Touch Rugby Finals – Tuesday 12th

Sun Dec 10 09:17pm

The final week of touch is here which means it is Finals week.

Best of luck to all our teams tomorrow. A special mention to the Year 5 & 6 team who have made it to the final.

Click here for the draw for Tuesday 12th December

Prize Giving 2023

Thu Dec 07 08:46pm

Kia ora Koutou St Joseph’s families,

Our 2023 Prize Giving is next week on Wednesday 13th December, starting at 1pm at our Lady Star of the Sea Church.

We hope to see you there to celebrate the awesome achievements of the children.

 

Morning Tea for our Volunteers

Tue Dec 05 11:54am

 

Touch Rugby Semi Finals! – Tuesday 5th

Mon Dec 04 11:12am

Morena St Joseph’s families

Tomorrow the Semi Finals! – Good luck to all our St Joseph’s Teams.

Click here for the draw for tomorrow’s games.

Next week is the Final week of Touch Rugby for this season.

2023 Term 4, Week 8

Fri Dec 01 05:00pm

First day of December! Things are looking up for 2024!
We hope you enjoy our newsletter below. Peace be with you.

Newsletter

New Classroom Teachers starting in 2024!

Fri Dec 01 03:51pm

Dear Families and the Community,

It is with great pleasure that I announce to you that we have 2 new classroom teachers starting with us at St Joseph’s in 2024.

After receiving 2 exceptional CV’s and the school expanding, the Board has made the executive decision to employ both candidates and open up a 6th classroom in 2024. It has been a very long time since we have been a 6 classroom school and we are all very excited.

The Board felt that we would like to keep our mantra of small class sizes remain our focus. More child focussed meaning; the teacher’s will have more time with all of our children.

Our new teachers are Lucy Dorn and Eva Vanner.

They are both very familiar faces to our school as they have both recently spent time at St Joseph’s as outstanding student teachers. We are very excited to welcome them to our St Joseph’s Ōpunakē team and know they will both do a fantastic job.

Have a great weekend,

Warmest Regards

Claire Bourke – Board Chairperson

Life Education Truck Open TODAY 3 – 3.15pm

Thu Nov 30 02:58pm

If any caregivers would like to talk with Megan from Life Education Trust Taranaki and check out the truck it will be open TODAY 3:00-3:15pm.

Sorry for the late notice – time is flying!

Touch Rugby Draw – Tuesday 28th November

Mon Nov 27 03:22pm

Kia ora Koutou,

Here is the Touch Rugby Draw for tomorrow’s games.

All the best to our teams!

 

School Mass this Sunday

Fri Nov 24 02:50pm

We are all looking forward to School Mass this Sunday.

Please arrive at Our Lady Star of the Sea at 9.50am with students in school uniform.

We will have a shared lunch afterwards. The Parish Council will be cooking a sausage sizzle for everyone and have iceblocks for the kids.

Thank you to all for making the effort and supporting our Parish and School. See you there!

Oeo Pa visit – TOMORROW

Wed Nov 22 09:55am

Kia Ora Koutou

Tomorrow, Thursday 23rd is our school visit to Oeo Pa.

ALL permission slips need to be returned to school today or alternatively you can call the office to make a verbal confirmation and send the slip with your child tomorrow.

We will be leaving school at 9.00 so please make sure students are at school on time.

Thank you to all parents who have shown interest in supporting staff and students on this trip. You will need to make your own way to the Pa as ALL students are travelling on the bus and we have limited seating.

Oeo Pa is located at 2585/2863 South Road, Otakeho which is just outside of Pihama. 

Please remember your plate of food for shared kai

2023 Term 4, Week 6

Sat Nov 18 09:03am

Over half way team! We hope you’re enjoying your weekend.

Newsletter

Temporary St Joseph’s Opunake Website

Fri Nov 17 01:08pm

Kia ora Koutou,

Please take a look at our new temporary website that is currently live at https://stjo.school.nz/ – let us know what you think!

We are currently in the process of building our new fully functional website which will be fully operational by the start of the 2024 school year.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Teacher Only Day – Friday 17th November

Thu Nov 16 09:55am

Kia ora Koutou,

Just a friendly St Joseph’s reminder that tomorrow is a Teacher’s Only Day for our Teaching Team.

Thank you so much for organising your children around this so that our Staff can make the most of some valuable organisational time.

Thanks everyone 

 

Oeo Pā Visit – Thursday 23rd November

Thu Nov 16 09:14am

Kia ora Koutou

Keep an eye out in your child’s bag today for an important permission notice that will be coming home in regards to the Oeo Pā Visit next Thursday 23rd November.

