06 May 2010

Dear Parents,

As I write we are one week into our second term for 2010. There is real evidence of the change of season, from summer to winter: longer nights and shorter days and those many coloured leaves twirling to the ground awaiting human toil as we make them into child-proof piles!

Staffing:

It was pleasing to welcome our new Secretary, Mrs Michelle Tull, to our School at the beginning of the first week. Mrs Tull

has been the School Secretary at Christchurch East School for the last eight years and I know that you will join me in extending a warm welcome to Michelle.

Our new Bursar, Mr Paul Melton, has been coming to terms with the tasks associated with his new role as Bursar.

I offer sincere thanks to Mrs Dorothy Burrows for all of her work with both Mrs Tull and Mr Melton to ensure they are comfortable with our systems.

We also have welcomed Mrs Paula Eveleigh to our After School Care Team.

Dorothy Burrows at her final St Michael's School Assembly on Friday 30 April 2010.

ACADEMIC

Otago Problem Solving:

This annual problem solving competition began last week, with 31 pupils from across Years 6 - 8 participating this year. There are five sets of questions with five problems in each set. The top scorers from Set 1, who all scored 4/5 were:

Year 8 - Megan Lord, Austin Harrison &

James Nicholls

Year 7 - Saskia Klinkenber

g & Daniel Kim

A P Kendrew

Secondary Schools’ Scholarships:

A number of our Year Eight pupils have indicated their intention to attend and sit Scholarship examinations for entry at local Independent

Schools.

National Standards:

As stated in our March newsletter, Lynne Horwood and I attended a course on this important issue in Auckland. Nearly sixty Independent Schools’ Curriculum Leaders and Principals were present. We will be holding a Parents’ information evening on Thursday 10 June from 7:00pm, in our school hall, where we will discuss National Standards and how we will report these to you on our Mid-Year report proforma. All parents will be sent a letter next week, which explains the background, significance and use of these National Standards.

Mathematics Extension:

By way of preparation for the annual Cantamaths’ competition, Tony Kendrew is using our Mathematics’ Extension sessions to prepare our Year Seven and Year Eight teams for this important evening. We will reconvene our Mathematics’ Extension group for other pupils, later in the year.

CULTURAL

Christchurch Music Festival:

Four of our Year Eight students have applied to audition for the Special Senior Choir at the annual Christchurch Festival. Good luck to: Jacqui-Lyn Welch, Priyanka Nathu, Simone Gale & Shaun Graveston.

Kapahaka:

Our Kapahaka is preparing to present at our Sunday 13 June Open Occasion.

SPORTING ROUND-UP

Hockey:

We now have 60 children competing amongst our seven Saturday morning teams. Again, may I thank our parent coaches and Mr Michael Graveston for his impeccable organisation.

K R Boyce

Netball:

The first round of senior netball started on 1 May with two Year 8 teams playing in the Under 13 section with this grade having an entry of over 35 teams. We are again thankful to those parents who have offered their time to coach and manage the teams on Saturday.

Future Ferns commence their competition on Friday this week. We are entering a Year 5 team as well as ten “Whistlers” who are training as netball umpires.

J C Russell

Rugby:

This term has seen ten boys from St Michael’s join with Cathedral Grammar for rugby. The boys practice for sport on Thursdays and have another practice on another week day. All the boys play in competition on Saturday mornings according to their weight. This year would see the largest contingent of boys from St Michael’s playing alongside Cathedral Grammar.

J C Russell

Soccer:

Senior Soccer begins this term with practices held on a Tuesday from 3:10pm - 4:20pm. A squad of players will be posted on the notice board on Friday.

A P Kendrew

SPIRITUAL

Year Eight Assembly Leaders:

The leaders for this month have been: Olivia Mattison, Jordan McIvor & Austin Harrison

Bible Readers at School Masses:

Shaun Graveston, Anna Parry-Gibson & Arwen Edgar.

Parish AGM:

The Principal presented his annual written report at the Parish AGM last Sunday. The Principal’s full report is available for parents to peruse on our website: www.churchandschool.org.

SYNDICATE REPORTS:

Senior Syndicate:

The Senior Syndicate has made a flying start to a busy term, with a number of activities already under way. Our focus this term is on our Nineteenth Century Christchurch studies, with trips to Ferrymead, Riccarton House, and the Museum. Year 7 & 8 received a visit today from story-teller Margaret Copland, whose stories recounted the experiences of the early settlers to Canterbury.

