Liberton Link October 2001

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

As I write this brief note, my mind slips back to the end of last week, when I was in Hamilton at the funeral of the wife of a close friend of mine. Bill and I flatted together before we were married. I was a groomsman at his wedding and now, last week, participated in the funeral service. I’m reminded by these events, not only of the brevity of life, but also of the need to make wise use of time and talents. I’m also reminded that one day I, tool, will stand before the judge of all the earth and be called to give an account of my life.

As I reflect on these things, it re-emphasises to me the importance of Christian schooling, for it is here that we seek to reinforce in our children’s minds the moral, social and spiritual values taught in the Christian home. I cannot think of a more important foundation for a further generation of New Zealanders.

As we look ahead to 2002, we do so with the eyes of faith. The Board of Trustees would like to seek a third teacher for the school for next year. I wonder if I could solicit your help in this task? Firstly, please pray for us as we seek the teacher of God’s choice. Secondly, in order to be able to support a third teacher on a more permanent basis, we need to see a significant increase in pupil numbers. This suggests, firstly, that we as a Board aim for the highest standards in our administration and management of school affairs and, secondly, that each of us assume some responsibility for getting the message about Christian schooling out to the wider community. Please feel very free to give me a call if you think that I can be of assistance to you in this task. As we look forward to the remainder of the year, there are two events to which I would like to draw your attention. Firstly, on 29 October, we plan to have a parent forum in which we will look at the Health/Physical Education Curriculum Document. Secondly, on Saturday 27 October, we plan to schedule a working bee – this having been rescheduled from 15 September. Where possible, we would like this to be a parent/child(ren) outing. Our thoughts at this stage are to follow the working bee with a sausage sizzle and a game of soccer – parents versus their children.

Thank you again for your active participation in the life and work of the school.

John Hannah, Chairman

DCSA COUNCIL

Most of you will be aware by now that there are going to some big changes happening to the school buildings over the next few years. These changes are all part of our agreement with the Ministry of Education to bring the buildings up to State School standards and are the responsibility of the DCSA as Proprietor of the school.

Over the past months we have reassessed the upgrade programme and developed a more coordinated sequence of work. This will ultimately result in less disruption to the running of the school as we work through each stage. The whole aim is to deal with the critical deficiencies of the existing facilities early in the programme but also making sure we cater for projected roll increases. This will ensure we do not have to come back to these areas again in a few years time.

Most of you will have been able to view the outline plan of the proposed changes on display at the school. This plan has now been formally approved by the Ministry of Education along with the revised timing schedule.

Detailed drawings are now nearly finished for the two key areas to be revamped this year. These are:

Toilets

All pupil toilets are to be replaced and provided for in the area of the existing toilet block. This area will be completely reconstructed and access will be off the main corridor rather from outside as at present. The facilities will be sufficient to meet the requirements for a four class school.

A Staff toilet/sick bay will be built in the areas presently being used as a girls’ cloak room (off the hall foyer) and access will be directly off the hall.

Library

The remaining area adjacent to the hall presently comprising the hall foyer, the boys’ cloak room and the cleaners cupboard will be stripped out and relined to form Stage 1 of the new library. No commitment is being made at this stage to ‘fitting out’ the new library as this will be dependant on funds being available.

Over the next few weeks all the above work will be priced by several builders with a condition that work must be completed by the time school starts next year.

Looking forward to these improvements to our school over the coming months, we covet your prayers as we request prices from builders, select the most appropriate builder and then move on to the construction phase in December.

Robert Storm, Chairman

TREASURER'S REPORT

It’s said that no news is good news. For the school finances, at least for the present, there is little to report. While income and expenditure are tracking very close to budget, the Board of Trustees is aware of the need to conserve funds to help meet the commitment of a third teacher in 2002. Several scenarios involving different roll numbers have been prepared to help plan for this eventuality. In respect of the DCSA, while donations have fallen behind budget, the shortfall has been made up by a greater than expected level of attendance dues. None of the property upgrading scheduled for this year has yet taken place, the work having been deferred to the summer holiday break. The new development plan will necessarily require a readjustment of planned expenditure over the next five year. Please remember the work of the School in your prayers and in your giving.

