|
|
|
|
|
Welcome, nau mai, afio mai, namaste, konnichiwa, nĭ hăo, talofa, komosta, vanakkam, auybowan,
|
|
Newsletter
24 February 2026
Term 1
|
It has been a busy and blessed time at St Brendan’s! Our students are engaged in a wide range of learning opportunities and activities. Please keep our 31 students in your thoughts and prayers as they begin preparations to receive the sacraments this year. Traditionally, this programme has been led by the Parish and supported by the school. This year we are leading the programme and we give special thanks to Sarah Chard, our DRS, for her leadership.
|
We are also celebrating new leaders! Congratulations to our newly elected Student Council Representatives and House Captains. Our senior students, the Navigators (Year 7–8), have started their exciting Technicraft sessions at Fergusson Intermediate, where they are enjoying food tech, drama, and technical design.
|
The arts and culture are thriving. Jamie is leading our full school and performance kapa haka, and Michael is working with all teams and our 2026 choir. Students are enjoying their regular buddy class time. We gather as a full school fortnightly to sing with our parish musicians and classes timetabled to lead full school prayers on a fortnightly basis.
|
|
Thank you again for your patience and understanding last Monday when we closed the school due to the weather event. We appreciate your support as we prioritised the safety of our students, staff, and community.
|
|
|
|
Stained Glass Art Display
Have you visited Our Lady of Grace to admire the stained glass window art display? Each class created a beautiful backing for the artwork. The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion in Island Bay is home to these incredible stained glass windows, which were designed by renowned New Zealand artist, John Drawbridge.
|
|
Hero Learning Snapshots
Please log into Hero this week. Our teaching team will be sharing informal learning snapshots.
|
|
|
|
Family-Teacher Conversations/Partnership Hui
Thank you to those who attended yesterday. If you have not yet booked, it is not too late!
|
- Monday, 2 March: Rooms 4, 5 and 7
- Tuesday, 3 March: Rooms 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12
These meetings are a valuable chance for parents and teachers to connect early in the year to discuss your child’s learning style, strengths, challenges, and interests.
|
Please complete this PARTNERSHIP HUI FORM before your meeting. Your responses will help guide our conversation.
|
|
Bookings can be made through Hero by clicking on ‘School Bookings.’ Please contact us if you need help.
|
|
|
|
New Students Welcome
We continue to welcome new students and their families to our school community. A special kia ora and welcome to Auka and Raphael to our Room 3 learning team!
|
|
|
|
Navigators Leadership Retreat
Yesterday, our Navigators participated in a Leadership Retreat at the Home of Compassion Island Bay. It was a fantastic experience that encouraged teamwork, reflection, and service, helping our senior students grow as leaders.
|
|
|
|
Parish Mass Time Change
We were recently advised of a change to our Parish Mass times at Our Lady of Grace (OLOG).
|
- New Time: Wednesday morning masses are now scheduled at 9am.
- Classroom teachers will be in contact with specific details.
- You will be asked to meet classroom teachers at OLOG anytime from 8:30am.
- Children can bring their bags to church.
- If it is raining, we will advise of any changes via Hero by 8am.
- You are very welcome to join us at these masses.
|
School Attendance: Working Together for Success
At St Brendan's, we believe every day of school is important for your child's learning, well-being, and future success. We are committed to supporting the national goal of regular school attendance.
|
Here’s what you need to know:
|
- Legal Requirement: All students must attend school every day.
- Justified Absences: Absences due to illness or medical reasons are usually justified.
- Unjustified Absences: Family holidays or time off for activities during term time are not justified.
- Communicating Absences: If your child is absent, please contact the school as soon as possible.
- Support is Available: If your child is struggling with attendance, please reach out to us. We will work together to find solutions and support you.
|
|
|
|
Road Safety on Sutherland Avenue and Palmer Crescent
We have seen too many near misses on our streets already this year. We ask that you drive carefully around our school in the mornings and afternoons.
|
- It is NOT safe to double park or park on yellow lines when dropping off or collecting.
