Kia Ora, Ni Hao, Bula Vinaka, Malo e lelei, Kia Orana, Tālofa, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Bonjour, Xin Chao, and Kumusta Whānau,

Welcome to our second newsletter of Term 2 in 2026. We have had a very busy time at school over the past two weeks between newsletters.

Parish Connect It was wonderful to see children from our school community take the first step towards baptism at Mass on Sunday, Huge congratulations to Rhea White, Grayson Le Sama, Layla Theron, Angel Cullen, Amaya Rebaza, Aubree Yandell, Kaylee-Anne Du Plooy and Hebe Ng. They will complete the Sacrament of Baptism at Pentecost. Please continue to keep them and their families in your prayers.

Please follow this link for this Sunday’s readings to read and discuss as a family.

Year 6 Camp At 8.30am on Monday morning our intrepid Year 6 students set off via bus heading for Sandspit north of Auckland. From there they boarded a ferry which took them to Camp Bentzon out on Kawau Island for their annual camp – over the course of this week, we have been receiving some amazing images of their time at the camp. With their arrival back at school cooinciding with the publication of this newsletter, we anticipate some great write ups of events in subsequent newsletters. For now, please enjoy some of the images that have come through across the week.

Disco! Thanks to our wonderful PTA, last Friday night the children had an amazing time boogying away in their ‘Dress to Impress’ party gear. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated crew of parents who show up ready and willing to help on the night as well as an amazing organising crew – huge thanks to Praveena and the team!

Senior Choir We are most excited that our senior choir has begun this term. The are preparing themselves for a Massed Singing event in September held in the Town Hall.

Year 3 Museum visit Last week our Year 3 students visited the shark exhibition at the Museum as part of their ocean ecosystems learning. See later in the newsletter for more information and photos.

Inflatable Whale Experience Last Friday our Year 1 to 4 students made the most of the opportunity to learn more about ocean ecosystems with the benefit of the crew from Project Jonah who brought an inflatable whale to school. The whale filled a large part of our school hall with the children being able to enter the whale and learn about how they communicate and what they eat amongst other great information.

Year 5 Stardome Trip On Tuesday of this week, our Year 5 students bused into Cornwall Park and visited the Stardome observatory. They learnt about the solar system there as part of their science inquiry. They made the most of the opportunity to walk up One Tree Hill too, observing the local landmarks of Auckland from this vantage point.  Read later in this newsletter for more.

Pink Shirt Day Today we united with the Mental Health Foundation in their anti bullying message – Speak up, stand together, stop bullying! Students wore a pink shirt in solidarity, reminding us all of the importance of respectful interactions.

Staffing Update We are just about ready to open another classroom as our numbers of new entrant children continues to grow. In two weeks time, Ms Kendall Evans will open Room 12 with the students from Room 10 who have completed their transition to school. We are thrilled to be welcoming Mrs Brooke Crowe back from maternity leave as the Room 10 teacher on a Thursday and Friday , fulfilling the role that Ms Kendall Evans will vacate as she begins her full time role in Room 12. I am sure you will make her feel very welcome when she begins in two weeks time.

Looking Ahead: The first meeting of the Twilight Market Core Team and anyone who is interested in finding out more about helping out as a member of the Core team is on Monday 12th May at 7pm. On Wednesday of next week we have students representing us at the HPPA Chess Tournament and at the HPPA girls football. On Friday of next week we also have students representing us at the HPPA Rugby Day. We wish all of our competitors the very best.
The following week is Culture Week beginning with Penticost Liturgy on Monday 25th May – Children are invited to wear clothing representing their culture on this day. Throughout the week we will have lots of culture based learning opportunities, with a sharing assembly planned for Friday afternoon. We are also looking toward to the PTA Sausage Sizzle on Thursday 28th May. Looking beyond the next two weeks, a quick reminder that we have Teacher Only Day on Tuesday 2nd June, the day after Kings Birthday Monday, Bizzy Bods are running a programme on that day to support families who need it.

I wish you a safe and blessed fortnight, until we next share news and updates from our beautiful school in our next school newsletter.

