Kia ora e te whānau,

We’re heading into the final weeks of Term 3, those spring days are finally here, and we have lots to celebrate and look forward to. Here are some highlights and updates from the Board.

Book character day

What a fantastic day! Our annual Book Character Day was a colourful celebration of creativity and reading. Ngā mihi nui to our Student Council for organising the event and to all the students, staff and whānau who helped bring the characters to life with such wonderful costumes. Thank you to the parents who supported this event. It was lovely to see so many smiles and shared stories throughout the day.

St Anthony’s scholarships – please share widely

We’re excited to share two new scholarships for prospective students who are considering joining our St Anthony’s community. The scholarships, one for a junior student (Years 1 to 4) and one for a senior student (Years 5 to 8), are available to new enrolments to St Anthony’s.

Each scholarship is for one year only and is valued at $1000, which will be used to support school fees, uniform, and related costs.

You can find details and the application form by clicking this link. This is a wonderful chance to support learners who would thrive in our values-based environment.

While the school will be advertising this opportunity in social media and through the parish, we also warmly invite our school community to share this opportunity with whānau, friends, and networks. Whether through word of mouth, social media, or community groups, your help in spreading the word could make a real difference for a future St Anthony’s student.

New school website coming soon

Our new school website is almost ready to launch! The updated site will feature a fresh design, easier navigation, and improved access to key information for families and prospective students.

Thank you to Mrs Johnson and her daughter Hannah for all their hard work earlier this term to provide updated content and images. We’re looking forward to sharing it with you soon—it will be a great tool for staying connected and informed.

Board changes

We would like to say ngā mihi nui to Mark Mulhern for his nine years of dedicated service on the School Board. Mark’s contributions have helped shape the direction of our kura and we are deeply grateful. His work on our property portfolio, his steady leadership during his years as the chairperson of the board, and his thoughtful input have made an enduring impact.  Our aroha and best wishes to you, Emma and the whānau for the next adventure.

We warmly welcome Tim Henderson as our new proprietor representative. Tim has a long association with St Anthony’s; he and his brothers all attended the school during the 1990s. Tim’s daughter, Avery, is now a student in He Atawhai class, continuing the family connection. 

We also thank Janine Smith and Miriama Williams, who are returning as parent representatives and Silke Koepl as a new parent representative on the board. Your continued support and leadership are appreciated. We look forward to working together to support our school’s vision and goals.

Staff acknowledgements

A big thank you to Miss Francesca von Lanthen, who stepped into the role of Acting Principal while Mrs Johnson was on sabbatical leave. We appreciate your leadership and care during this time, and the calm, consistent presence you brought to our school.  

We also send our aroha and appreciation to Miss Eibhlin McAteer, who has been covering for Miss von Lanthen in Te Moana class. 

Thank you for your mahi and support of our learners. Your adaptability and commitment have been greatly valued.  We wish you all the best for your next adventure.

Working bee notice

Our next Working Bee will be held on the last weekend of the school holidays, 4–5 October. It’s a great chance to come together as a community and help prepare the school grounds for Term 4. Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or more, your support makes a real difference. Watch this space for more details.

Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa, ko ngā karere a Mahuru. The shining cuckoo cries, heralding the arrival of spring.

This whakataukī refers to the call of the pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo), which signals the beginning of Mahuru (September) and the arrival of spring. It reminds us that this season brings new life, fresh energy, and opportunities to grow, both in our kura and in our wider community.

Happy holidays and we look forward to seeing you at the working bee before Term 4 starts.