Week 5 at St Joseph’s Ōpunakē

Sun Aug 16 03:45pm

Kia ora koutou St Joseph’s Whānau,

Just a couple of key event reminders this week at school.

Pioneer Village Trip – Thursday 20th August

Thank you to parents for quickly filling in the permission Trip to allow your child to travel to Pioneer Village as part of their Inquiry Learning focus. We are just waiting on the last few to be given permission. If you haven’t filled out the permission link below could you please do so as soon as possible.

We will need all students need to be at school on Thursday 20th before the 9am bell. They will need to come in school uniform with a warm coat and beanie – walking outside in Stratford can be cold!

As part of our activities we will be having a dress up and photo opportunity as an Early Settler. If possible, can you please provide your child with dress up clothes in a named bag. Ideas for what could be a costume are included in the permission slip below.

Please complete this permission slip to allow your child to attend this exciting trip to the past!

Permission Slip

Teacher Only Day – Friday 21st August

School will be closed for instruction on Friday to allow our Teaching team to participate in our final refreshed Mathematics Curriculum Development day in New Plymouth. Thank you in advance for organising alternative care for your children on this day. We value your support and understanding.

The Year 7 & 8 Hurlstone Cup Netball squad will still be competing in this Tournament in Hawera on this day however. Mr Murfitt is just finalising the transport for this and will let parents know in the coming days. Coach Lisa G-B is running a Netball Training on Monday and Wednesday lunchtimes this week in preparation for Friday’s Tournament.

Enjoy the remainder of your Sunday everyone – stay warm!

 

2026 Term 3, Week 4 Newsletter

Fri Aug 14 11:41pm

Kia Ora St Jo Whānau,

Please enjoy our Term 3, Week 4 Newsletter below.
Congratulations to all for what you have applied yourselves to lately – incredible acheivements across many different experiences so far this term.
We hope you have a restful weekend.

Newsletter

Touch Rugby Registrations 2026

Wed Aug 12 03:25pm

Kia ora koutou St Joseph’s Whānau,

Please click the registration link below to register your child(ren) for this years Tuesday Afternoon Touch Rugby.

Touch Rugby 2026 Registration

Thanks everyone.

Full School Trip to Pioneer Village next Thursday

Mon Aug 10 04:30pm

To prepare for our School125th Jubilee in October we are going as a school to Pioneer Village in Stratford next Thursday 20 August 2026.

All students need to be at school on Thursday 20th before the 9am bell. They need to come in uniform with a warm coat and beanie – walking outside in Stratford can be cold!

As part of our activities we will be having a dress up and photo opportunity as an Early Settler. If possible, can you please provide your child with dress up clothes in a named bag. Ideas for what could be a costume are included in the permission slip below.

Please complete this permission slip to allow your child to attend this exciting trip to the past!

Permission Slip

 

Order Pies before Sunday

Mon Aug 10 04:17pm

 

Buy pies by clicking the above picture.
Invite your family and friends to buy pies too so the PTA can fund more sports equipment and classroom resources for the kids.
This Sunday, 16 August 2026, 5pm is the last day to purchase.

We appreciate your support! Flyers are in your child’s bag today to help spread the word.

Thank you,
The Parent Teacher Association

 

2026 Term 3, Week 2 Newsletter

Fri Jul 31 05:28pm

Welcome back to school for Term 3.
Please see the below newsletter for a summary of the amazing things our students have been busy with. We hope you stay warm and rest up this weekend. Arohanui!

Newsletter

School Closes at 12.45pm Today

Wed Jul 29 12:20pm

Friendly Reminder: School closes today at 12.45pm to allow teachers and whānau to complete student conferences (parent interviews).

Please remember to pick up your children at 12.45pm today.

Thank you!

Week 2 Reminders

Sun Jul 26 03:07pm

Kia ora koutou St Joseph’s Whānau,

Just a quick reminder about Student Learning Conferences which are held tomorrow (Monday 27th July) 3:30pm – 6:00pm and on Wednesday 1:30pm – 5:30pm. If you haven’t quite locked in a time yet, check the ‘Parent Interviews’ icon on our school apps home screen.

