20 September 2002  

A school is as strong as it's community

Dear Parents,

What an eventful Term this has been! As well as the visible activities and busy-ness of the Primary School there have also been lots of behind-the-scenes work being done so the holidays will be welcomed by staff.

I am very fortunate to work with an excellent Primary School staff who all have a real heart for teaching children and supporting them in their learning. This does not only apply to the teachers in each room but also teacher aides (there are four in Primary), our librarian, our part-time relief teachers and the Primary School secretary. As a manager at Middleton Grange, and part of a whole-school management team, we recognise the importance of all staff across the school - we are all integral parts of the whole staff body at Middleton Grange. This clearly reminds me of 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.

Middleton Grange is currently made up of four schools … the Primary School, Middle School, Senior College and International College. Each part has its own individual function but we work together as a body. So it is with the staff in each part of the school. Working together, in a unified direction, we will achieve many things. Add parents as
another part of the ‘body’ of Middleton Grange and the possibilities for the future are enormous. I would encourage you to be part of the body at Middleton Grange!

Sadly, one member of our Primary School team will be leaving this Term. Marshall Diggs, teaching Year 4 in Room 8, will not be returning next Term. Marshall has done some great work in the classroom and especially with sport and Physical Education across the Primary School. His involvement with the Senior College outreach trip to Thailand last year was also a hugely valuable contribution to the School.

Marshall has brought new ideas and real enthusiasm to the Primary School. We have appreciated his sense of humour (most times!), his energy, his avid support of the Crusaders(!) and his integrity. He will be missed!

Mrs Dale Read, currently relieving in Room B (Mrs Frost returns for Term 4), will relieve in Room 8 until the end of the year. A permanent appointment will be made for 2003.

Another change will take place over the holidays! Miss Bosma will leave and return as Mrs Richardson. I have consciously worked hard, with Mark Richardson, to build bridges between the Primary andMiddle Schools. BUT Mr Richardson has really ‘pulled out all the stops’ in bridge building by marrying one of the Primary staff! This is a great occasion and we wish Andrea and Mark all of God’s blessings!

Finally, two great events lately …

Junior Syndicate trip to the gardens - a beautiful day!

Year 5/6 Retro Party … competitions including ‘The Lolly or the Bag’ with Selwyn Too-Good-to-be-True (Miles Kau Kau) and Tina (Bethany Rentoul). See the photos on the next page. A great night had by all!

Special thanks to all our helpers, especially Mrs Kaye, Mrs Stackhouse and Mr Martin, our DJ!

John Stackhouse,

Head of Primary 

SCHOOL FINISHES EARLY (2.30pm) ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF NEXT TERM BECAUSE OF FIESTA On Friday 11 October buses leave school one hour early, at 2.30pm. Pick your children up an hour earlier from the bus stops. REMEMBER FIESTA ON SATURDAY 12TH

ENROLMENTS FOR 2003 Letters offering places in the Primary School for 2003 will be posted next week. In many levels demand has been high and places limited. Applications this year were higher than last year! Interviews for successful non-new entrant and some Term One (2003) new entrant children will be held later this Term.

 

 

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I am a letterbox. The bad times are when the postman doesn’t give me any letters. I am very scared of the black night. When I stand I feel tired. I like the grey old lawnmower. by Richard, Rm 7

I am a letterbox. I am happy when the postie puts a letter in me and I also like it when I see the children playing at school. I don’t like it when Mum backs the car out and she isn’t looking and when the postie goes past and doesn’t put any letters in me. by Jacob, Rm 7

Bullying Survey & School Climate

Each year we undertake quite a comprehensive survey with all children from Years 4-6, this year we also included Year 3. The survey covers aspects of bullying (how often, what type, where it happens, etc.) and school climate (types of work, feelings about school, areas of strength/weakness, etc.). I was hoping to have all this data analysed and interpreted by now so I could give the children and parents feedback, but … due to a hectic schedule lately this has been delayed. I will circulate our findings at the beginning of next Term.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES ENGLISH TESTS Results have just come back for these tests which were undertaken by a number of our Years 6, 5 and 4 pupils recently. Special congratulations to … High Distinction Year 5 Sarah (Rm A) Distinction Year 6 Rebecca (Rm D) Year 5 Lydia K (Rm A), Roseanna (Rm B) Year 4 Christopher C, Julia, Erin (Rm 9) Credit Year 6 Jeremy K, Michael (Rm C), Liam, Shae, Tim, David, Sarah (Rm D) Year 5 Andrew C, Peter (Rm A), Carolyn (Rm B) Year 4 Sam A, Sophie, Levi (Rm 8), Samantha, Nicholas, Ha-Eun (Rm 9) Its great to see this success coming through. Congratulations to all the children who took part.

PORT HILLS ATHLETIC CLUB Offers club and inter-club track and field competition, training and specialist coaching to High School and senior athletes. The inter-club competition starts on Saturday 12 October. For more information contact Dave Riddell (ph. 337 0200) or George Edwards (ph. 332 3993).

PRAYER PRAISE FELLOWSHIP 8 October, 7.30 pm - Secondary Library Prayer points: Safe, relaxing and good holiday had by all. Fiesta. School trips during these holidays - Fiji Mission trip, and the French students trip to New Caledonia.

McKENZIE-VILLERS SCHOLARSHIP Open to boys who have not attained 14 years on 01.12.02 and who are born of New Zealand citizens. The scholarship (recognising academic, athletic and leadership qualities) is tenable at an approved secondary school, and its value is $2,000 (day pupil) and $3,000 (boarder), per annum for 3 years. Application forms available from Canterbury Education Services (ph. 366 8777, email anne@cessl.org.nz). Applications close 5.00pm on 1 November 2002.

FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICES NEWSLETTER (www.cdhb.govt.nz/shs) Meningococcal Disease signs may look like the flu but worsen quickly. Symptoms include high temperature, headache, vomiting/occasionally diarrhoea, joint and muscle pains/stiff neck, sleepy/confused, dislike bright lights, rash. Meningococcal disease is spread like the common cold by coughing and sneezing. Kissing, sharing food and drink with an infected person can spread the bacteria in saliva. Handwashing is the easiest way to prevent the disease spreading! Don’t wait - take action - contact your Doctor, nearest after-hours surgery or hospital.

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