Kia Ora and Malo e lelei Families,

Welcome to Tongan Language Week and our newsletter featuring events and news from our fabulous school that have occurred over the past two weeks. This newsletter marks the 8th week of Term 3, with many in our school community remarking on the sense of spring in the air. 

Parish Connect
There was great energy and connection evident at our new Sunday Mass time of 9am on Sunday in our Parish Church. In combining the old 8.00am and 9.30am Masses into one Mass at 9am going forward, the expression of our faith as a connected community can be keenly felt. This coming Sunday, parishioners are invited to share morning tea after the 9am Mass.
Our continued prayers for Fr John have been felt and we are very pleased to have him back celebrating Mass with us. Although not yet cleared for driving, and awaiting further assessments to ascertain the cause of the health issues he has been experiencing, it was just great to see him back at Mass last weekend. We are very blessed to have him with Fr Terry in support as retired priest in residence guiding our faith journey.

Please follow this link to this Sunday’s readings.

Tongan Language Week This week we have been learning about and celebrating the Tongan language and culture. The theme for Uike Lea Faka-Tonga 2023 is ‘E tu’uloa ‘a e Lea faka-Tongá ‘o ka lea’aki ‘i ‘api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-‘a-kāingá, which means the Tongan Language will be sustainable if used at home, church and in the wider community. Our classes have had great fun learning some Tongan Language thanks to video clips sent in by our Pacific Fono Group families. The assembly today led by Malia and Nayra’s Dad and Tevin and Tamia’s Dad was a great way to end our week, filled with song and dance and most of all Mafana (Tongan warmth and energy!). Seeing our school wearing red and white, the colours of Tonga was also a great part of our celebrations. We are all most grateful for the donation of four beautiful bi-lingual (Tongan/English) picture books for our Information Centre, gifted to our school by our Fono Group. I wish to thank our Fono Group for all of their support in bringing this language week to life for our children and also for the delicious lunch for the staff which we all enjoyed today! Malo ‘aupito!

Proclaiming the Word Competition The annual Auckland Catholic Primary Schools Proclaiming the Word Competition was held today at St Ignatius Primary School. 12 schools competed and we are most proud to announce that Olivia Min took out first place in the competition! Huge congratulations Olivia – we are very proud of you!
See later in the newsletter for details about our school competition.

Camp Bentzon The early start on Monday 21st August was a forerunner for a busy and fun filled week away at Camp Bentzon on Kawau Island for Rooms 19, 22 and half of Room 21. Our usual camp spot in early February was postponed due to the loss of power on Kawau Island at the hands of Cyclone Gabrielle, so we were most grateful that the camp coordinators managed to find us an alternate date. Despite the cooler season, our intrepid campers were still able to participate in all activities, with only slight modifications to the programme. The camp was made cozy by the indoor and outdoor fireplaces with wetsuits added to the on water activities for good measure. It is fair to say that the children (and adults!) had an amazing time at this very special piece of paradise on God’s earth. It was fabulous to see our children face challenges head on and work hard to succeed and grow as a result. We are forever grateful to Mrs Karen Noble Campbell for her incredible organisation skills both at camp and in the preparation for such a significant event in our school calendar. Mrs Heather Collins worked alongside Karen with the assistance of Mrs Tracey Elder to provide a great experience for our young learners. We cannot thank the parent helpers enough for giving up their week to support the small groups through challenges such as sailing, kayaking, raft building, damper making, orienteering, confidence course, archery, fishing and more. Thank you to all who helped make this camp an especially memorable one for our children.

Positive Puberty Our senior students have been engaged in learning about pubertal change as part of our health curriculum delivery over the past two weeks. We are grateful to Nest Consulting for running these sessions as well as the parent information evening prior to the lessons.

Inter School Soccer this HPPA zone event took place on Tuesday of this week. Another great opportunity for our students.

Champion of Champion Gymnastics Competition Yesterday, our students who qualified at the HPPA Gymnastics Comp a couple of weeks ago, represented our school at the Auckland Champion of Champions Gymnastics Competition. To make it through to this competition is a win in itself, so we congratulate all those who attended. See later in our newsletter for further details and photos.

Disco!! We are most grateful to our fabulous Parents Committee and volunteer helpers for their organisation of tonight’s disco – a wonderful experience for our young learners.

Colds and Flu Season There are a substantial number of absences due to colds and flu at the moment. Many thanks for your support in keeping our teaching staff and fellow students in the best of health by keeping your child/ren at home when they are unwell.