Wednesday 29th July – School will be finishing early at 12:45pm to allow teachers the time to prepare for and to facilitate Student Learning Conferences. Please make alternative pick up arrangements for your child on this day. This is Hugely appreciated from all of the team here at St Josephs.

Thanks everyone – looking forward to connecting at out Student Learning Conferences this week.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

 

 

 

Pie Fundraiser

Fri Jul 24 10:54am

It’s cold, you’re tired and the kids are asking “what’s for tea?”…The PTA have a fundraiser on to solve this classic problem!

Click here to order pies to fill your freezer – all funds raised go towards new sports equipment for the kids.

Click here for more details about the pie fundraiser

 

Friday Sausage Sizzle this Week – Order through Kindo

Tue Jul 21 06:31pm

Every Friday this term we are having a sausage sizzle at school and parents can order sausages for their children through Kindo.

Kindo is how we order and pay for fundraisers at school. Follow the prompts through this link to set up an account (if you haven’t already), put money into your Kindo account and then order sausages. 

 Click here to order sausages through Kindo

Remember to check your children are assigned to the correct classroom and you can order for the whole term or just as you wish. Orders close 9am each Friday.

Click here for details about Kindo

Hot sausage and bread on a cold Friday – nothing like it.

Contact Bianca in the office if you get stuck:
office@stjo.school.nz / 027 761 8388

Welcome back to Term 3!

Sun Jul 19 12:01pm

Morena St Joseph’s Whānau,

We hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful holiday break and had the opportunity to spend some quality time together as a whānau. We trust the holidays have been a chance to rest, recharge, and make some special memories.

The St Joseph’s team has enjoyed a well-earned break and we are refreshed, energised, and looking forward to welcoming all of our students back bright and early tomorrow morning – Monday 20th July. We have another fantastic term ahead, filled with engaging learning opportunities, sporting events, faith celebrations, and plenty of memorable experiences.

A few quick notes/reminder from me:

Winter School Uniform: 

I must say how impressed I was with our students’ uniform standards throughout Term 2. A huge thank you to our tamariki for taking pride in wearing their uniform so well, and to our parents and caregivers for reinforcing our winter uniform expectations. It really does reflect the pride we have in our school.

One small reminder as we head into Term 3 is to please ensure all uniform items are clearly named, particularly our school jerseys. Jerseys are by far the item most commonly left behind in classrooms, corridors, and around the playground during break times. Our staff always do their best to reunite lost property with its owner, but unfortunately, without a name, this can be very difficult.

Student Learning Conferences:

A friendly reminder that our Student Learning Conferences (Parent Interviews) are being held during Week 2 on:

Monday 27th July: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Wednesday 29th July: 1:30pm – 5:30pm
Please note that school will finish at 12:45pm on Wednesday 29th July. This early finish allows our classroom teachers time to prepare for and facilitate these important learning conversations with whānau.

If you haven’t already booked an appointment with your child’s classroom teacher, you can do so quickly and easily by selecting the ‘Parent Interviews’ button on the home screen of the St Joseph’s School App.

These conferences provide a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress, discuss their learning, and work together to support their continued growth. We look forward to meeting with you all in Week 2.

125th Jubilee Celebrations:

Don’t miss this very special milestone as we celebrate 125 Years of St Joseph’s School Ōpunakē on Thursday 22nd October and Friday 23rd October! (Term 4) We’ve got an exciting programme planned, including a special Jubilee Mass, our Agricultural Gala Day, and a 125th Jubilee Dinner Celebration at the Ōpunakē Events Centre, featuring a live auction, a band and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with past and present members of our school community.

Register your interest today using the link here

Purchase tickets for the Friday Night Dinner here using the trybooking system.

Thanks again everyone, looking forward to reconnecting with everyone on Monday. I will see you at the gate!

Mr Murfitt

 

 

 

Student Learning Conferences (Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews)

Wed Jul 15 11:00am

Kia ora koutou St Joseph’s Whānau,

Just a friendly reminder about our upcoming Student Learning Conferences that are scheduled for Week 2 of Term 3 on Monday 27th July from 3:30pm – 6:00pm and Wednesday 29th July from 1:30pm – 5:30pm. 

