Liberton Link September 2003

Chairman's Report

Dear friends

As I look back over the time that has elapsed since the publication of the last Liberton Link, I see so many things for which we, in the school community, can give thanks.

When we started 2003, our roll was just sufficient for us to be able to employ a third full-time, Ministry of Education funded, teacher. This had been both a specific item of prayer and our vision throughout 2002. As the 2003 year progressed, numbers continued to increase such that, by the year-end and for the first time in its history, the School was facing the prospect of limiting enrolments. Under its Integration Agreement, the school's maximum roll is 62 pupils. For this reason, in November, the Dunedin Christian Schools Association made application to the Minister of Education to have the School's maximum roll raised to 95 pupils, however it was declined. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that, "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will", and so we will press on and, later this year, submit another application for a roll increase.

At the end of 2003, as the board considered both the projected enrolments for the start of 2004 and the expected distribution of pupils (both in age and ability), it made the strategic decision to create a fourth teaching space and, as of January 2004, move to 4.6 EFT teaching staff. This, too, has long been a vision of the wider school community. While we realise that without a roll increase, the retention of 4.6 EFT teaching staff is unlikely to be sustainable in the long term, we remain confident of our Lord's provision in this matter, as in all things. As an aside, we are very thankful, both for the speed with which the fourth teaching space was created over the school holidays, and for the quality of the area created. It is a neat little classroom!

Another item for particular thanks arises from the recent Board of Trustees elections. I am very pleased to be able to report that Neville Jopson, Monica Aarsen, Sherly Parackal and Blair Stirling have all been elected as parent representatives while Fiona Sizemore has been elected as a staff representative. Elections for the parent representatives, were not necessary due to the number of nominations received. The proprietor's representatives, Bill Lee, John van Dyk, Robert Storm and I, are appointed to the board by the DCSA rather than by election. I believe that we have a very capable board and one that will serve the school community well.

Early in 2003, ERO undertook a supplementary school review and, as a result, suggested the need for some additional changes to the school's planning procedures. Amongst other things, it noted the need to more closely link the school's strategic plan to its annual plan and thence to student achievement. It also noted the need for the school to strengthen its self-review processes, and to ensure that the school's performance management systems were fully operational. Next week we expect ERO to return to check that these issues have been dealt with satisfactorily.

The school concluded 2003 in good heart. The budget was met, all major goals in the school's annual plan were achieved, student achievement is high, roll pressure is increasing, and the board has worked as an effective governance team. There are strong relationships within the school community and a good community spirit. We look forward to continuing 2004 in the same vein.

With warmest Christian greetings

John Hannah, Chair Board of Trustees

Proprietor's Report

We look back on another year of blessings and challenges; blessings that continue to astound us, not the least of which was starting the school year with sufficient pupils to ensure government funding for three teachers, and ending the year with a full roll. Our prayers for more pupils have certainly been answered and so we needed to construct a fourth teaching space at short notice, occupying part of the hall. Most of this work was completed before the end of the year leaving time for the teachers to set it up before school recommenced.

Along with this full roll have come new challenges as we applied for an increase in the maximum roll for the school, only to hear recently that this has been declined. This now leaves us with families without the freedom to send their children to the school of their choice. The best opportunity to have this decision reconsidered may be later in the year when our Integration Agreement comes up for review.

We continue to work through the property upgrade items required as part of the Integration Agreement. Many smaller items have been completed this year as required but other items were being covered by a complete redevelopment of the school's administration area. Detailed plans of this have now been completed and construction was scheduled to commence in April but regrettably, detailed pricing of the work has come out well in excess of the original estimates so some aspects may need to be reconsidered with consequent delays. The impacts of a capped roll may further influence development decisions in the short term.

As a Council, we tend to meet as required, as all members are either directly or indirectly involved with the Board of Trustees as well. In order to spread the workload a bit and to also focus on some issues that we have not had the time to previously, we have seconded Jan Jopson as a member to look particularly at promotion of the DCSA vision with the aim of further increasing our membership base and a greater awareness of the DSCA within the wider Christian community.

