School Newsletter 16th February 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

This week, we celebrated a beautiful Ash Wednesday Liturgy with our school community. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten season which is a time of spiritual preparation, examination and penance leading up to the celebration of Easter. We use this lenten time to pray – deepening our relationship with God; to focus on self-denial – going without; and for almsgiving – doing charitable acts. These are wonderful means of drawing closer to God.

A Family Lenten prayer:
God our Father, you guide and direct us on our journey through life. Be with us as we walk our Lenten journey of faith and love. Help us to grow closer to you during this special holy season. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Congratulations to St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College Community

We extend heartfelt congratulations to St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College community as they open for schooling and commence their educational journey. It has been exciting for Holy Trinity to be a small part of the journey of the College to realisation – after many years of prayer that the opportunity to offer catholic education to families who reside in South Auckland will come to fruition. We gratefully acknowledge all those who had the vision and the passion to continue to work towards realising the build and opening of the College. And we are very proud to see Holy Trinity students become foundation students and know that they and their whānau will embrace the Jesuit charism with love, respect and integrity.  Congratulations to you all!

Welcome to Fr Mathew!

Fr Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil is the new Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish in Papakura. We will be formally welcoming Fr Mathew to our school with a Whakatau on Wednesday 21st February at 9am. Fr Mathew will then lead us in our Beginning of the Year Mass celebrations. All families are welcome to join us for this special time of sharing Holy Trinity prayer, warmth, hospitality and unity with Fr Mathew.

Fr Mathew has already popped in to visit us at school and spent time getting to know us. He also shared his rich life stories of being a seminarian studying in the Salesian of St. John Bosco religious order and then becoming a missionary for many years in the East African region. Fr Mathew is from the Kerala state of India.

We look forward to Fr Mathew being part of the Holy Trinity School family!

School Board News …

Warm greetings to all our Holy Trinity Catholic School families as another school year gets underway- another year of learning ka ako, loving ka aroha and serving ka manaaki.

A special welcome goes to all our new families- we hope you enjoy your time with us. We look forward to meeting you all as the year progresses.

We also welcome Mrs Upashna Naden, a new kaitiaki to the Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School team. The Board looks forward to getting to know you as you share the knowledge and experience you bring to the team.

THANK YOU to our amazing hardworking staff, under the excellent leadership of Peta Lindstrom, for the great start you have made to the 2024 school year. The time, thought and energy you are putting into providing a safe learning environment for our children and into the planning and preparation of the school programmes, is much appreciated.

It is wonderful to see so many of our children eagerly returning to school, with smiles on their faces and keen to get into their learning. THANK YOU to our families for preparing your children for their return to school. We are forever mindful that the education and well being of the children is a partnership between home and school.

The School Board Members

I am aware that many of our new families, especially those who have their first child entering school, may not know about the School Board, who its members are and what we do, so here is a little overview.

The Board Members:

Philip Cortesi: Presiding Member/Bishop’s appointee
Apaula Fruean-Lautua: Bishop’s appointee
Anna Soo Choon: Bishop’s appointee
Alma Santos: Bishop’s appointee
Jason Farley: Parent elected member
Trish Martin: Parent elected member
Vineetha Uthamaputhiran: Parent elected member
Maila Altamirano: Parent elected member
Lenis Martin: Parent elected member

Peta Lindstrom: Principal
Lynn Rhode: Staff elected representative.

In governing the school, the Board has the responsibility for developing a strategic plan, policies and ensuring that the school operates and complies with government legislation.

Our current three year strategic plan, which is a result of much community input over the last two years, has three main goals, that sit under our vision of Learn- Ka Ako, Love- Ka Aroha, Serve- Ka Manaaki, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

1. Catholic Special Character- our living faith is at the heart of our school
2. Excellence in Teaching and Learning- for all ākonga to experience rich and responsive learning
3. Community Hauora-Well Being- to build unity/Kotahitanga through inclusive community partnerships

Within these three big goals sit the government’s priorities:

• Learners at the centre
• Barrier free access
• Quality teaching and leadership
• Future of learning and work
• World class inclusive public education

AND our commitment to Te Tiriti  0 Waitangi, with our plans, policies and local curriculum reflecting local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and te  ao Māori.

The school leadership team and staff then develop an annual plan of action, with a range of initiatives to work towards achieving these goals.

