ECS Update Week 1 2025

ECS Update Term 1, Week 1 – Friday 31 January 2025

Kia ora Parents and Caregivers,

It has been great to meet many of you as we have started back into the 2025 school year.  Can I especially welcome families new to the Emmanuel School community.  I know I am looking forward to getting to know you over the weeks ahead.  It is my ongoing prayer that you will find this a strong community, focused on Christ, and committed to supporting you as we work together for the best for your children.  

These weekly emails are an important source of information about what is coming up in the life of the school.  I would encourage you to read them carefully each week.  We do our best to get these out early to mid afternoon each Friday.

Blessings

Ngā mhi nui

Alistair

This newsletter contains information on the following:

• Important Dates
• 2025 Parent Handbook
• Caregivers and Medical Details Update Sheets
• Nut and Kiwifruit Allergy
• Meet the Teacher Afternoon & BBQ
• School App
• Lunchonline school lunch orders 

Important Dates

Tuesday 4th February – Meet the Teacher afternoon

Thursday 6th February – Waitangi Day (School Closed)

Friday 7th February – House Tabloid Sports

(The School Calendar including 2025 Term dates can be found here)

2025 Parent Information Handbook

Our Parent Information Handbook can be found on the ECS website (linked here).

It has been updated for 2025 and is regularly updated with any changes.

Caregivers and Medical Details Update Sheets

You should have received a form titled Emmanuel Christian School Caregivers and Medical Details Update Sheet (on green paper).

Please could you update and sign these forms and return them to the Office as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Nut and Kiwifruit Allergies

Some of our students have a serious allergy to  Nuts (including Peanuts) and Kiwifruit which can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction, resulting in loss of consciousness and/or breathing and in worst case scenarios, death, if they do not receive medical attention in time.

We are asking for all families to please respect and understand the seriousness of this and ask that Nuts and kiwifruit are not included in lunches or morning tea food. This is to keep everyone safe, especially our young students. Thank you for your support.

Meet the Teacher Afternoon and BBQ

Tuesday 4th February

On Tuesday afternoon we will have an opportunity for parents to meet with your child(ren)’s teacher and hear about how the class will operate in 2025. 

Teachers will be in their classrooms at 3:05pm and repeated at 4pm where they will introduce themselves, talk about the class and provide an opportunity for any questions.  

The Music Room will also be open from 3.30 – 4pm and Maree Parr, one of our itinerant music tutors who teaches woodwind instruments will be available to talk to about her lessons.

A BBQ with bread and sausages will run from 3:30-4:15 as a chance for us to gather as a community.  

School App

This App allows school:
· Student Absences –  this is our preferred method for notifying absences – it’s easy for you to use.
· Communications – school communications all in one spot at one time and you can be connected at all times.
· Calendar – links to our school calendar.
· Links – to our newsletter and school website.
· Alerts – The app also allows us to send out an Alert really promptly if something is happening at school that you need to know about urgently.
We encourage parents  to download the app today to stay up to date with what is happening in and around the school.

Lunchonline School Lunch Orders

Lunches are available through Lunchonline for delivery on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during term time.  Orders can be placed in advance (so you can set up orders for the whole term in advance).  Orders must be made before 8.30am on the day of delivery.  Please ensure you click ‘submit’.

The Village Bakehouse is our new lunch supplier for Tuesdays.  The first delivery for the Village Bakehouse will be February 11th so have a look at the menu and give them a try. For the first few weeks they have asked any orders for the Village Bakehouse please be placed by 8pm the day before delivery, just while they are getting used to school lunch orders. 
Their menu includes mince pies, sausage rolls, savouries (mini pie), filled rolls and pastries (pain au chocolat, croissant).

The Sushi Factory is our lunch supplier on Wednesdays with a range of lunch options including sushi, rice balls, dumplings, pies, sausage rolls, sandwiches, burgers, muffins and brownies.

Subway is our lunch supplier on Thursdays. The Subway menu includes 6 inch subs, 12 inch subs,  salad bowls, cookies, drinks and fruit squirts.

For more information and to open your account, visit www.lunchonline.co.nz
If you have any queries please give lunchonline a call on the number below.

To view the current menu and prices: https://orders.lunchonline.co.nz/home/ViewMenu select “view school menu” then select Christchurch and Emmanuel Christian School from the dropdown menu.