We are looking forward to our wonderful Festive Food Fair this Friday night from 5 to 7.30pm here at Holy Cross. Our hard working Parent Support Group- PSG are in the final stages of organising a great community experience which will showcase food, fun activities and crafts. We are grateful for their efforts and the way they have worked together as a team to make this happen. There have been some long hours put in and we acknowledge your hard mahi. 

Our teachers and students have been on board as well. Classes have prepared different business enterprises to make items to be sold. Special mention is Room 6’s project- producing kawakawa balm which will be for sale . Room 2 has also become a scrunchie making factory,  producing  a delightful boutique range of scrunchies that can also be purchased. Mr Sa, along with a group of senior students, auditioned talented Holy Cross students and selected some great acts that will  entertain us on the night. Room 1 has prepared some great side show games, all classes have been involved. Often in these situations students with practical strengths and talents  have their chance to shine.  

So make sure you don’t miss the action and bring plenty of friends and family along to support our Festive Food Fair. 

Journeys 2023

You still have time to give input into our theme of Journeys for 2023. We have had some rich feedback already that will be extremely useful in guiding learning for your tamariki next year. 

We have shared the link again which you can use to respond if you would like, or send back the paper copy that went home last week. We will extend the response time to Friday the 25th November. 

On Monday, I had the privilege of accompanying Room 1 and 2 on their final trip for the year  rounding off their learning focus around Suzanne Aubert. You will find some wonderful writing from students further on in the newsletter. 

Once again we were blessed with support from Deirdre Meskill from the Home of Compassion who guided our tamariki on their hikoi in the footsteps of Suzanne Aubert, visiting St Josephs, the Soup Kitchen and Historic Creche near Pukeahu park in the city- places that Suzanne Aubert was deeply connected to through her work of compassion to the poor. . We then walked as a group through the city to Saint Mary of the Angels in Boulcott street, where Suzanne  Aubert’s funeral took place. 

Last week we celebrated All Saints and All Souls day which offered us opportunities to remember those people in our lives who have gone before us and provide role models that we can  look up to. Room 1 and 2 have had a wonderful opportunity to connect with a historical figure in the Catholic Faith and have opportunities to learn through her ministry of love and compassion. 

Dear Families and Friends of Holy Cross, 

It is hard to believe that another school year is almost coming to an end, so we would like to give you some updates on a few key items before the end of the school year. 

Board Changes: 

The Board of Trustees Triennial elections were held at the end of term three this year, and I am pleased to confirm that Craig Rofe, Harley Durkin, Sarah Sinnott, Steven Skells and myself have been elected as parent representatives on the Holy Cross Board of Trustees. We are also welcoming back Paulus Romijn, Hilary Yiasoumi, and Father Bill Warwick who are our proprietor appointees, also Brenda O’Hare who has been successful in being nominated again by her peers as the staff representative. I would like to thank all board members for putting themselves forward to be elected, and for all our community that voted. 

 At this time I would also like to thank our former board members Brendon Baker, Glen Reynolds, Kate Caseley, Abi Vink and Charmaine Meredith for their contributions to the board and the school over the years, it has been much appreciated by the board, the school, and our community. 

As part of forming a new board and on an annual basis the board needs to nominate a board chair, in which I have been nominated and have accepted to remain as board chair for the remainder of the year. As mentioned, the board chair is appointed yearly and typically at the first meeting of the new school year, this gives other board members a chance to take the opportunity to lead the board, so you may see some changes in the space over the next three years. 

Principal Position: 

As you know the board has been looking for a suitable candidate to permanently fill the Principals position that is currently vacant at the school. To date we have completed three rounds of advertising for the role but have been unsuccessful in appointing. This reflects the current climate.

We have obligations that we need to fulfil in a timely manner, so it will be up to the board to assure that we are meeting our Catholic character obligations, while maintaining a high standard of education for all our students, and assuring we maintain a positive working environment for all our staff.

What this means is that we have requested and received approval from the Archdiocese to keep Lyn Hough as Acting Principal for 2023, while we continue to look for another suitable candidate that will take the position from 2024. This will allow Lyn to operate the school more effectively knowing that she will be acting principal for a full year. From a board point of view, we see that Lyn, Lucy, Tala, and Pam, have done an excellent job performing in their acting roles over the last year, and we are confident that they are able to effectively run the school, while also maintaining our catholic values. 

