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ECS Update Term 1, Week 2 – Thursday 5th February 2026
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Kia ora e te whānau,
As we head into the Waitangi Day weekend, we pause to reflect with gratitude on who we are and how we are called to live together as a community. At Emmanuel Christian School, our identity is firmly grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is from this foundation that we seek to walk in unity, humility, and love with one another.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi reminds us of the importance of relationship; of respect, partnership, and shared responsibility. From a Christian perspective, covenant relationships matter. They call us to faithfulness, to honour one another as people made in the image of God, and to work towards communities where all can experience belonging and dignity.
We give thanks for the rich cultural diversity within our school and wider nation, and we especially acknowledge the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. It is our prayer that Emmanuel Christian School continues to be a place where cultural understanding grows, where mana is upheld, and where students and whānau feel loved, welcomed, valued, and respected.
As you enjoy the long weekend, may it be a time of rest, reflection, and thankfulness, and may God continue to guide us as we seek to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
Ngā mihi nui,
Alistair McKinnon
Principal
Emmanuel Christian School
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This Email contains information about:
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- Important Dates
- Early Finish Wednesday 11 February
- Attendance and Lateness
- Bright Yellow Caregiver and Medical Details Update Sheet
- School Pick Up
- Tabloid Sports
- Padder Tennis Coaching
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Friday 6th February- Waitangi Day Holiday
Wednesday 11th February – 2:00pm early finish (Staff attending a combined schools event)
Friday 13th February – School Tabloid Sports Afternoon
(The School Calendar including 2026 Term dates can be found here)
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Wednesday 11th February – 2:00pm early finish
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One of the real joys we have in Christchurch is being part of a network of Christian Schools. There is real strength in the unity we have as we work together across the city to see Christ glorified and students well educated.
As part of this on Wednesday 11th February the staff from the schools across this network will gather together for a time of worship, prayer and professional development.
To make this possible we will be finishing classes at 2pm on that day.
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Student Attendance and Lateness
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We’re writing to share our expectations regarding student attendance and to highlight the important role you play in supporting your child’s regular attendance at school. Attending school every day is vital for your child’s learning, progress, and future opportunities.
Under the Education and Training Act 2020, you are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day that it is open (i.e., during term time).
It is also really important they are at school on time. When they are late they miss the important start to the day and also their arrival becomes a disruption to others. Classes start at 8:50am so we would encourage you to ensure they are at school by 8:40am when possible. Please note for safety reasons we ask that you try to avoid them arriving at school prior to 8:20am.
When Your Child is Absent
- Contact the school if your child will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early: you must provide a clear explanation for the absence. If the absence is due to an appointment, please specify the nature of the appointment, such as a doctor’s appointment or a dentist’s appointment.
Contact via:
eMail: office@emmanuelchristian.school.nz or
Phone: (03) 359 3595 there is an answer phone to leave a message.
School App (we are aware of a current issue for Android users which is being addressed).
- Let us know as soon as possible if your child is unwell or attending a medical appointment.
- Please note that holidays during term time are not an acceptable reason for absence.
- Likewise, personal activities such as haircuts or shopping should not be scheduled during school hours.
By working together, we can ensure your child gets the most out of their learning journey.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
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Bright Yellow Caregiver and Medical Details Update Sheet
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Your child should have brought home a bright yellow sheet. Please check that all details are correct and return back to us with any changes or updates. If there are no changes to be made the form must still be returned to the Office.
Thank you.
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Just a gentle reminder that school finishes at 2:45pm each day. We ask that children are picked up promptly at this time.
Please note that there are no staff on duty after 3:05pm so it’s important that arrangements are in place for all students to be collected before then.
Thank you for your support in helping us keep our students safe and well cared for at the end of the day. If you have any questions or need to discuss pick-up arrangements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. After school care can be arranged via SKIDS Bishopdale. https://www.skids.co.nz/locations/bishopdale/
Thank you
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Tabloid Sports Friday 13th February
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House Tabloids is a fun event where all students take part in relay events in a mixed age group. The aim is to start the year with all our students interacting and building connections with each other.
What to bring: Yr 1 – 6 can come to school in their PE gear or House colour.
Middle School – must come to school in school uniform and get changed at lunchtime into PE gear or House colour.
Schedule: 1:20pm we will all meet on the court for instructions before moving onto the field for the different events.
Other Information: You are more than welcome to join us for this event and support your children.
If the weather is not looking good and we decide to postpone we will update our school facebook page and send out an email.
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After-school Padder Tennis play with coaching sessions will run on Thursdays in Term 1 at Cobham. This is a great opportunity to have fun with your mates after school and develop some new skills. Impact tennis will lead the sessions and will use play to teach the skills and structure of Padder Tennis games.
For details, contact information, and signup details please see the facebook post from Impact Tennis:
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From Term 1, 2026 our school will be using Ezlunch, part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.
Ezlunch offers a simple, mobile-friendly way for families to order fresh, tasty lunches from the same local providers you already know and love (Sushi Factory on Wednesdays, Subway on Thursdays).
The ordering process is quick, payments are secure, and delivery to school is reliable and easy.
Parents can order using the Kindo app (iPhone and Android) and choose from a range of convenient payment options including card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay and more. The system also includes helpful allergen alerts and automated reminders, so no one misses out on lunch day.
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