Issue 1525 May 2016

Kia ora everyone,

Week 4 and our story continues to be written with vigour. This week I have had the privilege working in two classrooms. It was a good reminder to me (apart from the need to keep my teaching fresh!), that what is best for children is why we are here, and the relationships we sustain to make sure this happens is key to all we do. Honest and open partnerships together - Jesus gathered a team of twelve! - are central to our mission here.

To that end, it is with pleasure I announce that the Commissioner, Mrs Christine Nijdam, has called a reference group together to begin the important process of moving the school to self-governance. We can be confident that the process ahead, and the community consultation wrapped around this, signals a readiness toward this important milestone. I can now indicate that Wednesday, 22nd June, 7.30pm - 9.00pm has been set aside for parent/whanau consultation. This will take place in our new Multipurpose space and will provide an opportunity for you to contribute at an early stage in the process. More details can be found in the Commissioner’s communication in this newsletter.

A huge welcome this week to Miriama Northcote and her parents Chris and Natasha, and Theodore Holcroft and his parents Justin and Margot. Miriama joins Kereru and Theodore Inaka. We pray for them both and their whanau, that they may all find here a turangawaewae - a place to stand with us in faith.

Just a reminder that our school Open Day is Wednesday, 29th June, 11.00am -12.00pm, and 7.00pm - 8.00pm.

Nga mihiAveril

Kia ora, Greetings

Charter and Strategic Plan Review Consultation

We are seeking your opinion on the school, your vision for its future and what matters most to you. The review of the St Mark’s School Charter and the development of a new Strategic Plan is about to begin. This dovetails into the 2015 Review of the Special Character. We encourage you to have your say by completing the online questionnaire which will be available in the coming days. We will advise you once it is up and running. There will also be an opportunity to express your views at a public forum for parents and community members. Please diarise:

· Wednesday 22 June 2016 at 7.30pm A commissioner’s reference group is now in place to assist in the review and will be in attendance at the consultation meeting and will be working with Averil and I on the revision of the Charter and Strategic Plan. Group members joining us are: Shane Grose, Mike Percasky, Gilbert Taurua, Lauren Ball, (parents) Carol Trotter and Rev. Helen Roud (BoP). It is very important that we gather your input so that the plan reflects your wishes for our children’s education as much as possible. Please make sure that you have your say. We look forward to hearing from you. As always you are welcome to contact me on governance matters atcommissioner@saintmarks.school.nz or by contacting the school office. Yours sincerely,Christine Nijdam Commissioner

Sports Results

Netball

13 MaySt Mark’s Leopards 4 v Marist Albion 13 Player of the Day: Olivia Cooper

20 MaySt Mark’s Leopards 7 v Cathedral Grammar 9 Player of the Day: Elizabeth RedmileSt Mark’s Lions 15 v Middleton Grange 6 Player of the Day: Bonnie Shackel

Hockey

St Mark’s Mini Sticks Girls 2 v Burnside 4 Player of the Day: Ella RoseSt Mark’s Mini Sticks Boys 3 v Rangiora 1 Player of the Day: Louis Tabak

BasketballSt Mark’s Titans 4 v H H Pythons 2 Player of the Day: Whole Team

Student Success

Congratulations to Ashley and Jackson Powell who both passed their annual Highland Dance exams with Honours.

Inaka Phoebe MillsKereru Islah SayTi Kouka Sebastien DoubleToeToe Esha JeramKotuku Theodore YoderPaua Summer BaglowRimurimu Charlotte PenmanWheke Mackenzie Johnston

Independent Schools’ Cross Country

Congratulations to our St Mark’s Cross Country team who competed in the Independent Zone Cross Country at Hagley Park yesterday.

Our team of 25 competitors did extremely well against some very tough competition.