John van Dyk

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Term three has been a busy and productive term. The reports, stories and pictures reflect some of the term’s highlights.

Sports were prominent. Both the netball and miniball teams did very well. I was especially pleased with the growth in leadership ability of Year 8 pupils, Alicia F. and Julianne H. who coached and refereed the netball team. Well done girls. You exhibited great leadership potential. We had coaching sessions for all the students in hockey, miniball and netball by visiting sports people. We also played in the interschool volleyball competition and participated in the Dunedin North Schools Cross Country. It became very evident that we have some very good runners. Though the races were geared for Standard 3 and 4 pupils, Rosie came first in her race, Jonathan S. third, Simeon M. 7th and Josua C. 14th – all Standard 2 pupils. Congratulations also go to Stephanie B. (Standard 3) who came first in her race. We’re proud of all the participants – Well Done!

Sponsor and donation money is still coming in for the Heart Foundation. The “jump off” for Jump Rope for Heart was held on the last day of Term 3. The children did well and all had improved their skipping skills. Mr Don Lord, South Island District Manager for World Vision, pleasantly surprised us by presenting the school with the Bronze Award for our fundraising effort in the 40 hour famine earlier in the year. It was exciting and a challenge to discover, via the Otago Daily Times, that the Queenstown Christian School had received the Gold Award.

This week I received a note from the Botanical Garden Education Officer inviting our students to meet the kaka bird at close quarters. Earlier in the Term we had visited the aviary as part of our unit on birds and Davina (Education Officer) had been impressed by the children’s positive attitude and eagerness to learn. We had studied birds in general and each student then chose and wrote about a Dunedin bird. Dr Bill Lee also came to share his knowledge of endangered native birds and more especially the Takahe. The children responded enthusiastically and asked many questions. The colourful crayon bird pictures look great in the hallway.

Research reading and then writing the information gleaned in your own words does not come easy but this term’s reading time with Jean Corlett has focused on just that. Their projects on the topic of their choice were well presented. The girls in the B and C reading groups looked forward to Mondays and their literature study with Mrs Hannah, who made Farmer Boy (L I Wilder) come alive for them.

A lot of though has gone into the planning of Term 4 events and especially the school camp. We plan to involve both Amana and Southern Lakes Christian Schools. It is good to have contact and interchange with other New Zealand Christian Schools not only in Otago but throughout New Zealand. I am looking forward to being encouraged at the New Zealand Association for Christian Schools Regional Representatives Conference in Motueka on 12-13 October. John Norsworthy, the organisation’s travelling secretary is visiting the Otago/Southland schools the following week.

Working in God’s kingdom in the field of Christian education is no easy task but it is a communal one and I value and appreciate the time and talents shared by staff, volunteers and parents.

Thank you everyone for contributing to the life of the school.

Nel van’t Wout

SPORTS NEWS

Volleyball Interchange

Yesterday, I went to the Dunedin Stadium to play volleyball. I was in the A Team. There was Kirk, Caleb, Jamin, Ben, Jennifer and I that was in that tream. We played 5 games, four of which were against John McGlashan and 1 against Arthur Street. We lost three games against John McGlashan but only by between 2-5 points. The other game against John McGlashan we drew. The game against Arthur Street we lost by 1 point. Our team was quite good. Very encouraging and we showed good sportsmanship. We did some very good volleys and digs. We also did some great serves. Everyone really enjoyed it.

Julianne H.

Netball Report

The ball went straight through the hoop and the whistle blew. It was full time. We had won 13 games out of 15. Our fantastic players Jourdain, Josua, Jennifer, Jordan, Kim, Rochelle, Stephanie, Caleb, Samantha, Alicia and Shannon had finished an awesome season. The coaches Alicia Ferguson and Julianne Hannah are very pleased with all the effort the team put in. The schools we played were George Street, Maia, Ravensbourne, NEV, Sawyers Bay, Sacred Heart and Waitati. Congratulations to Sawyers Bay Blue and Waitati who beat us once but we beat them the other time. We had a few minor injuries during the beginning of the season but all the players are now fine. During the season we had a lady from Sport Otago come and teach us some netball skills which was very helpful. We played very well as a team and had good sportsmanship. The players of the day were Kim, Jordan, Stephanie, Rochelle and Jennifer, but everyone played very well. The season was finished off with an excellent party with games and food. Certificates were awarded at the end. A big thank you to all the parents who helped with transport and oranges. Thank you all for your support.

