Team Kahikatea Week 4 Term 3

Kia ora whānau,

Welcome to Week 4! Our teaching and learning programmes are now in full swing, and it's been wonderful to see our new homegroup settling confidently into the breakout space. Next week, Kendall will be welcoming another group of learners from the Koru team. These tamariki have already visited our hub, and their transition is going smoothly as they begin to feel more at home in their new environment.

Supporting Your Child's Independence

We’re thrilled to see so many families encouraging independence by allowing children to come into the hub on their own in the mornings and confidently follow their daily routines. To support this further, at the end of the day, you may want to establish a designated meeting spot with your child—such as the library steps, hall steps, flagpole, or another agreed-upon location outside the hub. This small step makes a big difference in reducing congestion and ensuring a smooth and safe pickup process. Thank you for your continued support!

Mathematics

We are now using these fabulous Oxford Maths Student Workbooks. We will be using these once a week to provide students with the opportunity to revisit and practise key mathematical skills and strategies. Our Year 1 students are using book 1, and our Year 2 students are using book 2.

Maths Week

Click this link for information on how whānau can access the parent portal and find out more about mathematics in New Zealand schools.

Next week is Maths Week, and we’ll be sharing a new maths challenge each day! If you’re dropping by, be sure to check out the whiteboard outside the hub and give it a go. Creating positive and engaging experiences with maths is a key focus of the refreshed curriculum, and we’d love for whānau to join in the fun and be part of the learning!

Keeping Ourselves Safe Weeks 5 & 6

This term, as part of our Health Curriculum, teams will be teaching Keeping Ourselves Safe in Years 0-8, supported by our Police Education Officer, Meg. Click HERE to see more information on our school website.

The four focus areas in the Keeping Ourselves Safe (KOS) junior primary programme are:

I am unique, He taonga ahau
My body is my own, Nōku tōku tinana
Unwanted behaviour or touch, Kore e hiahiatia te whanonga me te pā kino
Adults who help, Ngā kaiāwhina pakeke

What will children learn? They will learn:

to work out when their safety is at risk
how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people
who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused
to go on asking for help until someone does something to stop the abuse
that it is important to make and follow personal, family and school safety rules

There will be homework activities for you to complete with your child/children, and we will send these home at the end of each learning session:

Focus area 1 – I am unique, He taonga ahau

Focus area 2 – My body is my own, Nōku tōku tinana

Focus area 3 – Unwanted behaviour or touch, Kore e hiahiatia te whanonga me te pā kino

Focus area 4 – Adults who help, Ngā kaiāwhina pakeke

Welcome, UC Student Teachers

We are fortunate to have students from the University of Canterbury, and this term we welcome Robert Carpinter to Amber's Homegroup, who has joined us this week and is here for 7 weeks as part of his final placement. Starting on Monday, we welcome Maddison Frame, who will be working alongside Sarah for 6 weeks.

Winter Ills and Chills

Thank you for keeping your child at home when they are unwell — we really appreciate your support. As is common during winter, we’re seeing an increase in illnesses such as fevers and tummy bugs. To help prevent the spread and ensure all tamariki are well enough to fully participate in learning, we kindly ask that you keep your child home until they have fully recovered.

Friendly Reminders - Library Days

Tuesday: Amber & Talia's home groups
Thursday: Sarah & Kendall's home groups

Library books can only be issued when your child has returned one or both books and has their library folder. Please support your child in returning their folder to school on their designated library day.