news m i ddlet ongr a ngescho ol Newsletter No. 6 30 Acacia Ave, Chch 8041 I t: 348 9826 f: 348 8317 Value replaces Values e: [email protected] an article called ‘The Teacher’s Soul and Performativity’. Not exactly bed-time reading but a statement in the article caught my eye. ‘Value replaces Values’. have just finished reading In the article the author contends that the philosophy driving the current education sector is one that places a higher importance on ‘value’, the performance/academic results of a school, than on ‘values’, the character/creativity of the pupil. The author (S Ball) writes that the consequence of a performance-based education system is where ‘persons are valued for their productivity alone. Their value as a person is eradicated. Performance has no room for caring’. To a large degree I agree with the author. If the only and greatest goal for a school is to be the ‘top academic’ school in the country then there is real temptation for a school to focus only on academic success rather than the character of the child. This is a deficient and potentially dangerous education. The danger for a school of focussing solely on academic results is three-fold: 1. It sends a message to pupils that their value or worth to the school is tied up in their academic ability and what they contribute to the academic reputation of the school. 2. It can lead a school down a path of either ‘massaging’ results to look good, or providing courses to pupils that offer ‘easy to get’ credits without a concern for the appropriateness of that course for the pupil. 3. It can cause ‘teachers to teach to the test’ (that was a nice alliteration!) and leave out aspects of the Curriculum that challenge and stir up a child’s heart to serve or love others. At Middleton Grange School we strive for both ‘Value and Values’ – the mind and the heart. This is how we are created and a Christian school must attend to both, to the whole child. I often think of Luke 2:52 to show that a Christian School should find favour with both ‘man and God’. A Christian School should not merely attend to the values, the heart of the child. Our pupils are to grow in knowledge and wisdom, they are to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to ‘critique and engage contemporary society’ (Mission statement) just as much as they are to grow in Godly character and their relationship with Christ. A balanced Christian Education is one where ‘Value (academic) and Values (heart)’ sit side by side, not jostling each other for supremacy, but in unison working together. Yours in Christ Richard Vanderpyl Principal Character Excellence for the Glory of God Service 1 20 1 5 10 September www.middleton.school.nz Coming Up These dates are subject to change. Regularly check the calendar on the school website for amendments. Abbreviations: PS-Primary School SC-Senior College ppd-postponement MS-Middle School IC-Intl College LC-Learning Centre September Mon, 14 Victoria University Wellington Lunchtime in the library Tue, 15 Y6 Trek-about Tuesday #3 Quail Island - ppd Tue 22 Sept Tue, 15 - Thu 17 Koru Games Y7-8 Wed, 16 SC Course Selection Evening 7pm - gym Wed, 16 Massey University liaison visit lunchtime in the library MCAT Y11 Maths Assessment Thu, 17 Y7 and 8 MIDYIS Y7 & 8 World Vision Scholarship Day Fri, 18 Y7 & 9 Entrance Test Tue, 22 Wed, 23 & Thu, 24 Match Play Golf Wed, 23 LC Basketball trip Thu, 24 Y12 Music concert 7pm Final Day Term 3 Fri, 25 October Mon, 12 1st Day Term four Tue, 13 Volleyball Begins Wed, 14 - Wed 21 SC Internal Exams Fri, 16 Level 1 Art Exhibition 5.30-7pm Fri, 23 Level 2 Art Exhibition 5.30-7pm Fri, 23 Sports Celebration Mon, 26t Labour Day Tue, 27 Primary Athletic Sports ppd Thu 29 Tue, 27 & Wed, 28 Graphics Display, PAC Foyer Tue, 27 Y11 Girls ME Presentation Thu, 29 Zonta Sports Awards Thu, 29 ppd Primary Athletic Sports Fri, 30 Y5-8 Music Festival Rehearsal - a.m. Fri, 30 Primary Schools Music Festival Concert 7-10pm 2016 Term Dates Term 1 Term 2 Wed 3 February - Fri 15 April Mon 8 February - Waitangi Day Fri 25 - Tue 29 March - Easter Term 3 Mon 25 July - Fri 23 September Term 4 Mon 10 October - Fri 16 December Mon 24 October - Labour Day Fri 11 November - Show Day Mon 2 May - Fri 8 July Fri 3 June - Teacher only Day Mon 6 June - Queen’s Birthday Ca re er s Bowen at the House Singing Competitions. Bowen House Captain with their mascot. Building