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

Dear Families

Happy New Year and Welcome Back to School! We hope you have had a wonderful summer break with family and friends and have been able to make the most of this warm, sunny weather.

As a Catholic School we share in the goals for Catholic education … to be a place where we communicate Christ, helping to form Christ in the lives of others … a place to encounter the loving God so that each person and child experiences a genuine and ongoing encounter with Christ … a place to grow in knowledge and understandings of Christ’s teachings …  a place where Christian witness is nurtured and strengthened within the community of our Lord’s disciples, the Church.

This is our hope for our school community in 2022 – that together we grow and flourish in unity/kotahitanga and in learning, loving and serving in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

It has been truly heartwarming to see the return of our children and our families to school this week. We are extremely proud of you Holy Trinity Whānau as by next week we will have a 100% return of our children to school for face to face learning. Thank you for your trust in us as we continue to strive to keep the children safe, well and happy whilst they are here at school. And thank you for adhering to the restrictions that are currently in place to ensure that we are meeting and abiding by the public health measures for this Red Traffic Light Covid Protection Framework setting.

We also extend our heartfelt prayers and thoughts to our Tongan school families and to their families and communities at home in Tonga. We hope that their worry, hurt and loss from the volcanic eruption natural disaster will be eased by the practical support and aid from us all here in NZ. Next Friday will be a Tongan Mufti Day here at school so that we can all contribute to fundraising through Caritas, who already has people on the ground in Tonga, supporting the communities with their recovery. Mrs Silva has shared further details below.

Welcome to our New Families and Staff

A special warm welcome to our new families and to our new staff! It is always a thrill to have more people joining our Holy Trinity School whānau. We hope that you are already feeling a warmth of welcome  and a sense of belonging and of being part of this special community here, in the heart of Takanini. Being inclusive and sharing hospitality is part of “WHO WE ARE”. We are proud to have you as part of our community too as we look forward to a year of “learning, loving and serving” together.

Our new teachers/kaitiaki …

Kia ora and welcome to Mrs Danielle Clarivette who is a Learning Community kaitiaki in LC Awa Year 2/3. Danielle has recently shifted with her family from Tokoroa where she was teaching at Bishop Edward Gaines Catholic Primary School. Danielle has a special interest and passion for creating painting artworks so we are very much looking forward to seeing the “magic” that she can create here at school with our students. Thank you Mrs Clarivette!

And we extend a lovely welcome to Ms Keryn Yip who is a teacher/kaitiaki in Learning Community Whenua Year 0/1. Ms Yip is already part of Holy Trinity School whānau as her two young boys, Ryder and Mason are here at school with us. Keryn has a big love for family and also for Boot Camp so fitness, health and wellbeing are very important to her! We are thrilled to have Keryn as part of our teaching team and know she has many strengths, knowledge and skills to share with us. Welcome Keryn!

End of Day School Traffic

Thank you for your patience and consideration with the ‘end of day’ pick up. Having only one entrance in and out of school does create congestion when everyone is trying to pick up their children at the same time. Our staff is doing their best to keep the traffic flow moving and to assist children into their respective cars so we are grateful for your patience too.

To alleviate congestion at this 2:50pm – 3:00pm time PLEASE:
1. PARK in the neighbouring side streets and walk to the school entrance to collect your child
2. Keep driving down to the Mill Road roundabout and return down Airfield Road to make a left hand turn into the school car-park
3. Organise to come at a later time from 3:00pm – 3:15pm. Staff will always be on duty and someone will always remain with the children outside.

THANK YOU for helping to keep our children and families safe.

From the School Board …

Nau mai haere mai, nau mai hoki mai ki te tau kura hou

From the Board, I extend God’s blessings and warm wishes to all as we start a new school year in this challenging COVID time. We hope that you all had a blessed Christmas and a good holiday break with family and friends. It is not easy navigating our way through all the restrictions which are aimed at keeping ourselves, our families and the wider community safe and well, but we know by trusting God, our government and each other, we will get through this time with courage, resilience and love.

A special welcome goes to our new families- welcome to our Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School family. We hope that you enjoy your time with us and we look forward to meeting you all soon.

