Message from Staff

Greetings everyone, and welcome to Week 7!

It is hard to believe that Easter is just around the corner. With Easter falling within term time this year it is a rare opportunity for us, as a Christian school, to explore Easter on both sides of the Resurrection. Please note, as written below, that schools are also closed on the Tuesday of Easter weekend.

This week we are exploring how ‘Love keeps no record of wrongs’. We will be exploring the story of Zaccheus, and the way that Jesus showed him love and included him, and the impact that this had on his character.

Every time I read this story I am struck by what a change the attention that Jesus showed Zaccheus made to the way he behaved.  Sometimes I wonder if Zaccheus’ behaviour was a chicken or egg situation – did he start cheating people and being dishonest because he felt unloved and unconnected, or did he become so disliked because he cheated people. Perhaps it was both and before he knew it, he was in a lonely and negative cycle. Yet his one encounter with Jesus, where he felt loved and accepted, completely changed his actions. I wonder what kind of impact it would have on the world if every person who loves Jesus accepted someone like Zaccheus the way Jesus did?

I encourage you this week to chat about the ‘Zaccheus’ of your children’s world and ways that they might show love to them, and hopefully we will see our world become one where God’s love is spread one person at a time.

Many blessings,

Liz

Exploring the Values at Home

Our focus this week around our value ‘Love-Aroha’ is “Being Inclusive”. 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 Miss Horn shared at school devotions about ramps and stairs – both literal and metaphorical, and how all people, including those with a disability, can go up a ramp, but not everyone can go up the stairs. She looked at how we organise events or interact with each other so there are more ‘ramps’, allowing everyone to be included. She also shared about how sometimes there can be some tension between what we want and what is inclusive.

This week there are only two questions –

1. What sort of ‘ramps’ do we need to have in our family so everyone can be included?
2. How do we make sure everyone in our family can enjoy the things they love?

What’s Happening

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.

Easter – No School Friday – Tuesday

Easter weekend falls during the term this year, so the children will have the opportunity to enjoy a little break before the final three weeks of school. Please note that schools are also closed on the Tuesday. This is a nation-wide holiday for schools. Papa Jacks will be running their services on this day, so please get in touch with them if you are needing child-care.

Swimming

Swimming starts today. Please ensure your child has their gear every Monday and Wednesday for the rest of the term.

House Buying or Selling through our RCS community

I will contribute $500 to the school when any family or friends of RCS looking at buying or selling their homes use my services, resulting in a list and sell through me.
Contact me anytime to discuss your real estate needs.

Details as below,

Kind Regards
Rachael

What’s Coming Up

Informative morning teas

Informative morning teas will start up again next term. These will be held every Tuesday morning at 9am and are intended to provide you, as parents, with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the teaching and learning that occurs and ways you can help at home. If you would be interested in discussing the types of subjects that you would find helpful to know more about please come along to our planning meeting on Tuesday of Week 11 (last week of term) at 9am. 

From the PCG

Entertainment Books

The PCG will be selling The Entertainment Book again this year. Please start promoting this with friends and family, and watch out for more information coming soon.

Grant Applications

The PCG would like to hear from individuals who have a talent for filling out grant applications and would be interested in assisting the school in this way.

Koha Food Box

Last year we had a Koha Food Box operating at the school. The idea behind the box is to provide lunch for students that don’t have lunch that day, for various reasons. We have run out of food in the box and would like to request that families, who are able, bring some non-perishable items along to replenish the supplies. eg. muesli bars, creamed rice.

Next Meeting Date

The next PCG will be held at 7pm on Monday 4th of April. We look forward to seeing you there.

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.
• 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

Christchurch Kidswise Training:
Friday 1st April 7-9pm for Team Leaders
Saturday 2nd April 9am – 3pm for everyone involved in Children’s Ministry
St Johns Latimer Square, 12 Berwick Street, St Albans
More information and registration: manager@kidswise.com.au

Golf Tournament Rolleston Scouts:
Tai Tapu Golf Club: Sunday 20th March 12.30pm
Email Kevin Hattrill:  kevin.hattrill@corrections.govt.nz  for more information