Of course, a Soirée is the ideal way to finish this unit, and tomorrow pupils begin their dance classes in preparation for this major event later in the term. I'm sure they are all looking forward to that!

As well as dancing, pupils are attending Gymnastics sessions at the Christchurch School of Gymnastics for the first six weeks, and are training for the School Cross Country

next week.

A P Kendrew

Middle Syndicate:

The children have returned to school refreshed after a much welcome break. It was great to see them and they have immersed themselves in the many and varying activities that are on offer this term.

As a syndicate we are busy preparing for the annual school cross country which is on Tuesday 11 May. The children are busy running around the streets adjacent to the river in preparation. We have entered into an initiative with the Senior Syndicate to go to South Hagley on Fridays for the next two weeks to run so the children will be familiar with the course.

This term will see the children involved with the gymnastics programme that has been planned for them at Alpha Impact gymnasium. This is a seven week programme which will involve the children rotating in groups around a range of activities. At the conclusion of the lessons each child will receive a certificate to celebrate their success.

We have started this week to assess the children in numeracy in the domain of multiplication/division. After the results have been analysed, the children will then be grouped according to their stages achieved.

Future Ferns will start next week for a Year 4/5 team. There will be a note to go home explaining practice times and procedures for the games on Friday.

There is certainly many varied and exciting events happening this term so please keep an eye on your calendar and any notes that may come home.

J C Russell

Junior Syndicate:

Term 2, with all children looking smart in their winter uniforms, has begun well. Autumn leaves have us appreciating the season. Year One children made leaf boats and sailed them in the Avon. All children have begun training for their Huff n’ Puff run around the Avon Circuit on Wednesday 19 May at 1:45pm. All supporters are welcome! Our topic is Wonderful Water and each class will study different aspects of this.

B M Byers

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Open Sessions:

Open Sessions for Term Two:

Friday 14 May: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday 13 June: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Monday 28 June: 11:00am - 12:00pm

Please encourage your family and friends, who may have primary aged children, to feel welcome to attend any of these occasions. We would ask, as in past years, that visitors register their intention to attend with our School’s secretary.

School Council:

A most successful giant garage sale was held last term. Wonderful organisation by school councillors saw pre loved toys and goods priced in 50 cent, $1.00, $2.00 & $3.00 piles, make almost $500.00. The School Council decided to donate to Haiti and Chile disasters. Ms Katrina Hill from Christian World Service, will attend assembly next Monday to accept our donation.

B M Byers

Principals’ Tips:

Dads and Daughters

Dads, naturally, are boys and as such might need help when it comes to navigating the emotional world of daughters. A dad’s way might be to gather only as much evidence as you need, devise a plan, then implement it - problem solved! If your daughter comes to you for help, consider yourself honoured: she trusts and respects your input. Let her discuss with you every aspect of the problem as she sees it. Don’t jump in with solutions unless and until you’re invited: what she wants to know most of all is that you care enough to listen.

(from Parents Inc - Hot Tips for Parents)

We look forward to your attendance and company at the myriad of events that we will pursue this term.

All the best.

Yours sincerely

K R Boyce

Principal

Speech & Drama Lessons

Now offered at St Michael’s as part of the itinerant programme.

Oral Communication both Artistic and Practical.

Including:

giving talks

drama (both scripted and improvised)

reading aloud

poetry speaking

voice production

storytelling

interviewing

enjoying literature

formal and informal conversation

From Year 3 onwards

Groups of 2 or 3

Working towards Speech NZ Examinations

Mrs T Edgerton-Till is a very experienced Speech and Drama teacher, most recently having taught full-time at The Cathedral Grammar School for eleven years. She has a B.A. in literature and linguistics, an LTCL in Speech and Drama, professional television and stage acting experience and a particular interest in children’s literature.

Please contact Mr Boyce or phone Mrs Edgerton-Till on 332-7330.

Dorothy Burrows, with her husband Max (left) and Principal, Kevin Boyce, cuts her retirement cake.