I have attached the notice here for you to be able to read on the app.

Thanks everyone

Touch Rugby Draw – Tuesday 14th November

Tue Nov 14 09:38am

Kia ora koutou,

Apologies for the lateness of this weeks Touch rugby Draw. I have taken some screenshots of the draw from the Opunake Touch Facebook Page.

Tonight’s draw is as follows

Juniors – Years 0-2 and Years 3-4

Seniors- Years 5-6 and Years 7-8

Thanks everyone.

 

Teacher Only Day – Friday 17th November

Fri Nov 10 02:39pm

Kia ora Kotuou

Just a reminder that next Friday (17th November) will be a Teacher’s Only Day for our school. 

Staff will be on site using the time for resourcing, school organisation, reporting and preparing ahead for 2024.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

No High School Buses Available on Monday 20th and Friday 24th

Fri Nov 10 10:58am

Kia ora koutou,

On Monday 20th November and Friday the 24th November the Kaponga, Auroa and Manaia buses will not be running due to Opunake High School having their NCEA and Course Selection Days.

The Rahotu bus will be running.

Thanks everyone

 

2024 School Organisation

Tue Nov 07 05:16pm

Dear Parents/Caregivers and Wider Community.

We are just updating you on the current status of the Principal Appointment Process. We had no successful applicants in the 2nd round of Advertisements for the Principal Position.

At our most recent Board of Trustees Meeting, we have appointed Mr Brook Murfitt as our Acting Principal for 2024.

We as the board are going to re-advertise again at the end of Term 1 2024 for a Principal start date January 2025.

Mr Murfitt is excited to be given the opportunity to fulfil the Principal role at St Joseph’s Opunake and working with our families and the wider St Joseph’s community.

2024 School Organisation is as follows:

Principal – Mr Brook Murfitt

Rm 6 – Mrs Anna Charlie

Rm 5- Ms Tina Ryan

Rm 3- (currently being advertised)

Rm 2-  Ms Gill Danson

Rm 1-  Mrs Clare Anderson-Gardiner

Student class lists for 2024 are still being organised. Parents will be notified once these are finalised.

Any further questions please email me. chairperson@stjo.school.nz

Regards

Claire Bourke 

Chairperson

Tuesday Touch Rugby Draw – 7th November

Mon Nov 06 06:45pm

Kia ora koutou,

Here is the draw for tomorrow afternoon’s games.

All the best to our teams!

 

Tuesday 7th November Draw

2023 Term 4, Week 4 Newsletter

Fri Nov 03 04:22pm

Great couple of weeks. Well done team.
Hope you get to see some fireworks this weekend and remember the peaceful resistance of Parihaka.

Newsletter

Prize-giving Trophies

Wed Nov 01 08:01pm

Kia ora Kotou,

In preparation for this year’s Prize-giving ceremony, could we have all trophies awarded last year please be returned to the school office as soon as possible.

Thanks everyone

Chicken Pox

Tue Oct 31 03:18pm

Kia ora koutou,

We have been made aware of multiple cases of chicken pox at  school.

If your child has not been immunised or hasn’t had chicken pox before please keep an eye out for any signs and refer to the ministry of health website.

Click here

No Touch Rugby This Week.

Sun Oct 29 01:23pm

Tena Koutou,

A quick message from Opunake Touch:

NO TOUCH: TUESDAY 31st October   OTM committee has made the decision to have a week off touch. Enjoy your night off. See you all back Tuesday 7th November

Book Fair is Open Tonight 3 – 5pm

Thu Oct 26 09:46am

All welcome to the school library tonight 3 – 5pm to look at and buy books for the kids.

NEW BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED like Dragon Girls, Dogman, posters and decent activity and colouring books. Good time to start Christmas shopping. Eftpos available.

Last opportunity is tomorrow from 10 – 12pm after the Book character parade at 9.15am.

Have a great day!

 

 

Win a cake!

Wed Oct 25 10:15am

Hats off to reading!

Support our PTA by purchasing a raffle ticket to win a gorgeous cake made by the talented Lisa Beynon.

Book themed cake for scholastic book week

Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased at the office. Winner will be drawn on Friday after the book character parade

 

Cake Raffle

Scholastic Book Fair

Tue Oct 24 01:32pm

Kia ora koutou,

This week is book week and we have the Scholastic Book Fair set up in our school library. Please come and check out the amazing display and help support our school (Every dollar spent equals resources for our school)

All students will have time during school to check out the book fair. You may notice a wish list come home with books they may like to purchase so keep an eye out for this. 