I hope the above gives you some background on our current situation, but also gives you confidence to know that the board is serious about finding the right person to lead Holy Cross School into the future.

 School Uniform: 

The board is currently reviewing the current school uniform to assure that it meets the needs of our students and families. At this stage we have sent out a survey not only to our families, but to our students and teachers, as these are all key people that will have valuable input about the uniform. The board has set up a subcommittee of board members who have been assessing the feedback received to date, and has presented some initial potential options and recommendations to the wider board. 

The next step as part of this review will be to display some of the changes that we are considering implementing at the Holy Cross Food Fair which is being held this Friday from 5pm at the school. It would be much appreciated if you could all spare a few moments to come and look at some of the changes we are thinking of making, and provide some feedback to us.

Our intention of this review is not to radically change the uniform, as we are aware that families have already invested in the current uniform, but this review is to assure that we have a uniform that is inclusive, is comfortable for all our students, is affordable for our families, and does not disadvantage any student. What we want is a uniform that gives everyone choices.

Any changes to the uniform will be introduced slowly over the next 6 months to 2 years, this may be in the form of introducing new additional items at first, while other items may be phased out over time. 

Lastly, I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support to our students, staff members, and the board. I look forward to seeing you all this Friday at the Food Fair. 

Sincerely 

Paresh Patel

Board Chair

On Behalf of the Holy Cross School Board of Trustees 

botchair@hcm.school.nz

We are looking forward to welcoming you on Friday evening from 5.00pm -7.30pm.

• Free entry
• You will need to buy tickets to purchase food, drinks, crafts and play games
• Tickets will be available to buy from 3 pm - 7.30 pm on Friday outside Room 12 (cash and EFTPOS available)
• The fair opens and selling begins at 5 pm
• We encourage students to come dressed in cultural dress or festive attire on Friday evening
• Bring your friends and family along!
• If your child is performing with the cultural group, please make sure they are at school at 4.45 pm - they will meet outside the staffroom.  

• If your child is performing with Arohanui Strings, please ensure they are at school at 5.45 pm on Friday evening - meeting in the same spot, outside the staffroom.

 Do you have a marquee we could borrow for the evening?  Please call the office (388 7189) to let us know if you have one you would be happy for us to use.

A Brief Overview of our Learning 2022, TOA Lead - Ethel Renata, Rm 2

This year we have been working through many activities in the Kura Ahurea programme. We have been learning how to introduce ourselves, count in te reo, and say how we feel. Here are some examples of te reo we have learned. Ko Mia tōku ingoa. My name is Mia.  Kei te wera ahu. I feel hot.

This year we have covered a variety of pūrakaū (stories) in our classes from Papatūānuku and Ranginui (Junior classes) to Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui in the Senior Syndicate. Along with the pūrakaū, we have also been gifted waiata ā-ringa (action song) from Kura Ahurea (manawhenua, Te Ātiawa Whanaui)  like Papatūānuku and Ranginui which we have learned at whole school singing and in Cultural Group as well.

Our classes have used pūrakaū(stories) in different ways. For example, IOL programmes (Juniors), Garden to Table (Middle Syndicate) and Inquiry Learning (Senior Syndicate).  

Here are some examples of our artwork inspired by te Ao Māori and Kura Ahurea learning, as well as Cultural Group performing the waiata, Papa & Rangi.

Student Voice 

“I like to use te reo words in my writing like whakapono which means faith and ataahua that means beautiful” - Maxwell, Y7.

“Te reo Māori is important because I am Māori and it’s part of my culture” - Mason, Y6.

Teacher Voice

“I started the term with Te Upoko o te Ika because this fitted nicely into our social studies unit. We listened to three versions of the legend and retold the story. We also looked at the differences of artists and how they portrayed the legend.” -  Kaiako, Eleanor, Rm 6.

Coming up in 2023!

Waiata a-ringa - songs and a haka being created for us. Local history and stories from a mana whenua  perspective, more learning of te reo Māori in class, Matariki celebrations and more!

