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

Welcome to our third newsletter of Term 2 in 2026.

Parish Connect Last Sunday, during 9am Pentecost Mass, the following students were fully welcomed in baptism to the Catholic Church. We congratulate them on receiving this important Sacrament of Initiation:  Rhea White, Grayson Le Sama, Layla Theron, Angel Cullen, Amaya Rebaza, Aubree Yandell, Kaylee-Anne Du Plooy and Hebe Ng. It was lovely to acknowledge them at our school assembly on Monday.

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

Culture Week – what a week! This week we celebrated the diversity of cultures in our community. The week began with a joy filled Pentecost Liturgy where we remember the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples enabling them to communicate in different languages to share God’s word to all people. From across all continents, our students dressed in cultural clothing on the day to celebrate the fact we are all from different parts of the world and are united as faith filled people, living out the word of God. The week was punctuated by class cultural learning ranging from food to music to dance, craft, and dance. This afternoon, we shared our learning at a whole school assembly where all classes benefited from the learning that was undertaken. This week could not be possible without the support of our amazing community who came on board, offering insights into the different cultures that make up the fabric of our community. Mrs Denise Bailey and Mrs Ailsa Thorpe are also to be acknowledged for their efforts to bring this week of celebration alive. Please enjoy some photos from the week of celebration.

HPPA Chess Tournament Last week, four students competed solidly at the local HPPA Chess Tournament, obtaining 6th place out of 39 attending teams. We are so proud of their effort, particularly Ethan Wang who obtained a perfect score of 6/6 on Board 1. Read later in this newsletter for more details.

HPPA Girls Football Over two days in the last two weeks, our squad of 10 football players competed at the HPPA girls football tournament held at  the William Green Domain football fields. We are so proud of how our players supported one another, demonstrated our school Gospel values,  and played to the very best of their ability. Read later in this newsletter for more details.

PTA Sausage Sizzle Lunch Huge thanks to our wonderful PTA for arranging the Sausage Sizzle lunch on Thursday – there were lots of very happy children enjoying this special treat!

Did you know – Follow up from our Community Dreaming Day and subsequent consultation period
Our Board completed the first part of the synthesis of all of the rich information that we received through our community consultation earlier this year. With 93% of our community fully endorsing our Vision Statement, we move into the next six year cycle of planning and implementation with our vision unchanged.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School Community:
Confidently living, learning and serving with Jesus as our guide

Our Board also reviewed the feedback on our Mission Statement. They understand the strengths the community identified in our mission, (the everyday activity that we undertake as we strive to reach our vision) and also worked to reflect the additional elements that are important to our community, as well as elements that feature in the vision for learning out of the New Zealand refreshed Curriculum and with a lens of the expectations as set out by the New Zealand Catholic Education Office. I am proud to share with you the fruits of our combined labour; our updated Mission Statement – you will see this mission statement on our Strategic Plan as well as arriving in classrooms soon, so that teachers and students alike can be inspired in our daily activity and reflect on how we are working towards our vision every day.

Looking Ahead:  Next week is Samoa Language Week. The theme of this week is ‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le ‘nu’u’. This translates to “From the high mountains are the blessings of the village. You will see the Samoan flag flying proudly alongside our New Zealand flag each day in recognition of Samoan Language Week. Next Tuesday, the day after King’s Birthday Monday is our Teacher Only Day – Tuesday 2nd June. We wish our HPPA Rugby Team well as they prepare for their competition next Friday. We look forward to our second Twilight Market Core Team planning meeting which begins at 6pm just before the PTA Meeting, at 7pm, Both on Monday 8th June. Looking a bit further ahead, please secure this date in your diary for an adults only fun community night: PTA BINGO NIGHT Friday 19th June.

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:
We have entered the Church’s season of Ordinary time. At Mass, you will notice Fr John and Fr Terry wearing green and the tabernacle clothed in green. In the classrooms the green candle and altar cloths are being used. Green is a symbol of growth. Ordinary time is a time of growth. It is a time to notice things in creation and learn from them. For example, regardless of the ebb and flow of the oceans’ tides, the ocean is always there.  Similarly, God is always here with us, no matter what. Ordinary time is a great time to focus on growing our relationship with Jesus, the living God.

Through prayer we can build a strong connection with God. This is something which can feel ordinary but in truth is an extra-ordinary thing to do. Our young learners are blessed with starting each day with prayer and having the opportunity to explore different ways of praying whether it be through traditional, contemplative, reflective, meditative or general personal prayer. Praying with your children and your wider family at home is a beautiful way to model the importance of prayer – talking to, listening to and being with God. Making time for yourself as adults to stop and pray is a commitment and a great way to ‘decompress.’  There are many different prayer opportunities out there for us to benefit from. The Mass is one amazing prayer from the beginning to the end. Make a point of attending a parish Mass at least once a month. I highly recommend Sacred Space and NZpray2day app available for both Android and Apple devices. Also, keep an eye out for the opportunities that are advertised through our parish newsletter. 

Growth in Knowledge:
During Culture Week, many of our students learned to make the sign of the cross in the language of their country of origin. Gifting your child with this knowledge reinforces their understanding that our faith has been with us for many many years, handed down from generation to generation and they are an integral part of the story. 

Students in Year 5 & 6 are beginning their preparation for our annual inhouse Proclaiming the Word competition. Skills from the NZ Oral Language Curriculum such as using tone, volume, and pace strategically to influence listeners ; are incorporated to enhance their learning. The Auckland Catholic Schools Proclaiming the Word competition will be held in Term 3. 

 Christian Witness:
I have been approached several times lately by students asking if their Nana can come to the Knitting Club on Thursdays. The answer is YES!! Absolutely. We welcome all adults who have space in the week to join us between 12:15 and 1pm in the school Chapel. We have some adults who come along to learn from the children as well. The interactions and relationships that are growing within the wider group are very special and mean a lot to our young learners. 

The Liturgy Team, along with our parish St Vincent de Paul group,  are joining Dame Valerie Adams in the annual Jammies in June drive. Too many children  are being admitted to Kidz First Hospital with respiratory illnesses because they live in cold damp houses. The Hospital and School Nurses are bracing for a tough, busy winter.  Knowing we can give a child in their care, a pair of warm pyjamas will make such a difference for them. Donations of NEW pyjamas can be dropped into the school office. On Friday 12 June we will have our annual pyjama mufti day, inviting students to wear their pyjamas to school and in exchange make a gold coin donation to the cause.   Thank you for your support.

‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
Matthew 22:39

“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.

Bizzy Bodz Holiday Programme

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.