Kahikatea Newsletter Term 3 Week 6

 Kia ora koutou,

We have had two fun and busy weeks since our last blog post. The Kahikatea children have been actively engaged in the various programmes on offer, and it has been wonderful to see everyone living our values of 'We Love Learning' and 'We Love Challenge' every day.

It has been fabulous to end the week with the sun shining! It really feels like Spring is just around the corner...hooray!

We miss seeing you in the mornings and afternoons, so we thought it would be nice to share a typical day in the life of a Kahikatea kid to give you insight into what we do each day.

8:55 - The bell rings and the children meet their homegroup teacher in their home space. During this time, the teacher does the roll and shares the daily notices. Sometimes we do a mindfulness activity to get our brains ready for learning. We do the Mystery Bag at this time too. The children are very good at asking open-ended questions to narrow down what could be inside the bag.

9:10 - Reading. We begin reading with a shared Big Book. During this time, teachers models what a good reader sounds like. The teacher prompts children to think about the structure of the text, the language used, the function of the surface features, and together we enjoy a shared story. After this, the teachers read with children in small groups, and when they are not with a teacher they are doing activities that link to the Big Book, practise spelling, select texts from their group boxes to read, and do other literacy-related activities.




10:00 - Handwriting. Our handwriting programme sees some children writing on whiteboards, while some write in books. Bounce and Skip pay careful attention during this time to spot children with great body posture, pencil grip, the correct formation of letters and their concentration and effort. 




10:20 - Morning Tea Snack

10:30 - Morning Tea Play

10:50 - The bell rings, and children return to their homespaces for phonics. Following this, we begin writing. This often involves shared writing, in which the teacher and the children co-construct a text. The teacher also records key words and ideas on the whiteboard for children to refer to. All children do a picture plan in their book to get them thinking about their story. Many children use alphabet, word and blend cards to support them in the crafting of their writing.


11:40 - Maths. We teach Maths collaboratively (Amber & Lisa / Katie & Charlotte). We begin each maths session with a warm-up/hot-spot to switch our brain into maths mode. Two days per week see children involved in small group instruction with a teacher and independent activities that support children with their next steps in mathematics. We have two inquiry days, where children work with a maths buddy to solve open-ended inquiry maths questions. We have a concept day once a week, where we focus in on one particular aspect of mathematics, for example, subtraction or fractions and do a range of activities related to this.

12:20 - Brain Break. This is a chance to move, drink, have a toilet stop and have a snack. Teachers usually read a novel or picture book to the children during this time.

12:40 - Lunch Play

1:20 - The bell rings and children line up to wash their hands with soap and water. They then meet their homegroup teacher in their home space to do the roll and have some quiet, supervised eating time together. After this, we collect our bags from the cubbies and pack our lunchboxes, drink bottles, jerseys and reading folders. 

2:00 - We meet in the pathway to hear our Discovery options for the afternoon. Popular choices often include construction, drawing, making, outside play, craft, drama, quiet reading and board games. This is a lovely time of the day for children to connect with their friends across the hub and spend time working together and immersing themselves in learning through play.















Dates to Note

Monday 31st August - Staff Only Day

Friday 4th September - Wacky Hair Day. This is to support the Child Cancer Foundation. Children can come to school in mufti and wear a wig, hat, or have wacky hair.

Looking Ahead: TERM 4

Next term we have three significant events booked: whole school athletics, water safety lessons and a trip to Rapaki Marae. At level 2 these events can take place, although our wholes school athletics at Level 2 would not include spectators.  

Sandy is planning to send out a parent/caregivers survey regarding these and other events (eg Year 5/6 camp) very soon. Please do look out for it. 









Kōwhai News Term 3 Week 6

 Kia ora Kōwhai whanau, 

It's hard to believe we are almost halfway through Term 3. Time sure does fly when you are having fun! 

We have started exploring our Planet Earth and Beyond Inquiry topic over the last two weeks. We started this learning with an ignition of a space ship crash in the hall and then the students had to hunt for the different parts of the ship in teams around the school - it was a great way to get us excited about the learning ahead. 












