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.