Providing a small fees discount to DCSA members has proved an effective way of at least making parents aware of the Association and eventually giving them an opportunity of being directly involved in a different aspect of school governance. In this regard several parents have taken up membership this past year and I again warmly welcome them and wish them God's blessing throughout their years of involvement.

As we move on into another year of challenges, we continue to rely on the Lord's hand of blessing to meet each area of need and so advance His kingdom work. May He truly bless us all.

Robert Storm, Chairman, Dunedin Christian Schools Association

Principal's Report

The Year 2003 was another year in which we experienced God's faithfulness and rich blessings.

We started the year with sufficient children to have three teachers fully paid for by the Ministry of Education. Adele McKirdy, who was initially appointed on a fixed-term basis, won the permanent position advertised later in the year. Fiona Sizemore, a beginning teacher, joined the staff as principal release.

As Fiona preferred to teach a younger age group and Adele had experience mainly in the senior classes, classrooms were re-arranged accordingly. Mrs Stewart continued in the junior class, but the year-3 pupils joined years 4 and 5 taught by Fiona Sizemore and me.

The junior class, though initially small, continued to grow with new entrants coming in throughout the year. Further enrolments for 2004 meant a Year 1-3 class would be too large.

I experienced first hand that combining a Year 3 (junior) class with Year 4-5 (middle) classes, though do-able, is far from ideal. Looking toward 2004 and reviewing the class division during 2003 it became apparent that dividing the Junior Year 1-3 class into two classes for 2004 would be of greatest benefit to teaching and learning. We, therefore urged the proprietors to make provision for a fourth teaching space, and to apply to the Ministry to have the integration roll cap of 62 increased to allow for four classes.

To have a Year 1-8 Christian primary school, still small enough to foster Christian community, but with a closer age range and ability spread in the classes, has been our prayer and vision from the beginning.

With a substantial recent roll growth (21 new entrants in 2002 and 22 in 2003), a beginning teacher and one returning to teaching energies had gone into building a teaching team and learning community. This entailed: induction of new staff, doing the required documentation to become signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students in order to retain our overseas students, catering for the special needs of some new pupils by working with RTLB and other support staff to formulate individual educational programmes and appointing and monitoring a teacher aide.

Though we had worked hard, and achieved much, when the ERO team arrived 5 ½ weeks into the school year for our supplementary review they still found areas of non-compliance. A new action plan was therefore drawn up, with the Board of Trustees and teachers working towards its completion.

With non-contact time increased from 0.2 to 0.5, I was able to meet with other principals and support staff to get a better grip on what the various requirements were, how to report to the board, how to appraise and assess etc. I've also been able to visit other schools, attend various leadership seminars and other professional development courses.

I attended the New Zealand Association for Christian Schools' (NZACS) leadership seminar in Christchurch, and the Otago Primary Principals' Association's conferences and workshops in Dunedin, and found them especially helpful and encouraging.

The NZACS 'Teaching the Truth' conference in Christchurch was attended by most of our teachers. In addition the NZACS secretary, John Norsworthy, spoke to parents, board and staff at the school later in the year. Both these events helped strengthen our understanding of the distinctives of Christian Education.

Arts

In order to develop and write the arts curriculum delivery plan, Kyra Jones, who had been on maternity leave, returned in Term 2 to teach art to all three classes. She concentrated mainly on the visual arts, but also ably taught drama to the seniors resulting in an excellent, well received, end-of-year production 'The Christmas Story', which was presented to parents and friends. It was again performed when Amana Christian School pupils came to join us for an afternoon.

Children look forward to Wednesday, art day. Some entered the Road Sense poster competition, and the school won a prize in the 'My Family, My Neighbourhood' children's art exhibition.

Both Logan Park High School and Kavanagh College invited us to their play and Christmas pantomime. We joined Opoho School to view 'Pinocchio' presented by David Poulton's Theatre of Puppets. The latter was the inspiration for the making of puppets and puppet plays school-wide.

