Dear Parents,

As we begin our penultimate week, it is timely to bring you up to date with our most recent School events and happenings, as we put a closure on this 2008 School year.

Roll:

It is with pleasure that I report the short stay of Alana Hamilton in our Year Five class, owing to a positive response by her Dad to his bone marrow treatment.  The Hamiltons made a most generous donation to our Library funding and, in her letter to us, Mrs Hamilton stated:

Dear Mr Boyce and Staff

Once again many thanks for allowing Alana to attend your wonderful School, albeit for a shortened time!  Alana enjoyed her experience at another school.  She had a wonderful teacher and friendly students who all made Alana feel very welcomed.

Jocelyn Hamilton

Save the Children Function with Royalty:

Our Head Prefect, Courtney Clyne and Deputy head Prefect, Florence Fournier, accompanied me to the Cashmere Club, on 18 November to meet the Princess Royal Princess Anne, who has been President of the U.K. Save the Children Fund since 1970.  I quote from our two leaders’ reports to a recent Monday Awards’ Assembly:

When Princess Anne spoke to all of us she said how fantastic and how amazing the work that Save the Children is doing and how it is really making a difference in our world today.

She thanked a few select members for their input in Save the Children Fund over the years and said thank you for their great hospitality.  She then exited the building.

Florence and I really enjoyed the privilege and experience of meeting Princess Anne.  

We will remember it always.  Thank you St Michael’s for this great opportunity. 

Courtney Clyne

On Tuesday Courtney and I accompanied Mr Boyce to the Cashmere Club where we would meet Princess Anne.  The event was being held 

by Save The Children, which Princess Anne is the Patron of and has been for many years.  

There was a reasonably large amount of people there. 

There were a few students from other schools but the rest ranged between middle aged and elderly people.  We were given name tags for identification, and we spent about half an hour waiting in the crowded foyer.  We then got moved to the morning tea room and were pleasantly surprised to see long tables supplied with food and drink.  Courtney and I had many conversations with elderly women about school and Save The Children Fund.  When Princess Anne arrived we all clustered at the back of the room and went into silence.  She gradually made her way around the people, greeting and making small conversation.  When she got to where we were standing she asked us our school, and how we supported Save The Children Fund. I just stood there staring at her so thankfully Mr Boyce answered her.  She moved on and I relaxed again.  Later, when Princess Anne had finished her round, Mr Boyce introduced us to the Princess' Lady In Waiting.  She has been travelling around with the Princess for three years, and left the army as Captain.  She talked to Courtney and me about school, Save The Children Fund and her job.  Then it was time for Princess Anne's speech.

Florence Fournier

Courtney and Florence at the Save the Children Fund function at the Cashmere Club in the company of Princess Anne

ACADEMIC 

Science Competition at Christ’s College:

Four of our pupils represented the School in the Christ's College Year 7 Science Competition.  They were Georgia Rouch, Raphaela Walsh, Emma Pearson, and Sebastian Gurobi-Hines.  The competition was held at Christ's College and was limited to nine schools.  There were three sections - Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.  Pupils were to work together to solve scientific problems within 30 minutes.  Our team competed well, with a strong showing in Chemistry, but was not placed in the top three overall.                              

A P Kendrew

Portfolios:

These important folders will be sent him this Friday: 5 December.  Please ensure that you peruse these documents with your son/daughter and return them to School signed next week.  Thank you.

Otago Problem Solving 

As mentioned in our last newsletter, the following pupils were most successful in the five set Problem Solving Challenge in 2008:

Blake Morgan Year 8 22/25

Callum Salt Year 8 21/25

Florence Fournier Year 8 20/25

Tae-Joon Kim Year 7 20/25

These four pupils competed against other top candidates across New Zealand in the Final Challenge, a very difficult test indeed. Results will be published in next week’s newsletter.

Prizegiving:

This important event takes place on Thursday 11 December at 7 pm.

CULTURAL

World Vision:

The following pupils received Cambodian bands for raising over $80.00 of sponsorship:

Callum Salt, Samantha Knegt, Emma Pearson, Austin Poit, Laurel Gregory, Anastasia Loeffen, Charlotte-Jane Irwin.

Pupils and staff received a Cambodian band and a badge for raising over $100.00 of sponsorship; they were: Lucas Perelini, Florence Fournier, Austin Harrison, Shaun Graveston, Taylor-Jane McNicholl, Louis Holden, Priyanka Nathu, and Mrs Horwood.

