Dear Parents, Caregivers and Whanau, here are this week's notices:

1. From the Principal

2. MOE Teacher Only Day - Friday, 13 August 2021

3. Primary School Production - The Legend of Captain Black Custard

4. MGS Parent Group Meeting

5. Football Boys 1st X1 Fundraiser - Friday 20th August

6. Enrolments 2022

7. Uniform Shop Updates

8. Entertainment Memberships

9. Middleton Grange Adventure Racing

10. Matua Pai - Parenting Adventures

1) From the Principal

Kia ora Parents, Caregivers and Whanau,

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PARENTS

This week our Finance Committee met to review our six-monthly finance report and to continue planning for the remainder of this year and the next few years. You will all be aware that we are operating under very tight and challenging financial constraints, largely due to the current Covid-19 situation and the impact this is having on our International College. Currently we have approximately 46 international students, as opposed to our usual 100+ and next year we are expecting a further reduction in these numbers due to the ongoing border restrictions. This is having a significant impact on the wider operations of our school with reduced staffing, some larger class sizes as well as some combined classes, reductions in support staff hours and reduced curriculum budgets.

Parents have chosen to send their children to Middleton Grange School because of its special character, but in doing so they must appreciate that this needs to be supported both through prayer as well as financially. Sadly, many parents have not paid their ‘Special Character Donations’ (SCDs), as we currently have approximately $200,000 of unpaid SCDs from 2019-20. If these were paid, we would be in a much better financial position. These SCDs are voluntary but are essential for our school to provide the full range of services that support the high-quality Christian Education we provide.

Can I please urge and encourage ALL parents to pay your SCDs, including those from previous years, in order to support our school and the holistic high-quality Christian Education we strive to provide. If you would like to discuss this further or arrange payment options, please contact our school office.

Our School Motto

Character, Excellence, Service for the Glory of God.

Please note below some of the highlights from this week:

This week / Week 2

• Y7-8 Indoor Tournament
• Southern Jazz Jam Competition
• Y7-13 PPTC
• Australian Maths Comp
• Y7-8 Winter Tournament

Next week / Week 3

• CEN Music Tour / Wed
• Y5-8 Winter Tournament / Thur
• SISS Canoe Polo / Fri – Sun
• Y13 Careers Workshop / Fri
• Teacher Only Day (MOE) / Friday 13 August

Dates to Note

• Primary School Production / 17-19 August
• Year 1-6 Enrolments 2022 / close Friday, 27 August
• Canterbury Adventure Race / Saturday, 28 August
• Senior College Preliminary exams / Weeks 9-10 - Thursdays, 23–30 September
• NCEA exams / begin Monday, 8 November
• Teacher Only Days (MOE) / Thursday, 25 November
• Fiesta / Friday, 26 November

Praise / Thanks / Prayer for

• Congratulations to ‘Kenring’ (Jono Manning, Tobey Scott and Nathan Smith) who have made the Rockquest National Finals – photo below

• Students and staff involved in the upcoming Primary School production
• For alumni Hayden Stuart’s testimony and God’s continued moving amongst our students

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of Middleton Grange School.

May I encourage you with these words from:

Ps 9:1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Blessings

Mike Vannoort

Principal

2) MOE Teacher Only Day - Friday, 13 August 2021

Please note that next Friday, 13 August is a MOE Teacher Only Day. School will be closed on this day.

3) Primary School Production - The Legend of Captain Black Custard

Lock away your puddings. Hide your recipes. Captain Black Custard and his pudding pirates are in town.

Tickets for the Primary School Production are available at the Primary Administration - CASH ONLY.

4) MGS Parent Group Meeting

Our next Parent Group meeting is taking place this coming Tuesday, 10 August at 7:30pm in the Staff Room.

Rod Thompson will give an update on the Adventure Race that's only three weeks away. Volunteers are still needed, so come to the meeting and show your support for this amazing fundraising effort. We are also looking forward to and update from the Fiesta team. Lastly, we will brainstorm ways that the Parent Group can further support the school community in non-fundraising related projects and assistance.