REPORT OF THE ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ST MICHAEL and ALL ANGELS PARISH

Sunday 2 May 2010

Our 2009 School year began with 185 pupils: a roll that compared favourably with commencement figures in recent years. Owing to the expected and predicted global recession, our roll did not reach the ‘highs’, by the year’s closure that we had experienced in the last few years.

Two academic staff members, Julie Lee and Teresa Price, resigned their respective positions at the conclusion of 2009: Mrs Lee moved to an appointment at the Cathedral Grammar School for Girls, whilst Mrs Price returned to North New Brighton School. Two fixed term positions were advertised and the successful candidates were: Mrs Raylene Tennant and Mrs Brigit Craig, who assumed control of our Year One and Year Two classes respectively. Mrs Jo Clarke moved from her Year Two position in the Junior Syndicate to our Middle Syndicate’s Year Four class.

As I write I am mindful that we are soon to farewell Mrs Dorothy Burrows and as stated at our 2009 Prizegiving: ‘Dorothy’s exemplary attention to a wide range of tasks in her dual role of Bursar and School Secretary has made her a hard act to follow: indispensable.’

During the course of the year, our staff again demonstrated their ability to be diverse and embrace what has become a full and intricate N.Z. Curriculum: the Middle Syndicate’s Technology unit, entitled ‘Food to Go’, proved to be most successful. Indeed, our School’s unit exemplar has now been included as part of the N.Z. Curriculum’s Technological studies and, entitled our unit writer, Mrs Jo Clarke, to be one of the three National Technology Education 2009 awardees.

The launching of the Government’s National Standards, towards the end of 2009, has been placed well ‘on track’ by our Curriculum leader, Lynne Horwood.

Other notable 2009 academic achievements included:

ICAS (International Competition Australasian Schools) with Taylor Keys (Science) and Vincent Kenworthy (Mathematics) maintaining of our average of two High Distinction awards per year. Our School has now attained 18 of these prestigious awards since 2001.

Otago Problem Solving: Jacob Fitzgibbon earned a place in the Final Challenge group from the original 40,000 entrants.

Science Fair (Canterbury- Westland): again our School was among the prize-winners with Raphaela Walsh, Connor Lindsay and Kevin Jonker receiving awards.

Our School prides itself, in the Cultural arena, by ensuring that it offers opportunities for each of the pupils in our care to develop and mature in the all important skill of acting, playing, singing and speaking to an audience: be it their class, parents, School or syndicate.

The features of our 2009 Cultural pursuits were:

Biennial production: our declared policy is that each pupil will participate in our School production: staged every two years. For our community, our 2009 show ‘Jack’ was a team effort and, in keeping with past years, has provided our School with a true memory moment for 2009. I have stated it a number of times that some of our pupils will earn a living from their cultural skil1s: indeed the lead in ‘Jack’, Austin Harrison, already has a role as the safari man in the popular children’s television show: ‘What Now’. Testament to the popularity of ‘Jack’ was the purchase of 70 DVD’s of this performance.

Chess: this important skill continues to be well nurtured by parent/coach, Hamish Kenworthy. Recent successes have included: a win (19-5) in their contest with St Mark’s Church School (Wellington), four level One and Level Two passes and a Level Three pass, normally sat by Secondary School students, from Vincent Kenworthy, when he was in Year Four!

Debating: our team (Georgia Rouch, Emma-Kate Gardenbroek and Emma Pearson) retained the Goodall Family Cup, in the annual debate with St Mark’s Church School, for the third year in succession.

Festival Choir: our School was honoured to have its strongest representation in the Christchurch Music Festival’s special Senior Choir: Ella-Jane Todd, Laurel Gregory and Rebekah Boyce (2007, 2008 and 2009).

General Knowledge: this course was introduced in 2008 and the winner of the W.H. Boyce Memorial Trophy for the second time: Megan Lord superseded her 92% result in 2008 with a perfect 100% in 2009.

Kapahaka: our new tutor, Maaka Kahukaranui and staff representative Sarah Mahoney have maintained the high standard set by Suzanne Pitama with our group treating Independent Schools’ special visitor, the Hon Heather Roy to her ‘best Christchurch Schools’ welcome’.

School Orchestra: this group accompanied a hymn for the annual grandparents’ morning, the Mass with St Mark’s Church School and entertained visitors on our major Open Day.

