Term 1, Week 10 1 April 2015

Copeland Road, Hastings Phone: (06) 878-6696 Fax (06) 878-9539 E-Mail: office@hcs.school.nz Website: www.hcs.school.nz

School Mission Statement Hastings Christian School aims to teach pupils the knowledge of God and the world, as revealed in the Scriptures

and to equip the pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to function effectively as Christians and citizens in today’s world.

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Hastings Christian School

NEWSLETTER

Page 2

Notices:

The staff wish you all a blessed Easter as we remember the

death and resurrection of our Saviour. May you also have a restful school holiday time.

Prayer Items

Please remember the Rawlings family in your prayers.

Dennis Rawlings passed away on Tuesday afternoon. Pray for comfort and strength for his wife Aletta, chil-

dren Michelle, Chris, Samantha and granddaughter

Hayley.

ERO is visiting the school first week of term. Please

pray for the staff and management as they prepare

for this visit.

Visitors Parking You may have noticed the new ‘visitor parking’ outside the

front of the admin block. This is for visitors to use during the

day however, parents are welcome to use this when picking up and dropping off their children.

Phone Directory

The new school phone directory is included in today’s news-letter. We have endeavoured to get all the details correct!

Secondary School Parent/Teacher Interviews

These will take place during week two next term (28th-30th April). We do encourage all parents to be involved in the

interview process. It is an encouraging time for both parents and teachers. Bookings will be open on Wednesday 23rd of

April at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz The online code will be

sent home via the weekly notices on Wednesday along with further information and a text will be sent out also. Inter-

views will be available at the following times: Tuesday 28th April 3.30pm-6.00pm

Wednesday 29th April 3.30pm-6.00pm 7.00pm-9.00pm

Thursday 30th April 3.30pm-5.30pm

BOT Meeting

The BOT will meet on Thursday 16th April in the staffroom.

‘Peace making’ has been the theme of the devotions

shared at both the primary and secondary assemblies this past term. The choice of this theme was made as a result

of recognizing the need to help the students (and for that matter the adults associated with our school) understand

the biblical principles of conflict resolution.

As I mentioned in an earlier newsletter this has involved

the teachers heading down to Palmerston North at the start of the year in order to take part in a ‘Peace Making

training day along with 90 other Christian School teach-ers from around the lower north island. This focus has

also resulted, through the collaborative efforts of the

teachers, in the production of a resource that aids the staff in identifying and addressing antisocial behavior

in the playground. The ‘Peace Making’ theme also builds off the ongoing emphasis of having a united vision (‘One

Vision’) in all that we do here at school.

The key text that has framed much of the discussion at

the school assemblies over the course of the term is found in James 3:18 which states; ‘Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.’ The verses prior to this look at the contrasting features of the

world’s wisdom and the wisdom from above. Verse 17

states; But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

As we explored the peace making features of God’s wis-dom the topics covered over the course of the term in-

clude: Peacemakers work it out

Peacemakers love

Peacemakers are humble

Peacemakers have the right attitude and right response

Peacemakers imitate Christ

With Easter fast approaching it was good to remind the

students of Christ’s other worldly example of peacemak-ing as stated in 1 Peter 2. To this you were called, be-cause Christ suffered for you, leaving you an ex-ample that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:21-24 The words Christ spoke as He died provide the pattern for

our words in life. Scripture records the seven sayings of Christ as He hung on the cross. Of these His request for

the Father to forgive those that committed this heinous act and His compassionate request for John to look

after His mother Mary, provide two compelling examples

for our words. We are called to forgive as Christ forgave and to show the same selfless compassion and thought

for others – despite the trials we may be facing.

May you know God’s grace in following the pattern Christ

provided through the words that He spoke as you seek to live for Him.

Gavin Clark

Principal

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Notices:

Lost Property

This will go out on the tennis courts tomorrow so please check this. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity!

Accounts

Please make sure you are up to date with your school accounts. If you have any issues, please email Adair at

office@hcs.school.nz

Teacher Only Day

The teachers had a very informative and uplifting special character day on Thursday with Tedd Tripp. We thank the

Board of Proprietors for their organisation of the day.

Social Media At assembly this morning we spoke to students about the use of

social media. During these holidays, we do encourage you to have a talk to your children about the importance of being

discerning with photos, comments, posts and ‘likes’ on social

media as they are ambassadors of the school and more importantly ambassadors of Christ.

Uniforms

As we are heading into the winter terms, please ensure that your children have and fit their winter uniform. Year 7-10 girls

will need the grey skirt and white blouse, Year 11-13 boys need long pants and all year 11-13 students will need a blazer.

