July 2026 Edition

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Newsletter Week 1 Term 3

Hastings Christian School

22 July 2026

From the Principal

Celebrating Culture with Biblical Discernment

One of the great joys of being part of Hastings Christian School is the rich diversity of people God has brought together into our community. Our students and families represent many ethnic backgrounds, languages, histories, and traditions. This diversity is not something to be downplayed - it is something to celebrate as we recognise the creativity of God displayed in the many peoples He has made. I look forward to celebrating these cultures (and their food!) at tomorrow’s Fia Fia night (read on in the newsletter to find out more).

But what exactly do we mean by culture?

Culture has been described as "the patterns of thinking, living, creating, and relating that characterise a community and reveal its deepest beliefs." In other words, culture is far more than food, clothing, music, or festivals. It reflects what people ultimately believe to be true about God, humanity, and the world.

This reminds us that every culture contains both beauty and brokenness. Because all people are created in God's image, every culture reflects aspects of God's common grace—qualities such as creativity, hospitality, care for family, artistic expression, and stewardship of creation. Yet because all people are also affected by the Fall, every culture also contains beliefs and practices that require careful biblical evaluation. No culture, whether Western, Māori, Asian, African, or European, is the standard by which Christians live. Christ alone is our Lord, and His Word alone is our ultimate authority.

This biblical perspective is particularly helpful as New Zealand marks Matariki. Māori Christian leader Henare Whaanga has helpfully argued that Christians should neither reject Māori culture wholesale nor embrace every aspect of it uncritically. Instead, we are called to exercise biblical discernment.

He reminds us that becoming a Christian does not require Māori to become less Māori. Language, hospitality (manaakitanga), genealogy (whakapapa), respect for elders, traditional navigation, and an appreciation of the natural world can all be valued as expressions of God's common grace. At the same time, Christians must distinguish between cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Where Matariki celebrations simply acknowledge the changing seasons, Māori history, astronomy, or community life, Christians may participate with thankfulness. Where ceremonies involve prayers directed to ancestors or atua, or practices that imply allegiance to spiritual authorities other than the Lord, Scripture calls us to respectfully decline. The issue is not ethnicity but worship.

This distinction reflects the consistent teaching of Scripture. The Bible celebrates the beauty of creation while reserving worship for the Creator alone. Psalm 19 declares that "the heavens declare the glory of God." The stars point us to God's greatness; they are magnificent works of His hands, not objects of spiritual devotion. Likewise, Revelation gives us a wonderful picture of God's redeemed people gathered "from every nation, tribe, people and language" worshipping Christ together. Our differences are not erased in Christ—they are redeemed and united under His lordship.

As a Christian school, this gives us an exciting opportunity. We want our students to delight in the many cultures represented within our community while learning to evaluate every cultural practice through the lens of Scripture. We can encourage students to share their languages, family traditions, music, stories, food, and history. We can celebrate God's gifts seen in different cultures while also helping our children ask wise questions: What does this practice communicate? What does Scripture say? Does this honour Christ?

Our desire is not simply to produce students who appreciate diversity, but students who possess biblical wisdom and discernment. We want them to engage respectfully with people from every culture, recognising God's common grace wherever it is found, while remaining steadfast in their commitment to worship Christ alone.

In doing so, we believe we are preparing our students well - not only for life in Aotearoa New Zealand, but for citizenship in God's kingdom, where people from every nation and language will one day gather around the throne in joyful worship of the Lamb.

Gavin Clark

Principal

Welcome

A warm welcome to the new students who have started this term along with their families. We hope you get settled into HCS routines soon and we look forward to getting you know you better.

This term we also welcome back Mrs Emily Tennant (past teacher) who will be teaching in A3 on Fridays and in A2 on alternate Thursdays.

Secondary Parent Portal

Results are published on our parent portal, including the upcoming attitudes accompanying the reports, which will come out shortly. The link to the portal is: https://hcs.school.kiwi/ If you have lost your login or password, please contact Renée Ford at r.ford@hcs.school.nz with your child's name, and she will reset your password.

Intention to return

2027 intention to return responses would be appreciated but the end of July. Please check your inbox and spam folder and reply to the email that was sent out last term.

Start Dates for 2027

For those of you planning your summer holidays early....here are the start dates for next year.

Tuesday 2nd February Y1-8 Start & Y9/13 Orientation
Wednesday 3rd February Y9-10 Start & Y13 Start (camp)
Thursday 4th February Y11/12 Start

Monday 8th February Waitangi Day Observed

Tuesday 9th February Whole school in attendance

FiaFia Night Attendance - Please join us

Kia ora e te whānau, all are invited to come along to our Fiafia night, regardless of whether you are performing or bringing kai. We are now gathering attendance numbers for the evening.