Skills On Line Sia Woen, Sophie Tremewan and Josie Hepburn enjoyed the UC Women in Leadership breakfast and talks. Year 10 pupils loved their CPIT Challenge Day. They were happy to win the challenge and get free movie tickets and promotional material. Four MGS pupils interested in a career in building were selected to participate in the BCITO Build Ability Competition. This delightful playhouse is the result, and will be enjoyed by the Hornby Under 3s’ Playgroup for years to come. Meanwhile, Jayden Wilson, Cameron Webster, Zac Walker, Laurence Polderman-Charles and Shunya Susuki found this a useful learning experience under the tutelage of Mr McKee. Past pupils came to tell us about UC Te Ara Day at UC for Y12 Maori pupils Free NCEA Tutoring Every Monday of Term 3, Year 11-13 pupils are taking advantage of the free NCEA Tutoring held from 3.30 - 5.00pm, in G205. There they find food, tutors, and a quiet place to study. 2 Poverty Simulation Engagement Talking about poverty is one thing but experiencing it for your self is REAL LEARNING! The Year 9 Social Studies classes all participated in a simulation in “family groups” living in a slum. In order to get money to live the family had to produce sets of ten paper bags made from newsprint and flour glue then try to sell them to the shopkeepers. It was pretty frantic to do and made you feel quite desperate because you knew your family wouldn’t eat if you couldn’t make enough in a day. Pupils’ responses: “Life in the slums is difficult. Everybody has to work hard. If even one person is slacking, even for a minute, we won’t make enough money to pay for rent and food. Our family struggled health-wise because no one went to the free health clinic and we didn’t have enough money for a toilet so when they were sick they couldn’t make bags. We did grow stronger as a family/team through this experience. “ “My life in the slums wasn’t too bad, as we just make bags to live. We have to pay the loan shark for our space in the slums or we get thrown “under the bridge” and have to work harder to get out from the loan shark’s clutches.” “This activity pretending to live in a slum was really fun, but in real life I think it would be really hard because you have to live in the worst conditions imaginable and you have to steal just to survive or sell what you have (like your organs, your clothes or even your children into prostitution or as slaves) just to survive every day.” “Intense, hard and stressful!” This activity feeds back into the classroom as classes continue to study the topic of Injustice and Justice in the world. Teachers are sure this experience will help the pupils be challenged and determine to get involved in service activities that will help others’ lives be better. An Unwasted Day In Term Three, Year 7 have been ‘cleaning up their act’! We’ve been investigating waste management, thinking about how we can make wise decisions about reducing, re-using and recycling our waste. Part of our studies included a trip to the Materials Recovery Facility in Parkhouse Rd. We saw how the materials We saw the Eco Drop, where people bring items in for recycling, and we visited the Eco Shop in Blenheim Rd, where people can buy items to re-use. We were encouraged to reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill by making good choices. from our yellow bins were sorted at the Eco Sort and separated for recycling. We learned that many products, such as bags and polar fleeces, are made from recycled plastic. Did you know that 32 plastic milk bottles were used to make one green recycling crate? Also, did you know that recycling 12 newspapers can save one tree? “I learnt about the sorting process. Also, I thought there were 3 Rs, but there are actually 5! I would love to learn 3 Images from top left: Desperately leaning a skilll Selling paper bags for money and food Trading clothes for rent Loan Shark more.” Jung Woo “My favourite part was when we went to the Eco Shop (spending $500) although I went a bit over budget.” Eddie “I enjoyed the Eco Shop when we had to furnish our flats with $500, but I’m going to do it with $1000 when I go flatting!” Dominique Library Resources: Communicating Your Concerns Information for Parents & Caregivers The school has two attractive and well equipped libraries. Both are staffed by trained personnel, parents, helpers, and by pupils. The libraries are an integral