Alicia F. and Julianne H.

Miniball Report

In 2001 Liberton had a miniball team consisting of Ben, Kerran, Kirk, Alicia, Jamin, Kris and Shannon. We started the season 14 May and played at the stadium on Victoria Road every Monday until August. There were six courts and games started at 3:30pm. They were 15 minutes each way. We played four different teams; Balmacewen 1 and 2, Port Chalmers and Kavanagh Jazz. Our coach was Matthew Landreth. He was a great coach and helped the team a lot.

We won all our games except four. Kirk was out for six weeks because of a sprained ankle. We got a few really good shots. Kerran tried to do dunks but missed about half of them. It was a really action-packed season.

Kirk J., Kerran M., and Jamin H.

The start of the race has just begun
Everyone around me is starting to run
Now we’re not crowded anymore
And my throat is starting to get very sore
Just around the corner then I’ll be there
Yes, Yahoo, I’m finally here
At the end of the race I flop to the ground
And I am puffing and panting like a hound

Rochelle F.

Now we’ve started the race
I’d better set myself a pace
I’ve gone around another cone
Oh Yuck it’s just an old yellow bone
This is hard work, but rather fun
I think I really like to run
Now I’m coming near the end
Within sight of the last bend

Rochelle F.

PRINCIPAL'S RELEASE

In the senior class we have been working on a Visual Language/Photography unit as part of the English and Art curricula. The task has been to design a picture book, possible characters, and an outline of a story – what could happen at the beginning, middle and end. Various groups have spent class and free time on making props for their characters. Another group arranged with the police to come to the school for two of their photos.

We are busy completing photographs and the text … and early indications are looking quite exciting. The books will be completed early next term.

We have been busy practising how to write poetry (in a way that will tell a story) – the Button poems were one of these practices.

Button the kitten sat in the sun
And ate a MacDonald’s cheeseburger bun
She dropped to the floor, and went for a walk
Then she thought ‘can I talk?’
Under a chair she found some wool
And said to herself ‘Man, this is cool!’
A toy mouse she dragged by it’s tail
And then she dumped it in the sheriff’s jail
The cushions she shredded – the wallpaper she scratched
Then she unbolted the kitchen door latch
Esme came home and she nearly cried
Then Esme said ‘If you do it again you’ll have to die!’
Button was punished, now Button is good
Esme got her the book of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’

Jonathan (Standard 2)

Button the kitten sat in the sun
And wanted some fun to come
She dropped to the floor, and went for a walk
And ate a ton of pork with a fork
Under a chair she found some wool
She thought it was cool so put it in the pool
A toy mouse she dragged by its tail
And that was a total fail
The cushions she shredded,
the wallpaper she scratched
Then Button opened a latch
Esme came home and she nearly cried
So the cat nearly got fried
Button was punished, now Button is good
She said sorry and made some food

Jordan (Standard 4)

Button the kitten sat in the sun
Then she wanted some fun
She dropped to the floor, and went for a walk
Then she bothered a parrot that couldn’t talk
Under a chair she found some wool
She made a wig and felt like a fool
A toy mouse she dragged by its tail
Then she terrorised all the mail
The cushions she shredded, the wallpaper she scratched
Then she jumped on some things that were ragged and patched
Esme came home and she nearly cried
That naughty kitten – she just sighed
Button was punished, now Button is good
Now she just sits on pieces of wood

Rachel (Form 1)

Super clown is lying in bed
The phone rang and the mayor said
“Please, please help, my tennis ball
Is rolling down a hill that is tall”
Dog dog got squashed and got hit in
The head
If someone did not help him, he
Would soon be dead
No-one who saw him, a kind hand did lend
Now Dog dog is dead, and this is the end.

The End

Nel, Rosalin and Sue Young (Police Education) worked with the children utilising the Kia Kaha programme. The class looked at the area of written and unwritten rules and the importance of rules. Kyra has been most creative in teaching various aspects of this.

