PARENTS NEWSLETTER TERM 1, WEEK 11 15 April 2016

Maranatha Christian School 180 Hill Road, Belmont, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand

T 565 0749 E office@maranatha.school.nz W maranatha.school.nz

Tēnā koutou katoa I write to you today from the New Zealand Association of Christian Schools (NZACS) National Leadership Conference, in the South Island, where I am fortunate enough to be attending with my wonderful leadership team (Mrs Sandi Stevens and Mrs Nicky Heyns). As you may have gathered, it is currently conference season in the education sector (as I wrote to you from the Wellington Principal’s Conference a fortnight ago). Sandi, Nicky and I are blessed to be in the company of so many wonderful Christian school leaders, including one very familiar face… Miss Liz Horn! Liz is the former Deputy Principal of Maranatha Christian School and is now the Principal of Rolleston Christian School in Christchurch. Liz sends her love to everyone at Maranatha. Conference for Sandi, Nicky and I will conclude this Sunday. Until then, we will continue to pray and worship together, be informed and inspired by our keynote speakers, network with our fellow Christian School leaders and further develop ourselves as an effective leadership team. Our thanks to the Maranatha Foundation Board (MFB) for funding us to attend this conference, whereby strengthening leadership at Maranatha, which in turn benefits the academic and spiritual growth of our students. We now come to the end of a very busy Term 1. Recent noteworthy events have included the Year 4-8 Sports Day held at Cornerstone Christian School in Palmerston North, two special welcome assemblies where we welcomed and prayed for nineteen new students (wow!) and an amazing end of term Whānau Group Obstacle Course Challenge that was enjoyed by all (well done to Tawa, the winning Whānau group for Term 1). I pray that everyone will now enjoy a time of rest and fellowship over the holidays and return to Maranatha Christian School recharged and ready to embark on another action packed term of learning. Term 2 will see the opening of our sixth classroom, Kakariki, as well as our first big calendar event of the year, our Family Cultural Celebration Day to be held on Saturday 14 May. Details of this exciting event are contained within this newsletter. Please keep this date free in your diaries and invite all of your friends and family along to join in the fun. In closing, CONGRATULATIONS to this week’s LIFE Award winners… Tawanda M (Love) Lucas M (Excellence) Zekaryah T (Integrity) Rebekah D (Integrity) Lochlan S (Excellence) Matthew G (Excellence) Olivia R (Integrity) Raphy S (Excellence) Benj B (Integrity) Conner M(Integrity) Have a fantastic weekend.

In His love

He konā mai Steve Farrand Principal

“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each mem-ber belongs to the others.”

Romans 12:5

Mark your Calendar

Thursday, 28 April Painting Working Bee

Anytime between 9.30—2.00 pm

Email the office to let us know if you can be there!

Lunch is provided :-).

Thursday, 28 April Maranatha Uniform Shop open 9.30—10.30 am

Monday, 2 May First day of Term 2

Monday, 2 May Year 7&8 Technology

Monday, 9 May Year 7&8 Technology

Saturday, 14 May Cultural Celebration Day, 10 am—2 pm

Monday, 16 May Year 7&8 Technology

Tuesday, 17 May Assembly

Monday, 23 May Year 7&8 Technology

Monday, 30 May Year 7&8 Technology

Tuesday, 31 May Assembly

Tuesday, 31 May Western Zone Cross Country

Monday, 6 June Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Tuesday, 7 June Staff Only Day—no school today

Please take note of the Staff Only Day to be held on

Tuesday, 7 June (day after Queen’s Birthday). School

is closed on that day.

Is your son/daughter turning 5 in 2017? If so, we need your application form! Can these please be sent to the office prior to June for class planning and MoE funding purposes. Enrolment forms are available on our website or ask at the office for a copy to be sent home.

Donation Statement for financial Year 1 April 2015 - 31 March 2016 Donation Statements will be going home by post from today onwards. If you do not receive this by Thursday, 28 April, please contact Corry on corryz@maranatha.school.nz.

Thank You...

...to all the wonderful parents from Kotare and Ruru classes who helped cater for the two recent Welcome Assemblies—we truly appreciate your help in making these Assemblies special.