Connor Lindsay deserves special recognition for raising over $300.00 of sponsorship.  He receives a World Vision T Shirt, cap, badge and Cambodian band.  Well done Connor.

Music Recital:

Our annual recital, where our itinerant Music teachers prepare our instrumental learners to present an item, took place on Wednesday 19 November.  There was a good standard of performance.  Our year 4 8 pupils, who performed, were:

Violin Ensemble:  Kookaburra 

Rebecca Tang, Sebastian Gurobi-Hines, Simone Gale, Anna Parry, Henry Rouch, Freddy Wilson, Meg Byers, Megan Lord

Guitar Ensemble: 16th Century Dance: 'Bransle De Champagne' - (Claude Gervaise)  

Connor Lindsay, Oscar Carnevale, Thomas Bennett, Cameron Lord

Piano:  

Stargazing  Cara Keohane 

The Magic Man George Warren 

Rockin' Roberta Chelsea Yu  

Toymaker's Dance Vincent Kenworthy 

Drifting Clouds Karenia Anderson 

Freight Train Tyrelle Tonihi-Pitama 

Guitar Ensemble: ‘Spring' from 'The Four Seasons' - (Antonio Vivaldi)  Rebekah Boyce, Logan McConnel, Emma Pearson, Joshua Duddy, Ella-Jane Todd

Piano:

The Lost Cat Isabella Holden 

Caravan Madeline Kendrew 

The Can-Can Yu Jin Ji

Malaguena Saskia Klinkenberg 

18th Century Dance Millie Clifton 

Beauty and the Beast Phoebe Brosnan

Chimes Arwen Edgar

Sunshine Rag Jacqui-Lyn Welch 

Prelude in F (Bach) Joy Kang

Guitar Ensemble: Those Magnificent Men in their Flying machines - (Ron Goodwin)

Ashleigh Macdonald, Lucas Perelini, Georgia Rouch, Rory Wilson-Cartwright

Piano:

Ol' Rockin Chair Blues Jesse Rogers 

Samba in the Sixth Thomas Pearson 

Indians Skylar Brown 

Mysterious Story Emma-Kate Gardenbroek  

Minuet in G Thomasina Loeffen 

Tarantella Te Teira Pitama

Garage Sale Olivia Ong

Bonny Bobbie Bluetoe Rebecca Tang 

Our thanks go to all the Music Teachers involved:

Juliet Johnston, Michael Crowther, Laurie Searle and Ian Bolton.

Spellathon:

I am pleased to report that $3,197.10 was raised in the recent Spellathon.  I thank the staff for ensuring the smooth running of this event.

SPORTING  ROUND-UP

Independent Schools’ Athletics Sports:

We had the following successes at the ISSA annual championships.

Karenia Anderson 1st 9 years High Jump

3rd 9 years 50 m

3rd 9 years 80 m

Simone Gale 2nd 11 years Long Jump

2nd 11 years 60 m

3rd 11 years 100 m

Aaron Smith 2nd 13 years Long Jump

2nd 13 years 60 m

3rd 13 years 100 m

Anastasia Loeffen 1st 10 years 1000m

Jed Scott-Stafford 3rd 10 years 50 m

3rd 10 years 80m

Aaron Li 3rd 9 years 80 m

Ashton Finlayson 3rd 11 years 100m

Canterbury Primary Schools’ Athletics Sports:

2008 would see the largest number of children to compete at the recent CPSSA Athletics at QEII.  Anastasia Loeffen ran in the 1000 metres, placing 9th in a large field.  Aaron Smith jumped a personal best in the Long Jump and was 3rd in the 13 years 60 metre final.  Simone Gale jumped a personal best in the 11 years Long Jump to place 2nd and she was 3rd in the 11 years 100 metres.  Jed Scott-Stafford and Aaron Li ran well in the heats of the 50 metres.  Karenia Anderson competed in the High Jump and ran well in the heat of the 50 metres.  Thank you to Monique Gale for her encouragement and technical advice to our athletes on the day.

Tennis:

We have continued our eight year association with the Hagley (United) Tennis Club and again over 30 of our years 5 - 8 pupils have received the coaching services of Mark Belcher (Professional) and his team.  Mrs Teresa Price is suitably thanked for her coaching of our Years 2 - 4 tennis players from 3 - 4 pm on Thursdays.

