Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta
Dear Families
This week we began our Lenten Journey with Ash Wednesday celebrations. As families and a school community, let us take this time to reflect on our lives … how is Christ present to others through our own words and actions? Pope Francis asks us to use this Lenten season to strengthen our prayer life, our outreach of alms-giving (sharing with others) and of fasting (going without). May we open our hearts and minds to being the “Body of Christ” to others this time of Lent. Here is a lovely Lenten prayer to pray together as a family …
Open our hearts to you word, O Lord, that we may be renewed
Open our hands to receive and to give, that we may be replenished
Open our minds to the silence of Your presence, that we may be refreshed – Amen
And from the Book Of Micah 6:
This is what the living God asks of us
To act justly
To love tenderly
To walk humbly with our God
We pray especially for the Tongan and Fijian Communities as we support them by our prayer and giving (Caritas donations). The theme of “Let us Go Together” from Ven. Suzanne Aubert’s writings, is even more poignant as we provide financial support to Caritas so they in turn, can help distribute needs to the communities devastated by Cyclone Gita in recent days.
Learning Community Information Meetings
“Meet and Greet”
As we get underway for the school year, we realise there is much information to be shared between home and school. You will have been receiving information from each of the Learning Communities newsletters through our LINC-Ed internal communication system. We are also offering the opportunity for families to meet with teachers/kaitiaki for a sharing of information of routines, expectations, homework etc. Meeting times are:
Learning Communities Whenua and Awa Tuesday 27th February 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Learning Communities Moana and Maunga Thursday 1st March 6:00pm – 6:45pm
You are welcome to attend the information meetings to be held in the respective learning communities.
Attendance Dues Payment Information
Attendance Dues for 2018 invoices have been sent to families.
Please note that there are 3 options for payment.
- Full amount paid by Internet Banking to ASB school account – details on the invoice
- Automatic Payment to be set up via internet banking to ASB school account
- Payment can be made at the school office – cash or Eftpos
Please see Jennifer Quarterman (Office Administrator) or Peta Lindstrom (Principal) in the strictest confidence if you have any concerns or questions regarding the payment of Attendance Dues.
The Auckland Common Fund Ltd Hardship Scheme is available to help with the payment of attendance dues where families face financial hardship. It is a means of helping parents and caregivers who have a real and just need. Please contact Peta Lindstrom (Principal) if you require further information in regards to the scheme.
Retreat Day for Learning Community Maunga
As part of our Religious Education programme and in an effort to grow together in faith, Learning Community Maunga will be participating in a Retreat at Tyburn Monastery in Bombay. The focus for the day is Growth: growing in learning, growing in faith, growing together and will be facilitated by our Auckland Catholic Diocese Religious Education Advisors.
Tyburn Monastery was built and blessed in 1997, by the Sisters of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre OSB. The enclosed community of Sisters is dedicated to divine worship through the liturgy and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying for the Holy Father, the Church and for all nations and peoples.
Dedication Mass
Each year, the Catholic Diocese of Auckland celebrates an Education Dedication Mass. This occasion involves all those who work in catholic education across the Diocese. Together we gather as one people, to celebrate and to dedicate our work for the year. All of the Holy Trinity staff will be attending this very special Eucharist to be held Tuesday 27th February 7pm at Christ the King Catholic Church, Owairaka.
Staff Professional Learning and Development
The teaching staff are involved in a number of professional and learning development programmes throughout this year. Of significance is a Religious Education (RE) paper we are studying called “What Catholics Believe”. This paper is being facilitated by Lyn Smith from The Catholic Institute. We are enjoying learning together and deepening our knowledge and understandings of our catholic faith. We have already had our first 6 hour workshop and like the children … have homework and an assignment due!! Our second workshop day with Lyn, will be held at school on Friday 23rd February. We will be working and learning on site but there will be relieving teachers in the learning communities for this time.
DRS News
Ash Wednesday
It was a wonderful Liturgy on Ash Wednesday where our students were able to celebrate together with St Mary’s Catholic School in Papakura. We are now in the Season of Lent, of the Church year as we journey to become Easter people. It’s a great time to reflect on our faith journey and remind ourselves to live out the Gospel Values. It is a time of fasting, prayer and giving.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” -Acts 20:35
Visitor from Caritas Aotearoa NZ
Today, Gemma Sinnott from Caritas Aotearoa visited each Learning Community to talk about the role of Caritas in New Zealand and around the Pacific. Caritas is the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Agency for justice, peace and development. Right now they are working alongside some of the islands that were badly affected by Cyclone Gita.
