Year 3 Graduation

This morning we held a Graduation Ceremony for the 2013 Year 3 children. They have all been great role models, with a positive attitude towards their learning. 

Here are our Year 3s with their certificates:

Congratulations to: 

(Back) Rheubyn, Jonathan, Xavier, Daniel, Conor, Ruaridh and Erin

(Front) Eve, Libby, Rebecca, Won Jeong, Amelia K and Harriet

Term 4 Week 9

On Friday we presented the last of our plays for 2013. I am very impressed with what the children have learnt through preparing for and presenting plays. The enthusiasm, creativity and energy that has gone into this part of the curriculum is amazing. The highlight has been the growth in their confidence in being in front of an audience.
Ka pai, Room 5! You are all awesome.

Rebecca, Won Jeong, Eve and Erin

Thea, Poppy, Daniel and Liam

Rheubyn, Xavier, Elspeth, Harry, Jack, Conor and Asher

Jonathan, George, Rata, Sienna, Amelia K, Amelia M, Libby and Ruaridh

We now look forward to the last week of the 2013 school year. It will be a busy week with assembly, Year 3 Graduation, prize giving, school mass and farewells. Please note the following dates and times:

Tuesday 17 December 9:15am for Year 3 parents only - Year 3 graduation in the school hall (please bring a small plate of food to share for morning tea)

Wednesday 18 December 6:30pm for all - final school mass in the church - children wear uniform and sit with their parents

Thursday 19 December 12:30pm School finishes - reports (for some), 2014 class placements and stationery lists are handed out

Production Recounts

Last night we all performed in the Junior Syndicate musical "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". Everyone overcame their nerves and a few behind the scenes glitches to give an amazing performance. I am very proud of the way the children stepped up.
The outstanding favourite skit was Charles and the Seal.
Here's some snippets from our recount of the production:

I was a present. In the dance we did eight gallops to the left and then eight gallops to the right and then we went in and out two times. Then we skipped across to the side of the stage, picked up the presents and put them under the Christmas tree. We went round the tree and lined up to bow and curtsey. By Amelia M

I'm in kapa haka. When the curtains were closed everybody was getting into their lines. I was in the front row. When the curtains opened it was really scary. Everybody was looking at us. The light was on us and I couldn't see anything. By Elspeth

It was really scary when we started. I was really nervous and I felt like I couldn't do it right. So I just thought to myself they're only mums, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents and theyr're not scary. Suddenly the curtains rose, thousands of people started at me and the music started. Finally the nerves drifted away. By Thea 

Then it was the Junior production. My favourite part was when Lily said 'Where are the blankets?' By Makahni

I was a traveling child. I was nervous when it was my part because there were lots and lots of people at the Aurora Centre. By Liam

Last night was the school production. the kapa haka group were on stage first. The boys did their haka. By Rheubyn

Yesterday was Wednesday and at six fifteen my sister and I were in the green room for the production. The Year 3s had to audition for a part in the production. By Amelia K

When it was my turn I felt really nervous. I was a bit late going on but it was great. I want to do it again. I think that all the practise was worth it. By Rebecca

In the production there were lots of claps and laughter going on. By Daniel

I was so sleepy when it was my bit so I had to use my two very last loud voices for the night. By Erin

Please wash and iron your costumes before returning them to school as soon as possible. Thank you for your support with this.

Term 4 Week 6

At today's school assembly Elspeth received a certificate.

Ka pai, Elspeth, we are proud of you.

Jack also received a certificate - his second Gold Mathletics certificate for 2013. This is an amazing achievement and represents Jack's dedication and commitment to working on Mathletics regularly. Congratulations, Jack, we are proud of you.

This morning's swimming went well - we all got on the bus and made it to the pool in time for our lessons. Thank you for your support with this. Check out these photos:

Daniel, Eve, Rebecca, Conor, Libby,
Harriet and Xavier

Ruaridh, Erin, Won Jeong and Amelia K

Term 4 Week 4 'Star of the Week'

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Erin.

Ka pai, Erin, it's great to have you in our room.

Yesterday the Kakapo Reading Group received certificates recognising the fantastic work they did in working together to design and create a bridge. Ka pai Lachlan, George, Daniel and Chris.

Asher has been inspired by Eric Carle's books. He has created his own Little Cloud book. Tino pai, Asher.

Today was animal theme mufti. Check out our zoo:

Makahni, Xavier, Rheubyn and George

Lachlan, Jack, Elspeth and Poppy

Rata, Amelia K and Erin

Harry, Rebecca, Thea and Conor 

Chris, Ruaridh, Daniel and Asher

Amelia M, Won Jeong, Sienna, Harriet, Eve and Libby

Bridge Making

Over the last couple of weeks the Kakapo Reading Group, Chris, Daniel, George and Lachlan, have been making a bridge. They read the book 'The Impossible Bridge' then they discussed different types of bridges. They looked at the bridges that were in the book then they decided to build a suspension bridge. This morning they presented their work to the class and to the Deputy Principal.
Ka pai, boys, you worked really well together, make an amazing bridge and did a fantastic job of presenting your learning to us.

