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St Claudine Thevenet

Newsletter Week 2

Term 2, 5 May 2025

Kia Ora, Talofa lava, Bula vinaka, Namaste, Taloha Ni, Malo e lelei, Ni hao, Kia Orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kumusta,

Welcome to Term Two.

Last term we hosted two review teams: The Archdiocese Special Character Review Team and the Education Review Office review team. We were well prepared to showcase our school and all that we do to ensure an environment where our values are visible and that our community works hard to ensure each and every child is provided with the best opportunity to grow and succeed. We have often used the phrase - the learning journey of our students is “ paved with possibility and punctuated with promise”. Our teachers work hard to plan for each and every child in our school and to ensure we truly are a Christ Centred Learning Community.

Last week we received our Special Character Report and we are happy to share some of their comments with you all. It is always nice to feel validated in our practice by external reviewers who are usually experiencing our school for the first time.

“The school is characterized by warm and respectful relationships, fostering a calm environment where students are settled and demonstrate confidence in their learning. The student population reflects a diverse cultural mix, including Samoan, Filipino, and Indian communities”.

“Tō Tātou Whakapono, the NZ Religious Education Curriculum, is faithfully taught and effectively woven into the school’s connected curriculum, with overarching themes grounded in the Catholic character. Religious Education is given prominence, supporting students in making meaningful connections between their faith and daily lives”.

“Additionally, the school is committed to providing inclusive learning opportunities, ensuring that children with diverse needs experience success. The leadership and Board remain dedicated to delivering the best and most equitable education in a Catholic environment, striving to uphold the school’s mission”.

“The effect of the spiritual climate of the school can be evidenced in the words of senior

ākonga:

"Being at this school helps me pray and strengthens my relationship with God."

"We celebrate important days like Feast Days, Ash Wednesday, Jesus' birth, and His resurrection, which remind us of our faith."

"It helps us listen to our parents more and inspires us to be good role models, both in school and outside of it."

"We are reminded to be like Jesus and the saints, modelling their kindness and actions in our daily lives."

“Classrooms are bright, warm and welcoming, and relationships between ākonga and kaiako are respectful and relaxed”.

You can read the full report on the School website.

We look forward to receiving our ERO report soon.

Our term is shaping up to be very busy, so we are sharing important dates at the end of the newsletter. Please note them down in your diary so you don’t miss anything.

Have a great week

Sue Jury

Tumuaki

Curriculum Updates

As you will be aware the Minister of Education yesterday announced a new parent portal to help you understand the new English and Maths Curriculum. I want to give you an update of where we at St Claudine’s are at with many of the things the Minister mentioned in her release statement.

Our school has been engaged with structured literacy for the past two and half years and we undertake a phonics check with each student who enters our school. This phonic check is part of the Ideal Platform we use daily for structured literacy. We have received the national phonics check and will work to streamline how this may be of use to our teachers in the junior classes so we will be compliant when in 2026 we are required to use the new check. You will receive an invitation to come to a Structured Literacy Hui to learn about the programme, how it is implemented in our school and how you can help at home. This hui will also explain the phonics check. Teachers will be at the hui to showcase some of the practices and resources used in our classrooms. Please make an effort to join them for a greater understanding of this process of learning to read, write and spell.

Over the last few months, we have been teaching the new Maths curriculum. We have been in the process of gathering the resources we need to be able to successfully implement the curriculum. Our teacher only day on Friday 30th May is a chance for us to create our Long Term Plan across the school and to develop our new Skills Profiles to share with you when you join us for our Whānau Connect Conversations in July.

Despite the Minister advising us that there will be a change in the assessment processes for schools with new standardised assessments we want to assure you that our current assessments are standardised and give us great information about progress and achievement. The Minister has not yet confirmed new assessments or models of reporting so until such a time as these are available to schools, we will continue to report in our current model. The only thing that will change is the move from Curriculum levels to Curriculum Phases. This will all be explained in our reports at the end of the term.

Kupe Kids Programme Overview

What is Kupe Kids?
Kupe Kids is an exciting new learning initiative that gives students the opportunity to step outside their regular classroom routines and explore new areas of learning in a fun, engaging, and inclusive way. Rooted in the spirit of discovery and inspired by the great navigator Kupe, this programme encourages curiosity, creativity, and connection across age groups.

Purpose and Vision

The purpose of Kupe Kids is to:

● Foster exploration of new ideas, skills, and areas of interest.

● Build tuakana-teina relationships by creating mixed-age learning groups.

● Promote collaboration and leadership across year levels.

● Encourage student agency by offering choice and voice in learning.

● Support a holistic approach to education that values personal growth, cultural identity, and lifelong learning.

How It Works

● Students from different year levels are grouped together in cross-level teams.

● Students participate in a variety of engaging learning workshops. These may include arts, science, technology, sports, cultural activities, environmental projects, storytelling, and more.

● The modules are led by teachers and staff members who are passionate about the topic and eager to share their knowledge.

● Each session is designed to be hands-on, collaborative, and student-centred.

Why the Name 'Kupe Kids'?

Kupe was a legendary Polynesian navigator known for his courage, curiosity, and deep connection to the ocean and land. Like Kupe, our students are encouraged to become explorers — seeking out new learning journeys with wonder, resilience, and a sense of adventure.

Outcomes for Students

Through Kupe Kids, students will:

● Discover new interests and talents.

● Gain confidence working with others of different ages.

● Learn to lead and support their peers.

● Experience learning as a joyful, shared adventure.

● Deepen their connection to their school culture and community.

On Wednesday the 14th May we will be holding an information hui about our school-wide Structured Literacy Programme.

Our guest speaker Jill Symmonds who supports the professional training and

implementation of the Ideal Platform programme will outline the programme,

share how the programme is grounded in the Science of Reading and how it

is implemented and taught in our classrooms.

Where? St Claudine’s School Hall.

When? Wednesday 14 May - 5pm

Join us to hear about this exciting approach that we have been implementing across the

school. We’d love to see you there!

Ngā mihi nui

St Claudine staff

Tough Guy Tough Girl Challenge

A notice has been sent home to those who have expressed interest in doing the Tough Guy Tough Girl Challenge. This is due to be held in Wainuiomata on 22 May 2025. The cost to parents is $25.00. This needs to be paid to the office with the signed consent form. We will register our students as a school team, so all forms need to be back by Wednesday at the latest.