FRIDAY – Book Character Parade 9.15am all welcome

Students who are dressing up will need to bring their school uniform with them to change into after the parade. 

We welcome all parents and whanau members to come in and check out the book fair you will be able to make purchases at the office during the times below. Cash and eftpos available. 

Wednesday 25th  3-6pm

Thursday 26th  3-6pm

Friday 27th  10-12pm

Touch Rugby Draw attached

Tue Oct 24 10:37am

Apologies

Draw attached 

 

Click here

Touch Rugby Draw – Tuesday 24th October

Tue Oct 24 10:32am

Kia ora Koutou,

Please find below tonights touch draw, Please get in contact with the office if you have trouble reading this. Due to technical difficulties this is the only draw that has been supplied this week.

Please note our year 3/4 team (Sidesteppers) have a bye tonight.

 

 

 

Sports

Week 3 at St Joseph’s Opunake

Mon Oct 23 06:02pm

Kia ora Koutou, 

We hope you all had a fantastic long weekend after a wonderful Ag Day.

This week we are a little light on the ground as we have 2 teaching staff members who have sadly had deaths in their wider family. We have organised our ever reliable relieving teachers to cover classrooms during this time of mourning. 

Our superstar office administrator Bianca will also be away tomorrow so please be mindful when calling the school office as staff might not get to the phone straight away due to them covering other areas such as duties, sick bay etc. 

Lastly the sun is out shining and it is a timely reminder for our children to be in their summer school uniform. They will need to have their school hats on when playing outside during morning tea and lunch breaks.

Thank you everyone for your ongoing support

God Bless

Sandra Connor

Sports

2023 Term 4, Week 2 Newsletter

Fri Oct 20 08:31pm

Welcome back to our Acting Principal, Mrs Sandra Connor and her husband Allen! We are so lucky to have you both back with us. Thank you for keeping the ship steady and TIDY! 

Incredible effort these first two weeks. Check out the highlights in our newsletter below.

Newsletter

Ōpunakē Athletics Registration Tonight 6pm

Thu Oct 19 03:07pm

 

Ag Day – Tomorrow

Thu Oct 19 02:07pm

Kia ora Koutou,

Just a reminder about our exciting Ag Day tomorrow. We are looking forward to it.

Here is the timetable for the day for your information. There has been a slight change to the location of the Silent Cake Auction. It will now be outside Room 6 on the deck instead of the Activity Room.

 

Tuesday 17th October Touch Rugby Draw

Mon Oct 16 03:58pm

Kia ora Koutou,

Click here for tomorrow’s Touch Rugby Draw.

All the best to all our teams!

Ag Day – Next Friday

Fri Oct 13 03:52pm

The PTA need helpers to pair up with the judges and record the results. They also need someone to take photos for sponsors.

Please text Bianca on the school phone 027 761 8388 if you can help.

Thank you. Hope the kids get some of their Ag Day home activities done in the weekend 🙂

List of Home Activities

Agricultural Day 2023 – Friday October 20

Thu Oct 12 08:01pm

Kia ora Koutou,

Next Friday is our exciting annual Agricultural Day at St Joseph’s Ōpunakē. The children will have the opportunity to show off their much loved Lambs, Calves and Household Pets.

Here is a link to the timetable of the day. This is important to read as it has all the timings for the registrations, judging and other events.

Here is also the link to the Home Activities which the student’s will have a chance at winning some cool prizes for their creative efforts.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of our St Joseph’s Ōpunakē community at our Agricultural Day next Friday. Hopefully the weather plays it’s part and gives us a bit of sunshine.

Thanks everyone

St Joseph’s Staff

Inter-School Tough Rugby Tournament Tomorrow.

Wed Oct 11 01:25pm

Kia ora Koutou,

We are all set to go for tomorrow’s Inter-school Touch Rugby Tournament. I have attached the Teams for the day here (they are the same as Tuesday nights). I have also attached the Draw for all grades here.

We are going to have all of our Touch Rugby Players meet in the Activity after Roll call. If some of our Parent Coaches or Helpers could also meet us all there at this time this would be very helpful as we will have to walk them down to the Event’s Centre.

Just a Few Key Reminders about Tomorrow:

Timings: 9:30 am start – 2:15pm finish
Walking Down as a Group at 9:10 am
Children playing in the same Touch Rugby Gear as Tuesday nights
Bring a packed lunch, water bottle and sunhat
A big thank you to our parent support crew, especially our coaches and managers for our teams. We highly appreciate all of your support.

The Year 1/2 Grade is set to finish up earlier than the older grades.

