06 May 2010

Dear Parents,

As I write we are one week into our second term for 2010. There is real evidence of the change of season, from summer to winter: longer nights and shorter days and those many coloured leaves twirling to the ground awaiting human toil as we make them into child-proof piles!

Staffing:

It was pleasing to welcome our new Secretary, Mrs Michelle Tull, to our School at the beginning of the first week. Mrs Tull

has been the School Secretary at Christchurch East School for the last eight years and I know that you will join me in extending a warm welcome to Michelle.

Our new Bursar, Mr Paul Melton, has been coming to terms with the tasks associated with his new role as Bursar.

I offer sincere thanks to Mrs Dorothy Burrows for all of her work with both Mrs Tull and Mr Melton to ensure they are comfortable with our systems.

We also have welcomed Mrs Paula Eveleigh to our After School Care Team.

Dorothy Burrows at her final St Michael's School Assembly on Friday 30 April 2010.

ACADEMIC

Otago Problem Solving:

This annual problem solving competition began last week, with 31 pupils from across Years 6 - 8 participating this year. There are five sets of questions with five problems in each set. The top scorers from Set 1, who all scored 4/5 were:

Year 8 - Megan Lord, Austin Harrison &

James Nicholls

Year 7 - Saskia Klinkenber

g & Daniel Kim

A P Kendrew

Secondary Schools’ Scholarships:

A number of our Year Eight pupils have indicated their intention to attend and sit Scholarship examinations for entry at local Independent

Schools.

National Standards:

As stated in our March newsletter, Lynne Horwood and I attended a course on this important issue in Auckland. Nearly sixty Independent Schools’ Curriculum Leaders and Principals were present. We will be holding a Parents’ information evening on Thursday 10 June from 7:00pm, in our school hall, where we will discuss National Standards and how we will report these to you on our Mid-Year report proforma. All parents will be sent a letter next week, which explains the background, significance and use of these National Standards.

Mathematics Extension:

By way of preparation for the annual Cantamaths’ competition, Tony Kendrew is using our Mathematics’ Extension sessions to prepare our Year Seven and Year Eight teams for this important evening. We will reconvene our Mathematics’ Extension group for other pupils, later in the year.

CULTURAL

Christchurch Music Festival:

Four of our Year Eight students have applied to audition for the Special Senior Choir at the annual Christchurch Festival. Good luck to: Jacqui-Lyn Welch, Priyanka Nathu, Simone Gale & Shaun Graveston.

Kapahaka:

Our Kapahaka is preparing to present at our Sunday 13 June Open Occasion.

SPORTING ROUND-UP

Hockey:

We now have 60 children competing amongst our seven Saturday morning teams. Again, may I thank our parent coaches and Mr Michael Graveston for his impeccable organisation.

K R Boyce

Netball:

The first round of senior netball started on 1 May with two Year 8 teams playing in the Under 13 section with this grade having an entry of over 35 teams. We are again thankful to those parents who have offered their time to coach and manage the teams on Saturday.

Future Ferns commence their competition on Friday this week. We are entering a Year 5 team as well as ten “Whistlers” who are training as netball umpires.

J C Russell

Rugby:

This term has seen ten boys from St Michael’s join with Cathedral Grammar for rugby. The boys practice for sport on Thursdays and have another practice on another week day. All the boys play in competition on Saturday mornings according to their weight. This year would see the largest contingent of boys from St Michael’s playing alongside Cathedral Grammar.

J C Russell

Soccer:

Senior Soccer begins this term with practices held on a Tuesday from 3:10pm - 4:20pm. A squad of players will be posted on the notice board on Friday.

A P Kendrew

SPIRITUAL

Year Eight Assembly Leaders:

The leaders for this month have been: Olivia Mattison, Jordan McIvor & Austin Harrison

Bible Readers at School Masses:

Shaun Graveston, Anna Parry-Gibson & Arwen Edgar.

Parish AGM:

The Principal presented his annual written report at the Parish AGM last Sunday. The Principal’s full report is available for parents to peruse on our website: www.churchandschool.org.