The Board also welcomes the following new staff – Mrs Danielle Clarivette and Ms Keryn Yip. It is great to have you both joining our teaching staff and we look forward to working with you and enjoying the valued contribution you bring to our team.

 Thank You

I would like to acknowledge Miss Lindstrom, our principal, the senior leadership team and indeed all the staff for the excellent work they have all done in planning and preparing for the new school year. School may have only started for the children yesterday, but the staff have been working hard over the past two weeks involved in professional development and getting everything ready, for what we hope will be a great year for our Holy Trinity family.

After the way we had to end the 2021 school year, it is wonderful to see so many of our children returning to school so positively, with smiles on their faces and keen to get into their learning. THANK YOU to our families for preparing your children so well for their return to school.

Keeping Ourselves Safe

There has been a lot of organisation and preparation, because of COVID-19, to be put in place for our school to reopen. Be assured that the Board and school and staff are very carefully following the guidelines and requirements from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, to keep the school environment safe for everyone. All families would have received detailed guidelines and processes about how the school is operating within the current restrictions during this time. It is important that anyone coming to the school adheres to these guidelines for the health and well-being of all. Many thanks for your co-operation and understanding.

The School Board

As a Board, we are accountable for setting the school vision, the strategic plan and for student achievement and ensuring that the school complies with the government requirements. This also includes the well being and safety of all our children and staff. While the Board is in a governance role, it is the principal who is responsible for the day to day management of the school, and together we work in partnership to provide the very best Catholic education we can for all the children in our care.

This year, all schools in New Zealand are scheduled to have their triennial Board elections, which will be in September. Being on the Board is a wonderful way to become involved in the life of your children’s school and their education. It is a commitment and a very rewarding one, where Board members have the opportunity in their leadership role, to live out our school’s vision- “Learn, Love and Serve, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”- Ka Ako, Ka Aroha, Ka Manaaki.

With the elections coming up in September, you might like to think about this special ministry- it might be something you would like to become involved in.

There will be more information to come as we get closer to this time.

In Conclusion …

Living and working in a Covid world is a challenging time for us all and it doesn’t come without stress and hardship.

Remember, that we are altogether on this journey., take care of yourselves and your families, support one another and reach out to those in need. The Board, as is the school staff, is here to support you in any way we can.

I enclose the following prayer you might like to use as part of your family prayer time:

A Covid-19 Prayer

For all who have contracted Coronavirus… We pray for care and healing.
For those who are particularly vulnerable… We pray for safety and protection.
For all who experience fear or anxiety … We pray for peace of mind and spirit.
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety … We pray for policies that recognise their plight.
For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status… We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all.
We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world… We pray for shared solidarity.
For public officials and decision makers… We pray for wisdom and guidance.
Father, during this time may your church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all.
Grant us peace, grant us compassion, grant us comfort, grant us healing.
Be with us Lord.
Amen.

Blessings to you all
Philip Cortesi
Presider of the Board

DRS Report

Tongan Mufti Outreach

Next week Friday 11th February, our school will be uniting in solidarity with our Tongan community by having a gold coin donation mufti day with the Tongan colours of red and white. We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Tonga as they slowly begin to rebuild and recover from the aftermath of the recent volcanic eruption. Bring your gold coin and dress up in red and white on Friday. All proceeds will go towards Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, who are working closely with Caritas Tonga to provide and distribute aid among the people of Tonga. We thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sacramental Programme

Registration for our Sacramental Programme 2022 at St Mary’s Church Papakura will be closed in mid February. If you would like an enrolment form please email either St Mary’s Parish or Ana Silva at school for more details.
St Mary’s Parish – sacprog@stmaryspapakura.co.nz
Ana Silva – asilva@holytrinity.school.nz

Parish Newsletters

Please click on the link to read the St Mary’s Parish, Papakura newsletter for this weekend – St Mary’s Papakura Newsletter Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time 

Please find attached information from St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa in regards to online booking for Masses.

