ECS Update Term 3, Week 4 – Friday 14 August 2026

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 4 – Friday 14 August 2026

Kia ora e te whānau,

A huge congratulations to our Year 3 and 4 students who took to the pool for their Swimming Sports this week! It was fantastic to see so many smiling faces, courageous efforts, and wonderful sportsmanship as our younger students gave every race their absolute best. A special thank you to all the parents, whānau, and teachers who came along to cheer them on and help out on the day.

Looking ahead, we are gearing up for Book Week! Throughout next week, our classrooms will be celebrating the joy of reading, storytelling, and imagination.

The highlight of the week will undoubtedly be our Book Character Dress-Up Day on Wednesday, 19 August. We invite all students to come dressed as their favourite character from a book. Whether it’s a classic hero, a beloved storybook animal, or a character from a favorite adventure, we can’t wait to see the creativity on display during our morning parade!

As we focus on the power and pleasure of reading during Book Week, we are also reminded of the ultimate story ever given to us; God’s Word. Reading feeds our curiosity and sharpens our minds, but spending time in the Scriptures transforms our hearts. God’s Word provides us with timeless truth, wisdom, comfort, and direct guidance for every single day. As Psalm 119:105 so beautifully reminds us:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

I encourage you to take time as a family this coming week not only to share your favorite storybooks together, but to open the Bible and reflect on the wonderful light God offers us through His promises.

Can I also remind you that on Friday 21st August school will be closed for a Teacher Only Day as staff will be involved in Professional development related to the updated national curriculum

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our school community. Have a restful weekend, and we look forward to a vibrant and story-filled Book Week ahead!

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
Wheels Day Notice
Disney Ooshies – please not at school
Cycle Safe Programme Notice
Cook Islands Language Week
Car Parking at school
Book Week
Summer Sport Registration
Scholastic Book Club Orders
Keeping our School Community healthy: When to stay home
Ezlunch orders
Hot Chocolate Stand
Second-Hand Uniform Sale

Important dates

Monday 20 July: First Day Term 3

Wednesday 19 August: Book Character Dress Up-Day

Thursday 20th August: Wheels Day!

Friday 21 August: Teacher Only Day

Monday 24 August and Tuesday 25 August: Cycle Safe Programme

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/phrase of the week.

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

This weeks word/phrase is: Kia kaha tonu koe – You’ve got this!

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.

Wheels Day

On Thursday 20th August Students in yrs 0-4 will be having a Wheels Day!

Students are encouraged to bring their Bikes/Scooters to school and have fun riding them around a series of courses set up.

Students MUST bring helmets. Other safety gear such as knee pads, gloves etc are optional but encouraged. Students may also wear their PE uniform on this day if they choose to.

More information will be sent home in a notice.

Cancellation due to weather will be announced on the School website, Facebook page and an email sent out the morning of.

Disney Ooshies – Please not at school

We understand that many of you and your children are enjoying collecting the Disney Ooshies from Woolworths currently.

Unfortunately in a school setting these are causing some disruption and at times, some conflict, esp when being traded.

Can we ask that these are not brought to school please.

Thank you

CCC Cycle Safe Programme

As part of the Year 6 curriculum we have the Christchurch City Council Cycle Safe Programme coming to school on Monday 24 August and Tuesday 25 August.

Details will have been sent home with your child along with a permission slip to return.

Students should wear their P.E. uniform and may wear long tracksuit pants for warmth.

Please contact the school if you have any concerns/questions.

Cook Islands Language Week

Kia orana! Last week, we celebrated Cook Islands Language Week and honoured the rich heritage of our Cook Islands students. In a wonderful student-led collaboration, our senior Cook Islander student and her friends guided participating junior classes in designing and drawing vibrant Pacific flowers, the hibiscus and frangipani. It was a beautiful opportunity for our seniors to share this cultural art and connect across year levels. A huge thank you to these amazing seniors for sharing the beauty of Pacific heritage with our school!

Parking

Can we please remind you to ensure when you are parking at school you only park in the appropriate marked carparks.

This includes:

Not parking in the marked accessible carparks (unless you are ceritified to do so) so these are available for those who need them.
Not parking in the area beside the admin block where student bike parking and the minivan is stored.

Thank You

Book Week

Only 5 more sleeps until Book Character Dress-Up Day,

and the Library van visit!

Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character from a book – any book! There will be a parade held in the morning where we will get to see the characters come to life!

It’s not too late to organise your child’s library card! Pick up a form from the office or the library. Return it by Tuesday morning, and your child will be able to borrow books from the Library van on Wednesday.

If your child already has a card, and you are concerned that it might be lost on the day, just send their borrower number on a piece of paper.

Looking forward to an exciting day!

Nicki Davison

nicki@emmanuelchristian.school.nz

Librarian

Summer Sport Registration

Touch Rugby

We are seeking expressions of interest for years 3&4, 5&6 and 7&8 touch rugby players.

Registration is now open and a ‘sign up’ notice has gone home with students.

If your child/ren is interested in joing the touch rugby team playing in the weekly schools competition, please return the slip to the school office by Tuesday 25th August.

Games are on Tuesday afternoons at Nunweek Park, starting on 13th October with games held at the following times: years 3&4 at 5.30-6pm, years 5&6 at 6.00-6.35pm and years 7&8 at 6.40 – 7.10pm.

The cost is $45 per child. PE uniform and appropriate footwear must be worn.

PARENT SUPPORT IS NEEDED: Teams can only be made if there is enough parent support/help.

Can you or someone you know:

Help manage a team on the night – orgainising players/subs etc
Help to coach a team during lunchtime of afterschool?

Please indicate your availabilty to help on the form when returning it.

*Other sports teams notices have gone out, so please keep an eye out and return any forms by the correct dates*

Scholastic Book Club Orders

Closing date : 6pm on Friday 21 August.

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.

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!