SYNDICATE REPORTS:

Senior Syndicate:

The Senior Syndicate has made a flying start to a busy term, with a number of activities already under way. Our focus this term is on our Nineteenth Century Christchurch studies, with trips to Ferrymead, Riccarton House, and the Museum. Year 7 & 8 received a visit today from story-teller Margaret Copland, whose stories recounted the experiences of the early settlers to Canterbury.

Of course, a Soirée is the ideal way to finish this unit, and tomorrow pupils begin their dance classes in preparation for this major event later in the term. I'm sure they are all looking forward to that!

As well as dancing, pupils are attending Gymnastics sessions at the Christchurch School of Gymnastics for the first six weeks, and are training for the School Cross Country

next week.

A P Kendrew

Middle Syndicate:

The children have returned to school refreshed after a much welcome break. It was great to see them and they have immersed themselves in the many and varying activities that are on offer this term.

As a syndicate we are busy preparing for the annual school cross country which is on Tuesday 11 May. The children are busy running around the streets adjacent to the river in preparation. We have entered into an initiative with the Senior Syndicate to go to South Hagley on Fridays for the next two weeks to run so the children will be familiar with the course.

This term will see the children involved with the gymnastics programme that has been planned for them at Alpha Impact gymnasium. This is a seven week programme which will involve the children rotating in groups around a range of activities. At the conclusion of the lessons each child will receive a certificate to celebrate their success.

We have started this week to assess the children in numeracy in the domain of multiplication/division. After the results have been analysed, the children will then be grouped according to their stages achieved.

Future Ferns will start next week for a Year 4/5 team. There will be a note to go home explaining practice times and procedures for the games on Friday.

There is certainly many varied and exciting events happening this term so please keep an eye on your calendar and any notes that may come home.

J C Russell

Junior Syndicate:

Term 2, with all children looking smart in their winter uniforms, has begun well. Autumn leaves have us appreciating the season. Year One children made leaf boats and sailed them in the Avon. All children have begun training for their Huff n’ Puff run around the Avon Circuit on Wednesday 19 May at 1:45pm. All supporters are welcome! Our topic is Wonderful Water and each class will study different aspects of this.

B M Byers

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Open Sessions:

Open Sessions for Term Two:

Friday 14 May: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Sunday 13 June: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Monday 28 June: 11:00am - 12:00pm

Please encourage your family and friends, who may have primary aged children, to feel welcome to attend any of these occasions. We would ask, as in past years, that visitors register their intention to attend with our School’s secretary.

School Council:

A most successful giant garage sale was held last term. Wonderful organisation by school councillors saw pre loved toys and goods priced in 50 cent, $1.00, $2.00 & $3.00 piles, make almost $500.00. The School Council decided to donate to Haiti and Chile disasters. Ms Katrina Hill from Christian World Service, will attend assembly next Monday to accept our donation.

B M Byers

Principals’ Tips:

Dads and Daughters

Dads, naturally, are boys and as such might need help when it comes to navigating the emotional world of daughters. A dad’s way might be to gather only as much evidence as you need, devise a plan, then implement it - problem solved! If your daughter comes to you for help, consider yourself honoured: she trusts and respects your input. Let her discuss with you every aspect of the problem as she sees it. Don’t jump in with solutions unless and until you’re invited: what she wants to know most of all is that you care enough to listen.

(from Parents Inc - Hot Tips for Parents)

We look forward to your attendance and company at the myriad of events that we will pursue this term.

All the best.

Yours sincerely

K R Boyce

Principal

Speech & Drama Lessons

Now offered at St Michael’s as part of the itinerant programme.

Oral Communication both Artistic and Practical.

Including:

giving talks

drama (both scripted and improvised)

reading aloud

poetry speaking

voice production

storytelling

interviewing

enjoying literature

formal and informal conversation

From Year 3 onwards

Groups of 2 or 3

Working towards Speech NZ Examinations

Mrs T Edgerton-Till is a very experienced Speech and Drama teacher, most recently having taught full-time at The Cathedral Grammar School for eleven years. She has a B.A. in literature and linguistics, an LTCL in Speech and Drama, professional television and stage acting experience and a particular interest in children’s literature.

Please contact Mr Boyce or phone Mrs Edgerton-Till on 332-7330.

Dorothy Burrows, with her husband Max (left) and Principal, Kevin Boyce, cuts her retirement cake.