Message from Staff

This term, RCS has been focussing on love. It has been wonderful to hear feedback that the children are translating this into their home lives.

God is love. And I believe that because we are in Him, it is our call to be loving too. This is a great responsibility in this fallen world, to love all those that we encounter. This week our topic is ‘Love is Kind’. Love and kindness go hand and hand. But like love, kindness has more depth than what appears on the surface.

When delving into the scriptures, Jesus teaches us kindness. The story that comes to mind is the paraplegic on the stretcher in Luke 5:17-26 MSG.  The story begins with Jesus teaching while “the Pharisees and religious teachers are sitting around, some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher. They were looking for a way to get into the house and set him before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof, removed some tiles, and let him down in the middle of everyone, right in front of Jesus.” This is the point where Jesus had a choice to make. Given the context, Jesus could have got quite frustrated. He had been teaching to the people who He knew needed to hear His message. Yet Jesus stopped and was impressed by their bold belief and healed the man. He was kind and patient, and poured out His compassion and grace.

How often does this happen in our own lives. We’re busy – organising children, being wives/husbands, serving in church, and juggling all of the other demands of life. Yet, Jesus wants us to stop and be kind. Kindness comes from a heart of love. To be kind, is to be patient. People may come into our lives that may challenge us, yet Jesus asks for us to be patient like Him. To be kind is to show grace. People will let you down, say the wrong thing or act a way you didn’t expect. Yet with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is gracious to us so we can be gracious towards them. To be kind is to sacrifice. Time is precious, a gift that God gives us to use to build His Kingdom. Jesus sacrificed His time for the paraplegic and accompanying friends, even though it ‘interrupted’ His preaching time. Jesus valued kindness.

I challenge you this week to demonstrate kindness as you go about your day. Encourage your children to act with kindness. Because you never know, your kindness (like Jesus’) could change someone’s life.
 

Blessings,

Kendra Liggett
Junior Hub Teacher

Exploring the Values at Home

Our focus this week around our value ‘Love-Aroha’ is “Being Kind”. Each week we would like to provide you with a chance to explore the concept of the week as a family at home. This week Mrs Siave shared at school devotions, so she has provided some ideas and questions to get you thinking at home about what it means to accept the love that God has for us and how we can share this with our community. We pray this exploration will be a precious time for you and your family.

Unpack the following Bible verse together:

John 13:35
‘by this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (read verse 34 too)

Discussion:
1. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus?
2. How do you know that you are following Jesus?
3. Who has Jesus asked us to love?
4. Why do we need to love one another as well as ourselves?
5. Talk about the mission they were set on Monday (To secretly bless someone they don’t know well or are not normally kind to, each day this week.
6. List all the ways that you as a family could be kind and show love to one another. Put the list on the fridge as a reminder.

Maybe you could have a secret mission at your house too, look at the list of ways you can bless someone on this site:http://befickle.blogspot.co.nz/2010/03/secret-service-activity-days-activity.html

For adults: Have a look at what science says about being kind:  http://www.livescience.com/25816-kindness-makes-kids-happier.html  

What’s Happening

Reading Mileage

We would like to start a Reading Mileage programme at school for our students that are needing extra support in reading.  This would involve coming in at a regular time each week and listening to children read aloud. Parents, grandparents or other members of the community are all welcome, but we will Police Vet all regular volunteers. If this is something you would like to be involved with please let the office know. 

Message From Pukeko Group

The Pukeko WhÄnau is making vertical pallet gardens. We need some heat-treated pallets, weed mat/black gardening fabric, building staple guns/staples, potting soil, and compost. If you can help us, please bring them to school by Thursday afternoon.

Message From Dominic and Mackenzie

For our home learning this term Dominic and Mackenzie are selling bags of pinecones for a fundraiser. The money will go towards Cat Rescue who currently have vet bills in excess of $20K. These are $2 each bag. Cash only. Please email us on mseatonpayne@rcs.school.nz if you would like to buy some. Orders need to be in by 25^th March and they are ready to collect after school on 31^st March. 