We have several runners place in the top 10. Unofficial results are as follows:

9th Year 5 Girls - Hannah Watson7th Year 6 Girls - Sorell Shand5th Year 6 Girls - Jordi Wright-Stow4th Year 7 Girls - Isabel Bevin7th Year 7 Boys - Zen Kuwasaki8th Year 8 Girls - Amy Dunn

Opawa - St Martins Parish Vacancy

The parish of Opawa- St Martins is seeking a part-time Parish Administrator (for 8 hrs per week), to provide administrative support to the Clergy staff and Vestry and to be a welcoming face for groups using our church buildings. The fixed-term position will be based at St Mark’s Church complex, 101 Opawa Road, Opawa, Christchurch, in place for a 12 month period.The successful applicant will be an effective communicator, and able to operate office equipment, with the ability to be flexible and adaptable to the tasks at hand. Tasks will be varied and may comprise putting together service sheets, maintaining correspondence on behalf of the parish, welcoming public enquiries, attending to invoices and ordering in supplies when required.We are seeking someone who is well organised, friendly, reliable and proficient with Microsoft Office (including Publisher), and who is capable and efficient in keeping the parish office in good order. Though the role requires an understanding of parish life and church culture, knowledge and experience in the Anglican church while helpful is not essential. For further details, please contact the parish office via email: opawastmartins@clear.net.nz . A job description for this role is available upon request.To apply please send your CV and a covering letter addressed to: The Wardens, Opawa St-Martins Parish, 101 Opawa Road.Remuneration will be based on qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.Applications close 3 June 2016

Cupboard

There is a large wall cupboard, surplus to requirements in the school office. Matt Sherwood has indicated that it is available to the highest bidder, with the money to be donated to the Parents Association. Please contact Louise in the office.

Missing Tracksuit

Reuben Clarkson is missing his tracksuit from the Cross Country Zones yesterday. Both items are named. Please check your child’s tracksuit and school bag to make sure they have the correct one.

Collection for Aviva and YWCAThe Okey Family are collecting toiletries for Aviva and YWCA. We (along with Zonta, a women’s charity group) collect any unused toiletries to package up and give to ladies and families needing emergency accommodation.Anything goes as long as it is unused. So please check your bathroom cupboards and see if you have anything you can pass on. A donation box will be in the foyer by the coffee cart for a week.These are just some of the items we LOVE…Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and conditioner (hotel ones are great) moisturiser, makeup, haircare, shavers, deodorant, sanitary items, jewellery, spongebags and baby products. Anything else you think might be useful is gratefully accepted.We also collect party supplies ( balloons etc) so children’s parties can be celebrated.Thank you so much for taking the time to look and see if you can help.

General Notices

Entertainment Book

As an incentive to help the PTA’s Entertainment Book fundraising campaign this year, we are running a small competition within the school: The classroom that sells the most Entertainment memberships from now until the end of June, will win a pizza lunch from Spagalimis Pizza Restaurant. I, your Entertainment Book Account Manager, will bring enough fresh, hot pizza for the entire class one day in July (to be confirmed with the school).

To give yourselves the best chance at winning this, talk, share the order link (https://www.entertainmentbook.co.nz/orderbooks/1341r76) on Facebook with your extended family, neighbours, sports coaches, anyone you can think of, and ask if they will support your school with the purchase of an Entertainment Book. Reminder: Book orders and unwanted books can be dropped in the drop box in the office up until Monday the 27th of June!

Happy Selling!Brooke Cawte Entertainment Publications Account Manager

Steiner School Open Night

We invite you to the STEINER SCHOOL OPEN NIGHT on June 2 from 6-8pm. (Years 1 – 13 )We have only a few places in year 9 for 2017. Steiner education is concerned for the development of the whole person incorporating high academic achievement (NCEA), the arts, humanities and a focus on the unique qualities of each student. The school is highly structured, creative and very successful. The student / teacher ratio is low ( 1:5 in level 3 Chemistry for example) and we are proud of the fine young people who graduate with a strong sense of their life’s direction, an interest in others well-being and care for the world. Call 3370514 for more details. 19 Ombersley Tce Ōpāwa June 2nd - 6-8 pmI look forward to seeing you ! Thomas Proctor, Principal

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