Newsletter No.34 Friday 9th November 2012 Dear Parents

The arrival of the Varroa mite (varroa jacobsoni) in New Zealand twelve years ago has turned the New Zealand beekeeping industry “on its head” and as a hobbyist beekeeper, I am now well aware of its destructive presence. Last spring, 3 of my 20 hives were killed off by this unwelcome arrival on our shores – a loss I have only been able to overcome by an expensive restocking of hives and the implementation of chemical strip treatment of hives every spring and autumn. Commercial apiaries throughout New Zealand are having to spend thousands of dollars each year fighting a pest that was unheard of pre-April 2000. The price of honey is now on the rise to recoup the costs. And,

furthermore, the mite has moved into the South Island and is slowly moving down the island. To date, there is no way of eradicating the mite – just a programme to contain it. The mite is so destructive to the honeybee that an infected hive can be wiped out within 2 – 3 months unless chemically treated by a beekeeper. Consequently, most, if not all, feral hives in the affected areas are now dead and only human-controlled treated beehives are still active. In other words, the honeybee in New Zealand and most countries in the world are entirely dependent on human help and intervention to stay alive.

Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.” We humans are infected by a humanly-incurable disease called sin. It arrived on Planet Earth a few thousand years back when Adam and Eve chose to ignore the precise but loving boundaries of God and did their own thing. Ever since, the human race has been plagued by sin and its consequences. The misery, murder, war, crime, immorality, lust and greed we see all around us today is the outward evidence of a “diseased” people. As the Apostle Paul said, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do, no the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing 1.

But thank God, we have a cure! The disease does not have to spread unchecked or just be contained – God sent his only begotten son to take the penalty of sin for us and to give us the ability and power to be free from the law of sin and its consequences. Again Paul says, …through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death 2. The world tells us that God is irrelevant and unnecessary. But the Bible says “The fool has said in his heart there is no God 3 And there is a disease called “sin” and its power and destructive force will not go away by ignoring it – it does require divine intervention but it is free and available to all. All Hebron families and staff must do everything in their power to see that our children are “treated” with the divine cure only God can supply because he that the Son sets free is free indeed!

1 Rom 7:18-19 2 Rom 3 Proverbs

Hebron Happenings

Year 9 Pastors’ Afternoon Tea Each year Food Tech and Life Skills combine for Year 9, with a unit on Christian Hospitality – what is it – how do we practice it – why should we do it? Even a cup of cold water given to a stranger in Jesus’ name is showing Christian hospitality, and maybe we entertain angels without knowing it – now is that cool or what!!

Students waiting for their visitors Zac Turner offers his Youth group leader, Jeff Orr some food

The students are given a brief which includes inviting someone, in a church leadership position, to a formal afternoon tea. The students learn: how to write invitations with all the necessary details, how to prepare thoroughly, how to make conversation with people they do not know very well, how to make introductions, what makes a good host/hostess, and how to plan and prepare scrumptious food and drink. Clearing up becomes a combined effort when they have to help each other do their dishes – no mean feat at this age! Although quite scary at first, most of them enjoy the challenge in hindsight and ultimately learn from it. Middle School Rocky Shore Trip The Middle school had a beautiful day at Takapuna Beach today. The rocky Shore, that we are studying, was in pristine condition as we enjoyed so many kinds of animal and plant life. It was a truly amazing community in action as we saw hermit crabs, chitons, starfish, limpets, cats eyes, whelks, tube worms, octopus, fish, seaweeds and glass shrimp that sucked on your skin. The children thoroughly enjoyed investigating the three tidal zones and counting what creatures and plants were to be found in each zone. We measured the pH level as well as water temperature and will have lots to work on in the coming weeks as we follow up our finds. Special thanks to all the parents and family members who came and looked after a group of children. You were all fantastic.

Coming Up…

2013 School Fees

Reminder

Music Theatre Performance Families with (or without) children in Mrs Rauch’s Music Theatre groups are invited to a concert THIS Friday 9th November in our school hall at 7:00pm with a planned 8:30pm finish. Free admittance. Year 9 & 10 Examinations Our Year 9 & 10 students have their end-of-year exams next week and are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (not Tuesday). These students should be (MUST BE?) severely limiting pleasure activities over the weekend and studying hard for these exams “…to show themselves approved” (2 Tim 2:15). Auckland Christian Schools Touch Rugby The Auckland Christian Schools touch Rugby sports day will take place on Tuesday next week at Moire Park, Massey. We have enters 2 Year 5 & 6 teams and 2 Year 7 & 8 teams. Players will have been given a permission letter to take home and when completed, return to school.

A letter will soon be distributed to families with children returning in 2013 detailing fees and requesting direct debit authorisation. A 4% Earlybird discount is offered to families who pay the fees in full by 1st December.

School Prizegiving Parents are reminded that our School Prizegiving will take place on Wednesday 28th November 6:45pm at Greenlane Christian Centre and every student is required to attend. Parents are invited to attend and are encouraged to bring relatives and friends also.

Geoff Matthews Principal