|
|
20 September 2002
Dear Parents,
2003 Term Dates:
Wednesday 29 January - Friday 11 April Term 2 Monday 28 April - Friday 4 July Term 3 Monday 21 July - Friday 19 September Term 4 Monday 6 October - final day to be advised
|
The pace around the Primary School is ‘hot’ at present! As you can imagine we have lots of things to do leading up to the end of the year.
One of the things has been reports, then of course, the Years 4 and 6 camps, intermingled with choir activities, athletic sports, new entrant orientation and interviews, budget setting, job appointments, etc. … and in between all these things we must teach!
Thank you to those parents who contacted us regarding their child’s placement for 2003. Your thoughts were considered as we placed children but it is a very difficult task to get balance when making up the class lists. There are lots of things to weigh up but ultimately our greatest consideration is to try to do the best for each child under our care!
I have spent much time meeting parents and having interviews ready for new children to begin next year. Your prayer for new children and families would be greatly appreciated and will make a difference. A big welcome is extended to each of these children and their families as they become part of the Middleton Grange School community.
A big thank you to all those parents who helped on the Year 4 and Year 6 camps. Both camps were extremely successful! A big thank you also to Mrs Kench and Mrs Read (Year 4 camp at Cracroft) and Mrs Richardson and Mr Brown (Year 6 camp at Hanmer Springs). I attended the Year 6 camp and thoroughly enjoyed it. A great success at a new campsite for the school. Year 6’s will be going to Hanmer Springs next year too. The snow on the Monday evening certainly introduced the children to an alpine environment!
I hope you enjoy the collage of athletics day photos in this issue. Another brief Update will be issued at the very end of the Term. This will include a calendar of major events for Term 1 2003.
John Stackhouse,
Head of Primary
|
REPORTS & CLASS PLACEMENTS Teachers have gone through a HUGH amount of work on reports. The reports are comprehensive and carefully written. I’ve almost finished reading all 350 odd of them! Reports and class designations will be sent home with children on Friday 6 December. Look out for them in your child’s bag or homework packet.
|
Primary School Tuesday 10 December 2002 1.00pm MGS Sports Centre Come and enjoy the children’s singing and celebration at the final assembly. We also farewell the Year 6’s, as they leave us to enter the Middle School.
|
STAFFING 2003
Staff will be very similar to 2002, but some
changes are shown below: 
Year 4 position (Rm 8). Mr Nick Pomare will be taking up this position from Term 2, 2003. Nick is a talented young person who is involved in his Church at Hornby Presbyterian. He has strengths in sport (and will be undertaking responsibilities in this area) and a number of other curriculum areas. He is keen and enthusiastic to get into the classroom! He comes to us from the Christchurch College of Education university graduates’ course. He was married to Jo earlier this year. We look forward to welcoming Nick to the staff and bolstering the number of Primary School male staff members again!
Mrs Karen McCormack will teach in Room 8 for Term 1. Karen has done relief teaching regularly in the Primary School. Karen will also teach part-time in Terms 2-4 releasing Kaye Lawn to continue the special character focus - re-viewing Christian education at Middleton Grange. Karen will also undertake extension teaching in art and written language. We appreciate being able to utilise Karen’s obvious gifts in these areas.
 The rain dashes down
like a bullet,
On a windy, wet day. The puddles go woosh, On a windy, wet day. The doors slash and bash, On a windy, wet day. The windows crash, On a windy, wet day. The water is splashing away, On a windy, wet day. By Keeley (Rm 7) |
The wind blows the trees around,
On a windy, wet day. The rain turned into puddles, On a windy, wet day. The umbrellas went inside out, On a windy, wet day. The clouds grew greyer, On a windy, wet day. The people stayed on the ground but got wet, On a windy, wet day. By Ashleigh (Rm 7)
|
CAUGHT DOING THINGS RIGHT
The Year 4’s on camp at Cracroft … a great camp, great behaviour and great attitudes. A huge thank you to all the parents who helped!
The Year 6’s on camp at Hanmer Springs … fantastic week, great effort by all. Well done. Another huge thank you to all the parents who willingly gave time to make the camp possible.
The Year 6’s … you’ve had a great year! Keep up the excellent behaviour and attitudes. You’ve been very good leaders and role models!
Saskia V for helpfulness, cheerfulness and courtesy. A great example!
Kimberley J for cheerfulness and such a ready smile—great assets!
Michael D (Year 1) for such a ready smile and cheerful hellos!
