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ECS Update Term 2, Week 3 – Friday 8th May 2026
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Kia ora e te whānau,
As we move further into May, it has been wonderful to enjoy some warmer autumn days this week. Students have been making the most of the sunshine as they prepare for our upcoming Cross Country event, and it has been a real blessing to see the fields full of activity and encouragement. It is always a joy to watch our students grow not only academically, but also in character, resilience, perseverance, and teamwork.
On Thursday, two of our student teams competed in the Inter-School Flag Football Competition. While it was an exciting day of sport, what stood out most was the way our students supported and encouraged one another throughout the day. They represented Emmanuel Christian School with excellent sportsmanship and teamwork. A huge thank you to Mr Littlejohn for the time and effort he put into making this opportunity possible.
Next Wednesday afternoon, 13 May, we will hold our School Cross Country. We are looking forward to a great afternoon of challenge, participation, and encouragement.
A few key dates to note over the coming weeks:
- Teacher Only Day: Friday 29 May — School Closed
- Early Finish: Wednesday 3 June — School finishes at 2:15pm to allow staff to join with other Christian schools for professional development
- Parents’ Evening with Dan Paterson: Wednesday 3 June at the La Vida Centre. We encourage you to keep this evening free, as it promises to be an encouraging and valuable session focused on supporting and strengthening your child’s faith.
As a school, we continue to encourage our students to give their best in all that they do; whether in the classroom, on the sports field, during rehearsals, or in the way they care for others. As Colossians 3:23 reminds us:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
May this continue to shape both our learning and our relationships as a community.
Blessings for the week ahead,
Ngā mihi nui,
Alistair McKinnon
Principal
Emmanuel Christian School
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This Email contains information about:
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- Important Dates
- Te Kupu o te Wiki – Word of the week
- Cross Country
- Parents Night : ‘Answering Tough Questions at Home’
- Community Dental Van
- Scholastic Book Club Orders
- Ezi Lunch Orders
- Hot Chocolate Stand
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Wednesday 13th May – Cross Country
Friday 29th May – Teacher Only Day
Monday 1st June – King’s Birthday
Wednesday 3rd June -Early finish – classes will finish at 2:15pm
Wednesday 3rd June –Combined Christian School’s Parents Night.
Wednesday 10th June – School Photo Day
(The School Calendar including 2026 Term dates can be found here)
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Te kupu o te wiki – Word of the week
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As a new regular part of the weekly eMail we will be including a te reo Māori word of the week. We would encourage you to try to use these at home.
This weeks word is: Hoki mai (come back here/ return to me)
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Cross Country – Wednesday 13 May
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The ECS Cross Country will be held Wednesday the 13th of May (weather permitting).
Postponement: Thursday 14th May – Times to be advised
Children should wear their house colours i.e. any combination of coloured T-shirts, socks, face paint, etc.
NOTE: We will be running across some potentially rough and wet ground. ALL CHILDREN MUST WEAR SUITABLE FOOTWEAR.
Schedule: Please note races will start directly after the previous race has finished.
1.05pm Yr 9 and 10 Boys and Girls 3000m (3 laps including backfield)
Yr 7 and 8 Boys and Girls 3000m (3 laps including backfield)
Yr 5 and 6 Boys and Girls 2000m ( 2 laps including backfield)
Yr 4 Boys and Girls 1500m (1 lap + 1 lap- backfield)
Yr 3 Boys and Girls 1000m (2 laps No backfield)
Yr 1 Boys and Girls 500m (1 lap No backfield)
Yr 2 Boys and Girls 500m (1 lap No backfield)
Parent Viewing: It would be great to see you there to support this event. Please enter through the Papanui Club gate entrance .
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Combined Christian School’s Parents Night.
“Answering Tough Questions in the Home”
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We are excited to invite our Emmanuel Christian School parents to a special combined Christian schools’ parent event being hosted here in Christchurch on Wednesday, 3 June.
