Dear Parents,

As we embark upon our last week of Term One and enter the lovely picturesque season of Autumn, it is timely to reflect on the accomplishments and activities, which have been the hallmark of the start to 2009.

Roll
It was pleasing to receive six pupils at their orientation day, by way of preparation for their start with us next term:
Year 0:

Sara Gillman
Tayla Harteveld-Heaslip
Paige Smith
Sophie Stewart
Dominic Johnson
Year 3:

Imogen Antal

Sadly we bid farewell to Taylor-Jane and Lochlan McNicholl, who are leaving us to join their local school Swannanoa.

Staff:
Our Year 1 teacher, Mrs Raylene Tennant, will be absent for the first week of next term for personal reasons. I am pleased to report that Mrs Alison Nystad, who taught our Year 1 class at the beginning of the year, will be the Year 1 teacher for this week.

ACADEMIC

Otago Problem Solving and I.C.A.S. (New South Wales University:
Individual letters will be sent home for 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.

Science Fair:
Our Year 6, 7 and 8 students have brought home a letter which again sets out the conditions and criteria for this year’s Canterbury-Westland Science Fair.

Afghanistan Talk:
Last Monday, our Year 5 - 8 classes were privileged to receive an enlightened and informative power point presentation and talk from Jeremy Packham, who will be part of the N.Z. peacekeeping force in Afghanistan for the next eight months. Jeremy is going to keep in touch with our School, by email, sending information and updated photographs.

Excellence in Teaching:
I am pleased to report that Mr Jon Russell, our Associate Principal and Middle Syndicate Leader, is a candidate for the 2009 Independent Schools’
Excellence in Teaching (Primary School) award.

CULTURAL

Special Choir:
A number of our Year 5 and 6 (Christchurch Music Festival Junior Choir) and Year 7 and 8 (Christchurch Music Festival Senior Choir) pupils have made application for places in these special groups. Our children have received many reminders that these applications close on 3 April (webmaster@musicfestival.school.nz) with Kailash1 being our password.

2009 Production:
Mrs Elspeth Godfrey-Chatterton and Ms Sharon Howells have kindly agreed to offer their expertise as the Musical Director and Producer for our 2009 production. The intention is to again stage our production at the Majestic Theatre, during the second to last week of Term Three

SPORTING ROUND-UP

Cricket:
Our 1st XI came up against Cathedral Grammar in their Milo Cup (Round Two) game and were well beaten on the day.

Tennis:
Our programme of coaching for Years 5 - 8 at Hagley Club and Years 3 - 4 at St Michael’s will conclude this week and recommence during Term Four.
Touch:
Our boys’ team acquitted itself quite well in the Friday afternoon competition at St Andrews. This programme will recommence in Term Four.

Rugby League World Cup

Alex Irvine Sports’ Captain and Shannel Cartwright Deputy Sports’ Captain with Mr Boyce and Te Wairua photographed with the Rugby League World Cup won by the New Zealand Kiwis in 2008

Surf Life Saving Championships:
Congratulations to Simone Gale who was 1st= in Beach Flags and 2nd= in the Beach Sprint at the recent Canbury Surf Life Saving Championships.

Hockey:
Hockey is well underway with teams selected and practices underway. Numbers have grown this year to five teams. This bodes well for the future. Competitions will be starting on 2 May with trials and practices to continue through the holidays. Thank you to all those parents and past pupils who are helping in some way. If it wasn't for the volunteers in our sport not much would be achieved.
Netball:
This year we are entering four teams in the Friday and Saturday competition. An Under 13 team (Year 8), Under 12 (Year 7) and two Future Ferns teams. Play will commence after the holidays for all teams. Again thank you to all who have offered help to coach/manage teams. A number of our Year 7 and 8 players are also becoming 'Whistlers'. They will be learning how to umpire netball on a Friday night. It is pleasing to see players wishing to upskill themselves. See you all on the courts next week.

SPIRITUAL

Year Eight Assembly Leaders this month have been: Blake Clark, Georgia Rouch, Emma Wong, Sophie Mitchell, Alex Irvine, Skylar Brown, Shannel Cartwright, Rory Wilson-Cartwright and Georgia Hetutu.
Bible Readers at our School Masses: Rory Wilson-Cartwright, Emma Pearson, Rebecca Tang, Jesse Rogers, Georgia Hetutu, Olivia Ong and Jacob Fitzgibbon.

Mothering Sunday 22 March:
This again proved to be a colourful, enriching service. In keeping with tradition, all lady members of our congregation received a floral spray.

