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

Tennis Lessons and Poems

Today we had another tennis session. We loved playing crabs and having competitions to see who could bounce the ball, using the tennis racquet, for the longest. We also stood in a circle and passed two tennis balls around our racquets. We managed to do this in under a minute. Check out these photos:

 

Liam

Asher

Won Jeong

As part of our Eric Carle topic study we have been reading 'All About Arthur'. Arthur is a lonely ape who visits different places to find friends. We have written our own poems using the same formula. Here's some for you to enjoy ... (All our poems will be displayed in the classroom next week)

In Timaru I saw a toothless, ticklish, trained tiger who loved turkey on toast for tea. His name was Tim Tam Tiger. He was terrifying. Rooooar! Harriet

In Edinburgh Eslpeth saw an enormous elephant. Her name was Ella. Ella was eating an electric eel.

In Bangladesh Xavier met a buffalo. His name was Benny. He had a bear. Benny built a beautiful bunk for them. 

In Russia Rebecca ran into a rowdy rhino. Her name was Ruby. She had a rude rabbit. Ruby ate red radishes with raspberry rocky road.

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.

Maths Fun

We are learning about measurement. We have learnt about non-standard and standard measures and why we need standard measures. We have learnt different measurement vocabulary. We also learnt that when we use a ruler to measure anything we have to start at the 0, not the end of the ruler.
Yesterday we worked with a buddy to measure different parts of our bodies. Today we found items around the classroom and in the courtyard that were either less than a metre, about a metre or longer than a metre. We had a piece of string that was a metre long to help us. Check out these photos:

Erin and Jonathan

Conor and Libby

Amelia M and Thea

Asher and Won Jeong

Ruaridh and Rebecca

Term 3 Week 6

At today's school assembly Lachlan received a certificate.

Ka pai, Lachlan, we are proud of you.

Yesterday Amelia K, Rata and Amelia M sat dance exams. They each received a badge for their dances. Well done girls. 

We are learning about measurement. Today we used non-standard measures, such as hands, arms, pencils, pencil cases and books. Check out these photos:

Rebecca measuring with her hands

Jack and Harry measuring with their arms

Asher and Ruaridh measuring with a pencil

Rata measuring with her pencil case

Happy Birthday and New Junior Student Leader

Today Eve and Rebecca turned 8. We sang 'happy Birthday' and wished them all the best for the coming year.





This afternoon the two new Junior Student Council Leaders were announced. Eve is the representative from Room 13. Congratulations Eve, we know you will do a fantastic job.

NZ Maths Week

This week is NZ Maths Week. Yesterday we invited our Room 8 buddies to come to Room 13 and play maths games with us. We all had a great time. Thanks Big Buddies! Check out these photos:

Oriana and Rebecca

Gabby and Libby

Eve and Shianne

Rheubyn and Daniel

Lucy and Poppy

Erin, Louise, Amelia M and Kathryn

Mason and Jonathan

Conor and Alexander

Term 2 Week 10 'Star of the Week'

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

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

Today we wore mufti. Check us out!

Today was the last day of Term 2 - where did this term go?! We have learnt lots and have worked very hard. We sadly farewelled Isobel, who heads off to Dunedin next week. We have enjoyed having Isobel in our room and we will miss her. We had a wee party and wished Isobel all the best, especially over the next few weeks. Isobel, you are a star! Keep smiling.

We are now all ready for a well deserved rest. I trust your holiday is relaxing and enjoyable. May you all keep warm and safe over the next two weeks. We will see you back at school on Monday 29 July.

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

Junior School Mass

Thank you for your attendance at the Junior School Mass this morning. Room 13 were fantastic. A special thanks to our two greeters, Isobel and Rata and our two readers. Eve and Rebecca.

The school paths and decking are very slippery, especially if they are icy, so please be careful when you come to school tomorrow. Gumboots for outside and slippers for inside are a good idea.

Term 2 Week 7 'Star of the Week'

This week's 'Star of the Week' is Amelia M.

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

This morning two reading groups presented plays:

The Kakapo Group presented 'The Best Chef'

Isobel, Ruaridh, Sienna, Lachlan, Poppy, Amelia M, Amelia K, Liam

And the Fantail Group presented 'Androcles and the Lion'

Rebecca, Libby, Eve, Erin, Chris

Reminder: Junior School Mass this Sunday 23 June at 9am. Meet in the Parish Centre at 8:45am.