1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
It has truly been a humbling past weeks as school has begun this year. There has been so much positive feedback to the different initiatives and classroom learning practices that have been launched over the last few weeks. Our brilliant teaching and support teams have truly worked tirelessly with the myriad of developing school and class cultures, professional development opportunities and endless thinking about our kura. It’s fantastic that we have such a group of staff that have our best interests at heart.
With that in mind, keep an eye out for our conference evening that will take place in early term 2.  Normally, this is something that would launch our year, but we’ve chosen to pause as we’ve spent time learning about our school and (most importantly) our tamariki. We’re really looking forward to sitting down with each whānau and talking through the future learning journey for each child.
The older students had a fantastic time last week at Mana Whaitake at Kaiteriteri Beach. The weather was perfect, and the students came back tired but excited about their place in God’s creation! Thanks to the parents that were in support of this day - we couldn’t have done it without you!
Camp!
Camp is taking place the night of 31st of March. A gear list will come out next week. If your child is in Room 1, we’d ask that you’d either stay the night with them here in our Tent City, or take them home for a good sleep before returning to school the next day. Please note: there will be no bus run home on the 31st of March, and no school pick-ups on the morning of the 1st of April.
Hot Cross Buns
Many thanks to all that have fundraised for us through the hot cross buns. We’ve exceeded expectations and the numbers will be worked out next week. Remember, this is to support out Year 7-8 trip to Christchurch. Though not all our children get to go on the trip this year, they will all have their opportunity for this special Christian Schools’ event as they move through their time at TBCS.
Please pray…
…for the continued growth of our school roll.
​…for coherency of our staff and Board of Trustees as we plot the amazing future of our school.
…that we take time to recognise the importance of this Easter season!

Swimming and Success…
Despite the string of cancelled events this week due to Level 2 Covid restrictions, it hasn’t stopped our wonderful students for learning and growing.
We had some excellent results in the Moutere Hills swimming competition a couple of weeks ago. Our senior relay team of Solomon, Mercy, Sophia and Reiahumanaru came third overall! We had some very competitive swimmers, and I’m certain we were the loudest school per capita.
We’re continuing our Caretaking Earth thread of being kaitiaki of our local environment. Ruma Tahi have been busy learning about bees - there’s a vacant hive, queen bees examined, and even students have even done the bee dance to show where the honey is hidden!
Congratulations again to our Y8 Leadership team of Mercy, Mia, Georgia and Eva! We’re looking forward to growing their potential as young leaders as they take on Whānau Group leadership.
Please assist us in our hot cross bun fundraiser. Though the proceeds do support our Y7-8 trip to Christchurch for the Christian Schools’ Middle Leaders Conference, remember that this opportunity is available to all students when they come to this age. So even if your child is Y1-6, their time will come to attend - let’s all support this amazing opportunity that our young people have.
Camp!
We’re having an overnight school camp on Wednesday 31st March to Thursday 1st April (in case you’re wondering, it’s a long weekend following these two school days). There will be more information to come, but please put this on the calendar now - we’ve had to work to find a date that suits all staff, so hopefully we can get a great parent turn out for this night as well. We’ll be needing tents, sleeping gear and pre-cooked meals… we’ll aim to get a camp specific notice out next week.
Staff
Mrs. Karyn Deck is now permanently appointed to our junior class. She will be working Tuesday to Friday, while Miss. Margaret Reid will be teaching on Mondays (to work in conjunction with Kapa Haka).
Board of Trustees Matters
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I’d like to thank Andrew Murray for his support and guidance as his role as Limited Statutory Manager at Tasman Bay Christian School. Andrew’s insights have meant that we’re thriving and well-placed for our future. Below is a message from Andrew to you all:
Kia ora koutou

On February 26th 2021, after working with Tasman Bay Christian School for a year, my appointment as Limited Statutory Manager has come to a successful conclusion.

The changes we have navigated during the year have resulted in the school being well positioned to be the leader in the Tasman area and Christian schools communities.