Looking Ahead Our next Parents Committee Meeting (formally PTA) will be on Monday 11th September 7pm in the staffroom, all parents welcome to attend. We are very excited to have our fabulous Kapa Haka Ropu representing our school at the South East Christian Kahui Ako Kapa Haka Festival on Thursday 14th September. Tickets are available at the school office. On the last day of our school term, Friday 22nd September we will have a Mufti Day to celebrate Mercy Day.

Wishing you God’s blessings for a safe and happy fortnight ahead when we will share our next newsletter.

Ngā mihi nui, Tōfa soifua and cǐ zhì jìng lǐ,

Louise Campbell
Principal

In 1959 the farmland was eventually sold off to developers for housing. Street names reflected the history of the area i.e Liston Crescent, Cleary Terrace. The decision was made in the early 1960’s to join the orphanages in Howick and Takapuna together  to avoid brothers and sisters being separated. On behalf of the diocese, the Mercy Sisters also taught Parish children at primary level. As the Howick area grew, more space for the school was needed. In 1961 an additional classroom block was built. 

Friday 1 September marked the beginning of the month long Season of Creation. The theme for 2023 is “Let Justice and Peace flow like a river.” Pope Francis urges us to renew our relationship with creation so that we no longer see it as an object to be exploited but cherish it instead as a scared gift from our Creator. More information can be found here. 

Social Justice week concludes today. The theme of Peace and Responding to Conflict will continue for three years. This years focus is Peace Begins with You. Every day we make choices. Being a follower of Jesus requires us to reflect on our choices and to consider if we are truly caring for one another and for our world. We are challenged to consider what we can do to build peace in our own lives, how we promote peace, and how we can help to bring peace in the lives of those around you. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand works to promote peace in our lives and our communities both nationally and internationally.

On Wednesday this week, teaching staff spent time in teams unpacking the Being Church theme which will be the focus for Term 4. The Being Church theme focuses on what it means to be Catholic in the world today in terms of faith, discipleship and sacramental living. Your Board generously funded teacher release for this to happen. 

September 24 is Mercy Day. It is the day we remember Catherine McAuley opening the House of Mercy in Ireland and dedicated it to Our Lady of Mercy. Our school House Assembly, Friday 22 September 9am, will honour Catherine McAuley and the Mercy Sisters. You are welcome to join us.

Ko te aroha o te Atua kua whiwhi whanau a tatou Katoa
The tender mercy of God has given us one another

Prayer Intention: That as people of God, we work together on behalf of all Creation,  for peace and justice in our lives and in our world.

FROM THE BOARD

The combined parish and school 175th Jubilee over the extended weekend of 11-15 August was a wonderful celebration. It gave us an opportunity to reflect on our rich history and remember all those who have gone before us with deep gratitude for the taonga they have gifted to both our parish and school. We truly stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. Our thanks to each member of the Jubilee Committee, including our principal Louise Campbell, for their work and leadership in organising such a rich and meaningful programme which demonstrated the unity between our school and our parish. The board also extends our gratitude to our PTA for the significant contribution made in the form of the 175th memento badge for all of our children. The work you do for the school is much appreciated.

As you are probably aware, on the Monday following the 175th Jubilee celebrations, our parish priest, Fr John was admitted to the coronary care unit at Middlemore Hospital. At the same time Fr Terry, our priest in residence has also been unwell with a severe cold. While Fr John is recovering, he is now on restricted duties and will be celebrating his first parish Mass this Sunday.

As a parish and a school community Fr John’s condition has been a wake up call for all of us. It is important that Fr John’s workload is reduced. Hence the decision has been made that going forward there will be just one morning Mass on Sunday at 9.00am in our Parish Church. This will provide an excellent opportunity for the former 8.00am and 9.30am attendees to come together to be a more united community. I know you join with us in praying in thanksgiving for the ministries of Fr John and Fr Terry and for their good health.

The board is undertaking a major task of reviewing and updating Board Policies so that they align with guidelines received from the New Zealand School Trustees Association and the New Zealand Catholic Education Office. A reminder that all existing and updated Board policies can be viewed on the school’s website.

At our meeting last Tuesday evening the board received an update on the excellent progress being made on all aspects of the school’s annual plan. Our thanks to members of the school’s leadership team, Louise Campbell, Detta Fairweather and Karen Nobel-Campbell together with all members of staff for the work they are doing in ensuring that each child receives an excellent education.

Linda McQuade

Bishop Appointee on the Board.

