulations to the following tamariki on their placements.
| Year 5 Girls | Year 5 Boy | Year 6 Girls | Year 6 Boys |
| Khayla Platon (19) | Lavin Fox (7) | Jan Silver Manalo (21) | James Soo Choon (36) |
| Elsa Sajan (29) | Johan Solanga (30) | Isabella Porter (47) | Valentino Michael (50) |
| Lara Tamani (64) | Liam Clarito (32) | Korah Walker (48) | Aiden Sunil (63) |
| George Kent (36) | Amadea Azuro (52) | Aidan Singh (74) | |
| Daniel Bangero (49) | Danny Chau (78) | ||
| Matt Marcasote (67) |
HTCPS Cross Country
On Wednesday 21 August, we had our own school Cross Country here at school. Our tamariki have been training for cross country and it was a fun and successful day for all who participated. It was wonderful to see not only our tamariki and kaitiaki dressed up in their whānau colours but our families who came along to support, did as well! We had some of our student leaders facilitate the Hungerball activity as part of the cross country rotation and our day went well with the blessing of a little bit of shower but otherwise a fine day – Thank You God! We congratulate all our tamariki for completing this year’s cross country course and especially those who made the top 3 in their respective year level. Finally, a huge congratulations to the overall whānau winner for 2024 – MACKILLOP WHĀNAU. Well done MacKillop! Here are the top 3 champions for each year level.
| Year 0/1 Boys | Whānau | Year 0/1 Girls | Whānau |
| Huzlin Power | MacKillop | Ruby Erick | Pompallier |
| Xander Farley | MacKillop | Forest Soo Choon | MacKillop |
| Sosiolo Kaloni | Patrick Dunn | Maiqui Donghil | Aubert |
| Year 2 Boys | Year 2 Girls | ||
| Ace Mantos | Pompallier | Freya Ah Ling | MacKillop |
| Zeke Soriano | Patrick Dunn | Everly Taualai | Aubert |
| Rork Clarivette | MacKillop | Seini Vi | Patrick Dunn |
| Year 3 Boys | Year 3 Girls | ||
| Marcel Tatireta | Patrick Dunn | Charlotte Ruegg | MacKillop |
| Matthew Jumma | Patrick Dunn | Isla Pagalunan | MacKillop |
| Johan George | Aubert | Aelwyd Job | Pompallier |
| Year 4 Boy | Year 4 Girls | ||
| Makarios Jumma | Patrick Dunn | Avery Han | MacKillop |
| Daniel Thorpe | Pompallier | Genevieve Henderson | Pompallier |
| Gabe Ah Ling | MacKillop | Analina Truter | MacKillop |
| Year 5 Boys | Year 5 Girls | ||
| Lavin Fox | Aubert | Khayla Platon | MacKillop |
| Johan Solanga | MacKillop | Petranelle Peter Tulaga | Aubert |
| Ezra Hennessy | Patrick Dunn | Elsa Sajan | Aubert |
| Year 6 Boys | Year 6 Girls | ||
| James Soo Choon | MacKillop | Jan Silver Manalo | MacKillop |
| Cooper Pihema | Patrick Dunn | Isabella Porter | Aubert |
| Aiden Sunil | Patrick Dunn | Korah Walker | MacKillop |
Music Tuition Opportunity
Reminders!
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.
Winter Sickness
Healthline has recommended that children stay home for at least 48 hours if they are unwell with coughs, colds, etc and even longer if children are experiencing systems of a virus, flu etc. This is to ensure children are kept warm and cared for and are able to rest until they are feeling better. We are not able to care for children who are unwell at school. If your child starts to feel unwell at school, then we will notify you immediately so that you are able to collect them and take them home for appropriate care.
Children are able to return to school when they appear well – they are happy, eating and drinking normally and can easily focus on their learning.
Advice from Te Whatu Ora:
- Rest at home.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
- If you have a sore throat, suck a teaspoon of honey or gargle with salt water. Adults can also try using a gargle, throat spray or pain-relief (anaesthetic) lozenges. Don’t give honey to children under 12 months old.
- For a blocked or runny nose ask your pharmacist about decongestants and saline nasal sprays.
- For a cough sip a lemon and honey drink or ask your pharmacist about cough lozenges or medicines that may be suitable for you. Cough medicine doesn’t cure a cough but may give you some relief.
- For aches and pains try paracetamol OR cold and flu medicines (check doses carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist what is safe for you).
Upcoming School Events
Hungerball Sports Game (on site for the rest of Term 3)
Monday 26th August in Taamaua/school hall
Emergency Drill Practice
Tuesday 27th August on site
St Anne’s Sports Shield Event – Year 5/6 representatives
Wednesday 28th August @ Bruce Pulman Park
Monthly School Board Meeting
Wednesday 28th August @ 7:00pm in the staffroom
Fathers’ Day Liturgy
Friday 30th August 1:45pm @ Taamaua/school hall
Gathering School Liturgy & Assembly led by Mrs Malgas, Mrs Griffiths, Mrs Nadan and students
Monday 2nd September @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Can Drive for Christmas commences
Monday 2nd September @ in Taamaua/school hall
Fr Mathew visiting Learning Communities
Wednesday 4th September @ 10:00am – 11;30am
Education Review Office Evaluation Partner at school
Thursday 5th September
HTCPS Netball Club End of Season Prize-giving
Thursday 5th September @ 6:00pm in Taamaua/school hall
School Whānau Time 9:00am – 9:45am
Monday 9th September in Learning Communities
Social Justice Week
From Monday 9th September @ school
Enrolment Information Hui for Year 5 families – St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, Drury
Wednesday 11th September @ 6:00pm in Taamaua/school hall at Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School
Gathering School Liturgy & Assembly led by Mrs Fernandes, Mrs Buzmion, Mrs Anitelea and students
Monday 16th September @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Week
From Monday 16th September @ school
Education Review Office Evaluation Partner at school
Tuesday 17th September
Fr Mathew visiting Learning Communities
Wednesday 18th September @ 10:00am – 11;30am
Mahi Tahi Parent/Teacher/Student OPEN Conferences for some students
Wednesday 18th September 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Craftlab Outdoor Education programme for LC Whenua Year 1&2 students
Thursday 19th September @ school
Craftlab Outdoor Education programme for LC Awa and LC Kohanga Year 0&1 students
Friday 20th September @ school
PTFA Pizza Lunch Day
Friday 20th September @ school
Combined School and Parish Mass
Sunday 22nd September @ 10:30am St Mary’s Parish Church Papakura
School Whānau Time 9:00am – 9:45am
Monday 23rd September in Learning Communities
Monthly PTFA Meeting
Tuesday 24th September @ 7:00pm in the staffroom
Monthly School Board Meeting
Wednesday 25th September @ 7:00pm in the staffroom
PTFA Wave Rave at Massey Park Pools
Friday 27th September @ Massey Park Pools, Papakura from 6:00pm
Term 3 Concludes at 2:50pm
Friday 27th September
Term 4 Commences at 8:50am
Monday 14th October
Upcoming Community Events
Artz on Show School Holiday Programme
