Classroom News

On Tuesday four boys were named 'Player of the Day' for their respective Touch Rugby teams.
Ka pai to Harry, George, Lachlan and Jonathan.

Elspeth was presented with a certificate of Excellence for her dance performance. Ka pai, Elspeth.








This afternoon Makahni, Chris, Lachlan and Harriet presented their play 'Maui and The Sun'. They put on a superb performance.

Asher sharing his story with Poppy

Touch Rugby

After Tuesday's Touch Rugby games four Room 5 people were named 'Player of the Day' for their respective teams. Congratulations to:
Rheubyn, Makahni, Harry and Lachlan.

Term 4 Week 8

At today's school assembly Makahni received a certificate.

Ka pai, Makahni, we are proud of you.

Chris also received a certificate - his second Gold Mathletics certificate for 2013. Congratulations, Chris, this is an amazing achievement and shows your dedication and commitment to working on Mathletics regularly.

*This week we hope to get back into our normal routines. Spelling and Basic Facts will come home tomorrow. The children are keen to perform plays again so they will have these to work on as well. A browsing box book should come home every night for home reading. If your child doesn't bring one home, please let me know. 

*There are still a few costumes to be returned. Please get your washed and ironed costumes back as soon as possible.

*The school library is closed for issuing of new books. Please return any books you may have at home so that our librarian can do a stock take.

*Next week (on Friday 13 December) we will be completing a big spelling test. Everyone will be tested in words from lists 4 - 7. If you cannot find your copy of these words, please ask for a new one.

*Thank you for your continued support of our classroom programme.

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

Makahni and Liam waiting to get into the pool

Week 6 is now over. It has been a full-on week with swimming in the mornings and production practice in the afternoons. Thank you for your support in getting your child to school in time to catch the bus to the pool and with all their swimming gear. I have enjoyed watching the children's progress at swimming.



Here's some more of our 'All About Arthur' poems:

In Thailand Thea met a terrible tiger teaching turtles how to tiptoe.

Her name was Teddy the terrible Tiptoe Tiger.
She tends to talk too much to Tiffney the Tutu Tiger on the telephone.

In Southern Spain Sienna met a seal.
Her name was Summer. She did six somersaults in the sea.

In America Asher met an ape.
His name was Arthur.

He had amazing eyes.

On Tuesday Harry and Conor were named 'Player of the Day' for their respective Touch Rugby teams. Ka pai, boys, keep playing hard.

Next Wednesday is Production Day. We will be having a dress rehearsal on Monday. If you have not already brought your costume to school, please bring it on Monday. On Wednesday we will be going to the Aurora Centre for our final practise. Tickets are on sale at the school office - $6 each.

Enjoy your weekend - no doubt the children will sleep well.

Term 4 Week 5

At today's school assembly George received a certificate.

Ka pai, George, we are proud of you.

On Sunday Rata and Sienna competed in the Fun Triathalon at South Hagley. They each received a certificate. Ka pai girls.

This morning Simon from the Burnside Tennis Club taught us some fun games using a tennis racquet and a tennis ball. Check out these photos of us playing the games. We will have another tennis session tomorrow. Bring sports shoes to change into and girls might like to bring shorts to wear during tennis.

Playing 'Crabs'

Harriet

Elspeth

Makahni and Xavier

Looking ahead to Week 6 - we will be swimming every morning. A yellow notice was sent home today. This has all the swimming details you need. Please ask if you have any questions. The bottom piece of the notice only needs to be returned if you are able to help with swimming. We do need Dads/Grandads/Uncles to help the boys get dressed after their swims as the (female) teachers cannot go into the male change rooms. Of course Mums/Grandmas/Aunties are welcome as well.

There is no spelling homework this week, but there are Basic Facts to learn for a test on Thursday.

Term 3 Week 4 'Star of the Week' and Other News

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

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

Today Makahni turned 7. We sang 'Happy Birthday' and wished him all the best for the coming year.

Jack and Harry have been reading a book called 'The Runniest Nose'. They then made it into a play, which they performed this morning.

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.

Room 13 News

Today Sienna brought in the gold medal and certificate she won at a recent ballet competition. Congratulations Sienna.

