Monday 26 November 2012

Rail Trail Adventure

The final information and timetable is coming home by hard copy as well as here on the Blog.
Thank you to those who responded to the food donation request, your generosity and also the fact that the Stewart Island Camp had some surplus has lessened the food costs.  Michelle has collated the food list and will ring people to let them know what she requires.  These items can be put into the 'food box' in the classroom along with the packet of sweets and 2 named bags of scroggin.

What to bring:
Each person needs to take the following items - there will not be a bag check.
Sleeping bag, (pillows, pillowcases and sheet provided), 2 towels, plastic bag with tea-towel, cup, bowl, dinner plate, knife, fork, spoon, 2 servings of breakfast, pyjamas, 2 pairs shorts (or 1 pair plus bike pants), 3 pairs socks, 2 changes of undies, 2 pairs long pants (or 1 pair plus leggings), 2 tee-shirts preferably with longer sleeves and collars to save burnt necks, 2 sweat shirts (or 1 sweatshirt & 1 merino), windproof/waterproof jacket, 2 pairs shoes, sunhat or cap, torch with fresh batteries, handkies/tissues, camera (optional), 1 pencil, pen and rubber in a plastic bag - coloured pencils optional, an indoor game and a book.

Accommodation is in bunkrooms with an outside walk to toilets/showers.  An adult will sleep in each bunkroom and will accompany any children needing to use the toilets during the night, as this is a public camping ground.  Mothers with the girls and fathers with the boys.  Some lucky fathers have a cabin to themselves.

Items not to be brought: radios, cellphones, walkmans, i-pods, hand held computer games, chewing gum, sweets.

Medications: those students who indicated on their health forms that they require medication should bring spare supplies in a named plastic bag on Friday 30 November - it will be carried as part of the 1st aid kit.

Cost: the costs for parents will be covered within the costs of this camp.  Please pay $95 to the school office by Friday.  If anyone has any difficulties with this please remember that you may contact myself or Mrs Eastwood.

Day pack: that can be carried comfortably on the back needs to have a good lunch with enough for morning and afternoon tea, plenty of water in a non leaking drink bottle, a tube that fits the tyre of the bike, a small 1st aid kit - band aids, bandage in a plastic bag. 1 bag scroggin (nuts, raisins, chocolate), sunhat/cap, sun screen, sunglasses (optional), gloves, hats, wind/waterproof jacket.  All riders will be issued with a high visibility vest to wear.

Parents going on camp = a short meeting at 7pm in Room 4 Tuesday 27th.

Catholic Schools' Touch Tournament

The tournament starts at 10:10am on Wednesday, 1st game at 10:30.  Year 5 & 6 games are at the end of the top field near the new playground and also on the field by the church car park. Prize giving at 1:15 - 1:30.

Thank you to Michelle Healey, Kath Martin and Rhian Ward who have offered to help.  It would be good to have another parent to manage a team and a couple to help Kath with the food for visitors which will be laid out in the library.  Please remember that each family needs to provide a plate for this, as we are the host school.

Uniform: Wear school tracksuits to school with sports uniform underneath - black shorts with school T-shirt. Sunhats are a must - we don't want any sunstroke.

Food: The PTA will be running a continuous BBQ as well as selling drinks, muffins and I think ice blocks. Please bring money for this.

Good luck for these games - support each other and encourage those who have not played touch before to have a go and enjoy the game.  Help them with the rules - everyone has improved heaps with their throwing and catching.  This activity is a challenge for some people.

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Food For Camp

Mary Naylor, Michelle Healey and I met today regarding the food for the camp.  We are trying to cater as economically but nutritiously as possible.
Breakfasts: Each person is to bring their preferred cereal for breakfasts - perhaps in two small bags - a serving for each day. There will be milk provided and bread/margarine for toast. Please bring your own topping.
Lunches: Children will make their own lunches consisting of sandwiches (they choose the filling), baking/muffin and fruit.
Evening Meals: Monday - lasagne or shepherds pie with garlic bread, Tuesday BBQ - choice of hamburger or sausages in bread. Dessert - cheesecake.

Children bring a good lunch, a bag of scroggin for the first day and nutritious snacks for morning teas or afternoon teas. A sturdy drink bottle that will either fit on the bike or can be carried without leaking in your backpack.

To allow us to reduce the food budget we would welcome donations of any of the following items: please don't send these to school yet, as Mary or Michelle will contact you.  Complete the sheet that your child brings home and return it to school by Thursday.

Items that would be appreciated:
vegemite, fresh fruit - does anyone have access to apples? 2 minute noodles, serviettes, gladwrap, dish cloths, dishwash detergent, pot scrub, matches, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, salad dressing or mayonaise, sugar, tea, coffee, milo (or similar), pineapple rings, tinned beetroot, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, bananas, bacon & egg pies, lasagne, shepherd's pies, bean salad, home baking, muffins, popcorn, margarine, belgium slices, eggs, grated cheese.

We are not expecting anyone to go overboard, but if you feel able to supply one or two items it would be very much appreciated.  Mary has organised to purchase the patties and sausages from the Ranfurly Butcher at a very reasonable price.

Next Friday each child needs to bring 1 bag of sweets to share and 2 small named bags of scroggin.  These will be handed out each day.

Once this is in hand the final costings will be sent home.  We are all getting excited now!

Sunday 18 November 2012

Homework/Newsletter Week 6

The term is whizzing by.  Last week was testing week, where assessments of reading, writing, maths and spelling have been done in preparation for the end of year reports. There are still a few reading assessments to be completed but hopefully they will be completed tomorrow. If you wish to see your child's assessments please pop in to the classroom - preferably after school.

Camp planning is also well underway with the classroom preparation component starting today with the visit from Garry Milford who reviewed the teaching from February, and helped the students check their bikes for safety features.  They also learnt about optimum seat height so that legs can work effectively without putting extra strain on the muscles - important for a longer bike ride. Some bikes need adjustments before the big day.  Homework is to make sure that this is attended to before Monday 3rd. Every student needs to carry a spare tyre tube that fits their bike tyre in their kit, parents will have gear to change tubes in the event of a puncture.
The parents who will accompany us on the camp are: Mrs Davidson (Monday only), Mr Hutton, Mr Kelly, Mrs Naylor, Mrs Rendall, Mr Bruce (Molly's Dad), Mr Healey, Mrs Martin, Mr Flannery, Mr Sidon and Mr Tubbs.  My husband Alan will also accompany us - in the past he has been a tour guide on the Rail Trail. Each group of students will have 2 adult supervisors, this way one can ride with them while the other transfers the vehicle from one place to another and can then ride back along the track to meet the group.
Meeting for parents attending camp: Tuesday 27th November at 7pm.