Kyra Jones

JUNIOR CLASS

This term we have been fortunate to have several visitors to our school. They have made a valuable contribution to our school programme.

Constable Sue Young came as the resource person for the Kia Kaha programme. The children enjoyed her teaching. Having a Police Officer in the classroom helped to promote the message of the programme, and also strengthened the positive relationship with the Police.

The Kia Kaha programme for the Junior school aims to reinforce the promotion of a safe and happy classroom. It is a chance to re-examine relationships with others. Each one of us is different, with special talents and abilities. We should respect those differences, and always treat other people with respect. Role play encouraged the children to explore choices, and to know what to do if they, or others, were unhappy because of the words or actions of another person, at home, at school or in the community. The children enjoyed using puppets to act out the way they would ask for help. The final activity required cooperation in a group. To be successful, the children needed to include everyone, needed to encourage others and be tolerant of the varying abilities and maturity of others. This programme reinforced our school aim regarding our relationship to others. We should Love God, and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Several of the children have written reports about some of the activities that have taken place in what has been a busy term.

At the time of writing this report, we are pat-way through our science topic of water. A trip is planned for this week to Ross Creek. Several children have written reports about some of our experiments, so far, with water.

Mrs van Dyk brought her miniature steam engine. The children were fascinated.

Thank you to all those who have helped us during the term.

“I watched a play of picking up litter and it was good. I liked the part that the evil brother tried to take the money. He got taken to jail and the good guy played with his friends and lived happily ever after. His evil mother went to jail and they died in the jail and the good guy became the emperor and was a good ruler over the world. There was a good sea-rhino who accidentally made a mess at the beach and the owner had to pick it up in a bag and the good guy helped the people clean up the litter in the town and the beach. They made the bounciest trampoline.

Matthew B.

I watched a play. A boy picked up rubbish. A dog made a mess and I coloured in, and stuck it on a big picture.

Matthew j.

I like playing hockey. I was good at it.

Thomas V.

From the start of the third week of July a police woman called Mrs Young, she taught us about how to keep our school a happy and safe place.

Colin J.

On Tuesday morning at 8-30am some of the seniors and juniors went to sing for the Radio Rhema Breakfast Programme. It was fun. Amana School sang too.

Natasha C.

On the 30th of August 2001 a man came and taught us about hockey. He taught us how to dribble. It was in the hall. We liked it. He was good.

David H.

A few weeks ago a person came and taught us about netball. She showed us what stretches netball people use. She also made us play a game like tag only it required two catchers. It was in the hall and it was fun.

Colin J.

How to Siphon Water

On the start of September we started to learn about water and on the 13 September we did an experiment with water and we had to find out how the water in the bucket could get into a blue plastic container about two steps down from the bucket of water. We used a piece of hose.

Rose L.

Water Pressure

When you put holes in a bottle and put water in it the water in the bottom hole goes the fastest.

Natasha C.

When Water Turns to Ice

When water turns to ice, it takes up more room. We put water in the bottle and marked the level. Then the next day, when the water had turned to ice, the level was over the mark.

Natasha F.

How I Used Water Today

I am cleaning my teeth. This is an apple with juice in it. When you bite it with your teeth, the juice comes out.

Taylor P.

How I Used Water Today

I used this water today. First I got out of bed then pulled my hottie from last night. The water was still hot. I poured the waste water, well what I thought was waste water, but was actually pure useful water. I stopped and realised how useful water is.

Colin J.

A Poem about Water

Water is good to drink
Water is fun to play in
Water is fun to wash in
Water is nice to look at
Water is nice to look at and to play in
I like water to play in and I like water so much
Do you like water? Some people like
Water you know. Some lakes and rivers are
peaceful and some rivers and
lakes and seas are not peaceful at all.

Esther O.

HOME AND SCHOOL

Another term is nearly over and the warmer weather is on its way.

Hot Lunches have kept some of us busy over the past 12 weeks. It has been a good exercise for the senior pupils who helped out. It will take some working out to see what profit was made.

Cheese Rolls – We had a social working night on 15 August when a group of parents with past and present pupils donned aprons to roll just over 140 dozen cheese rolls under Connie’s watchful eyes. We had a very productive evening. Thanks for your orders and help – we made $255.61 profit, which will go towards subsidising future uniform needs for the pupils.

