Mar Addai Catholic Preschool

01/09/2026

OUR SHARED PARTNERSHIP IN CHILDREN’S LEARNING 🙏🥰

Mar Addai Catholic Preschool

Dear Parents and Whānau,

At Mar Addai Catholic Preschool, we value and respect the important role that parents and whānau play in their children’s learning, development, identity, and wellbeing.

Every day, our kaiaako share and document children’s learning journeys, including the planned and spontaneous learning experiences happening across both our Under 2s and Over 2s rooms. These experiences are intentionally created to support, challenge, extend, encourage exploration, and provide new opportunities for learning and development.

We warmly invite and encourage you, as your child’s first and most important teachers, to share your feedback, comments, observations, ideas, cultural knowledge, aspirations, and expertise with us.

Your contributions are highly valued. They provide important evidence of the shared responsibility and partnership between children, whānau, and kaiaako and help us to better understand and respond to each child’s strengths, interests, needs, culture, and learning aspirations.

This partnership reflects our commitment to the 2026 STANDARDS for the TEACHING PROFESSION – STANDARD 8: ENGAGE IN PRODUCTIVE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS, where teachers work collaboratively with parents, caregivers, whānau, and the community to support the learning and wellbeing of each learner.

As a Catholic early childhood community, we believe in nurturing each child with care, respect, dignity, compassion, belonging, and love. Working together with families strengthens the connections between home and preschool and helps us provide learning experiences that are meaningful, inclusive, and responsive to every child.

Your voice matters. Your knowledge matters. Your contribution matters.

Please continue to share your thoughts, feedback, aspirations, and knowledge with us. Together, we can ensure that our children’s learning, development, wellbeing, identity, and sense of belonging remain at the heart of our shared work.

Thank you for being an important part of our Mar Addai Catholic Preschool learning community and for partnering with us in your child’s learning journey.


Ngā mihi nui,
Mar Addai Catholic Preschool 🙏🥰 IA MANUIA KIA ORA

31/08/2026

“Little Hands, Creative Hearts – Creating, Sharing and Celebrating Together”

At the art table, children explored white paint on black paper, using animal stencils such as sheep, pigs, horses, chickens and reindeer to create their own artwork. They worked harmoniously, sharing materials, observing one another’s creations and admiring each other’s work.

During prayer/karakia and waiata time, the children proudly applauded and celebrated their artworks.

Literacy: Children developed language as they named animals, talked about their artwork and listened to others’ ideas.

Numeracy: Children explored shapes, sizes, patterns and positions as they used different stencils and created repeated prints.

Science: Children investigated how white paint appeared against the black paper, explored cause and effect through stamping and printing, and observed how different shapes and textures were transferred onto the paper.

Social Competence: The experience encouraged sharing, cooperation, turn-taking, respect and appreciation of others’ efforts. Children demonstrated a positive sense of belonging by celebrating one another’s achievements.

Holistic Principle: This experience supported children’s creative, physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual development through an interconnected learning experience.

Catholic Character: Children demonstrated kindness, respect, joy, generosity and appreciation. Celebrating their artwork together during prayer/karakia and waiata strengthened our sense of community and reminded us to value the gifts and creativity of each child. 🥰🥰

28/08/2026

“Where Curiosity Grows and Learning Comes Alive”

Outdoor Learning – Exploring, Discovering and Growing Together

Today, our children enjoyed rich learning opportunities in our prepared and intentional outdoor environment. They explored, experimented and confidently used trial-and-error strategies as they investigated their surroundings and engaged in a variety of experiences.

Through outdoor play, children negotiated, collaborated and shared ideas with others while developing their physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. These experiences encouraged problem-solving, creativity, communication, confidence, cooperation and independence, supporting holistic learning and development.

Empowerment Principle – Whakamana: Children were empowered to make choices, take initiative, express their ideas and lead their own learning. They were encouraged to take appropriate risks, try different strategies and learn from their experiences.

Exploration – Mana Aotūroa: The outdoor environment provided opportunities for children to actively explore, experiment, investigate and develop working theories through hands-on experiences. Their curiosity and natural desire to discover supported confidence, persistence and problem-solving.

Catholic Character: Our outdoor experiences encouraged values of respect, kindness, cooperation, responsibility and care for creation. Children were supported to appreciate their environment, care for one another and recognise that they are part of a community where everyone can contribute and belong.

Overall, our intentional outdoor setting continues to provide a rich space where children can explore freely, learn through experience, build relationships and grow as confident, capable and caring learners.

MANUIA LE FAAIUGA O LE VAIASO / BLESSED WEEKEND EVERYONE! 🥰

28/08/2026

27/08/2026

Good morning
Dear Parents,

We will be conducting a Lockdown Drill today at 10:00 a.m. The drill will last approximately 10 minutes.
During this time, please do not call or visit the school, as the doors will be locked to ensure the practice is carried out safely.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

27/08/2026

“Growing, Sharing and Learning Together”
Little Hands, Big Hearts – Weekly Reflection

This week was filled with joyful learning, exploration and meaningful connections across both our under-2 and over-2 areas. Children collaborated, shared resources and participated in a wide range of learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Through play, role play, building and construction, books, puzzles, painting and other activities, children developed their confidence, communication, creativity and social competence.

Our literacy and numeracy learning was naturally woven throughout the week as children explored books and stories, communicated their ideas, recognised and discussed numbers, shapes, patterns and quantities, and used problem-solving skills during puzzles, construction and play.