Please Note: School will finish early at 12:45pm on Wednesday 29th July to allow classroom teachers to prepare and to facilitate these Student Learning Conferences.

Booking a time to meet alongside your child’s teacher is all done through our school app this year. 

The first thing you will need to do is click the ‘Parent Interviews’ button on the main screen of the app. Then you will want to follow the below diagram to ensure your booking is completed.

 

All Interviews are 15 minutes each and will provide you with the opportunity to clarify your child’s Mid Year School Report with their classroom teacher. Don’t be shy in asking about the new ‘Progress Descriptors’ and how they work if you are not sure. Please bring your child along with you to this interview. It is so good for them to be able to show you some of their completed learning tasks and in particular their book work.

Thanks everyone – looking forward to seeing as many of our families at our learning conferences as possible.

Mr Murfitt

Term 2, Week 11 Newsletter

Sat Jul 04 09:00am

This term has been big and we are SO proud of how our school whānau has got through it all together.

Please enjoy the below newsletter, summarising the past three weeks.

We are looking forward to celebrating 125 Years of St Joseph’s School Ōpunakē at our Jubilee on Thursday 22 & Friday 23 October 2026.
Click here to purchase tickets for our celebration dinner on Friday night. It’s looking to be a great time!

Your family’s eldest child would have delivered your Mid-Year School Reports to you after school today. 
If your child was away from school today, we will post your Report envelope to you on Monday.
If you would prefer for us to keep your Report envelope at school to collect next term – please email office@stjo.school.nz

Have a wonderful school holiday and see you at school on Monday 20 July 2026, 8.45am. Arohanui.

Newsletter

Mid Year Report 2026 Coming Home Today

Fri Jul 03 11:18am

This afternoon your child’s Mid-Year Report will be coming home in a sealed envelope. If you have more than one child attending our school, all reports will be included in the envelope sent home with your oldest child.

Also inside the envelope is a Mid-Year Report Explanation Guide to help you understand the new ‘Progress Descriptors’ and ‘Student Attendance’ information. You’ll also find instructions and a simple guide on how to book your Student Learning Conference (Parent Interview) for Week 2 of Term 3 using the school app.

I am incredibly proud of these reports and the way they reflect each child’s learning progress, attendance, character, and behaviour. They provide a meaningful snapshot of where your child is at in their learning journey.

If you happen to see one of our classroom teachers today, please take a moment to give them a well-deserved thank you. The time, care, and professionalism they have put into preparing these reports has been exceptional, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team.

Thank you, everyone. There will be one final app message later this afternoon containing our Week 11 School Newsletter to wrap up a very busy and successful term.

Ngā mihi,
Mr Murfitt

YCC Mufti Day – Friday 3rd July

Thu Jul 02 04:45pm

Kia ora koutou St Joseph’s Families,

We have one last exciting event for our kids to enjoy before the term comes to an end. Tomorrow Catholic Schools throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand are holding a Mufti Day known as YCC Day.

We ask that our children come to school in Mufti clothes and in return they contribute a gold coin donation to support a particular Caritas Aid project. This year’s fundraising will go to Takuilau College in Tonga, to help provide much needed resources and facility improvements to their music room. The room will provide students with the space to practise and bring music to life. 

Thanks everyone – looking forward to end our Term together on a real positive note.

 

No Power – Buses Leaving at 1:20pm

Fri Jun 26 01:56pm

Kia Ora koutou St Joseph’s Familes,

As you will be aware the power is out in Opunake. All of the schools have made the collective decision to have the buses run earlier. Our bus students will be leaving at 1:20pm from St Joseph’s.

Non bus students – Can parents please pick them up from their classrooms as soon as possible. We can keep them inside as warm as possible until collection.

Thanks everyone 

Mr Murfitt

BOT Casual Vacancy – Parent Representative

Fri Jun 26 12:56pm

Kia Ora Whānau,

The Board of Trustees has a parent representative vacancy and has decided to fill this position by selection. Please read the below letter for more information.

BOT Casual Vacancy Notification Letter

Hope you’re keeping warm today!

 

Year 5-6 Crowley Cup – Wednesday 1st July

Fri Jun 26 11:00am

Kia ora Koutou

This upcoming Wednesday is of course the annual Crowley Cup Competition for our Year 5-6 Netball and Rugby Players.

