Dear Parents,

It is with mixed emotions that I begin this month’s newsletter to you.  Our School is still in grief mode as we mourn the loss of the Anderson family’s little William.

We have also attained some further academic  ‘highs’ and it will be pleasing to share these with you.

ACADEMIC 

Cantamaths’ Success:

This coveted competition comprises the top 80 primary schools at both the Year 7 and Year 8 levels within the Canterbury and Westland region.  Indeed, on the competition night and prior to each event, some schools need to go through the preliminaries to ensure their placement in the final 80 schools. The best our School has achieved in the past is a 5th equal in the Year 7 competition of 2006.

It is thrilling to report the success of our Year 7 team this year.  Our team, consisting of: Georgia Rouch, Jacob Fitzgibbon, Tae-Joon Kim and Sebastian Gurobi-Hines were placed 3rd equal.  Well done to all four of you.

Year Seven Cantamaths Team

Our Year 8 team of Blake Morgan, Florence Fournier, Aaron Smith and Lucas Perelini competed valiantly and were placed in the bulk of the field.  Callum Salt and Kempton Haitana were named as part of this team but could not compete on the night.

I.C.A.S. Mathematics:

I am doubly thrill

ed to report that our School has recorded its 16th High Distinction in the last 8 years in the 2008 I.C.A.S. results. From 31 entrants, our pupils scored 1 High Distinction (top 1%), 6 Distinctions (top 10%) and 7 Credits (top 20%).

We congratulate the following:

High Distinction: (Double Principal’s Gold award and ten merit marks): Tae-Joon Kim (Year 7).

Distinction: (Principal’s Gold and Red awards and eight merit marks): Taylor Keys, Vincent Kenworthy (Year 4).  Yu-Jin Ji (Year 5). Blake Morgan, Callum Salt and Aaron Smith (Year 8).

Credit: (Principal’s Gold award and five merit marks):

Nicholas Stevens,George Warren (Year 4), Madeline Kendrew, Saskia Klinkenberg (Year 5), Kevin Jonker, Priyanka Nathu (Year 6) and Florence Fournier (Year 8).  

Participation: (Principal’s Red award and three merit marks): Daniel Bell, Angus Jonker, Taylor-Jane McNicholl, Chelsea Yu (Year 4), Daniel Alexander, Davis Gale, Logan McConnel, Jesse Simkin (Year 5), Megan Lord, Letasha Lowe, Tyler Smith (Year 6), Olivia Ong, Rebecca Tang (Year 7) Courtney Clyne, Samantha Knegt, Thomas Pearson and Lucas Perelini (Year 8).

 

I.C.A.S. Spelling:

From 28 entries our students results were: 1 Distinction and 7 Credits.

We congratulate the following:

Distinction: (Principal’s Gold and Red awards and eight merit marks): Florence Fournier (Year 8).

Credit: (Principal’s Gold award and five merit marks):

Taylor Keys, George Warren (Year 4), Isabella Holden, Saskia Klinkenberg, Freddy Wilson (Year 5), Angus Auwerda (Year 6) and Georgia Rouch (Year 7). 

Participation: (Principal’s Red award and three merit marks): Joshua Duddy, Charlotte-Jane Irwin, Angus Jonker, Cameron Lord, Taylor-Jane McNicholl (Year 4), Davis Gale, Conor Hamilton, Billie Heijgen, Madeline Kendrew, Aaron Li, Logan McConnel (Year 5), Harry Briggs-Jones, Millie Clifton, Connor Lindsay, Megan Lord (Ye

ar 6), Sebastian Gurobi-Hines, Mishelle Lee (Year 7) Ashleigh Macdonald, Olivia Parker and Lucas Perelini (Year 8).

Otago Problem Solving:

Set 5 proved a difficult set of questions with no pupil achieving one hundred percent. Congratulations to the following pupils on their top results:

Blake Morgan, Thomas Pearson, Callum Salt, Florence Fournier, all Year 8  - 4/5.

After the final set, our top problem solvers are:

Callum Salt (21/25), Tae-Joon Kim (20/25), Florence Fournier (20/25), Aaron Smith (19/25). Blake Morgan has 17/20 with one set to complete.

CULTURAL

Christchurch Music Festival Choir:

Our 35 strong choir has begun their final preparations for their Friday 17 October performance in the Town Hall.

 

Special Choir:

Our four successful pupil placements in the Christchurch Music Festivals Special Choir have begun their five Saturday afternoon practices prior to their three day September holiday workshop by way of preparation for their six nights of performance during this annual October event.  We wish the following pupils ‘well’ for this: Anastasia Loeffen and Simone Gale (Junior Special Choir) and Rebekah Boyce and Olivia Parker (Senior Special Choir).  

