Middleton Grange Primary School Update

With this Update you will find a survey on “Assessment and Reporting”. Survey response rates are often notoriously low BUT we would encourage you to complete this because it will give us very valuable information for our future planning.

It is timely that we do survey you now. 1999 -2000 we overhauled reporting to parents so that it would become more meaningful to you and to us. We needed accurate and comprehensive assessment information. We also wanted to make the assessment and reporting process much more two-way - home and school.

1997—98

· March: Initial parent/teacher discussions

· June/July: Written report to parents

· November/December: Written report to parents, issued on last day of year.

1999 Onwards

· March: Initial parent/teacher

Discussions

· Collection of material—assessments and work samples, into a profile folder. This is accessible to parents throughout the year.

· June/July: Oral report to parents through parent/teacher discussions -a two-way reporting process.

· November/December: Written report to parents. Issued second to last week, including class placements for following year, to allow time for parent feedback.

- To have ongoing, comprehensive assessment through the year. Use of this material would lead to better learning. The profile is like an ongoing “report” for parents and staff available throughout the year.

- To make the reporting process two-way. Written mid-year report replaced to bring about discussion between home and school through the oral mid-year discussions.

- Not to close communication channels by issuing reports/class placements on the last day of the term or year, thus our end of year reports go out before the end of the year allowing parents time to feed back to the school.

The survey aims to tap into your thoughts and opinions. We would really appreciate not just ticks in boxes but also written feedback. From the survey we hope to gauge more accurately what works and what doesn’t so we can do an even better job for your children.

We really do encourage the children to serve one another. In a society obsessed with self esteem, self-actualisation, individual rights etc. it is healthy to be counter-cultural and encourage selflessness!

Volunteers in society are becoming scarcer so it is great to see so many of the children volunteering to make a difference. Keep encouraging your children to be “cultural rebels” by displaying their Christian characteristic of servanthood.

I am very aware of the input of parents in the primary school! Parents model the value placed on things through their involvement - involved in school, therefore school is valued. I have seen many parents involved in many things of late including …

Perceptual Motor Programme (Junior Syndicate), Beach visit, swimming sports, zone swimming sports supervision, help in classrooms etc.

I quoted Ben Carson from his book Think Big in the last issue of the Primary Update. In his THINK BIG, the K is explained thus:

K = KNOWLEDGE

If we make every attempt to increase our knowledge in order to use it for human good, it will make a difference to us and in our world.

Knowledge, on its own, is morally neutral. What we do with the knowledge is not morally neutral.

We aim to encourage the children to think of their knowledge, understanding, abilities as not just being theirs. These things are gifts from God and need to be applied for the good of not just themselves but also others - they need to open their eyes to serving others. Keep encouraging your children to do this.

John Stackhouse

On Tuesday 14 March a small but brave band of Middleton Grange Primary School swimmers ventured to the 2006 West Zone Swimming Sports at Jellie Park Aqualand. The west zone is one of the strongest and most competitive Zones in Canterbury, but our swimmers were determined to do their best and perform well. Fendalton initially dominated the team relays and it was clear that there were some fantastic swimmers in attendance. Once into the individual events, the behaviour and support of one another within the MGS camp was great. A huge thank you to Mrs McFadden, Mrs James and Mrs Buter for their help and organisation during the event. All children performed superbly, and at the end of the day a number of our swimmers qualified to go on and compete at the Canterbury Centrals Championship.

Many of you will know one of our teacher aides, Mrs Ligeti. Gwenda Ligeti has worked at Middleton Grange for ten years as a teacher aide. She has also taught information technology, including extension groups and has done much work on our Primary School website.

Gwenda has won a job elsewhere and so will be reducing her hours significantly at Middleton Grange. We have appreciated all Gwenda has done over the years, including the many extra activities and responsibilities she has done over and above her job description! We wish her all the best in her new job although you’ll still see Gwenda on occasions around the Primary School.

Middleton Grange Primary School is involved in the Numeracy Project - teaching teachers to teach maths. The Y0-3 staff are involved in this big focus—a big commitment of time and money. Teachers involved are Mrs Gudsell (co-ordinator), Mrs Wiggins, Mrs Smith, Mrs Kau Kau, Miss Kennedy, Mrs Woollands and Mrs Bucknell.

After identifying maths as a key focus area we see the Numeracy focus as critical to enhance pupil learning and achievement. This focus will involve the Y0-3 teachers in comprehensive professional development and practice over this year. Y4-6 will follow hard on their heels in 2007.