Please click the links below to access the final notice, the Draw and the rules for each of the sporting codes.

Crowley Cup Final Notice – Teams and Transport Organisation.

Draw and Rules (Netball and Rugby)

Thanks everyone – looking forward to another great year of Crowley Cup action.

Oeo Pā School Trip Permission

Thu Jun 25 11:05am

Our whole school will be visiting Oeo Pā next week on Thursday 2nd July. Just in case you didn’t get an email from your child’s teacher to RSVP please let us know if you are coming along so we have catering numbers through the following link:
Oeo Pā RSVP

We will celebrate Matariki and acknowledge this time of togetherness, planning for the future, and acknowledging the environment. Oeo Pā has special whānau connections to St Joseph’s and we aspire for all of our children, each year,  to have positive experiences with each other at Oeo Pā.

We will travel by bus to Oeo straight after the roll at 9am, please be at school on time for the 9am bell.

If you would like to join us we are starting with a powhiri at 9.30am. Hangi lunch at 12.30.

Arohanui!

ICAS Assessment Opportunity (Years 5-8)

Tue Jun 23 03:38pm

Kia ora koutou,

A wee while back, students in Rooms 5 and 6 received an ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) registration form to take home. We are offering our senior students the opportunity to participate in these assessments as an additional academic challenge. Participation is completely optional.

Registrations close at the end of this week. If you think your child would enjoy taking part, please complete the registration form and return it to the school office by Friday. Some physical copies will be at the office if you can’t access a printer.

ICAS Assessments 2026 Notice

PTA Sausage Sizzle on Friday

Mon Jun 22 09:31am

Order a sausage and bread for your children to have for lunch this Friday 26 June 2026!

Go to the school app home page / links / kindo

Orders must go through Kindo before 9am Friday

Please make sure Kindo has your child recorded in the right classroom.

See the link below if you’re new to Kindo and contact Bianca in the office if you need help.

How to use Kindo

 

Year 5-6 Champions Rippa Rugby Tournament – Tuesday 23rd June 2026.

Thu Jun 18 11:02am

Kia ora koutou,

The Champions Rippa Rugby Tournament for our Yr 5-6 St Joseph’s Hurricanes team is fast approaching. It is this upcoming Tuesday 23rd June at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth. Please view the key links below for all the information. 

Team List and Key Information

Champions Tournament Draw

Year 5-6 Rippa Rugby Rules

Looking forward to an exciting day of Championship Rippa Rugby. All the best to our St Joseph’s Hurricanes Team.

2026 Term 2, Week 8 Newsletter

Fri Jun 12 04:51pm

Week EIGHT! Wow!

Enjoy our fortnightly school summary below and keep up to date with what’s planned for our last three weeks of Term 2.

Newsletter

Save the Date : School Hangi at Oeo Pā

Wed Jun 10 12:56pm

In Week 11 – Thursday 2 July 2026 our full school will be visiting Oeo Pā to celebrate Puanga (early Māori New Year)

At the Pā we will be having a hangi and everyone is welcome to come to the feast. Forms and RSVPs to be sent home and collected soon.

To prepare for our hangi can you please send one potato or one purple kumara with each of your children to their classroom teacher. Please only send purple kumara if you choose to – orange kumara cooks too fast in the hangi and goes mushy.

If you are a fry bread master chef and are available on the day can you please contact Anna (anna@stjo.school.nz) or Aimee (aimee@stjo.school.nz) – we need your help!

If you are able to donate beef – please contact Anna or Aimee.

Thanks whānau xxx

Updates – Photos and Compassion Tree

Fri Jun 05 03:27pm

Photolife Class, Individual and Sibling Photos
Looking good this year team! Please check your eldest child’s bag after school today – they will have their ordered school portraits. If you ordered after the Photolife deadline your photos will not be in your child’s bag they will be posted to you directly.

PTA Compassion Tree / Food Sharing
You can now let the PTA know who in our community might need a show of awhi (support) through a meal via the school app.