The Keep Dunedin Beautiful drama team entertained, but also challenged us once again to care for our environment.

Technology

Another item on our action plan was to write up a school-wide curriculum delivery plan for technology. This was done with the help of advisor, David Young. Our year 7-8 pupils are privileged to be able to join their peers from other full (Year 1-8) primary schools for technology classes (manual arts) at Dunedin North Intermediate School every Thursday morning.

English

After revising the English curriculum guidelines and writing school-wide learning intentions, it was decided, in consultation with staff, to apply for participation in the proposed 2004 Literacy Contract and so further improve the children's writing abilities.

Health

The health nurse, hearing and vision technician, and dental therapist are valued members of our school community.

During 2003 the Police education officer, Sue Young, worked with the senior class on the DARE (drug and alcohol resistance education) programme to help seniors make right choices and stand up to negative peer pressure. The seniors particularly enjoyed the DARE fun day. The whole school watched a police dog handler and his dog demonstrate. Ronald McDonald and DARE Lion were also welcome visitors to the whole school.

The Year 3-5s joined the seniors in the Bike Wise programme, while the juniors learned about Safe Walking. I completed the first year of Road Sense, a professional development course aimed at developing ways to integrate road safety learning through various games and activities in curriculum areas.

Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC)

Education outside the classroom included trips to the Botanic Garden, museums, Olveston historic home, Bethune's Gully, the SPCA and Moana Pool.

This year the boundaries were extended with the seniors venturing out to Cromwell and Queenstown for their end-of-year camp. The children benefited greatly from new experiences and challenges. It was also good to note the backing of the community with donations of money and food, and no lack of volunteers.

The new guidelines for EOTC were very useful in preparing risk management plans for this camp. In order to familiarise ourselves further with safety requirements we will be attending Ministry of Education workshops during 2004 and adjusting our procedures accordingly if necessary.

Inter-school Sports

Historically we have participated fully in North Dunedin schools' various sporting events, for example cross country, sports day, volleyball, Year-6 aquatics, gym day and junior netball. The junior netball team had a very successful season. The upper half of the school also entered an inter-school soccer competition which culminated in a Dunedin-wide seven-a-side soccer tournament. Refreshments were offered to visiting soccer and netball teams whenever we had home games.

With a relatively large number of children in Years 7 and 8 (Forms 1 and 2) we set out to create more opportunity for the senior class to be involved in inter-school sports. We entered a netball team in the Thursday after-school competition at the Edgar Sports Centre. They received excellent coaching, worked well as a team and were a real credit to the school.

We also joined Year-7 and 8 pupils of other full primary schools in a sports day and cross country run.

Community Events

Years 1-6 combined with Pine Hill School pupils in celebrating major events in the Church year at St Mark's Presbyterian Church and visited Knox Church for their 'Sights and Sounds of Easter' presentation.

About 20 children participated in World Vision's 40-hour famine and raised over $600. A great effort.

Our good relationship with the community was enhanced by the 'Mainly Music' group which uses the school hall on Thursday mornings.

We have been an integrated school for four years now. It has proved a blessing enabling more parents to give their children a Christian education. However, let us not become complacent. We need your interest, your encouragement, support and prayer as we continue to work to serve God together in providing the option of a well rounded Christian education here at Liberton.

Nel van't Wout, Principal

Junior Class - Mrs Rosalin Stewart

Only eight children from last year's junior class returned to Room 3 at the beginning of the year, as the new junior class in Room 4 was established. Eight children new to the school joined us either at the beginning of the year or during Term 1. I have relied on, and have appreciated the help of the older children in the class. to assist the new children to settle into class and school routines. They have proved to be capable and responsible leaders.

As we began to settle as a class group we examined some of the things that make each one of us different and special. God has given us all special gifts and abilities, and these talents are to be used to help others. Our Bible studies were about Jesus in Action - how he helped all sorts of people.

