Newsletter Week 7 Term 4 2014

Dear Parents, Friends and Caregivers

As we draw the year to a close we are all busy reviewing, reflecting, reporting and reconsidering our priorities for 2015.

As part of our reflection and preparation for the following year, I annually present a report to the board and proprietors on our learning achievements (against our previous annual plan and against National Standards) and also on the Special Character of our school.

The Board is working on our Strategic Plan for 2015, and will finalise this next month.

Please can you complete the short 10-question survey below to help inform the Board and the Proprietors of your thoughts.

Parent Survey 2015 - Important!

Please feel free to ask me for a copy of the draft Annual Plan, or to speak with either me or any of the board members about this.

You will receive an Annual Report from me closer to the end of the year.

Thanks for your input and involvement.

Helen Pearson

Rainbows End: Thank you to (and from) the Renahan family

Thank you so much for subsidising so generously the trip to Rainbow's End. The children had a wonderful day!  The weather was great, the kids were good, and the low number of other schools at the park made it a fabulous day.

Here is a note from Debbie Dawson-Renahan:

Kia ora koutou

I just wanted to say, thank you to all of you for the planning and participation for the great day at Rainbows End yesterday.

Thanks to all the parents who transported and chaperoned our tamariki while they had an amazing day.

I also want to thank all those who made the efforts in prayer for the fantastic weather we had.

Zane, Shane and I had a memorable day thank you.

I also want to thank the tamariki for their great behaviour. It was a pleasure to spend the day with them and their manners were beautiful which is a tribute, both to the school and their parents. Well done!

Naku noa na,

Debbie Dawson-Renahan (Zane's Mum)

Camp Forms

Camp forms are now overdue. Please send them back to the school as soon as possible so we can get on with the planning. Thanks

Prayer for Our School

If you are interested in praying for our school, please come along to a prayer meeting being held each Thursday morning, during term time.  The meeting starts at 9am and finishes by 9.45am and is in the crèche room, in the chapel.  

Any queries please contact Angela Barker on 09 4254911/02102261564 or email gandabarker@hotmail.com

iPads/Tablets: A great Christmas Idea

All children in Years 4-8 will need their own iPad for 2015. 

This can be 'borrowed' from the school for a small charge $5 per week, or purchased through the school for $20 per week.

It is to your child's advantage to have the ability to take their iPad home to continue with homework and research. This is easier if your child has his/her own iPad.

You may like to consider giving your child an iPad for Christmas. Any tablet is fine. However, an iPad will be easier for teachers and learners as all apps will be the same.

All children in the school will be required to have their own personal set of headphones next year. So something else that could become part of the Christmas list if they do not already have some.

Term Dates

Last day of school for the year will be Tuesday 16^th December at 1.30. The bus will leave when school finishes.

First day of school for 2015 is Monday 2^nd February.

Open Days/Try Days

In term four we will have Open Days/Try Days every Tuesday for anybody who would like to see the school in action and prospective students. If you know anybody who is interested in the school please encourage them to come and check us out.

Special Assemblies

November 28^th                Room 1 Honouring Assembly

December 1^st                        Volunteers Honouring Assembly

December 12^th                Prizegiving

Board Meetings

Our last meeting for the year is 9 December 7.00pm in the staffroom. You are very welcome to attend.

Upcoming Events:                                

28 Nov                          Room 1 Honouring Assembly

1 Dec                            Volunteers Honouring Assembly

3 Dec                            Parent Group Meeting

5 Dec                            Carols by Candlelight

9 Dec                            Board of Trustees Meeting

12 Dec                          Prizegiving Assembly

                                    Art Exhibition/Bible Fair

16 Dec                          Last Day of School for Year

2 Feb 2015                    First Day of School for Year

 

Community Notices

A Little Ray of Giving

During December the Ray White Real Estate offices throughout Rodney and Kaipara, along with local branches of Rotary International are taking part in a project dubbed     “a little Ray of giving”.

From December 1, each Ray White office will have a Christmas tree in their front office to collect gifts for children in the local areas who will be doing it tough this festive season.