- It is NOT safe to complete U-turns close to our crossings. Please consider driving around the block instead.
|
We are all role models, and our aim is to keep everyone safe.
|
|
School Policy Review
Our school policies are maintained and reviewed via SchoolDocs.
|
Policies being reviewed this term:
|
- Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Harmful Substances Policy
- Sun Protection
- Digital Technology and Online Safety
- Cellphones and Other Personal Digital Devices
- Firearms
|
|
We have had a positive and settled start to the new school year. Thank you for your continued support—we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE WAKA WHAKAPONO - NAVIGATING WITH CHRIST
|
|
Lent is a way for Catholics and many Christians to remind themselves of the value of repentance. The austerity of the Lenten season is seen as similar to how people in the Old Testament fasted and repented in sackcloth and ashes. It reminds us to turn away from wrong doing and return to God. The pillars of Lent are, prayer, service and fasting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pope Leo’s prayer intention for February
|
|
For children with incurable diseases
|
Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
|
|
|
|
|
2026–2027: A SPECIAL YEAR TO REMEMBER SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
|
Pope Leo XIV has announced a special year to honour Saint Francis of Assisi, from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027. This marks 800 years since Saint Francis passed away.
|
Saint Francis is known for his love of peace, care for the poor, and respect for nature. During this special year, Catholics around the world are encouraged to follow his example by being kind, humble, and helping others.
|
|
WHAT CAN WE DO?
The Church offers a special blessing called a "plenary indulgence" during this year. To receive it, you can:
|
- Go to confession and receive Holy Communion.
- Pray for the Pope's intentions.
- Visit a Franciscan church or a church named after Saint Francis.
- Pray and reflect on Saint Francis's life.
|
If you are sick, elderly, or unable to travel, you can still receive this blessing by praying from home and offering your daily struggles to God.
|
|
|
|
|
LIVING LIKE SAINT FRANCIS
|
This year is a chance to:
|
- Help those in need.
- Promote peace in your community.
- Care for the environment.
- Show kindness to animals and all living things.
|
Let's come together as a school community to celebrate this special year by embodying the values of Saint Francis in our daily lives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BISHOPS' LENTEN APPEAL
The beginning of Lent marks the start of the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal. Donations can be made to Caritas directly via direct debit or credit card through the Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand website https://www.caritas.org.nz/ways-to-give . The bank account for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is 03-0518-0211216-000. Please use “Lent” as the Code and your first and last name as particulars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SCHOOL NEWS - NGĀ MAHI O TE KURA
|
|
|
|
NON UNIFORM DAY : Thursday, 26th February
|
All students are invited to bring along a gold coin donation and wear casual clothing this Thursday.
All funds raised will be donated to the Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Lenten Appeal – supporting this year’s theme: Fast, Pray, Give.
|
|
Thank you for your generosity and support in helping us make a difference for those in need.
|
|
|
|
|
MOVIN' MARCH : 2-31 March 2026
This year our school is excited to be taking part in Movin' March!
|
Throughout March, school-aged children across New Zealand are encouraged to walk, scooter, or bike to school each morning as part of this nationwide initiative promoting healthy, active travel.
|
If you live further from school, you can still join in. Consider parking a little way down the road — perhaps halfway along Palmer Crescent, Sutherland Avenue, Granville Street, or Gower Street — and walking the rest of the way with your child.
|
Each morning, our student councillors will be stationed near the office area to stamp students’ Movin’ March passports as they enter the school gate. Movin' March passports will be distributed by classroom teachers this week.
|
Every passport from across New Zealand will go into the draw to win one of five Micro scooters and helmets. Even if the passport isn’t fully completed, it will still be forwarded to the organisers and entered into the draw — because every little bit of effort makes a difference!
|
|
We look forward to seeing lots of active travel throughout March and appreciate your support in making this a fun and healthy month for our students.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buddy time has begun across the school...
|
|
Last week, Room 11 students spent time with their buddies in Room 1 for a wonderful session of learning and collaboration. Room 11 students supported their younger buddies with handwriting practice, enjoyed reading together, and worked as a team to create a special House artwork that will be proudly displayed in Room 1.
