School Newsletter 1st November 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

Today is All Saints Day, which we celebrated together as a faith community at Liturgy this afternoon. The liturgy was beautifully led by Learning Community Whenua students (our 5 and 6 year olds) – what a joy it was to see them sharing the Gospel reading of the Beatitudes, sharing reflections and leading us in prayer time as we remembered all those who lived their lives faithfully by responding to God’s call to mission and have now gone to Heaven. Some of these people have been given the title ‘Saint’ by the Church and have their own special Feast Day, such as St. David, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Mary MacKillop.

Today, we are reminded that we are ALL called to be saints by living our lives in response to God’s mission – proclaiming the Good News, witnessing to our catholic faith and responding to the needs of others – this is what it means to be missionary disciples just as the Saints modelled for us!

Shared reflections from the Gospel Reading … The Beatitudes

Lachlan – Today we hear Jesus telling us exactly the kind of person he wants us to be, and the kind of person that he has special care and love for. The Beatitudes lay out a beautiful plan that helps us carry out Jesus’ mission and build God’s kingdom.

Zeke – This term, let’s make a special effort to remember what Jesus asks of us. Will you try to be gentle? Will you try to be merciful? Will you do all that you can to make the world a fairer place for all people? Will you strive to bring peace? How will you put these teachings into practice in the coming week?

Everly – We encourage you to choose one Beatitude to focus on this week. By living out that teaching, you can actively contribute to Jesus’ mission and help build His kingdom. What will you do this week to follow Jesus and live your life in a way that reflects his love?

AND thank you Learning Community Maunga for your “Saints” artworks displayed in our school’s reception area!

DRS Report

Beginning of the Term School Mass

On Wednesday 30 October, our school whānau gathered together in Taamaua/school hall to celebrate Mass with Father Mathew of St Mary’s Parish, Papakura. It was wonderful to see all our parents and families who joined us for Mass. We listened to Father Mathew as he spoke about ways we can discipline our life by focusing on the things that matter, such as our prayer life and our mission to serve. Are we making time to remove ourselves from the busyness of everyday life and take the time to just be in the presence of God?

All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Today, we gathered as a school faith community to celebrate All Saints Day with a special liturgy. We listened to some of our tamariki share stories of their Confirmation Saints and reflected on our own calling to be saints. In the words of Pope Francis, “To be Saints is not a privilege for the few but a vocation for everyone.” We don’t have to be superheroes to be saints, we live simply by following the examples of Jesus when he was here on earth.

The Feast of All Saints is celebrated on the 1st of November and the next day on the 2nd of November, we commemorate and remember All Souls Day. It’s a special day where we pray especially for the souls of our brothers and sisters who have died, especially in our own family and community. We continue to pray for all souls, especially this Saturday for All Souls Day.

Happy Diwali!

Wishing our Indian families and staff a very ‘Happy Diwali’ filled with love, light, and laughter. May this special festival bring peace and prosperity to your life!

Celebrating our Teachers/Kaitiaki!

This week we have been celebrating our teaching staff! And today is Aotearoa Teachers’ Day!

We acknowledge and celebrate all of our wonderful teachers for the great work they do each day with and for our tamariki.

We Bless and Thank our teachers …

BLESS YOU and THANK YOU for who you are, for all that you do, for your love and care of the children and families and for your love and care of each other.

BLESS YOU and THANK YOU for the way you strive to teach with truth, grace and goodness, dedication and integrity, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

BLESS YOU and THANK YOU for your courage and perseverance to walk the paths that Jesus, the Teacher, has laid out for us.

HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY!

Staff/Teacher Only Day in Term 4

School will be closed for students on Friday 15th November – Term 4

Teachers and Support Staff will be involved in a professional development and learning day about the newly released New Zealand Curriculum Refresh.

This teacher-only day will provide our school with a dedicated time to understand, prepare and engage with changes across The New Zealand Curriculum refresh. It is an opportunity for our kaitiaki to share ideas and expertise and to grow in our confidence in implementing the upcoming curriculum and assessment changes.

Please make alternative arrangements for your child/ren for Friday 15th November. sKids will be open and operating an on-site programme on this day.