All the public need to do is purchase a small gift, wrap it and drop it under the tree.

Tell the Ray White team if the gift is for a boy or girl and their age and your gift will be delivered by the local Rotary Club, to a local family who will appreciate the lift to their festive season.

Contacts:

Nicole Banks, Warkworth/Snells Beach         09 425 1611

Keith Shadbolt, Maungaturoto                    09 431 8820

Kaye McElwain, Mangawhai                        09 431 4964

Good as New Pre Loved Kids Spring Market
Saturday 29 November 
Orewa Community Centre
9am - 12 noon
40+ stalls selling quality 2nd hand kids Clothes, Toys, Furniture and Accessories
Inquiries 0274 707 151 

Newsletter Week 6 Term 4 2014

Dear Parents, Friends and Caregivers

Did you know that

·         65% of New Entrant children will hold a job in the future that doesn’t even yet exist?

·         in 2014 human knowledge doubles every 13 months?

·         the world your children will enter as young adults is so vastly different from that of today that teachers need to develop a new set of skills and capacities in order for their children to be prepared well?

On Sunday I showed a youtube link at church and many people asked for the web link. Take a quick look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcZg51Il9no

So what is our response as Christian parents and teachers to this world?

Will we respond with fear? or faith? control? or inquiry?

New skills we need to teach include inquiry, collaboration, initiative, responsibility, creativity, exploration and leadership.

We need to help our children develop faith in Jesus, hope for their future and love for God, for themselves, for others, for learning and for God’s world.

At Mahurangi Christian School these are big questions for us. We haven’t got it all together yet. It’s a big ask to make these shifts well in order to prepare your children for a future so different from our own past and present.

But we are excited about the journey. We have great people on our board and staff who are engaging about these issues for the good of the school.

During the week I will be sending out a questionnaire via surveymonkey.com in which we seek to gather your thoughts about what we do well and where we can improve. Please make it a priority to complete this so that the Board can be informed about your priorities as we develop our 2015 strategic plan.

We look forward to healthy inquiry, faith-filled exploration and great collaboration as a school, and invite you to participate in the process through the questionnaire.

Several people asked for the slides and notes from my talk yesterday.

Feel free to click here to read.  Preparing for the Future with Faith

Thanks so much

Helen Pearson

Postponement Life Education

Unfortunately, Chris the educator for Life Education was unwell on Monday and so has had to postpone his visit with Rooms 3 & 4. He will arrange another time with us as soon as he is able. The money already received will be carried over for his later visit.

Camp Forms

Camp forms are now overdue please send them back to the school as soon as possible so we can get on with the planning. Thanks

Bus Notice

This Wednesday (19/11) the College finishes early for a union meeting. Our afternoon bus will still run but please note the following:

·          The MCS bus will go straight to Warkworth Primary then to the library.

·          There will be no bus 3 (Whangateau), 6 (Matakana Valley), or 15 (Ahuroa) at 3.25pm from the college. So any MCS children who catch these buses will have to find their own way home.

Prayer for Our School

If you are interested in praying for our school, please come along to a prayer meeting being held each Thursday morning, during term time.  The meeting starts at 9am and finishes by 9.45am and is in the crèche room, in the chapel.  

Any queries please contact Angela Barker on
 09 4254911/02102261564 or email gandabarker@hotmail.com

iPads/Tablets: A great Christmas Idea

All children in Years 4-8 will need their own iPad for 2015. 

This can be 'borrowed' from the school for a small charge $5 per week, or purchased through the school for $20 per week.

It is to your child's advantage to have the ability to take their iPad home to continue with homework and research. This is easier if your child has his/her own iPad.

You may like to consider giving your child an iPad for Christmas. Any tablet is fine. However, an iPad will be easier for teachers and learners as all apps will be the same.

All children in the school will be required to have their own personal set of headphones next year. So something else that could become part of the Christmas list if they do not already have some.

available to help please let us know. Start time 9.30 finish by lunchtime.

Term Dates

Last day of school for the year will be Tuesday 16^th December at 1.30. The bus will leave when school finishes.