A special highlight was our participation in Daffodil Week. Children from both areas came together to take part in a shared painting experience. This provided an opportunity for children to express their creativity while developing an early understanding of caring for others and contributing to a wider community cause. The experience encouraged children to participate, share and learn that our actions can help others.

Relationship Principle – Ngā Hohonga: Children strengthened relationships by learning and playing alongside one another, sharing resources, taking turns and supporting each other across the two learning areas.

Exploration – Mana Aotūroa: Children explored their environment through hands-on experiences, creative activities, construction, puzzles and outdoor play, developing curiosity, confidence, problem-solving and learning dispositions.

Literacy and Numeracy: Children developed communication, listening, early writing and storytelling skills while engaging with books, conversations and role play. Numeracy was supported through counting, sorting, recognising patterns, shapes, quantities and problem-solving during play and construction.

Social Competence: Children practised cooperation, turn-taking, sharing, negotiating and participating as members of a learning community. Their interactions demonstrated growing confidence in working and learning together.

Catholic Character: The week reflected the values of kindness, compassion, generosity, respect and service. Our Daffodil Week experience provided a meaningful opportunity for children to begin understanding the importance of caring for others and contributing to a community cause.

Overall Reflection: It was a positive and enriching week where children demonstrated that learning happens through relationships, play, exploration and shared experiences. Together, our children showed that even small hands can make a meaningful difference when guided by caring hearts.

26/08/2026

Father’s Day Celebration Invitation At Mar Addai Preschool

26/08/2026

Fun, Imaginative and Pretend Play – Princesses and Cowgirl 🥰

Today, the girls enjoyed a magical dress-up experience, pretending to be their favourite fairytale princesses. Four little princesses looked beautiful in their gowns, while one adventurous cowgirl joined the fun! 👑🤠✨

The children used their imagination to create their own stories, taking on different roles and exploring the world of fairytales through pretend play.

They practised communication, creativity, social interaction, confidence and cooperation as they played together.

It was wonderful to see the children expressing themselves freely, sharing ideas and having lots of fun while learning through imaginative and symbolic play! 🌈💖

24/08/2026

Creating, Counting and Connecting Through Music and Movement

This special activity emerged from the children’s current curriculum focus of learning, “Music and Movement.” Children explored music, sounds, colours, patterns, and creativity by making their own colourful paper “xylophones.” The xylophone and harp are both musical instruments that create different sounds. Using red, yellow, pink, and green paper strips, children followed a simple colour pattern and arranged the strips on brown cardboard with black lines. They counted the strips and named the colours on their xylophone masterpieces. During prayer time, children discussed the xylophone and listened to the sounds it makes. They also listened to a brief Bible story about David playing the harp to calm King Saul’s troubled heart, learning that music can bring peace and comfort.

Literacy Learning:
Children developed vocabulary and communication skills by naming colours, learning about musical instruments, listening to the Bible story, and sharing their ideas about music and sounds.

Numeracy Learning:
Children practised counting, colour recognition, sequencing, and following a simple repeating pattern while arranging the paper strips.

Children’s Social Competence:
Children developed confidence and cooperation by participating together, listening to instructions, sharing ideas, taking turns, and appreciating each other’s creative work.

Te Whāriki – Empowerment | Whakamana:
The activity empowered children to make choices, express their creativity, explore materials, and develop confidence in their own abilities.

Te Whāriki – Exploration | Mana Aotūroa:
Children explored colour, pattern, sound, and different materials through hands-on learning and creative discovery.

Catholic Character:
Through the story of David and King Saul, children explored how music can bring peace, comfort, and calmness. The experience also encouraged values of kindness, compassion, caring, and using our gifts to positively support others. KA PAI EVERYONE! 🥰🥰

20/08/2026

MALO E LELEI!

The Finale of Our Tongan Community Language – The Fa’atonga

Our Tongan Language celebration, The Fa’atonga, was a special opportunity for our children, whānau and kaiako to celebrate and honour Tongan language, culture and identity. Everyone dressed in red, the main colour of the Tongan flag, creating a strong sense of belonging and celebration.

During prayer and mat time, the children explored Tongan cultural art and handicrafts, practised the greeting “Mālō e lelei, Fefe Ake, Malo Saipe” and sang songs about numbers and colours in Fa’atonga. Using technology, the children also explored Tongan culture, traditions and traditional clothing.

Literacy: Children developed their oral language and communication skills by learning and using Tongan words, greetings, songs and cultural vocabulary.

Numeracy: Through songs and activities about numbers and colours in Fa’atonga, children strengthened their counting, number recognition and mathematical language.

Social Competence: Children showed confidence, respect and cooperation as they participated together, shared cultural experiences and celebrated the identities of others. They developed a stronger sense of belonging and pride in who they are.

Whānau and Community – Te Whāriki Principle: Whānau and Community / Whānau Tangata – children’s learning and development are strengthened through meaningful relationships with whānau and their wider community. This celebration created a valuable connection between the preschool, children, families and Tongan community.

Te Whāriki Strand: Belonging – Mana Whenua – children experience an environment where they know they have a place. Celebrating Tongan language and culture supports children to feel that their cultural identity, language and traditions are valued and respected.

Catholic Preschool Character: This celebration reflects our commitment to respect, love, inclusion, dignity and celebrating each child as a gift and blessing from God. We value the uniqueness of every child, their whānau, culture and identity, creating a community where everyone is welcomed and respected.

At our preschool, we celebrate and promote all community languages and the rich identities of our children, recognising that each child and their culture are truly gifts and blessings to our learning community. IA MANUIA 🥰(Marina)