This evening is being organised through the Christian Education Network and brings together parents from Christian schools across Canterbury. It is always encouraging to gather as a wider Christian school community, standing together as we seek to raise and guide young people in faith, wisdom, and truth. As far as we can remember, this is the first time we have organised a combined parents’ event of this nature.
We are privileged to have Dan Paterson speaking at the event. Dan is an Australian speaker, apologist, and founder of Questioning Christianity, with years of experience helping students, young adults, and families engage thoughtfully with life, faith, and the big questions surrounding Christianity.
The Focus of the Evening:
“Answering Tough Questions in the Home”
As parents, many of us are navigating important conversations with our children around faith, culture, identity, truth, and the challenges of the world around us. This promises to be a thoughtful, practical, and encouraging evening.
Event Details
While the event is completely free, we kindly ask that you please RSVP/register by 29th May so we can plan and accommodate everyone appropriately.
RSVP Here: (Or Follow QR Code on Poster)
We would love to see many of our ECS families there as we join together with other Christian school communities across Canterbury.
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One of our Community Dental Service vans will be making a visit to your school soon.
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Only the children who currently require a check-up will be seen at this visit. Please do not be concerned if your child is not called for a check-up this time.
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The dental therapist will provide a regular check-up and preventative care which may include: Cleaning/Scaling (to remove plaque from teeth)
Dental x-rays (to check for decay in teeth, or presence and position of teeth)
Fluoride Varnish (painted on teeth to help prevent decay)
Fissure Sealants (coating put on teeth to prevent decay) if required.
- If your child requires any other dental care, they will bring home a ‘Care Plan’ which will explain what dental care and appointment times are required.
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When you receive the ‘Care Plan’ please contact our Call Centre as soon as possible as you will need to arrange a time to bring your child to one of our Community Clinics for this dental care.
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Please contact our Call Centre if you want further information on the Community Dental Service, to enrol your child or if you have any specific questions about your child’s dental care (a dental therapist will call you back)
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Year 8 students: all year 8 students enrolled with the Community Dental Service are transferred from the Community Dental Service to a FREE private dentist from year 9 until their 18th birthday. To help with this transition please ensure you have informed your child of their family dentist (not orthodontist). This will enable us to transfer your child onto the correct dentist for year 9 onwards. More information will be sent home after their year 8 check-up.
To contact our Call Centre: phone 0800 846 983 / email commdental@cdhb.health.nz
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Scholastic Book Club Orders
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Closing date : Friday 22nd May, 6pm
If you didn’t receive a brochure we have some at the Office and they are also available online on LOOP.
If you would like to order any of the books, this can be done online on LOOP. For your first time you will need to register in order to make a Book Club LOOP login.
We cannot take orders/payment via the Office so please order online.
Instructions are on the back of the brochure.
Once orders close, they will be sent to school and will come home with your child. On all orders the school earns 15% in scholastic rewards which benefits our school library.
Emmanuel Christian School does not endorse all material that is available for purchase from Scholastic Book Club. Please use your discernment when selecting reading material for your child.
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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.
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Start of term promotion:
Every Ezlunch order placed between 27 April and 22 May goes in the draw to win 1 of 5 x $50 Kindo credits, drawn weekly.
T&Cs apply: https://bit.ly/3OfdXwo
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Marshmallow Mayhem – Hot Chocolate Stand
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The ECS Fundraising Team is opening a Hot Chocolate Stand for students in Years 5–10 every Thursday from 8:25am by the shed on the middle school side of the school.
Hot chocolates will be sold using concession cards, with 4 hot chocolates for $10.
To order your concession card, payments can be made to the school fundraising account: 06-0870-0073625-00
Once payment has been made, please email your child’s details to ecsfundraiser@gmail.com and we will organise their concession card.
We can’t wait to share some Marshmallow Mayhem and make chilly mornings a little warmer!
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