Lachlan, George and Chris constructing their bridge

George, Chris and Daniel presenting their learning

Term 4 Week 2

We have had a busy week - on Monday we completed the stained glass windows we were working on with our Room 12 Buddies. We made these to show our learning about Jesus. We told our buddies what we had learnt and they shared their learning with us. Then we wrote on the windows before colouring them in. We wiped baby oil over them to create a stained glass effect. Our big buddies then cut them out and mounted them onto black paper for us. Come into our room to see them.

On Tuesday and Wednesday we had production practice. We have been busy learning the songs and the Year 3s have been learning their lines. We will continue with twice weekly syndicate practices and the Year 3s will have extra practices to learn their lines.

Today we had Discovery Time with Room 6. This is a fantastic session where children direct their own learning. It is great to watch the children working together and teaching each other. Check out these photos:

Lachlan and George

Thea, Rebecca and Poppy

Conor and Daniel

Asher

This week we also did some writing. Here's Rata's recount from her weekend:

Yesterday I went bike riding with my Mum, to Jellie Park. I was really hot. I was sweating while I was riding. Then at last we got there. I dipped my feet in the waterfall and walked around in it until my feet got shivering. Then it was time to go. I hopped on my bike and sped off to go home to Dad and Bree. It was a hot ride home.

Notices:
*No school on Monday - Labour day.
*The Parent Council are holding a Garden Tour on Sunday 10 November. If you have a spare hour or two and would like to help on the day please let me know. If you haven't got your ticket be in quick - they are selling fast. $25 from the school office.
*Wanted: Dress ups for Discovery Time; magazines for cutting up. Please bring into Room 5.
*As next week is a short week we will not have spelling homework. Children will bring home basic facts to learn and a reading book each night. Also try out Mathletics for some extra challenges.
*For your diary - Room 5 will be leading the school assembly on Monday 4 November.

Have a great long weekend.

Measurement

In Maths we have been learning about measurement. Today we had to fit eight rectangles into a bigger rectangle. This proved to be a challenge but between us we found 12 different ways to do this. They are on the classroom wall - come in and check them out. Here we are working to solve the problem.

Eve

Elspeth

Liam

Asher and Daniel

Ferrymead Trip

On Tuesday Room 13, Room 12 and Room 4 went to Ferrymead. While there we experienced what life was like 100 years ago. We had to dress up in costumes and wear them all day. The girls' dresses made walking and playing tricky as they were long. We had a great day. A special THANKS to the mums who helped us.
Here's some photos:

Harry, Daniel, Jack

Elspeth, Eve and Poppy

Chris wrapping soap

Amelia K counting blackballs

George spinning a wheel

Asher making a bed

Lachlan doing the dishes

Harry ironing

Xavier and Conor doing the dishes

Poppy and Rata on the tram

Jonathan on a hobby horse

Our teacher - she is not allowed to smile!

Term 3 Week 2

At today's school assembly Daniel and Asher received certificates.

Ka pai, boys, it's great to have you in Room 13.

Term 3 Week 1 'Star of the Week'

The first 'Star of the Week' for Term 3 is Sienna.

Ka pai, Sienna, it's great to have you in Room 13.

It's been great to see everyone this week and to catch up on the holiday happenings. Here's some of our recounts:

The most worthwhile thing I did in the holidays was going to Gore. In Gore I stayed on the farm. I was jumping off the trailer onto the grass and dirt while the motorbike was still going. It hurt a bit but it was fun. 
Daniel

The thing I would never do again is go on a treasure hunt with my Mum. We had to do ten levels. We started at Level Seven. I would never do it again because it took us two hours.
Makahni

The funniest thing that happened to me in the holidays was when my family went to Wanaka. We went to Puzzle World. There was a room that tilted to the side. My Mum was going to take a picture of my sister, my friends and me on a bar. I was holding onto the bar and Mum said to let go. I let go and fell over. My sister and friends laughed at me. 
Amelia K

This week we have started talking about our topic, Early New Zealand. Today we visited the Room 1 display. We were able to touch lots of olden day things like bellows, irons, heavy pots and other cooking utensils. We have formed our Inquiry Groups and already have lots of ideas about what we want to learn. We are looking forward to finding out lots of interesting things about life in NZ last century.

Term 2 Week 8 'Star of the Week'

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Eve.

Ka pai, Eve, it's great to have you in Room 13.

At lunch time we had a farewell party for Mr H, who has been teaching us for the last six weeks. He has been a fantastic teacher and we will miss him. He gave us a book called 'Hester and Lester' so we can remember him each time we read it.

We only have two more weeks of Term 2 left. Over the next two weeks we will be preparing plays. Today we chose our own groups and on Monday we will get our plays to work on. 

In Religious Education we are learning about God being present in creation. Thank you for your support with the homework sheets

We continue our Light and Colour theme - this topic has enabled us to learn new things about light and colour, as well as write amazing poetry and create lovely art works. Come into our room and check out our walls.