I, as have the Ministry of Education, have great confidence that the school can offer the best of educational experiences and achievement for your children.

It has been a privilege to work with you all during the last year, I will miss our regular contact but will remain in contact and part of the schools wider family for some time to come.

Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket the people will flourish  

Kindest regards and blessings.
Andrew Murray
Limited Statutory Manager, Tasman Bay Christian School
lsm@tasbaychristian.school.nz


Board Secretary
We are looking for a Board Secretary who can prepare our agendas, take minutes and ensure our Board of Trustees files are in order. We have eight meetings a year (twice a term - seven more to go this year) and it takes four hours per meeting for the pre-work, taking minutes at the meeting (Thursday evenings) and ensuring everything in order following the meeting. Please contact Tim (0274249393 / principal@tasbaychristian.school.nz) or Shane Murray (BoT Chair) if this interests you.
Please pray…
…thanking God for Karyn becoming a permanent member of the team.
…for continued guidance for our teaching team as we develop our school curriculum… exciting times!
…for our students as they continue to grow in Action, Wisdom, Character and Purpose.
…to thank God that our school is in a fantastic place to grow and thrive for young people in our district!

​We’re underway…
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
Welcome to our new students Haani, Seth, Ella (on school visits, but starting soon!), Sophia, Malachi and Teo.
On Monday 22nd February, we are fortunate to have Richard De Hamel meet us at Kina Beach for a shoreline study as part of our term one topic Caretaking Earth - “God has designed a world where each of its-kind has its part to play.” Some of our essential questions are “Why should we take care of the earth?” and “What does obedient caretaking of the earth look like?" Students won’t need to bring anything for this, and we’ll have sunscreen available while they’re exploring the rock pools and thinking about being kaitiaki of God’s world. Of course, any adult help would be appreciated!
All the very best to our 8+ year old students who will be competing in the Moutere Hills Swim event tomorrow! It’s going to be great being back at this combined schools swim event after a 2 year absence.
Staff
Susy Nielson is our Learning Support Co-ordinator across the Motueka Kahui Ako. She is with us on Wednesday afternoons, providing assessment and learning support across our school. Welcome, Susy!
If you’re able to make it to Kina Beach this Friday evening, please come down (with your picnic dinner) for a send-off for Mrs. Sumby. It’s at 5:30 near the campground.
Payments
The Tasman Bible Church Trust as Proprietor of Tasman Bay Christian School is required under the Education Act 2017 (the Act) to provide land and buildings for TBCS to enable it to provide an education for your child/children. This is done by collecting Attendance Dues (the annual “fee”) which is a compulsory payment for each whānau at the school.
As we are part of the Ministry of Education Donations Scheme, we do not “charge” for school events (such as curriculum-based trips, swimming lessons etc). Anything that has an element of student/parent ownership (like uniforms, Y7-8 technology supplies that are taken home and after-school sports like Rippa etc), we can ask and expect payment. The school does cover the costs of stationery (which most other schools expect students to source). For food and accommodation for camps, we can ask for a donation (and breakdown of school expenses will be transparent). However, if this is ever an issue, we don’t want to cause stress or anxiety. Please have a chat to Tim if needed, and we can discuss a solution.
Policies and Procedures
For our school policies, please visit www.tasbaychristian.schooldocs.co.nz (username: tasbaychristian // password: 7173). This is worth taking a look at for information and processes you may (or may not need) such as complaints, finance and health and safety policies. Each term, policies are reviewed. This term we are reviewing Home Learning. You can read the policy and provide feedback on it - simply log in and click the “Current Review” button.
Please pray…
…for our junior school teaching position currently in the process of being permanently filled.
…for our staff as we continue to grow and develop a new sense of “team”, working towards our vision of Tasman Bay Christian School as being an amazing, God-filled school.
…for our students as they expand their learning experiences and grow as ambassadors of our awesome kura.