Today we learnt about what transparent, translucent and opaque mean. Transparent means that light can shine straight through, translucent means that light can shine through, and opaque means that light cannot shine through.
We looked at different materials and predicted whether they were transparent, translucent or opaque. We then tested each one by holding it up to the light to check our prediction. Most of our predictions were correct but there were some items that tricked us.
We now have another question: Do some colours let more light through than other colours?

Chris, George, Makahni

Harry, Conor, Xavier, Amelia M and Eve

Term 2 Week 8

Today Rheubyn received a certificate at the School Assembly.

Ka pai, Rheubyn, we are proud of you.

This weekend Poppy went to Blenheim for a gymnastics competition. She received a certificate for placing 5th in her grade. Well done, Poppy.

The top three Mathletes for last week are Won Jeong, Xavier and Jack. Ka wani ke.

At writing time today we were able to write about anything we liked. Here's some of our efforts:

Leaves are cool, for my pool

Leaves are red, like my bed

I can see my hair, it is furry like a bear

I am so strong, my beard is so long

There is a cat in the hat

I can see something fat, it is a rat

     By Makahni

Spring

Spring is when the sun comes up

Spring is when our flowers bloom

Spring is not when trees go boom!

Spring is when it is nice and peaceful

I like spring because it makes me happy

Spring is when bees come near us!

Yay, I'm happy spring is here

     By Libby

Look over there

Look, look, look

That purple flower's in a book

     By Thea

Flowers

Cool colourful flowers blooming out side

Purple poppies prancing around

Red roses sitting on the ground

How pretty they look after the flowers pop their heads out of the grass

I wish I had some in my little jars

But in the winter they curl up to their stump

I wish they would just come up.

Red and orange and yellow and green, blue and indigo and violet

I love flowers!!

     By Rebecca

On Saturday I thought I was going to hockey but it was too wet to go to hockey. So I got dressed and I got snuggled up on the couch and watched TV. I got a pink blanket and a cushion and lay down. I took a sleep. When I woke up I had a snack and played with my sisters.

     By Elspeth

In three week's I am going to my Grandma's and Granddad's. I will go with my two little brothers. Their names are Alex and Nick.

     By Daniel

Term 2 Week 4 'Star of the Week'

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

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

Thanks for a great week with swimming - the children were amazing! A special thanks to those who were able to help with dressing the children, we really appreciate you.

Have a great weekend. See you on Tuesday.

Rain Poems

This morning we wrote Rain poems. We had to use our senses to describe the rain. Here's a sample of our poems:

I like the rain
Rain smells like salt water
Rain feels like slippery water
Rain tastes like butter
Rain sounds like pitter patter
Rain looks like blue drops        By Thea

I like the rain
Rain smells like water
Rain feels like slinky water
Rain tastes like acid
Rain sounds like banging
Rain looks like snow                 By Makahni

I like the rain
Rain smells like salt
Rain feels like big drops
Rain tastes like snow
Rain sounds like thin drops
Rain looks like blue drops          By Libby

I like the rain
Rain smells like butter
Rain feels like wet rain
Rain tastes like salt water
Rain sounds like tit tit tit
Rain looks like tin drops             By Elspeth

I like the rain
Rain smells like ice
Rain feels like hot water
Rain tastes like salt
Rain sounds like sticks breaking
Rain looks like thin lines              By George

I like the rain
Rain smells like snow
Rain feels like little balls of water
Rain tastes like salt
Rain sounds like pitter patter
Rain looks like very bright blue     By Liam

Term 2 Week 2

At today's school assembly Isobel received a certificate.

Ka pai, Isobel, we are proud of you.

Three boys were named 'Player of the Day' for their Saturday sport. Congratulations to: Jonathan - soccer; Lachlan - soccer; and Makahni - rugby league.

Mathletics certificates were presented to Jonathan and Erin as our top scorers for Week 1. The 'Mathlete of the Week' is chosen in the following way: all children who achieve a Mathletics certificate in the previous week have their names put into the tin. The class leader the pulls a name out and that person receives the Mathelete of the Week trophy. This is the first time someone has been chosen two weeks in a row. Ka pai, Erin.

