Individual Learners' Blogs

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Week 9, Term 3

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

I always think that once you get to September you've kissed goodbye to the year.  We have booked our Christmas holiday camping site and spring is in the air. 

Lots is going to be happening before we get on holiday! 

Louise Pryde has tendered her resignation so that she can commit more fully to her Counselling degree. We are hoping to keep her well linked in with us in one way or another as she is a well loved and inspired teacher who has been invaluable in moving our school forward, and ensuring our learners love school. 

This, and expected roll growth, means we have a new position available for 2016, for a Deputy Principal. As I was writing the introductory letter for the application pack, I wanted to ensure the applicants understand the context of our school. 

As I wrote, it became even more clear why there is lots to happen before Christmas:

"Our school is in an exciting period of change and growth. 

"The following are some of the changes our school will undergo in the next few months and years:
-change of proprietorship (ownership) from Snells Beach Baptist Church to KingsWay Trust/NZ Christian Proprietor Trust (2015)
-change of name from Mahurangi Christian School to Horizon School (2015)
-change of mission from Living life to the full as agents of God’s love to Loving Life, Living Faith, Looking Forward (2015)
-rebranding with new logo, signage, letterheads, prospectus etc (2015)
-new, updated website (2015)
-significant marketing budget being spent (2015) 
-increase in land and facilities (2015) from Baptist church auditorium and classroom to large and modern auditorium and multiple classrooms and offices and sports fields to grow into in coming years (purchased 2015 to begin use in 2016)
-make an application for change of class from Year 0-8 to Year 0-13 (2016)
-significant population growth in local area: investigate the opportunity for growth (2015-2025)
-a 20 year plan is developed for property for 500-600 student school (2015)
-significant roll growth is anticipated (2016-)
-ERO visit (Term 1-2 2016)"


It is certainly an exciting time to be involved in our school. Please spread the word that we have places available, especially for students currently at preschool or Year 6. The more the merrier. 

I'd like to see 80 students at the beginning of 2016 and 100 by the end of the year, with a new teaching Deputy Principal at the beginning of 2016, and another teacher during the year. 

We have moved forward a long way in our school culture and in our student achievement. It's time to move forward in size and capacity as well. 

Please pray for us as we choose new staff, pray for new students, and do what you can to encourage people you know to pop in and visit us to see what our growing school is all about. 

Thanks

Helen Pearson 

School News                                                                                       

Mahurangi Christian School Parent App
We now have an App for the school, which will enable parents to




-To report an absence, and
-Check the school calendar for upcoming events.
-View the weekly Newsletter.

In addition to these features we now also have the ability to contact all parents through the app with reminders about meetings, and to be able to quickly contact parents if there is an emergency at the school.  Everyone who has downloaded the app onto their phone will receive the notifications like a text message.  The app is completely free.

In order to download the app to your phone, go to your app store and enter “The Parent and Teacher Calendar App”  and then click “install”.  Once installed you will need  to go to the MCS page.


Celebration Assembly and Working Bee
We will be having our celebration assembly and working bee on Thursday 24th September.  We would love to see as many of you there as possible.  School will be finishing as normal at 2.55pm that day.

On the last day of term, students can be taken home after the roll has been taken at 1.30pm.  They need to remain at school over the lunch break and be present for the roll call at 1.30pm.


Hockey
Congratulations to Volaki, Carlos and Cooper who played for the Snells Beach Strikers on Saturday and won their grade. 


Congratulations
We also want to congratulate a number of our students for recent fantastic sporting achievements.

Ashton Henderson received the Warkworth AFC “Most Improved Player 2015” Award

Tiraha Gazaard received Matakana Netball “Player of the Year” award.


Wanted
We would like any nails that people wish to give us for the carpentry table.

Room 1 is also in need of old phone books.  If you have any old phone books that you no longer need, could you please send them into school.

Is there anyone who can help us with sewing some cushion covers for us to make Room 3/4 look really smart? Please let Helen know if you are able to help.

The children are currently working on the school production and are needing to be able store the costumes.  We are needing the following items:
Storage of costumes
·         coathangers - one per child, or let us know if you have spares
·         clear plastic bags (eg in which duvet covers, blankets or pillows are purchased in).


Assembly
This Friday, all the students will be part of the assembly.   Parents, caregivers and friends are all welcome to attend.


Praying for the school
Every Monday morning from 8.45 – 9.15 we have prayer time for the school. All parents, caregivers and friends of the school are welcome to attend.


Parent Group
Parent lunches have now finished for the term.


Yummy Stickers
It’s that time of year again when we need to collect up all the yummy stickers.  If you have been collecting them at home, could you please send them into school before the end of term.


Community Notices                                                                  

Domino Swap
Mahurangi East Library is hosting a Countdown Domino swap meet this Thursday 17th September, after school until 4.30pm.

Children can use this social activity as a means to swap their double ups for other dominoes in the collection. (Thanks to Tiraha for inspiring this afternoon!)


Wired to Connect – a Fresh Look at Behaviour and Learning
Internationally renowned Canadian Developmental Psychologist – Dr Gordon Neufeld will be speaking to parents and professionals on the latest in attachment science.  He will be speaking at either The Parenting Place or Laidlaw College from Monday 9th November – Friday 13 November.

Further details can be found at www.gordonneufeld.co.nz, and tickets can be purchased from www.iticket.co.nz


Onboard Skateboard School
Onboard Skateboard School run skate board holiday programs and events.  They will be running a hub event on Sunday 13th September at the Snells Beach Skate Park, from 9am – 12noon.  They provide all the gear, and cost is $5 per person.  Register at www.onboardskate.org.nz.


Homebuilders

Mike Hanne, Vege Gardening for Real Beginners
A two-session course for people on a tight budget, who want to get started on growing vegetables for their families. Especially for those who are renting and only have limited outside space.
 Venue: Homebuilders Family Services, 5 Hexham Street, Warkworth
Dates: 9.30-12.30 Friday 25 September and Friday 2 October. (Children on holiday from school are very welcome at the second class.)


Chris Pederson’s Baking Course
Baking ideas that will help top up those lunch boxes and bring home treats into the cake and biscuit tin.
Date: Friday 18th of September 9.30-12.30 Warkworth
Methodist Church


Aquakidz Learn to Swim Holiday Program
Ages 4 years and up
Mahurangi College Pool
5 days - $75 per swimmer
5th to 9th October - morning classes
Contact Cindy 4259924/ 0211635050


Kids Holiday Programme                                                                                                                        
The Presbyterian Church in Warkworth will be running a holiday programme again in the next school holidays.  The programme is for students in Years 1-6.
Theme:   “POLAR EXPEDITIONS”
October 5 – 9,  9.15 - 12.30
Suggested donation: $2 per session                                                                                                               
Contact  Ann Cates for more  information (425 0966

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