18 September 2009

Dear Parents,

‘Jack’ what a memory moment and a wonderful highlight for 2009. Two quotes crossed my desk this week:

‘Music is the interstate highway to the memory system’ and: ‘We learn 10% of what we read, 15% of what we hear, but 80% of what we experience’. I am sure that some of the impressive test results that I have

been reading recently in our pupils’ portfolios have been influenced by the disciplines of: learning lines for, and, participation in, our most successful show.

ACADEMIC

ICAS Spelling:

We congratulate the following:

Distinction: (Principal’s Gold and Red awards and eight merit marks): Wone Jung (Year 4), Vincent Kenworthy, Taylor Keys (Year 5), Rebecca Tang (Year 8).

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

Alexander Johnson, Roman Kenworthy, Liam Scrase (Year 4), George Warren (Year 5), Madeline Kendrew, Saskia Klinkenberg (Year 6).

Participation: (Principal’s Red award and three merit marks): Shuying Wee, Bennet Anderson, Harrison Kendrew, Myah Klinkenberg, André Smith, Maleka Smith (Year 4), Thomas Bennett, Charlotte-Jane Irwin (Year 5), George Addis, Karenia Anderson, Davis Gale, Aaron Li,

Logan McConnel (Year 6), Letasha Lowe, Joshua Carlile, Rachel Chon, Millie Clifton, Simone Gale, Jordan McIvor (Year 7), Georgia Hetutu (Year 8).

Canterbury Westland Science Fair:

Congratulations to Kevin Jonker, who won third place in the Technology category.

CULTURAL

‘Jack’:

What a phenomenal success! Our St Michael’s Church School community is so proud of our 2009 production, which was viewed by nearly 700 people at our two performances. Our lead roles were recognised with Gold and Red awards at our assembly this morning. Again, we are indebted to our Producer Sharon Howells. As one of our students wrote in their portfolios as she reflected upon ‘Jack”: “St Michael’s produced another one of their brilliant shows which they seem to hold a reputation for”.

SPORTING ROUND-UP

Rugby:

What an honour! Alex Irvine received three trophies at a recent Canterbury Rugby function: J.A.B. “Player of the Year” and Under 13 Springston “Player of the Season” and a member of the Club’s“Most Improved Team”

SPIRITUAL

Welcome to Holy Communion:

Jesse Simkin, Hannah Pearson, James Dwyer, André Smith, Paige Stolzenberger, Theodore Johnson, Emily Galbraith, Brooke Davies, Brianna Edgar, Camille Perelini, Sara Gillman and Dominic Johnson and the seventeen pupils who were baptised on 2 September were welcomed to Holy Communion in St Michael’s Church on Wednesday 16 September.

Year Eight Assembly Leaders this month:

Jacob Fitzgibbon, Georgia Hetutu, Rebecca Tang, Austin Poit, Olivia Ong, Emma Wong, Samantha Clark, Emma-Kate Gardenbroek and Saskia Whall.

Principals’ Tips:

Positive Boundaries Get Kids Thinking

Hearing the word no doesn’t have to be a disaster for kids if Mum and Dad are positive about sometimes having to be negative. Encourage budding negotiators with statements like: “No, I’m not happy with that suggestions for these 2 reasons; ... Why don’t you think up another one and bring it back for me to reconsider?” Or for a younger child; “Yes you can do that, as soon as you’ve done ...” A boundary can be an invitation to put the brain in gear and think win-win for kids and parents.

(from Parents Inc weekly hot tips)

These suggestions may be useful for holiday moments, which I wish you ‘well’ for.

All the best.

K R Boyce

Principal