The Gospels contain quite a number of stories about the sea and fishing, which provided a. natural link to our Living World science topic, 'The Sea is Our Home'. Our visit to the Portobello Marine Studies Centre was the culmination of our study. Thank you parents for providing transport and supervision for the trip.

Art with Mrs Jones, on a Wednesday morning, is always a highlight for the children. Her contributions to our fish study can be seen around the classroom walls.

Swimming is always a popular activity. Many children have made exciting progress with their swimming during Term One. A sincere thank you to the parents, end a Grandma (Oma) who helped with supervision, dressing the children, or teaching at the pool. Your regular willing help was very much appreciated.

The beginning of Term Two and Autumn had definitely arrived. The colours were spectacular. The leaves were everywhere. One very windy day, the children recorded their observations of the dance of the swirling leaves outside in the playground. The leaves looked as if they were getting ready to bungy jump. Fleur

I thought they were flying fish. Jordan

They were rushing to the swimming pool. William

The leaves looked as if they were dancing. Jackson

The leaves looked as it they were rushing to the pirate ship. Harrison

The leaves looked like horses racing. Heidi

The leaves are playing soccer. They are playing racing in the racing car. They are doing roly-polys. Joshua

I thought they were cart-wheeling.

The leaves looked as if they were a child playing soccer. Matthew

They looked like they are zooming to the cinema to watch, "Lord of the Rings".
They looked like they are zooming to the football match.
They looked like they are zooming to the ice-cream shop.
They looked like they are zooming to the moon to get some cheese.
They looked like they are playing "boys catch girls". George

The leaves looked as if they were doing a cartwheel, and going to the dairy. Natalie

The leaves looked as if they were rushing to the ice-cream shop to get an ice-cream, and they were rushing to the moon to get some cheese and they were doing roly-polys and they were playing soccer. Aria

The leaves are going to the moon in a rocket It would be scary. They would be far from the Earth. Samuel

The leaves are going to the moon in a rocket. It would be windy and the leaves went shopping with a boat. Shuichi

I thought the leaves are going on a bicycle to the moon to get some cheese. Tyra

I thought they were a reptile flying.

I thought they were riding a horse. Sikulik

The leaves looked as if they were going to the moon to get some cheese. Caleb

Junior Class - Mrs Fiona Sizemore

At the beginning of the year we felt very new in Room 4. We began the year by making decisions about how we could make our brand-new classroom feel like 'Our Class'. We created a welcome sign, decided what we needed to run the class smoothly (labels, equipment in handy places, etc) and got to work on making the class attractive too. We have embraced the words of Jesus to 'love your neighbour' as a foundation for our class to continually grow from.

Our term-one science topic of 'Life in and Around the Sea' was popular and the school-wide visit to the Aquarium very successful. The children put a lot of effort into their booklets. Mrs Jones linked many of her art activities to our topic, so we have fantastic fishy art on our walls.

During Term 1 we also had our weekly visits to the DNI pool as part of the Physical Education programme.

Term two is disappearing fast! Our writing focus is narrative retelling. We are looking primarily at fairytale characters as we seek to describe their features and feelings. This work involves role-playing characters, shared whole-class writing and writing short descriptive pieces individually. The overall aim is to improve the children's descriptive writing in all areas. Our ongoing regular expressive writing continues alongside this unit.

In science we are completing a study of simple machines and their use in everyday life. Our next topic will be a study of toys and games from the past and present as part of social studies. We plan to visit the Early Settlers museum as part of this study.

I am the giant from the Jack and the beanstalk story. One day I was eating my lunch and then I went to bed. I woke up, my rooster was gone. I wonder who took it! Fe Fi Fo Fum. Alannah

My name is Rumpelstiltskin. I have pointy ears. I am a bad guy. I have a beard, I have a long nose. I am very cheeky. I was shocked when the Queen knew my name because a man heard me in the woods singing, "My name is Rumpelstiltskin!" - I split in half I was so mad. Matthew J.