Kete Awards
As we are at Level 2 we are giving out our Kete awards during our Team Hui. This week the following children received Kete awards:
Maggie Zhou - We Get There Together- for helping tidy up our school and encouraging others to do the same. 
Alicia Colquhoun - We Love Learning - for always putting your best effort into maths.
Eadie Jenkins - We Love Learning - for having a lightbulb moment when working hard on your division.
Madeleine Dougherty  - We Get There Together - for being a fantastic role model and tidying up the hub without being asked.

Pencils Needed
We have been doing so much writing in Kōwhai that we are starting to run out of our supply of pencils. We would love some donations of some HB pencils so that we can keep up the great writing. Send them in with your child to pass onto the classroom teacher. Thank you so much in advance. 

Wacky Hair Day 
Next Friday the 4th of September is Wacky Hair/Wig and Mufti Day in support of the Child Cancer Foundation. Please help your child come to school in mufti with the wackiest hair or wig they would like.  Please bring a gold coin to support the Child Cancer Foundation as well. 

Looking ahead
At the moment we have a trip planned to the museum to visit the moon exhibit in the 2nd week of Term 4. We will send more details out about this closer to the time and ask for any parent volunteers. We will only be able to go on this trip if we are moved back down to Level 1 by then, so will keep you updated on that closer to the time. 

We have also started to think about our visit to the Rāpaki Marae towards the end of Term 4. Sandy will soon be sending out a survey for you to share your thoughts around this so keep an eye out for that in your emails. 

Have a lovely weekend!
Ngā mihi
The Kōwhai Team - Laura, Tracey, Nick and Rowe 

Pōhutukawa News Term 3 Week 6

Kia ora whānau,

Just a couple of reminders about up and coming events for our learners in the next few weeks.


Wacky Hair Day

Next Friday, 4th September, is Wacky Hair Day

Wear mufti and wacky hair, a wig or  a hat

Please bring a gold coin or two to support the Child Cancer Foundation.

From the Student Council


Staff Only Day

As per our school calendar, school will be closed this coming Monday August 31st for a Staff Only Day.


Winter Sport

This week is the final week of winter sport - thanks to all of you who have supported our teams. Please remember that at Level 2 we are asking you to refrain from coming along to watch the games. Thanks for your understanding.





Last Chance for Cheese Rolls

 Many thanks to all who have supported our cheese roll fundraiser. If you have yet to place your order, you have until 8pm tomorrow, Wednesday, to do so. Click here to place your order.

If you have ordered some cheese rolls, we would love you to provide your own container. We will leave a box outside the hall on Tuesday and Wednesday next week for you to place your named container in. Please include your child's name and hub on the label. Cheese rolls will be made and ready to take home next Thursday, September 3rd.

Thanks for supporting our Year 7 & 8 camp fundraising.

Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 6

In this post:

  • Ski trip (at the end)
  • Camp fundraising
  • Wacky hair day
  • Talent quest
  • Sport
  • Speech finals
  • Cantamath

Camp fund raising

Many thanks to those who helped out with and supported our quiz night last Saturday. A huge thanks to Liz who coordinated the whole event. Despite needing to limit the number of participants, we still made a good profit. Toilet paper and paper towel orders have now been placed. 

That leaves our cheese roll fundraiser to go. Orders close tomorrow, Wednesday. Many thanks to those who offered help with equipment, supervision and collecting ingredients. I will be emailing you shortly about this. If you have placed an order, please drop your named container off outside the hall before school on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. It is great not to have to use extra packaging.

Wacky Hair Day

The student council is running a wacky hair day next Friday, September 4th to raise money for Child Cancer.  Go wild and bring a gold coin.

Talent Quest

Next week we will be holding team auditions for the school talent quest. We are looking forward to seeing the talent on show. 

Sport

This Thursday is our final round of winter sport for this season. Playing locally with schools from within our zone has provided an opportunity for participating in regular competition while also building community ties. A huge thank you to all the parents who have given their time and expertise to coach, referee and manage teams. After Thursday's games, we would like to collect as many uniforms as possible. Please ensure that your child has something to change into so that uniforms can be collected in on Thursday afternoon. 

