Living Springs Camp tomorrow

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Camp tomorrow! We can't wait! Here are a few reminders:
  • All children are to arrive at school tomorrow at the normal time, in mufti, with their back pack and one gear bag.
  • Everyone is required to bring morning tea and lunch for Tuesday.
  • Every child must have a water bottle and a brimmed hat.
  • Please check that all gear on the list has been packed and named.
  • Any medication that your child will require (such as inhalers, antihistamine cream, hydrocortisone cream etc) is to be in a zip locked bag, along with a medical form, and handed to Katie upon arrival at school.
We have a group of parents organised to come out to camp to support our whānau. Some are full-time and others will be part-time. We will be well supported and thank the rest of you for not visiting during the three days. Part of the purpose of camp is for your children to develop independence.

If you should need to contact us in an emergency, please use Tracy's cellphone which is  
027 363 0220 or the camp number which is 03 02998788 and after hours 0800 462732.

We will see you Thursday afternoon. Keep an eye out for updates on the school Facebook page to check out our adventures!

Top Team tomorrow

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Just a quick reminder that all children need a change of clothes (shorts and T-shirt) that are suitable for getting wet tomorrow. A towel, sunscreen and sunhat are also required. If you are helping, we look forward to seeing you at 1:15 in the park. 


Kōwhai News Term 4 Week 4

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Welcome to week 4! The term is zipping by and there is incredible learning happening across the team!

Junior School Athletics Day

We are currently working on developing the athletic skills of the children in Kōwhai team. At our level, the focus of our teaching is centred on teaching the children the correct techniques for discus, shot put, long jump, high jump and sprints. Although we do not hold competitive events, the children are encouraged to improve their personal skills over the weeks that we are practising.  This development of correct techniques is important for when they compete in Year 5-8 as the equipment that is used are official athletics items and to prevent injury, children need to use these correctly. We have been really impressed with the improvement of the children this term.

 Junior School Athletics Day is on Wednesday 21st November, 12pm-3pm. 
You are most welcome to come and support your child on this day and to see the skills your child have been developing. 

Kapa Haka

Congratulation to the children in the Kōwhai Kapa Haka group who performed admirably on Wednesday night. we are so proud of all the mahi (work) that they have out into their kapa haka learning. This coming Thursday at 2pm, the Kapa Haka group will perform to the Kōwhai team. You are most welcome to come along to see them in action and any grandparents or whanau are welcome to attend. 

Firewise

To conclude our Firewise learning we had the Sydenham Fire Service come to school to reinforce the key learning from the unit. The children all had the opportunity to go through the escape tunnel to practice, 'Get, down, get low and GET OUT!" We also talked about the importance of having working smoke alarms in all main areas of our homes and for these to be tested to ensure they are working correctly along with having a safe meeting place in the event of an emergency. We hope that you have checked your alarms at home and have discussed how to exit your home in the event of a fire. 


Maths

In our mathematics inquiry groups, we are developing the skills we need to be self-improvers in maths. Our most recent focus has been on communication skills - asking questions to clarify our understanding. We all agree that everyone needs to take responsibility for their own learning and that in our groups there should be no passengers.

Here is a recent question that many of the children have been working on recently:

On our trip to the gardens, everyone was spotting insects and birds. Louie and Liam decided to count all the legs they saw in the morning. They counted 264 legs altogether. Then they realised that they saw exactly three times as many birds as insects. How many birds did they see? How many insects did they see?

Literacy

In our literacy groups, we have been reading and writing narratives. The children have focused on using 'wow' words, using detail to extend their ideas and using similes and metaphors to help, 'Paint a picture' in the reader's mind. I
Mike's group decided that since they had been looking at fire safety, they would have fire as a central theme in their narratives. Here is an example of their writing.

