“The Middleton Grange Story” by Eric Dunlop quotes this statement … “Middleton Grange School will at one and the same time provide a first-rate general education and “Biblical teaching in the Christian faith”.

It also quotes Peter Chignell, the first Headmaster of Middleton Grange School … “If you had to choose - would you choose a well-qualified teacher or a dedicated Christian? I wouldn’t have either. I’d wait until I found a dedicated Christian who was also a well-qualified teacher.”

Special Character Donations are the primary source of funds used to "maintain the school’s Christian character”. These are fixed by the Middleton Grange School Board and used to fund "elements of the school" that are not provided for in the Operations Grant provided by the Ministry of Education.

These "elements" include the work and resource required to redevelop the NZ Curriculum into a biblically based Christ centred curriculum, professional development for staff around teaching Christianly, extra staffing to provide for smaller classes and learning support, and service and missions-based programmes, to mention but a few areas.

What does that look like in everyday school life?

The Special Character does not just make special appearances for specific classes like Scripture or Christian Studies but is interwoven throughout the school day. It plays an integral part in lesson content and presentation. All staff are committed to assisting students reach their God-given potential and therefore prayer and biblical encouragement occur naturally in student/student, student/staff and staff/staff interactions. The NZ Association for Christian Schools (NZACS) has recently published a video that highlights the benefits of a Christian School education. Your contribution supports the incredible work we can do in our Christian School. You can view that here https://vimeo.com/651436170

Even though the Special Character Donation is a voluntary donation, the Middleton Grange School Board relies on this source of funding from parents. This is one of the reasons that Middleton Grange School has been successful in being authentically Christian and providing a first-rate general education, as well as ensuring its commitment to high standards of endeavour, while safeguarding its Christian character.

Parental support, through prayer, practical support and voluntary donations are essential to the ongoing success and future of Middleton Grange School.

The Special Character Donation will be invoiced by Middleton Grange School and can be paid:

• In full at the commencement of Term 1

• In four instalments, one at the commencement of each term

• In monthly or fortnightly instalments by automatic payment (forms available from the School Office)

One child: $540 Two children: $972 Three children: $1,080 Four+ children: $1,188

Please note that the Special Character Donation has Tax deductible status, currently a 33% rebate.

Thankyou in anticipation for your ongoing support (prayer/practical/financial) of our/your Christian school.

Nga mihi nui

Mike Vannoort

Principal

(On behalf of the Middleton Grange School Board)