Koru Team Blog Term 1 Week 7 (14/03/2025)

 Kia ora, e te whānau,

Welcome to this fortnight's blog post! We are so impressed with the tamariki - they have been making amazing progress in their learning since starting school. This, of course, includes their academic learning, as well as their emotional learning and their social learning. 

Our blog post today contains information about:

  • the Koru team's class contract
  • a typical day in the Koru team
  • Structured Literacy in the Koru team
  • Online Safety information
  • and finally, some beautiful photos of the tamariki during the past fortnight.

He Waka Eke Noa:

We are all in this waka together!

As a team, we have discussed the meaning of this whakataukī and also the meaning of the word 'contract'. The tamariki together came up with some guidelines which we've all agreed to follow:

  • We show 'We Care'
  • We are kind to each other
  • We use gentle hands and gentle feet
  • We speak kindly to each other
  • We look after our things, like our hats and our drink bottles
  • We take care of our spaces and help at tidy up time
  • We take care of the games and toys
  • We are helpful
  • We use good manners, like 'please' and 'thank you'
  • We look after each other.
These guidelines were the children's ideas and we revisit them regularly, just as a reminder, and also so that our new children are familiar with them too. 

Other routines, which the children have embraced, include: 

  • unpacking their bags when they arrive at school in the morning, including putting their Literacy folder in the right container; 
  • remembering their poetry books and library folders on Friday; 
  • lining up after break times; 
  • 'showing five' whenever they are sitting on the mat; 
  • and following the expectations in their small Literacy group lessons (sitting up, chair pulled in, focusing on the learning, and 'whiteboards are for writing, not drawing').

We thank you all for your continued support with the start and end of day routines!

A typical Day in the Koru team:


We also fit into our days: interoception (short little activities with a focus on breathing and noticing how our bodies are feeling), music and movement, and of course aspects of both Literacy and Maths are incorporated into Learning Through Play. 

A fun focus during Learning Through Play at the moment is the theme of 'Shops and Shopping'. The original shop set up included a children's library beside the shop as well as roles such as the delivery person, two shopkeepers and visitors to the shop and the library. Elizabeth was included in the play (the Mum) as well as Katie (the Dad). Other children have been involved making signs, labels, money and purses/bags.

The children have been learning new songs and actions at our Music and Movement times, and they agreed that they would like two of these shared with you so that they can teach you at home. We know you'll love them! The expressions and actions that we see while the children are singing are absolutely adorable. See if your children will sing to you now (a great opportunity for 'the child to be the teacher').

Have fun at home with these songs!

Structured Literacy:

Our Structured Literacy groups are up and running, with the children learning the routines and expectations very quickly, and partcipating and contributing beautifully at these times. 
This link takes you to our school website which contains some background information for families about The Science of Reading
Your child will be bringing their Literacy folder home from Monday to Thursday, after school, and it's crucial that this folder is returned to school and unpacked from children's bags, every morning. Teachers will be topping up the letter and heart word packs regularly.
A big focus, when the children first start bringing folders home, is learning the letter sounds and the heart words to a fluent (or automatic) level, so practising using these as flash cards is incredibly helpful. This is explained for you very clearly in the second two links below.
Once the children recognise each letter and can make the sound, and recognise and read each heart word, they are then able to practise writing these at home with you. Letter cards can be joined together and read as words, for example, words with two sounds to start with (/a/, /t/ and /i/, /t/, and so on), then words with three sounds (/m/, /a/, /t/ and /f/, /i/, /t/, plus so many more). 
Have fun with this learning at home, and please remember it does need to be fun, so if your child is feeling tired, wait for a time when they have more energy and are better able to focus.
We hope that you find these links helpful:

Many parents didn’t grow up with the internet, so it can be hard to imagine how tamariki may use it. But these days, digital technology is a key part of our young people’s lives. They use it for learning, communicating and entertainment.

Netsafe has released research that looked into parental awareness of children’s experiences of online risks and harm. The research found a mismatch between parents’ awareness and their children’s experiences of upsetting online content.

To check out the research, and other Netsafe resources, visit this link

And now for some photos of your wee ones from over the past fortnight:

Wow, what a wonderfully creative model!

...and a bird's eye view.

Creating a 4 element pattern with the penguins.

Five friends working together with the Mobilo.

Showing 'We Care' to ensure that the Mobilo is fairly shared.

"Here you are. You're welcome to use these pieces of Mobilo in your construction."

Collaborating on a Lego construction.

Putting in best effort and focus to produce top quality work.

Counting large numbers using the abacus.

"How many beads have been pushed across and how many are left?"

Collaborating to solve a problem using the abacus.

Working with a big buddy to count the beads on the abacus.

Showing 'We Care' by sweeping up small bits of rubbish with the brush and shovel.

Also showing 'We Care' by looking after our learning spaces. Thank you!!

What a kind thing to do for everyone, including our cleaner.

How many different ways can we make the number 5?

Working together to play the 'Shops' game.