Arohanui, Zhù hǎo, ‘Ofa lahi atu,  Tōfa soifua, Cordialement, Loloma levu, Fakaue lahi, 안부 인사를 전합니다 , salamat po

Louise Campbell
Tumuaki/Principal

Encounter with Christ:

The weekly Buddy class Masses continue. It is wonderful to see so many of you joining us in the Chapel to celebrate the Mass with our children. Many thanks for the donations to our parish foodbank each week. Our children are growing their understanding of ways to build their relationship with Christ through prayer, meditation and reading the Bible. Through buddy class Masses, they are coming to understand the importance of attending Mass and receiving Eucharist. We know it isn’t always easy to get to a weekend Mass but encourage your family to make time, be it weekly, fortnightly or monthly to bring your children to one of the parish Masses.  Each week children ask me when they can receive Communion. The Mass is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. It is their inherent right as Baptised Catholics to complete the Sacramental Programme when they are of age and receive Holy Communion regularly. A group of 30 students from our school are currently working through the programme and will receive their 1st Holy Communion in August. Please keep them in your prayers. 

The Easter season is drawing to a close with the feast of Pentecost soon to be celebrated. Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Spirit. It is considered to be the birthday of the Church. Saint Peter, the first Pope, preached for the first time and converted thousands of new believers. They were united by a common language, and a common purpose to go and preach the Gospel. A Pentecost liturgy will be celebrated in the school hall, Monday 25 May. During the week classes will explore the different cultures within and the taonga they are to us all. Please use this opportunity to teach your child how to pray the sign of the cross in your home language so they can share this in class and at school liturgies. 

Growth in Knowledge:

During morning prayer, classes are using the Gospel story from Sunday Mass as the focus for the week. Revisiting the same Gospel several times is helping our young learners to deepen their understanding of Christ’s message and grow their relationship with God. To support your child with this we encourage you to read through the Sunday’s readings with them and invite them to share their reflection on the passage.  A link to the Sunday’s readings will be added to our school weekly communication email.

 Christian Witness:

Over 40 students across the school have joined the knitting club this term. It is wonderful to see the older students supporting new knitters to develop their skills in knitting. Many thanks to the members of our parish school community who join us each week, mentoring students in this craft. There is always space for more helpers. If you are available on a Thursday between 12:15pm and 1pm, please join us in the school Chapel. The energy the children share is invigorating.

Bella Toplis, Ashley Huang, Tobiah Chan Mow, Alisha Luis, Poppy Dang, Isla Frankle and James Roughton were recently trained as Altar Servers for our parish Masses. We thank them for stepping up and being of service to our community. 

We received a letter of thanks from the Catholic Caring Foundation acknowledging the Mufti Day money raised last term.   ‘Our huge thanks to your school community for their generous donation to support our brothers and sisters. Your donation to the Catholic Caring Foundation will touch the lives of thousands of vulnerable people who are experiencing times of hardship, and despair. Thank you for supporting and strengthening families and communities. Your support is truly appreciated.’  Fundraising for organisations such as the Caring Foundation is one way we can promote our school  Mission Statement through simple acts of compassion and mercy.

“We are a Christ centred community
fostering belonging (whanaungatanga)
and outreach
through selfless giving (manaakitanga)
in Mary’s Way”.

********************************************

Sancta Maria College Year 7 2027 Interview Information

As part of our enrolment process, Sancta Maria College introduced interviews last year. This year, they are planning to hold these interviews earlier in the year, in the College Auditorium.

The interviews will take place on:

• Saturday 13 June, 10:00am – 1:00pm or
• Tuesday 16 June, 3:15pm – 5:15pm

Each interview will run for approximately 20 minutes and will involve both the child and their parents. This provides an opportunity for the college to introduce themselves.

The College will communicate directly with parents and provide a booking system so you can select a time that suits your schedule. There will be up to seven interviews taking place at any one time.

After School Art Class Term 2, 2026

Drawing, Sketching, Oil pastels, Poster painting

Day: Tuesday

Time: 2.50pm-3.50pm

Fee: $13 per lesson

Phone: 027-6555574 (Janet)

E-mail: janeto@xtra.co.nz

Thanks to the below businesses for sponsoring our school app:

If you would like to advertise on the Our Lady Star of the Sea School Skool Loop App please email Content@skoolloop.com

To download our app: In Google Play & App Store search ‘Skool Loop’ & choose School once installed.