Many thanks to the parents and high school students who helped us out with Top Team last Monday. The children had a blast; great teamwork, fun and lots of enthusiasm. Check out the pictures at the end of this post.

Production

The opening night of our production, 'Kauri Whānau Musical Mashup', is just a week away. The children are really stepping up, enthusiasm levels are high and it promises to be a highly entertaining show. A reminder that we have two performances, Monday 9th and Wednesday 11th, and we need all children to attend both performances. The show will start at 7pm. Some children will need to be at school early for makeup. More details will be out later in the week.

We are in need of some old business shirts and the loan of a leather jacket (for Grease). If you can help out, please send these along early in the week.

Mural Success

This time last year we were putting the finishing touches on our mural down by the ponds. We entered this work in the Resene Masterpiece Mural Competition. Results came out last week and we were thrilled to hear that we had been awarded third place in the senior schools division!

What's coming up

Our end of term is a busy one, with lots of events. Please make sure these are in your diary:

• Wednesday December 4th - Canterbury Athletics
• Thursday December 5th - Kapa Haka Celebration, 6:30 start
• Monday December 9th - Kauri Whānau Musical Mashup, 7pm start
• Wednesday December 11th - Kauri Whānau Musical Mashup, 7pm start
• Friday December 13th - Corsair Bay trip 
• Monday December 16th - Walk to Victoria Park
• Monday December 16th - Year 8 Pool and Pizza Party, 4pm start (more details coming soon)
• Wednesday December 18th - Year 8 Leavers' Graduation Assembly, 11am start

Year 8 Leavers' Assembly

Corsair Bay and Victoria Park

Year 7 & 8s ...

Term four is zooming by in the Intermediate Hub. School reports will be coming home on Friday. Please read on for important updates and messages.

Health

We are underway with our 'Navigating the Journey' lessons, focused on sexuality education. The children are very engaged and we have been impressed with the maturity they are displaying in discussions. This week we are looking at 'Who am I?'. This includes discussions around rights and responsibilities, the difference between sex and gender, looking at identity and gender stereotyping. Next week we move to the next theme which is about relationships.

Inquiry

This term in inquiry we are looking at how innovative technology makes a difference for people with a range of disabilities. Last Monday the children enjoyed learning about wheelchair rugby. Check out the photos at the end of this post. We are about to begin a research / writing project where the children will write an article, based on a fictitious person, to put their learning about innovation into action.

Zone Athletics

On Monday, just over a quarter of our hub headed to Hansen Park for the zone athletics competition. Before the heavens opened and caused an early finish to the event, a number of our child had great successes on the track and field. Special congratulations go to the following children who have qualified for the Canterbury competition which takes place on December 4th:
Thomas: high jump
Lucky:1200
Aaron: 100m
Connor: 80m, shot put and discus
Fingers are crossed that some more may qualify after the final events have been caught up on.

Top Team

On Monday next week, Nov 25, we have our annual Top Team event in the afternoon. Many thanks to the four parents who have volunteered to help. We are after some more adult helpers to join the fun. If you are free between 1:15 and 3:00 and would be happy to join us, please email Nicky Some of the events involve water, so all children will need to bring a change of clothes, a towel and their sunhat. Rash top, or polypro and board shorts work best. Please check these things are packed on Monday.

Debating

Our debating teams had their first competition against teams from St Martins, St Peters and Ao Tawhiti schools last Tuesday evening. Their topic was whether the voting age should be lowered to 16. Three of our five teams won their debates and four of our children were awarded 'best speaker' in their debate. This week the research and planning begins for the second round of competition.

Self Defence

Last term half of our Year 8 girls enjoyed learning about self defence. Starting this Friday, the rest of our Year 8 girls will get this very important training.

Redecorating Passion

A group of very keen children are currently researching, designing and planning how to give South Hangere, a learning space that we use behind our hub, a new look. We need some parent support to supervise small groups with painting. Times can vary to suit parent helpers. If you are available to help, please email Nicky. 

Literacy Film Study

We are about to begin a film study unit. The children have opted for one of the following films: 'Lion', 'Life of Pi' and 'The Blind Side'. All are rated PG. If you have any concerns about your child viewing one of these movies, please let us know.

What an active week we had last week! We were so impressed by the way the House Captains and Sports Leaders took leadership during our athletic sports on Monday. They were confident, organised and caring. After a false start on Wednesday, summer tournament proved to be an enjoyable learning experience for many on Thursday. Special congratulations go to the orienteering groups who were placed. Those remaining back at school made a good start on backdrops for our production. On Friday afternoon we had the first glimpse at all of the production items. While there is still a lot of work to do, from what we saw, this promises to be a highly entertaining show. What a talented bunch of performers we have in the Intermediate Hub!

Sexuality Education:

This week our sexuality education lessons begin. Remember that our parent information night is this evening (Monday),  between 7 and 8pm. If you are planning to attend, please make sure you have indicated on this form. 

Leadership Positions for 2020:

We have made a start on our leadership appointments for 2020, so that a group can attend the 'Be Inspired' leadership training this coming Wednesday afternoon.
House Captains: Henry H, Ruby M, Thomas, Isla, Mia, Ben N, Lucky, Tom
Deputy House Captains: Amelia, Riley, Erik, Devina, Eddie, Grace, Devina and Jack K
Student Council Executive: Eva, Emma and Abby

Leavers' Book

This week we will be starting to put all the memories and photos together for our Leavers' Book. If you have yet to send in your Year 8 child's photo of when they were 5, please do this ASAP.

Kia ora koutou,

The weather is looking fantastic for our Whole School Athletics day on Monday. Every child will need their sun hat at school with them for this day. Sunscreen will be available at multiple locations for children to reapply throughout the day and we recommend that all children apply sunscreen before leaving home in the morning. All children should also have:

• a water bottle
• any personal medication, (such as asthma inhalers)

Year 5 - 8 start at 9:00, immediately after roll call. The roll will be taken in homerooms as usual.
Years 0 - 4 start at 11:50

For those of you intending to join us and support the children as they compete, I have included a map of the park and a timetable. If you are unsure as to where your child might be, please visit our senior students at the information desk who will be more than happy to help you locate them.

As you walk around the park, please be mindful of the senior throwing stations, in particular, the discus area. This will be roped off when a session is in progress. The best way to get to discus will be to walk the perimeter of the park via high jump and shot put.

We hope to see many of you there.