Ways to Stay Connected

We have five main ways to stay connected with each other at Rolleston Christian School. Make sure you are making the most of each one. In case you are unsure they are listed below.
The Newsletter –  We do try to make sure that all the important things you need to know are in this newsletter. It comes out each week on a Monday afternoon. It is emailed directly to you but can also be found on our website and on our Facebook page.
The Rolleston Christian School Facebook Page – This year we are making sure that our Facebook Page is up-to-date and filled with interesting aspects of our school programme. Click here to ‘Like’ our page.
The Rolleston Christian School Website – There is lots of valuable information on our website. New items on the website are highlighted in our newsletter with direct links to the page of the website. For example click here to see the Middle Hub’s new page in Understanding our Learning.
The Parent and Staff Facebook Group – There is a closed Facebook Group set up for our staff and parents. This page is a communication forum where you can check to see if someone has taken home the wrong pair of shoes that day or ask someone if they can give your child a ride to school the next day. Please request to join this page by clicking here.
Face to Face – Coming in to school at the start or the end of the day is an excellent way to touch base with staff and other parents. 

Learning Conferences – This week

Learning Conferences can be booked by going to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and entering the code ‘qsy7k’. These are an important aspect of your child’s learning, so we ask that all families attend. If you are unsure of which Teacher to see please check the lists on the front door.

Cycle Safety
Our Year 7’s who participated in the Cycle Safety Course last year were unable to complete the last day due to rain. The Cycle Safety Team will be running the last day for the group this Wednesday, 9th March. Can each student please ensure they bring their bike on Wednesday. Any parent that wishes to ride with the group is most welcome to do so. They will be on the road for the full day.
Regards, Dennis Marshall

What’s Coming Up

Swimming

Swimming starts on Monday 14 March. Please see previous newsletters for details.

From the PCG

The PCG had its first meeting for the year last week. It was a good time to look forward to what the year holds. The following people were elected to lead:
Chairperson: Alan Whitmore
Secretary/Treasurer: Cristene Trenuela
Fundraising: Nina Green
Community Building: Mana Harema
Staff Rep: Kendra Liggett

If you are keen to be involved with the running of events or activities please get in touch with one of these people. We realise not everyone can be involved all the time but it would be great to see everyone involved in some aspect.

Celebration

Congratulations to Amy and Blair Steven on the arrival of their fourth boy – Matthew. 

Reminders

• Please regularly check your child for head lice. Click here to find some helpful information on head lice and how to treat it.
• The orange links at the top take you to relevant parts of the website – we’ve recently updated our ‘Ways to get involved’ page.
• Please remember to label all school uniform items.
• A healthy lunch is important – please make sure you are packing a filling and nutritious lunch for your child.
• Hats must be at school.
• Wheels Day is on a Wednesday – children may bring any type of ‘wheels’ they choose.
• For those Year 7s going to Technology on Fridays – please be at school no later than 8.30am.

Community Notices

Patersonrose Pop Up Store for Kids
CRAZY PRICES… Sale stock up to 75% off !
Kids Linen – Rugs – Sheeting – Cushions, Gifts & more
Don’t miss out…
Friday 18^th – Sunday 20^th March, 10am – 4pm
3 days only at Rangi Ruru Girls School, Rossall St entrance (opposite Holmwood Shops)
www.patersonrose.com

Christian Residential and Respite Care for God’s Children with diverse Special Needs:

I am looking for fellow believers to set up a Christian service to meet these needs. Kelvin and I have a daughter with special needs and we have prayed for such a provision for over two decades. If you wish to have Christian care for your child with special needs or are interested in assisting, please contact:

meelingmcmillan@icloud.com Phone: (03)3295377
Text : 022 621 8319

Thanks, Meeling.

Canterbury Speech and Language Therapy:
We are a new speech and language therapy private practice opening in the Longhurst Health complex in Halswell on 21st March 2016. Speech therapy is often needed and beneficial for school aged-children, and therefore we are trying to reach out to as many children who may be in need as possible. 

Level 1 Longhurst Health Complex
53 Caulfield Ave
Halswell
Christchurch 8025
Email: canterburyslt@outlook.com
Website: canterburyslt.com

Lost Watch:
A Minnie Mouse watch with a pink rubber strap has been lost. There is a reward for anyone who finds it. Please return it to the office if found.