Our Schools’ sporting successes included:

Athletics: Karenia Anderson (long jump and 50m sprint) and Simone Gale second placings in long jump and 100m sprint at Canterbury Primary Schools’ Championships.

Cross Country: Simone Gale was selected again in the Canterbury Primary Schools’ Cross Country Championships.

Gymnastics: James Nicholls was placed 10th in the Level Five section at the National competitions.

Hockey: our School boasted five teams with two teams winning their respective championships: the Juniors and Super Eights, who won their grade for the fourth year in succession.

Rugby: our 2009 Sportsperson of the Year (Naylor Trophy) Alex Irvine being selected in the South Island team from the Primary Schools’ tournament in Dunedin.

Rugby League: Jed Scott-Stafford was also selected in the South Island team, after the League tournament on the West Coast.

Trampolining: Shannel Cartwright performed with credit at National events and was ‘on track’ to be chosen in the Indo-Pacific championships: her second occasion in a N.Z. selection.

In our Church School, our Spiritual dimension is an important and integral part of each and every one of our children’s development: this Christian Ethos or Special Character permeates or pervades all that we do at St Michael’s. We have continued to live out a weekly Virtues’ theme, which the Principal introduces and speaks to at the Monday morning School assembly. Again we were pleased to offer the opportunity for pupils and parents to be baptised and receive their first communion: 17 pupils requested a baptism and 28 pupils and one parent received the opportunity for a welcome to the Christian sacrament of Eucharist. Our School is now in its fifth year of its use of the N.Z. Anglican Religious Education Curriculum.

Our School was privileged to receive a first official visit to our enterprise of our new Warden: Bishop Victoria Matthews. Our Junior Syndicate, Middle Syndicate, Year Sevens and Year Eights each received an exclusive audience with our Bishop.

Our Worship Committee, comprising: Lynne Horwood, Suzie Walker, Tony Kendrew, Murray Lennox, the Principal and the Vicar meets at the beginning of each term to choose hymns and songs for School Masses.

Our Senior pupils have continued to acquit themselves well in School Masses as prayer leaders, readers and servers. I thank Rev Lynne Horwood and the Vicar who have presented our pupils with meaningful, purposeful weekly masses.

Our St Michael’s School Board has endeavoured to forge stronger links with the other community stakeholders: P.T.F.A., Trust and Vestry. This can only be made more cohesive with the recently adopted Strategic Plan, which has a shared vision: St Michael’s is a Christian community providing quality education and empowering learners to be compassionate, responsible, resourceful citizens. Our Board has been a focussed, forward thinking committee lead by Hamish Kenworthy, who has also been President of our P.T.F.A. Our P.T.F.A. Secretary, Moranne McIvor, who has organised and run a number of events and our uniform shop is a true ‘gem’1, out of the same ‘mould’ as our longstanding School Secretary.

May I, in closing, pay a special tribute to our Site Chairperson, Mr Michael Ladd, whose caring, gentlemanly approach has ensured: a smooth, workable liaison between our Church and School and that both groups’ aspirations, interest and needs are best met and realised.

Kevin R Boyce

Principal

8 April 2010

1 Websters Dictionary 2002 ‘gem:anything extremely precious or valuable’.

31 March 2010

Dear Parents,

As I put ‘pen to paper’ at the close to our first term, I reflect upon the dedicated, hardworking and loyal twenty five years of service that our Bursar/School Secretary, Mrs Dorothy Burrows, has given to our St Michael’s Church School. I know that you will join with the Board, pupils and staff in wishing Dorothy and Max: a happy and long retirement.

Roll:

We are pleased to welcome the following new pupils and their families to St Michael’s as they begin the second term with us.

Year 1: Sana Fujii, James Benzie, Alex Reid (brother of Ella-Jane and William Todd) and Beth Condon

Year 2: Isabella Smith and Shahid Ali

Year 5: Caleb Smith

Staffing:

Currently, we are completing the appointment process for the position of our new School Secretary. It is pleasing to announce that the successful applicant for the Bursar/Board Secretary position is Mr Paul Melton BBS, ACA (Chartered Accountant). We will have a School Secretary in place by the commencement of Term Two.

ACADEMIC

Otago Problem Solving and I.C.A.S. (New South Wales University:

Individual letters will be sent home for entry into each of the categories in these prestigious National and International competitions.