Ensuring that the Children's Library, situated beside the shop, has enough chairs and books for visitors.

"Here you are, Batty... a book for you."

"Is everyone who is visiting the library feeling happy and comfortable?"

"Yes, thank you. It's lovely here!"

Beautiful dance moves...

...getting some practice in before the next disco?

So much energy and so many fabulous moves!

We hope that you're all thoroughly enjoying the beautiful weather that we've been having this weekend. We look forward to seeing those bright, happy smiles back at school tomorrow.
All best for the week ahead!

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou,
Katie, Stacey and Elizabeth

katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz
stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz
elizabeth.drummond@beckenham.school.nz


Koru Team Blog Term 1 Week 5 (27/02/2025)

Kia ora e te whānau,

We are having a wonderful time in the Koru team and it's already our fifth week at school this year! 

Maths: Notice, Think, Wonder

We are starting to learn some Rich Routines to begin our maths lessons. This term, we have been learning about 'Notice, Think, Wonder' tasks. A photo is shown to the children and they are asked the questions: "What do you notice? What do you think? What do you wonder?" These tasks provide a visual stimulus for tamariki to discuss, notice, think and wonder about. This could include graphs, puzzles, pictures, signs or graphics. We are learning to think and act like a Mathematician, which means the children are learning to look for patterns; make connections; take risks and explain their thinking to others.

Here is the image we looked at, and some of the ideas the children thought about:

  • Joe: I can see some shapes. Some are triangles.
  • Ash: I notice some diamonds.
  • Piper: I notice the shadow. Maybe the shadow is a person.
  • Max H: There are six colours in the picture.
  • Luca: Maybe the dark blue is water.
  • Frankie: I think there is a pattern. Blue, blue, yellow, yellow.
  • Olena: I wonder if it is a floor and a chair?




What other ideas do you notice, think and wonder about at home when you look at this image? We would love to hear your ideas!!

What do you notice?

What do you think?

What do you wonder?

Can you take some photos and share them with us for some new 'Notice, Think, Wonder' sessions? 

Yoghurt pouches 

Please loosen your child's yoghurt pouch before school, so they can easily open these during eating time. Thanks!

Online Safety: Gaming

Eighty percent of tamariki in New Zealand aged 8-17 have played games online. Games can have many benefits: entertainment, social opportunities, coordination development, problem-solving and multitasking skills. But, most of all, gaming is popular because it's fun.

But games can be tough for parents and whānau to navigate. How much gaming is too much? How do I make sure my tamariki aren't seeing inappropriate content of chatting in-game with strangers?

Today we're sharing Netsafe's Online Gaming Whānau Toolkit so you have all the resources you need to keep your kids safe. 

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/rPN_ev1RSDQ

Community notice:

Sydenham Rippa and Footy Fun: This free and fun non-contact rugby program is open to all Year 1 and 2 tamariki in our local community, giving them a great introduction to the game in a safe and supportive environment. 

New Start Date: Friday, March 28th
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Sydenham Park

Reuben Harvey (Rugby Development Officer)

' 03-332-8875  * srfc@xtra.co.nz þ www.sydenhamrugby.co.nz

Facebook http://facebook.com/sydenhamrugby  Online Store  sydenhamrugby.gearstore.co.nz/



Ngā mihi nui,
Katie, Elizabeth and Stacey

katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz
elizabeth.drummond@beckenham.school.nz
stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz



Koru Team News Term 1 Week 3

Kia ora e te whānau,

We have had a fantastic week in the Koru hub. It has been amazing to see tamariki embrace our school values as we continue getting to know each other!

Mathematics

This week, we have started our mathematics programme. We are working through a thematic unit called 'All About Us', which engages children in early numeracy activities. So far, we have explored children's prior knowledge of numbers, counting, and grouping, and we have conducted a simple statistical inquiry to find out our favourite sports and foods - some children even created their own graphs during learning through play!














Literacy

Teachers have been busy working through initial assessments with tamariki this week. It is so exciting to see the letters and letter sounds that children already know! Next week, we will be learning what to expect during a small-group literacy time and practising the routines involved. Literacy folders will begin coming home in Week 5.

We have been doing whole-class literacy activities this week. These involve a letter-of-the-day focus. We practise writing the letter in the air, look at our Milo the Monkey book, and go on a Pirate Island adventure (example below). Tamariki then engage in a task linked to the letter of the day.








Learning Through Play

We love learning through play! This week, we have continued to explore the resources and activities within the hub. Learning through play allows children to explore, discover, experiment, and solve problems in playful and imaginative ways. This time is very special as it is a time in which children can make new friends, practise our school values, and have fun!










Yoghurt pouches

Please loosen your child's yoghurt pouch so they can easily open these during eating time. Thanks!




Library

Our library time is each Friday. Please support your child to remember their library folders each week so that they can enjoy issuing two new books.


Staying Safe Online

As our tamariki spend more time online, it's important for parents and whānau to help them stay safe. Now is a great time to talk to them about how we use the internet and digital technology.