Thyme Festival:
The Eco Super Heroes that were designed for the competition were amazing and have been on display at Central Stories over the last week. Congratulations to Zachary Wilson 1st Judges choice $100 voucher, Keila Davidson 2nd Judges choice $50 and Ella Flannery 2nd People's choice $50. Each received a small prize with the vouchers for plants being for the school. We have certainly participated and contributed to the community event, now these people who are all members of the Enviro group can decide with Ms Moeke and Mrs Eastwood what will be the best plants to enhance our school.

Central Otago Catholic Touch Tournament:
This is next Wednesday in our school grounds.  Each family needs to provide a plate to feed the adult visitors and our Year 10 referees. Kath Martin has offered to help with the food, tea & coffee in the library, but it would be great to have some parents help with this.  The PTA cook a BBQ and sell drinks, muffins and ice blocks. Help: we will have 3 teams in the year 5 & 6 grade.  Each team needs a coach/manager.  Is there anyone available? I need to know before the teams are finalised.  The job is not taxing, just to make sure the team is at the game at the right time and to organise subbing, if you have touch skills to impart that would be even better, but not a requirement.

Homework

  1. Morning Programme: Group 4 and a few Group 3 people who forgot.  This is the last set of presentations for the year. Anna, your challenge is to remind everyone to be prepared for Friday.
  2. Spelling: ready to test on Friday.  Next week will be the last for spelling.  A few tricky words have been rediscovered with last week's testing - let's nail these before next year.
  3. Reading: "the more you read the better you get, and the better you write." Complete your reading log.
  4. Camp Preparation: have your bike in tip top condition, do a few rides to get those leg muscles built up. Begin to find the clothing you will need - we will work on this as part of the in-school preparation. Many Hands Make Light Work have your chart at school on Friday.  Make sure that you know how to wash and dry dishes, and make a sandwich. Enjoy all the extra help you get this week, parents.
  5. Singing Eisteddfod: will be heard Friday 30th. Keep in mind your audience and choose a song where you can show off your pitch and diction (singing the words clearly).  Some pop songs do not offer the opportunity to do this. 5 marks are also for your introduction where you tell about who wrote, recorded, performed the song or the musical it was from and a little about them.
  6. Maths: use the clock on the hill to read the time as well as your digital watches. Talk with your parents about half past, 1/4 to, 1/4 past etc.  Keep those tables especially subtraction to 20 speedy. Relearn these as families.  8 + 9 = 17, 9 + 8 = 17, 17 - 9 = 8, 17 - 8 = 9.

Monday 15 October 2012

Term 4

Welcome back to term 4.  Everyone seemed to have been busy over the holidays with plenty of interesting stories to share.  We welcome Molly Redican to our class and hope she enjoys making new friends.
We celebrate St Gerards Feast Day with a mass at 9:30 in the church on Wednesday, you are all welcome to join us.
Good luck to Bailey as she starts at her new school in Christchurch.  Look out for Mrs Good, Bailey - her grandchildren attend this school.  She will be looking out for you.
Weekly Touch Competition: information went out at the end of last term - 3 people have returned slips - thank you Rhian Ward for agreeing to be our ref. The team needs to be registered at the beginning of next week.
Dates for the Calendar
  • Wednesday 24th School Athletic Sports - if you can help please leave a message with Mrs Bennie or complete the help form that went home at the end of last term. Cancellation day = Thursday 25th
  • Thursday 1st November - All Saints Day Liturgy - dress up as your favourite saint
  • Tuesday 6th November - Mercy Day trip to St John's in Ranfurly
  • Wednesday 7th November - Central Otago Athletic Sports
  • Thursday 8th November - Science Roadshow - Rooms 4 & 6 at Dunstan High School 10:30 - 12:30 - a couple of parents to walk with us please. Cost $
  • LIFE Education - Thursday & Friday Ït's Great To Be Me!"
  • Thyme Festival Week - 12 - 16 November
  • Rail Trail Adventure - week 5
  • Friday 23rd November - Rooms 3 & 4 lead assembly
  • CO Catholic Touch Tournament - Wednesday 28th November- hosted by St Gerards - coaches will be needed for the day please.
  • Friday Mass 30th November - Rooms 3 & 4 lead Mass - 12:00 in the church
  • Monday 3rd December - Singing Eisteddfods.  Songs need to be suitable for our age group.  I need to see the words of the song well in advance.  It's nearly Christmas, there are some super choices on this theme.
  • Wednesday 12th December - Mass and Prizegiving 6pm
  • Thursday 13th - PTA whole school BBQ picnic at the pool
  • Friday 14th - Christmas Carols & final assembly

Morning Programme:
Planner for the term is in the homework book. With such a busy term only 1 turn each - make it an exceptional presentation. 
  • Group 1: Friday 19th October
  • Group 2: 2nd November
  • Group 3: 16th November
  • Group 4: 23rd November
Reading
Read every night, complete your reading log. The writing assessment this term is a piece of narrative writing, great ideas and language choices to describe settings, characters and events can be found when you read other authors narratives.  Take note of the structure of these texts, how have the authors created a clear setting? How have characters been described? What problems happen in the text?  How are these solved?  Keep these in the back of your mind if there is something that you think you could use in a piece of writing.
Maths/Tables
Three tests left for this year, the first of these is on Friday - use the practice sheet. Many people's tests are accurate as far as they get, but not all 100 questions are finished - work on speed. Keep working on knowing all your tables. Choose one or two tables a night to work on, then learn the whole 'family' eg: 9 x 8 = 72, 8 x 9 = 72 and the division facts for each.  Some people have registered again for mathsbuddy, topics for this term are multiplication and division, fractions, time.  There are good activities to practise these topics.
Spelling
Spelling will start again in week 2. This week check over any of your Spellwrite list words that you are still shaky on, especially those in the Commonly Misspelt List.

Typing
To become more successful with presenting work on the computer, spend some time on the bbc typing site. 

Monday 17 September 2012

Musical Week Newsletter

Thank you all for your kind messages after my mother's death.

Congratulations Will - a third place in the Otago Championship Cross Country Year 5 Boys in Dunedin on Friday - you put your heart into your training and have shown that you have been "Going For Gold"!  A well deserved achievement.