Character References:

It is always a pleasure to write a character reference for any of our Year 8 students, which can be included in their applications for a place at the Secondary School(s) of their choice.

National Standards:

Our staff have been suitably ‘working through’ the process by way of preparation to implement these ‘agreed to’ standards. Our Deputy principal and I are to attend a day’s meeting at King’s School (Auckland) on 3 May to discuss the intricacies of the assessment, moderation and reporting of the National Standards.

Effort Assessments:

These were sent home at the conclusion of Week Seven and I am pleased to announce that the ‘top polling’ candidates for each class were.

Year 1: Tayla Harteveld-Heaslip

Year 2: Dylan Smith and Lachlan Frazer

Year 3: Theodore Johnson

Year 4: Bevan Chen

Year 5: Alexander Johnson

Year 6: Charlotte-Jane Irwin and Chelsea Yu

Year 7: Madeline Kendrew and Saskia Klinkenberg

Year 8: Jacqui-Lyn Welch and Megan Lord

Portfolios:

These documents accompany this newsletter. Please take time to praise and set new targets together.

CULTURAL

Junior Choir: (Years 4 and 5)

The following pupils are auditioned members of this special group: Jonty Moore, Priyanka Ravji, Trilly Stewart, Anoushka Chiswell, Losena Biuvanua, Ella Christey, Shannon Devine, Nikita Yates, Mya Cherry, Claudia Gale, Paige Stolzenberger, Talia Bee (Year 4).

Alison Yee, Grace Budge, Maggie Davies, Rosie McIvor, Kostandea Papageorge, Wone Jung, Briarna Murray, Roman Kenworthy, Alexander Johnson, Liam Scrase, Harry Kendrew, André Smith, Maleka Smith, Shuying Wee, Aimee Hayward (Year 5).

Senior Choir:(Years 6 - 8)

This group has also been chosen and, as with the Junior Choir, has a practice time on Fridays: Shaun Graveston, Austin Harrison, Caitlin Bee, Phoebe Brosnan, Simone Gale, Megan Lord, Letasha Lowe, Priyanka Nathu, Anna Parry-Gibson, Jacqui-Lyn Welch (Year 8).

Oscar Carnevale, Davis Gale, Conor Hamilton, Henry Rouch, Isaiah Schwanen, Madeline Kendrew, Mégane Lallemant (Year 7).

Taylor Keys, Laura Brown, Meg Byers, Amelia McGrath (Year 6).

Orchestra:

This group also practises on Fridays and consists of the following students. Austin Harrison, Letasha Lowe, Megan Lord, Simone Gale, Anna Parry-Gibson, Priyanka Nathu, Meg Byers, Henry Rouch, Mégane Lallemant, Joshua Duddy, Vincent Kenworthy.

Kapahaka:

This large group continues to practise, on Wednesday afternoons, by way of preparation for the annual Cultural Festival and other major events and open occasions.

Chess:

The Chess Club has been active in Term One. Three pupils have had the honour of holding the number one position on the ladder. George Addis began the term at number one. He was beaten by Freddy Wilson who continued his good progress in 2009 with some well-played matches this term. Freddy's time at the top of the ladder was not long-lived as he was beaten by Vincent Kenworthy. Vincent has since beaten Daniel Alexander and George to retain the top position. Some younger players are coming regularly to the Chess Club and we appreciate their presence. The skills they learn now will prepare them for a prominent role in the club in future years.

The Press inter-school chess competitions will be held in Term Two and players are looking forward to those events for Years 1-6 and Years 7-8 teams. H R. Kenworthy

SPORTING ROUND-UP

Swimming:

The pupils chosen to compete at the Independent School Swimming Sports were:

9 Years: Daniel Welch, Dalton de Ronde Robo, Chelsea Yu, Maleka Smith

10 Years: Nicholas Stevens, Angus Jonker, Karenia Anderson, Saskia Klinkenberg

11 Years: Jesse Simkin, Isaiah Schwanen, George Addis, Caitlin Bee, Madeline Kendrew, Millie Clifton

12 years: James Nicholls, Tyler Smith, Kevin Jonker, Joeman Chan, Megan Lord, Jacqui-Lyn Welch, Priyanka Nathu

Hockey:

I thank Mr Michael Graveston for ensuring that our hockey programme has commenced, by way of preparation for the Winter season.

