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 2026.
The Season of Lent has Begun Last week we marked the beginning of Lent, the lead up to the celebration of Easter, alongside many Christian denominations who also observe this important day. Blessed ashes were distributed to our children and members of the community in attendance with the words ‘Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel’, a reminder that in this season of Lent, we are working on tidying ourselves up, (in thoughts, words and deeds) before the celebration of the risen Christ at Easter.

Last week we were delighted to arrive at school and see the wonderful Chinese New Year decorations adorning our school. We are most grateful to Angela Wang and our Jia Group families for hanging the decorations, helping us celebrate alongside our Asian community. 新年快乐

Life Education Van The Life Ed van has been a prominent feature of our school landscape for the past two weeks. Our Year 1 to 3 students have been learning about forming good relationships, problem solving, showing resilience and making good decisions in their lessons, while the Year 4 to 6 students have been learning more about how food gives us energy and how how our digestive system works, therefore the importance of making healthy food choices. We wish to thank the Life Ed educator, Lesley, for her knowledge and enthusiasm which she passed on to our learners as they visited her and Harold the giraffe in the van.

Parents Committee Frozen Fridays commence There were many excited children today enjoying their end of lunchtime Friday iceblock thanks to the Parents Committee. Frozen Fridays will operate between now and the second to last Friday of this school term (with a Thursday delivery in Week 6 due to the Friday being a Teacher Only Day)

Community Dreaming Day 2026 is next Saturday 7th March from 2pm to 4pm We hope you have enjoyed the ‘pre-reading’ shared so far and are ready to come along and contribute as we review our goals and activity over the past three years, and plan forward for activity in the next three years – there will be food and entertainment for the children while the adults come together to share and plan forward for our school. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Looking Ahead: Year 5 and 6 Cycle skills lessons are spanning the early part of next week. Our first Parents Committee meeting for the year is on Monday 2nd March at 7pm – all parents welcome. We wish our budding Cricket Team the very best of luck at their first day of their HPPA Cricket competition next Thursday. The following week, we look forward to our Year 4 to 6 Swimming Sports on Tuesday 10th March. Don’t forget, Friday 13th March is a Teacher Only Day where our staff are undergoing professional development in the delivery of the new Maths Curriculum.  Bizzy Bodz will be running a full day session for any families who require their services on that day follow this link for more information about their service and to book a spot

I wish you a safe and blessed fortnight ahead, 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

Welcome to another year of wonderful opportunities to share our faith, along with experiences to help us deepen our understandings.

Encounter with Christ:
Lent has begun. During Lent we are encouraged to ‘Pray, Share and Fast.’ Often the fasting we do is of no benefit to anyone else and can make us grumpy. Earlier this month, Pope Leo sent us all a message.
 “I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”

Two new opportunities have arisen in our parish during the weeks of Lent. Every Wednesday, a 6am Mass will be celebrated so that working people have the opportunity to attend a weekday Mass during Lent. Also, each Friday night the parish will gather to reflect and pray the Stations of the Cross at 7pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 6:30pm – 7pm.

Growth in Knowledge:

Supporting harmony in God’s world is the 2026 concept learning focus. Our faith challenges us to support harmony by having right relationships with God, with ourselves, with our community and with our environment.  Our young learners will be encouraged to explore how our faith challenges us to support harmony. Conversations at home sharing your examples of harmony or disharmony, will help to grow your child’s knowledge and understanding.

A message from Father Terry . . .

Alpha is a friendly, relaxed introduction to the Christian faith. We watch a short video, share a meal, and have an open conversation where everyquestion is welcome. Many people find Alpha a gentle way to revisit their faith as adults and see it with fresh eyes. Our next Alpha course begins on Sunday 22 February at 6 pm, with a delicious dinner provided by the parish. You’re very welcome to come along—and feel free to invite a friend.More details are on the website:    howickcatholic.org.nz/alpha-course/

Christian Witness:

This week saw the start of our annual Lenten Outreach for the foodbank. We are calling it…‘We can Bring MORE than a Can’. Why more? Because the Saint Vincent de Paul group that runs the parish foodbank has asked for things that don’t come in a can, like flour, pasta, toothpaste, rice, tea, shampoo and more.

Thank you for your support.

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

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