Notes for Week 2:

On Wednesday Mr H will be teaching in Room 13 so that I can attend my daughter's graduation in Wellington.

Reading Eggs trial has been extended until 20 May. 

Winter: it would be a help if those who wish to play soccer or rugby at break times could bring along an old pair of track pants that they can pull on over their shorts. Please also bring a plastic bag to put the muddy pants in. If you wish to bring old/sports shoes/gumboots for outside play that would be appreciated. Children MUST wear their full uniform to and from school.

Term 2 Week 1 'Star of the Week'

The first 'Star of the Week' for Term 2 is Elspeth.

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

Today Sienna turned 7. We sang Happy Birthday to her and wished her all the best as a 7 year old.

Ruaridh and Conor

The Room 13 children have worked very hard this week. As well as settling back into school and doing the routine curriculum activities they have completed a maths test and a spelling test. I am very impressed with how they are 'Stepping Up for Success'. This afternoon we had choosing time. We enjoyed being with each other, playing games, creating, taking photos and using the computers. Check out these photos:

Won Jeong and Elspeth

Won Jeong, Amelia M and Eve

Makahni and Xavier

Libby

We have up graded our school email system which, among other things, enables the newsletter to be emailed to every family. Please let me know if you wish to receive the newsletter via email or would prefer to continue to receive a hard copy each Thursday. 

Looking ahead to next week:

Gumboots and slippers and a raincoat are essential items on wet days. Children may wish to bring an older pair of track pants to wear while playing soccer/rugby at break times. These are not to be worn to school but can be put on at morning tea or lunch times and taken off before coming back into the classroom.

Term 1 Week 11

This is the last week for Term 1 - where has the time gone?!

Today Amelia M received a certificate at the School Assembly.

Ka pai, Amelia, we are proud of you.

The top three Mathletes for Week 10 are: Jack, Sienna and Won Jeong.

Mathlete of the Week Makahni

Winter sport started on Saturday. 15 Room 13 people play winter sport. Check out Xavier, George and Thea in their Marist Rugby uniform: (thanks to Xavier's Dad for the photo)

Thank you to those who attended the Student Led Conferences this afternoon. It is great to be able to share your child's learning and progress with you. You can be proud of your children and the effort they are putting into their learning.

Note: There will be no boys Kapa Haka at 8am tomorrow as Matua is going on school camp.

Term 1 Week 10 Work and News

Check out our bananas:

We made these bananas then we had to write instructions so that another person could make a banana too. We learnt that instructions have: a title, a list of what you need and a step by step list of what to do. Read these instructions and you will find out how we made our bananas.

Making a Banana

By Makahni

You will need:

Banana picture

Scissors

Crayons

Pencil

Method:

1. Put your name on the back

2. Colour the banana

3. Cut the banana

4. Curl the banana skin

Making a Banana

By Poppy

You will need:

Scissors

Crayons

Pencil

Banana picture

Method:

1. Write your name on the back

2. Colour the banana picture, 3 Star colouring

3. Cut the banana picture

4. Get a pencil and roll the banana skin around the pencil

Making a Banana

By Rebecca

You will need:

Crayons

Pencil

Scissors

Banana picture

Method:

1. Put your name on the back of the banana

2. Colour in the banana

3. Cut your banana out

4. Curl your banana skins forward with the pencil

Making a Banana

By Xavier

You will need:

Scissors

Pencil

Crayons

Banana picture

Method:

1. Put your name on the back

2. Colour the banana

3. Cut the banana out

4. Curl the banana skin


News:
*Tomorrow - Thursday 11 April at 11:15am the Junior Run, Jump, Throw Display will 'kick off'. Please come along and support your child/ren. Bring a picnic lunch to share afterwards.
Children will need their sports/running shoes and (girls) shorts.

*Apologies for the muck-up with the spelling - I printed the wrong list. I am hoping that everyone has been able to learn their words in three days instead of four. Thanks to the people who pointed this out to me.

*Today you will have received an invitation to our concert. We will be performing our plays next Wednesday (17 April) starting at 1:45pm, in our classroom. Room 13 has done an amazing job of learning their lines, working out their stage movements and creating their props. (I am very proud of them.) If you are able to come you are in for a treat.