Scabies Alert…

As there has been a recent case of Scabies at the school,

and this is a highly contagious infection, we have

attached a Fact Sheet for your information.

Student Council for 2016 Congratulations to the following students who have been duly elected on the Student Council this year: Melissa M—Head of the Student Council (Year 8) Fiona M—Deputy Head of the Student Council (Year 7) Joseph L -(Year 8) Tobey L -(Year 7) Abby L -(Year 6) Natalie M - (Year 6) Aryav B - (Year 5) Julia R -(Year 5)

Welcome to New Students... Who joined Tui Class this term! They are: Alicia Elise Hannah Makayla We hope you and your families settle in quickly and feel part of the Maranatha community very soon.

Update from the Board of Trustees...

The board met late last week and reflected on a busy and productive term!

We reviewed an excellent property report and took the time to reflect on the significant property progress that has been made this term. Our working bee got an impressive list of things done and we appreciate all the families who took time out to work together to improve our school.

The opening of Kakariki in Term 2 is very exciting and again, great community help to get the room ready (starting at 6:30am on Easter Morning!). Our roll growth is very encouraging – current predictions look like we will be at our maximum roll by the end of next year!

The new Health and Safety legislation that came into force on 4 April is a reminder of the importance of working together to keep everyone in our school safe.

Steve also let us know about the camp plans for year 4, 5 and 6 students in late October which will be really exciting!

It’s been a busy and fun term as the children have enjoyed the great weather, Road Safety day, Friday hot dogs, fabric and fibre creating, bees and seeds day, athletics, whanau group challenge…the list goes on!

We look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Cultural Celebration Day next term on Saturday 14 May. May God bless you and your children over the break. Sanjay Bhawan and Nadine Kilmister (Maranatha BOT)

Saturday, 14 May 2016

10.00 am – 2.00 pm

Maranatha’s Cultural Celebration Day

Invite your family! Invite your friends! Invite your church!

Who: This event is primarily for our Maranatha Christian School community. We do encourage families to invite their extended family members, friends and church members along also.

Purpose: To showcase our Term 1 programme of learning on unity. Celebrating our God-given individuality and cultural identity, while understanding how God uses this to create a richness within His Kingdom, as we unify and seek our identity in Christ. Romans 12:5: “So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Fundraising: This event will double as a fundraiser for our School Production to be held in Term 3. As such, the following fundraising will take place…

Art Sale… we have a large supply of donated prints to sell, so spread the word…

Bake Sale - PTA will be organising the bake sale. Each student will be given an empty plate in a plastic bag and asked to return it to school containing baked goods. More information to follow…

Kiwi Sausage Sizzle

Hot Chips

Boerewors Dog

Chocolate Bars & Lolly Leis - PTA will be organising families to send bags of wrapped lollies to school. More information to follow...

Tea/Coffee & Cold Drinks

Bouncy Castle Free Activities:

Sports Equipment

Cultural Family Challenge - (with prizes!). More information to follow…

Shared Buffet Lunch - Cultural Food

Open Classrooms displaying Term 1’s Cultural Programme of Learning What to Bring:

Yourself, family and friends - with an appetite for yummy food!

Dress in clothing that reflects/celebrates your culture (Optional)

A cultural food item to contribute to our shared buffet lunch (Optional) - More information to follow…

Cash for fundraising purchases (No EFTPOS available, sorry!) - Internet payments for Art Sale items (only), available on request. Parking: Top Court & Field

Programme: 10.00 -11.30 am Roaming around Activities 11.30 - 12.30 pm School Performance 12.30 - 2.00 pm Shared Lunch & Roaming around Activities

Helpers Needed: We would like some extra help in the kitchen, preparing and selling the food, as well as people to help set up before-hand. If this is something you can help with, please email/contact the office asap.

On Friday the 8th of April, the Year 4’s to 8’s participated in a Christian School Sports Day at Cornerstone Christian School in Palmerston North. There were five Christian schools attending. We split up into around 50 groups. There were 1 or 2 people in each group from our school. The reason that we were split up, was for us to learn to work together with other schools, especially as this term’s value is ‘Unity’. At Cornerstone School we had five rotations: three in the morning, two in the afternoon. We all enjoyed the day, most of us wanted it to be an annual event, and others even wanted it to be a biannual event! It was a wonderful day but in the afternoon there were a few light showers. All in all, the day was fantastic and fun!