In all of this we are always mindful, first and foremost, of our responsibility to provide the best Catholic education we can for our children- your children!

School Policies

As mentioned, the Board is responsible for school policies and ensuring that they are in keeping with government legislation and they are followed

Managing our School Roll

Holy Trinity is now “managing” our school roll for 2024. All of our learning spaces and year levels are now at full capacity for the year. This includes students who are already pre-enrolled for the 2024 year. The lack of further buildings/learning community spaces means we are in a position of having to manage school enrolments for new inquiries. Families are welcome to place their child on the preference waiting list for 2025 – this does not guarantee a placement for 2025 as we will only be able to accept siblings as a first priority.

Student Attendance

The Boards and schools are requested by the Ministry of Education to have an “intervention tier” in place so that student attendance is monitored, tracked and intervention strategies are put in place quickly and efficiently to ensure high rates of school attendance for every child.

For Holy Trinity School, our student attendance concern is with the large number of children who are regularly arriving late to school after the 8:50am bell and/or are leaving school early in the afternoon. As the first intervention tier for our school, we will be monitoring student lateness and will be communicating promptly with those families where there is regular lateness – special circumstances permitting.

The school gates open from 8:30am with school commencing at 8:50am. The school day concludes at 2:50pm.

We are confident that by working together and respecting the school bell times, we can ensure our children have the best possible opportunity for their learning!

Health, Safety and Well Being

The Board has an obligation to ensure that students’ health, safety and well -being are paramount. In last week’s school’s newsletter, Miss Lindstrom outlined in some detail the expectation of parents and whānau when dropping off and picking up children. The Board supports these procedures 100%

In summary:

• The front of the school is for drop off and pick up ONLY. Please DO NOT park there and definitely do not leave your car there unattended.
• Kapowai Boulevard- please park on the left hand side of the road, facing Kuaka Drive- NO PARKING on the yellow lines or in the turning bays.
• Use the pedestrian gate from Kapowai Boulevard into the school.
• Parking is permitted in the staff carpark , if there are vacant spaces.

We care about your children and we want to keep them safe. We request that all parents, caregivers and whānau  follow the school procedures. Thank you

Mobile Phones

With the new regulations, school Boards have a duty to prohibit the use and access of mobile phones. Regulation 22 Education (School Board) Regulations 2020, means that all state schools, including integrated state schools, must ensure students do not use or access a phone while they are attending school, including during lunch time and breaks. This includes students who are on a school course/trip or visit outside the school grounds. However, there are exceptions to this specified in the Regulations.

Boards must ensure they have rules in place that meet these new requirements. These must be in effect no later than the start of Term 2, 29 April.

Our Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School Board, with the guidance of SchoolDocs which guides our policy making, ensuring it complies with regulations, will be working on our policy in keeping with the new requirements.

We will keep you informed of developments, but we will be working towards our beginning of Term 2 deadline for the implementation of the policy.

In Conclusion

On behalf of our school Board, thank you to all our Holy Trinity whānau and wider community for your continued support and involvement in the life of our school. It is appreciated. Together we grow as a faith community, and as we journey together through this season of Lent, may we continue to pray for one another, asking for God’s blessings and protection, especially for those in need.

Warm wishes and Lenten blessings to you all

Philip Cortesi
Presiding Member of the Board

DRS Report

Beginning of Year and Commissioning School Mass

This year, we welcome to school, our new Parish Priest for St Mary’s Parish, Papakura, Father Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil. Father Mathew will celebrate our Beginning of Year and Commissioning Mass on Wednesday 21 February at 9:15am in Taamaua/school hall. We will welcome Fr Mathew with a school Whakatau at 9:00am. All families and friends of the Holy Trinity community are welcome to join us for this time.

At this Mass, we will be commissioning our Year 5/6 student leaders who now take on the leadership roles and responsibilities within the school. We give grateful thanks for their willingness and excitement to use and share their gifts and talents to serve different areas of the school.

Crown of Thorns to a Crown of Flowers!

Jesus was made to wear a crown of thorns on Good Friday as he carried the heavy cross to Calvary.

During this Lenten Season, a “crown” of dry twigs with toothpicks that represents the thorns in Jesus’ crown will be kept in the foyer at school. We invite all learners, staff and whānau to observe this Lenten Season through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.