PTFA News …

Christmas Twilight Market event on the evening of Friday 29th November from 3.30pm – 6.00pm!

Bring your family and friends along to support our lovely school community – there will be a range of food stalls, arts & crafts, games and more!

The proceeds from the market will be put towards fundraising for new playground equipment for the school grounds. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks as we are keen to get some support from the school community to make this a super successful event!

If you are interested in donating items or running a stall, please email the PTFA directly (ptfa@holytrinity.school.nz). Your stall could be; food stall, face painting, lucky dip, arts & crafts, preserves or anything else you’d like to sell.

Thank you for your support and looking forward to seeing you all there!

Calendar Artwork

The children have been working hard on creating some great artwork for this year’s Calendar Art sales. Last day for ordering is this coming Monday 4th November. Please refer to the HERO community posts for ‘how to order’ guidelines.

Thanks again for your support with this great initiative!

Teaching and Learning News

Learning Community Maunga – Marae Haerenga (Trip)

Learning Community Maunga students and kaitiaki had an amazing cultural experience on their trip to Papakura Marae on Thursday 24th October. The day was full of rich learning and knowledge where our learners experienced hands-on powhiri, tikanga and sharing of stories through whakairo carvings and waiata. We had so much fun learning Ti Ti Torea (stick game), Mau Rākau (traditional martial art) and poi. Our visit to the Marae helped our learners gain a better understanding of Te Ao Māori and strengthened our connections with our local marae and iwi, Ngāti Tamaoho, as part of our mission.

Learning Community Moana

Whātui te Wairoa – Weaving Well-being Programme

This week in Learning Community Moana, we have been learning about our strengths. We can use our strengths in many different ways to deal with different situations, and to achieve goals in different areas like school and sports.

Liam wrote, “I use gratitude when I’m eating my food, and I use fairness when I am cutting my cake at my birthday.”

Olive thinks, “When I have an argument with my friend, I can use bravery by being brave enough to apologise, and kindness by apologising in a kind way.”

Ruby-Lee wrote, “When I am sad or lonely and I feel like I am invisible, I will go to someone or a teacher that I trust and I will tell her my feelings and I will feel better. That’s using my strength of hope.”

We have also been identifying strengths in others. We looked at the strengths of people like Steve Adams and Taylor Swift! Finally, we also learned about an app called SPARX (www.sparx.org.nz). It’s a free online game that helps us learn about what we’ve covered in our lessons.

Cultural Groups News

We’re excited to share that our cultural groups have started this term. Students from Learning Communities Moana, Maunga, and Ngahere participate in cultural activities every Monday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am, with groups including Kapa Haka, Filipino, Pasifika, and Indian.

If you’re wondering about Learning Communities Awa and Whenua, they’re preparing a special presentation of the Nativity story—a taonga that shares the story of Jesus’ birth. This will be a beautiful moment for us to gather and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas as the school year draws to a close.

Both performances—the Nativity and cultural group presentations—will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m. We believe it’s important for our whole school community to come together to celebrate the year and to joyfully anticipate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Learning Community News

Learning Community Termly Newsletters

Please keep an eye out for each of the Learning Community newsletters, which have been published on HERO. It’s crucial that you read the newsletter to stay informed about what’s happening in Term 4. Kaitiaki will provide detailed information about the teaching and learning programmes across the different curriculum areas, homework coming home each night, when your child is expected to bring their P.E. gear to school etc.

Sports News

North Counties Touch

Last week’s North Counties Inter-schools Touch Tournament brought together teams of young players showcasing their skills, team work, and love for the game. Our school entered a boys team which featured students from Years 4-6. It was wonderful to see the high level of sportsmanship from our boys and the resilience to give it their very best. It was a very successful day with Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School placed 2nd overall! Special thanks to our coach and referee of the day – Mr Nigel Erick, who did an extremely fantastic job! Special acknowledgements go out to Miss Aiesi and Ms Ahern who worked alongside Papakura Normal School staff to facilitate the whole tournament. A successful day!