component of learning programmes as well as IT hubs and places for recreational reading and study. stimulating recreational reading and viewing. In this, Library staff work closely with teachers to make sure what is bought is appropriate in terms of age-level and content, and with respect to the school’s special character. The purchase of new resources is an on-going task and the Board of Trustees has procedures for this which are reviewed and updated regularly. Resources are purchased to support classroom programmes and provide There are occasions, however, where parents and caregivers may want to express their concern or challenge the suitability of a particular library resource. The procedure for this is shown on the diagram. A library resource is causing concern to a parent or caregiver A librarian from the relevant library is approached via phone, email or letter NO Resolution? YES YES YES A meeting is arranged with Library staff to discuss the concern Resolution? NO Resolution? A meeting is arranged with Library staff and the Head of School NO A meeting is arranged with the Principal and/or BoT representative and a final ruling is made. The resource is: endorsed OR given year-level restricted access OR withdrawn “… be quick to listen, be slow to speak, slow to become angry.” 4 James 1:19 Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori HELP ! read write Whangaihia te reo Māori ki ngā Matua. -to encourage and support the language development of parents who can then whangai (foster) the language to their children was the topic of Māori Language week at the end of July. A different activity was run each lunchtime for Y7-13 pupils. • Monday: Assembly and Taniwha hunt (around the school, collect prize at the whare) • Tuesday: Quiz in the Whare • Thursday: Em-hayley Kukutai Walker (Stephen McConnachie on the guitar) -waiata session in the whare • Friday: Tōtiti parai/sausage sizzle Can you and support ? Would you like to someone in their education? We urgently need volunteers to support pupils during assessments. Reading and writing for them. If you can spare an hour during your week contact please Leslie: ph 348 9826 ext 757 email [email protected] Tournament of Minds The Tournament of Minds Competition was held on August 27 in Auckland and Christchurch. Our first ever team to enter won in Secondary Schools section, Language/Literature, and are through to the Nationals! Team members are Year 9s: Natalie Amersfoort, Jack Bosma, James Caughley and Year 10s: Ellie Bakker, Annika Duke, Jessica Pask and Genevieve Pope. Pasifika Fono -see you 5 1 0 2 a t s e i F Please hold onto pre-loved items in good condition that we can re-sell at there! our annual Fiesta on Friday November 27th. We will ask you to bring them in on the Thursday and Friday – clothing, books, toys, white elephant. The K-block outdoor stage was put to good use one lovely spring lunch-hour when Vision College students gave a concert to inspire and entertain pupils as part of their annual tour of schools. It was good to have past pupil Josiah Tuala at the Pasifika Fono on 25th June. Parents and pupils heard about the initiatives for Pasifika and the opportunities for leadership at UC. 5 Wearable Arts The Primary School Wearable Arts shows were held on the 2nd & 3rd of September. The colours, styles and creativity were truly amazing. Year 1 & 2 created fantastic hats with various themes and colours. Year 3 & 4 started with a theme of ‘weird and wacky’ and used recycled materials to create their weird and wacky outfits. Year 5 & 6 have been studying ocean life, and created a huge variety of creatures, and even a few ships that could be found in or on the oceans. The Commonwealth Conference further insight into the development of Samoa, rightly boasting of his home country’s natural ability in sport and stating that youth should be encouraged to participate in such activities in order to extend their skills. On the second day we had the opportunity to sit in on Parliament’s question time, after which we agreed that we were far more diplomatic and serious than those we elect to govern our country! Overall, my time at the conference was challenging but most beneficial for learning about an organisation largely undermined today, and for understanding how the special nature of this organisation can help solve issues and conflicts in the world. My special thanks to the