The Button Box:
The musical is really taking shape, great singing, dancing and acting as we all came together today.  Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal for the kindies and our Tuesday grandparents, so colourful will also be a word when we are all in costume.  Thank you all for sourcing the clothing that each child needs.
Performance Nights:
Room 4 will take their costumes home after the dress rehearsal and need to come to school dressed in costume. We will meet in our classroom at 5:30pm each night. Mrs Eastwood will be there on Thursday night to supervise Room 4 prior to the show. The audience each need a ticket, which can be collected from the office - don't leave it too late to do this, as no ticket means no seat - don't be disappointed.  A box for the gold coin donations will be at the door of the hall.
The audience needs to be seated by 5:50pm, so that the show can start at 6pm.  We need to keep to these times as Tim, Hannah and Ella also have final rehearsals for the town musical "Rush". Good luck for next week Ella.

Athletics:
On Thursday afternoon we will be starting the rotations of athletic practice in preparation for the school athletics competition which will be in the second week of term 4, Wednesday 24th October. We will be looking for helpers for this event. School sports uniform of black shorts and school t-shirt will be needed each day for these activities.

Assembly this Friday:
We will farewell Bailey at this assembly and the Cross Country Certificates will be presented.

Room 4 Outdoor Education:
Last term the staff completed the review of  "camps"and outdoor education. Next term Room 4 will be riding on the Rail Trail and staying away 2 nights as part of this. The tentative dates are Tuesday 13 - Thursday 15th November. This activity replaces what was the Dunedin Camp. If you are able to help for part or all of this time I would be happy to hear from you.  In the meantime cycle fitness needs to be something that you get started on so that you will enjoy this experience.

Maths Buddy:
Mr Hogue has managed to get a fantastic deal for those people who would like to continue to use the maths buddy site.  A note went home today, please send yours back by Thursday so that we can action this offer. This site is excellent as it has great tutorials as well as practice activities.  I recommend that as many as possible continue, as the subscription will last until 31 January next year.

Monday 27 August 2012

Eisteddfod Speeches

Use the time management planner in your homework book to make sure that you will not be trying to write and prepare your speech at the last minute.  Speeches will be heard on Friday 21st September.  We have been learning about the structure of speeches as part of our writing programme, and most people have decided on the topic that would be interesting for the Room 4 audience.  Follow through the planner to help you meet the deadline - no-one wants to be writing their speech the same week as the musical performances. Once your speech is complete, try practising it on photobooth if you have this programme - you can check out what you might want to work on to improve the oral delivery.

Maths Buddy

The free trial period for this site has expired and at the present time Mr Hogue is searching for a free maths site that can be used to support the class learning as a homework activity.
Our  present topic is multiplication and division, and to be able to use the strategies effectively we need to know our basic facts.  Take one set of tables a night to learn.  Count up and back in the multiples of the table as part of your learning. The last 100 tables test showed that many people are making great gains with their basic facts knowledge.  Keep this up.

School Musical

On Friday everyone  took home a note explaining what their part is in the musical and what they need to wear.  Please make sure that you have read this, if there are any problems please let us know.

It's really important that the words to the songs are well known by now - this has been part of the homework for the last two weeks. Going over a couple of songs each night should secure these.  This is a very important homework item over the next couple of weeks as we need to step up with the singing.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Newsletter/Homework Week 6

How this term has flown - hard to believe it's week 6 already.  Congratulations to those people who competed so well at the Central Otago Cross Country in Arrowtown last Wednesday, and thank you to the parents who provided transport.  Your determination and encouragement of each other made me very proud. It was a new and challenging course with a shoe eating bog! A huge congratulations to Will and also Meg who won their respective races in style - all that training paid off - thanks too, to the parents who took those extra lunch time runs.
Today we were lucky enough to be inspired by the author Des Hunt. His use of humour and science to visually explain the necessary ingredients of a great story had us all hooked.  Yes, we will be recrafting our drafts - he did at least 7 times. This session with a real author  is a perfect way to start looking at our speeches.  These too, can be recrafted, so that they will be exciting and interesting for the Room 4 audience.
Thank you Dale for your offer of walking to and from the pool this week and next week, I do need at least one other parent please.
A reminder that next Monday 27th is Teacher's Only Day, where teachers will be further looking at the teaching of writing.
Next week Alan has surgery in Dunedin, and Mrs Donaldson will be teaching Room 4. At this stage I am not certain how long I will be away from school.

Homework
  1. Maths: www.mathsbuddy.co.nz work on the multiplication and division activities, also getting your tables and basic facts to 20 really well known. Check that you complete the homework that is set.
  2. Reading - record your reading in the log at the back of your book - remember to read a variety of texts - fiction, non-fiction, newspaper articles, recipes etc.
  3. Musical: Keep working on knowing all the words to the songs - you have the sheets. This is your opportunity to show leadership with the singing.
  4. Spelling: be ready to test on Friday
  5. Morning Programme - Group 4 - Zachary be sure that you remind all of your group.
  6. Touch Typing: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/  Mrs Moors has found that until we are all faster with our typing skills, we won't be able to successfully use all the wonderful technology that is at our fingertips.
  7. Speeches: These need to be ready to be heard on Friday 21st September - don't leave it until the last minute to get yours written - this is the week that we perform our school musical. Fill out the planning sheet in your book - then "Go For Gold!" This week our writing topic is speeches.

Thursday 9 August 2012

River Safety

Remember to come as your Olympic hero tomorrow. Wear school tracksuit over your outfit if you are a swimmer or an athlete.  Tracksuits are the uniform for the following Fridays - much easier to change back into and saves kilts being screwed up in bags.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Cross Country - another challenge while you're fit!

A great effort by everyone today - that training paid off. Since everyone is fit now, some people might want to enter the run organised by the Alexandra Harrier and Walkers Club on Saturday 18th August. For our age there is a 2 km off road race that costs $2 to enter - sounds like that includes afternoon tea as well. I have an entry form if you want one - entries close on Wednesday 15th August.  Entries can be made on the day for an extra cost.

Week 2 Riversafe

Following the need to carry wet clothing in plastic bags which weren't really up to the task last Friday, it would be good to see people using a reuseable shopping bag for their gear.  Congratulations  to everyone who swam so hard to achieve their 200m clothed swim - very tiring, but it was pleasing to see how determined you were to complete the task. "Going For Gold".

This week the Central Swim School has a competition:

"Support your team or sport at the Olympics" - come dressed up and be in to win a prize.

On Friday come dressed for this - don't forget your togs, towel, long sleeved top, pants and socks.