Please complete the short form below to let us know if you and your whānau will be attending. This information is important as it allows us to plan appropriately, including ensuring we have adequate seating available and can prepare well for the number of guests on the night.

Ngā mihi nui, Whaea Marie

FiaFia Attendance

Start of Term Reminders

Lateness

Just a reminder that school starts at 8.40am each morning and it is important that students are on time, ready, and prepared for the school day. We have a number of students being dropped off or arriving after the 8.40am bell in the morning which means that they are late to class. We really appreciate your support with this so that we can set your child up for better success with their learning.

Arriving at school
Please remember that school drop off for your children should be between 8:15am and 8:40am, if at all possible. We're not able to provide adequate supervision and care before 8:15am.

Guidance Counsellor

Alice Robinson our school counsellor will be here onsite every Tuesday afternoon. We have several ways to refer a student to be seen, staff referral, student self referral and parent referral. Should you wish to contact Alice her email address is a.robinson@hcs.school.nz

Safety around HCS

Parents and students should use the footpaths and marked pathways around the school (follow the painted footsteps when crossing the netball courts)

The road patrol and kiwi crossing are manned afterschool. Please model good practice to your children by using either of these two crossings when leaving school

No parking allowed:

behind the admin block
on any yellow lines
on the neighbours driveway outside B Block
on the grass outside H Block

No student drivers or learner drivers in the school carpark. Student drivers are to please park on the road. If your child is learning to drive, please have them park on the road. They should not be driving on the school property at any time. This for their own safety as much as for others.

The drop off zone outside the main noticeboard (first three yellow marked carparks) is for dropping off in the mornings. Please don't exit your vehicle - let your children out and move on.

Please do not bring dogs onto the school property unless this is arranged with the class teacher for a visit
Students need to have helmets when biking to school and should be walking once on school property
All primary students should have hats on when outside at morning tea or lunch time during the summer terms

Jules Riding - Musician

We are looking forward to a visit by Jules Riding, Christian musician, this coming Monday. He will perform a lunchtime concert for the secondary students and then perform for the primary students at assembly.

Please Don't Stop the Music 2026

One Stage. Five Houses. One Unforgettable Night.

Get ready for one of the highlights of the Hastings Christian School calendar.

Our Secondary House Event, Please Don't Stop the Music, will be on Wednesday 26 August as a spectacular retro music awards night. This is far more than a performance. It is an opportunity for every secondary student to belong, contribute, encourage one another, and create lasting memories together.

Throughout the term, each house will work together to produce a unique performance celebrating iconic hit songs from across the decades. Whether students are performing on stage, helping behind the scenes, creating costumes and props, or supporting their house from the audience, there is a place for everyone to be involved.

The evening is always one of the most anticipated events of the year, with houses competing not only for performance excellence, but also for house spirit, creativity, teamwork, and entertainment.

Event Details

Dress Rehearsal and Matinee Performance
Wednesday 26 August
1:30 pm
School Gymnasium

Our secondary students will present a special matinee performance for our primary students, along with any guests who are unable to attend the evening event.

Performance Evening
Wednesday 26 August
6:00 pm
School Gymnasium

Join us as all five houses take to the stage for an evening of music, energy, and entertainment as they compete for the 2026 House Event title. All school families are welcome.

How Families Can Help

House Event is at its best when students embrace the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and participate wholeheartedly. We encourage families to:

Encourage your child to attend house practices and rehearsals.
Support them in learning choreography, lyrics, or other responsibilities assigned by their house leaders.
Help them prepare any simple costumes or themed clothing requested by their house.
Join us on the evening of Wednesday 26 August at 6:00 pm to cheer on every house and celebrate the incredible talent, creativity, and teamwork of our students.

These events are often remembered long after students leave school, not because of who wins, but because of the friendships, laughter, and shared experiences created along the way.

We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a fantastic celebration of our school community.

One House. One Stage. One Night to Remember.

Ngā mihi, Emma Nicoll

Term 2 HCS library books now due

I hope your family got some lovely reading done in the holidays.If you have finished any HCS library books, please return them to the bin in the E-block workroom, school office or during library class visits.If you found any books during the holidays, we would love to get them back too! This includes books that have been missing and any National Library books (these have the National LIbrary barcode on the back).All primary classes will continue to visit the HCS library weekly (Wed-Fri). Students take up to 5 books out for up to 3 weeks. I would love your help in making sure the books make it back to school again. - Claire Gardiner, Librarian