school for helping me to attend. I encourage Senior College pupils to take this opportunity to meet the future leaders of our country and to develop communication and critical thinking skills, while having fun and learning at the same time. The Students’ Commonwealth Heads of Government’s Meeting (SCHOGM) is an annual event held in Wellington and run by mainly post-graduate students. I was honoured to represent Middleton Grange as the Foreign Minister of Samoa at said event, working alongside a pupil from New Plymouth. Over two packed days, we were welcomed with a special message from the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and presented with a wide range of issues and problems that are now facing the Commonwealth. These areas covered Citizenship, Migrants and Refugees, Youth Development and Climate Change alongside a variety of individual issues that certain countries held to be important. Samoa had an active voice in all these issues. Climate Change is a particular worry for the lowlying island, whose natural resources and livelihood are threatened by rising waters. I had the privilege of meeting the High Commissioner of Samoa who had Eva Maffey 6 Bundle Up With a Book To encourage the Primary pupils to read over the holidays, the Primary Library ran a “Bundle Up With a Book” activity. The pupils had to do some detective work to find the names of books that fitted various categories, as well as keeping a list of the books they had read. If they returned their sheets to the library, they got a small prize. Konnichiwa Room 7 enjoyed a visit from a group of pupils from Japan. After we welcomed them by singing them a song, they introduced us to two different games that we had fun playing together. Each Primary School class went to two weeks of daily swimming lessons at Jellie Park. From left: Melenaite, Luseane, Sisilia and Asinate celebrate Tongan Language week in their traditional Tongan clothing. Year 5 & 6 had fun testing their balance on Wheels Day David negotiates some tricky obstacles on his bike. Alexa, Shinlan and Joshua enjoying the course. Crescendos Middleton’s auditioned choir Crescendos performed beautifully at the recent Voices concert. Acting directors Brianna Tennant and Luke Noble led the choir in Phillipa Chirnside’s absence. It was an outstanding evening, well-attended by family and friends. Thank you for all your support! 7 Week t n e m a n r u o T Senior Boys’ Basketball South Island Champions The Senior Boys’ Basketball team were dominant at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Basketball Championships, winning their 8 games by an average of 35.6 points a game on their way to the school’s first South Island Secondary Schools’ Basketball Championship. The final was played against a hungry Burnside High School team who came out firing, leading at half time 46-40. But our boys stayed calm, winning the second half 50-30 to grind out a 90-76 victory and take home the silverware. The team now has 25 wins and 0 losses in competition play for the season and have qualified as the #1 seed for the National Championships which will take place in Palmerston North during the first week of the school holidays. Y 9 & 10 Basketball Our Year 9 and 10 Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball teams competed in the South Island Junior Secondary Schools’ Tournament in Nelson. Both teams performed particularly well, placing 6th in their respective competitions. Many of the other teams were impressed with our boys’ aggressive defence and their skill - with a little more height they would have been strong contenders for the top four. The girls’ team was led by Sofia Kennedy (Y10) and Megan Ellis (Y10) who were both among the best female players at the tournament. Girls’ Football Agonizingly Close at Gary Sowden Trophy The 1st XI Football Girls came agonizingly close to winning the Gary Sowden Trophy Championship in Ashburton during tournament week, losing the final 1-0 to Otago Girls’ High after hitting the cross-bar twice and conceding a penalty goal late in the game. The girls represented the school in an exceptional manner, and should be proud of their hard earned 2nd place. Caitlin Steele had a spectacular tournament, scoring an incredible 10 goals. Boys’ Football The Middleton Grange Raiders were based in Christchurch during Tournament Week. Reaching the quarter finals, they dispatched Shirley Boys 3-1 in comprehensive fashion to reach the top four. Unfortunately they were unable to push on to win the tournament, with Pakuranga College just edging them out 1-0 in the Semi Finals. Overall the team can be proud of their efforts and lived out their motto: Head, Heart, Believe. Special mentions go to our fantastic keeper Max Collingwood (Y10), named as MVP for the tournament and Munashe Saruchera who scored the most goals. The team also want to acknowledge the hard work of coach Isaac Stanton who has given so much to the team over the last 3 years. 