I have 2 parents able to walk with us this week.  Thank you Dale and Gabriela.

mathsbuddy

A few people have been working on this site so far this term. This week we finish our unit on "shapes", there is good opportunity to keep working on this knowledge through the units titled Geometry - shapes.
Next week we start on our numeracy topic of multiplication and division - keep working on your tables knowledge so that this can be used effectively to solve problems. It has been interesting to see who has been doing their homework on this site - this is available to the teacher.  It would be good to see everyone make use of this - there is time available at school as well as at home, especially for those of you who don't have computer access at home.

Monday 30 July 2012

New South Wales Exams

The English exam will be held tomorrow at 9:00 in Room 5.  A practise sheet went home tonight so that you can become familiar with the general layout.  The maths exam will be held next Monday at 9:30 in Room 5. Make sure that you have a pencil, rubber and ruler.  Good preparation for the maths exam would be to work through a variety of tasks on maths buddy.

River Safe Programme

This programme starts on Friday for Room 4 and runs every Friday in August - 5 weeks in total. The class will walk to the pool, leaving school at 10:35ish for the 11:15 lesson. Each week there needs to be 3 parents able to walk with us.  A note has gone home today explaining what the students need to bring for the next two weeks, along with a tear off for parents to indicate which days  they are able to assist.  Thank you to those people who have already texted offering to assist.  I have 2 parents already for this week, so only need one more.  Once I collate the slips, I will send a roster home so that dates can be marked on calendars.  The lesson lasts for 30 minutes, so we will be back at school before lunch. We are lucky that there is no cost for this excellent programme.

School Cross Country

The training for this event is well under way.  Congratulations to those people who have filled in their training logs in the homework books.  Thank you to the parents who have given up their lunch times to take small groups of keen runners for a run.

Miss Rodgers has one parent able to help with the school cross country next Tuesday afternoon and needs more volunteers urgently.  Please contact the school if you are able to help.

It has been great to see everyone wearing school sports uniform for our daily training. On Tuesday please come to school in your school tracksuits, remember to bring an extra drink bottle for after your race. Check out the school newsletter for more details.

Saturday 21 July 2012

Week 2 Term 3

Welcome back to the new term. Everyone should have been able to access the information for the term from the hard copy of "what's happening?"in the homework books and also from the very clear planner that Mrs Eastwood has attached to the newsletter last week.

Interviews:
I am looking forward to meeting with everyone Tuesday and Wednesday this week to discuss progress so far this year and where to for the next two terms. Being able to book on the internet programme has been really simple.  I have tried to contact all those people who have not made a time, and have seen for myself how simple it is to book a time.  If you have not managed to book please contact Mrs Bennie at the office, it only takes a second to sort.

Alexandra Library:
We will be visiting the library at 9:00 on Tuesday morning.  Thank you Angela for indicating your availability to walk with us, another couple of parents will be needed to meet our EOTC supervision ratio. The school library will open for us to use next week.  It is looking fantastic, thanks to Mrs Rendall and some other helpers.  Mrs Rendall has "dotted!" the books in the same way as at the town library so that we can easily find the level of texts that we enjoy. Book Fair this week - the theme this year is "Grandparents", so please encourage any local grandparents to come and browse the selection of books, (and hopefully buy), and also contact the office if they are happy to read to children in different classes over this week. Friday = Favourite Book Character. Come dressed as your favourite book character - be prepared to talk about your character.  I will expect that you will be that character for the day - it could be a very interesting class.

Cross Country:
At school we have marked out a course, which is about 422m long, that we are using to practise for the cross country on. Remember to bring runners and track pants or school sports uniform to wear for training each day. We are keeping a log of the distance we are running each day as a measurement maths activity - I wonder how far towards Cromwell we will run over our training period?  The school Cross Country is on 7th August - watch the newsletter for more details.
As part of homework, everyone is expected to be working on their personal training programme and recording the results in the log in the homework book. Training runs for those representing the school at the Central Otago Cross Country will be held after our school event in preparation for the CO event on Wednesday 15th August.

Swim For Life - River Safety Programme:
Starts next week on Friday 3 August and runs for 5 weeks, finishing on 31st August. We will walk to and from the pool, leaving school at 10:40am and returning after the lesson finishes at 11:45. Three parents will be needed each week to walk with us. I am meeting with the tutor on Thursday, so will advise everyone as to the clothing required each week. Goggles are not needed at any time for this programme.

Maths Buddies:
The school has a free trial of this maths programme, which covers all aspects of the NZ curriculum. http://www.mathsbuddy.co.nz/ Passwords are glued into homework books and it was pleasing to see how many people were on the site the very first day. There are some revision activities that I have put into the programme on here and I have left the whole site open so that you can check out all the different activities that are available.  This term we are starting our maths learning on Geometry - shape, moving on to multiplication and division as our numeracy focus, then statistics.

Tools For the Trade:
A number of people need to purchase rulers and rubbers as these are  important tools for learning especially in our maths topic.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Week 9 Newsletter & Homework

Thank you so much to the parents who provided transport to and from the rink for the ice skating programme. Once again we had Andrew as our coach, who provided instruction on basic techniques as well as fun games to get everyone moving on the ice.  As Keila was unable to skate at the last session, she was class photographer with the i-pad and now we are using "book creator" to review what everyone learned and enjoyed at these sessions.  Hopefully we can burn this onto a disk and share it with Andrew. Andrew has really enjoyed teaching your children, he mentions this every week, so feel proud of how your children relate to others in the community.

Poetry Eisteddfods will be heard next Monday. Well done to those people who had a copy of theirs in their homework books. This week is the time to practise reciting the poem.  Since the beginning of the year we have worked on how to use the punctuation in poetry to read poems the way the poet has written them, be sure to use this when you are learning your poem from memory.  There are 5 marks for your introduction where you need to state the title, the poet and share a little about the poet - what sort of poems they write, where they live etc, and why you chose this poem for the audience.  Remember this needs to be reasonably short - it is just an introduction not a speech, your poem is the main event. Think about speaking at a good pace, clearly and loudly.  When you know your poem well, you will feel so much more confident.  Good luck.  I have seen a great selection of poems have been chosen to entertain us.
WALT: choose and perform, using expression and a clear  voice, a poem that will entertain the Room 4 audience.

Good luck to our 3 teams competing at the Spelling Quiz on Wednesday at 4:30 in Cromwell.  Caleb, Ursin, Zachary, Hannah, Celia, Bailey, Zoe, Anna and hopefully Carinthia. There is a separate notice for parents.