If someone is able to pick up the Gazebo and transport it down in their Ute in the morning could you please let Brook know. Usually we have a group of parents assemble it together as a team. This is handy in case it is raining or for shade purposes if we have a sunny Taranaki day.

Lastly, a majority of our school rugby balls are currently missing. I am thinking that the bag of school rugby balls might be either in the back of 1 of our vehicles or at home somewhere after last Term’s Barrett Cup Rugby Tournament. If you do find this could you please bring them into school tomorrow.

Thanks everyone

Mr Murfitt

Touch Rugby Draw – Tuesday 10th October

Mon Oct 09 04:11pm

Kia ora everyone

Here is the draw for tomorrow afternoon’s Touch Rugby Games for all our teams. It it actually the 4th round of games but the first for this Term.

More Information will be coming out about Thursday’s Touch Rugby Tournament hopefully tomorrow or early Wednesday Morning.

Athletics is back on! Hope everyone had a great first day back 🙂

Mon Oct 09 03:12pm

 

Welcome Back to Term 4!

Sun Oct 08 01:01pm

Kia ora Koutou St Joseph’s Whanau,

We hope that everyone has had a restful school holidays and has been able to enjoy time together as a family.

We are looking forward to seeing your child bright and early tomorrow to begin our final Term of the 2023 School Year. 

Just a reminder that Rooms 5 and 6 will be travelling to St John Bosco School in New Plymouth at 9:00am to support Mr Fleming with his transition as their school’s new Principal. 

Term 4 is usually a summer uniform Term, so please locate those school hats and sandals again. 

Touch Rugby is back on this Tuesday afternoon – the Draw will be shared with you tomorrow.

Also Tennis Lessons with Jordy Fleming will begin on Wednesday for those that have registered.

Thanks everyone

Inter-School Touch Rugby Tournament

Wed Oct 04 12:30pm

Kia ora Koutou, 

On Thursday 12th October (First Week back of Term 4), Opunake Touch are running their annual Inter-School Touch Rugby Tournament. This will be during school hours (start time still being confirmed) and will be played at the Sinclair Events Centre Fields.

We have made the decision to enter our Tuesday night teams into this competition to allow for consistency. If you are available to help out on Thursday as a coach/manager or as a passionate parent supporter could you please let Brook or Bianca know at the school office.

Thanks for your help again everyone with all things sports. We are always very fortunate with our strong parent support.

Mr Murfitt

2023 Term 3, Week 10

Wed Oct 04 10:08am

Happy holidays St Joseph whānau.

Last term was a big one. See the below newsletter for a summary of the good times and a note from Mr Fleming.

We will miss you Big Dogg.

Newsletter

Reminder to fill out permission form: Bus trip to New Plymouth for Room 5 & 6 students

Mon Oct 02 07:46am

Kia ora koutou.

On the first day of Term 1, Room 5 & 6 will travel from school by bus at 9am to New Plymouth to take part in the powhiri for Mr Fleming at St John Bosco.

We will eat morning tea there and travel back to school after. We expect to be back around 1:30.

As we are travelling beyond the town limits we require parental permission. The most efficient way to do this over the holidays is by filling out this form. 

click here to fill out the form

Opunake Community Baths Swimming Lessons

Thu Sep 28 12:05pm

Last chance to dive into Term 4 swim lessons! 

Enrolments closing this Sunday.

Secure a spot for your child (5 years and up)

Don’t miss out on making a splash! 

Register now through this link 

 

Bus trip to New Plymouth for Room 5 & 6 students

Wed Sep 27 02:05pm

Kia ora koutou.

On the first day of Term 1, Room 5 & 6 will travel from school by bus at 9am to New Plymouth to take part in the powhiri for Mr Fleming at St John Bosco.

We will eat morning tea there and travel back to school after. We expect to be back around 1:30.

As we are travelling beyond the town limits we require parental permission. The most efficient way to do this over the holidays is by filling out this form. 

click here to fill out the form

Scaffolding for the painting of the Mural

Tue Sep 26 12:40pm

Kia ora koutou, 

We are on the lookout for scaffolding to assist with the painting of the mural early next term. If you can help us out or point us in the right direction please email both principal@stjo.school.nz and office@stjo.school.nz and we can go from there. 

Ag Day 2023 – Home Projects

Tue Sep 26 11:01am

Kia ora Koutou,

Here are some fun Ag Day activities for your child to get a head start on in preparation for AG Day 2023 in Week 2 of Term 4.

Remember each entry will be judged on the day and could potentially win a cool prize.

Looking forward to seeing the kids creations.