8 Sport 2nd XI Football Y7A Netball • The Year 7A Girls’ Netball Team won a tough semi-finals game and went on to play in the U12 Grade final. This was another tough game; they fought well and came 2nd. • Middleton Grange took 1st place at the Canterbury Y7-8 Hip Hop Championships. This is the first year we have entered. • The Year 7 & 8 A Boys’ Basketball were undefeated in the weekly competitions and competed in the South Island Championships, coming 2nd by a whisker. The boys were also voted by the other teams as the most fair team – a fantastic credit to their character and their representation of Middleton Grange! • The Intermediate Boys’ Basketball completed an undefeated season, winning their basketball grade. • Satori Dobbie (Y11) and Mitchell Campbell (Y11) will represent Middleton Grange at the Secondary School Swimming Championships in Hamilton. • In the first undefeated season since 2000, the senior A Boys’ Basketball recently won the Thompson Trophy, defeating Cashmere High School 80-68 in the Final. The Thompson Trophy is the most important trophy in Christchurch High School Basketball. • 1st XI Girls’ Football - The Girls’ 1st XI beat Cashmere High 1st XI 3-1 in the final of the Premier 2 School Sport Canterbury Grade. • The 2nd XI Boys’ Football formed initially as a social team. Realising how good they were, they rose to the challenge and won their final 1 - 0 against Oxford Area School 1st XI making them the 2nd XI grade champions. Also a great effort from two teams who narrowly lost their finals: • B Girls’ Badminton • 6 a side Boys’ Hockey Intermediate Basketball Canoe Polo Six MGS teams travelled to Oamaru for the South Island Secondary Schools’ Canoe Polo Championships, held over the weekend of 7th-9th August. Our teams did outstandingly well, achieving the following placings: Senior Open A 2nd Senior Open B 5th Senior Girls’ A 3rd Senior Girls’ B 6th Junior Open 3rd Junior Girls’ 2nd Although we did not win any titles this year, we were the only school to place in the top three in all four grades. Our young Senior Open A boys (all but one Year 11 players) battled hard before finally succumbing in the final to an older, more experienced Dunstan High School team. Our Junior Girls, all first year players, also lost to Dunstan in their final, but fought very hard, being on level terms at half time. We are keenly anticipating rematches with arch-rivals Dunstan next year! Big congratulations to those selected for tournament teams, Girls: Rachel Bedggood, Bleuette Hille; Boys: Matt Carter, Tom Malcolm and Renzo Childs. Also, those selected for the Mainland Under 18 teams: Rachel, Bleuette, Matt, Tom, Renzo, Mahalia Dyck, Kayleigh Gouman, Emma Malcolm and Brad Taylor. Big thanks to our coaches and all the parents who came and supported. We had 30 players but a total party of 75. It was great to have so much support for what has become one of the big events of the Middleton year. 9 Social Media & Body Image ‘So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’ Genesis 1:27 The following article from Common Sense Media suggests some great suggestions to support teenagers as they navigate social media. How do teens’ experiences on social media influence their body image? Today’s teens not only have the ability to share their thoughts, their photos, and their videos, they also have 24-hour-a-day access to feedback from others. On social media, teens also have access to an unending stream of other people’s pictures and posts — and let’s not forget, often the most carefully selected and flattering snapshots of their peers. Developmentally, it’s no surprise that teens are lured by the appeal of peer feedback and the opportunity for social approval. But social media create unique challenges for parenting, particularly related to body image. Ask your teens how