Welcome to 2021 at Jireh Christian School

Dear parents

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all whanau and in particular to all the new families who have joined JCS this year. Our prayer is that you very quickly feel part of our kura.

It is with excitement, expectation and a deep reliance on the God who holds the future in His hands that we enter into the 2021 academic year. We are all very much aware as Proverbs 16:9 so aptly says: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”.

Much has been planned for this term and for the year. Please consult with the Community Calendar on the website to ensure that you are abreast of what is coming up. I will endeavour to outline some of what lies before for the next 11 weeks.

The first week of the Term will end with a Mihi Whakatau to welcome our new staff and whanau. There will be a parent meeting for all parents on 15 February. This is a time where teachers in each learning area will communicate expectations and talk about the learning programme for the year. A Parents’ Association meeting to look at possible social and fundraising events for the year is planned for February 22. Please consider being a part of this hardworking, fun team of staff and parents who contribute meaningfully to developing community and raising funds for resources, which are enjoyed by the students across the school. PAT testing will take place in the first week of March. A Fun, Family BBQ will take place on March 5. This is an excellent opportunity to come and have some great fellowship and food with the JCS community. A Korero and Talanoa Fono will be held during the term. The famous annual picnic will take place at Cornwallis park on March 26. This is a time to come regaled in house colours for lots of fun in the sun on land and sea. April 1 is Teacher Only Day which is followed by a mid-term Easter break. There will be a Mufti day with 2 gold coin donations, one in support of our TEAR Fund sponsor child and one to help towards the expenses of the planned Tiwai trip to Wellington at the end of the year.

A team of students will represent JCS at the Auckland Christian Schools touch rugby zone day.

Tiwai’s leadership programme will commence with a Team-Building Leadership Day. Big Foot Adventures will be doing a number of team building and problem-solving activities. A Parenting Pace presenter will deliver part of the Attitude programme.

Parent Teacher conferences will be held towards the end of the term. This is a valuable time to come and discuss your child’s learning progress and look at how you can best support them to continue to grow in their learning journey. A main focus of inquiry will be looking at various aspects of the cultures we represent at JCS. Some learners will look at immigration and the impacts this has. Some will look at the Whau area and the Treaty of Waitangi. The Term will end with a week of celebrating the wonderfully rich tapestry of cultures in our school. It will be a feast of sharing food, dance, crafts, customs and traditional clothes.

Yours in His service

Sandra Bosman