Week 7, Term 1

Term One Week Seven

17^th March 2015

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

How do you feel when your child gets into trouble at school?

Years ago when I was the principal of KingsWay, I asked a mother to come into school to talk with me about her son who had kicked a hole in the playhouse wall. By the time this mum got to school she was so upset and embarrassed because her child was in trouble, that I learnt an important life lesson.

“When I have my own children,” I thought, “I am not going to have my whole identity wrapped up in their childhood misdemeanours.” Children do wrong things and it is our responsibility as parents and teachers to help them learn that wrongdoing has consequences, and that they need to take those consequences on the chin and make better choices. It is upsetting when they embarrass us but if our emotions are too involved, we are not able to respond as effectively to their behaviour.

In my observation there are two extremes we need to avoid when a child is naughty. Neither of these are truly respected by the child, despite the fact that they often make us feel better!

One is intense anger. That anger often says more about our issues than the child’s. We feel the image of perfection we’d like for our family to portray to others is being destroyed. Our own pride as parents is dented and we don’t like it. Or our own insecurities are being exposed. We need to ‘get over this’! Your family is not perfect, nor is mine, and everyone else knows that already!

The other extreme, equally damaging, is extreme mercy. We seek to defend our child. “My child would never do that.” “If only you understood him better.” “Consequences are hurting him.” “Never mind darling, even though you were in trouble at school, I understand you. Let’s go and get an icecream.” This “mercy” also says more about our issues than the child’s. Perhaps we are afraid that our child will not like or love us if she has consequences. Perhaps we are overcompensating for what we did not receive as a child ourselves. Or perhaps our identity is in being kind, and we are not prepared to consider the impact on the child of not having clear boundaries and consequences. If mercy has no boundaries, we ultimately make a rod for our own backs as our children push further to find where the boundaries actually are.

At MCS we have a range of consequences for children who step over boundaries as we seek to help them to “stop and think” and to modify their behaviour to become more loving.

Here is a link to explain how the system works.
Character Development at MCS

If your child comes home with a Red Card, please take it seriously, but don’t take it personally! It’s all part of the process of learning.

Have a great week.

Helen

Junior Tabloids

On Tuesday, 24^th of March, the Junior classes (Rooms 1 and 2) will be attending the Junior Tabloid Sports day, being attended by many of our local schools. It is a fun day that enables our children to participate in a wide range of ‘tabloid’ type games.

This event will be held at the Warkworth Showgrounds.  We will require parents to transport children to and from the venue.  A form will be going home shortly concerning this.

We will leave just after 9:00 to be there by 9:30. The day ends at 1:00, so we expect to be back at school by 1:30.

Interschool Athletics

Interschool athletics is occurring for Year 4 – 8 students on Tuesday 24^th March, at Pakiri School from 9am -2pm.  In order for the students to be able to attend the athletics day we need parental support with transport on the day.  A form will be coming home shortly concerning this.

Swimming and Sport

The children have been enjoying their Thursday afternoons at Snells Beach.  This week it will be sports only.

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 19 March - Sports only
Thursday 26 March - Swimming and Sports

Assembly

Assembly this Friday will be at 9.10am.  Room 4 children will lead the assembly .  Morning tea will provided afterwards.

There will also be a celebration assembly on Thursday 2^nd April at 9.10am

Hockey
Registration forms for Hockey went home last week and are now due back.  If you have any queries please contact
Nicolette on 021 307 387.  Nicolette would also love to hear from you if you would like to coach or manage a team.

Prayer for our school

If you are interested in praying for our school, you are welcome to come along to a prayer meeting being held each Tuesday morning, during term time.  The meeting is from 8.50am - 9.20am in the crèche room, in the chapel.   Any queries please contact Louisa Kimber through the school office.

Board Meetings
The next Board of Trustee Meeting is next term on:

Tuesday 5^th May 7pm - 9pm

PTA MEETING
The PTA would love to see you at the PTA Meetings.  They meet on the first Wednesday of every month.  Meetings are generally for 1hr.  If you can't make the meeting but would still like to be involved please contact Isabelle Franks on Isabelle@conetworkz.co.nz and we can put you on the minutes list.

Community Notices

Hockey development programme at the new Warkworth Hockey Turf.

A Player Development Programme for students aged Year 7-8 and Year 9-13 at the new Warkworth Hockey Turf,

There will be two sessions offered.  This is a fantastic opportunity for all students, to gain some specialist coaching and gain some great hockey skills.  Registrations are now open for those who are interested by emailing g.kearins@mahurangi.school.nz or letting the Sports Office know on telephone 09 425 8039 Extn 726 during business hours.  

Year 7&8 Sessions

1st Session:  1 April 2015 5:30-6:30pm

2nd Session: 22nd April 2015 5:30-6:30pm

Please register your interest as soon as possible to the above email address or phone number.  Costs are yet to be confirmed.

Hockey Holiday Programme at North Harbour Hockey Stadium

FUN hockey related skills, minor games, activities and prizes. Coached by top level and up and coming North Harbour representative players. 

Year 1 - 8:  Monday 13th April
TIME: 9.00am - 3.00pm
*Note - kids will be put into age/ability groups

 REGISTER HERE- https://eventdesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=9172&OrgID=20725 

PLACE: North Harbour Hockey Stadium, 60 Paul Matthews Drive, Albany

COST:
$45.00 per child - Early Bird
$50.00 per child - After Sunday 5th April
Lunch Orders: $10 per child
Ham & cheese roll, fruit x2, yoghurt and muesli bar

Discounts
$45 per child Family rate (register and pay for two or more children from the same family at the same time)
*Early Bird Discount price of $45.00 if you enter and pay before Monday 6th April

  

Hockey – HIT EM UP camps
Year 5-8
Open to ALL players (not a REP programme).
· Skills Training & Games.
· Coached by top level NHHA players, coaches and Black Sticks.
· Goal Keeper specific training.
· Tiered according to age and ability.

DATES
Year 5 - 8:  Thursday 9^th April
TIME: 9.00am - 3.00pm

PLACE: North Harbour Hockey Stadium, 60 Paul Matthews Drive, Albany

COST: $70.00 per child - see discounts below. $65.00 Early bird price. 
Lunch Orders: $10 per child
Ham & cheese roll, fruit x2, yoghurt and muesli bar

Discounts
$65 per child Family rate (register and pay for two or more children from the same family at the same time)

*65 early bird discount if payment made by Friday 27^th April.
**$60 per child available if only one payment comes from school/group and you have at least 6 players.
*NOTE - each child still needs to register online and a group form must be filled out.

 REGISTER HERE - https://eventdesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=12539&OrgID=20725

Shepherding a Child’s Heart
Parenting Conference 20-21^st March 2015
Dr Tedd and Margy Tripp, authors of the best selling book, “Shepharding a Child’s Heart will be speaking at this conference.  Tickets can be purchased from : http://fs30.formsite.com/kfdLSR/ALKD/index.html
Further details can be found at www.shepherdingthehearttour.co.nz

Healtheries Competition

Help us to win $10,000 in sports gear for our school, delivered by Dan Carter, plus have a chance to win a $1,000 prize pack for yourself! Just buy any two Healtheries Supplements, Teas, or Kidscare snacks from Countdown supermarkets during March and swipe your Onecard – the more times you buy, the greater your chance of winning!