 It is with great sadness that we pass on the news that Koru Games has been cancelled this year. This is due to them being unable to meet requirements to operate safely at Level 2. We know that the children involved will be deeply disappointed. The teams have put in lots of work preparing for the tournament and we would like to acknowledge their participation and commitment that was shown at practices thus far. Many thanks to the parents who had offered parent support for this event. 

Speech Finals

We are looking forward to our speech finals tomorrow, Wednesday. This will take place in the hall from 11am. Parents of competitors are welcome to sit, socially distanced, at the back of the hall. Congratulations to:

Year 7: Fergus, Jonty, Mila, Jalori, Zoe C, Zara M and Caleb

Year 8: Tom, Eddie, Henry M, Ben, Henry H, Max and Ruby

Cantamath

By now your child should be underway with their Cantamath project. If this is not happening at your place, please email your child's home-group teacher so that we can help get things started. 

Ski trip this Friday: August 28th

Mt Hutt can safely accommodate school groups at Level 2. Our trip on Friday is going ahead at this stage. The ‘at this stage’ is all to do with the weather. If the mountain is ‘on hold’ or closed, we will look at rescheduling the trip. The tricky bit is that the ski report (https://www.mthutt.co.nz/weather-report/) comes out at around 6am, so we could have the scenario where we arrive at school, find out the mountain is on hold and have to head home again - get changed and come back to school at the normal time. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen! 

Departure time

Please meet in the Sandwich Rd carpark at 5:50am, dressed in ski clothing. We will be pulling out at 6am. 

Ski contract

If this has not been signed and returned to school yet, please get this back tomorrow.

Gear

We have matched children up with the gear that we have available. If your child is still short of something these can be hired from outlets in town. Snowmania rent gear at very reasonable prices: 4 Dalgety Street, Riccarton Phone: 03 961 6747. Remember that we arrange the skis, boots and helmets through Mt Hutt; you don't need to sort this equipment. 

 Being dressed for the mountain conditions makes such a difference to the enjoyment of the day. Below is a reminder of what your child will need. 

  • Several thin thermal layers are much better for keeping warm and comfortable than a bulky layer. Cotton is not great for the mountains; thermal clothing is what’s needed.
  • Polypro or woollen thermal top
  • Thermal ‘long-johns’ or tights
  • Fleece or woollen top / jersey
  • Waterproof pants
  • A warm weatherproof jacket
  • Woollen or thermal socks, not too thick. Socks need to come up to mid calf at least.
  • Weatherproof gloves or mittens
  • Either sun glasses or ski goggles
  • A scarf is optional, but must be tucked into their jacket, to avoid dangling ends.
  • Hats are not needed as all children will be given a helmet
  • Sunscreen, for the face
  • A substantial lunch, including a drink. Under Level 2 there are restrictions in the cafe, with limited options, queues and longer waits. The mountain operate a cashless payment system. We would prefer that children bring all their own food and drink.

Long hair needs to be tied up. Children who get asthma should have their inhalers with them.

If your child needs to bring their cell phone, they are responsible for it during the day. It can be used on the bus, but when out on the mountain, these are to be zipped away in pockets.

Our day:

5:50 Arrive at school, on Sandwich Rd. Buses and cars leave at 6:00

8:00 We will arrive at the ski field car park

8:15 Ski hire sorted, 9am lesson group through first 

9:00 Lessons for first timers and half of second timers. Everyone else has a short free ski

10:30 Morning tea on the deck

11:00 Lessons for everyone else. Free ski for those who had a lesson at 9.

12:30 Stop for lunch

1 - 3:30  Free ski with your friends

3:30 Return gear and back to the bus

4:00 Buses leave

6:00 ish We arrive back at school

We will send out an email late in the afternoon with a more precise time for arrival back at school. There is an air of excitement in the hub this week and we are so pleased to be able to go ahead with this trip. If you have any questions, please email Nicky, nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz