Week 11, Term 2

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

I remember the first time I realised as a young teacher that being the model child wasn't always the best thing. We will call her Charlotte. Charlotte was a bright little girl, more capable at her schoolwork than most children two years older. Her printing was neat. Her actions were deliberate. Her answers were right. As is often the case with these children, she was the oldest child. She didn't get into trouble. She usually noticed the mistakes of others and might quietly help the teacher by pointing them out.

You would think we would want every child to be like Charlotte. 

However Charlotte was the first apparently model student who I realised was not as perfect as she seemed. The realisation hit me with a thump. Charlotte needed to learn to fail. She needed to learn that it was ok to not be perfect. My goal for her as a teacher changed at that point. While still encouraging her with her successes I began to help her understand that real learning must include mistakes and that coping with failure is important for a healthy life. 

While reading through reports this week I have read of a child who is very capable but is underachieving, a child who is very capable and achieving superbly, and another child who struggles with her learning but is persevering positively in spite of her many mistakes - so well that she has made huge progress. In the Long Term, the skills learned by this last child will hold her in great stead for success in life. 

Perfection in our work is a worthy goal, and it is great when we can achieve it. But if we don't learn young, we will learn through hard experiences as an adult that we are never going to live up to the perfect standard all the time. 

Perfection in our character and behaviour is also a worthy goal. However, if our identity is based in a false self-perception of our superior goodness, we are in for a crash. Charlotte liked to subtly point out the error of other's ways. A realisation of God's grace is life changing - especially when we realise that the things we despise in others are often hidden within ourselves. When we are young and 'perfect - or good - in our own eyes' we look at others and their sin partly -and subconsciously - as a way to deflect our attention from what is our own issue. 

Jesus spoke of this as the log and splinter. He said, most profoundly, that we should take the log from our own eye before focusing on the splinter in our neighbour's eye. 

At MCS we celebrate the growth that comes after we can accept that making mistakes is a most valuable part of learning, that we all have logs and splinters and that the journey of growth in God's grace is what makes life exciting.

School New                                                                                         

Celebration Assembly and Working Bee

This Friday we are having our celebration assembly from 9.10 – 10.30.  All parents, caregivers and friends are welcome to attend.

We are planning to have a school working bee from 10.30 – 1pm and would love to have parents stay and help.  If you haven’t already could you please fill out the form below and let us know where you can help.

Working Bee Form

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews will be occurring next term on Wednesday 22^nd July from 1.30 – 6.00pm.  Time slots will be allocated this week. 

Class Photos

Class photos will be occurring  on Thursday 2^nd July.  Those students in hockey teams will also be photographed on the same day.  Snells Beach School hockey players will be joining us so that all team photos can be taken at the same time.  Envelopes have been sent home about photographic packages.  The envelopes need to be returned to school before Thursday 2^nd July.  If your child plays hockey, then please ensure that they have their hockey uniform at school on Thursday.

Teacher only day

Our teacher only day has had to be changed.  It is now on Monday 10^th August.

Hockey

The hockey draw this week is:

MCS Rockets vs WW Pumas – 9.20am, Field 2

SB Snapdragons vs M Hawks – 11.00am Field 1 /2

SB Strikers vs KF Sticks – 11.00am Field 3 /4

Hockey then stops for the holidays and the next game will be on the 25^th July.

Parent Group

The next parent group meeting is on this Wednesday 1st July at 2pm in the church creche. All parents are welcome. 

The Parent Group is still wanting to collect the following items:

•         1.5 litre soft drink bottles
•         Can with the tabs still attached
•         Breakfast cereal boxes

The Win it in a Minute Family Fun night is on Saturday 8th August.

Community Notices                                                                  

Accommodation Needed

Wanted a 2-3 bedroom house in Snells Beach, Warkworth for 1 adult and 2 children.  Please phone Rachel on 021 038 6356

Holiday Programme

A KIDS’ HOLIDAY PROGRAMME is available from  Monday,  July 13 to Friday 17 from  9.15am -12.30pm. The  theme is  “SAFARIS”.  The venue is  Mahurangi  Presbyterian Church, 5 Pulham Rd., Warkworth. Participation by donation eg  $2 per day.  Pre-enrolling is preferable.  Forms  and  more  information are available from  Ann Cates  (425 0966).

Sandspit Yacht Club Centreboard Division

The Sandspit yacht club are having a Family Fun Day on Saturday 11^th July from 11.30 – 4pm at 30 Gordon Craig Drive, Algies Bay.  Please contact Mischelle Mills on 0221712550 or email sandspitleantosail@gmail.com

Middle Years Toolbox Parenting Group

A toolbox parenting group will be run at Mahurangi Vineyard Church – 21 Hamatana Road, Snells Beach.  The course starts on Monday 10^th August at 10am and runs for 6 weeks.  Please contact Diane McKinstry for further details on 021 292 4105 or aucklandnorth@theparentingplace.com.

Grasshopper Soccer

Grasshopper Soccer is running an 8 week program in Term 3 for girls and boys aged 2 to 12.  For further information please contact Dean on 021 133 3096 or email dean@grasshopperssoccer.co.nz.

Kip McGrath

Kip McGrath Warkworth have English and maths tuition aligned to the NZ Curriculum. Programmes designed to suit individual learning styles for Year 1-12.  Phone Anne Cook on (09) 422 2305.  Website  Kip McGrath Warkworth

Te Whau Coastal Reserve planting

The Goodall - Te Whau Committee and Auckland Council’s Sustainable Catchments Programme invite you to come and help out with planting beside the walkway that runs through this reserve. This planting will enhance the walkway construction project starting this year. The walkway will improve access between Goodall Reserve and Dawson’s Landing, giving the community an opportunity to enjoy the sheltered coastal beauty of this part of the world

When: Saturday 4th July, 10am – 12pm

Rain date: Saturday 11th July

Refreshments to follow the planting.

Where: Meet at the bridge at the Cornel Circle entrance to the reserve.

What to bring: Bring a spade and gloves if you can.

Forensics at Kristin

Forensics@Kristin is a high quality, high energy, non residential  holiday camp experience for gifted students from all over New Zealand. A completely student-led programme, the camps involve tremendous fun and new friendships with like-minded students from a wide variety of places and backgrounds.

There are three divisions: Junior Forensics (Year 3-6), Middle School Forensics (Year 7-10), Senior Scholars (Year 11-13)

Registrations are now open so go to http://www.kristin.net.nz/for further details.