On the school app home page is a ‘Links’ button

 

Next step – click the ‘Compassion Tree / Food Sharing Form’

 

This will take you to the form that will notify the PTA to get a meal to someone in our community. It is the worst feeling when you find out too late that someone has gone through a hard time or the celebration of a new baby alone – please fill in the form and let those that can help, help – Ma te kotahitanga e whai kaha ai tātau – in unity, we have strength.

Links

School Mass Reminder – Sunday 7th June

Fri Jun 05 03:06pm

Kia ora koutou St Joseph’s Families,

You are warmly invited to join us for our School-led Mass this Sunday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, beginning at 10:00am.

Five of our students have recently completed their First Holy Communion preparation and will be receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time at Mass. This is a very special milestone in their faith journey, and it would be wonderful to have our school and parish community there to support and celebrate with them.

Following Mass, we will be sharing a morning tea together. If you are able to stay, we would greatly appreciate you bringing a plate of food to share.

We look forward to celebrating with you all.

Ngā mihi nui

 

 

 

 

Week 7 at St Josephs Ōpunakē

Mon Jun 01 12:00pm

Morena St Joseph’s Whānau

I hope everyone is making the most of the long King’s Birthday weekend. We have a busy week ahead, despite starting a day later than usual on Tuesday.

Room 6 Young Leaders Trip To Palmerston North:

All the best to our Room 6 students who will be departing for Palmerston North straight after 9:00am tomorrow. An exciting itinerary awaits them, culminating in attendance at the National Young Leaders Conference on Wednesday. A sincere thank you to Mrs Leigh, Miss Vanner, and our wonderful team of parent helpers who are giving their time to support our students throughout this valuable learning experience. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Mrs Charlie, who has dedicated an enormous amount of time behind the scenes planning and organising every aspect of this trip. Your hard work and commitment have made this opportunity possible for our children, and it is greatly appreciated. We wish everyone safe travels and an enjoyable, memorable experience.
 
Netball:

No Year 7-8 Netball for any school this week as most are affected by the National Young Leader’s Conference.

Sunday 7th June School Mass at 10:00am.

We warmly welcome all of our students, parents, grandparents, and members of our wider Parish community to join us for our School Mass this Sunday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, beginning at 10:00am.

This Mass will be particularly special as five of our students, who have recently completed their First Holy Communion programme, will receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time during Mass. We would love our school and parish community to be there to support and celebrate this important milestone in their faith journey.

Students are not required to wear school uniform but are expected to dress neatly and appropriately for Mass.

If you are planning to stay for morning tea following the celebration, please bring a plate of food to share.

We look forward to celebrating together as a school and parish family.

Have a really positive week 7 at school everyone.

Enjoy the rest of your Monday.

2026 Term 2, Week 6 Newsletter

Fri May 29 09:50pm

Happy long weekend to you whānau!

If you’re busy moving – may you laugh away all the hard bits and take care of your team. 
If you’re pottering at home – may you be charged up to handle the second half of Term 2.

Care about you all. 
Enjoy the below newsletter and let’s settle in for winter.
See you on Tuesday!

Newsletter

Crowley Cup – Year 5 and 6 – Wednesday 1st July

Thu May 28 04:44pm

Kia ora St Joseph’s families,

This is a key message for a majority of our students in Room 5 – The year 5 and 6 class. We have begun the organisation for our participation in this years Crowley Cup Tournament in Stratford on Wednesday 1st July (Week 11).

This year we are entering 1 Rugby Team and 1 Netball Team. We have asked a couple of Year 4 students to play up a year in our rugby side in order to give us a decent sized squad.

Please fill out the permission form below:

Year 5 and 6 Crowley Cup Permission Form:

Rugby and Netball Rules – The key thing is Rugby is 10 aside and Netball is 6 aside.

Thanks everyone

Teacher Only Day Reminder – Friday 22nd May (Friendly Reminder)

Wed May 20 05:12pm

Kia ora koutou,

Just a friendly reminder to our St Joseph’s School Ōpunakē community that school will be closed this Friday 22nd May to allow our teaching team to attend a Mathematics Curriculum Professional Development Day in New Plymouth.

These teacher only days provide valuable opportunities for our staff to continue building their knowledge and understanding of the refreshed curriculum, helping us to further strengthen teaching and learning across our school. We appreciate your support and understanding of this.

Thanks everyone