Term 4 Newsletter

Welcome back!   

This term tends to be bittersweet in nature - while we prepare to say goodbye to our Year 8 leaders, we also begin to notice a ‘lift’ in our Year 7s who ‘step up’ to the leadership opportunities on offer for next year. 

This term is bound to be an exciting and busy end to the 2016 school year.  I (Mrs Nicky Pateman) am returning from maternity leave and will be teaching on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Miss Jordan Engen will continue to work each Tuesday and Friday for the rest of the year.     

Term 4 Notices

Sun Hats

Sun hats are needed as of DAY 1 of term.  It is important that we lead by example.  Our Year 8 leaders can wear wide-brimmed mufti hats.  Year 7 students are required to wear regulation blue wide-brimmed hats.   School hats are available for purchase from the school office.  No hat = no play!

Police Competency Test - Fri 14th Oct (postponed due to weather)

Two teams of 4 (two girls and two boys) have been selected to compete in the Blue Light PCT competition (Police Competency Test).  Students were selected on the basis of past athletics performances.  Students will be put through a series of challenges both physical and mental (many of these tests are done by new Police recruits, hence the Police Competency Test).  The winning team will go through to the Blue Light National Championship at the Police College in Wellington.  In past years, we missed out on one of the top spots by a mere 2 seconds.  We wish Louie, Jake , Chloe and Molly (Team 1); Noah, Conal, Annabel and Holly W. (Team 2) the best of luck!

Athletics Day - Wed 19th Oct

Students will be training hard for Athletics Day over the next two weeks.  The event is always a wonderful display of student ability, sportsmanship and House spirit.   You are invited to come along on the day to cheer on the students, 9am-2:30pm.  Students will complete in 6 events on the day - 60m and 100m sprints, shot put, discus, long jump and high jump.  For some students, this will be their final primary school Athletics Day, so it would be great if you could make it!

Senior Interchange - starting Thurs 27th Oct

For Term 4, we decided to allow students to select two senior interchange options.  We have done our best to accommodate students’ preferences.  On offer this term are: Outdoor Education (Mr Pateman), sports coaching (Mrs Pateman), geography (Miss McGowan) and Science (Miss Turnbull).  Interchange will run from 11:30-3pm Thursdays, with the exception of Outdoor Education which is usually for the whole day.  Our unique outdoor education programme is reliant upon parent help, so please let Mr Pateman know if you can help with transport/supervision on any of these trips.  A separate notice will be sent home shortly.

Korfball - starting Tues 1st Nov

Each class will participate in 4 Korfball sessions with a Development Officer from Korfball Canterbury.  Korfball is a Dutch game that has similarities to netball and basketball, with the objective being to shoot the ball in a bottomless bucket.  Teams are made up of 4 girls and 4 boys.  Following the 4 sessions, 2 teams will be selected to represent our school at the Year 7/8 Canterbury Korfball Tournament. 

Year 8 Graduation Night - Fri 2nd Dec

On Friday 2nd December, 6:30-9:30pm, we will be holding our Year 8 Graduation Night at the Cashmere Club.  Parents of Year 8 leavers are asked to please pencil this important date into your diaries.  On this night, we will have student hosts, student speeches, presentation of the Year 8 trophies and graduation certificates, formal dances and a shared supper.  It’s not a night to be missed! 

Senior Pool Day - Mon 12th Dec

Weather permitting, we will be heading to Jellie Park for a full day of swimming and water sliding.  The cost of this has been included on term costs.  More information will become available closer to the date.  

Year 8 Amazing Race - Tues 13th Dec

This year, we will again be running the Year 8 Amazing Race.  In groups, students travel by bus around Christchurch and surrounding suburbs to answer questions and complete challenges.  Points are awarded for correct answers and task completion.  Penalty points are given for incomplete activities.  We will need around 10 parent helpers on the day to make this event possible.  Please pencil this date into your diaries!  It was a highlight for our Year 8s last year.   

Important Term 4 Dates for your Diary

• Athletics Day, Week 2, Wed 19th Oct
•   Labour Day, Week 3, Mon 24th Oct
• Senior interchange begins, Week 3, Thurs 27th Oct
• School Fiesta, Sat 29th Oct
• Korfball sessions, Tues 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd Nov
• Languages begin, Tues 1st Nov
• Zone Athletics, Week 5, Wed 9th Nov
• Summer Tournament, Week 5, Wed 16th Nov (more information to come)
• Show Day, Week 5, Fri 11th Nov
• Sport Canterbury Top Team Year 5-8, Week 7, Tues 22nd Nov
• Canterbury Triathlon, Week 8, Thurs 1st Dec
• Year 8 Graduation, Week 8, Fri 2nd Dec, 6:30pm-9:30pm
• Canterbury Athletics, Week 9, Wed 7th Dec
• Year 7/8 Pool Day, Week 10, Mon 12th Dec
• Year 8 Amazing Race, Week 10, Tues 13th Dec
• Final assembly & last day of school year, Week 10, Thurs 15th Dec. 

Special Thanks!

On a personal note, thank you so much to all the amazing parents and students who have made me feel incredibly supported during my maternity leave.  Your gifts, baking, cards and special messages have put a smile on my face and made the sleepless nights a little easier to bare.  St Martins is a great community to be a part of!  I look forward to working with the Year 7/8 syndicate again.  Thanks, Nicky Pateman.