Firstly, thanks so much for taking part. We have about 150 people signed up to run, including some parents. Hopefully, you have managed to get some sponsors on your sponsor card. 

 In this post:

• 40 Hour Famine this weekend
• Period products at school
• Missing jacket
• Koru Games
• Fun Run
• Ski Trip
• Current learning focus
• Treaty of Waitangi Workshops

40 Hour Famine

We hope that all who are taking part in the 40 Hour Famine this weekend and going well. We would love to see some photos of your child's famine in action. After the your child's famine in complete, please encourage them to collect their sponsorship money quickly.

Period products at school

The access to period products initiative aims to provide free period products to children and young people in all state schools and kura across New Zealand during 2021. Please click here to find out more and fill in a form to indicate if you would like your daughter to access free products through school.

Missing Jacket

Could you please check to see that your child has the correct senior jacket. Marcellus is missing his and it is clearly labelled.

Koru Games

We have many enthusiastic children who are keen to take part in Koru Games next term. A number have said their parents can help out, but have yet to notify Jenny via email. Once we have confirmation of adult support, we can enter teams and we really don't want to miss out on the limited spots available for each sport. 

Fun Run

The student council fun run for Kids Can is on this coming Friday. If your child is signed up, please encourgae them to collect sponsors. 

Ski Trip

Many thanks to the parents who have offered to help on our ski day to Mt Hutt on September 2nd. We have sufficient helpers and would like to take everyone who has already signed up. Please mark this date in your diaries. The children will be away from 6am until 6pm. The cost of this trip is covered by your school donation and a generours donation from our PTA. More details on clothing requirements will come out early next term.

Current Learning Focus

We are aware that some children come home full of news about their school day and what they have been learning about. There are also a lot of children who do not do this. Just to keep you in the loop, our current learning includes:

• Literacy. We are currently integrating science with writing. Each Monday we do an experiement and during the week we write up the method, results, explanation, conclusion, wider world implications and wonderings. Last week we learnt about acids and bases and ph indicators.
• Maths. Earlier this term we have been exploring the geometry of triangles, and position and orientation (navigating maps, grid references etc.). We have recently started a new topic on proportion and ratio, initially exploring fractions. The children also complete a weekly basic facts challenge. 
• Positive behaviour for learning. Recently we have been talking about gender as part of Pride Month and also discussing issues around social media. 
• Afternoon programme. Earlier in the term we have had a visual art and music focus. Last week we started another 'Learn, Create, Share' block, with the children selecting their own learning focus. They are working towards sharing their learning at the end of week 1 next term. 

Treaty of Waitangi Workshops

At the beginning of Term 2, students in our hub were lucky enough to participate in a series of Treaty of Waitangi workshops. These workshops were a fantastic introduction into the history of Aotearoa and understanding the journey our country has been on. Together with our regular te reo lessons, students are feeling inspired to normalise our native language through speaking, singing and incorporating tikanga practices into their daily lives. Here are some of the photos of our tamariki getting involved and stuck into learning activities. 

 In this post:

• Fundraising complete
• BYOD ready to learn
• Koru Games
• Year 7 & 8 Choir
• Ski Day
• Buddies

Fundraising

A huge thanks to all the parents who helped with the Quiz Night organisation and to everyone who donated items for the hampers. The night was a huge success. The hall was rocking with hilarity and we made $3000! Camp fundraising is now all done and dusted.

BYOD

It is fabulous that we have so many students signed up to bring their own devices for learning this year. Recently a number of children have been leaving devices at home or forgetting to make sure their device is fully charged. This has put pressure on our limited supply of devices at school and some students are missing out on devices. If your child has a BYOD, please remind them to bring it to school every day fully charged.

Koru Games

Koru Games is a three-day sports tournament held across multiple locations in the Selwyn District. There are a wide range of sports involved, including volleyball, ultimate frisbee, ki o rahi and korfball. In previous years, Koru Games has been a highlight for many of our tamariki.  Some of the children are already talking about it and want to start practising!

Finding adults to manage teams is a key factor for us when making entries. If you would be interested in supporting us with Koru Games this year and are available from the 21st to 23rd of September, please get in touch with Jenny.

See the link below for more information on Koru Games.

http://www.korugames.nz/  

Year 7/8 Choir

A Year 7/8 choir has been started and, after some challenges finding a time to meet, we have settled on Monday mornings from 8:15am - 8:45am. Initially this will be in the Kauri theatre, until a different space becomes available in Term 3.

Sandy will be taking the choir, with support from one of our parents, Amanda Atlas (international opera singer and vocal teacher!)

If your child is keen to join, they do need to commit to attending every Monday from 8:15am, please. We already have a keen core group of students and can accommodate more. 

Rehearsals will begin from Monday 14 June, 8:15am

Ski Day Term 3

Our next outdoor education excursion is our annual ski day to Mt Hutt in term 3. The costs for this day are covered by your school donation and the PTA generously fund the buses. At this stage, we need a supply of enthusiastic parent helpers for the day to go ahead. Please fill in this form if you would like to join us on September 2nd. 

Cashmere High Open Day

A reminder that Cashmere High School is having their open day tomorrow (Thursday June 10th) day from 4:00 until 6:30. They are having issues with car parking on the school grounds and ask you to come early enough to find a park and walk into the school grounds.

Friday Buddies

It was fabulous to receive great feedback about our team of buddies who work in the new entrant hub on a Friday afternoon. Our children were thanked for their calm, engaging, helpful and respectful natures.

 With Hansen and Beckenham Parks closed, all winter sports teams, except for Year 7 & 8 A grade hockey, will be staying at school today. This includes netball games being off.