First day of school for 2015 is Monday 2^nd February.

Open Days/Try Days

In term four we will have Open Days/Try Days every Tuesday for anybody who would like to see the school in action and prospective students. If you know anybody who is interested in the school please encourage them to come and check us out.

Special Assemblies

November 21^st and 28^th          Room 1 Honouring Assembly

December 1^st                                        Volunteers Honouring Assembly

December 12^th                        Prizegiving

Board Meetings

Our last meeting for the year is 9 December 7.00pm in the staffroom. You are very welcome to attend.

Zoo Trip

Our postponed  zoo trip has been scheduled for Monday 24th November. Something for the children to look forward to.

Well done Elisara Family

We are so blessed to have the Elisara family as part of our school community.

“Whangaparoa parents Ursula and George Elisara have recently received an Excellence in Foster Care Award for their efforts in caring for children over the past twelve years.” Lifewise

Moira Lawler, General Manager of Lifewise, says “Ursula and George are an inspirational couple and the entire Lifewise team is delighted that they have been recognised with this award. Foster carers such as Ursula and George play an incredible role nurturing children who have been through a lot in their young lives, giving them stability and a loving home. Lifewise couldn’t do what we do without amazingly warm hearted, and committed, people like Ursula and George.”

Upcoming Events:                                             

21 Nov                                    Room 1 Honouring Assembly

24 Nov                                    Zoo Trip

28 Nov                                    Room 1 Honouring Assembly

3 Dec                                       Parent Group Meeting

1 Dec                                       Volunteers Honouring Assembly

5 Dec                                       Carols by Candlelight

9 Dec                                       Board of Trustees Meeting

12 Dec                                     Prizegiving Assembly

                                                Art Exhibition/Bible Fair

16 Dec                                     Last Day of School for Year

2 Feb 2015                              First Day of School for Year

 

Community Notices

“The Voices of Pain and The Voice of Hope” by Alexis Waterhouse

I am a counsellor in the Rodney District, (North of Auckland). For the past six years I have had the privilege of working with men and women through issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Abuse, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Self Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Addiction and Grief and Loss. Over this time I have heard many stories and seen a lot of pain. One thing that has become glaringly obvious is that while each individual's journey and pain is their own - the lies that they hear as a result of this pain are much the same. 

Earlier this year I wrote a poem entitled "The Voices of Pain and the Voice of Hope." It is designed to expose the lies that keep people isolated and alone in their pain; then to bring hope and draw people to community and support. A little while ago, I had the idea of making it into a book.

Please check this out on www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/2474

Need a Babysitter? 

Hi my name is Jasmine Rose Hemara and I am currently volunteering at the Mahurangi Christian School twice a week and helping in Mrs Holdsworth classroom. I am in search of a babysitting job. I am responsible, reliable and trustworthy. I have a huge passion and desire to work with children. I am a 15 year old girl with lots of experience. If you would like a reference feel free to ring Mrs Holdsworth on 09-425 6878 or Rochelle Olive on 09- 425 4696. If you are interested in a baby sitter please ring me on 09-425 4696. Thanks. 

Kidslink

 Kidslink.co.nz proudly supported and used by your school to help

parents, whanau and caregivers find local, relevant and trusted

service providers ready to help and support children and young

people in the areas of...

Read the great articles that our service providers have written and

subscribe to the KidsLink newsletter!

Go to: www.kidslink.co.nz

Christmas Appeal

Spend a few dollars this Christmas to help others in the community who may be less fortunate.

Suggestions: fuel, groceries, toys, electrical goods, toiletries, clothes & books.

While you’re out doing your Christmas shopping, purchase a voucher of any denomination over $10 and drop it into one of the collection boxes* or post to Mahurangi Matters PO Box 701 Warkworth.