‘Kids in Town’:

It was with a real sense of pride that one witnessed the half hour presentation by our School choir (Senior) and Orchestra at the Christchurch Art Gallery on Thursday 21 August.  Our Music Director is congratulated on the high standard of both these groups’ renditions.

 

Christchurch School of Music Concert:

The Christchurch School of Music held their annual Showcase Concert in the Town Hall.  It was a wonderful night with St Michael’s pupils participating.  Well done to: Anoushka Chiswell, Geoffrey Kemp, Drew Mathieson and  Shuying Wee.

Kapahaka at the Cultural Festival:

Our 45+ strong Kapahaka group just gets better and better and, it is timely to pay tribute to Mrs Suzanne Pitama for the long hours that she has put into the preparation 

- including choreography and original compositions - to produce the highlight of the Tuesday 19 August show.  Our School will recognise the 7 years of outstanding service to our Kapahaka by Suzanne Pitama, with an engraved crystal vase.  We will also thank Rona and Fui Fatuleai-Fiso for their contribution.  

‘Today at assembly the kids saw our Kapahaka performance.  We had practised a lot (and I mean a lot) but we still haven’t got it right and worst still the cultural festival is in five days time counting today.  I like Kapahaka, it makes me feel like a real Maori warrior.  The best part I like is the haka because it’s the boys time to shine, usually we’re at the back but for the haka we’re at the front.  In the haka we’re allowed to poke our pukanas out only at the end.  On Tuesday we will go to the Town Hall.  It’s where you see Hi-5 but you are not going to see Hi-5 you will be seeing the Cultural Festival.  I can’t wait.    

  by Alexander Johnson (Year 3)

SPORTING  ROUND-UP

International Success:

Shannel Cartwright became our third N.Z. representative in eight years.  Shannel has been named as reserve for N.Z. at the Indo Pacific Trampolining championships.  This event is held every two years and includes athletes from China, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Nambia, USA and Argentina.  For the first time ever N.Z. is hosting this event in October.  Shannel is also off to Hamilton in the school holidays, once again bouncing for Canterbury at the Nationals.  

Rugby League Player of the Year:

Congratulations to Jed Scott-Stafford, Addington Rugby League Club Under 10’s ‘Player of the Year for the fourth time.  Jed was also a Canterbury trialist.  Jed was also Runner-up to the Sportsperson of the Year. 

Rugby:

Lucas Perelini and Aaron Smith played in The Cathedral Grammar 1st IX against Scots College (Wellington) on Monday 25 August in atrocious conditions.  The result was a win to Scots College, 24 - 10.  Aaron Smith is also congratulated on gaining a place in the Canterbury U12 Metropolitan team.

Watties’ Sports’ Coach of the Year:

Michael Graveston has been nominated by our School for this prestigious award.

Hockey Grade Wins:

Eights: Our Junior 8’s are congratulated on winning an eights competition for the third season in a row.

Blues: Our Blues are also offered high praise on winning their Division 1 Supplementary competition.  Again, I pay tribute to Suzanne Tuetue and Michael Graveston for their coaching and guidance.

A recent visitor to our assembly, Selwyn Maister

 (1976 Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist) 

receives a thank you gift from Beatrix Loeffen.

Netball:

Future Ferns netball concluded last week.  They had a great season, featuring sound skills and producing excellent results.  Many thanks to Katrina Anderson and Linda Kendrew for their efforts with the team.

The Under 11s (Year 6) commenced the season in Section 5.  After winning their section they were put up to Section 1 where competition was indeed much tougher.  Thank you to Michelle Lord and Nicky Clifton for their help this season.

The Under 12s (Year

 7) have gone from strength to strength under the support and guidance of their coach,Farron Dunstan.  Thank you to Farron and Beth Dunstan (Team Manager) for all you have done this season.

The Under 13s (Year 8) at the time of writing this are currently winning their section and will play off in the plate semi-finals on September 13.  

Thank you to Annemarie Alexander (Coach) and Lynne Horwood (Manager) for all your support and guidance this season.

J C Russell

Uniforms and Tracksuits:

A proposal from the Juni

or Syndicate staff was presented to the School Board meeting on Thursday 21 August, asking the Board  to consider P.E. uniforms for Junior School pupils the same as  Years 4 - 8.  Staff felt that wearing the same P.E. uniform as the older children in the School unified St Michael’s pupils when the children participated in physical activities/outings.  It was agreed that from the beginning of the 2009 School year all pupils will be required to have P.E. gear i.e. School polo shirt, navy blue shorts and optional track suit.  Navy blue shorts for all pupils to be phased in.  New track suits are ordered in Term One and are not held in the Uniform shop. School sports tops are only available from the P.T.F.A. Uniform shop.  Some second hand tracksuits are also available.     

SPIRITUAL

Bishop Victoria’s Installation:

It was an honour and privilege to represent St Michael’s Church School at the installation of the eighth Bishop of Christchurch, Victoria Matthews.