News Update Red Setting 25 January 2022  

Bulletin #2 – Sunday 6th February (1)

School Signage

Over the holiday period, we have been busy putting up new signage, both externally and in the Learning Community settings. The signs display our six school Gospel values along with the symbol of each Gospel story that the Gospel value relates to:
Unity/Kotahitanga – “I am the Vine, you are the Branches” John 15:5-15
Integrity/Ngākau pono – “The Wise and Foolish Builders” Matthew 7:24-27
Respect/Manaakitia – “The Good Samaritan” Luke 10:25-27
Compassion/Arohanui – “The Prodigal Son” Luke 15: 11-32
Resilience/Ngāwari – “Christ’s Light” Matthew 5: 14-16
Excellence/Hiranga – “The Three Talents” Matthew 25:14-30

We have these beautiful banners already displayed in our Hall/Taamaua and now we have them proudly displayed in our school Reception area, on the external wall of the central school entrance and in each of the Learning Communities. Each school Gospel value is a “way of being” – this is what we continually unpack with the students so that together we can can all understand and respond to the ways that Jesus asks us to live through our thoughts, words, actions and interactions. We hope to share more about each of these with you across the year!

Tamariki Time!

Please click on the link for an information leaflet that provides some key information and facts about the vaccine as it relates to children between 5-11 years. It may assist some parents in their decision making process in the build up to the event on Monday.

Tamariki Time – Helpful Information for Child Vaccination

The Tamariki Time Papakura and Takanini Whānau Fun Day – Tamariki (5-11 year olds) Drive-through Vaccine Event is this MONDAY 7th February 10am-3pm at Papakura Marae, 23 Hunua Road, Papakura.

COVID Tamariki Time Takanini 7th FEB 

Visitors on Site

Due to the Red Traffic Light Covid Protection Framework setting, we are requesting that families DO NOT come on the school site. Only Families new to our school are invited to come in to school in the first few weeks to help settle their child/children.

We acknowledge that this very hard for families – for mums and dads and grandparents and caregivers that want to see how their children have settled, to meet with the teachers BUT we are required to restrict all non-essential personnel coming onto a school site. This ensures that we are doing our best to keep the children safe and well during this time of Covid-19 community transmission.

If you do need to come on site then PLEASE …
– enter through the front Reception Area by the Hall
– use the school QR code for contact tracing
– sign in on the Visitors register
– wear an approved face mask
– keep a physical distance of 1 metre or more from other people
– go straight to the Learning Community area but refrain from going inside
– leave school as soon as appropriate
– exit through the central student entrance stairwell

If you are needing to see our Office Admin personnel (Viv Smith or Carmel Stewart), please stay behind the perspex shield in the Office area when conversing.

THANK YOU for helping us to keep everyone safe and well!

Preparing for COVID-19

You can also prepare for COVID-19, making sure you and your household have a plan and know what to do. This will mean your whānau and community can help each other if needed. Find out more here:

Self-isolating at home because of COVID-19

Many people will be able to manage self-isolation with help from friends and whānau, but there is help available if you need it – both with health support and access to food and other essentials.

If you know anyone in your community affected by COVID-19 and who may need help, such as food and other financial assistance, Work and Income has a range of supports available for individuals, families, employers and self-employed people affected by COVID-19.

Work and Income Support

The beginning of the year can be a tough time for parents who are faced with many costs and it is important you are aware of what assistance you may be able to get from Work and Income. These are available to people on a low income as well as those on a benefit.

Check what you might get here

Use the links above or call 0800 559 009 to find out more, or to apply.

MoneyTalks can assist with free budgeting and debt help

You can also contact your local community provider. Please find more information here.

Attendance Dues Payments

Attendance Dues 2022 statements will be sent electronically to families next week.

Please note that there are 3 options for payment of the Attendance Dues and Catholic Special Character Contribution

  1. Full amount paid by Internet Banking to ASB school account – details for payment are on the statement.
  2. Automatic Payment to be set up via internet banking to ASB school account
  3. Payment can be made at the school office – cash or Eftpos

For those families paying by Automatic Payment (AP), please note that 2022 payments must all be completed by 1st December 2022.

Please see Carmel Stewart (Office Administrator) or Peta Lindstrom (Principal) in the strictest confidence if you have any concerns or questions regarding the payment of Attendance Dues.