Homework

  1. Maths: Keep working on tables - especially addition and subtraction to 20. Word problems to solve showing more than one strategy. The thinking of the strategy needs to be shown in your book. Eg: could be a number line showing how you are using  tidy numbers and jumping in 10's or using your knowledge of groups of 10 by jumping 30 or 40 etc at once, equations showing how you have used place value  47 + 39 = ?   40 + 30 = 70, 7 + 9 = 16, 70 + 16 = 86, or rounding to solve the problem are some strategies that we have worked on.  You may have others.
  2. Reading: don't forget to complete your reading log.  I know many people have been reading heaps.
  3. Spelling: learn your list ready for testing on Friday.
  4. Morning Programme: Group 3 this week, plus those from Group 2 who forgot last week - we got a bit out of kilter with Noah's farewell & the missed week (where we were to have been skating).
  5. Poetry: eisteddfod poem and working on your poems for your anthology.

Thursday 31 May 2012

University of New South Wales Exams

Once again students may register to sit these exams.  The two coming up shortly are Writing which costs $17.50 and Spelling at a cost of $9.50. Mrs Moors needs to register anyone interested in these by tomorrow.  If you would like your child to participate in this please contact her first thing tomorrow at school or by email. rachellemoors@stgerards.school.nz  The English and Maths papers information will also be available in the near future.

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Skating

Thank you so much to the parents who provided transport to the rink yesterday.  Next week we skate on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 - 11 am. Could those who have offered transport please be at the church carpark at 9:45am.  I will be with the class on Wednesday and Mr Davies on Thursday.

It is important for safety that everyone brings gloves to wear on the ice - I have had the misfortune to see the result of an accident which would have been much less severe if the child had been wearing gloves, so please bring these and wear them.

It was interesting yesterday to have the opportunity to try curling - the rest of the lessons will focus on improving skating skills.

Farewell to Noah on Friday

Just a reminder about what was in the newsletter this week.

Assembly at 11am in the hall. All welcome. It is our turn to lead this assembly however, the time frame is short this week and the assembly is about saying goodbye to Noah, Jessian and Deborah.  We are working on making a short i-movie to present.

The class will have a shared lunch at about 12:00 in the classroom.  Please bring some food to share. Our lunch will be finished in time for any sports practices that are scheduled for Friday lunch time.

Monday 28 May 2012

Week 6 Homework

This week and until the end of the term our maths learning is about addition and subtraction strategies. All year we have worked on keeping our knowledge of basic facts snappy so that we can use this knowledge to solve problems. Earlier in the year from testing, we identified a weakness in being able to use suitable strategies for word problems, so the teaching will be based on learning a strategy and then practising using it to solve word problems.  This means that we are also working on reading and understanding questions. Some nights a question will come home for your student to work on and talk about the strategy that they are using.
  • Tables - monthly tables test on Friday.  Write your goal for this in your homework book - then do something about this goal by practising the sheet.  Get someone to mark your work so that you can work on any you don't know before the test on Friday.
  • Spelling
  • Reading Log
  • Reading Eggs - hey everything on this site - reading, spelling and writing. Make the most of this free opportunity
  • Morning Programme - Group 1
  • Topic: be sure that you have the date when your earliest ancestors arrived in Central Otago, where they settled and what they did for a job, so that we can add your information to the class timeline.

Newsletter Week 6

Thank you so much to those parents who provided transport and took part in our EOTC trip to Dunstan House and Clyde last Wednesday. What amazing history we have at our own back door and some people were able to make connections to their first family settlers in this area. How difficult and isolated it must have been for the few farmers who lived in the area before the Gold rush in 1862.

Skating starts tomorrow. Thank you to Kath, Dale and Helen who have offered to assist with transport for this tomorrow - we almost have enough.  We will leave from the church carpark at 12:45 - the lesson starts at 1pm. I have 4 skating notices returned today - if yours was still in a school bag, please return this so that transport can be arranged for next week's skating. Dress warm in mufti - especially a jacket as ...

We will visit the library tomorrow, leaving school at 9am - and will need parents to accompany us.  Thank you to those who have been so generous of your time so far this year, which has allowed us to use this wonderful community resource.

Monday is Queen's Birthday Weekend.  On Tuesday Mrs Sue Wright will teach Room 4 while I complete  individual reading testing and on Thursday 7th Mr Terry Davies will teach the class while the whole staff head to Hawea School to look at ideas for teaching children to write.

Farewell Assembly: Friday at 11:00 - we  are the class to lead the assembly as we say goodbye to Noah and also to Jessian & Deborah Muchiri. Please bring something for a shared lunch which we will have at 12:00 in Room 4 with Noah.  All the best Noah as you move to Rangiora.  You will be able to keep up with what we are up to through our Blog.

Spelling Quiz: I have entered 3 teams in this competition - at this stage a team of 3 and two teams of 2.  A couple more people would be great - remember that this is a team effort so you work together. Those attending are: Ursin, Caleb, Bailey, Zachary, Celia, Zoe and Anna. There is plenty of transport for all.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Reading Eggs

I have registered our class for this interactive reading site and we have a trial period till 22nd June. Google Reading Eggs to get onto the site. Everyone will have their password in their homework book next week.  Some people already have their passwords and have had a look at this site at school.  It looks like a lot of fun while improving our reading skills.  This morning Zachary was checking out his spelling knowledge on this - a great way to practise your spelling skills before the Quiz in June.  Make the most of this introductory free offer.

Central Otago Orienteering

Today our team of Ella, Gabrielle, Zak and Zachary took home a note from Miss Rodgers about this event on 6th June.  Please be sure to read this information and return the slip to Miss Rodgers as soon as possible so that she can continue with the organisation of this event.

Spelling Quiz

The ODT Spelling Quiz for Years 5 & 6 will be held at the Cromwell College Auditorium from 4:30 till 6pm on Wednesday 20th June. If you are keen please get your permission slip back to me by Friday as I need to enter the teams by then.  I have a boy's team of Caleb, Ursin and Zachary all set to go - this was a challenge that two of these boys set for themselves last year. It is a fun night and everything is done as part of a team of 3.  There are lots of fantastic spellers in Room 4 - take up the challenge and have a go.

Monday 21 May 2012

Newsletter/Homework Week 5

Top Bike: Well done to our team of 6, Ella, Bailey, Gabrielle, Will, Levi and Zachary, for your amazing cycling skills on such a freezing day, and you were a team supporting and encouraging each other.  Congratulations to Zachary for a very quick circuit of the grass track, leaving the rest of the race behind. Thank you so much to Mrs Healey and Mrs Martin for braving the Antarctic conditions to manage the team, and Mrs Martin for the lunch time warm up by her fire. There are still some people to pay their $4 to Mrs Bennie at the office - please attend to this immediately.