Our Maori whānau connected for the term 4 hui on zoom last Monday. Aimee, representing the PSG, sought guidance and support around creating signage for our pump track. This project will continue into 2023. Feedback on our Powhiri for 2022, included thanks to Craig Rofe and Matua Tala for nurturing our senior boys as they shared in the Whaikōrero. We also discussed how we can continue to support the girl's role as Kaikaranga- a sacred and tapu role. Feedback from new whanau welcomed was very positive. Powhiri is a strong way to make connections. 

Next year we are looking to share kai as part of our first Whānau meeting. 

Please feel free to come along and join our Whānau ropu (group). We welcome your awhi (support) and ideas. Please send an email to me if you would like to be put onto our Whānau ropu email list. ethel.renata@hcm.school.nz

A Sustained Silence

By Meisha  (14.11.22)

After what felt like ages we were on the stairs of St Mary’s of the Angels as I looked up I saw something ataahua (beautiful), something so detailed I was speechless. Well some of us weren't but I looked up to see a statue of Mary. I was still like that statue. I noticed from a certain angle I could see that it looked like Mary was looking upon you. 

Before we stepped inside we were told that there were two sides. We chose St Joseph's side for an important reason because Suzanne Aubert loved Joseph. We stepped inside on to the left and I could not believe how stunning this was. I saw many seats that went on for miles but I know I was just over reacting since there were maybe 15 or 18 on the left and the right. 

There were other delicate detailed statues, one that caught my eye was the one directly in front of us. It was another Saint. I could see the bright glowing candles next to the statue blowing in the wind. Across I noticed someone praying. We sat down in sustained silence. A small part was read out from the Suzanne Aubert story book. It was a recap or follow up of her story. Deirdre said that it took 2 years to read the story which was a long time. We sat up and got to draw some of the things inside. I saw many things which made it almost impossible to choose but Selena said, “Maybe you should draw one of the stained glass art?” Actually that sounded like a great idea.

Wairua of the Angels

By Ting, Rm 2 (14.11.22)

As I walked down the holy path I came to see the big church of Saint Mary's of the Angels. I walked up to the door and looked up to see the beautiful statue of Mary. When I walked inside the Church I felt the breeze of the holy wairua of the angels.

I sat down on the seat to see the candles blowing, the people praying and felt the wairua singing a holy song. I felt the sacred angels in my heart with the holy spirits by my side. When I walked around to put facts on my research book I felt some of the wairua´s whakapono in me to have a more respectful time.

We have been gifted a holy spirit to keep letting our light shine. We left having a holy time with a clear mind to go back to school and home.

Walking in the Footsteps of Suzanne Aubert,                                   

14th November 2022  By Saiint, Rm 2

St Joseph Church

I was walking as I was standing on the dry and crunchy leaves. As we got to the St Joseph church it was completely silent. The only sound was the birds singing on the trees. When we were near the seats it was dark, the place looked familiar to me. There was thin long stained glass in the kids area. Something I noticed was a lot of photos of Suzanne Aubert in the Suzanne Aubert Chapel. There was a long window with Māori koru designs on it.

The Soup Kitchen

As we went for a long hot walk we finally got to the Suzanne Aubert Soup Kitchen. As I got inside I sat down on the soft and comfy seats as Joe was talking. Then we walked into the kitchen and it looked a lot different from when I saw the kitchen in the photo. There were hard working people cooking soup for the people that come in at night. I asked, how many pots do you guys usually have? 2 pots he said..

Suzanne Aubert Facts - I learned on our Hikoi 

• She liked to walk and think. 
• She helped parents with caring for their kids.                                                                                                       
• She made a soup kitchen for hard working people and with no food.
• She liked to help hard working people.   
• Suzanne Aubert lived in France then came to New Zealand.    
• She liked to help people that were hungry.         
• Suzanne Aubert liked looking after little kids . 
• Suzanne Aubert died 1926.  
• When Suzanne Aubert was traveling she learnt about Māori medicine, culture and te reo. 
• Suzanne Aubert was born 1935 June Oct 1. 

The Crèche Report

By Maxwell, Rm 2

Do you know what a Crèche is? A Crèche is a place where you look after babies and take care of them for the day. This Crèche was made by none other than Suzanne Aubert (Meri Hōhepa).

