Middleton Grange Primary School Update

While at the shops the other day, I attempted to use up all my spare change, especially the 5 cent pieces, in anticipation of the new coinage that will come into use this month. I’ve never liked having coins in my purse because they take up too much room and make my wallet heavy. That may even be a feeling you can identify with!

However at church last Sunday, a new thought was planted in my mind. As we left the service, we were each given a laminated thought with a momento of the soon to be withdrawn 5 cent piece. The thought said, “God can take a little and make it into a lot.” I don’t regard the 5 cent piece all that highly, in fact it is more of a nuisance to me than anything else. And yet it has value! Isn’t it great that God can see the possibility in us and can make a lot out of a little if we offer it to Him. We are of great value to Him!

Our children are full of potential and God knows from the beginning what each of them will achieve through Him. Our job as parents and educators is to help them strive for that potential in all areas of their lives. The Apostle Paul knew that when he stated in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I am sure, as we encourage them and they put in the hard yards, each one of them will develop into adults who can identify with Paul’s statement.

I don’t know if you feel like me, but the term seems to be racing by. Three weeks have happened already, almost in the blink of an eye!

The Juniors have completed their Swimming Programme and the Years 3&4 will take over from them next week.

The Winter Sports Tournament took place this week with good results being achieved. It couldn’t have been a better day weather-wise, especially as the Winter Sports programme has been greatly curtailed this year because of poor weather conditions!

We have been able to support a fellow Christian school in practical way after fire destroyed their classroom by participating in a mufti day. Not that the children found that a hardship!

Lots of good work has been completed. I have had a number of children from all class levels come to my office to show me the great focus and effort they have achieved in a variety of subjects. I know they will keep it up.

Thank you to all the parents who made the effort to attend the Network meeting last week. It was a good to hear your viewpoints and for you to receive answers to the burning questions in your mind. I am sure, like me, you found it most worthwhile.

Thank you, too, for the continued support you give to the school in so many ways. Can I encourage you to keep praying for all that happens in this place?

Dental Care or advice is available by phoning Anne or Jan at the Kirkwood Intermediate or Ilam School Dental clinics. Ph. 3489-868

Due to recent incidents of headlice in the Primary School lately, we have supplied parents with information in this regard. If any parents have further problems or would like an education session, Catherine Dowle, the Public Health Nurse is happy to assist in any way. If you wish to contact her, she is available - Ph. (03) 383 6877.

Please remember that children (Years 3 - 6) are required to bring their green shorts and top, sports socks as well as an alternative pair of sports socks (not school socks) each Monday. This sports gear is to stay at school during the week and be taken home on Friday. We would appreciate your co-operation to ensure that the children have the correct sports gear.

With this fantastic card, valid until December 2006 you will receive fantastic benefits and savings.

Receive 10% off all purchases in Studentbody.
Plus you’ll be eligible for other instore promotions, exclusive to Studentbody card holders.

To find out more, come and see us at
The Studentbody in the Contemporary Lounge.

It is a family-friendly movie bout hope and has lots of Christchurch scenes in it also. Rated PG. Tickets are $13.

Wednesday 30 August 8.30 pm Rialto. Purchase your tickets at Student Services by August 11.

At its meeting on 31 July 2006, the Middleton Grange School Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Andy van Ameyde as Board Chair and appointed Peter van Rij to that position. Peter van Rij was a first year pupil of the school, has served as Board Chairperson previously and is also the Chairperson of The Christian Schools’ Trust, the Proprietor of Middleton Grange School. Andy continues to serve on the Board. Craig Jenkins continues as Deputy Chairperson of the Board.

The Board endorsed continuing involvement in the Christian Schools’ Network and recommended to the Christian Schools’ Trust that amalgamation between Middleton Grange School (MGS) and Canterbury Christian College (CCC) proceed.

The Christian Schools’ Trust met on Tuesday 1 August 2006 and passed the following motions:

“That the Christian Schools’ Trust affirms its commitment to the development of the Christian Schools’ Network in Christchurch in keeping with the objectives as set out in clauses 2(c) and 2(m) of its Trust Deed dated 11 October 1963.

2(c) To affiliate or combine with any Society, body or association having similar objects.

2(m) To purchase, set up and maintain any other school or schools within New Zealand.”

“That the CST confirm the conditional Heads of Agreement dated 4 April 2006 and wishes to proceed with the amalgamation of MGS and CCC subject to an appropriate supplementary deed of integration and satisfaction of the MGS Board of Trustees resolution dated 31 July 2006. The CST recognizes the need to address the issue of maximum roll increases across the network of Christian schools in Christchurch.”

The CST acknowledges that strong views exist in the school community about the Y0-13 character of MGS on one site. It will ensure that consultation on this and other matters will continue.

The CST regrets the offence caused to the CCC community by unfounded critical statements made by a few MGS respondents and published as part of consultation.”

Parents are reminded that the plan for 2007 to allow for further consultation as above is:

Y7-10 CCC pupils will be given the option of coming to the Middle School at Riccarton.

Y11-13 CCC pupils will have the option of joining the mainstream Senior College programme at Riccarton or participating in a special multi-level off site programme adjacent to the Riccarton campus.

Once again, thanks to all parents for their prayer and thoughtful input and the school leaders look forward to talking more with the parent community about future options.

Greetings to all in the school community. During the Term 2 holidays friends, family and many members of Middleton Grange School community joined in farewelling Dirk Bouman who was the School’s founding gardener and groundsman. Dirk will be remembered as a passionate man of God who loved to share the good news of Jesus with anyone who would listen (and even some who did not want to) and a real character. Stories are many and legend of the mischief he got up to, the joy he brought into the lives of many and even though he was renowned as a strong disciplinarian the pupils loved him and thrived under his will and loving supervision. The Bouman family lived for a period of time in the Old House and Dirk oversaw many of the early landscaping projects in the School, the benefits of which we still enjoy today.

Dirk’s passing reminds us once again that the first generation of pioneers to whom we owe such a great debt of gratitude in this school are rapidly dwindling. It is incumbent on all of us to learn from them and to honour their legacy in this new generation. Thank you Lord for Dirk.

I trust parents have appreciated the fruit of the huge amount staff put into reporting on pupil progress at mid-year. It is critical you remain well informed. Staff appreciate how much parents continue to do to reinforce learning which goes on at school.

Places have been offered in Years 7-13 for 2007. We look forward to welcoming many new pupils into the school. The International College continues to thrive, once again defying the trend in the market place and in many other schools.

In Term 3 we welcome Mrs Rowena Higginson back into the school teaching Maori part-time, Greig Cowley appointed for Terms 3 and 4 to teach a new International College language class and Miss Raelene Nicholson teaching Year 4 for Mrs Heather Kench, Acting Head of Primary School.

The school thanks and wishes God speed to Karl Brookland who finished at the end of Week 1 Term 3 as Sports Administrator for Years 9-13. Karl has done a great job managing this complex and thankless task. Wendy Keepa has been appointed to the Sports Co-ordinator position.

New ground was broken in the life of the school with the staging of Arts Week in the final week of Term 2. The concept was created and implemented largely by David Bennetts and Michael McCormack who put in huge amounts of time to tap into amazing pupil talent as well as outside acts to produce four nights of high calibre cultural activity. Many have commented that while there was some outstanding talent brought in from beyond the school, some of it nationally acclaimed, pupils who performed measured up extremely well in such esteemed company. We thank God for these wonderful gifts and talents.