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

Welcome to our first newsletter of Term 4 in 2026.

Watch this clip of Fr Terry reading this Sunday’s Gospel reading. Fr Terry also shares a brief reflection on the reading at the end of the clip. I encourage you to use this reflection to talk as a family about the messages in this Sunday’s Gospel.

October – the month of Mary In our Church calendar, October is the month of Mary. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning our school gathers in our school hall to pray a decade of the rosary. I am so proud of the quiet, prayerful tone when we gather to pray the rosary, the way our classes lead this special prayer, how our learners use Te Reo when praying the Hail Mary, as well as the way our classes arrive and leave our hall in a quiet, prayerful manner. We continue these prayer opportunities next week. All families are welcome.

Twilight Market What a night!!! We are so thrilled with the evening and the outcome! Despite the wet weather leading up to the Twilight Market and the chill in the air, our community came out in droves to enjoy the wonderful food and entertainment on offer. This event could not have been possible without the efforts of all – the baking, the donations in collection weeks, those who prepared for and ran our amazing food stalls, parents who helped out at stalls on the night, fabulous Sancta Maria College volunteers, our staff in support and our incredible team of organisers. Our Core Team have met regularly since Term 2 in preparation and cannot be thanked enough for their efforts. Michelle Espinosa led our core team with Jenna Morsink, Samisha Chopra, Narae Hong, Sarah Westerlund and Ruwani Abeyasinghe. They worked tirelessly, especially in the couple of weeks leading up the day and on the day itself, to set up the Market and ensure all stalls had the equipment they needed. On the day, working alongside our core team, Bernard Mori and his team of electricians gave their time to ensure the Twilight Market was set up and ran effectively. What a team, and once again, what a night! The Twilight Market raised $24,571 – an amazing effort that will go towards the development of play spaces around our field. We are hoping to get this project underway shortly.
Please enjoy these images of the night.

Senior Choir Entertains at Bruce McLaren Retirement Village Today our Senior Choir walked to Bruce McLaren Retirement Village to share eight of the songs that they learned for the ‘Kids Sing’ Festival back in September. Indi and Jake did a great job as our MCs and our students sang with pride and beautiful harmony. All participants showed our Star of the Sea values. The performance was well received by the residents of the retirement village. Special thanks to Mrs Collings our Choir director for her work in preparing the children and to the adults who came along in support. Another example of Our Lady Star of the Sea sharing their skills and making connections with our local community – wonderful Christian Outreach.

Looking Ahead 
Labour Weekend is this weekend, so school is closed on Monday 26th October. We wish our Basketball Team well for their HPPA Zone tournament on Wednesday next week, and our Touch Rugby Team on Thursday. The following week we look forward to our Year 4 to 6 School Athletics on Thursday 5th November as well as our Year 1 to 3’s Run, Jump and Throw Fun Day on Friday 6th November. 

From Wednesday 11th November, I will be away on leave for medical reasons. Karen Noble Campbell will step into the role of Acting Principal for the remainder of the year. Karen, and the team are well placed to ensure the end of our school year goes smoothly.

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

Encounter with Christ:
Prayer is an important part of our lives at home and at school. Through prayer we come to a deeper understanding of both ourselves and God. We do not pray for God’s sake, we pray for our own sake, so that our relationship with God may be more full. The school day begins in prayer each day, either in class or together as a whole school. Parents and whānau are strongly encouraged to join us when they can. For our young learners to see you join them for prayer, in class or when the school gathers,  is really important as it reinforces to them the importance of prayer for us all. Please make a point of joining your child at either class prayer or whole school prayer before the end of the year. 

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the remainder of October we will gather as a school, to pray one decade of the Rosary together. During this time, students are led into the prayer through breathing techniques to settle their minds and bodies, along with a time of meditation using reflective music. This is in keeping with the schoolwide focus on increased meditative and contemplative prayer practices which take place during class morning prayer. We invite you to join us and experience this special time with us.

Growth in Knowledge:

Everyone has a story. A home story, a family story, a life story. The story of our faith, of Christ’s birth, life and Resurrection, is paramount to us as we learn and grow on our spiritual journey, our  hikoi wairua. Across the school, our young learners will be working through the Religious Education theme : Ā Tātou Whakapapa – Our Story this term.  They will be given opportunities to develop an understanding of the Church in terms of significant events and people that have shaped our Church and the world. They will be able to explore their own whakapapa as well as their communities, connecting with this past, present and future story in which we all belong. Take a look at the Whānau page that was recently sent home to you via Seesaw for ideas of ways to support the learning at home. 

Christian Witness:
All Saints Day, Saturday 1st of November is when we join Catholics all around the world to remember and honour all the Saints in our lives. The church refers to saints as living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of God.  On All Saints Day, we celebrate these holy men and women. When we were Baptised we promised to serve God and carry on Jesus’ work on earth, just as the Saints have done.  We ask them to pray for us, and through the model of their lives, recognise how we can be a model of Christ’s love to others as Christian Witnesses.

All Souls day will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd of November. Throughout November, Catholics around the world remember and pray for those who have died and are now in the arms of Jesus. A simple Catholic prayer for those who have died is something to pass on to your children. ‘Eternal rest grant unto them o Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.’ 

During the month of November, our school Memorial book will be included in school and class liturgies at appropriate times to honour the memory of our loved ones. If you would like to have the name of someone special to your family recorded in our school memorial book, please complete the form on our school website. Alternatively, download the form and hand it in to the school office. 

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

Term 4 2026 Ends Wednesday 16th December 12.00 midday.

There are plenty of community messages to explore! Click the arrows to view all notices.