Wednesday 23rd - visit to Clyde:
At this stage I have 13/24 permission slips to attend this trip, and transport provided by Mrs Hutton, Mrs Naylor, Mrs Rendall, Mrs Loader, Mr or Mrs Middendorf and Mrs Davidson (if we are short).
Please meet at the church carpark ready to leave at 1:00pm.  We will look through Dunstan House, have a look at Clyde's historical buildings with Mrs Haig, then head to the Clyde Museum.  It was really interesting last week to hear about several ancestors who had connections to Clyde's historic buildings many years ago, perhaps you can get a photo of yourself at the site to put with your autobiography and your new research.
As we are now into chilly winter days, be sure to bring a warm jacket and a hat.

Friday next week we will lead assembly and we invite you all to attend in the hall at 2pm.
Homework:
Maths: Revising the x2 and x3 tables
Reading: Record your reading in your log - remember to read a variety of texts
Touch Typing: Use the link to practise this skill for a short time every night if you can
Spelling: Keep working on knowing all the words on your Spellwrite list - testing of these basic lists will be done before the end of the term, so check out the mistakes you made at the beginning of the year. Spelling Quiz information is in the classroom - teams need to be entered shortly even although the competition is not until 20th June.
Religious Education: Please share with your family what we are learning about.
Morning Programme: Group 4

Monday 14 May 2012

Week 4 Term 2

It was exciting today to have our whiteboard installed so now we are all properly shifted into Room 4.

Tomorrow we will be visiting the library to change our books.

What inventive people you all are - some fantastic games to help us get our basic facts faster - well done.

The Kahurangi Maori Theatre group performed this afternoon, sharing with us a variety of Maori myths and legends, music and dance.  We are fortunate that REAP will subsidise this performance by $1 per child with our PTA covering the rest of the cost.  Thank you.

Monday 21 May - Alexandra Rippa Rugby Inter-school Competition, Miss Rodgers has entered the Thursday night team that played during the first term.  There will be a full notice once all details are to hand.

Wednesday 23rd May Rooms 3 & 4 visit to Dunstan House - Clyde. As part of our inquiry this term we will take a walk through Clyde (The Dunstan) looking at the historic buildings and also tour Dunstan House which has retained many of the original fittings of earlier times. We will need transport for this please.

Sunday 20th May - Working Bee to complete the new playground - this will take place after church on Sunday morning - "many hands make light work" - the PTA are keen to have this project completed and I know the children can't wait to have a go on the new fitness equipment.  For further information contact Maria Williams.

Homework

  1. Maths: calculating perimeters. Remember that a perimeter is how far around the outside of a shape.  Keep working on those fast facts. Try http://www.shephardsoftware.com/mathgames there is a whole selection of maths activities.
  2. Spelling: learn your individual list - remember that the spelling quiz is 20th June - who is keen to attend?  I know there is a team of boys who are looking very competitive.
  3. Reading Log: the more you read, the more you know and the better you write.
  4. Morning Programme: Group 3 this week - well done to the 2 groups who have presented so far this term - what a variety of things we have learned about.
  5. Inquiry: last term we found out about our families. We now need to find out when our families first came and settled in the Central Otago area. Why did they come?  What did they do for jobs?  How many generations of your family have lived here?  I think that Alan's family, (the Beilby's) came here before 1920 - I would have to check what we put on the tile outside Central Stories. His grandfather was a raceman and walked each day from Alexandra out towards Chatto Creek to work.  As well as the McArthur Room, there is a room with historical information at Central Stories - ask at the desk if you want to use it to look at old town records.

Central Otago Top Bike Competition

This year there are three teams competing at this competition on Wednesday at Molyneux Tennis Courts. 

Two teams from Room 6 and our team of Ella, Gabrielle, Bailey, Zachary, Will and Levi.  Thank you to Michelle Healey and Kath Martin for agreeing to supervise the team on the day. Please be sure that you have paid your $4 entry to Mrs Bennie.
Registrations start at 9:00 with the competition beginning between 9:30 and 9:45.

Remember that this is a team event so put all your great teamwork and bike skills into practice and have a great day.

Uniform is school sports uniform with your school tracksuit.  I hope the weather holds, if not the cancellation day is Thursday 17th.

Good luck - enjoy

Sunday 6 May 2012

What's happening? Week 3

We all enjoyed having Miss Lyon in our class for two weeks and wish her well as she now returns to Invercargill to her continue with her teaching course.  We hope that she will pop in and see us again when she is in Alexandra.

Thank you to Mrs Kelly and Mr Hutton who accompanied us on our bike ride on Thursday.  It was good to see the skills that people have on their bikes.  Now it is important to put these into action when on the road with mates. To keep this learning in our heads, talk to Mum and Dad about the Give Way rules when you are out in the car with them.  Remember to watch carefully what other road users are doing.  The police recommendation is that people under 10 years should only be on the road with an adult.

Congratulations to Celia, Ella, Zak and Caleb who are again in the 90's Club for tables, as well as Jacob who has continued to score 100% each month. Most people are improving each month, the tables are all correct and it's just speed that needs to be worked on.

Scholastic Book order forms are in the classroom to be collected - another great selection of books to choose from.

The date for the ODT Spelling Quiz in Cromwell is Wednesday 20th June from 4:30 - 6pm. It would be good to send several teams of three.  Last year one of our teams came 3= only 2 points behind the winning team.  I know that we have some excellent spellers who would enjoy taking up this challenge. We will practise some of the activities from past quizzes closer to the time.

Have your PE uniform at school each day, as we will be orienteering around the school using the maps and courses that you have designed.  Mr Godsall will be at school on Wednesday morning. School sports uniform is black shorts and school T-shirt.

Homework:
  1. Maths: keep working on those tables - especially + and - to 20. Design a game to  help people remember these facts.
  2. Spelling: learn your list each night - parent to test and sign on Thursday night.
  3. Reading: record your reading in the back of your homework book every night.  The class will visit the Alexandra Library next Tuesday.
  4. Religious Education: We are learning about the Holy Spirit, last week we learned about the titles of the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel, an advocate and the Spirit of Truth, and what these mean to us - share the home activity worksheet with your family.
  5. Morning Programme - Group 2.
  6. Typing: keep working on your touch typing.

Monday 30 April 2012

Newsletter/Homework Week 2

Welcome to Miss Lyon, our trainee teacher who joined our class last week.  Sadly her time with us is very short, as she returns to her course in Invercargill on Friday.

