ECS Update Term 2, Week 8 – Thursday 23 June 2022

ECS Update Term 2, Week 8 – Thursday 23rd June 2022

Tēnā koutou

Tomorrow we as a country celerate Matariki as a public holiday for the first time.  This is a fantastic opportunity we have to give thanks for God’s provision and to look forward to what is to come.

The appearance of the Matariki cluster often coincides with the harvest time for winter crops. In many ways Matariki is a harvest festival.  The stars God has hung in the sky are an indication of the seasons, a way to view the timing of gathering, storing, and planting. Matariki is a chance to celebrate God’s faithfulness in the past, His faithfulness in the current season and His promise of faithfulness for the future.  This is a time to again remember to thank God for all He has given us.  It is also a chance to be encouraged to share with others.  

Kites used in Matariki festivals are mans attempts to reach up and connect with God.  A kite will always fail to do this.  As Christians we know that we can celebrate Jesus, the one true God who came down to us.  While the Marariki cluster is only clearly visible for a short time each year, through Jesus, our God is not only visible, He is available everyday.

So as we celebrate Matariki, as people of God let’s make our praises ring.  He is a good God who has, does and will continue to provide for us.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Ngā mihi nui

Alistair

This newsletter contains information on the following:

• Important Dates
• Hangi Meal
• BOT Meeting
• Library Update
• Enrolment Applications for 2023
• Year 3-10 Parent Teacher Conferences – Postponed
• Mufti Day
• Lunch Online

Important Dates

Matariki Public Holiday: Friday 24th June
Hangi Meal: Wednesday 29th June
Mufti Day: Thursday 20th June
Last Day Term 2: Friday 8th July

Year 3-10 Parent Teacher Interviews have been postponed – see note below

Hangi Meal

As a part of our celebration of Matariki this week, our student leaders want to give Emmanuel Christian School the opportunity to enjoy a meal cooked in the traditional Māori style (a Hāngi).   A typical hāngi is a traditional Māori meal which is cooked in the ground, but ours will be cooked in a multi-kai cooker which looks a bit like a special BBQ. This will guarantee that it will be cooked thoroughly and on time. Even though the cooking method is slightly different, it will still taste as delicious as ever. Even though Covid has ravaged NZ we are still able to present this opportunity as all the meals are individually wrapped and individually cooked, making it completely safe.

Each meal is completely gluten/dairy/nut free and will consist of a serving of: kumara, potato, cabbage, pumpkin and chicken.  Meals will come in two sizes; small and large; they will cost $6 and $8 respectively with the small having a drumstick and a chicken wing  and some vegetables and the large having between ¼ and ½ chicken and vegetables. If you have never experienced a hāngi yourself, please feel free to purchase one too and join us for lunch on Wednesday 29th June for an experience that you will never forget.  We will provide the children with disposable knives and forks, but they are free to bring their own utensils if they want.

Please complete the order form if you or your child/children are requesting a hāngi meal by the end of Thursday 23rd June. Payment is to be made through the office.

Board of Trustees

At the next Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday 30 June the board will be discussing the size of the current board.  As the school has grown the Board is discussing if this is the time to increase the size of the board.  You are welcome to attend if you would like to hear this discussion.  Contact Alistair for more details re time and venue principal@emmanuelchristian.school.nz

Library Update

It is so exciting and extremely satisfying to see the library abuzz with students at lunchtimes, and during class sessions, playing board games, drawing, making bookmarks and yes – even reading! (Many do read!)
Some classes from Years 5 -10 have taken advantage of lessons on how to use the web app (= library catalogue, for those who are older than 20!) and we’ll do more around researching and evaluating good quality websites and databases, as the year goes on.
I am currently isolating as a household contact and I am sure many of you know what that’s like!
I thought I’d spend the time sorting out how to communicate with families through the library programme, Accessit. I think I’ll do what the City Libraries do, and send an automated “underdue” letter which would effectively remind you that your child’s books are due in three days time. If you do not want your inbox clogged with library emails, I am happy to remove you from the list. Please email me if that is the case.
While I am I am playing catch-up, there might be some “overdue” emails!
Currently, library visits are scheduled as follows:
Mondays: K5, K6, K3
Tuesdays: K1, Harakeke1, Harakeke2
Wednesdays: K4, T2
Fridays: MS English, K2
The Library is open on Monday, Tuesday and Friday at lunchtimes.
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or comments.
Nicki Davison – Librarian
nicki@emmanuelchristian.school.nz

Enrolment Applications for 2023

Applications for enrolment for 2023 close on 26 August 2022.  Please ensure you submit an application for enrolment if you have a child turning 5 in 2023.

Year 3-10 Parent Teacher Conferences – Postponed

The impact of both staff and students being away over this term has meant we have made the descion to postpone the Year 3-10 Parent Teacher conferences scheduled for the last week of term. 

These will now occur on Thursday 4th August and Tuesday 9th August.  Year 3-10 Mid-Year reports will be issued at the same time.  

Booking information for the parent teacher conferences will be available before the end of this term.

Mufti Day to support our World Vision Sponsored Child

On Thursday 30th June we will have a Mufti Day to raise funds for our sponsored child.
Please bring a gold coin donation.

Lunch Online 

If you are new to LunchOnline you will need to set up an account and top up your account with a payment from a credit card (minimum top up is $10).  Lunch orders can be saved as favourites for easy reordering.