Netball:

The season commences for our two senior teams on the last Saturday of the school holidays. We are lucky to be able to field an extra senior team and this would not have been possible if Margaret Mattison had not agreed to coach the team. Competition for the Year 5 Future Ferns commences on the second week of Term 2. It is exciting to see this year that we have nine girls wishing to train as Whistlers (Umpires) on Fridays.

Coaches and managers for the season are: Year 8 Coach: Jon Russell, Managers: Nicky Clifton and Michelle Lord. Year 7 Coach: Margaret Mattison, Managers: Katrina Anderson and Maxine Webb

Club Umpire: Farron Dunstan

Future Ferns Coach: Jodi Alexander, and Parent Helper: tbc J C Russell

Rugby:

A number of our boys have continued to trial and, accordingly, been selected for squads that play under the banner of the Cathedral Grammar School.

Tennis:

Megan Lord, our Tennis Captain, was chosen for the Canterbury Town team to play their rivals from the Country. Megan was also in the winning Canterbury under 12 year old girls Interclub team final. They won 4 games to 2 in what was a torrid match. Megan showed particular grit and determination to come from 3 - 2 down to win her singles game 6 - 3. This is the third year that Megan’s team have won the competition, claiming the Under 9, 11 and 12 year old titles. Well done Megan!

Touch:

Currently, with four wins, one loss and one draw, our Touch team ‘sits’ nicely near, if not at the top, of this Friday competition with many Independent Schools taking part.

SPIRITUAL

Year Eight Assembly Leaders this month have been: Connor Lindsay, Phoebe Brosnan, Simone Gale, Joshua Carlile, Ashton Finlayson, Anna Parry-Gibson, Joeman Chan, Ben Mitchell, Jed Scott-Stafford, Shaun Graveston, Letasha Lowe, Caitlin Bee.

Bible Readers at School Masses: Harry Briggs-Jones, Megan Lord, Connor Lindsay, Priyanka Nathu, James Nicholls, Simone Gale, Tyler Smith, Jordan McIvor.

Mothering Sunday 14 March:

Again, this proved to be a meaningful and moving service with the interactive sermon, based on the Prodigal Son, being a message to reflect upon for all, who were in attendance.

Holy Week:

Our pupils have shared in the journey of our saviour, Jesus Christ’s last days on Earth as we lead to the Easter Sunday remembrance of the resurrection.

SYNDICATE REPORTS:

Senior Syndicate:

This term the Senior School have enjoyed a number of very worthwhile Cultural experiences. We visited Rehua Marae last month, and the children found the powhiri a powerful and moving ceremony. This week, we have had a visit from Miles Kaukau, who has instructed us in the art of Maori carving. The children have received a lot from these experiences. Next term the Senior Syndicate are super busy. The major activities are centred around our Early Canterbury Studies and include trips to the Museum, Ferrymead and Riccarton House. Of course our Soirée caps off the learning experiences at the conclusion of the term. As well, next term is our Science and Technology Fair. I encourage you all to spend some holiday time deciding on a topic. On behalf of Mrs Horwood, may I wish you a safe, happy and relaxing break.

A P Kendrew

Middle Syndicate:

The first term has certainly been busy and productive with many highlights for our classes this term. The year started with: the annual camp for Years 5 and 6, our swimming sports and the Independent Schools' Swimming Sports. In Numeracy the children have been working on addition and subtraction strategies for solving a variety of problems.

The second term is going to feature gymnastics for the Middle Syndicate; we will be going to Alpha Impact Gym for a seven week course during our Thursday sport time. Our cross country is in Week 2 of next term. Please encourage your children to get out in preparation for this event: How about making it a family affair and getting fit together? Our school has an association with Cathedral Grammar to play rugby as a sport option. Some of our boys have availed themselves of this opportunity.

We trust that you have a blessed Easter period and that you spend some quality time together as a family over the holiday period. J C Russell

Junior Syndicate:

Our busy first term seems to have come to an end very quickly. We have had a joyful and productive term covering a real width in our curriculum. We have celebrated the Arts through Wendy Duggan's drawing workshop and Rhythm Interactive, celebrated our garden city through Science and Social Studies, looking at plants and growth, and celebrated friends, family and ourselves. We end the term now celebrating Easter.