This Crèche has a big history behind it all. The Crèche was made by the Sisters of Compassion including Suzanne Aubert in 1914 one Sunday afternoon. They started it up with a little help from the people at Saint Joseph's Church. They worked hard and the Crèche was built and that was where some of the sisters and Suzanne Aubert worked.

Suzanne would only look after kids under 3 and only if the parents had to work hard for their family. Throughout the day Suzanne Aubert (Meri Hohepa) and the sisters would change them into play clothes and wash the babies clothes and get them ready for when the parents come back. They had them changed so their normal clothes don’t get dirty when they play. The Crèche had to have lots of stuff like food, water, toys to keep the babies busy, clothes and a fireplace so that everyone stays warm.

CHAPEL By Bede Room 2

A

 Small

 Room

 chapel 

A stained glass window A pīwakawaka A folded 

tail 

A well

 Known

 church 

A 

Suzanne

 Aubert

 chapel

A 

Electronic

 candle

A chapel.

Hikoi

A long walk

A big church

A hikoi

A bus

And 

A room

A building

A big building 

A sacred walk 

To a sacred place

A sacred hikoi

A poem

Hikoi

 A Holy Church, A Sacred Space

By James, Rm 2

(14.11.22)

As I began my journey into St Joseph's Church, I immediately noticed how calming and ata noa (silent) it was.  I saw a statue of Jesus and it was lit up from the sun, it was stunning. The space was very interesting. I sat down, light was shining all through the church. The windows made it look special  because of all the sun.

I walked into the Suzanne Aubert chapel. There was a colorful stained glass window that was in a unique shape. I think it was shaped like Suzanne Aubert which was a cool feature. I noticed a flame inside a red glass cylinder. There was a place for people to stand and speak and three rows of seats. It was like a smaller church where people could pray.

Deadra showed us a piece of art that had been made for us. On our earlier trip everyone wrote down our name and someone in need of help. Someone turned it into a  Cool piece of art by putting each paper on to a background that had a quote from Suzanne Aubert. "Let us have a heart like an artichoke and such a big one that everybody can have a leaf of it".

The whole design of the church was very different and I liked it. It had old tiles that I hadn't seen anything like before. 

We wanted to let you know the results of the recent uniform survey. We received 106 responses from whānau. 

1. Do you think the current school uniform is fair and comfortable for all students at school?   

         Yes : 48%  No: 34.9%  Unsure: 17%

2. Do you think the current school uniform needs changing? 

        Yes : 50.9 %  No : 34.9% Unsure: 17%

3. Do you think we should add items to the current uniform?

        Yes : 59.6%  No : 40.4 %

 4.    Do you think we should remove items from the current school uniform?  

        Yes : 39.8% No : 60.2%

5. Do you think we should completely change the uniform?

        Yes: 20.2%   No : 79.8%

6. Do you think the current school uniform should not change?

        Yes : 46.7%    No : 53.3%

We had lots of great comments/suggestions and it is clear that the pinafore, jersey and socks were the uniform items that need revising. It was also suggested we need some non-gendered uniform options.

We have been in contact with our uniform supplier NZUniforms to discuss our current stock levels and to start looking at some options.

At the Food Festival on Friday, we will have a table set up to show you some possible alternatives to the pinafore and jersey.

No decisions have been made and we welcome your feedback. 

Congratulations to Katarina & Karl who welcome into their family a baby boy named Kalolo-John (KJ). We know Aria will make a great big sister to her baby brother.

Please help support St Vincent de Pauls by donating food and Christmas goodies,  there will be baskets in all Church foyers for the collection of goods or you can drop items into Pak n Save Kilbirnie collection on Saturday 26 November. Cash donations can be left in the “blue boxes” in most Church foyers, given at Pak n Save Kilbirnie Collection on November 26th, or direct credited into our conference bank account: 02-0576-0017817-006.  Absolutely everything collected will be used for Christmas.

We look forward to your help so that Christmas box recipients are able to celebrate Christmas - and then hopefully also to pause and wonder at the love of Christ in Christmas.

Wellington Harriers Children's Athletics is on Saturdays,11.30am at Newtown Park

Something for everyone! 

If you like running, throwing or jumping, come along and give it a go!

For more information check out whac.org.nz

Contact:

Julie Richards

Children's Manager

juliemaerdy@yahoo.co.uk