Each Learning Community has a Caritas Koha Box, which students are encouraged to place coins in throughout this term. The money collected will be donated to Caritas Aotearoa to help those in need. A small donation goes a long way!
Health and Safety Reminders
Vistab
If children are late to school or need to leave/return during the day for an appointment, please come through to the Reception Area to sign in/out using the Vistab electronic system before entering the Learning Communities. The screen is easy to use and is set up on the front desk. This is a Health and Safety measure that allows us to know where children are at all times.
Traffic
As our school roll is increasing, more traffic is noticeable in the car-parking area. All designated parking spaces are now available so please only park in these designated, marked carparks. The Bus Bay may be used for pick up and drop off but do take care with pedestrians and moving vehicles in close proximity. You may like to leave “pick up” for your child until after 3:00pm once the first wave of traffic congestion has passed!
Absences
Please call the school office 09 296 9039 or email office@holytrinity.school.nz, if your child is gong to be away from the school for the day. It is really important we follow this Health and Safety procedure so that we and you, as family, can be assured that your young ones are safe and in good care. Thank you.
Litter and Recycling
We are strongly encouraging the children to bring home their litter from morning tea and lunches. This supports the school with recycling and also informs you of foods eaten or untouched! As our first step in contributing to the caring of God’s creation, we have no rubbish bins placed outside so individual’s food and drink rubbish needs to come home.
Learning Communities Moana and Maunga
Learning is in full swing in the Learning Communities of Moana and Maunga. Our concept learning is around relationships – What is a relationship? What makes a relationship? and What can relationships teach us about ourselves and others? These questions will drive our learning across the curriculum areas.
Have a discussion about the positive qualities of relationships. What relationships are there in this world? How are we connected to: people, nature, animals, communities?
School Events
Life Education & Harold are coming to our school for a visit next week from Monday, 19th February to Friday, 23rd February.
As you will know our concept this term is Relationships and the curriculum focus areas are Social Sciences and Health. The Learning Communities will be rostered during the week to have some time in the mobile classroom with Pamela Eng who is the Life Education educator. Each year level will have a different focus around the concept of Relationships.
The cost to the school is $5.00 per child. Payment can be made through the school office. All students will be attending Life Education as this is part of the school’s Health Curriculum programme.
Sports at Holy Trinity
Counties Manukau Sport
Physical Education Lessons began this week, with Counties Manukau Sport taking groups from across the school. Whenua and Awa will be focussing on Fundamental Motor Skills like throwing, catching and striking a ball. Moana and Maunga will be learning similar skills but through sports. Participating in games and activities is a great way for students to learn about relationships and how to compete / cooperate.
Year 5-8 Softball
We will be entering a Year 5/6 team and a Year 7/8 team into the upcoming North Counties Inter-school Softball day. Both events will be held at Bruce Pulman Park. More information around dates and gear needed to come out soon.
Netball
The netball season is approaching and we would like to get an indication of who would be keen to play. The season starts in May. We need 8/9 players per team and a parent to coach. Games are held on Saturday mornings at the Netball centre at Bruce Pulman Park.
If you are interested please follow the link and input your child’s name and year level. After we receive all student’s information, we will see if there are enough students/coaches to form a team. We will then need more comprehensive information about each child to enter into the Papakura Netball database.
Upcoming School Events
School Assembly and Prayer – Learning Community Whenua to lead
Monday 19th February 9:00am in Taamaua/Hall
Professional Development Day for staff (RE study paper)
Friday 23rd February – on site (Relieving teachers in Learning Communities)
School Assembly and Prayer – Learning Community Moana to lead
Monday 26th February 9:00am in Taamaua/Hall
Year 5/6 Softball Field Day
Tuesday 27th February @ Bruce Pulman Park
Learning Communities Whenua and Awa “Meet and Greet”
Tuesday 27th February 3:00pm – 3:45pm in respective areas
DEDICATION MASS for Auckland Diocese Catholic Educators
Tuesday 27th February 7:00pm @ Christ the King, Owairaka
Learning Communities Moana and Maunga “Meet and Greet”
Thursday 1st March 6:00pm – 6:45pm in respective areas
Retreat Day for Learning Community Maunga
Friday 2nd March 8:30am – 2:50pm at Tyburn Monastery, Bombay
New Families Information Morning
Tuesday 6th March 9:00am – 10:30am in Taamaua/School Hall
SCHOOL OPEN MORNING for families/whanau visits
Tuesday 6th March 9:00am – 10:30am in respective Learning Communities
MAHI TAHI Working Together/ Conferences for parents/teachers/students
Wednesday 7th March from 1:45pm at school
With God’s Blessings
Peta Lindstrom
Principal