Last week we held the first workshop for the Numeracy focus, held at Middleton Grange in our Primary Library (we are the host school). 27 teachers from a number of schools attended. It was great to be able to host this group at “our place” - they caught at least a little glimpse of this place called Middleton Grange.

· CHILDREN AT SCHOOL EARLY OR LEAVING LATE

It has become apparent that a number of children are arriving at school very early.

Officially the school does not take responsibility for your child before 8.30 am (unless their school bus arrives before this time) or after 3.30 pm.

Teachers have many things to do before and after school we cannot be held responsible for child care outside the hours of 8.30 - 3.30 pm.

· CHILDREN WAITING AWAY FROM SCHOOL GATES

Children are put at risk if they are not under supervision at school gates. Primary staff are on duty at the Acacia Ave Primary School gate and the Arthur Street Primary School gate.

It is not advisable to have your children wait away from school gates because there is no supervision of their safety.

We have had comment from parents and members of the general public that children are waiting on surrounding streets on occasions (eg. Hanson’s Lane or Middleton Road) and are putting themselves at risk due to their behaviour etc. Please arrange to collect your children from school gates.

· CHILDREN TRAVELLING ON SCHOOL AND PUBLIC BUSES

Please remind your children of their responsibility to exhibit good behaviour on buses. There have been occasional behaviour problems on school buses which put passenger safety at risk. If children are unable to behave responsibly the school may have to stop a child travelling on the bus.

I have also heard of poor behaviour from Middleton children on public bus routes, in particular a bus group to the New Brighton area. Your assistance in reinforcing appropriate bus behaviour would be much appreciated.

Mrs June Goodrick, Manager, Middleton Grange School Secondhand Uniform Shop, and Fiesta.

After a short battle with cancer Mrs Goodrick went to be with “her Lord” on 29 December 2005. A service of thanksgiving for June’s life was held in the Middleton Grange School Hall on Thursday 5 January 2006.

Mrs Goodrick served the school for over 30 years. Although she will be remembered by many for her work in the uniform shop and Fiesta, she regularly attended Praise, Prayer, Fellowship meetings and many other school events including Founders’ Day assemblies, prizegivings and openings of buildings.

Mrs Goodrick’s servant heart and strong commitment to prayer for the Middleton Grange community is a challenge to all.

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN EARLY LEARNING CENTRE:

Part-time Centre administrator

10 hours per week during school terms. Skills in administration essential. An understanding of Early Childhood Education helpful but not essential. For a job description contact Richard Vanderpyl, Associate Principal, Middleton Grange, ph. 3489826 Ext. 713.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR 2006

WHEN: 4th - 7th APRIL

WHERE: PRIMARY LIBRARY

The Primary Library is holding another book fair this year. This would be a great opportunity to buy books for your children, or as gifts for birthdays etc., at very reasonable prices. The Library benefits from your purchases. A notice will be sent home with your child next week with more details.

If you have children in the middle school, please keep an eye out for a separate flyer to be sent home this week.

CoCA Cartoon Scholarships
Budding cartoonists aged up to 13 years are invited to apply for two Canterbury Youth Arts Trust scholarships valued at $165 each. Children awarded a scholarship will attend CoCA's (Centre Of Contemporary Art) term two cartoon classes at no cost. Applicants will be assessed on their enthusiasm, ability and past study opportunities. A high standard of drawing skill is not required. Please send an A4 drawing or cartoon with your name, age and contact details to CoCA, PO Box 772, Christchurch.

Applications close 7 April 06. For more information email reception@coca.org.nz

MGS Support Staff Position Available

Performing Arts Co-Ordinator

Visual Arts Technician

10 hours per week, term time only. Commence Term 2. Must be able to work the hours flexibly. Job pack available from Principal’s Secretary.

Applications close Friday 7 April.

Second Hand Uniform

Intake Day

Friday 31 March

12.00 noon - 1.30 pm,

School Hall

Garment ID/Price labels available from Student Services. Garments must be clean and pressed. Remove name tags of former owners. Please do not over price - remember garments are ‘secondhand’. Do not leave garments at Student Services. The shop is open on MONDAYS, 1.00 - 4.00pm during Term time. We especially need blazers to sell through the shop.

OSCAR PROGRAMME

Places are still available in our after school programme operating out of P9 (see the flag outside) every day after school.