Middle Class - Mrs Kyra Jones and Miss Nel van't Wout

If has been quietly whispered as teachers pass
"Its a hard road finding the perfect class"

Well rest assured - for all is well
It's in the Middle Class, that they do dwell

You're not sure! you think we tell lies!
We'll tell you about them, and you'll realise
The truth of our words, to back what we say
You'll not doubt again 'come what may'.

We worked hard on being 'angels' - helpful to everyone
Giving out books, putting up chairs, messages to run
The Super Angel Challenge needed niceties for staff, Bronwen and all in the class
WELL DONE everyone with flying colours you did pass

In science, our theme was 'Life in and around the Sea
A highlight was our trip to the aquarium ... we all agree.
Other things we learnt - well, where do we start?
There were fish letters in English; fish mobiles, mosaic, wet chalk pictures in Art.

On Mondays we went swimming "Hooray! Whoopie! Whoop!"
Thanks Mrs Aarsen for teaching a group.
On the last day we did diving - it was fun! it was cool!
Mrs Jones, helping Natasha, almost fell in the pool.

Some soccer, some running, and some small ball skills too
Isn't it obvious that those whispers are true.

I think that's enough to tell - though of course there's heaps more
"The Middle Class - Pride of Mrs Jones & Miss van't Wout for two thousand and four"

Mrs Kyra Jones

Senior Class - Mrs Adele McKirdy

The senior class of 20 students had a sea and seashore curriculum focus during term 1. Early in the term, along with the rest of the school, the class was involved in activities based at the Marine Science Centre at Portobello. Highlights of this multi-curriculum study were the fact files and subsequent individual overhead projector presentations to the class and assembly.

Year 6 technology have involved the students in the felting process (by which wool fibre is matted into a fabric). The purses they have made from this fabric are creative and functional.

I Tugged and I Tugged

I tugged and I tugged trying to pull all the fish up from the rope. I called out for someone to help me pull it up but no one heard me. I bent down to pull up the rope. Suddenly I fell into the water. I called out HELP, HELP but again no one must have heard me.

As I sank under the water I began to remember a story that my dad had told me about sharks. I was so worried that a shark would come and eat me up from underneath. Just as well I went to swimming lessons!

I was slowly being pulled down by the waves while trying to swim but it was too rough. I could hear someone calling my name. I called out, "over here, over here."

I tried to keep on kicking but my sore feet were becoming tired. As I went under the water someone caught my hand. I looked up. It was my dad trying to pull me up.

"Finally" I said, to my dad and also to my mum, while spitting all the water out of my mouth.

Before I slipped into the back seat of the car I gave my mum and my dad a huge hug. It felt great to be safe. Jasmine

I Tugged and I Tugged

I tugged and I tugged but it wouldn't move. The pain was razor sharp. It felt like millions and millions of tiny needles digging into my leg. I screamed and screamed while rolling around on the sharp small stones. My screams brought my dad running the few steps back from the lake.

Dad grabbed my leg with his left hand and pinned it down. He pulled the horrible metal hook out.

"Sorry Honey, but if I keep on catching you we won't have any tea", Dad said chuckling. Jourdain

Treasurer's Report

Most readers will be aware that there are two distinct bodies responsible for the School. We have a proprietor, Dunedin Christian Schools Association (DCSA), which maintains and upgrades the buildings and ensures that the special character of the school is preserved. And we also have the Liberton Christian School Board of Trustees (BoT) which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the School

The DCSA derives its income from fees from parents, a modest government grant and donations, a total of about $60,000 pa. The BoT is almost entirely government funded and has a total annual income of about $250,000 from which salaries and other operating expenses are paid.

