ECS: Weekly Update Week 2 Term 3 2026 31 July

Emmanuel Christian

School Newsletter

Kia rite tā koutou haere ki tā ngā tamariki o te mārama – Walk as children of light

ECS Update Term 3, Week 2 – Friday 31 July 2026

Kia ora e te whānau,

It has been wonderful continuing to connect with so many of you as we settle into Term 3!

A real highlight of the past fortnight has been watching our Year 1–6 students participate in their water safety classes, which wrapped up today. Over their final three lessons, the students focused on essential real-world skills: learning about water safety around boats, practicing how to properly wear life jackets, understanding the impact of extra clothing in the water, and simulating rip currents. There was a lot of fun and so much valuable learning happening in the pool! The team at Graham Condon pools do a great job working with our students. It was also great to hear many comments from members of their staff team and the wider community about how well your children behaved and respected others.

Thank you so much for all your support over the last two weeks with organizing swimming gear, managing overnight drying, and handling the extra effort it takes to make these sessions happen.

It was also fantastic to see so many parents at our first parent-teacher interview session on Thursday, A quick reminder that our second interview date is next Tuesday. Bookings will remain open until 5:00 PM this Monday, so please make sure to reserve a spot if you haven’t already. These meetings are a vital part of our partnership in supporting your child’s learning and growth.

Ngā mihi nui,

Alistair McKinnon
Principal
Emmanuel Christian School

This email contains information about:

Important Dates
Te kupu o te wiki – Word of the week
2027 Enrolments – Applications close 22 August 2026
Parent Teacher Interviews
Cultural Day Notice
School Photo Orders
Keeping our School Community healthy: When to stay home
Ezlunch orders
Hot Chocolate stand
Children of Eden Jr – Ariana Buxton and Samantha Hooper
The Little Mermaid – Racquel Murray
Student Music Achievement – Sam Carter
Notice from Public Health Nurse

Important dates

Monday 20 July – First Day Term 3

Tuesday 4 August – Parent Teacher Meetings

Wednesday 12 August: Year 3 and 4 Swimming Sports

Wednesday 19 August: Book Character Day

Friday 21 August: Teacher Only Day

Wednesday 26 August: Cultural Day

Wednesday 9 December – End of Year School Prizegiving

(The School Calendar including 2026 Term dates can be found here)

Te kupu o te wiki – Word of the week

This week’s te reo Māori word of the week.

We would encourage you to try to use these at home.

This weeks word is: Te hōhā hoki – How annoying is that!

2027 Enrolments – Applications close 22 August 2026

Enrolment applications for places in 2027 are currently open and close on 22 August 2026. If you are aware of families with children looking to apply to start at Emmanuel Christian School in 2027 please pass this on.

Please note this includes applications for any younger siblings of current students looking to start at any stage in 2027.

Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews

While written reports as were sent home last term contain valuable information regarding your child’s progress at school, the opportunity to discuss this with their teacher adds important depth and context.

We strongly encourage you to make a booking and attend an interview with your child’s teacher.

Key Details

Dates: Tuesday 4 August
Interview Times: 3:00pm – 7:00pm on both days
Early Dismissal: Classes will finish early at 2:30pm on both afternoons to allow time for these interviews.

How to Book – Bookings will be open from 3pm Friday 3 July until 5pm Wednesday 29 July

Bookings must be made online. To secure your timeslot, please go to: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/hsjpj

Year 1 – 6 Students: Please book with your child’s primary class teacher.
Year 7 – 10 Students: Please book interviews with your child’s individual subject teachers.

Cultural Day

On Wednesday of Week 6 (26 August), we will be celebrating Cultural Day — a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the rich diversity within our school community.

The day will begin with a parade in the morning, and we encourage students to come dressed in traditional clothing or something that reflects their cultural identity. If your child prefers not to dress up, they are welcome to wear their regular school uniform. Students with special or delicate traditional clothing may change back into their school uniform after the parade if they wish.

In the afternoon, from 1:15p.m. to 3:00p.m., there will be cultural stalls set up for students and teachers to visit. These stalls might include things like food, crafts, traditional clothing, games, or cultural displays—a wonderful way to share and celebrate the many cultures in our school. Family and whānau are warmly invited to join us from around 2:30p.m., leading up to pick-up time, to enjoy the stalls and celebrate with us.

To make this day a success, we need your support. If you are able to help—whether by contributing ideas, materials, or helping to run a stall—please fill out the form below and return it to your child’s classroom teacher or drop it off at the school office by Monday 3 August.

We will hold a planning meeting for all volunteers on Wednesday 5 August at 2:50p.m. in K3 classroom, where we’ll discuss plans together.

If you have any questions about Cultural Day, please feel free to contact us.

Download: Cultural Day Notice.pdf

School Photo Orders

For those parents who ordered School Photos from Photo Life, these have now arrived. Please watch out for these beong sent home with your children either today or early next week.

