Dear Parents,

We have heard a great deal about education lately through the media. From the "Catching the Knowledge Wave" conference recently Don Brasch stressed the importance of pre-school, primary and secondary education for our society. I would go a huge step further and stress the vital nature this education plays in our spiritual and attitude development… keys for our future.A child’s education is not the sole responsibility of the school, however. This is something I stress strongly to parent groups as they look to enroll their children at MGS.

A child’s education begins from birth. Most of what a child learns comes from home and a significant amount from school. To work together as a community in the education of the children at MGS will go a long way to ensuring their future success. A school is as strong as its community. To do so in strong relationship with God… well the sky’s the limit! Another interesting current debate is the teaching of reading. MGS Primary school has never relied on one "system". We teach aspects of phonics and whole language. Together these approaches cater for a wider range of learning needs in children. Support and encouragement from home is also critical in developing lifelong readers!                            

…. John Stackhouse.

Our thanks to Mrs Gwen Ligeti for establishing and updating our website.

Have fun visiting the site… see class activities and work featured. Have a look at the puppets section too. Primary Update is also on the web.

This is by mutual arrangement and both teachers are looking forward to the change! Each year I give staff the opportunity for a change of level.

I have said many thankyous to parents, grandparents, friends who support the school in so many ways! A special thankyou this time to all the people who so generously donated materials for our puppets. unit… the response was fantastic!

Congratulations to the following children for their fine maths success lately (High distinction = top 1% of NZ, Distinction = top 10% of NZ)

High Distinction… Peter Haverland

Distinction… Jordan Smith (1 %age point off a high distinction!), Lydia Keast, Carine Du Plessis, Junil Park, Ben Bellamy, Sam Carter, David Van Eerten, Bradley Wewege

Credit… Carolyn Irons, Sam Martin, Joel Smith, Hannah Eder, Greg Joseph, David Lindley, Michael Pattemore, Rebecca Turner, Abbie Watson, Kelly Broerse, Courtenay Chenery, Sarah Mills, Marcus Taylor, Colin Tseng, Annelise Vannoort, Leon Vannoort.

Bradley Wewege… selected as a member of the Canterbury Development Hockey Squad.
Sarah Mills… 2nd in the recent Press Chess Championships as a member of the Selwyn House chess team… good to see our pupils assisting other schools! 

Room C Glove Puppets	Room 1 Finger Puppets

An exclusive showcase of multicultural performances, visual art exhibition and celebrities including Stacey Daniels and Kimo Winiata. ChCh Town Hall, 17-20 September, 7-9 pm. 
Tickets from ChCh Town Hall Ticketek.

Kiwisport Holiday Programme… lots of sports activities for the children. Details available from class teachers or Phone 3770962 Fax 3771742

If you are delayed in picking your child up from the gate after school, the duty teacher will bring your child back into the school grounds. The duty teacher will be at the gate until 3.25 pm. Your child will wait outside Rooms 9 or 10. This is for your child’s safety.

If your child is absent, please phone in their absence to the office each morning.

Mount Hutt was closed st the weekend, even the grader couldn’t get up. It was very snowy and cold. When Dad comes home from Japan we will go there again.