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

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 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 5

Today Harry and Erin received certificates at the School Assembly.
Erin's certificate is a Gold Mathletics Certificate.

Ka pai, Harry and Erin, we are proud of you.

Over the weekend Harry(Rippa Rugby), Jack (Rippa Rugby) and Thea (Cheerleading) received 'Player of the Day' awards for their sports. Well done.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 27 August) the Junior School will be having a wheels day. At lunch time they can ride their scooter or skate board/ripstick or skates on the tennis court. They MUST wear a helmet. Please bring a gold coin or a can for the St Vincent de Paul food bank.

The Knowledge-a-thon info was sent home today. There are prizes to be won so start looking for sponsors and learn the answers to the questions. We will be working on these each day in class as well.

Term 3 Week 3 'Star of the Week'

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

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

Term 3 Week 3

Congratulations to Libby who received a certificate at today's school assembly.

Ka pai, Libby, we are proud of you.

Yesterday Thea turned 7. We sang 'Happy Birthday' and wished Thea all the best for the coming year.

On Saturday Conor and Thea were named 'Player of the Day' for their respective rugby teams. Well done! As well as getting a trophy Conor gets to wear a special jacket.

 

This week is NZ Maths Week. Tomorrow we are going to spend time playing maths games with our Room 8 buddies. It would be great if you could enjoy playing maths games with your child. We know a lot of fun games already and today we learnt a new dice game. Games are a fun way to reinforce class learning. Thank you for your support with this.

Term 3 Week 1

Welcome back to school for another busy term. It was great to see everyone today and to catch up on the holidays. Sounds like everyone has been busy.

Today George received a Gold Mathletics certificate at the school assembly.

Congratulations, George, this is a fantastic effort.

Yesterday Poppy competed in a gymnastic competition. She received two ribbons and a gold medal. Ka pai, Poppy, we are proud of you.






Ruaridh played soccer during the holidays. He received several certificates, including a 'Player of the Day'. Ka pai, Ruaridh.





Last term Thea, Rata and Sienna read a book about scarecrows. During the holidays they made their own scarecrow. Come in to our room to check it out.





A few notes for the beginning of a new term:
*School starts at 8:45am. Children are expected to be at school in time to complete their morning routines before this time. We finish at 2:50pm and Junior Syndicate children should be collected from the classroom. No child is to play on the playground unless directly supervised by the adult taking them home. This is for the children's safety. Thank you for your co-operation with this.
*All reading books, including library books, MUST be transported inside a reading folder/library bag to protect the books. Last term we had several books ruined due to books being put directly into rucksacks then drink bottles leaking. Please ensure your child returns their reader in their reading folder each day. Thank you.
*Library day remains on Mondays. Children must return their book before a new one is issued. Children should put their library books on the classroom book shelf before lunchtime on a Monday.
*Our topic for this term is 'Early New Zealand'. This is potentially a big topic so this week we will be thinking about what we want to learn and narrowing down our focus. If you have any interesting items you would be happy to share with the class, please bring them along. (Please name everything so they can be returned to the right person.) If any parent or grandparent wishes to come along and talk to children about what life was like for them when they were children, please let me know so we can arrange a suitable time.
*On Friday the children will be tested on Essential Lists 4, 5, 6 and 7. Please help your child to learn as many words as they can this week.

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.

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 6 'Star of the Week'

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

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

This week we have been writing poems about colours. Come into our class to read them. Here's some of our acrostic poems titled Colour:

Cool colours
Orange oranges
Light! Look out!
Orange is cool
Ultra violet glowing for you
Really red rainbow
     By Daniel

Colours are beautiful
Orange is cool
Lots of colour
Our orange oranges
Ultra violet we can't see
Rain coming down
     By Won Jeong

Creative copy cat
Oranges are awesome
Lovely light
Oranges are fantastic
Ultra cool umbrella
Really red rainbow
     By Thea

Colourful cool colours colouring in
Orange on the sun
Light, lovely
Our orange oranges
Ultra violet
Really red rainbow
     By Rebecca

Term 2 Week 4

At today's school assembly Sienna received a certificate.

Ka pai, Sienna, we are proud of you.

Yesterday Elspeth turned 7. Today we sang 'Happy Birthday' to her and wished her all the best for the coming year.

Jack, Isobel and Chris received Mathletics certificates for their efforts last week. Jack was also named Mathlete of the Week. Ka pai.

This afternoon the Pukeko Reading Group presented the play 'Too Many Mangoes' to Room 13 and Room 8. They were amazing - look out Hollywood!

Amelia M, George, Erin, Thea, Sienna and Rata

Today's swimming sessions were fantastic - it certainly helped having all the children come to school in their togs. 

Please note that there will be no spelling this week due to swimming.

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 'Star of the Week'

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

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

Over the first two weeks of this term we have been writing about our holidays. We then used the Acrostic Poem link on this blog to publish our poems. We learnt about 'poetic licence' which allows us to write sentences that are not structurally correct when we are writing poetry. Our HOLIDAY poems will be on our wall for you to read next week. (I am proud of what the children achieved.) In the meantime here's a couple of our poems:

Holidays are for relaxing

On TV I watched Madagasca 3

Like to eat sushi for tea

I watched Jurassic Park

Dino soap made at Air Force Museum

A card made with marble painting

Yummy corn muffins, sausages and spaghetti                          By Chris

House shifting for a bigger house

On bike for a ride

Lie down to relax

IPad I played games

Diary of a Wimpy Kid I read

Yummy biscuits                                                                          By Poppy

Hangi made with my Uncle

On April 27 it was my Uncle's birthday

Lamb is what lots of people ate

I saw my Uncle

Dancing ballerinas on TV

A lot of lollies from Granny

Yummy chips and dip for snacks                                            By Thea

This week we began learning about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The children will be bringing home their activity sheets after each lesson. Please discuss these sheets with them and help them to learn the nine Fruits of the Spirit.

Looking ahead to next week:

Our Light and Colour unit continues. We will be forming Inquiry Groups and deciding on our Big Questions. 

Monday: Grad School Teaching Intern starts; School Assembly; Library

Tuesday: Syndicate Assembly

Friday: Mufti Day - dress up as your favourite book or TV or movie character. Gold coin donation

Have a great weekend.

Term 1 Week 11 'Star of the Week' and Other News

The end of Term 1 2013 has arrived! It has certainly been busy and we have kept working until the end. I wish you all a safe, happy and relaxing holiday. Keep checking the Blog and using the bookmarked sites over the break.

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

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

We had lots to celebrate today:

Rata and Amelia K will be turing 7 on Sunday and Saturday respectively. We sang 'Happy Birthday' to them and wished them all the best for their birthdays and the year to follow.

Two people received their first Silver Mathletics certificates today. Congratulations to Thea and Amelia M.





Amelia K received a Principal's Award for her recount of the disco. (See last post for an excerpt.) Ka pai, Amelia.






This morning we made 'Hedgehogs' - fruit kebabs - as an end to our Healthy Eating topic. We enjoyed making them and the finished product looked great.

 

Amelia K, Lachlan, Poppy and Harry                            Chris and Jonathan

Five people received certificates for 100% attendance in Term 1. Congratulations to: Liam, Eve, Jack, Lachlan and Rheubyn. 

Susan, one of our Parent Council reps, sent an email to everyone about upcoming events. If you did not receive this, please let me know and I will forward it to you. Thanks Sharon and Debbie for all you do on the Parent Council.