Newsletter 8th April

Great to finally have a full week of teaching. Our minibeasts inquiry is turning up lots of new learning - many people are fascinated with spiders and the huge number of species. Reading and writing for the next two weeks is based around the inquiry - using and learning new literacy skills in context. We are also using a "contract" for the first time, where there is choice about work to be completed.  This gives everyone the opportunity to practise their self management skills, which has been the key competency we have been working on this term - a big challenge for some.  It may be that some people wish to take some things home to work on for homework.  The contract work needs to be completed by Thursday 18th.

Those in the Kapahaka group are  practising hard for the Kapahaka Festival which is at Molyneux Park starting at 1pm on Sunday 14th.  Keep working on the words and actions - the singing sounds fantastic, the group now needs to have the actions exactly in time.  A note will come home Thursday with all the required information.  Please be seated with our group at 12:30, bring a jacket to wear over your costume if the weather is cooler, as we will be sitting for a while watching the other performances.

Ski Camp Fundraising is well under way.  The raffle seems to be selling well, remember that more cards are available from Donna. Cheese Roll order forms will go out at the end of the week.  Anyone wishing to join this fundraiser who hasn't already indicated their interest needs to contact Michelle at healeyclan@hotmail.com before Friday.  Scratchy Boards are also on the go - Angela Sidon is organising this.

Next Monday we have a visiting Maori author and storyteller coming.  He will work with a small group of keen writers from our school as well as Omakau and Poolburn Schools and then will present some storytelling after lunch for everyone. 

Homework

• Spelling: (dated 26th March) - we have waited until the first full week where there are 4 nights to practise.
• Reading: remember to complete your log, information about minibeasts that you have read on the internet counts too.
• Tables - Times Trials - all about 5
• Maths Buddy: for those who have registered
• Morning Programme - Group 4 - Anna you are the leader who needs to remind your group to be ready, Maisie - book review, Zachary - music, Alannah - Our Country, Tyron - How to.., Padraig - poem.