 

Book Week – Week 3, Term 4

Mon Sep 25 12:01pm

There will be a Book Character Parade on Friday 27 October at 9.15am at school.

Come dressed as your favourite book character and use the school holidays to get this together.

Everyone welcome to attend on the day! Happy holidays 🙂

30 km/h zone outside school now

Fri Sep 22 10:05am

Morena, 

You may have noticed the 30 km/h speed limit signs either side of school. This is a great result and something lots of us have wanted for a long time.

Please adhere to this – there were police sitting along the road at various times yesterday checking to make sure people adapt to the new speed limit. 

Barrett Cup Rugby – Today

Fri Sep 22 08:01am

Morena St Joseph’s Families – Just a reminder that today is the annual Barrett Cup Rugby. 7s Tournament for our kids in the under 11s and under 9s grades.

Take a look at the team list here if you are not sure on which grade your child is playing in today.

We will all meet up in the Activity Room at 9:20am with our coaches and parent support team. After a brief chat, Mr Fleming is going to walk the kids down to the Event’s Centre for a 10:00am start (Warm Ups) First game is set to kick off at 10:30.

The kids will be given a jersey to play in but will just need to be wearing black shorts and remember to bring their mouth guard. No Boots are required. If your child still has a rugby jersey at home from the Lynskey/Dravitski Cup Rugby game – please bring this to school with you today.

Tomorrow’s Production Timeline

Wed Sep 20 05:07pm

Kia ora koutou, kamusta

Tap the link below to read important information about tomorrow’s two production shows. The information includes what time to drop your child off at the night show and whether or not they need to arrive in costume at the night show. 

Click here for the important information about tomorrow. 

No After Show Supper

Wed Sep 20 04:53pm

Kia ora koutou, 

There will be no after show supper. Plate of food is not required. Staff and PTA are currently at full capacity with school events and the flat track on the weekend and we feel it is best to go straight home without the prep and clean up etc. 

Supper After the Thursday Night Show

Mon Sep 18 05:15pm

Kia ora koutou, kamusta

We would like to have a simple supper after the Thursday night show. If people could bring a simple plate (nothing that requires heating) that would be great. Pop it in the back room/canteen area on arrival. 

Many thanks. 

Barrett Cup Rugby – Friday 22nd September

Mon Sep 18 04:49pm

Kia ora everyone,

This Friday (The last Day of Term 3) is set for the annual Barrett Cup Rugby Tournament.

Please see the link for our Under 11s and Under 9s teams that will be representing St Joseph’s Opunake at this Tournament.

Thanks everyone for registering your children so promptly and for our Parent support with coaching and managing roles. Always appreciated.

Touch Rugby Draw – Week 3

Mon Sep 18 02:38pm

Kia ora Koutou,

Here is the draw for tomorrow’s Touch Rugby Games.

All the best everyone.

The Plan for Week 10

Sun Sep 17 06:59pm

Kia ora koutou, kamusta

We have a big week coming up with production and other events. Click the button below to read through details about production and other events for the week. 

Tap here to read the plan

 

 

Room 3 boys costume – grey pants/trackpants please.

Sun Sep 17 06:44pm

Kia ora koutou, kamusta

Just to clarify – the Room 3 boys require GREY pants/trackpants. I know there was some information at one stage that said black but having seen them on stage the costuming team are set on grey. I know the warehouse does these for fairly cheap. If you have any trouble sourcing these please get in touch to let us know.

 

 

Ryan’s Farewell Assembly

Wed Sep 13 01:25pm

Tomorrrow, we are having a farewell assembly for Mr Fleming. With all of the extra activity at school we have found a moment tomorrow to acknowledge his epic effort before he finishes next week.

All are welcome at 10am in the School Activities Room.

Thank you super team.

We have enough drivers for Lynskey-Dravitski now.

Tue Sep 12 05:14pm

Thank you for the quick response. We have enough now. 

If you said you could drive then we will see you just before 11 tomorrow. 

Old Bricks or Pavers

Tue Sep 12 04:46pm

Kia ora koutou, 

We would like to put some old bricks or pavers down in the spaces between the garden beds. If you have any old bricks or pavers that are no longer needed please get in touch with Mr Fleming principal@stjo.school.nz

Transport for Lynskey/Dravitski Cup Tomorrow

Tue Sep 12 02:36pm

Kia ora koutou, 

We are very short of transport for Lynskey/Dravitski cup tomorrow. 

So far we have:

Nana R
Kim L
Sarah H and;
Tracey O

We will leave St Joseph’s at 11am tomorrow. Please contact Mr Fleming asap if you can provide transport. principal@stjo.school.nz