Servers’ Badges:
Badges were presented to our Altar Servers at a recent School Service:
Rory Wilson-Cartwright
Austin Poit
Jesse Rogers
Raphaela Walsh
Blake Clark
Emma-Kate Gardenbroek
Olivia Ong
Alex Irvine
Jacob Fitzgibbon
Kendra Dunstan
Congratulations to these pupils.

SYNDICATE REPORTS:

Senior Syndicate:
I would like to congratulate and thank the senior pupils for their contribution to a wonderful camp at Wainui in Week 6. The way they worked together, encouraged others, and participated in the challenging activities, was a credit to themselves and to our school. There is plenty of creative talent in our

syndicate if the camp concert is anything to go by. We were fortunate also to have excellent parent help throughout the week doing all manner of tasks. On behalf of Mrs. Horwood, I thank you for giving your time and expertise. There is plenty to look forward to

next term. We will be studying an integrated Social Studies / Health Topic of ‘Disasters’, and we will have six sessions of Gymnastics instruction. In Science, the senior pupils will be involved in designing a Science investigation or Technology solution for the annual Science Fair in Week 8.

Enjoy the holidays and keep safe.
A P Kendrew

Middle Syndicate:
We look over the term and wonder where the time has gone with so much happening and packed into the term.
Year Five recently enjoyed a great day sailing at Lake Rua. From reports, which I can verify personally, several children were seen to be deliberately attempting to capsize their yachts. Thank you to Mrs Godfrey-Chatterton and a great group of parents for making this a day to remember.

With the Year 7 and 8 pupils on camp we sent a smaller team to the ISSA Swimming Sports. The young team performed really well with Nicholas Stevens and Vincent Kenworthy getting into their respective finals.
Numeracy is thriving in the Middle Syndicate with all types of questions being asked, such as, 'how do you know?' where did that come from?' 'show me', 'let me'. These are questions being noted to delve into one's thinking and to identify strategies being used. This term has seen an emphasis on basic facts, which are tested daily. We cannot emphasise enough, the importance of revising basic facts daily.

Term Two will be a great opportunity for parents and children to spend some quality time together. How about an early morning run together. Cross Country and the SBS Mara'fun will be happening next term so let's get out there and give it a real go.
This term, the children have worked hard and always (well nearly always), had a cheerful grin on their faces. What has been clear is the positive attitude our children are bringing to their work. This is brought about through an ongoing partnership between home and school.
We hope you all have a happy and restful holiday .

J C Russell

Junior Syndicate:
As Term One comes to a close we reflect on the busy, productive and rewarding first nine weeks of the School year.
Most junior children have made a smooth transition to their new classes and have settled down to new routines and expectations. There is a happy 'buzz' both in and out of the classrooms as children interact positively with one another.
There have been two major highlights in the last month. We have a greater understanding of Christchurch as the Garden City from celebrating the Ellerslie Flower Show in our own unique way with city walks, creative floral activities and Science experiments.
As we go into Holy Week and the Easter Celebrations we have a wonderful memory of Year Zero's and Year One's depiction of the Easter Story.

Teachers are preparing activities for Term Two and we can already look forward to visits to Science Alive and the 'Huff 'n Puff'.

S G Walker

Year One ‘Admiring the Flowers’ in the City during Ellerslie Flower Show Week

PUBLIC RELATIONS

‘Open Hour’:
We were pleased to receive five families at this inaugural event on Monday 30 March. We intend to hold one of these occasions each term, in addition to our Open Day on Friday 15 May.

Principals’ Tips:
The Summer Jar or the Winter Jar
Little things come up every day that spark a child’s curiosity.

Children are quick to spot new things and masters of ‘Let’s stop everything - I’ve got a great idea’ approach to life.
Here’s a way to capture that spontaneity yet also live within the constraints of our real day to day life. This plan gives the children the immediate feedback and concrete action they need and it gives you the time to plan.
When something comes up - instead of responding with a quick conversation or a dismissal of the idea; act. Suggest that the idea goes into the ‘Summer’ jar or ‘Winter’ jar.
“Hey Mum, look at these neat windows in this book!” “Those are called stained glass windows. they have them in the big church downtown. Would you like to go and see them? Let’s put the idea in the ‘Summer’ jar or the ‘Winter’ jar. “Look what we made at School today. It’s an ABC book. Can we make one?” “This is a neat book. Should we put this idea in the ‘Summer jar or ‘Winter’ jar.

(from Mary and Ian Grant’s Hot Tips for Parents)

Ms Nicky Wagner, our Christchurch Central M.P. after her visit to our Monday Awards’ Assembly, with Olivia Ong, our Head Prefect, Rebecca Tang, our Deputy Head Prefect and our Principal, Mr Kevin Boyce.

On behalf of our hardworking staff team, may I wish our School families a happy and meaningful Easter break.


K R Boyce
Principal