We accept both casual and permanent appointments on a part or whole week basis. Cost is $7.50 per session. If you require any further information contact Brett Fleming on 348 9826 ext 732. Hours of operation 3.15 - 5.30pm.

Middleton Grange School is a state integrated school. While it is privately owned it is part of the state network of schools. It is required to have an enrolment scheme approved by the Ministry of Education and developed in consultation with key stakeholders in the school.

On the back page of this newsletter is the draft enrolment scheme submitted to the Ministry of Education in 2005 for use in the 2006/7 enrolment season. It has been designed in consultation with the Christian Schools Trust, the Board of Trustees, Senior MGS staff and other local Christian schools.

Please provide any comment you have in writing to the Principal’s Secretary by Friday 31 March. Thank you.

This is the very first public screening of the film in N.Z.. Tickets are limited 300 and are $25.00 each with all proceeds going to Variety the Children’s Charity in support of its “Kids on the Move” mobility program in Christchurch. There is also a charity auction before the film where you can bid on some great items such as restaurant vouchers and movie tickets with starting prices well below cost. Everyone who attends also gets a goody bag with a value of over $30.00 which includes items such as a 2 4 1 ice skating pass and Antarctic centre kids pass.

The latest changes under Working for Families will increase income levels for Family Assistance tax credits. This means up to 85,000 more families will become eligible from 1 April 2006.

Almost all working families earn under $70,000, many families earning up to $100,000, and some larger families earning more will qualify for Family Assistance tax credits after 1 April 2006. The combined impact of all of the Working for Families changes to Family Assistance will benefit three quarters of all families in New Zealand.

The SHARP Holiday Programmes and SHARP Kids Camps are taking enrolments for April now.

It is not too late to register to play soccer this season. Vacancies still available in most grades.

Angela Attwell 942 8876 or email angelaa@paradise.net.nz to obtain registration form.

During the Easter School Holidays, Canterbury Cricket will be running cricket coaching programmes for children. The sessions will run at Hagley Park on 19/20/21 April from 10am-3pm each day/ Sessions will consist of skill stations and games so children can enjoy improving all areas of their game.

For further information or to obtain a registration form please call Canterbury Cricket on 366-3003.

A requirement of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (Section 29) is that the Proprietor define a preference applicant. A preference applicant is a family, which in the opinion of The Christian Schools Trust, have established a particular connection with the school through membership of, or affiliation with, a church having a Biblical basis of faith consonant with the School’s Statement of Special Character as described in s22(a) of the Integration Deed of Agreement (attached).

The approved maximum roll is 1080 pupils. The School has a right to exclude applicants where the roll exceeds these figures.

First Priority Will be given to preference applicants for whom the school is reasonably convenient. These are applicants who live within the area bounded by: Selwyn River, Hororata River, Highway 77, Deans Road, Highway 73, Depot Road, Main Street Oxford, Bay Road, Oxford, Church Street, Oxford, Ashley Gorge Road and the Ashley River. (Addresses on both sides of the roads/streets mentioned are to be included in the zone)

If including all first priority applicants would exceed the School’s maximum roll then criteria for selection will be based, in sequence, on the second priority through to the seventh priority.

Second Priority Will be given to children of preference applicants who are siblings of current pupils.

Third Priority Will be given to children of preference applicants who are permanent full time employees of the Board of Trustees, or Board of Trustee members, or members of The Christian Schools Trust. (Proprietor – approximately 7 members)

or (b) Are applying to enrol a child receiving home schooling consonant with the Middleton

or (c) Are parents with children who previously attended Middleton Grange School.

(Note: (a), (b) and (c) are all of equal status and will be included in any ballot on that basis.)

Fifth Priority Will be given to preference applicants who are permanent part time employees of the Board (half time or greater).

Seventh Priority Children of non-preference applicants. Under the Deed of Agreement the Board may enrol non-preference applicants up to 5% of its roll provided these enrolments do not take the place of other children of preference applicants.

Where the number of places available runs out within any of the priority levels two to seven above a ballot will be conducted.

Each year applications will be sought by a date which will be published in a daily or community newspaper circulating in the area served by the School.

No enrolments will be confirmed more than one year prior to the proposed date of entry.

All unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a waiting list according to their position in the ballot. The waiting list will remain current until the Board next notifies the public that it is inviting applications for a new enrolment intake.