Week 3, Term 1

Term One Week Three

17^rd February 2015

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends

Please enjoy the 2014 annual report from our Board chairman, Andrew Allen.

As a trusteeship we have once again witnessed incredible growth and development in our school across many domains. As board chairperson I have strongly advocated that we “learn with, about and from each other”. We have at the moment one of the greatest opportunities to collaborate and share our thoughts and dreams with each other in a way no generation has had. The entire school has actively engaged and modelled this constructive consultative process and modelled it in various areas of school endeavour.

The purpose of this engagement is to support the preparation for the next generation who are moving into a world that is very different from our own in so many areas. What kind of jobs will they do, who and what will shape the law of the land and how will stewardship over our planet be considered are but a few of the issues the next generation have to be able to critically reflect upon and engage with. I am hopeful to this end because I, and the trustees, believe our children have a plan and a purpose for each their lives. A plan that we, and they the children, co-labour with our Creator.

Mahurangi Christian School has once again seen rapid growth. Growth is good and whilst we have seen much fruit we also have to acknowledge that it takes effort and dedication to bring forth the ‘gold’ that we believe each person has within. We are truly blessed to support a wonderfully dedicated staff that goes more than the proverbial ‘extra-mile’ for the children.

The staff has modelled their belief that we are all life-long learners and by working collaboratively with their peers from other schools, much has been achieved that is greater than the sum of the parts. As a trusteeship we have been so encouraged by the requests from staff to attend further training and professional development, often during their own holidays. We are fully supportive of the initiative, courage and vibrancy staff model, to try new ideas and expand thinking into the realm of, ‘what if?’ The children can only benefit from considering new ideas and critically reflecting on outcomes as they develop the skills and character that will shape their ability to engage with the world and more importantly their Faith.

The significant academic progress across the school must surely rate as one of the best outcomes for 2014. The staff used the data to identify areas of development and intentionally focus and develop these areas across the school. As a trusteeship we are extremely pleased with the process and hard work to achieve these results by the children and staff and parents. The strong emphasis placed on inquiry learning and learning in the 21^st Century has continued to form with digital technology becoming an integral tool to support student learning. The extension and development of some students in areas of interest or support has been a powerful factor in the school this past year. The school has been blessed with a number of ancillary support people of the highest calibre and we as a trusteeship acknowledge their input and effort.

The trustees continue to collaboratively work on refining our policy and procedures to ensure we keep abreast of educational trends and developments that impact the school. However, the biggest impact on any school child remains the home and the parent/ caregivers’ attitude and belief in the child’s potential to learn. As a community of learners, we encourage the parents of the school to engage constructively in their child’s learning environment, which extends way beyond the classroom.

We are believing for significant change and growth across the school next year. I encourage each and every parent to consider one way in which they can support the school and therefore their own child during the course of next year. All of us have something we can share, show or do that will create a school environment that promotes community- “learning with, about and from each other”

Blessings

Andrew Allen

Chairperson

Parent – Teacher Picnic Evening
Thursday 5^th March at 5.30pm
Come to speak with teachers, see your child’s learning so far, help set goals and enjoy our community.

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 .

http://i.stuff.co.nz/business/money/66143182/Clawing-back-that-school-donation

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 creche 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 next Board of Trustee Meeting for this term is:

Tuesday 10th March 7pm - 9pm


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