What's special about TODAY?!

Our theme for the year revolves around ideas about Time. And today is a special day - it's 29 February.

How would you like to have your birthday on this date? You would only get to celebrate your birthday on the correct date once every four years! Do you know someone with 29 February as their birthday? I do, and I'm going to their special party this evening. They're having only their 12th birthday, even though they are in their 40s!

Older students will find this clever explanation of how leap year works, very interesting. You might want to pause it now and then to absorb the information.

School Newsletter 24 February 2012

Click on the image above, to read the newsletter. Double-click to zoom in, click the corner of the page to turn to the next page. Or download as a pdf.

22 February Earthquake Memorial Service at Springston School

Two minutes silence

Today our school and local communities came together to remember the events of 22 February 2011. Our Memorial Service was beautifully organised by three of our Year 8 students, Kes, Tanna, and Madi. 

We sang songs, and heard words of remembrance for those who had lost their lives a year ago today. We all joined in two minutes of silence to remember what happened in Christchurch at 12:51 pm during the Earthquake a year ago. We remember the sadness of that day, but are also grateful for some of the aspects of our lives that have not changed. 

One of the songs we sang was 'Christchurch is our Home', an amazing song that was gifted to all schools in Canterbury by composer Dale McKay after the 4 September 2010 earthquake.

We ended the service by looking forward in a musical way with a wonderful song written and sung by James Beck and Christian Gallen: 'Christchurch City (My Home Town)'. You can see/hear their original version here.

Everyone felt very uplifted by the song and we were thrilled to have James and Christian stay a little longer to entertain students and parents alike. James and Christian also work for Attitude, visiting many schools and working with students. 

James Beck and Christian Gallen

We were also privileged to be joined by two visitors to New Zealand, Nona and Tom, who were simply passing by on their way to Akaroa, and who saw that our Service was starting and decided to join us, recognising what a special time this was for us all. They appreciated their warm welcome and left us a lovely note that you will see posted in the Comments below.

Nona and Tom

School Newsletter 10 February 2012

Click on the image above, to read the newsletter. Double-click to zoom in, click the corner of the page to turn to the next page. Or download as a pdf.