Theo Mc (Year
1) for such a positive attitude!
|
SCHOOL SPORTS CHAMPIONS Congratulations to all the children for their recent athletics efforts. A special congratulations to the following children who represented our school at the zone athletics held at Ilam on Friday 8 November (seems ages ago now!) The teams behaviour and attitude were excellent and they achieved some very good results too! Well done … 9 year
events: Jake, Samuel
V, Ben Mc, Ben V, 10 year
events: Katrina,
Chloe, Abbe, Lydia, Saskia, Holly, Carrie, Rebekah T, Rebekah V, Thomas,
Logan, 11 year
events: Ben J,
Matthew W, Tayla W, You were a great team!
|
| Prayer
Request ...
Please pray for all new children beginning at Middleton Grange School next year, and especially new families to the School. We have about 35 new children beginning January 2003 and a total of 48 new entrant children starting through the year. We welcome them all to the Middleton Grange School community and pray that they will soon feel part of the School!
|
What’s happening round the school ...
A new sandpit and shade sail are being installed in the junior playground. These will be a great asset and should be completed over the holidays.
New classroom furniture is being finalised for Rooms 6 and 7. Each child will have a new desk and chair in these rooms.
SCHOOL CANTEEN Is now closed for the year. The first day for canteen 2003 will be Monday 1 February.
IMPACTALPHA GYMSPORT All ages, including preschool. Qualified coaches. Safe and lots of
fun. AFTER SCHOOL CARE Quality after school carer/nanny required for 2003 for two MGS Primary
School pupils at our West Melton home or yours. (Prefer West Melton area
or on route.) CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY CAMPS!! X-plosion 7-11 years Alabaster Girls Camp 12-14 year girls Summer Slam 12-14 year boys All in one action packed week!! 31 Dec—4 Jan. Places are limited so call asap for a rego form. Call Amy or Nev on 389 5303 (Linwood Ave Community Corner Trust). SOCKBURN SWIMMING CLUB Affordable swimming lessons for children of all ages. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights at the Sockburn Swimming Pool (Takaro Ave). Season runs through to March. Enquiries to Sally (337 2188) or Dale (348 5831). CANTERBURY CRICKET HOLIDAY PROGRAMME PRIMARY/INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMME - 19, 20, 23 December, 10.00am-3.00pm. Held at Hagley Park Polo Grounds, meet at the Riccarton Club rooms (Riccarton Avenue). Skills based sessions with fun games on the final day. Cost $30, $50 or $70 for 1, 2, or 3 day attendance (family concessions available).MILO HAVE A GO DAYS - Ideal for 5-7
year olds. PRIMARY/SECONDARY PROGRAMME - An 8-a-side tournament held on the artificial turfs at Hagley Park. Each team plays two games per day from 10.00am-4.00pm. Year 5/6 14-16 January Years 7/8 21-23 January Years 9/10/11 14-16 January Costs $50 per person or $300 per team for the 3 days. To register or for further information contact Vicki Burtt or Mike Harvey on 366 3003.
|
PICKING UP CHILDREN IN ARTHUR STREET Please observe ALL traffic laws, AND courtesy to our neighbours by not parking over driveways, double parking, etc.SCHOOL SPORTS SHORTS A purchase order is to be placed with Lenco, the manufac-turer of the new sports shorts. If your child requires a new pair for 2003, please see Mrs Kench in Room 9 to receive an order form. The cost for the shorts is $25.00. If you wish to view these, please do so when collecting an order form. The last date for placing an order is Wednesday 11 December. Another order will not be placed until the same time next year, so seriously consider whether there will be a need for new shorts within the next 12 months. GIFTED & TALENTED CHILDREN PROGRAMME Suitable for children in Years 7 and 8 who are achieving or are
capable of achieving in the top 10% of their age group. 14-16 January
2003, 9.00am-3.00pm at the Redcliffs School, Main Rd, Redcliffs. LOLLIPOP PLAYLAND & CAFE CHRISTMAS EVE SPECIAL (open 11.00am-3.00pm). $4.95 entry for casual play … OR 4 hour Drop ‘n’ Shop for $10.00 per child (5-11 years).SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME - 13-24 January 2003. An educational, creative and fun programme with Theme Days and excursions. Call 374 3220 for further information. *** CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ***
CULTURAL FESTIVAL T-SHIRTS NOW HALF PRICE!!! Surplus Cultural Festival 2002 t-shirts are available at only $11.00
per t-shirt (includes postage and handling). Colours available: orange / lime (only) Sizes available (children’s sizes): 4 / 6 / 7 / 10 / 12 / 14 Also: 1 (only) black, medium adult To order: Cut this form out. Circle the colour and size you want above. Write your name, full postal address and phone no. on back, and Post to Cultural Festival, 88 Roker Street, Somerfield,
Christchurch 2 (please do not make house visits—thank you). Limited supplies—first in first served! Please allow 7 days
turnaround. $ must be with order. Enquiries to 337 3804.
|
"In thy light shall we see light."
Psalm 36:9