Attendance Dues for the first 3 terms should now be paid in full.    If you have outstanding amounts owing and have not been in contact with Sue Yandell this year, please make a time to meet and discuss a payment plan for the remainder of the year.

Assistance is available for families who are experiencing financial strain.

Proclaiming the Word

On Wednesday 6th September, six senior students (Elise Ting, Sydney Brooke, Julia Mills, Rachael Geor, Rosalie Naylor and Olivia Min) competed in The Proclaiming the Word Star of the Sea final in front of their cohort peers and selected judges. The word (scripture) is proclaimed in order that people may ponder on the scripture and a faithful heartfelt response gained.  Congratulations to Olivia Min who was announced as the winner…best wishes at the upcoming inter-school competition.

HPPA Speech Finals

On Thursday 24th August, Kaisyn Dang represented Our Lady Star of the Sea at the HPPA speech finals held at Elm Park School. Kaisyn did really well and delivered some very inspiring words about “Kaitiatikanga; The Stars of Matariki.” Unfortunatley Kaisyn did not place in the top three but we are proud of his representation, efforts and eloquence.

Champion of Champion Gymnastics

On Thursday 7th September, we had a group of 28 students compete in the Champion of Champion Gymnastics competition at the Tri Star Gymnastics club in Mt Roskill.  The students competed in 3 different events across the day with the Year 4 girls taking out 3rd place in the teams event.  Congratulations to our Year 4 girls: Kara Chaytor, Rach Chun, Maria Sandoval and Nina Davies.  Kara also placed 6th overall which is a fabulous achievement.

Artwork from Room 9 and Room 14 brightening up the Information Centre.

Parent’s Committee meeting

We’re starting to think ahead to 2024.  Come and join us as we look at different options. Monday 11 September at 7pm in the staffroom.

Parent’s Committee AGM

Our AGM will take place on 9 October at 7pm in the staffroom, this will be followed by our monthly meeting. Please reach out to Kate (021 771 969) or Catherine (027 533 9927) if you have questions about the Parent’s Committee.  We’d love to have you on the team!

This coming week we are asking for Bottle items for class collections.  Glass bottles will need to be delivered to the school office by an adult. At the end of our collections weeks, the class who has collected the most over the weeks will be TREATED TO PIZZA FOR LUNCH.

GALA RAFFLE TICKETS

We now need to get the raffle tickets returned.  Please return your tickets and butts this coming week.  If you have unsold tickets, please return these to be distributed to other families.  A reminder that we require ALL raffle ticket butts returned as part of our compliance.

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Bucklands Beach AFC is holding a Girls Festival to celebrate the end of the season and to get girls from our club together with local schools to enjoy an afternoon of fun, small sided games of football.

So if you have students, girls school football teams, friends, daughters, a niece, or sisters etc who would like to have a fun afternoon with their mates or who may wish to give football a go, get them along to Lloyd Elsmore Park Sunday week (17th September) from 2.30pm.

Everyone welcome!!  All ages and abilities invited to join the fun!

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McAuley High School 60th Jubilee Celebrations

September 23rd 2023

An invitation to all past students and teachers to attend.

It’s your ONE chance to catch up

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by

Email: [email protected] for more details

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A NOTE FROM OUR PARISH YOUTH MINISTER

Kia ora parents,

GET EXCITED!! Lifeteen 2023 Summer Camp from the 16^th-20^nd January at Saint Peters College, Cambridge!

Summer camp is an incredible opportunity for teenagers to be free and confident in themselves, develop new friendships with other teens from our parish, and encounter God working in their lives. Here are some of the amazing things camp offers for your teen:

FUN

Every year Camp cooks up bigger and better messy games and obstacle courses that will keep you on your toes. There’s also plenty of spare time for you to choose your fun – whether that’s a game of football with some friends or getting crafty at the Art Barn.

FAITH

Teens will find the best and brightest speakers and musicians in Catholic youth ministry. Teens will also experience the power and grace of the Sacraments. Camp also provides the space for everyone to develop a deeper and more meaningful prayer life.

FRIENDS

Teens will be able to meet and share with hundreds of other campers from around the country while journeying alongside their parish friends throughout the week. Parishes will arrive as a group, and leave as a family.

Our parish youth group has attended the last two summer camps together and is planning on attending the next one! If your teen is interested and between the age of 13 and 17 years old please email an expression of interest to Francesca Adams, the parish Youth Minister, at [email protected]. The parish will then be in contact with you about registering your teen.

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