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.