Year Eight Assembly Leaders this month have been: Callum Salt, Pippa Nicholls, Lucas Perelini, Blake Morgan, Taylor Alexander, Samantha Knegt, Ashleigh Macdonald, Olivia Parker, Drew Mathieson, Worth Brown and Thomas Pearson. 

Bible Readers at recent School masses have been: 

Samantha Knegt, Florence Fournier, Kempton Haitana, Joshua Rawlinson, Beatrix Loeffen,Callum Salt.

Curriculum Review Consultation:

Collation of Parent responses showing the 5 most frequent responses to each question 

1. List your essential elements of good citizenship 

• Christian values and virtues 
  
• Considering others/respect 
  
• Community involvement 
  
• Law abiding 
  
• Honesty 
  

2. Main reasons for choosing St Michael's School for your child's/children's education 

• Strong Christian values 
  
• Nurturing and care from teachers and older children 
  
• Quality education 
  
• Small class sizes 
  
• Convenient location to workplace 
  

3. What do you want your child/children to gain from their time at St Michael's 

• Virtues and values 
  
• Self - confidence 
  
• Academic achievement/excellence 
  
• Sense of belonging/ friendships/social skills 
  
• Religious education 
  

4. What are the 5 key values that you believe the school should promote? 

• Respect 
  
• Honesty 
  
• Perseverance 
  
• Trustworthiness 
  
• Friendship 
  

Year 7 and 8 Northern Tour:

Our Year 7 and 8 pupils depart on Monday 8 September for their biennial trip to Nelson and Wellington.  We wish our ambassadors a safe return.

SYNDICATE REPORTS:

Senior Syndicate:

There seems to be only one thing on the minds of senior pupils at present. Next week's Northern Tour has been most anticipated! Throughout the week, the pupils will be exposed to visits through Cathedrals, Parliament, Te Papa, WETA Workshop, and the Wearable Arts Museum. They will also participate in Netball, Hockey, Soccer, Touch Rugby, Chess, and Debating competitions with three schools, while meeting and making new friends. 

In conjunction with our Wellington visit, our classes have begun studying Parliament and the process of decision making, leading up to a detailed look at elections. Recently both classes concluded a series of lessons about Keeping Ourselves Safe.

A number of senior pupils will be representing our School at this weekend's Canterbury-Westland Science and Technology Fair. This will take place at the Christchurch Convention Centre, and pupils will hoping to be invited to the Prize Giving on Sunday evening. The Fair will be open to the public on Sunday afternoon from 1.30 - 5.00 pm, for a small cost.  We wish all of our exhibitors the best of luck. Results will be published in the next newsletter.

A P Kendrew

Middle Syndicate:

What promised to be a quiet month has certainly proved that there are many exciting things happening in the Middle Syndicate.

Year 4 had a really successful trip to Science Alive to study electrical circuits.  This unit of work will culminate in the children designing burglar alarms for an assessment.

Year 5 have been studying drinks: this has included hands on experiments and designing fair tests.

Year 6 have concluded their study on the Olympics by completing an enquiry learning assessment task on an athlete or team.

All the children in the Middle Syndicate are busy learning and reciting their poems for the upcoming Speech and Poetry competition.  Lets hope that you have been enjoying listening to all those poems.

Syndicate Numeracy concludes this week with the children having made excellent progress.

In conclusion, thank you to those children and parents who gave so generously for the recent Cancer Society appeal and also to wish those students well in Year 6, who are competing in the Canterbury-Westland Science and Technology Fair.

J C Russell

Junior Syndicate:

This month the junior team participated in two drama events. The first was the workshop, 'Tangaroa's Gift,' directed by Helen Moran. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking on different roles and using a variety of props to present this story. The second was the Court Theatre's performance of 'The Magic Island.'  This was an outstanding performance which was enjoyed by both young and old members of the audience.

As part of our current Social Sciences topic, 'How people used to live in New Zealand,' children are looking forward to their trip to the museum on September 3rd. 

The Junior children benefited from their gymnastics sessions at Olympia Gym. It was pleasing to see the improvement in their confidence and skill level while using the different gymnastics apparatus. Thank you again to the parent volunteers for your assistance.

T V Price

School Council News:

The School Council has a made a focus of giving to others, with two recent fundraisers.  The first was for Save the Children - a Friday Fun Day which raised $325.00 for the children we support in India.

The Cancer Society’s annual daffodil day appeal raises funds to help those within the Canterbury community.  The School Council distributed daffodil posters to each class and the children placed gold coins in the centre of each daffodil on the poster.  $520.00 was raised.   

B M Byers

As I close this letter, I extend the heartfelt prayers and sympathy, from our School community, to: Katrina, Mark, Patricia, Karenia, Bennet and Fletcher Anderson.  Kia Kaha.

All the best.

Yours sincerely,

Kevin Boyce

Principal