1 August 2003

A school is as strong as its community

Dear Parents, 

Recently I spoke to a group of Middleton Grange staff about pastoral care. We covered numerous issues regarding the care of children and how important the social and spiritual components of development really are. I also emphasised the fact that parental input as part of a pastoral care team approach is vital - you know your child(ren) well!

The feedback from this presentation has been very positive and has led to good discussion. It was great to share ideas across the groups - a group of teachers representing all class levels from Year 0 to Year 13. I am very aware that the need for mentoring, guidance, support and well-directed discipline (when needed) is essential. The point was also made that in our pastoring or parenting there is no substitution for spending T-I-M-E with children … taking an interest and showing concern.

In a recent service at my church, our pastor (Don Ferguson) made the point that often our pastoring is advisory only - in fact he said most Christians wish to serve God, but often in an advisory capacity only! This is quite true … it’s easy to dispense advice. However, if we are pastoring by only giving advice, this is not effective. As teachers, parents and pastors we need to give advice but we also need to major on actions. When sound advice and action go together, we’ll make awesome parents, pastors and teachers. We need to do the kind and caring things on a regular basis - they don’t have to be grandiose gestures. The small recognitions, comments, thoughts and actions tell us someone cares for us, respects us, values us and loves us.

Finally, something I hold dear to! What is the test of an effective school? How we teach the children who have problems. It’s easy to teach easy pupils. We really show our heart for children through the lengths we will go to teach, pastor, mentor and support those children who are not so easy! As a school we are very aware of this and do our best to support all children according to their needs. It’s a tall order! Something I have learnt, though, that it’s often the ‘not so easy’ children who go on to make a difference later!

Gifted Education Conference

I am very privileged to be able to travel to Australia, leaving very early Thursday 31 July and returning late Friday 8 August. I will be going to Adelaide for the World Gifted Education Conference. I will have the opportunity to attend workshops and presentations led by internationally recognised experts in the field of gifted education - a prospect I am really looking forward to. I will also be looking at gifted education programmes at Pacific Hills Christian School in Sydney before returning to Christchurch.

We have been developing gifted education programmes in the Primary School since 1998. We are now in a time of redevelopment and reassessment in this area. It is heartening to also see that Middle School will be developing gifted education programmes in Years 7-10 so that gifted children will have the opportunity to follow up the Primary gifted education programmes by being involved in similar Middle School programmes. Mark Richardson (Head of Middle School) and I have talked about extending these programmes for some time and it is encouraging that the school, through the Board of Trustees, has released funding to develop this area further.

Upon my return I will be sharing thoughts, ideas and knowledge with colleagues at Middleton Grange, at the NZ Association of Christian Schools Conference in September, with colleagues from state schools through the Christchurch Association for Gifted Education, and to parents.

Service to Others

As a Primary School staff we have spent some time reviewing our programmes and systems to see where they sit Christianly … do they truly reflect our faith in God? One aspect to ‘pop out’ in the mix of ideas was to develop a strong sense of ‘service to others’ through the Primary School - this is even part of our staff appraisal focus this year.

I would encourage you to develop this aspect at home too. Have your children involved in helping others - small kindnesses. This could mean helping bake for a sick neighbour, putting pocket money towards sponsoring a child, visiting an elderly relative … there are 100’s of things we could encourage children to do.

The aim is for our children to think beyond themselves. In a competitive world it is good to be reminded of serving - Galatians 5:13-15:

You, my brothers (and sisters) were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Teach this to your children well!

John Stackhouse, Head of Primary School

There are many gates at Middleton Grange! This poses a real problem with regard to supervision - we do not have the resources for the Primary School staff to supervise all the school exits.

We do supervise:

Arthur Street entrance to junior playground (not the main carpark entrance on Arthur Street).

Acacia Avenue entrance—half way down Acacia Ave.

We are very concerned about children waiting for long periods of time at other gates, especially the Suva Street entrance near the Sports Centre. Children have been causing problems climbing on fences, sitting almost on the road and crossing Suva Street on their own. This is not safe. We cannot be responsible for these children.

Thanks to Room 1 and Mrs Wiggins for these great stories. We’ve got some creative children at Middleton Grange and this shows through even from the ‘ripe old age’ of 5 years! Once upon a time there was a very huge caterpillar. He ate lots of fruits and he got very fat then he built a small house called a cocoon around. He stayed inside for more than two weeks. Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out and he was a beautiful butterfly and he flew around the sky. by Thomas N Once upon a time there was a little egg on a leaf. There was a caterpillar in it. It hatched at night. The caterpillar was hungry. Then he ate lots of fruit then he started to make a cocoon. by Jordan M

He just hatched out and he was a very hungry caterpillar. He had a tummy ache because he ate things he shouldn’t eat. He changed into a butterfly. by Isaac C On Sunday a very little caterpillar popped out very hungry. On Monday and Tuesday he had some very yummy fruit and he was still hungry. He made himself a cocoon then he stayed in his cocoon then he popped out and he was a beautiful butterfly. by Kate C

I’m sure, with the increased media coverage, most of you are aware that Truancy Officers are active in the Christchurch region working towards combating truancy. This third term is generally the coldest and wettest but schools are warm and dry so please don’t use the weather as an excuse for lateness. It continues to amaze me the number of parents who take their children shopping in school time – that’s what weekends are for. We all know bad habits are hard to break so please lead by example encouraging full time attendance. Remember “Early is on Time, Late is Unacceptable”. Pat Hay, Truancy Officer

Torque Music Vocal School Vocal training for children, with end of Term performances and making of a music CD. Cost $15.00/week. Held at 350-352 Lincoln Rd, Addington. Contact Ros or Kerry (962 9600). ImpactAlpha Gymsports Gymnastics and/or trampoline classes for Term 3. Enquiries phone 338 4566. Carpool - Clarkville/Kaiapoi area Is there anyone interested in carpooling for next Term? Please phone Sara Greenwood (338 8660).

Parenting with Confidence Seminars … Hot Tips on Growing Boys (9 Sept) … Hot Tips for Parenting Teenagers (10 Sept) 7.00-9.45pm (registrations at 6.30pm) at Majestic House, 126 Manchester Street. Cost before 2 September $13.00/person, from 3 September (15.00/person). To attend both seminars cost is $24.00/person. Contact Hillary (332 4440) or Paula (366 3673) for further details. Family Life’s ‘Weekend to Remember’ 12-14 September. A chance to have time out and invest in your family’s future. For couples wanting to make their relationship stronger, suitable for marriages in any state!! Brochures available at the School Reception, or phone Nick or Sara (338 8660).

 

"In thy light shall we see light." 
                                        Psalm 36:9

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