You can also donate online at Buy Local Give Local • 06-0541-0339306-00 (ref. Mahurangi)

*Four Square Maungaturoto; Jaques Four Square Kaiwaka

Newsletter Week 5 Term 4 2014

Dear Parents, Friends and Caregivers

We have been working hard at giving parents good notification of trips and visits, and giving clear signals regarding the date by when permission slips must be returned. In our parent body, there is a very relaxed approach to returning forms and there is a tendency for parents to assume that last minute additions or changes can be accommodated. This is not the case. It places significant strain on teaching staff, transport arrangements etc if forms are not returned as agreed. Please don’t assume that you will be rung if slips are not returned, as the newsletter and frequent reminders to the children are our means of communication on these matters.

Please can you help us to help you by ensuring that you read the notices carefully and respond by the time agreed. Children without permission slips by the agreed date will now miss out on trips and activities. (Note the Strong and Firm Footprint! I hope you can appreciate the need for us to work together to minimise unnecessary strain on our incredibly hard working teachers.)

We have been thinking about our use of Strong and Firm Footprints and Careful and Patient Footprints, and it is good to see how the children are processing their interactions with more care.

This week the ‘way of speaking to each other’ we are learning about is (Green) Bold and Dynamic Footprints.

We use Bold and Dynamic Footprints when we get lots of ideas and inspire others to join in with us, use our energy to motivate other people to do things well, set  targets for myself and others, or persuade others to rise to a challenge.

If we use this way of speech thoughtfully, we can leave others feeling motivated and energised, excited and enthusiastic and inspired to follow us.

Thoughtless use of this mode of speaking could include when we push and promote our ideas in a way that people feel obligated or wearied by the engagement and not inspired and energised alongside us.

Jesus used Bold and Dynamic Footprints when he amazed people with his teaching, when he called people to follow them with ALL of their hearts and when he told his disciples to do even greater things than he.

Please help your Year 2-8 children this week to identify use of Bold and Dynamic Footprints at home and to discuss whether they have been used thoughtfully or thoughtlessly.

Younger children may catch on as well. However, please continue to remind Years 0-1 learners to be Bucket-fillers (filling people’s buckets with kind words and actions) rather than Bucket-dippers (using unkind words and actions).

Thanks for working together with us.

Helen

Life Education

Harold and The Life Education Bus are visiting us on 17^th and 18^th November as an important part of our Health Programme.

Cost for the classes is $4.50. Please make sure your payment is received by the school by the end of this week.

Anniversary Church Service

For the last three years, we have met at the Snells Beach Baptist Church around our anniversary, as a way of valuing this church for their input in our school, and also so that they can pray for us.

The church or its members founded our school, owns our buildings, are responsible for the direction of the school through their elected proprietors, generously sponsor or part-sponsor many of our learners' attendance dues, work with the Board of Trustees to ensure the Special Character of our school, and faithfully pray for our school. 

This year, we do not have an expectation of attendance, but do warmly invite, and encourage attendance from, as many of you as are able to join us. Individual children may be asked to attend for specific purposes.

Date: 16 November 2014

Time: 9.30am

Venue: Snells Beach Baptist Church

Women's coffee morning and school fundraiser

Louisa Kimber invites any parents who wish to come to a styling coffee morning with Suzanne Morning.

10% proceeds of sales go to Mahurangi Christian School.

Date: Thursday 13 November

Venue: 537 Mahurangi East Road Algies Bay 

Time: 10.30

Prayer for Our School

If you are interested in praying for our school, please come along to a prayer meeting being held each Thursday morning, during term time.  The meeting starts at 9am and finishes by 9.45am and is in the crèche room, in the chapel.  

Any queries please contact Angela Barker on
 09 4254911/02102261564 or email gandabarker@hotmail.com

iPads/Tablets: A great Christmas Idea

All children in Years 4-8 will need their own iPad for 2015. 

This can be 'borrowed' from the school for a small charge $5 per week, or purchased through the school for $20 per week.

It is to your child's advantage to have the ability to take their iPad home to continue with homework and research. This is easier if your child has his/her own iPad.

You may like to consider giving your child an iPad for Christmas. Any tablet is fine. However, an iPad will be easier for teachers and learners as all apps will be the same.

All children in the school will be required to have their own personal set of headphones next year. So something else that could become part of the Christmas list if they do not already have some.

available to help please let us know. Start time 9.30 finish by lunchtime.

