Week 2, Term 1

Term One  Week Two

10 February 2015

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

What a great start to learning! The children have been keen to start work again and the teachers have all enjoyed having them back!

Some of you are new to our school and you will find the following link about the changes in our society to be helpful background in understanding why we need to prepare your children for their futures and not our pasts.

Take a look at this 5 minute video and you will be amazed at how quickly things are changing and what exciting times we live in!

Shift Happens

At Mahurangi Christian School, Christian education is not primarily about being good, or being right, or being productive, or being profitable.

We believe that Christian education is about discovering reality - through science, through maths, through reading, through the arts and sports, through understanding about God through the Bible, through experience and through ‘the reality’ of life around us. It is about connecting with God and others in the context of the here and now.

Being good and productive is the fruit we hope for in response to God and this amazing world rather than a duty we perform.

Our mission is to “Live life to the full as agents of God’s love”. Living fully and loving well is a big ask of us as adults and as children, but possible as we ‘take time’ to reflect on God’s grace in our lives.

What a great aim!

Have a good week.

Helen Pearson


Answers to Your Questions: Parent handbook
Please see the Parent handbook for details on our school, personnel, values, rules, administration etc

Camp 17 - 20 February
All camp forms and payment should have been in by Monday 9th February. If you need to discuss payment please see Alice or Helen.

Camp Parent Meeting : This Thursday
We would love as many parents as possible to come.  For those parents coming on camp we will be having a short parent meeting on Thursday 12 February at 5:30 - 6pm.  It’s really important to be at the meeting on Thursday night if you are coming on camp.

Tents

We still need a few 2-3 man tents for camp. Please email Louise louisepr@mahu.school.nz if you can help out.

Friday Assembly
Whole school assemblies will be held at 9.10 in the church on Fridays.  Parents are welcome to attend.  The first assembly will be after camp on Friday 27 February. Apologies for the incorrect date in the last newsletter.

Uniforms
A number of families are missing uniform items from last year. Could you please check your child’s uniform to make sure that they have the correct items.

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) 425 4911 / 02102261564 or email gandabarker@hotmail.com

Angela will be stepping down from this role at the end of February and would love to hear from anyone who has a heart for this ministry.

Board Meetings
The Board of Trustee Meetings for this term are:

Tuesday 9^th February 7pm – 9pm
Tuesday 10^th March 7pm – 9pm

Swimming and Sport
As from Thursday 12 February, the school will have swimming/sports down at Snells Beach.
We need parent help for the ratio of children to adults. Please let your teacher know if you can walk down with us at lunch time and return by 2.40. Swimming lessons will be conducted by a teacher with a small group of children while others are playing sport.

Your child will need sun hat, sunscreen, lunch, drink bottle every Thursday. On Swimming days they will also need togs, towel, and a bag for wet clothes.

Thursday 12 Feb - Swimming and Sports
Thursday 19 Feb - camp
Thursday 26 Feb - Swimming and Sports
Thursday 5 March - Sports only
Thursday 12 March - Swimming and Sports
Thursday 19 March - Sports only
Thursday 26 March - Swimming and Sports

Targeted Education Fund
This is the same as the School Donation paid by parents in all state schools, and contributes to learning resources. Please plan to pay this as soon as possible if you can. While it is a donation, we do rely on parent support through this as attendance dues go for land and buildings only.

The costs are as follows:
$80 for the first child, $60 for the second child, $40 for the third child in each family .

Library Helpers Needed
If you are able to help in the library at times to suit you, please talk with Helen and attend a training afternoon on Thursday 26^th February 1.30 – 3pm.