Thank you

Keeping our School Community Healthy: When to stay home

At our school, we love seeing our ākonga (students) in class every day, learning and catching up with their friends. Regular attendance is incredibly important for their progress and wellbeing! However, as we manage the usual bugs that circulate, we also need to balance this by keeping our school environment safe and healthy for everyone.

A friendly reminder about tummy bugs: If your child has experienced vomiting or diarrhoea, Health New Zealand guidance requires them to stay home from school for at least 48 hours after their last symptom. We know it can sometimes be a bit tricky to decide when a child is ready to come back, but viruses that cause tummy bugs spread very easily in classrooms. Giving them that full 48-hour window ensures they are completely recovered, have their energy back for learning, and aren’t at risk of passing anything on to their classmates or staff.

Another common illness a is Hand, Foot and Mouth. In this case the medical advice is that children should stay away from schools (and early learning centres) until all blisters have dried up so that these are not infectious.

What to do if your child is unwell:

Let us know: Please contact the school office as early as possible to report their absence and the reason for it.
Need advice? If you are ever worried about your child’s symptoms, you can contact your GP or call Healthline anytime on 0800 611 116 for free, 24/7 health advice.

Thank you so much for your support in keeping our whole school community healthy, happy, and ready to learn!

Ezlunch orders

Our school now uses 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.

Marshmallow Mayhem – Hot chocolate stand

We’re back for Marshmallow Mayhem for Term 3!!

Hot chocolates will continue to be available every Thursday from 8.20 for students in Years 5 and up, located by the Senior School near the Shed.

If you already have a concession card, great news, it will continue to be valid this term.

For the rest of this term, hot chocolates are available for:
• $2.50 each (cash sales welcome as we end the term)

• $10 concession card

To purchase a concession card, please make payment to: ECS School Fundraisers Association Account Number: 06-0870-0073625-00 Once payment has been made, please email your child’s name and classroom details to ecsfundraiser@gmail.com, and we’ll organise their concession card.

Children are also welcome to bring their own reusable cup for us to fill. Please ensure it is clean and has a secure lid.

Thank you for your continued support-every hot chocolate helps support our school community!

Children of Eden Jr

Two of our Emmanuel Christian School pupils, Ariana Buxton and Samantha Hooper, will be performing in “Children of Eden Jr” with Enchanting Productions soon, and they would like to extend an easy fundraising opportunity to Emmanuel, while supporting Ariana, Sam and 26 other talented young performers from schools all around Christchurch in a fantastic musical by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin). The music is divine!

Simply distribute this unique access code: EMMANUELFUND to your staff and parents, and any tickets booked using this code will be rewarded by Enchanting Productions with $5 per ticket purchased. An easy way to raise funds for your school and support youth in the arts in Christchurch.

Children of Eden Jr details:

Dates: Thursday 30 July 7.30pm, Friday 31 July 7.30pm, Saturday 1 August 2pm and 7.30pm (Running time: under 90 mins, including an interval)

Venue: Papa Hou Theatre, 4 Rolleston Ave (opposite the Botanic Gardens)

About: The creation, Father, Adam, Eve and the snake, Cain and Abel, Noah and his family and the ark (plus the animals!). Family, consequences, love.

More info and tickets: http://www.enchantingproductions.co.nz

Also, if you have a group who can all attend on opening night- I have a separate offer- $15 tickets each for all from Emmanuel who would like to attend on Thursday 30 July. Please email me to arrange this separately.

Thanks for spreading the word and we hope to see you there!

The Little Mermaid

We’re delighted to share that one (or more!) of our students is starring in the upcoming National Youth Theatre production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. at the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal.

Dive under the sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR., a spectacular musical adventure based on the beloved Disney classic.

Featuring more than 130 talented young performers from across Canterbury, this vibrant production brings Ariel’s magical world to life with unforgettable songs, colourful characters, stunning costumes, energetic choreography and plenty of heart. Filled with adventure, friendship and humour, it’s a theatrical experience the whole family will enjoy.

7–9 August
Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch

Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek – click here to book your seats.

Student Music achievement – Sam Carter

In late May, one of our students, Sam, auditioned for the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, the premier orchestra of the Christchurch School of Music. Open to musicians aged 15–25, the audition required candidates to perform three orchestral excerpts and an unaccompanied solo piece, all recorded in a single continuous take. Sam was delighted to be offered a place in the orchestra and joined in early June. Fittingly, he celebrated his 15th birthday by performing in his first concert with the orchestra.

Earlier in May, Sam also auditioned for the National Secondary Schools Brass Band. He was selected for the Development Band and will spend a week at St Margaret’s College during the October school holidays, working alongside talented young brass players from across New Zealand. The programme provides participants with the opportunity to learn from some of the country’s leading brass tutors while developing their musicianship and performance skills.

Congratulations to Sam on these outstanding achievements. We wish him every success as he continues to develop his musical talents and represent Emmanuel Christian School with excellence.