Term Dates

Last day of school for the year will be Tuesday 16^th December at 1.30, the bus will leave when school finishes.

First day of school for 2015 is Monday 2^nd February.

Open Days/Try Days

In term four we will have Open Days/Try Days every Tuesday for anybody who would like to see the school in action and prospective students. If you know anybody who is interested in the school please encourage them to come and check us out.

Special Assemblies

November 14^th                 Room 2 Honouring Assembly

November 21^st and 28^th    Room 1 Honouring Assembly

December 1^st                       Volunteers Honouring Assembly

December 12^th                Prizegiving

Board Meetings

Our last meeting for the year is 9 December 7.00pm in the staffroom. You are very welcome to attend.

Zoo Trip

Our postponed  zoo trip has been scheduled for Monday 24th November. Something for the children to look forward to.

Upcoming Events:                                

14 Nov                          Room 2 Honouring Assembly

16 Nov                          Anniversary Church Service

17 – 18 Nov                   Life Education Visit

18 Nov                          Rainbows End Yrs 5-8

21 Nov                          Room 1 Honouring Assembly

24 Nov                          Zoo Trip

28 Nov                          Room 1 Honouring Assembly

3 Dec                            Parent Group Meeting

1 Dec                            Volunteers Honouring Assembly

5 Dec                            Carols by Candlelight

9 Dec                            Board of Trustees Meeting

12 Dec                          Prizegiving Assembly

                                    Art Exhibition/Bible Fair

16 Dec                          Last Day of School for Year

2 Feb 2015                    First Day of School for Year

 

Community Notices

“The Voices of Pain and The Voice of Hope” by Alexis Waterhouse

I am a counsellor in the Rodney District, (North of Auckland). For the past six years I have had the privilege of working with men and women through issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Abuse, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Self Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Addiction and Grief and Loss. Over this time I have heard many stories and seen a lot of pain. One thing that has become glaringly obvious is that while each individual's journey and pain is their own - the lies that they hear as a result of this pain are much the same. 

Earlier this year I wrote a poem entitled "The Voices of Pain and the Voice of Hope." It is designed to expose the lies that keep people isolated and alone in their pain; then to bring hope and draw people to community and support. A little while ago, I had the idea of making it into a book.

Please check this out on www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/2474

Need a Babysitter? 

Hi my name is Jasmine Rose Hemara and I am currently volunteering at the Mahurangi Christian School twice a week and helping in Mrs Holdsworth classroom. I am in search of a babysitting job. I am responsible, reliable and trustworthy. I have a huge passion and desire to work with children. I am a 15 year old girl with lots of experience. If you would like a reference feel free to ring Mrs Holdsworth on 09-425 6878 or Rochelle Olive on 09- 425 4696. If you are interested in a baby sitter please ring me on 09-425 4696. Thanks. 

Kidslink 

Kidslink.co.nz proudly supported and used by your school to help

parents, whanau and caregivers find local, relevant and trusted

service providers ready to help and support children and young

people in the areas of... 

Learning, Behaviour, Physical Needs, Extra-Curricular, Childcare

Read the great articles that our service providers have written and

subscribe to the KidsLink newsletter!

Go to: www.kidslink.co.nz

Snells Beach Schools Community Fundraiser

This Sat 15th November, "The Great Snells Trail" includes a map highlighting community-wide garage sales or a car boot sale (8am-2pm) at Snells Beach School, Dawson Road along with food & novelty stalls, rides & games, craft stalls, raffles, face painting and musical entertainment/performances on the outdoor stage.

Christmas Appeal

Spend a few dollars this Christmas to help others in the community who may be less fortunate.

Suggestions: fuel, groceries, toys, electrical goods, toiletries, clothes & books.

While you’re out doing your Christmas shopping, purchase a voucher of any denomination over $10 and drop it into one of the collection boxes* or post to Mahurangi Matters PO Box 701 Warkworth.

You can also donate online at Buy Local Give Local • 06-0541-0339306-00 (ref. Mahurangi)

*Four Square Maungaturoto; Jaques Four Square Kaiwaka