All parent and caregivers are welcome! It promises to be an interesting and informative meeting!

5) Football Boys 1st X1 Fundraiser - Friday 20th August

The Middleton Grange Football Boys 1st XI have qualified for the NZSSF National Competition which is occurring at the end of Term 3 in Napier, New Zealand. Gather five friends together and sign yourself up to the quiz night occurring on Friday 20th August in the secondary school staffroom, 7pm kick off, see the poster provided for more details. Click here to sign up www.qrme.nz/footballquiz.  If your business would like to provide sponsorship for the boys trip, or provide a voucher or gift that would be worthy of a prize on night of the quiz, please contact i.stanton@middleton.school.nz.

6) Enrolments 2022

The enrolment season for entry in 2022 is now open. Enrolment documents can be downloaded from the school website or obtained from Reception.

Please note the closing dates:

• Years 1-6 - 27 August 2021

• Years 7-13 - ARE NOW CLOSED

7) Uniform Shop Updates

The Uniform Shop is now doing fittings for ordering Blazers for next year (please come into the shop for fittings during shop hours).

31st May - 23rd September 2021

Monday 1 - 4pm

Thursday 12:30 - 4pm

27 September - 9th December 2021

Monday 2:30 - 4pm

Tuesday 12:30 - 4pm

Thursday 12:30 - 4pm

Next Second Hand Intake Day; Monday 23 August 2021, 1.00pm

All blazers and kilts must be dry-cleaned and all garments must be in a good condition. All other details are available on our website.

Please bring a completed intake form with you.

8) Entertainment Memberships

To purchase a membership CLICK HERE

If you purchase a Membership between 3pm Wednesday, 4th August and 11.59pm Wednesday, 1st September you automatically get a BONUS eGift Card, 1 extra month free when you purchase a Single City Membership go into the draw to WIN: A 3-night Quantum of the Seas Cruise, One of 2 x TFE Hotels 3-night vouchers and a $200 dining voucher at your favourite Entertainment Venue.

To purchase a membership CLICK HERE

9) Middleton Grange Adventure Racing

What’s adventure racing?

Adventure Racing is a multi-disciplinary race across unfamiliar terrain over a set time in teams of two to four people. It is becoming a very popular sport that you can enjoy with friends, family, school friends or workmates. The skills involved are map-reading, trekking or running, biking, and problem solving. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

MGS has joined forces with Crazy Kea Events to create the CANTERBURY ADVENTURE RACE……..

LOOKING FOR A GREAT FITNESS CHALLENGE?

Saturday 28th August 2021

· Includes 3, 6 and 9-hour options

· Within a 30-minute drive from the Christchurch City centre

· This event is a fundraiser for Middleton Grange School

Visit www.crazykeaevents.nz for more information or find Crazy Kea Events on Facebook

This is a great way to get fit and have some fun with friends and family, whilst supporting the school at the same time. If that doesn’t appeal, why not volunteer to help on the day of the event or with some of the preparations beforehand? We will need people to be marshals, operate the registration desk, organise sponsors and spot prizes, operate the start/finish line, help with advertising, first aid etc etc.

If you can help in any way, please email Rod Thompson: r.thompson@middleton.school.nz

LET’S MAKE THIS A FANTASTIC EVENT!

10) Matua Pai - Parenting Adventures

Free Parenting Workshops with free Day Care: Parenting Adventures 28th August.

https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/parenting-adventures-tickets-157726848249.. 

Remember to browse our latest newsletter.

God bless

Middleton Grange School
(03) 348-9826
www.middleton.school.nz

Mission Statement

At Middleton Grange School we are committed to a rigorous learning culture based on an understanding of truth as revealed in the whole counsel of Scripture. We equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to understand their heritage and their place in it; and to critique and engage contemporary society. We work with parents to encourage pupils in their gifts and abilities to serve God and others.