Term 3 Newsletters

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Fortnightly Newsletter

180 Hill Rd, Belmont, Lower Hutt. Ph: 565 0749
Fax: 565 0747 e-mail: maranatha@maranatha.school.nz
Principal: Debbie Middleton

Term 3, Week 10, 24 September 2009

COME O LORD

 
Dear Maranatha Christian School Community Members,


It was great to work with all the enthusiastic families and children who contributed to our working bee on Saturday. Thank you very much to those who dug up and transported plants, to those who
provided equipment, to those who collected and disposed of accumulated rubbish, and - last but not least - to those who
provided food in plenty. Behind the hall now looks like a nursery centre! ‘Valley Landscape’ contractors started work on the bush track yesterday, so we will need willing helpers back again next term, to replant the plants along the sides of the new track.

Many of the school staff will be attending the New Zealand Association of Christian School’s national conference in Rotorua during the first week of the school holidays. We are really
looking forward to networking with likeminded teachers and principals from other Christian schools throughout New Zealand, and to receiving professional development in a Christian
educational setting.

Our school wide theme is ‘God Protects and Provides’. We have had a lot of evidence of God’s protecting and providing for the school community, both very recently and since the school first
began. May He protect and provide for you, your family and the whole school community over the coming holiday period.


God bless you,
Debbie Middleton


"Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what He wants you to be and give you
everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends”
Acts 20 v 32, The Message.


Mark your calendar:
25 September Mufti Day (gold coin donation)
25 September End of term 3. School closes at 2pm
27 September Daylight Saving Begins
12 October School starts for term 4
16 October Swimming—Huia Pool
16 October “Eat so they can” 12pm picnic
21 October Kids 4 Kids concert 7:30pm
23 October Staff only Day (students do not attend)
26 October Labour Day (public holiday)
28 October School photos
30 October Swimming—Huia Pool



Uniform notice

Summer uniform may be worn from day one of term 4. It will be compulsory from 27th October. However, all students must wear their jerseys on photo day,
28 October.


Photos

Our annual school photo’s will be taken on 28 October. The photograph order envelope will be sent home in the 1st week of Term 4. The Portrait packs will cost $20 and the class photograph will cost $12.00. When you order both packs it will only cost $28.00.


Kids for Kids Concert

Every second year, our school supports this World Vision fundraiser in the Lower Hutt Town Hall. The Choral Group is learning 17 songs so that they can be part of a
combined choir of Hutt Valley schools.
Door sales are $16 for adults & $10 for school children.
Plan now to enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment featuring our students singing in a massed choir with Suzanne Prentice on Wednesday October 21 at 7.30pm. For more information go to:
www.worldvision.org.nz/happenings/kidsforkids


Swimming instruction

A more detailed swimming notice regarding the swimming for term 4 has been attached/included. The first session will commence on Friday 16 October and the last session will be on 4 December. There will be no swimming on 23 October as it is a staff only day.


School Bus

A decision was made to sell the Maranatha school bus. It is a Hino, Blue Ribbon, year 1989. It will go to the highest offer over $10 000. Please contact the school office if you are interested, or know of anyone who may be.


International Competitions and Assessments for Schools — Spelling & Writing

Congratulations to the following children:

Lovely High Distinction Year 4 Spelling
Aidan Distinction Year 5 Spelling
Daniel Distinction Year 5 Spelling
Rebekah Credit Year 5 Spelling
Richard Credit Year 6 Spelling
Michelle Credit Year 8 Spelling
Michelle Credit Year 8 Writing


Parent Helpers—Camp 2010

In our efforts to organize as much as possible in advance for next year’s camp, I would like to get an idea of which parents might like to accompany us. It would also give you time to arrange time off work, if necessary. I have had a couple of offers already, but more helpers will be required. It will also help us to arrange accommodation. We are looking at possibly putting families, especially those with 5 or 6 year old children,
together in a family unit. Some adults will be required only for the first 3 days, others will be required to stay for 4 days, and only a few for 5 days, depending on the age of your children. Please let me know within the first couple of weeks of next term if you are available. That would be much appreciated.
Paul Viljoen


Coming Up… “Eat So They Can”