Netsafe has created an Online Safety Parent Toolkit, so that whānau have all the information they need to talk about online safety.

If you or anyone in your whānau needs support, you can contact Netsafe.

That's all for now! We hope you have a fantastic weekend and look forward to seeing you next week.

Ngā mihi,

The Koru team

katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz

elizabeth.drummond@beckenham.school.nz

stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz

Koru Team Blog

Kia ora e te whānau,

What a wonderful start we have had to 2025 in the Koru team! We are so proud of how our children have embraced 'We Love Learning' and 'We Love Challenge' this week while learning the school routines. We have noticed children independently doing their morning jobs, such as putting their lunch boxes and drink bottles on the shelf, and their bags in the cubbies; fantastic! 

Thank you for taking the time to attend our Term 1 learning conferences. These gave us an excellent opportunity to get to know you and your child and set them up for success this year.

On our first day, we had a very special welcome for Cade Englefield, our new Principal. The Koru team were superstars in the audience, watching with interest as Te Whānau Mahi Tahi, our senior Kapa Haka group, and Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate Kapa Haka group performed waiata (songs) and haka. 

We have had lots of fun exploring our space and discovering the activities offered during Learning Through Play this week. Here are some photos of tamariki in action.

Fun in the sun!

Busy showing 'We Get There Together'.

On the hunt through the Duplo pile.

Deep in conversation, planning what to do next.

Proud of their construction - 'We Get There Together'.

Organising animals into their family groups.

Exploring the Lego and Duplo.

'We Love Learning' - carefully placing the pieces together.

Showing 'We Love Challenge' during a game of Jenga.

Having some time with Cade at the playdoh table.

Enjoying the fresh air, having races outside.

Digging for treasure.

Tamariki showing 'We Care' by sharing the playdoh and equipment.

Who can build the tallest tower?

Busy at work!

Creating beautiful pictures at the drawing table.

Having fun with new friends.

Exploring the vehicles.

Calling Mum on the telephone, and showing 'We Love Challenge' with a puzzle.

Fifth birthday cake.

Sweet treats bakery.

Playing with the submarine.

Deep in thought.

What else can I fit in my grocery truck?


We visited the Senior Leadership office while on our boundary walk this week. One child even got to sit in the Principal's chair and share his thoughts about what the next steps at Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto should be (longer play times)!




We care about your safety! Please make sure that you enter and exit the school via the Sandwich Road, Eastern Terrace, or Norwood Street entrances. The gate leading from the carpark is out of bounds. Thank you so much for your cooperation with this.



Thank you, whānau, for all of your support in helping our first week at school be so successful. We hope you have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to seeing the children back at school on Monday.

Ngā mihi,
The Koru team

katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz
stacey.mclachlan@beckenham.school.nz
elizabeth.drummond@beckenham.school.nz

Koru Team News: Term 4 Week 8 (6/12/2024)

 Kia ora e te whānau,

Thank you to everyone who has been applying sun cream before school, we are reapplying before the children go out to Big Play. A reminder that all children need a sun hat every day! If a child does not have a sun hat, they need to play in the shade of the Hall verandah at break times.

It is hard to believe we are nearly at the end of our school year! We will be beginning to tidy and sort our toys and resources in preparation for next year. You might even notice our walls will be getting bare as we take the children's work off so they can take it home. 

Returning books

We are collecting back all Literacy reading books from Literacy folders, these need to be brought back to any teacher in Koru. Please have a look around home and bring back all reading books to school for our end of year stocktake. You are welcome to keep your Heart Words and sound packs of cards to keey using at home. All Library books need to be brought back to school too. 


Transition Visits

We have been getting to meet and get to know the children who will be starting in Koru next year, as they have their school visits this week. It is wonderful to see how our Koru tamariki are showing all our school values to make our visitors feel welcome and to show them a fun time at school. 'We Make A Difference'. Our Koru children are also having a couple of visits to look around the Kahikatea Hub and see where they might be next year.



Teddy Bears' Picnic:

On Monday, December 16th, we are planning to hold a fun Teddy Bears' picnic, followed by games, out in Beckenham Park.

At 1:20 p.m., children will wash their hands, put their hats on, collect their lunches, drink bottles and soft toys, and we'll head out to have lunch under the big trees near the Big Adventure playground.

Once they have finished eating, children will be able to choose from a variety of game options: parachute games, Duck Duck Goose, or playing on the Big Adventure playground. 

Please ensure that your child has the following items on Monday, December 16th:

  • lunchbox
  • drink bottle
  • sun hat
  • soft toy (teddy bear or other)


Staying Safe Online

As our tamariki spend more time online, it’s important parents and whānau help them

stay safe. Now is a great time to talk to them about how we use the internet and digital

Technology.


Netsafe has created an Online Safety Parent Toolkit so parents, families and whānau have

all the information they need to talk about online safety.


If you or anyone in your whānau needs support, you can contact Netsafe.



Ngā mihi mahana,
Stacey, Georgia, Elizabeth, Nicola