Last week saw us taking part in lots of Education Outside the Classroom.  Thank you Angela for racing around the hills with us as we learned about finding '"controls" on an orienteering course.  It was great to have Mrs Pearson help us with this too.  Congratulations everyone on your commitment to finding each marker, and not giving up.  There are some very good map readers amongst us, to be an excellent competitor it is also important to be fit. We will continue learning the basics of orienteering around the school grounds, before Mr Godsall comes back on May 9th to work with us again.

On Thursday Mrs Martin issued tracksuits to everyone in Room 4.  This means that she is not issuing and reissuing tracksuits each time people go to represent the school.  So that income can be generated for repairs of the present tracksuits, and replacement of those getting worn out the PTA have decided that a minimal hire fee of $5 be charged. It would be appreciated if this could be paid to the school office as soon as possible.

Riding By:
  • Homework this week is to make sure that you have checked your bike for the safety items that Mr Milford showed you in preparation for our bike ride to the Bike Park on Thursday at 1:00. We will need 2 parents with bikes to accompany us on this trip please, to meet our supervision ratio. Please come to school in sports uniform with school tracksuit.
  • Complete the road signs in your homework books - be sure that you have used the correct colours.  Write the meaning of each sign underneath it.
Class visit to library: Tuesday at 9:00am. Remember those books that you have at home.  Two parents will be needed to walk with us. If the weather is wet we will arrange transport in cars in the morning.

This week we are beginning the Holy Spirit strand of the Religious Education Programme.  We are learning about the titles and symbols of the Holy Spirit.

Maths:
Monthly tables test on Friday.  Most people showed great improvement over last term. Write your goal for Friday's score in your book. Ask mum or Dad to mark your work early in the week so that you can learn any errors. Remember to learn these as a family:   4 + 7 = 11,  7 + 4 = 11, 11 - 4 = 7,  11 - 7 = 4
Our Maths topic is "Measurement"and this week we are learning about using a ruler accurately, and how to measure or calculate perimeters of shapes. Draw some for Mum or Dad to measure.

Spelling:
Learn your individual list ready to be tested on Friday.

Morning Programme:
Group 1 this week, check the planner that is in your homework book.

Reading:
Record your daily reading in your reading log.

Typing:
Keep working at improving your typing - 5 minutes a night is all it will take.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Riding By

Wow - everyone with a bike and helmet today - thanks so much for arranging that at such short notice.  As part of this unit, Mr Milford's homework is to find out about the road code for cyclists. One good source of information are parents as they already have a licence to drive on our roads or try searching using:  ltsa cycle safety, this should bring up a site "The official NZ code for cyclists - About cycling"
one of the websites Mr Milford suggested.

I did have the link here for you but when I tried to use it from the Blog page "the document didn't exist".

Remember he will have a set of questions for you on Thursday as well as the skills test to complete.

Sunday 22 April 2012

Welcome Back to term Two

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback about the use of the Blog.  This week there is a hard copy of the newsletter and homework expectations in homework books along with the Morning Programme term plan. It also has the important dates for the term.  Should there be changes after the staff meeting I will update on here.

Important information:

Bike Safety  - "Riding By" will begin on Tuesday with Mr Milford.  The first session will see us learning how to adjust a cycle helmet correctly, and how to check our bikes for safety items. Everyone needs to have their bike and helmet at school for this session.

Orienteering: also begins on Tuesday with a classroom session on map reading for orienteering with Bill Godsall.  Thursday sees us put our knowledge into action outside the classroom, so runners and PE gear will be needed. This year the Central Otago Competition will be in Wanaka on Wednesday 6th June.

Looking forward to another busy term.

We will shift into our refurbished room just before lunch time. We welcome everyone to visit our wonderful new teaching space - warm and with a wonderful outside area that we can use.  We won't know ourselves.

Tuesday 3 April 2012

What if.......?

What if.....
One day you were in
A toy shop and the toys came alive?
The bears stomped around,
Trucks started roaring around,
Board games played themselves
And everything that bounced started bouncing!

What if ..
You tried to put them
back on the shelf
But they kept coming out.
Would you shut the door and 
Let them wear out?

Brieanna



What if?

What if you were walking along the footpath
And it sang a song?
So you jumped off the footpath
And a car went wrong.
So you jumped in and sang a song
While you were driving along.

Maisie


What if?

What if
You went to the bookstore
And thought it was a bore?
Then you opened a book and had a look,
And your ears went really sore.
A hundred lions roaring and growling,
And you wanted to do more browsing.
Would you shut the book?

Simone


What if....?

What if the Queen was sitting on her throne
And she was all alone?
So she opened a book
To have a look,
And she found a skeleton bone.
If it was you would you shut the book?

Zoe

Monday 2 April 2012

`Newsletter and Homework 2 April

It's hard to believe that this is the last week of the term.  The 10 weeks have been really full on.  Thank you so much to all the parents who have helped in such a wide variety of ways.  Without this support there are so many things that we would be unable to take part in.
I hope to shift into the new classroom over the holidays at the end of the  second week. These rooms are looking just amazing, although we have been very comfortable this term, and it is nice and close to the office.

This week I have sent a hard copy of the homework sheet as I would like to get your feedback on what has worked and what has been difficult in terms of using the class blog as the tool to keep everyone informed, and how this could be improved for next term.  It has been a learning curve for me, but certainly has saved paper and it has also meant that I am able to update if extra information needs to go home after our Monday staff meetings.  Please complete the part at the bottom of the homework sheets in the homework books.


What's Happening This Week?
11:30 Thursday sharing Eisteddfods - 1 boy and 1 girl from each class, followed by a retelling of the events of Holy Week.

Today the Scripture Reading Eisteddfods were of a high standard.  I was pleased to be listening to people who were phrasing the reading and using the punctuation to make the meaning clear.  There were some very thoughtful reflections about why the reading had been chosen. Well done everyone. Talk about organised, some people have chosen their poem for next term already.

Congratulations to Hannah and Bailey who performed exceptionally at the aerobic gymnastic competitions at the weekend.  Go girls!

Because the library visits have been so worthwhile and the books are so fantastic, we will be using this library again next term every second week starting in week 2, Tuesday 1st May.  Thanks again to those people who have walked with us.

Have a wonderful holiday, enjoying your fantastic children.  I hope this amazing weather continues into Easter and the holidays.


Thursday 29 March 2012

Earth Hour 2012

Saturday 31st March, 8:30 - 9:30pm.

