Dear Parents, Friends
and Caregivers
We are into the swing of
teaching the Year 3-8 learners our focus on social and emotional well-being.
I want to introduce this
to you, bit by bit, over the next weeks so that you, too, can use this
terminology at home and reinforce the learning.
There
are many different ways we make an impact - a shoe’s footprint impacts muddy ground, a carbon footprint impacts the environment,
and our social footprint impacts others. If we are thoughtless with our
words, our body language, our tone of voice or our actions, our footprint can
have a negative impact on the way someone feels. We need to use the right
footprint at the right time. As a school, we follow Jesus’ commandment
which includes the importance of Loving Others - part of being an agent of
God’s love, and it is through our words, tone of voice, body language and
actions that love is expressed.
This week the children
are learning about Strong and Firm (Blue) Footprints.
Strong and Firm (Blue)
Footprints help us to be in charge or take control of an activity, stick
with our decisions, stand up for ourselves so we are not treated
disrespectfully, protect other people who are vulnerable, and say NO when I
think something is wrong or not a good idea.
Strong and Firm (Blue)
Footprints, when used well, leave other people feeling safe, secure,
reassured, and certain about what is going to happen.
If they are not used well,
they make others feel bossed about, bullied, nervous or disempowered.
At times, we all must
use Strong and Firm words and tone of voice to ensure that we are understood.
Jesus used all four
types of ‘footprint’. In walking closely with his Father, he knew which to use
when. At times, he chose to use his power, such as in the temple courts, or in
performing miracles (heavy footprints), and at other times he chose to lay down
his power eg ultimately at Gethsemane and on the cross (light footprints).
At times, he chose to move a situation forward, such as sending his disciples
out (moving footprints), and at other times, he chose to keep the situation as
it was, even though he had the power to change it, eg in the wilderness, or
again ultimately on the cross.
In teaching children to
choose the right footprint at the right time, we are teaching them to develop
self-regulation... the ability to choose the optimal response in a given
situation. As Christians, this requires spiritual wisdom and spiritual discipline.
So often we act in a way that meets our own needs; to serve others is to find
our identity and fulfillment in Him.
Please help your Year
0-3 children this week to identify use of Strong and Firm (Blue) Footprints at
home and to discuss whether they have been used thoughtfully or thoughtlessly.
Younger children may
catch on as well. However, in class Years 0-1 learners are learning 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
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 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
09 4254911/02102261564 or email gandabarker@hotmail.com
Calendars/Diaries/Cards Fundraiser
Order
forms for calendars will be coming home tonight. These forms need to be returned
by the end of the week. If you
would like to view your children’s artwork for the calendar please feel free to
pop into your child’s classroom.
This
will be a fundraiser to enable us to get new bean bags, a couch and cushions
for the refurbished library.
Calendars
will be $12.00
8 pouch
of cards and envelopes $12.00
Diary
$15.00
Family Fun Night
Friday
31 October
6.00
BYO Picnic
7.30
MCS Talent Show
Please
put your name on the list in the office if you are going to perform in the
talent quest.
We are
aware that fireworks are not on sale but if you have some form last year please
bring these. There will be just a few fireworks at the end of the evening.
iPads/Tablets
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.
Headlice
Unfortunately,
we have had another report of headlice in the school. Please make Tuesday
headlice check and treat day. If we all do this we would be able to eradicate
the problem from our school.
MCS Athletics Day
Our
athletics day is next Tuesday (4/11). We would love to have some parents come
and assist and support on the day. If you are 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 16th December at 1.30,
the bus will leave when school finishes.
First
day of school for 2015 is Monday 2nd 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
October
24th and 31st
Rooms 3 & 4 Honouring Assembly
November
7th and 14th Room 2 Honouring Assembly
November
21st and 28th Room 1 Honouring Assembly
December
1st Volunteers Honouring
Assembly
December
12th Prizegiving
Board Meetings
These
are the dates for the Board Meetings for the rest of the year.
You are
always welcome to attend they are held at 7.00 in the staffroom, 28 October, 9
December.
Zoo
Trip
Our postponed
zoo trip has been scheduled for Monday 24th November. Something for the
children to look forward to.
Upcoming
Events:
28 Oct Board
of Trustees Meeting
29 Oct Interschool
Crosscountry
31 Oct Calendar
/Diaries/Cards orders in Rooms 3 & 4 Honouring Assembly
Picnic, Talent Show and Fireworks night
4 Nov MCS
Athletics Day
5 Nov Parent
Group Meeting
7 Nov Room
2 Honouring Assembly
14 Nov Room
2 Honouring Assembly
16 Nov Anniversary
Church Service
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
8 Dec Rainbow
Care Day
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
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