Please make sure you also have the correct footwear and socks/

stockings as appropriate. Check the website if you have any queries and place your order as soon as possible. Also, for

second hand items, check out the website uniformme.co.nz There are a number of items available on this site. All students

need to be in full winter uniform at the beginning of term two.

Skirt/Dress length Girls uniform skirts and dresses should be the appropriate

length. A good way to check this is when kneeling on the

ground the dress/skirt should be touching the floor!

Found A small bike light from Kathmandu was found outside the E

Block last week. Please see the office if it is yours.

Accounts Updated invoices were sent home with last week’s newsletter.

If you did not receive yours, please let Adair know and she can

print one out for you. If you have any other questions about your account please ring Adair or email her at

office@hcs.school.nz

Year 9 English The Year 9 English class recently went to the offices of HB

Today. Our thanks to Mr Andrew Austin (Editor) for the tour and

insight into the work that goes into creating our daily local paper.

In class, students had

to write a piece and (with parental

permission) email it to him for publication. So

watch this space!

Mitre 10 Tough Kid Challenge

HCS had 18 students participate in this event, with a number getting places in

their heats. The year 7 team (Edward Sophie , Josiah and Justin came

second overall.

EIT Taster Days EIT is offering a range of free Tasted Day workshops over the

school holidays. If you are interested in any of the following

courses for 2016 (nursing, hairdressing, viticulture and wine, social work, business, styling, agriculture) check out their

website for times.

Interschool Swimming Well done to all the students who competed at the Interschool

swimming a few weeks ago. The following students placed in their races.

Joel 3rd Yr 6 Freestyle

Cheyann 3rd Yr 6 Freestyle/3rd Yr 6 Breaststroke Justin 3rd Yr 7 Breaststroke

Nits

Nits are back at school. Please check your children’s hair.

First Aid Kits We are selling Premium First Aid kits as a fundraiser. These are

$39 and are a great addition to your home or car. There is a

sample at the office for you to look at.

Attendance Dues Please ensure that your Term 1 Attendance Dues are paid. If

you have any queries regarding this please contact the treasurer of the HBCSA rob.nieuwland@xtra.co.nz

Wish for a Smile Trust

There is an incentive from the NZ Association of Orthodontists

for financial assistance for children needing orthodontic work who may struggle financially. There are a number of criteria to

qualify – take a look at their website. www.orthodontists.org.nz

Eye Exams

Free eye exam for kids, 15 years and

under, with an adult eye exam. This offer

is available dur-ing March and April

2015 and more infor-mation is on our web-

site www.grantanddo

uglas.co.nz

SwimStars Swimming lessons

available for term two at Swimgym Stortford

Lodge. Phone 878 4699

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12.2

Further Notices:

Pupil Of The Week

Last Week B4 Izaiah for always giving his best in everything he does B3 Dominique for Making great progress in reading. You are working hard, Keep it up! B2 Alice for Caring for others and putting them first E2 Shalece for a diligent attitude towards all classroom activities E1 Richmond for a marked improvement in his hand-writing E3 Marlies for Great work ethic! This Week B4 Scarlett for improving in reading by remembering to point to the words. B3 Teal for fantastic effort with writing. You are work-ing so hard on checking your work for capital letters and full stops B2 Stephanie for good effort in all areas of work E1 Elizabeth for excellent effort and results in mathe-matics E2 Max for a great use of word wall words in his writing. E3 Acacia for preparing and delivering a wonderful first presentation 100% Memory Verse—E2

What’s Happening next Term April 21-24th ERO Visit

28-30th Secondary Parent/Teacher interviews May

12th Excel School of Performing Arts

June 2-11th Primary swimming

17-19th Equip Leaders Conference

Term Dates 2015 Term 1 Wednesday 28 Jan-Thursday 2 Apr Term 2 Monday 20 Apr-Friday 3 Jul

Term 3 Monday 20 July-Friday 25 Sep Term 4 Monday 12 Oct-8 December (approx)

Silver Spoon Awards The silver spoon award for week 8 goes to Ayaka Kobaya-shi in year 11 for demonstrating how to make authentic ‘Nori Maki’ ( sushi) and for helping the year 10 class learn how to hold their chopsticks correctly J The special morning tea for the recipients of the silver spoon award in term 1 was held in T1 today. Congratula-tions to all the winners who displayed exemplary behav-iour and attitudes during the term.

6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The

Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of

sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised

again.’ ” Luke 24:6-7