Kōwhai Team News Term 2 Week 6

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 Kia ora Kōwhai whānau, 

We hope you all had a lovely long weekend last week. The teachers had a very productive staff only day on Tuesday, learning about many different things. This week the students have been learning more about Changes during our science lessons. They have also been exploring how to code during inquiry as well. We have some future master coders in our hub! 

Literacy Classes

With our structured literacy approach the teachers are constantly monitoring and checking students understanding of letters and sounds. Throughout the year, as we look at where the students are at in their learning, we may reshuffle of our literacy groups to best meet student needs. Your child may not necessarily bring a reader or journal home each night. On these nights, they can choose a book from home to read. 

Small containers

If you are a family that uses My Food Bag or something similar and have many of those little sauce containers around, we would love to have these in the hub. These are great for some of our science experiments and storing paint (with the lids on). If you have any spare please send them in! 

Four Square 

Some of our students have recently started playing four square during Discovery and play breaks. We are still learning the rules, and how to manage ourselves when playing. 

We are focusing on the following:

  • Being a good sport.
  • Playing according to the rules.
  • Cheering for each other - even when someone is out we can say "good try", "you had a great run!"

    • Here is a video of the rules, so you can try and practise these at home! 


    Many of the Kōwhai kids are very excited about the Disco on Friday the 11th of June in the hall and have been practising their dance moves!

    This a gold coin entry event. The students will need to bring a named drink bottle and can bring some money for snacks. The timings are as follows:
    Year 3 - 5:00-6:00 
    Year 4 - 6:30-7:30

    We hope you have a great time! 

    Have a lovely weekend! 
    The Kōwhai team - Laura, Rowe, Quynh, Nick and Meagan 


    Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 2 Week 6

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     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.






    Trip to the Gardens and Museum tomorrow 10th June – Amber and Charlotte’s Groups

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    Kia ora Whānau, 

    At this stage, Amber and Charlotte's groups will undertake the planned trip to the gardens and Museum tomorrow. 

    Each child will need:

    • Good walking shoes  - sneakers or other covered shoes
    • A lunch with extra snacks (no lunch orders today)
    • A named drink bottle 
    • Their named school sweatshirt or jumper
    • Any medications - pls hand this to the teacher tomorrow morning

    As it is Winter, please do dress children warmly and send jackets, hats and/or gloves if needed. 

    Children need to be at school between 8.30 and 8.45 tomorrow. 

    Parent helpers -  please meet in our hub theatre from 8.30 tomorrow. Briefing will begin at 8.40 sharp.

    Many thanks, 

    Amber and Charlotte






    Photo Order Forms

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    Kia ora Everyone, the forms for the photo orders have been given out.  Please ensure that you complete the section at the top of the form that asks for your child's name, their hub and their teacher. The small photo that is on the form must be returned as well.  This has a unique code on it which identifies your student.
    Photo order forms can be handed in at the office - there is a box on the front desk for them.
    The closing date for handing the forms back in is Wednesday 16th June.  No late orders will be accepted.

    Nga mihi
    Jacky