SPIRITUAL

Nativity:

Our Junior Staff have put much practice into this play, which will feature next Tuesday at 2 pm in St Michael’s Church.

‘Praise Be’

We have received a copy of the DVD recording of our Choir.  Parents may purchase copies from 

Television New Zealand at $29.00 each.  Order forms are available at the School Office.  

Year Eight Assembly Leaders this month have been: Drew Mathieson, Taylor Alexander, Olivia Martin-Savage, Thomas Pearson, Ashleigh Macdonald, Annabelle Priddy, Oliver Dunne and Olivia Parker.

Bible Readers at recent School masses have been:

Victoria Allan, Beatrix Loeffen, Pippa Nicholls, Drew Mathieson, Callum Salt and Te Teira Pitama.

SYNDICATE REPORTS:

Senior Syndicate:

As usual in our Syndicate, the last few weeks have been very busy.  On Wednesday, we enjoyed an outing with a difference.  Many would not have tried windsurfing and surfing before, so it was with a little trepidation we took to the waters of the Estuary and New Brighton.  However, the weather was brilliant, the children were amazing, and a good day was had by all.  Another first for our Syndicate was the Drama sessions run by Helen Moran.  Skills developed in these sessions included characterisation, body movement and facial features, and showing a scene through a freeze frame, or snapshot.

At the time of our last newsletter, the results of our class elections were not known.  The Year 7 Election was won by the Pacific 3 Party, with Georgia Rouch as winning candidate.  The Year 8 Election was won by Freedom Gold, with Te Teira Pitama as winning candidate.  These elections were an excellent way for the classes to learn about the process of our General Election.

Staff are already busy planning next year, and in particular, our School Camp at Wainui, but we will take some time away to relax, and we hope that during this Christmas / New Year Season, you will also find time to slow down, reflect, and enjoy!  Have a safe and happy Christmas.

A P Kendrew

Middle Syndicate:

This term has certainly raced along for those children in the Middle Syndicate.  Looking back, much has been accomplished.  At the time of writing the children are looking forward to our Big Day Out at Jellie Park and Pirates Cove Mini Golf: just reward for a years hard work.

We have completed our second year of sustained numeracy and in reflection we are pleased with the shifts in pupil achievement.  Our own professional development will continue in 2009.

Simone Gale, Aaron Li, Jed Scott-Stafford, Karenia Anderson and Anastasia Loeffen represented our School and the Middle Syndicate at the recent CPSSA Athletics.  They all  performed really well with Simone placing 2nd in the 11 Year Girls Long Jump and 3rd in the 100 metres.

EOTC will feature next year with Years Five and Six annual camp at Living Springs.  Planning for this event is currently underway and the New Year will see a Camp meeting in Week One of next term to explain the rationale for our EOTC experience and programme.

On behalf of Julie Lee, Elspeth Godfrey-Chatterton and myself I would like to wish you a blessed Christmas and a well earned restful holiday.  We look forward to seeing you all again in 2009.

J C Russell

Junior Syndicate:

Swimming at Aquagym was enjoyed once again by the junior children. The programme kept the children busy and focused. It was pleasing for teachers to note the increased confidence that children showed in the water. Thank you to all those parents who assisted during the swimming week. 

On Thursday December 4th the Junior Syndicate went  to the Botanical Gardens for their end of year outing. Thank you to the parents who were able to join us at this time.

The children are currently practising for the Junior Christmas Celebration on Dec 9th. We hope that you will also be able to join us for this event. 

As this will be the last newsletter for the year, on behalf of the junior teachers, I would like to thank you all for your support this year and to extend to you and your families, best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday.

T V Price

Principals’ Tips:

‘My Story’ by K Taylor and A Leggat (Parents Inc)  

Your child's story is unique.  As they grow their personal story unfolds into a wonderful journey we call life.  ‘My Story’ is the best way to start recording your child's own story by presenting their photos, cards, certificates, special memories and treasures in one album.  For the child it reminds them that they are special, loved and only one of a kind.  It reminds them they are part of a family that loves them.  It reveals a history of their progress and development and connects them to knowing they are loved and enjoyed by the people who matter most. 

‘My Story’ is a great gift for a new family starting out or a wonderful organiser for families who want to collate their child's journey in one special place. 

More information about My Story can be found on the Parents Inc website: www.Parentslnc.org.nz.

The staff and I look forward to sharing our end of year events with you.

All the best.

Kevin Boyce

Principal