Dear God,

You come to us in Jesus who teaches us that the way to happiness is through our love for one another.

Watch over the teachers, students and families of Sacred Heart Cathedral School as we try to be faithful to this teaching.

Help us to be a welcoming and joyful community, so that others may come to know your love and peace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

This week, we are celebrating Tongan Language Week.

To our Tongan families, have a wonderful week celebrating with your family and friends.

The 2025 theme for Tonga Language Week is ‘Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga - Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture.

You are most welcome to join us for our Pasifika Liturgy in the Cathedral at 1:00 PM on Friday, 22nd August 2025.

We have a great selection of second-hand items for you to take for the upcoming Summer Uniform season.

Please check that your child has the correct jersey. We have a couple of named jerseys that are not with their current owners.

I am visiting Nga Iwi School in Auckland today and will be back at Sacred Heart Cathedral School tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week, and thank you for everything you do at our school.

Have a wonderful week and thank you for all you do for our school. 

Arohanui,
Bernadette Murfitt
Tumuaki
Sacred Heart Cathedral School

For the 2026 School Year, we will be at our maximum. We already have a fairly long waiting list.

If you know that your child will not be returning to Sacred Heart Cathedral School in 2026, please notify the school office by emailing office@sacred-heart.school.nz.

Attendance continues to be a top priority for the government, which has set a target of 80% of students attending school for more than 90% of the term by 2030. To achieve this, schools must aspire to reach an average daily attendance rate above 94%.

Last week, 11th - 15th August, we were 85.99%.

Please use SchoolAppsNZ to report your child's absence to the school.

Electronic voting is now open. We are so fortunate to have so many parents interested in standing for our Board of Trustees. Please show your support by voting.

Voting closes at 4:00 PM on Monday, 8th September.

Candidates standing for this year's Board of Trustees election are as follows:

Children’s Sacramental Programme – Registrations Now Open

Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish is now accepting registrations for the 2025/26 Children’s Sacramental Programme. The programme begins with the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term 4, 2025, followed by First Reconciliation in Term 1, 2026, and concludes with First Holy Communion in Term 2, 2026.

To be eligible, children must be baptised and at least 8 years old.
If your child is not yet baptised and you wish to arrange this, please contact us via the emails listed below to book a meeting with Fr Patrick.

The first parent information session will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 7th October 2025, at Connolly Hall.

For registrations or further enquiries, please contact Geraldine at  mcsh.sacramentalprogramme@gmail.com or reach out to the Parish Office at  cathedral.parish@wn.catholic.org.nz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WMB8akJC_c 

Middle Syndicate Mathswell Team:

Yesterday, Tuesday, 19 August 2025, the team L-R: Xavier (Room 6), Ryan (Room 7), Summer (Room 7), Aaron (Room 6), Joaquin, and Landon (Room 7) represented the school in the Mathswell 2025. The team showed incredible perseverance and teamwork, and we couldn't be prouder of them. They showed their love for math and had fun along the way!

A big thank you to Michael and Fel for transporting and supporting our students in this event.

Yesterday, a group of Year 8 students represented the school at this year's Mathswell Competition at Victoria University.

We enjoyed being challenged by the questions and felt well prepared for the competition, which was very high.

We enjoyed meeting the other contestants and the collaborative nature of the event. We were around the middle for our results.

A big thank you to Maxy and Rebecca - your help is invaluable!

You are most welcome to join us for our bi-annual visit to Pipitea Marae on Monday, 25th August. The students are busy learning how to introduce themselves in Te Reo Māori. If you can help walk down to the marae, please fill in this Google form. The marae have requested that we give packets of biscuits as a koha for the visit. They will use them for the Monday night children's Kapa Haka group. We are asking each student to bring a packet of biscuits and drop them in the box by the office.

Please label your child's shoes for the Marae Visit as they all look the same. Even a sticker inside or a coloured dot.

Our public health nurses are coming to school on Wednesday, 27th August to continue with the immunisation programme for Year 7 tamariki. This clinic is for the second dose of the HPV vaccine and:

• If you have changed your mind or your child’s medical situation has changed, please contact us at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949.
• If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us.
• If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us.
• If your Year 8 child missed out last year and you would like them to catch up on their vaccinations, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Immunisations Team, National Public Health Service

Capital, Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.

P: 04 587 2949 | GW-NPHSImmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz

You are warmly invited to the Junior Syndicate Liturgy for Father's Day on Friday, 5th September at 9:30 AM in the Cathedral. Limited parking is available in the playground and there will be refreshments in the library afterwards.

BASKETBALL TERM 4:

We have room for a few new players (Year 7 and 8) for next term. If anyone is interested, please contact emma.spelchan@gmail.com.

BASKETBALL WEEKLY REPORT:

Sacred Heart Dunks (Year 3 & 4): SH Dunks came out firing this week, delivering a fantastic performance on both ends of the court and coming away with a WIN! The team showed incredible teamwork with every single player giving it their all from start to finish.