Every time you do a good deed, fast, pray, give alms or make a sacrifice at home or at school then you are able to visit the ‘crown of thorns’ in the school foyer to remove one of the “thorns” and replace it with a flower!

As we journey towards Easter, we hope to find this Lenten crown of thorns to be a “Crown of Flowers for Our Lord!”

Dedication Mass

This past week, our staff gathered with other staff members from our Auckland Diocesan Catholic Schools to celebrate and rededicate ourselves to the work of Catholic education at the Dedication Mass celebrated by Bishop Steve Lowe. It’s always a gentle reminder of our calling as teachers and staff in Catholic schools to continue the teachings of Jesus to the best of our ability.

At this Mass, teachers and staff who have achieved and completed studies throughout the preceding year are acknowledged. We are very pleased to congratulate Michaela Griffiths and Amandeep Kaur who received certificates from Bishop Steve acknowledging their achievement in successfully completing two years of provisionally teaching certification and now becoming fully certificated teachers. Ka mau te wehi – you are amazing and we are very proud of you both!

Year 5/6 Retreat Day

As part of developing and deepening the faith of our students here at Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School,  Year 5/6 students will be participating in a Retreat Day on Thursday 22nd of February at St Francis Retreat Centre, located in Hillsborough.

The retreat will be a great start of the year for our senior students to develop kotahitanga/unity and have some time to reflect on their leadership journey away from the busy school environment. Mrs Cynthia Piper, a lecturer from the Catholic Theological College, will be facilitating this retreat.

We are looking forward to what will be a spiritual, memorable and challenging experience for our students, and we ask you to keep them in your prayers during their spiritual retreat time.

PTFA News

Mahi Tahi – Student/Parent/Teachers Conferences

Teaching and Learning News

Concept Learning Korero Pūrākau

Our concept learning of Korero Pūrākau so far through the curriculum lens of:

Religious Education

Our learners have been exploring the importance of stories. Stories are taonga to our faith. They help express who we are and where we belong, especially in God’s family, which begins with Baptism. Our beliefs, values, practices, and traditions are all part of our unique stories. We also have a mission, and the stories of our whānau patrons empower us to play a role in participating in our mission. It’s an exciting time of learning and discovery!

Social Science/ANZ Histories

Our learners are delving into how people express their culture in their everyday lives. They are discovering that stories about the past are a significant way to share and celebrate their culture. We’re emphasising the value of these stories from the past and the importance of preserving them for future generations. It’s an engaging and enriching learning focus!

Health & Physical Education

Our actions, including sharing korero pūrākau, help build a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. Valuing rights and responsibilities is key to creating a safe and enjoyable space for all.

GetWise – Financial Literacy

Last week on Wednesday and Thursday our Learning communities Ngahere, Maunga and Moana had the opportunity to work with a facilitator from ASB GetWise at school. Our learners enjoyed learning about the fundamentals of money in four different stages – from identifying needs and wants and learning to save, right through to budgeting – giving them a solid foundation to build on. The workshops were fun and engaging for our learners. 

Please click on the link to learn ways that you can support your child at home with the fundamentals of money.

http://GetWise at Home

Fundamental Movement Skills/Gymnastic Lessons

From Weeks 4 -9 of this term (21st and 28th Feb, 6th and 13th March, Thursday 21st March and 27th March) every Wednesday, Learning Community Ngahere (Year 3) and Learning Community Maunga (Year 4) will be walking to Bruce Pulman Recreation Centre for Movement skills/Gymnastics lessons.

This is a great opportunity for the students to further develop their fundamental/motor skills in PE (physical education). This programme has been funded for our school by the Manukau Counties Community Facilities Charitable Trust – we are very blessed indeed!

Duffy Books in Homes – School Programme

We are very lucky to have Duffy Books again this year at HTCPS. The learners have chosen their first selection of books and are eagerly looking forward to receiving two free books later this term. We also hope to have a couple of role model Assemblies throughout the year. Thank you to our School Board for sponsoring Duffy Books in Homes programme at our school.

Caught Being Good Awards

Last year it was wonderful celebrating our learners who were ‘caught being good’ – these are the tamariki who were seen following our school’s Gospel values without expecting anything in return. We are handing out Caught Being Good awards again this year, so it would be great if you could talk to your child/ren about why it’s important to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason – not just in expectation of a reward!

