"Normally he will find his own way home."
But he did not turn up for dinner that evening.
He was wearing his grey-coloured school uniform when she last saw him.
Stratford has been trying desperately to contact him but has only received one text in response to her all of her messages and calls.
All it said was "Aak".
She believes this could be short for "alive and kicking".
"I just want him to come home," Stratford said.
"We all care about him and love him, we are just all really worried sick."
Stratford said Joshua often caught trains in the Manurewa, Manukau and Puhinui areas.
"It's believed he is in the company of a friend from school who was reported missing on Friday, a police spokeswoman said.
"Police are making a number of inquiries to locate both of the teenagers and want to ensure they are safe and well.
"There is no evidence to suggest there is anything suspicious about the boy's disappearance."