St Joseph's Newsletter T1 Wk11

14th April 2021

Week 11 Term 1

Principal’s Piece

Kia Ora Koutou

Poipoia te kakano kia pauwai

Nurture the seed and it will blossom

Today we officially welcomed our new students that have joined us this during term 1. This was a big group of 37 students. It was great for them to have their parents and grandparents at our liturgy to support them as well. The whakatauki above fits in with our philosophy of education here at St Joseph’s. We believe that if we create a nurturing environment with quality teaching then our students will succeed and be ready for the journey ahead. The whakatauki also links with our school structure and teams with:

Matatipu - first shoot

Kōhuri - saplingings

Māhuri - young tree

Puāwai - to blossom

I wish all the new students all the best for their time here at St Joseph’s as they work towards reaching their potential.

It’s been a long term, the school year started back in January and we are nearly half way through April. There has been a lot of hard work this term, this has included: Swimming sports, Easter Liturgies, learning inquires, Learning Discussions, camps, touch tournaments and school Masses. The staff and students deserve a well earned break. The holidays provide an opportunity to have a rest and recharge the batteries before starting the next term. Term 2 starts 8.45am Monday 3 May.

I wish you and your whanau a safe and happy holiday.

Kia manaaki te Atua koutou katoa

Grant Stuart

PRINCIPAL

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Gospel Reflection

Second Sunday of Easter, Cycle B (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Gospel Reading

John 20:19-31

Thomas believes because he sees Jesus.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s reading from the Gospel of John is proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter in each of the lectionary cycles. This fact alone should alert us to the significance of the encounters with the resurrected Jesus that are described in this reading. This Gospel combines two scenes: Jesus’ appearance to his disciples after his Resurrection and Jesus’ dialogue with Thomas, the disciple who doubted.

Part of the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection is that he appeared to his disciples not as a spirit, but in bodily form. We do not know, however, exactly what this form looked like. Earlier in John’s Gospel, when Mary of Magdala first encountered the risen Jesus, she did not recognize him until he spoke to her. In Luke’s Gospel, the disciples walking along the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them. We know from readings such as today’s that in his resurrected form, Jesus was not bound by matter; he appeared to the disciples inside a home even though the door was locked. Yet the disciples could still touch the marks of his Crucifixion.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun; as Jesus was sent by God, so Jesus sends his disciples. He gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they will be able to accomplish this task. Jesus’ words to his disciples also highlight the integral connection between the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can share forgiveness and reconciliation with others.

Thomas, the doubting disciple in today’s reading, represents the reality of the Church that comes after this first community of witnesses to Jesus. All but the first disciples of Jesus must believe without seeing. Like Thomas, we may doubt the news that Jesus, who was crucified and buried, appeared to his disciples. Our human nature seeks hard evidence that the Jesus who appeared to his disciples after his death is indeed the same Jesus who was crucified. Thomas is given the opportunity to be our representative in obtaining this evidence. He gives witness to us that the Jesus who was raised is the same Jesus who died. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are among those who are blessed, for we have not seen and yet believe.

Value Focus

Celebrating Cultures in our Community

Sri Lankan New Year

At St Joseph's we are lucky to have a diverse range of cultures represented in our school. In this section of the newsletter we would like to share information about significant celebrations taking place for some of our families during the year. Did you know that 13/14 April is a very exciting time for our Sri Lankan families as they celebrate the Sri Lanka New Year, Aluth Avurudda?

Sri Lankan New Year, generally known as Aluth Avurudda, is a holiday that celebrates the traditional New Year of the people in Sri Lanka. It is generally celebrated on 13 and 14 April and traditionally begins at the sighting of the new moon.

According to Sinhalese astrology Traditional New Year begins at a time determined by astrological calculations. New Year begins when the sun moves from the house of Pisces to the house of Aries. It also marks the end of the harvest season and spring. It also coincides with one of two instances when the sun is directly above Sri Lanka. Cultural activities begin shortly after the arrival of the New Year, with the cleaning of the house and lighting of an oil lamp, women play the Raban (a type of drum) to announce the year.

The families get together to play games, sing songs, visit relatives throughout the day.

Here’s the recipe for milk rice

2 cups of jasmine rice

2 cups of water

1 cup of thick coconut milk or cream

Salt to taste

2-inch pandan leaf or 2 cardamom pods (optional)

1-2 tsp sugar (optional)

Pour in the water to the rice in a deep saucepan with pandan leaf and cook on medium heat until

the water is reduced.

Lower the heat as the last bit of water evaporates. Add a bit more water if the rice is not completely cooked through and soft and mushy.

Pour in the coconut milk and add salt to taste (add sugar f you like).

Stir occasionally until rice evaporates the milk and cook through porridge-like consistency.

Take the pan off the heat.

Line a cake baking tray with cling film and pour in the rice, then gently even out and flatten. Smooth out the surface of the milk rice with the back of a flat spoon.

Once the dish is cool, turn it upside-down over a plate and cut it into squares and enjoy with chilli paste or a banana.

If you don’t want the hassle of turning it onto a dish, serve it as it is.

If you would like to share information about a celebration in your culture for inclusion in the newsletter, please send it the admin@stjosephs.school.nz

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If you would like to share information about a celebration in your culture for inclusion in the newsletter, please send it the admin@stjosephs.school.nz

Kapa Haka 2021 - Boys Haka

Notices

Reporting to Parents for 2021

We report using the HERO platform, so it is important that all parents log in to the system. Each term information is given about different aspects of the curriculum in the form of ‘posts’ which are published throughout the term. At mid and end of year, progress and achievement information is provided for Reading, Writing and Maths. Here is the schedule for Reporting to Parents for 2021 so that you know what to expect each term:

Reporting to Parents Overview 2021 - if you have any questions about your child’s progress, please contact the classroom teacher.

Uniform for Term 2 and 3

Remember this means that plain black leather school shoes are required (no canvas sneakers). Please see below for examples.

Boys are to wear grey socks.

Girls can wear either navy socks to the knees or full-length navy stockings.

Click here for uniform requirements and suppliers

Shoes that are ok

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Shoes that are not ok

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Enviro Team news.

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Become a Kiwi Guardian

During the holidays how about going on some walks? Become a kiwi guardian and collect medals. See www.kiwiguardians.co.nz for more information. There are two places you can visit close by - Bridal veil falls and Lake Rotopiko. Have a look at the website as there are many activities you can try over the holidays.

Sports News

Congratulations to our Year 7 and 8 touch rugby team that placed 2nd at the Catholic Inter School competition at Swarbrick Park last Friday. Well done team!