Outdoor Education – CraftLab NZ Programme

Today, Learning Community Moana students participated in Craft Lab – an outdoor education programme. Outdoor Education is a part of the NZ Health and Physical Education curriculum. It was wonderful to see our students trying out new skills of bushcraft – including knot tying, flax crafts, kite making, and making a bush treat – donuts!!!!

We hope to be able to extend this education to all of our learning communities across the year – an opportunity to explore connections with nature and to learn the skills of bushcraft!

Learning Community News

Learning Community Awa

Learning Community Awa has settled well and are starting to get into their routines, teaching groups with lots of  learning. We are beginning to explore this term’s Concept of Korero Pūrākau through different learning areas. Learners are exploring how stories are told and shared in different ways and they have been amazed to learn how many ways stories can be told.

Learning Community Whenua

Learning Community Whenua has made a great transition to their new surroundings, settling into the appropriate groups and routines for the different learning areas. The narrative of the Tree Hut Treaty and the account of the HTCPS staff visit to the Waitangi Treaty grounds were used to teach us about the Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi. Our learners created our LC Treaty, which will guarantee that our LC is a safe place for all of us and that our learning community is a place of harmony and peace, with the help of the treaty and the four pous of Te Whare Tapa Whā.

The unpacking of Korero Pūrākau is the first thing we have been learning. Students were able to understand that the sharing of various stories teaches us about God, ourselves, being decent people,our  culture, and our journey to New Zealand. Whenua learners connected these stories to their Nativity narrative from the previous year and our liturgies, they were able to recognise the various ways in which these stories are conveyed. With the help of healthy, active learning, our students have been actively building their fundamental skills (strength, balance and direction).

Learning Community Ngahere

Learning Community Ngahere has had a fantastic start to the year. Learners have settled in very well and have been very excited to share and reconnect with their friends. We have been learning about the story of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the significance of the Treaty today as we begin to put together our own LC treaty to create a safe environment for us all. We have also been learning about the four aspects of hauora and how these aspects are interconnected and contribute to our well being. Ngahere learners have participated in healthy active learning activities to better understand hauora and the way we should look after our hauora. 

Learning Community Maunga

It has been an awesome start to the year in Learning Community Maunga. Learners have been focusing on cooperative and collaborative games during Physical Education to practice their skills and then use them in other learning areas. They played Night-Train, where the teams had to trust their leader to get them through an obstacle course, and Tic Tac Toe where teams had to cooperate strategically to win the game.

We then put these skills to excellent use during Religious Education, where the learners worked together to find scriptures in the Bible as they learn how the Bible works. It was a beautiful moment when one student realised, “Oh wow, this is where our parents get our names from!”

Learning Community Moana

ASB GetWise Financial Literacy Programme

Last week, Learning Community Moana learners participated in the ASB GetWise Financial Literacy programme.  Through this interactive experience, vital financial literacy skills such as the importance of saving, needs versus wants & comparative spending were shared.  The students role-played a scenario of an item they would like to save for, the cost of it, where to purchase it and how long it would take to save for it.  Important lessons were learnt as to setting realistic goals based on needs instead of wants. 

Travelwise

Travelwise is an innovative programme to make school travel safer, healthier, and more fun.  We have a number of wonderful learners who have volunteered to be our Travelwise leaders. When driving to and within our school roads, you will see these learners with signs and wearing hi-vis. The intention is to promote safe practices for our HTCPS whānau. This means reducing congestion, following safe travelling distances from another vehicle, and encouraging and increasing use of active travel modes (like biking, walking) and use of public transport.

Outdoor Education

On Friday, learners took part in Craft Lab, an outdoor education programme hosted by CraftLab NZ. Outdoor Education is a part of our Health and Physical Education curriculum. Throughout the day, learners did bush crafts which include knot tying, kite making, and making a bush treat.  They also made flax throwing arrows to send to the moon, a giant rope with a Maui hook at the end, and made smoke by rubbing sticks together.  The donuts cooked over the fire, dipped in butter, cinnamon and sugar, were delicious!

Hauora/WellBeing News

Schoolwide Peer Mediation Programme

This term the Awhi Team (Peer Mediators) will begin peer mediation with the whole school, which they are very excited about. They will also have a training day with Ms Gill on Monday 19 February. Please encourage your child to use the Awhi Team’s services when they have a minor issue in the playground, as the mediators can help our learners develop healthy conflict resolution skills.

