Dear Parents During the last two days JCS has been undergoing its triennial Special Character review with two external reviewers. It was a great privilege to host Eoin Crosbie, the Principal of Bethlehem College in Tauranga and Warren Peat, the CEO of the NZCPT and KingsWay Trust. The review involved meeting with management, BoT, teachers and students as well as walking through classrooms, satisfaction surveys and looking at documentation. The reviewers were very impressed with the depth of understanding the students, they interviewed and spoke to in classes, have gained in terms of understanding what it means to be a Christian and to live faithfully as a disciple of Jesus. They commented on the warmth of relationships, engagement and independence of the students. Mr Crosbie used the visual image of a rope being the special character of our school. This rope is made up of seven strands which make up the ways in which we endeavour to embed special character at JCS. The seven strands are: 1. Our JCS Values; truth, love, faith in Christ and hope. These values were introduced in

Term 2 this year, after much discussion and unpacking with the staff. Each term one of these values forms the overarching theme which undergirds learning for the term. This term we are exploring love for Christ and our response to this. Next term we will be unpacking the value of hope as we look towards celebrating Christmas.

2. Our JCS student outcomes; Christ Centred, Connected, Confident, Contributing and Continually Learning. These are the dispositions we would like our students to have as graduates of JCS. They were introduced to the students last year in our weekly whole school assemblies. One of these dispositions is unpacked and intentionally taught as part of our learning each term. This term we are looking at the disposition of contributing. Manu and Ika are looking at how we can contribute by looking after the plant world as part of their inquiries. Tiwai is studying the government, in preparation for their visit to Parliament in Wellington next term. They are looking at how they can contribute as good citizens and have their say to make society a better place. There have been robust and inspirational discussions around euthanasia and abortion, which are issues facing us in our country and many others in the world right now.

3. Planning from a Biblical World view using the; creation-fall-redemption-restoration model. Each term planning is done collaboratively by the teachers following the model above. This facilitates rich discussions around the topics of study from a Biblical World View perspective. This term we are looking at how plants were created for our good and through sin; greed and exploitation there are forests in the world under threat and food shortages. As the redeemed we have a duty of care to look after the earth God has given us and ensure that all we do is for His glory and for the good of others.

4. Staff special character professional learning. Weekly the staff have professional development, looking at how to teach as a transformation agent for the kingdom in all areas of classroom practice and culture. Continued on the next page ...

9 August 2019 Important Dates

Gymnastics 4 x weekly sessions

Friday 9 August

Manu Arataki Visitor

Centre

Tuesday 13 August

ACS Soccer

Wednesday 14 August

GRANDPARENTS’

DAY & BOOK FAIR

Thursday 15 August

9.30am to 12.15pm

Chicken Madness

Thursday 29 August

TEACHER ONLY DAY

Monday 2 September

Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday 3 September

Walkathon

Friday 6 September

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Monday 16 September

WOW Week & Tiwai Sports

Camp

23 - 27 September

End Term Three

Friday 27 September

Term Four Begins

Monday 14 October

RAISING RESILIENT FAMILIES

KingsWay School is hosting a community event on 12 August, 7:00 - 8.30pm (no cost) in the KingsWay

School Senior Campus Library at 100 Jelas Rd, Orewa. Feel free to invite your friends and family -

Raising Resilient Families - in life, relationships and their online world

by Collett Smart

Parenting can be fun and exciting, but new changes and challenges can also feel overwhelming. How can we support our children to become who they are meant to be? In this interactive seminar, Collett Smart discusses:

- How we might harness the resilience factors within each

child.

- What children want and what they actually need.

- Helping young people take their resilience online.

- Practical tips for enhancing your relationship with your children and teens.

The guest speaker, Collett Smart is a psychologist, qualified teacher and author of ‘THEY'LL Be OKAY: 15 Conversa-tions To Help Your Child Through Troubled Times’ (Hachette).

Collett has more than 20 years experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private prac-tice. She appears regularly on national television and radio, as an expert in teen and family issues. Collett has taught and delivered psychology workshops and seminars around the world. She is an Ambassador for International Justice Mission Australia and is a mum to three chil-dren, aged 11, 16 and 18 years old. New Zealand online purchase here: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/theyll-be-okay/28221600 www.collettsmart.com

5. Staff devotions - staff share devotional times weekly where each teacher has the opportunity to bring a word in season. Weekly prayer meetings are also held where staff meet to pray for the school community and Christian education in New Zealand.

6. Daily Discipleship programmes are done each day in the classroom and cover the topic or value of the term. This programme is a devotional time with Bible exploration, prayer and worship, where students are encouraged to grow in their faith. It is a safe place to ask questions and wrestle with Biblical truths in relation to life experiences.

7. Overarching theme for the term of learning; characteristic of God or JCS Value. This forms the basis for our Daily Discipleship programme and the inquiry topics for the term.

These seven strands make up the way we embed special character at JCS. We will form strategic goals for the next three years from these strands, always looking to do things better and to ensure that we are authentically delivering Christian education that does much more than tick a box. We long for our students to know Him in His fullness and to this end we endeavour to nurture our students to glorify God in all of life.

Yours in partnership Sandra Bosman

Mus i c

Workshop

Worm “Wee” 2 litres worm “wee” for sale at $5 a bottle. Made especially for you by our very own Jireh Christian School friendly worms.

Fantastic for your garden!

Father Son Camp

"Overcoming: 'ing' is a present participle suggesting that things are happening, growing, doing. The weekend unlocks stereotypes and perceptions, overcoming the

void between fathers and sons while enjoying the great outdoors and great food.

Bond with your father or son over planned activities and enjoy being away from the busyness of life."

For males of all ages: 7pm, 6 September to 2pm, 8 September Carey Park Christian Camp, 397 Henderson Valley Rd, Waitakere, Auckland. For more information see: https://www.onebigadventure.org.nz/camps-coming-up.html

+64 00 9 836 6913

+64 2108538662

administration@jireh.school.nz

www.jireh.school.nz

63 St Georges Road,

Avondale,

Auckland 0600

From God, For God I Atua, Hoki Atua

Tiwai - Clay Work at Corbans Estate Arts Centre

Manu planting