Written by Abby Lim, Melissa Mudzviti, Zach Pham and Paul Monta

New Zealand Association of Christian Schools (NZACS) Sports

Painting Working Bee— Thursday, 28 April, 9.30 am —2.00 pm Calling all available hands! We will be having a Painting Working Bee at Maranatha on Thursday, 28 April from 9.30 am—2.00 pm. We would LOVE to have lots of help—many hands make light work—and lunch will be provided! If you are available to help out (even for just a short time) we would really appreciate your help.

Please email the school office here to let us know if you can make it and the time/s your are available. The only thing you will need to bring with you is your willing hands and a paint brush (if you have one). Thanks for your help in making Maranatha look amazing!

Aryav ...Tennis Star! Congratulations to Aryav who was awarded the following certificates and trophies from the Lower Hutt Tennis Club Championships for the 2015/16 Tennis Season: Winner of Mixed Double Novice – Barbara Allen Cup Runner-up Boys Singles Under 10 Winner Most Valuable Boy Player for the 2015/16

season Great job Aryav! It’s always great to hear about our students’ achievements outside of school. Please let the office know of any notable achievements so we can celebrate their achievement with them.

Winter Uniform—Terms 2 & 3 All children should be in their full winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3. This comprises the following (please note that “old style” is only applicable for children, other than Tui & Kakariki class, who started before Term 4, 2015 ): Boys:

Long sleeved shirt (old and new style);

Shorts (old and new style);

Trousers (old style);

Red polar fleece jacket;

Jersey (old style only)

Red rain coat (optional);

Socks (old and new style);

Closed in shoes.

Girls:

Long sleeved blouse (old and new style);

Skort;

Skirt (old style);

Red polar fleece jacket;

Jersey (old style);

Red rain coat (optional);

Navy blue tights;

Navy blue over the knee socks;

Closed in shoes If your son/daughter is still cold, they may wear thermal layers under their blouse/shirt. Please remember that all the classrooms have heat pumps and are kept cosy and warm. Don’t forget we still have the following “old style” uniform items available at great “buy one get one free” prices. These may still be worn until Term 3, 2017 for all children (other than Tui & Kakariki) who started before Term 4, 2015: Boys Winter Shirts $35: Sizes 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 & S Boys Trousers $40: Sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 80, 84, 88 Girls Winter Blouses $35: Sizes 6, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20

The Maranatha Uniform Shop will be open on Thursday, 28 April from 9.30—10.30 am in the holidays. NZ Uniforms are open every day over the holidays. Another “Uniform Update” from the Uniform Committee will be coming out shortly. NZ Uniforms—Uniform Club The Uniform Club works by allowing you to add payments to a Uniform Club card, which can then be redeemed for goods at any NZ Uniforms retail outlet. The Uniform Club helps you save for your child’s School Uniform throughout their school journey. Join our Uniform Club and we’ll encourage your savings for your child’s School Uniform. By becoming a Uniform Club member, you will receive a 10% discount off purchases made using your card on a great range of products like Canterbury Clothing, Jansport Bags, Ascent Shoes (excludes school uniforms). Get Started: Pick up a Uniform Club card from any of our stores and activate by making a deposit from as little as $5. Top up: Top up your card weekly, fortnightly or monthly from your bank account using direct debit or internet banking. Payments are also accepted at any of our stores. The minimum top up amount is $5 and the maximum balance you can have is $2,000. 0800 NZUniforms (0800 698 643), customerservice@nzuniforms.com

Public Notices

Thinking of Selling? Talk to Tony! Tony Pitiroi has been gifting $250 from every house he sells to Maranatha over the past two years—we are truly blessed to have received these gifts. Please give Tony a call if you are considering selling—”When you see the flame—remember the name”.

Thank you Tony!

It's time to sign up for Junior Rangers

It's almost school holidays so it's time to get your Junior Rangers signed up for Ranger

duty! Pukaha can help keep the kids busy with our hands on, interactive school holiday programme.