Hauora/WellBeing News

Awhi Team – Peer Mediators

Late last term, the Awhi Team worked hard to create awesome posters for the staffroom. These posters share information on the different kaupapa/lessons on peer mediation. The posters were created with the aim of helping the kaitiaki/teachers remember the different lessons they need to teach in their learning communities, and also so visitors to our staffroom can see – in a colourful, attractive way – what our tamariki learn as they go through the peer mediation programme. THANK YOU Peer Mediators for helping us to keep focusing on the importance of peer mediation and the effective way it can be used within our school community.

Some of the Awhi Team are working towards their gold level badges. One task they need to complete to achieve ‘gold’ is to present a kaupapa (or lesson) to another learning community. On Thursday, Aiden and Valentino presented a slideshow to LC Maunga on how to paraphrase and name your feelings. The LC Maunga learners really enjoyed the presentation and the activities, and are now inspired to become Awhi Team members themselves!

Ka rawe, Aiden and Valentino!

Thank You to …

Ms Rochelle Drollét, one of our kaitiaki at school, who took time out in the October holidays to freshen up our school sign at the front of the school near the pick up/drop off area. This was the original sign at the front entrance of the driveway when the school opened in 2017. Although it has weathered, it is still a precious toanga from those very first days of establishment. Thank you Ms Drollét for sharing your art talents with us and for refreshing our school sign! Ka mau te wehi – you are amazing!

Congratulations to …

Enzo Tabobo from Learning Community Whenua for his fantastic achievement in winning his year category at the recent Auckland Brick Show! Along with his family, we are so proud of him and his wonderful result. Enzo was able to visit the Lego Show to be awarded his prize. Part of Enzo’s prize is a lego creator pack that will be delivered to our school. Thank you Enzo!

And Congratulations to …

Four HTCPS students ended their cheerleading season on a high at the Cheerleading NZ National Championships. All four girls are part of the Cheer Dynamix Club in Papakura. Well done on such amazing achievements! We are so proud of you achieving such great excellence/hiranga and living out our school Gospel value! You are all amazing!

Isabella Birgel: Tiny Solo Level One Champion and Team ‘Divas’, Mini Level 1 – Silver Medal

Sinamaria Hunt: Team ‘Divas’, Mini Level 1 – Silver Medal

Charlotte Ruegg: Team ‘Skittles’, Mini Novice- Gold Medal

Isabella Porter: Team ‘Glitter’, Junior Novice – Bronze Medal

Duffy Books in Homes Programme

This year’s Summer Reading offer is out now. All books are only $5 each! It’s another excellent opportunity to stock up for Christmas and the summer holidays.

A flyer has been sent home with your child.

Orders can be paid for at the school office (no online ordering for this offer) and must be in by Thursday 14 November as the 15th is our Teacher Only Day.

Ngā mihi,

Ms Kirstie Gill

Team Leader/Kaitiaki in Learning Community Moana

Book Club Coordinator

Duffy Books in Homes Coordinator

Term 4 Special Events and Activities

Please save the date for these ‘end of Term 4’ celebrations events and activities. These are all family/whānau events and we are delighted to warmly welcome our school families and wider school community to be part of each special event and activity where we celebrate who we are as a catholic school – rejoicing in our catholic faith, our students achievements and our school’s achievements from throughout 2024.

Thursday 28th November
Orientation Morning for 2025 New Families and Students 9am – 12pm @ school

Friday 29th November
PTFA Christmas Twilight Market 3:30pm – 6:00pm @ school

Tuesday 3rd December
School Helpers THANK YOU Morning Tea 10:30am @ school

Friday 6th December
Praise-giving Awards Afternoon 12:00pm @ school in Taamaua/school hall

Monday 9th December
Liturgy and Assembly for Other School Leavers and Service/Leadership Awards 9:00am @ school

Wednesday 11th December
End of Year Mass – Blessing and Acknowledgement of 2024 Year 6 Leavers and their families 9:15am in Taamaua/school hall

Wednesday 11th December
Whānau/Family Picnic – Cultural Group performances and Nativity Liturgy celebrations 4:00pm – 7:00pm @ school

Concerns and Complaints Policy and Procedures

It is always good practice each year to inform parents and community of the appropriate channel to share concerns or worries. Schools are required to have a Concerns and Complaints Policy in place. The purpose is to provide clear guidelines for the school community in raising and resolving concerns and complaints.

