Newsletter Week 6 Term 3 2014

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

A helpful article about Christian education by James K. A. Smith says:

“…It might be helpful to point out what Christian education is not.

“First, Christian education is not meant to be merely “safe” education. The impetus for Christian schooling is not a protectionist concern, driven by fear, to sequester children from the big, bad world. Christian schools are not meant to be moral bubbles or holy huddles where children are encouraged to stick their heads in the sand.

“Rather, Christian schools are called to be like Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia: not safe, but good…...Christian schools are not places for preserving a naive innocence; they are laboratories to form children who see that our broken world is full of widows, orphans, and strangers we are called to love and welcome.

“In short, Christian schools are not a withdrawal from the world; they are a lens and microscope through which to see the world in all its broken beauty.

“Second, Christian schools are not just about Bible classes. The curriculum of a Christian school is not the curriculum of a public school plus religion courses. While Christian education does deepen students’ knowledge of God’s Word, it’s not Bible class that makes a school Christian.

“Rather, ….Christian education emphasizes that the entire curriculum is shaped and nourished by faith in Christ, “for by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16-17)....

“Third, Christian education is not a merely “private” education. Christian schools are not meant to be elite enclaves for the wealthy. To the extent that Christian schools become pious renditions of “prep schools,” they fail to appreciate the radical, biblical calling of Christian education. In Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony, this is expressed in the confession that

“In education we seek to acknowledge the Lord by promoting schools and teaching in which the light of his Word shines in all learning, where students, of whatever ability, are treated as persons who bear God’s image and have a place in his plan.”

Well said, I think.

Helen Pearson

Working Bee

A small job for many but a large job for a few. Let’s make it a small job.

We need help to get our library operational. Please join us on Sat Sep 6, 2014 11am - 1pm. Let us know you are able to help by filling in this form.

Uniform/Dress

Generally the uniforms are looking great!  Students are expected and encouraged to take a pride in their general appearance. Please ensure that children are not wearing non-uniform sweatshirts or shoes.

The uniform is available from the school office. Second hand uniform items may also be available from the office.

Ear studs are the only items of jewellery permitted at school.

The consequences of breaching the dress code are determined by the situation and may include a warning, a letter home, or a Red Card.

Prepare for Hats

From the beginning of term four we will be implementing our health and safety policy concerning sunhats.

 This states: “require students to wear hats which protect the face, neck and ears, whenever they are outside and involved in school activities. Students at school without a hat must remain in an allocated shaded area or inside at break times. Hats must be broad-brimmed (min 7.5cm), or legionnaire/bucket hats (min 6cm brim, deep crown). These hats provide significant protection to the eyes”.

Sunhats will be available from the uniform shop from the beginning of term 4.

Before and After School Supervision

We appreciate parents' efforts in getting students to school at a good time in the morning. Arriving late is disruptive for the child, and for the class and teacher. Arriving between 8:35 and 8:50 gives the student plenty of time to catch up with friends, hang up their school bag, hand in any notices, and be in class ready to start at 8:55.

Note: For your child's safety, please make sure that they arrive at school after 8:30 and have left the school grounds by 3:15 pm. We cannot guarantee supervision at school outside those times.

Advance Notice – Camp is coming

Early next year we will be going to camp. Last year’s family camp was so successful that once again families will have the opportunity to join with us.

We are well aware that camp early in the year can create a financial burden. If you would like to put aside a little a week from now on we are hoping the burden will be eased. If you would like to set up an automatic payment to the school the ac no is 123105 0014453 00 and please use the reference “camp”.

Disaster Plasters

Thanks for all the effort put in to this fundraising programme.  

Could you please return all Disaster Plaster money and unsold boxes to school before assembly on Friday?

Friday Assembly

Room 1 will host assembly this week. Please come if your child is in Room 1.

Assemblies are at 9.10 every Friday unless notified. We love to have parents and friends of the school join us for assembly and stay for a chat and morning tea afterwards.

Yummy Apple Stickers

Thank you our great team of sticker collectors.

We collect the stickers or labels off the bags from Yummy Apples each year. At the end of Term Three these sticker collections are sent to the company and we receive sports gear as a reward.

Last year we received $237 worth of sportsgear and this year we are hoping for more as some collectors have wisely continued to collect year round.

If you have been collecting stickers for us please hand the sheets, whether full or partial, into the office by Friday 19^th September so we can send them off by the end of the term. If you need sticker collection sheets please ask at the office

Friday Lunches are back!
MCS Parent Group will provide a selection of Pies (Butter Chicken, Mince and Cheese, Apple), Pizzas, Sausage Rolls and Moosies (Chocolate, Strawberry and Lime).

Order forms will be sent home today. Please return order forms and payment in a sealed envelope to your child's teacher before School Assembly on Friday.

Toaster

Do you have a spare toaster that is cluttering up your kitchen?  We would love to take it off your hands as the one in the staffroom has passed its use by date. Thanks

Car Park
Please use the gravel car park between 8.30-9.30 am and 2.40-3.30 pm in order to ensure safety of children. Your children can be collected from the covered area by the gravel carpark. The concrete car park will be used only by teachers and visitors.

Upcoming Events:        

9 Sept                           Relationship Evening (Yr 7)

10 Sept                         Relationship Evening (Yr 8)

10 Sept                         Touch/Netball

16 Sept                         Relationship Evening (Yr 7)

16 Sept                         Interschool Hockey

18 Sept                         Ripper Rugby

23 Sept                         Interschool Speeches

26 Sept                        End of Term Three

13 Oct                           Beginning of Term Four

Community Notices

Holiday Programme “Mission Rescue”

Theme  Spies

Who      Years 1-6

Where   Mahurangi Presbyterian

When    Monday  Sept 29-Friday Oct.3, from  9.15-12.30

Pre-enrolments are  preferable. Suggested donation is $2 per day per child. Forms and  more  information  available from Ann Cates  at ann.cates @roke.co.nz or phone  425 0966.

Good as New Pre Loved Kids Spring Market
40+ stalls selling quality 2nd hand kids Clothes, Toys, Furniture and Accessories

When: Saturday 30 August
Where: Orewa Community Center, 9am - 12 noon
Inquiries 0274 707 151 

Mahurangi Mixed Junior Touch Module

 Get your team together for touch starting Thu 16 Oct 14.  Mixed Year 1/2, Year 3/4, Year 5/6, Year 7/8. Boys Year 7/8 & Girls Year 7/8 (if enough teams enter).

Team registration day Thu 11 Sep 3:30pm - 5:30pm at the Mahurangi Rugby Club Rooms.  For more details go to www.mahurangirugbyclub.co.nz

Children’s Flower Arranging Competition

Spring Flower Show 6^th September 2014

5 years and under Sandposies

6-8 year olds make a design of flower petals on a small vaselined plate (17cm)

9-12 year olds make a picture using flower petals on a larger vaselined plate (23cm)

If plates or sand are required phone Ann – 425 5717

Write the child’s name underneath the plate. Bring the entries to Mahurangi Community Centre, Snells Beach on Friday 5^th September between 3 and 4pm or at 9am on 6^th September. Entries should be picked up 3-3.45pm 6^th September.