Treasurer – With the Marshall family moving to Rotorua we lost our very capable treasurer and so far have not been able to fill the vacancy. If you know of someone who would like to take on this challenge, then please ring me.

Next term we hope to do some fundraisers with the giving season in mind.

At present we still have available pens, cards, liquid or creamed honey. If you would like to buy any of these just give me a call. Remember that you can help the school through you telephone accounts with Telecom of Clear. All it takes is a telephone call and for you to nominate the school. Family or friends anywhere in New Zealand can be part of the Friends of the School scheme.

We thank you for your ongoing support as we seek to serve Him through Home and School.

Antje Storm, Convenor

‘JUMP OFF’

The children have been skipping daily for fitness and in preparation for a “jump off” for Jump Rope for Heart to be held on the last afternoon of the term.

Jump Rope for Heart involves children in fundraising both for our school and to support the work of a worthwhile organization of benefit to all New Zealanders. Jump Rope for Heart provides excellent, enjoyable learning opportunities for our children.

MUSIC WITH SENIORS

If you have been around Liberton on Thursday afternoons you have probably heard the senior class – I have been helping out after enjoying my time here as a student teacher late last year.

Over the last two terms the Senior Class have covered a wide range of musical concepts, and done a good amount of practical playing with our new glockenspiels. We have looked at beat, rhythm, texture and timbre in our listening programme, as well as doing the string and woodwind family. In our practical times we have sung and played a variety of songs, especially from the Kiwi Kid songs resource, using recorders, untuned percussion and our glockenspiels. We have also completed a unit on unconventional percussion, which involved the students making or finding their own unconventional percussion instruments. Our Thursday afternoons are a fun (and noisy) time?

Catherine Galloway

MAINTENANCE

The only maintenance work undertaken this term was the repair of a leak in the third classroom and the associated water damage. There have been no other routine maintenance issues of any significance to report on. As mentioned in the previous report most of this year’s property upgrading programme will be completed during the Christmas holidays. This includes redevelopment of the pupil toilet block, back entranceway, staff toilet/sickbay and partial redevelopment of the new library space (internal fitting will take place later). The redevelopment concept plans are displayed in the main entrance foyer to give you a better understanding of the work being undertaken. The detailed design is being completed by Elizabeth Lee and is progressing well. We will soon be calling tenders for this work so that we have a contract in place ready for work to start as soon as school finishes for the year.

We are planning to hold a working bee on Saturday 27 October to carry out a general tidy up of the grounds, some minor maintenance work and to clear out the basement and shed of years of accumulated junk. Please mark this date in you diary and hope to see you there.

Tony Sizemore

ATTENTION EX-PUPILS

We are really interested in hearing from any students who attended Liberton and would like to send a letter or e-mail telling us what you are doing. We will keep a column free in the next Link.

EX-PUPIL LETTER

I’m doing my second year of high school now and living it. I’m writing internal exams at the moment, so there’s quite a lot of pressure with regards to that. I also play sport – it is compulsory here. In the summer I play tennis and in the winter I do hockey. It is actually a lot of fun, and it keeps me fit. It is also compulsory to do a club (which is like an extra-mural activity). School starts at 7-30 am and I get home around 5-30pm each day except for Fridays. I usually have a sports match on Saturdays, so that means that I can’t sleep in on Saturdays either. The school that I go to has about 1200 children in the high and junior school. It was quite an adjustment when we first came back. We have to wear uniforms (bottle green!) but I guess I got used to it. The weather is kind of cold at the moment. It is nothing compared to New Zealand, but since I’ve gotten used to Zimbabwean weather again, it is very cold.

Lots of love
Janneke P.

ITEMS FOR PRAYER

• Give thanks for God’s continued provision
• Give thanks for the many volunteers who share in the life of the School
• Continue to pray for the teachers as they cope with a very busy schedule this term
• Pray for the Board that they may know the Lord’s leading as they seek a third teacher for 2001
• Pray for the promotion of the School and a growth in numbers over the next year
• Pray for the preparation and organisation of the camp in November
• Pray for the new developments at the School, planned to commence at the end of the term

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