2025 College Enrolment Information

St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College

Enrolments for Year 7 Students in 2025

Sacred Heart College

Enrolment Applications for Year 7 and Year 9 for 2025 are now open

A Sacred Heart education provides a foundation of faith and aspiration to succeed at the highest level in personal and professional life. Places are available in Years 7 and 9 in 2025, with Boarding available from Year 9. Applications are prioritised in accordance with our Enrolment Scheme. Scholarships are available.
Join us for our Open Day on Wednesday, 28 February 2024. Two sessions are being held, 10am and 1pm in our Auditorium, followed by tours of the College. Parking will be available at Gates 3 & 4, West Tamaki Road, Glendowie.
Applications for enrolment close Friday 5 April 2024. Apply online here. Visit www.sacredheart.school.nz for more information.

St Mary’s College, Ponsonby

Open Day Event is on Thursday 7 March – 2.30pm & 6.30pm.

Upcoming School Events

School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Rhode/LC Moana
Monday 19th February @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall

Peer Mediators Training with Ms Gill and Peace Foundation Facilitator
Monday 19th February @ 10am-2:30pm in Taamaua/school hall

Whakatau for Fr Mathew – Beginning of the Year School Mass – Student Leaders Commissioning
Wednesday 21st February @ 9:00am Taamaua/school hall – Fr Mathew presiding 

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Ngahere/Year 3
Wednesday 21st February @ 10am-11am Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Maunga/Year 4
Wednesday 21st February @ 11am-12:00 Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Retreat Day for Year 5/6 students
Thursday 22nd February @ Franciscan Retreat Centre, Hillsborough 

PTFA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 27th February 7:00pm in the school staffroom

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Ngahere/Year 3
Wednesday 28th February @ 10am-11am Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Fundamental /Movement Skills/Gym lessons for LC Maunga/Year 4
Wednesday 28th February @ 11am-12:00 Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre

Fundamental /Movement Skills for LC Awa and LC Whenua Year 1 and 2
Wednesday 28th February @ school provided by Counties Manukau Sport

Mahi Tahi Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences – informal 
Wednesday 28th February 3:00pm – 6:00pm

School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 28th February 7:00pm in the school staffroom

School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Kaur/LC Maunga
Monday 4th March @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall

Easter Break
Friday 29th March – Tuesday 2nd April 

Term 1 Concludes
Friday 12th April

Drury/South Auckland Community Information Day

Upcoming Community Events

Firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Celebrations

This March, we’re celebrating 150 years of firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with a free public open day in central Auckland.

Established in 1874, Auckland’s first official fire brigade consisted of a single fire chief and a small team of dedicated volunteers who dragged their few hoses, hose reels and ladders to attend fires in the inner city and a few fringe suburbs.

Today, Fire and Emergency in Tāmaki Makaurau serves and protects a population of more than 1.3 million Aucklanders using the latest fire trucks, equipment, and technology with paid and volunteer staff.

From 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday 17 March, a remarkable showcase charting this evolution will be on display at an all-ages open day at The Cloud on Queens Wharf in central Auckland.

Featuring exhibitions, displays and heaps of history, visitors will be able to learn not just about firefighting in the region but some of the important social, technological and cultural changes and advancements of the past 150 years in New Zealand.

The families will also be able to :

• Get up close to original fire trucks and equipment dating back to the 1800s.
• Check out the state-of-the-art fire trucks and specialist capabilities in use across Tāmaki Makaurau today.
• Meet the firefighters who keep our communities safe.
• Watch demonstrations of the essential work carried out by our Specialist High Angle Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue teams.
• Explore the fascinating history of firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau through exhibitions featuring videos, photos, and rare archival materials.
• Learn about the trailblazing men and women who were instrumental in shaping and influencing what has developed into our modern day emergency response services.
• Learn about fire risk and safety to keep them and their whānau safe through interactive displays and demonstrations, and Virtual Reality activities.
• Meet our partner agencies including NZ Police, Hato Hone St John, and Civil Defence.
• Make it a day out for all the family with free admission.

What: 150 years of firefighting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

When: Sunday 17 March 2024, 10 am – 3 pm

Where: The Cloud, Queens Wharf, 89 Quay Street Auckland

Entry: FREE

Bring: Sunscreen and bottled drinking water

Kuraconnect Papakura