|
It was a fantastic opportunity to begin building connections across year levels, while fostering confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of community within our school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Wednesday the Adventurers rode their scooters on the courts. It was wonderful to see the tamariki riding their scooters and trying out new tricks. The next Adventurer scooter day will be in Week 6!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROOM 3 VISITS THE STEAM ROOM
|
|
Room 3 visited the STEAM room for baking and Digital Technology. Baking links to the math curriculum through measurement. We made delicious pizza and carrot cake and while they were baking, we explored the Beebots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NGĀ WHAKAARO A TE POARI - BOARD NEWS
|
|
|
Kia ora and warm greetings,
|
I want to thank the community for their understanding when we made the difficult decision to close last week due to the wild weather. Thankfully these occasions are rare, when making these decisions safety is at the forefront of our minds.
|
It is wonderful to share that we have movement of positions within the board with Jithin Jose being appointed as a Proprietor’s Representative. We congratulate him on this appointment and acknowledge Father Maleko’s support with this process. There will be further information to come relating to the new vacancy created by Jithin’s move.
|
We hope to see many families throughout the next week or two engaging with the partnership hui’s. The best outcomes are achieved with collaboration between school and home, if you haven’t booked yet it isn’t too late to reach out to your child’s class teacher.
|
|
May this Lenten season be a time of growth, compassion, and faith for our whole school community.
|
|
God Bless,
Megan Diamond on behalf of the St Brendan’s Board
|
|
presidingmember@stbrendans.school.nz
|
|
|
|
|
|
GRACE AND GRATITUDE - HE KŌRERO AROHA
|
|
|
- The Catholic Women's League (CWL) for their generous donation, which will be used to support pastoral needs for our students.
|
|
|
- Everyone who collected Yummy Apple stickers in 2025. Our new equipment has arrived and has been distributed to the teams for break-time play. Start collecting Yummy Apple stickers for 2026!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE ARA O NGĀ UARA - LIVING OUR VALUES THROUGH PB4L
|
|
|
PB4L : WALKING WITH GRACE: Weeks 4–6
As we move into the middle of the term, our PB4L focus shifts to what is expressed in the whakatauki "Aroha mai, aroha atu"— love received, and love returned. For the next 3 weeks, the classes are exploring what it means to "Walk with GRACE" by focusing specifically on forgiveness and humility. These aren't just big words; they are the "social glue" that keeps our classrooms harmonious. We’re teaching the students that being humble isn't about thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of others more often.
|
The focus ties in with the season of Lent and this year’s and term’s overarching Catholic Social Teaching principle of Human Dignity, guided by Ephesians 4:32 ("Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other..."). For example, students will be learning that - because every person is made in the image of God - we all deserve a chance to put things right when we have made a mistake! Whether it’s a disagreement or a misunderstanding, we are practicing how to say "I’m sorry" with sincerity and how to accept an apology with an open heart.
|
In the classroom and the playground, this can mean to take a breath before reacting and choosing kind responses even when it’s tough. By practicing these small, daily acts of grace, we ensure our school remains a place where everyone feels valued and respected.
A little something for you to chat about over a meal this week:
|
- The "Wait" Rule: If someone makes a mistake or says something unkind, how can we practice "taking a breath" before we react?
- Aroha Mai, Aroha Atu: Can you think of a time today when someone was kind to you? How did it make you feel, and how did you show kindness back?
- The Power of "Sorry": Why is it sometimes hard to say "I'm sorry," even when we know we should? What makes a "great" apology?
- Human Dignity: What is one way we can show someone they are important and respected today, even if we aren't best friends with them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMUNITY NEWS - NGĀ PITO KŌRERO O TE HAPORI
|
|
|
|
COULD YOU VOLUNTEER FOR GIRL GUIDES?
|
Do you want to see young girls grow into confident, adventurous women capable of taking action in their communities? Becoming a volunteer with Girl Guiding is an amazing way to give back in Upper Hutt and keep learning. We’ll provide all the training you need.
|
We're seeking more volunteers to work alongside our experienced Girl Guide leaders so that we can grow our units. Please consider giving your time as a volunteer so that we can offer amazing opportunities to as many Upper Hutt girls as possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56 Palmer Crescent, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt 5019
|
|
office@stbrendans.school.nz
|
|
|
|
|