Player of the day goes to Sandy (Room 5) with his ‘Stephen Curry’  long range shooting, quick ball handling & defence, constantly hassling the opposition.

Special mention to Ella (Room 5) for her unstoppable defence, blocking and stealing balls from her opponents.

Win or lose, we are always proud of your hard work team. Keep going kids!

Sacred Heart Lay Ups (Year 5 & 6): What a thrilling victory! The team showcased incredible teamwork and determination, edging out the Khandallh Lakers with a close 40–38 win. Huge kudos to every player for their effort and spirit.

 Player of the day: Jackson (Room 7).

L-R: Xavier (Room 6), Landon, Charlie, Jackson (Room 7), Aaron, Ria, and Kaatia (Room 6).

NETBALL WEEKLY UPDATE:

Sacred Heart Marvels (Years 5 & 6): The Marvels showed true grit this Saturday in their hard-fought 8-5 victory against Kilbirnie Huia, with the sunshine finally making a welcome appearance to brighten the game.

Player of the day went to Ella (Room 5), who demonstrated exceptional determination throughout the match with great effort and impressive marking the opposition.

Special mention to Frankie (Room 6), whose outstanding work in Centre and 100% commitment. Well done to all the Marvels for their fantastic teamwork and perseverance!

Top: Ella (Room 5), Kaatia, Elle, and Lyla (Room 6).

Front: Colette (Room 5), Frankie, Margaux, and Mirabel (Room  6).

Sacred Heart Aces (Year 7 & 8): It was always going to be a tough game against St Anne’s. Aces played incredibly well as a team and dug deep, not giving up right through to the final whistle. Our passing was excellent, finding space to receive the ball was the best of all season and they were strong on communication - was fantastic to see!

It’s Summer Soccer Time!

Summer Soccer is held at Ian Galloway Park on a Friday after school in Term 4 and Term 1, and it is run by Kelly Sports. The games are 5-a-side and students play with peers.

This is a parent-led activity, so we are asking for parents who are interested in organizing teams.  

If your child is interested in Summer Soccer in Seniors and Middles, please contact suzanneadair@hotmail.com.

If your child is interested in Summer Soccer in the Juniors, please contact Nikki at nikkiduru@googlemail.com.

We will need a parent to volunteer as a manager for each team.

To purchase an entertainment book please click on this link:  https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/10428y2

This month we’re raising funds for Sacred Heart Cathedral School.

When you buy an Entertainment Membership this month, you’ll get a FREE upgrade to a Multi City Membership (valued at $120!) and a BONUS $30 Visa eGift Card.

That means for just $70 (save $50!), you’ll score access to up to 50% off dining,

activities, shopping, and travel across Australia, NZ, and Bali.

It’s the gift that keeps giving all year round — and a total win-win:

✨ Save big on everyday spending

✨ We receive 20% back to support our cause

✨ Together, we’ll smash our fundraising goals this financial year

With over $20,000 in savings — from Rebel Sport, Supercheap Auto, BCF, and Shell fuel, to amazing dining deals Dad will love — you’ll make your money back in no time (and maybe even use the savings to book your next holiday!).

Give Dad his own Membership, or use yours to shout him lunch, grab his gift, or plan an epic day together. One Membership unlocks hundreds of ways to say, “You’re the best, Dad.”

Every 25 Memberships sold raises $350 for our cause.

Click here to buy your Membership https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/10428y2

Entertainment Memberships really do help us help each other – you save on the things you love, and we keep supporting our community with the funds raised.

Don’t miss the chance to watch the movie, Tinā (Mother), now the sixth-highest grossing Kiwi film of all time. It tells the story of Mareta Percival, a Samoan teacher who, after losing her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, finds herself teaching at an elite private school and using music to inspire her students and rediscover her own passion. The film is a box office success in New Zealand, praised for its heartwarming story and performances.

Event Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025.

Event Address: Lighthouse Cinema, 52 Beach Street, Petone, Lower Hutt.

Arrival time from:  10:00 AM

Screening time: 10:30 AM

Ticket prices are: Adult: $25/ticket, Senior & Student: $20/ticket.

Tickets will be on sale after every weekend masses starting, 19th July 2025. You can also purchase your tickets online by scanning the QR code or by accessing the link: https://forms.gle/NKvqxuq9zbSwtJ2A7.

We are seeking sponsors to help make this fundraiser event special. Please contact Joy at (021) 048 1216 or mcsh.fundraising@gmail.com.

Inverlochy Art School:

Inverlochy Art School has another fantastic school holiday programme of creative arts workshops for tamariki to teens.

For those of you who haven't been to Inverlochy Art School before, we offer a broad range of high quality art classes and workshops. We believe in art for art's sake and allow students to find freedom in creative exploration. We operate out of historic Inverlochy House in central Te Aro. 

 

Find out more here.

 

Ngā mihi,

Connah

Kelly Sports Athletics Holiday Programme - Newtown Park

Come and join the fun!