We as a syndicate staff have been becoming increasingly familiar with the National Standards and are attending a Numeracy course in the holidays.

Thank you very much for your help and support this term. Have a wonderful and safe family time over the holidays. S G Walker

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Board Report:

The School Board of Governors has had two major tasks to attend to this term. The first has been to complete the work required on the school's strategic plan. That work has now been completed. It comprises the strategic plan itself together with five year and annual plans with tasks for the School's staff and for the Governors. The work involved in preparing the plan has been a group effort but special mention ought to be made of Mrs. Lynne Horwood for her work on the School section of the plan and Mrs. Margaret Yorke for her work on the Board section of the plan. The details of the plan will be made available in the near future with the School's website (www.churchandschool.org) being used for that purpose.

The second major task for the Board has been the finding of a replacement for Mrs. Dorothy Burrows who is retiring at the end of term one. An analysis of the breadth of Mrs. Burrows' duties made it apparent that we would not find another like her who would be able to undertake all the tasks that she does. On that basis we advertised first for someone to fill the Bursar's role. The successful applicant for that position was Mr. Paul Melton who has experience in accounts functions with the YMCA and in local government. No appointment has been made to the position of school secretary and receptionist as yet but there will be an appointment made and the successful applicant will be in place for the start of term two.

Mrs. Burrows has generously agreed to stay on for a few more weeks to help in the training and settling in both of Mr. Melton and whomever is appointed to the school secretary role. The Board wishes to express its gratitude to Mrs. Burrows for her tremendous service to the School over the last twenty-five years and to wish her every happiness in her retirement. H R Kenworthy

P.T.F.A. Office Holders appointed at A.G.M:

President: Mr Hamish Kenworthy

Vice-President: Mr Amo Perelini

Secretary: Mrs Moranne McIvor

Treasurer: Mr Stephen Harteveld

Principal: Mr Kevin Boyce

Staff Representative: Mr Tony Kendrew

Committee: Mrs Angela Ellis, Mrs Anna Pettersen, Mrs Bea Pickering, Mr David Irvine,

Mrs Jenny Addis, Ms Penny Warren, Ms Vicky Barkway, Mr Warren Kemp, Mrs Kim Kemp, Ms Charlotte West.

Irene Kiernan:

Mrs Irene Kiernan began her duties in our After School Care programme in April 1994 and also was a School parent, with her son Joshua being her as a pupil from 1991 to 1999. We bid farewell to Irene and wish her every success in her full time position at Burwood Hospital.

Principals’ Tips:

Don’t Let Technology Take Over!

At what age should children carry a phone? When should phones be switched off? How do we share computer time and keep usage at a healthy level? What steps do we take to make sure that our kids are using electronic devices in a way that’s safe and age-appropriate? As the big people in your family: decide what’s appropriate for you, and then put some plans in place. Discussing the boundaries around using technology can be a great family exercise in negotiation, teamwork, and responsibility, so it’s well worth the effort to make some family agreements and resist taking the easy road of letting kids decide what’s okay.

(from Parents Inc - Hot Tips for Parents)

As I close, I encourage all parents to spend some quality time in the company of their children, whether it be: eating, fishing, talking or walking in each other’s company for the holidays.

All the best.

Yours sincerely

K R Boyce

Principal

Open Occasions for Term Two:

Friday 14 May: 11 am - 2 pm

Sunday 13 June: 1 - 3 pm

Monday 28 June: - 11 am - 12 noon

Please encourage your family and friends, who may have primary aged children, to feel welcome to attend any of these occasions

Dental Care over the School Holidays

The Community Dental Service will operate an emergency service over the school holidays. This service is to provide relief of pain only and will not undertake 'routine' treatment. The service will be available each working day from 8:30am until 12:30pm from the Oral Health Centre, 16 Tuam Street, Christchurch for the following times:

Tuesday, 6th April -16th April 2010 (excluding weekends)

This service will operate by appointment only and if they are unable to see your child, alternative options will be given. If your child has dental pain as a result of an accident please contact your dentist in the first instance.

You can phone and make an appointment for the emergency clinic by ringing

364 1860.