Financial Assistance is available for payment of Attendance Dues.

Learning Community News

Beginning of Term 1

It has been wonderful to finally see our students and whānau back at school! The staff have been working so hard in the last two weeks to plan and prepare for our students. 

Our first day back started with lots of excitement from the teachers seeing the students, and the students’ greeting each other enthusiastically! Here are some photos to show you what a great start to the school year we have had.

Learning Community Moana

Today learning community Moana completed an obstacle course in pairs. The challenge was to trust their buddy to give them the correct instructions to get them through the course. Moana did an awesome job at building Kotahitanga – Unity, they were able to reflect on the actions and words that they used to build

 

Curriculum News

School-wide Dance Programme

This year, all students are participating in a school-wide dance programme as part of The Arts Curriculum Learning Area. This programme is offered every Friday morning and is led by two trained dance teachers in. Students are learning about …
Understanding Dance in Context – demonstrating an awareness of dance in their lives and in their communities
Developing Practical Knowledge – exploring movement with a developing awareness of dance elements: body, space, time, energy and relationships
Developing Ideas – improvising and exploring movement ideas in a response to a variety of stimuli
Communicating and Interpreting – sharing dance movement through informal presentations and sharing thoughts and feelings in response to their own and others dance.

Come in and join us for some “Dance Time” – every Friday morning from 9:00am!

2022 Teacher Only Days – School Closed

As part of the Primary Teachers Collective Agreement, there are days that schools can use for Teacher professional learning and development. This means that schools can close on a day to allow for all teachers to attend various professional development.

In 2022 – Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School will be closed:

  1. Writing of health curriculum sexuality education schoolwide programme – Term 1 Friday 25th February 2022
  2. Planning programmes for target/accelerant students – Term 1 Friday 25th March 2022
  3. Understanding Aotearoa NZ Histories through a catholic lens – Term 2 Friday 20th May 2022
  4. Kāhui Ako Community PLD Day – Term 2 Friday 3rd June 2022

. Further notice of these dates will be given closer to the time.

Caretaker Postion

Our dear Mr Quarterman is wanting to retire! He has been wonderful by continuing to work with us across the summer holiday period, but we are now needing to seek a new Caretaker to take on this role as soon as possible.

Position: Caretaker for 15 hours per week with responsibilities for property maintenance and repair and gardening care.

Please send letters of application to our school office – office@holytrinity.school.nz. The start date will be immediately.

For further inquiries, please contact our School Office Administrator – Carmel Stewart ph: 09 296 9039

If you know of anyone who may be suitable for this position, please let them know to contact us here at school.

Piano and Keyboard Lessons

Piano and Keyboard Lessons with NZ Modern  School of Music Teacher, Leanne Stewart.

 The New Zealand Modern School of Music is pleased to offer private piano and keyboard lessons at Holy Trinity Catholic School. The lessons are given during class time so parents do not have to take their children to lessons after school. If you are interested in your child learning to read and play music and would like further information, please contact Leanne Stewart  –  021 1640 996.

sKids After School Care Term 1 2022

Kia ora,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful Summer break, we’re excited to be back at School!

Please see attached our After School Activities Flyer.

Please see the link here for our flyer: Click Here

“sKids Holy Trinity is open for Term 1!

Visit: «SiteURL» to book now!”

Thank you for your support,

sKids Marketing

sKids | www.sKids.co.nz

Upcoming School Events

Waitangi Day – Public Holiday
Monday 7th February 

School Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Speechlay and the children
Tuesday 8th February – online from 10am via the HTCPS Home Learning google site link

Footsteps Dance programme – for all classes
Friday 11th February 9:00am -11:45am 

MUFTI DAY – wearing of red and white/Tongan national colours
Friday 11th February – fundraiser for our Tongan community 

School Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Chung, Miss Gaynor and the children
Monday 14th February – online from 10am via the HTCPS Home Learning google site link

Footsteps Dance programme – for all classes
Friday 18th February 9:00am -11:45am 

Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 23rd  February 6:00pm in the school staffroom

Term 1 Concludes
Thursday 14th April

Upcoming Community Events

Free Community English Classes

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