Check out www.youtube.com/earthhour

There is a challenge "Ï will if you will".  Think about making changes for more than just an hour on Saturday night.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Homework & Newsletter 27 March

Well done everyone - all our EOTC slips back really quickly.  Thank you.
Good luck to those of you who are representing the school at the Central Otago Triathlon - go hard, support each other and be proud of your efforts to have been selected, you are all winners for this.

It's hard to believe that the term is nearly over and here are the end of term dates and times.
Rooms 3 & 4 will be participating in the Friday mass at 12:00 in the church this week.  Please join us.

Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday.

On Monday 2nd April the Kapahaka group will welcome our ERO visitors to the school, please practice the actions for Haere Mai to keep them in your minds.

Tuesday 3rd April, our last visit to the Alexandra Library for this term.  Thank you so much to Michelle, Kath, Dale, Angela and Mary who have helped us this term by accompanying us - I hope I haven't missed anyone. Using this facility has been fantastic and Janene has quickly identified the types of texts that individuals enjoy, and we have all enjoyed the huge range of books available.  I intend for our class to continue to use this resource on a regular basis once our school library is back in action.  We are also grateful to the librarians for opening the library for us prior to opening time.  As everyone now has their own library card, be sure to use it over the holidays.

Thursday 5th April: 1 boy and 1 girl from each class will present their Bible reading Eisteddfods at 11:30, followed by the retelling of Holy Week through songs, drama and readings. Parents are invited to stay at school for lunch - further information in the school newsletter.  At 1:30 the end of term assembly will include the presentation of the swimming cups and Triathlon certificates.

Homework

  1.  Maths - use those maps for giving and receiving directions.  Have you tried the nzmaths site for basic facts practice? It's free, you just need to get yourself a log in. Don't forget that there is a box of family games and activities in the classroom for borrowing.
  2. Reading - keep your reading log up to date.
  3. Spelling - learn these each night, get someone to test you and sign your list on Thursday night.
  4. Touch Typing - www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/  please record in your homework book which level you are working on.
  5. Morning Programme - Group 4 this week. There have been some fantastic oral presentations, we are all learning so many new things.
  6. Bible Reading Eisteddfod - some excellent explanations have been written, write yours into your homework book.  This part of the eisteddfod needs to be known so that you just talk about what the reading means to you, before you read the text from the bible.  Check the sheet that you took home last week. Please see me if you have any problems, I am here to help. Room 4 Eisteddfods will be presented on Monday 2nd April at 9:00.

Thursday 22 March 2012

Tables Practice

Try this site for getting those tables fast. A good section on addition and subtraction to 20 as well as multiplication and division. There is a "learn a new table" part where there are visuals to help see how the numbers are being joined or separated.  You will need to get a log in, but it can be used at home as well as at school.

http://www.nzmaths.co.nz/

Choose "Basic facts learning objects"

Good luck

Monday 19 March 2012

Thank You

The outfits for our dress up day were amazing, thank you so much for assisting your students with these.  Despite the rain, the day was a real celebration of our learning. There were some pretty competitive marble players, but knucklebones is a game not played by many - a wee way for most of us to go to get past Ones.

Central Otago Triathlon

Well done everyone on your determination to give the school triathlon your best shot.  Miss Rodgers has given information to those selected to attend the Central Otago Triathlon in Cromwell next Wednesday. Please get these back tomorrow if possible as Monday is a holiday, this will allow transport to be arranged.

Sunday 11 March 2012

Homework 19 March 2012

I hope this is working for you - it certainly will save a few trees and means that I can update during the week.
What's Happening In Room 4?
For maths we are looking at giving and receiving directions using mathematical language. Share some maps together and discuss which places are north, south, east or west of others. Get a tear off map of Alexandra from the Information Centre to look at and talk about.  Give directions for getting from one place to another, "turn left at ________ St and walk east until you come to _______ St, turn right ..."

IMPORTANT: everyone was given a blanket permission form for EOTC events along with a letter from Mrs Eastwood today. Please return this form by Wednesday morning at the latest.  My goal is to have all back tomorrow if I can.  I know we can do it Room 4.
  • Spelling: lists are in books for learning, be sure that a parent signs your learning on Thursday night.
  • Read for at least 10 minutes each night and record this in the reading log, some people need to glue in a new reading log.
  • Morning Programme: Group 3  this week.
  • Maori: continue to share your mihimihi with your family. Great to hear how quickly some people have perfected this and have excellent pronunciation. Ms Tamati was impressed with your knowledge last Monday. Like anything it is just a matter of practise to remember yours.
  • Bible Reading Eisteddfods will be presented on Monday 2nd April. Now is the time to choose a Bible story that means a lot to you. The information sheet about this will be given out tomorrow.
  •  Autobiographies: Wow! some amazing pieces of work of which you should be really proud. Those with parts still to finish need to have these to me before the end of the week. Something for you people to work on now, is your time management.
  • Touch typing: keep working on improving your skills www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/
  • The maths website which may be useful http://nz.ixl.com/math/ 
  • Keep working on those basic facts especially addition and subtraction to 20.

Thursday 8 March 2012

Centenary

What a fantastic weekend of celebrations we had.  Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, from designing the goody bags to performing in the Kapahaka Group or the choir, or taking part in the Saturday Liturgy or Sunday Mass.
If you have not been to the school over the last week, make some time to have a wander round and appreciate the fantastic art work, the beautiful gardens and the classrooms which have amazing displays.
I felt so proud of how Room 4 stepped up as school leaders on Friday, leading the National Anthem at the Citizenship Ceremony and also leading by example at the Time Capsule burial. The letters we have written to ourselves in 2062 which are inside this capsule are very enlightening.

It is not too late to order a copy of the Centenary Book for just $15 - this will become a historical document for our children with the set of class photographs from 2011 included.  See Mrs Bennie at the office.

RNZAF Visit

Thank you so much to all the parents who were so fast to offer transport to the airport at very short notice. We all learned heaps about how the Airforce and the Army co-operate, and being able to sit in the cockpit of the Hercules and watch some spectacular flying were real highlights of our learning this week.  When asked about who wanted to join the airforce, there were plenty of recruits for the year 2021. My next learning step is how to put a set of photos on here for you all to view at home.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Arrowtown Blog

www.handsonhistory.co.nz

Please go to this website and write about your day and give comments.

Arrowtown

At the start of the day we had to race around making butter, dig long drops, sew rugs and washing!! Not our favourite jobs in the world to do but part of our learning for the day. We also got to meet Miss Grey she  used a cane in the 1890's but she wasn't allowed to use it yesterday.  She used words like soldier and was very strict on presentation.  The boys were told to cut their hair and clean their ears.  We had a fabulous day and we will post more about this over the next week.