These procedures enable us to:

maintain the best learning environment for our students
resolve matters of concern early, if possible
respond to feedback and concerns constructively
deal with complaints fairly, effectively, and promptly
take into account individual circumstances
maintain confidentiality
preserve school/community relationships and communication
monitor and record complaints and concerns about student safety.

Most complaints can be resolved informally by discussions with the people concerned.

Discuss the issue with the right person.
Work towards a resolution.

School policies and procedures are held online with SchoolDocs. Access to this information is shared with you at each student enrolment interview. Please access by logging on to http://holytrinity.schooldocs.co.nz/ – User Name: holytrinity – Password: learnloveserve

Reminders!

2024 School Leavers

If you are leaving our school at the end of this year due to a change of circumstances (other than our Year 6 students), please email the school office as soon as possible – office@holytrinity.school.nz. We are currently managing our school roll numbers and this much needed information will help us to make decisions in regards to enrolments for 2025 placements. Thank you.

Upcoming School Events

Cultural Groups and Nativity Practices
Monday 4th November

Calendar Artworks – last day to order online
Monday 4th November

Whātuia te Wairoa – Weaving Well-Being lessons for Year 5/6 students
Tuesday 5th November @ school

Whātuia te Wairoa – Weaving Well-Being lessons for Year 5/6 students
Friday 8th November @ school

Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Learning Communities Moana and Awa/Ms Gill and Mrs Fernandes
Monday 11th November in Taamaua/school hall @ 9:15am

Whātuia te Wairoa – Weaving Well-Being lessons for Year 5/6 students
Tuesday 12th November @ school

Inter-schools Mathex Competition for nominated Year 5/6 students
Tuesday 12th November @ Papakura Normal school 5:00pm-6:00pm

Fr Mathew visiting Learning Communities
Wednesday 13th November @ school

Sacrament of Reconciliation fro Year 4-6 students
Thursday 14th November @ school

Staff/Teacher ONLY DAY – school closed for students
Friday 15th November

Cultural Groups and Nativity Practices
Monday 18th November

Whātuia te Wairoa – Weaving Well-Being lessons for Year 5/6 students
Tuesday 19th November @ school

PTFA STALL HOLDERS Meeting for Christmas Twilight Market
Tuesday 19th November 6:00pm @ school in the staffroom

EOTC Sailing Day for nominated Year 6 students
Thursday 21st November @ Maraetai Beach

Mahi Tahi OPEN DAY at school – sharing of students’ learning
Friday 22nd November in the Learning Communities @ school

Whātuia te Wairoa – Weaving Well-Being lessons for Year 5/6 students
Friday 22nd November @ school

Orientation Morning for 2025 New Families and Students
Thursday 28th November @ 9:00am at school

PTFA Christmas Twilight Market
Friday 29th November 3:30pm – 6:00pm @ school

School Helpers Morning Tea
Tuesday 3rd December 10:30am @ school

Praise-giving Awards Celebration
Friday 6th December 12:00pm @ school in Taamaua/school hall

Liturgy and Assembly for Other Leavers and Service/Leadership Awards
Monday 9th December @ 9:15am in Taamaua/school hall

End of Year School Mass/Acknowledgement and Blessing of 2024 Year 6 Leavers
Wednesday 11th December 9:15am @ school

Whānau/Family Picnic, Cultural Group Performances and Nativity Liturgy celebrations
Wednesday 11th December 4:00pm-7:00pm at school

Term 4 Concludes for the 2024 year at 1:00pm
Tuesday 17th December

Upcoming Community Events

Massey Park Pools ‘Have A Go Day’

Massey Park Pools are proud to support Papakura Swimming Club and Swimming Waikato’s “Have-A-Go” initiative this November 16th.

This program is about children and young adults the opportunity to try out club swimming and get a feel for the camaraderie and fun that comes from competitive swimming. It’s about getting our children learning to swim and being water safe.