In 2004 the DCSA has a busy building programme including the provision of a new administration area comprising principal's and secretary's offices, photocopying area and staff room. The cost of this and other minor projects is expected to exceed $150,000. As long as the upgrading programme continues, the Association must borrow from the bank to meet its commitments. Obviously when the upgrading is finished there will be sufficient income to repay debts in a reasonable timeframe. Nevertheless, the DCSA Council is always looking for ways to minimise borrowing and consequent expenditure on interest. In 2004 the BoT is employing 4.6 full-time equivalent teaching staff while receiving funding for only 3.7. A shortfall of $19,000 is projected as a result. Although the BoT has accumulated some cash reserves, this year's deficit will eat into normal funding for 2005. The BOT has budgeted to raise funds of $9,000 in addition to government grants.

Clearly there are great financial challenges we face as a school this year. We would value your help in whatever way you can. Possibilities include initiating or assisting with fundraising, making a donation, prompt payment of fees and, above all, prayer.

John van Dyk, Treasurer

A Sad Farewell

It slips off the tongue easily - "I'm finishing up at the end of the term."

But at the time of writing this, life continues as before, with the daily demands of preparation, assessment, reporting, record-keeping, meetings, as well as the most important of all, the teaching time with the children. So, it probably will be the beginning of Term 3 before I fully realise that I no longer teach at Liberton Christian School. We have bought a house in Christchurch, and plan to reside there closer to our family.

Liberton has been a major part of my life for the last fourteen years. I will take away lots of permanent memories of the. children, their families, and all who have been involved with the school during my time here. I will really miss the children!

I am deeply grateful for the support I have received, over the years, from parents, Board members, and teachers, especially Nel. I really appreciate the help I have received, from numerous people, with school activities, such as trips away from the school, swimming, classroom support, and many other areas of school life. A big thank you to all who have, in many different ways, made my job easier. The school has experienced many changes during the time I have been teaching here. But more and more I am convinced that Liberton is on the right track, that it has something very special and important to offer to children in Dunedin, and to the direction of society as a whole. As society in general moves further away from God, schools such as Liberton are like a shining light on the hill, standing firm, pointing in the right direction. Liberton Christian School is a great little school. I urge you to continue to value what you have, the things that make Liberton special. I pray that God will richly bless Liberton in the years ahead.

Mrs Rosalin Stewart

Home and School

It has been fantastic to see the growth in numbers of families and children at Liberton. We had planned to start the year with a trike-a-thon combined with a barbeque to welcome our new families, but the weather was repeatedly uncooperative, and we eventually cancelled both. We are now planning a fun night for 14 May, combined with a parent education evening. It will be an opportunity to talk together and remind ourselves of the importance of Christian Education.

As a fundraiser for Term 1, we sold apples and pears. Thanks to all of you who bought some! We raised over $300, which will be put towards the new sound system for the hall. During Term 2 we will be making cheese rolls, and we would be happy to fill your order; just ring.

The ongoing agreement with Telecom, through School Connection, continues to bring in funds. They have recently changed the way it is administered, but you should still be contributing to Liberton if you have done so in the past. Check with them if you have any doubts, and if you are not signed up, ring the school office, and we will help you through the process.

Another fundraiser that we will be operating on an ongoing basis is aluminium can recycling. There is a bin in the school hall, which will be emptied as necessary. It was recently cleared for the first time, and we collected $16.50. Every little bit counts!

Sadly, our honey supplier retired and sold off his hives, so at present we are looking for another source. Over the years it has been a steady income venture and popular with a number of regular customers. Do you know someone we could approach to be our wholesale supplier? Just give us a call and we'll follow it up.

Each term teachers can ask us for a donation to cover expenses for classroom rewards, and some make use of this on a regular basis.

We are still looking for a replacement secretary. Laura Hannah retired and we thank her very much for all the hard work she put in for some time in that capacity. Also, a treasurer is still needed. We try to have the committee meetings during school time to leave evenings free for other commitments.

Each Tuesday during school term we meet in the staffroom at 2:30 pm to pray for the school. Anyone can come and join us . Many prayers have been answered.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Perhaps you can look for items that we could sell at a planned garage sale for the third term. Greetings in Christ,

Antje Storm, Jan Jopson

Liberton Christian School is an integrated state primary school under the proprietorship of
Dunedin Christian Schools Association (Incorporated)