ECS Update Term 3, Week 10 – Friday 19 September 2025

ECS Update Term 3, Week 10 – Friday 19 September 2025

Kia ora koutou, whānau

As we come to the end of this term I want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement, and prayers for our school community. It has been a busy and fruitful term filled with learning, growth and opportunities to see God’s hand at work in the lives of our students.

One of the joys of being part of a Christian school is that we not only teach knowledge and skills but also have the privilege of nurturing faith and character. This was clearly on display at the Middle School Speech Finals this week. As students spoke with courage, thoughtfulness, and conviction, we saw evidence of their developing confidence, integrity and desire to use their words to build others up, qualities rooted in their identity as children of God.

I am grateful to our dedicated staff who give of themselves so generously, and to you as families for the partnership we share in raising children who will shine Christ’s love in the world.

As we enter the holiday break, I encourage you to take time as families to rest, reconnect, and reflect on God’s goodness. May this be a season of refreshment and joy for you and your children.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back next term, ready for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Kia tau te rangimārie o te Ariki ki a tātou katoa ‘May the peace of the Lord be with us all’

Ngā manaakitanga,

Alistair

This newsletter contains information on the following:

• Important Dates
• School Board Election – Results
• Light for little lives – Bringing Joy to Hospitalised Children
• Non-Uniform Day – 9th October
• Staffing Update
• School Accounts
• From the Library
• Shredders Wanted for Term 4
• Summer Uniform and Sunhats
• Community Dental Service in the Holidays
• Founders Cafe now open at the Papanui Club
• Burnside Ukulele Club

Important Dates

Friday 19th September – Last day of Term 3

Monday 6th October – First day of Term 4

Friday 12th December – Last day of Term 4

(The School Calendar including 2025 Term dates can be found here)

School Board Election – Results

Thank you to all who prayed for and participated in our recent School Board Elections. Your involvement plays a vital role in shaping the direction of our school.

A special thanks also to Alex, Claudia, Warren, and Natalie for their willingness to be nominated and to serve in this way.

We are pleased to announce that Warren Rosser and Natalie Sterne have been elected as Parent Representatives to the Board for the next three years.

The Emmanuel Christian School Board for this period is:

• Warren Rosser – Parent Representative

• Natalie Sterne – Parent Representative

• Shaun Liu – Parent Representative

• Lucy Harema – Parent Representative

• Ruth Murray – Proprietor Appointee

• Rod Thompson – Proprietor Appointee

• John Hastie – Proprietor Appointee

• Kim Coleman – Staff Representative

• Alistair McKinnon – Principal

Our next Parent Board election is scheduled for approximately 18 months from now.

We deeply value the service of our Board members as they provide governance and spiritual oversight on behalf of the school community. Please continue to uphold them in prayer as they carry out this important responsibility.

Light for Little Lives – Bringing Joy to Hospitalised Children

Dear Emmanuel Christian School Community,

Right now, there are children in hospitals spending their days not in classrooms or on playgrounds, but in treatment rooms, recovery wards, and hospital beds. They’re facing challenges no child should have to carry alone. Through the Hospital Service Project, we hope to remind these children that they are seen and supported by a community that cares.

This project is a student-led initiative focused on assembling and distributing care packages, supported by your donations, along with Get Better Soon! cards crafted by students at Emmanuel.

Our school slogan, “Walk as Children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8), is not just a verse to remember — it’s a call to action. This initiative reflects our commitment to making a difference by bringing light to the places that need it most. We’d love for you to join us in this mission.

How You Can Help:
We’re reaching out to our generous school community for donations of items that will bring comfort and joy to the children. Suggested donations include:

• Books
• Bibles
• Colouring/activity books & coloured pencils
• Teddy bears and toys
• Board games and puzzles
• Play-Doh
• A monetary donation (to help fill any gaps)

Anything you’re able to give will be deeply appreciated by the hospital. We will be collecting donations from now until 10th of October. Please bring all items to the school office.

Ngā mihi,
Lily Mansour
Student Leader
Emmanuel Christian School

Non-Uniform Day — 9th October 2026

Non-Uniform Day — 9th October 2026
To support the Hospital Service Project, we’re holding a Non-Uniform Day on 9th of October Students may come in non-uniform and bring either:

• A gold coin donation, or
• A gift item for the care packages

Thank you so much for your kindness, support, and generosity. Together, as a school family, we can show children in hospital that they’re not alone — and that light still finds its way in. Thank you for helping us be part of that light.

Staffing Update

We want to let you know about some staffing updates as we head into Term 4 and prepare for 2026.

Many of you will have met Mrs Janita Patrick and Mrs Susie Bell who have been teaching in Harakeke 2 during Term 3.  We have really aprreciated their contribution over this term and can let you know that they will be continuing in Term 4.

We have advertised a full time teaching position within our Primary School to start at the beginning of 2026.  If you know any great Christian Teachers who may be interested in joining us at Emmanuel please let them know.  Details can be found here: Education Gazette link .

This vacancy exists as Mr Abel Robb and his family will be moving to the mission field in Cambodia at the start of 2026.  We will very much miss Abel’s contribution here at Emmanuel, however, we wish them well as they say Yes to what God is calling them to do.  Please pray for them as a family as they prepare for this change and all that God has in store.

School Accounts

Invoices (Request for Payment) were emailed by the school last week (these are sent out monthly).
We would appreciate it if these could be paid in full by the end of Term 4.

Regular weekly payments are very welcome.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s school account please email the Office or pop in to speak with us or with Mr McKinnon.

From the Library

Our library is blessed to be able to use the services of the National Library, which means we can have fresh books on the shelf, or extra copies of favourites. All at no cost!

Unfortunately, some of these books have gone missing from the collection and need to be returned. Please have a good look around your house over the next few weeks. No questions asked if they are found!

Please note the National Library barcodes are longer than ours. I have included one on the attachment for clarification.

I appreciate your assistance with recovering these books.

Kind regards,
Nicki Davison, Librarian      

Shredders wanted for Term 4

Where? Dove Bookshop, Bishopdale Mall

When? 3:00 – 4:00, once a fortnight  (so just 5 times!).

Who? 2 students (Y7 – 10) 

What? Shredding old, damaged or unwanted paperbacks at the shop

Why? Our students volunteer to help in this way; in return we get a substantial financial donation to our school library plus, each time, three free books of their own choosing to keep.

If this might work for your family, please contact me for further info. If your child has volunteered before, and wishes to do so again, they would be very welcome!

Make a pair and volunteer!

Thanks, Nicki Davison     nicki@emmanuelchristian.school.nz

Summer Uniform and Sunhats

In Term 4 we move back into the Summer Uniform which includes the Sunhat.

We have sunhats available for sale at the Office.  They are $12.95 each.

If you are unsure about the Summer Uniform please check our website for more information or ask at the Office.

Uniform items can be purchased at Mainland Uniforms on Wairakei Road or you may find second-hand items for sale on our Parents Facebook group.  

Community Dental Service in the Holidays

Founders Cafe now open at the Papanui Club

Burnside Ukulele Club