Junior Rangers can report for duty these school holidays -Monday to Friday (except for ANZAC Monday) from 11-3. Get in behind the scenes with our Rangers and learn about caring for our

birds and our forest. We will look at our insects, plants and eco-systems. On your first Junior Ranger duty you will collect your Junior Ranger conservation action booklet. Completed conservation actions can earn rewards. You might even become a Pukaha Conservation leader.

Our ranger guides are great at coming up with fun activities to suit the conditions but a Junior

Rangers motto is " Be prepared" as we go rain or shine! Come and help make a difference with us.

$25 per child (age 6 - 12 years old) includes a packed lunch from Wild Cafe (filled roll, fruit, homemade biscuit) plus water. We prefer the Junior Rangers join our programme without their adult however when you bring your Junior Rangers to Pukaha you can enjoy a FREE coffee in

our Wild Café and go and enjoy a walk around the park for half-price while waiting for the Junior Rangers to come off duty.

Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. Book now at info@pukaha.org.nz or give us a call on 06 375 8004

Want an Entertainment Book?

Only $60! Packed full of vouchers which can be used

from now until June 2017. This is a fundraiser for the

Wainuiomata Reformed Church Cadet & Gems Club

(similar to Girl Guides but connected to our church).

From every book sold we receive $12. Contact Wilma Reinders for your copy today! Email:

reinders@clear.net.nz or phone/text 0274 26 7246. Jennian Homes Mother’s Day Fun Run/Walk, Sunday 8 May, Wellington Waterfront.

Run, walk or have a leisurely stroll with your Mum, daughter, sister or a group of girlfriends this Mother’s Day. Nominate

your primary school and they could win a share of $50,000 Rebel Sport vouchers to purchase sport equipment. Register at

http://www.jennianmothersday.com

Animates Workshops

With the school holidays just around the corner, Animates stores nationwide will be hosting free workshops; perfect to keep the

kids entertained! This is a great way for kids to learn important life skills such as kindness and compassion towards animals.

The workshops will teach them everything they need to know about rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice.

The sessions will be held on Thursday 21st and 28th April at 11am at your local Animates store. In case you’re looking for ac-

tivity suggestions for your school newsletter, please see below a flyer with all the details. We’ve also included a link to our

activity booklet.

April school holidays Roller Disco, Mon – Fri of both weeks week, 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Entry $7 Blade hire $3 Skate hire $3. Organised by Upper Hutt Roller Skating Club, 4A Railway Avenue, UH “Movie” theme Roller Disco, Sat 14th May, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Prize for best costume. Entry $7 Blade hire $3 Skate hire $3. Organised by Upper Hutt Roller Skating Club, 4A Railway Avenue, UH Plus we have our regular Sat afternoon disco till mid-Dec, 3.00 – 5.00 pm Entry $7 Blade hire $3 Skate hire $3 www.skatewellington.org.nz skatewellington@yahoo.co.nz Rink ‘phone 04 9390507

TIMBERNOOK HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

This April Holidays TimberNook is offering two new exciting outdoor pro-

grams at Belmont Regional Park, Stratton Street Entrance.

EARTH DAY ADVENTURES (5-11yrs) on Mon 18 – Fri 22nd April (9am-

3pm daily), and CREATIVE MINDS (4-7 yrs), Tues 26 – Fri 29th April

(9am – 12noon daily).

Spots are limited, book now to avoid disappointment. Register and find out

more at timbernook.com. Email kelly.mouat@timbernook.com or phone

021 02741731

Do your children drive you nuts in the school holidays? The Rock Academy holiday programme could be your sal-vation. We will be running a 3 day holiday programme in both weeks of the April school holidays.

This is perfect for any budding young musician, give them to us and we'll send them back to you full of inspiration,

musical ideas and confidence.

Activities include:

Daily Busking Trips (They keep the cash - one of the highlights) Group Jam Sessions Acoustic Singing Lessons/

Exercises Technique Up Skill Sessions Industry Work Shops Solo and Group Song Writing Sessions

Please visit: www.therockacademy.co.nz for more inspiration.

Dates: Week 1 Tuesday to Thursday, 19th, 20

th and 21

st of April; Week 2 Tuesday to Thursday 26

th, 27

th and 28

th

of April. Holiday programme starts at 9am and finishes at 3pm each day. There are only 12 places available

each week and we frequently book out so be in quick!