they decide which photos of themselves to share. A perfectly curated online identity looks effortless. But in reality, people are intentional about what they share, and quite a bit of thought and effort goes into portraying a certain image. Invite your teens to think about a difficult day or day they felt unattractive — did they share it online? Why or why not? Can they recall a time when a friend shared a less-than-perfect photo? Consider opening up about your own process about what you post or don’t post. What motivates all of us to share, or not to share, certain snapshots of our lives online? Encourage your teens to view photos and comments online with a critical eye. There are two major ways social media can impact body image for teens. First, because teens see so many flattering pictures of others online, they may start to believe that everyone else always looks beautiful and perfect. Cantamath Middleton Grange received many Highly Josh Commended and Excellence Awards this year, along with one of only four Cantamath Outstanding Awards. Josh Tasker’s (Y9) very clever and original idea earned him this welldeserved award for the 2nd year in a row! His blocks have been arranged to spell ‘CANTA’ when viewed from one angle and ‘MATH’ when viewed from another. 10 The second way is through the feedback that teens individually receive about their photos. They may begin to believe what people say about them, or even develop insecurity when no one comments. Counter the perception that everyone else is always camera-ready by explaining how photos don’t tell the whole story, may have been digitally altered, or simply may be taken out of context. Help your teens deal with online comments by asking questions about both the photos that they view and the feedback that they receive. Praise your teen for things other than his or her looks. It may seem obvious, but you need to help balance the feedback teens receive online. It can be intoxicating to receive likes and positive reinforcement in response to a flattering picture. Try to focus your feedback on other aspects of your teen’s identity — skills, hobbies, and interests. Encourage them to curate a positive digital footprint online by presenting an identity that is balanced and highlights their whole character. Congratulations! Podium Performances for Podmore Olivia Podmore represented New Zealand at the World Junior Track Cycling Championships in Kazakhstan in late August, achieving some truly remarkable results on the world stage. Olivia won a Silver medal in the Team Sprints, a Bronze medal in the 500m Time Trial, finished 6th in the Keirin and 7th in the individual Sprint. Congratulations, Olivia, on this outstanding achievement! You have made the school community very proud. Xavier Dana Seane Sydney Matthew Gideon Yu Heng Kane Timmy Dean Ben Sofia & Samantha • Xavier van Tuinen (Y6) has been selected for the Ellesmere U11 Rugby Development Squad. • Dana Jung (Y7) won her section at the Primary School Y7-8 Aerobic Championships and will be going to the Nationals. This is exceptional as she has only 10 month’s experience. • Ben Gracey (Y8) won the Riccarton Domain Tennis Club Junior Boys Singles cup for 2015 • Sofia Kennedy (Y10) and Samantha Fairhall (Y10) won their team grade at the Secondary School Duathlon • Seane Pieterse (Y10) and Sydney Murphy (Y10) were chosen from the Development Netball Team to be in the Chch Under 14’s Netball Squad, A team. • Matthew Tasker (Y7), Gideon Chan (Y8), Yu Heng Loh (Y8), Kane Xie (y8), Timmy Ellis (Y9) and Dean Walker (Y10) earned distinction in this year’s Digital Skills ICAS competition. This means that they were in the top 11% of all the pupils their age. • Connor van der Pyl (Y7), Sam Freeman (Y7), Grace Jeong (Y7), Mason Murphy (Y7), Emily Liken (Y8), Ben Black (Y9), Michaela Burgess (Y9), Joshua Tasker (Y9) and William Whelan (Y10) received a Credit award for being in the top 20%. • Satori Dobbie (Y11) broke three NZ age-group swimming records, set seven new Canterbury records and has been named in a New Zealand team to compete against Australia. Learn more at http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/youth-sport/71441804/ dobbie-on-record-breaking-spree-at-short-course-swimming-nationals • Abby Button (Y12) was one of 4 finalists in the Westfield Young Stylist competition. 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