When?           Friday 16th October, 12pm onwards (first Friday of Term 4)
What?            Shared Picnic Lunch and Games
Who?             All Maranatha students (families welcome also)
Bring?            Picnic food to share
                        Picnic rugs, plates etc
                        DONATION (gold coin, or more if you wish)
Wear?            Mufti
*Please note, the PTA will NOT be running a sausage sizzle on this day, sausages will resume in Week 2*

“Eat So They Can” is held in conjunction with World Food Day. The idea is simple; share a meal and make a donation to help children in need in developing countries. To find out more, please visit Maranatha’s very own home page for the event:
http://www.eatsotheycan.org/2009hosts/MaranathaChristianSchool


PTA fundraiser

So far the PTA has raised $630 with the sausage sizzle and lemonade sales on Fridays. A fantastic effort to assist with camp fee costs. Thank you


Touch Rugby – Term 4

Children who were involved in touch during term 1, please take note that the next round starts again in term 4. Registration fees of $8 will apply again, which goes
towards the referees’ fees and administration. As the new PE uniforms are now available, I would appreciate it if we can all wear them during this tournament. They look a lot smarter than the old ones, and I know that many of your old PE uniforms are too small anyway. The old touch uniforms will not be used again. Please register your interest with me if you want to take part in this tournament during term 4, even if you did not play during term 1. Unfortunately this is only for year 5 & 6 students.
If any year 7 & 8 want to enter, please see me as well.
Paul Viljoen


Charlotte’s Web

Hutt Repertory Theatre presents “Charlotte’s Web”, the story of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the wise spider, who embark on a delightful journey, forming an unusual bond of friendship along the way. Playing twice daily from 28 September to 2 October at 11am and 2pm. Tickets $8. Bookings can be made at Hooper’s Pharmacy Epuni Railway shops or on 939 7529.


More achievements from our students

Congratulations to Megan (Room 3) who won the 2nd prize for the Charlotte’s Web colouring competition.


Well done Piper (Room 5)! Part one of her Shakie boys’ story “Catching Counterfeiters” got 2nd place in the number works competition.


The bake sale held on Tuesday by some Room 6 girls raised $210. Well done girls! The money will be used to replace damaged art room supplies.


Congratulations to Ashleigh (room 5) who competed and did very well in the Wellington Short course Swimming Champs. Ashleigh competed in 9 events and in each event she gained a top 10 finish. In the 100 metre backstroke, she also gained the Silver medal!


Mobile Guitar Lessons

Please phone Geoff Day on 387 2630 or 021 565 750
Modern guitar lessons that inspire and motivate.


Kids Domain Holiday Programme

Lower Hutt & Stokes Valley Centres
Cost: From $20 per day, WINZ Subsidies available, Phone: 5266398 or 027 4749573
Email: kidsdomain@slingshot.co.nz


Swimming Notice


Swimming instruction is starting for term 4 on Friday 16 October 2009 for the whole school and ends on Friday 4 December 2009. Rooms 1, 2, 4 and 5 children will need to be dropped off at Huia Pool by 8.50 am. Those children from Rooms 1, 2, 4 and 5 who use the bus in the mornings, will be dropped off at Huia Pool.
After that the bus will continue its usual run to school. No students are to be left unsupervised at the Huia Pool complex prior to 8.30am.
Rooms 3, 6, and 7, students will meet as usual at school and then be transported by bus to Huia Pool to begin their session at 9.45am.


Helpful Suggestions:

1. Students may wear their togs under their school uniform BUT… please make sure your child has underwear to change into after swimming.
2. Girls wear hair tied up.
3. Name everything: togs, towels and all other clothes.
4. Provide an extra bag for the wet swimming gear to go in, as wet togs and towels don’t mix well with books and lunches.
5. Add something extra to their lunch boxes on Fridays. We have found in the past that students have an increased appetite after swimming.
6. Support for your child in their swimming lesson is great. Any parent help would be appreciated by their teacher.
7. Food and drink are to be kept for morning tea at school.

Things to Note:

• Please understand that this is school time and not a family swim time, so if you need to bring toddlers make sure that they are well supervised out of the pool.
• No spending of money at the pool.
• Since this is part of the school curriculum, if your child is not participating please send a note to your child’s teacher explaining why they are not physically able to swim that day.
• Any child who has been sick within the last 48 hours, or who has open sores may not enter the pool. This is a policy of the Huia Pool administration.
• Any children not swimming must still go to the pool with their class. They can take a book to read. Supervision is not available at school for non-swimmers.