Fire safety at camping by Aaria

I raced inside to grab Buddy, my puppy and his travelling cage. I ran out, hopped into the car, put on my seatbelt and off we were, camping. After at least an hour, there we were, Akaroa. I jumped out of the Jeep, followed by Marama, my big sister and Amya, my little sister. Marama was 14 when she actually liked going camping but now she was 18 she hated camping because there was no wifi in the country and Marama is like, addicted to the internet. As mum set up the campfire I ran inside the tent to get marshmallows. Marama groaned and said, "Do we have to roast stupid marshmallows?". "Marama Rose Tyler!" mum shouted before quietly, but firmly adding "please speak nicely". Marama kicked a stone and didn't realise the stone had knocked over the campfire. Bright orange flames danced across the grass, reaching our tent. Then it hit me. Amya was sound asleep in the tent! I sprinted into the camp office as fast as I could. I needed a fire extinguisher. My eyes darted everywhere, finally, I saw it. I raced outside and put out the fire. Amya came out of the tent sobbing. She had a burn on her arm, it looked like a red, wide, inflamed snake going up her arm. 

Kowhai's Trip to the Gardens and Museum

On the 25th and 26th of October, the children in the Kōwhai team went to the Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens.  The children had a great time learning about the key roles of birds, insects and trees in a balanced ecosystem. Thank you to all our adult helpers that made the trip possible. It was a huge success and we could not have done it without you.











Year 4-8 Athletics Day

Last Friday, the Year 4s joined in with the Year 5-8 Athletics Day, taking part competitively in four disciplines: shot put, discus, high jump and sprints. We had a fantastic day tagging along with the Year 8s and the children put every effort into doing their absolute best and also cheering each other on. The placings will be announced at a future assembly.
Here are some photos from our exciting day:






Have a great weekend ahead!
Kōwhai teaching team

Koru News Week 4 Term 4

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Junior Athletics - All

This term we will be holding the Junior Athletics (Y0-4) on Wednesday 21st November out in the park with a team briefing starting at 12:00pm and finishing the day with the famous house relays at 2:30pm. Lunch will be at the usual time. Parents are welcome to come along to cheer on the children. It is going to be a fun day in the sun so please make sure your child has their sunhat, water bottle, appropriate footwear, and a big healthy lunch to keep them fueled for the day. We look forward to seeing everyone in their beautiful, bright house shirts! 


Inquiry Learning: Sustainable Materials - Y1&2

Last week we began our learning about different materials and their uses. We have been exploring them through play and were fortunate enough to have Carmel, Jacqui's Mum, come in to talk to us about her special job as an architect. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated boxes. We are now at full capacity and will not be requiring anymore. Next week we are moving on to creating miniature scales.







CCC, Art's Centre and City Day Trip - Y1&2

This term we also have a big trip to the city planned for Friday 23rd November. On this trip children will be going to the Christchurch City Council, Arts Centre and the Botanic Gardens. They will need to have a big healthy lunch, water bottle, sunhat, waterproof jacket and appropriate footwear for the day.


Hats - All


This term all children must wear a sun hat when outside. Please make sure that your child has a hat at school with their name clearly written inside in either of the styles below.
Farm Visit - NE

We have an exciting trip to a farm planned for our New Entrants on Thursday November 22nd and Friday 23rd. This is a natural extension of our Discovery theme for the past few weeks and links very well to Canterbury Show Day. They will need to have a big healthy lunch, water bottle, sunhat, waterproof jacket and appropriate footwear for the day. An email has been sent out to the parents/caregivers of all New Entrant children and this contains full details.




Fourth New Entrant Group - NE


This week we opened up our 4th NE class in Komanawa. It is great to see our older NE children stepping up to develop their leadership skills. We welcome Carter, Devin, Billy, Hannah, Misha and Skye. 

Discovery Stations

We begin each day with our Discovery session and as you can see our hubs are a vibrant and exciting place to be. We also LOVE to use our outdoor spaces.





















T4 W4 in Pōhutukawa

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Living Springs Camp 11-13 November (next week!)

Excitement is mounting as camp is next week. Here are a few reminders:
  • The children are to be at school on Tuesday morning at the normal time, in mufti, with their big bag and their back pack. We will stack their luggage in the pathway of our hub. 
  • Living Springs have notified us of the importance of bringing a single bottom sheet, due to having new mattress protectors
  • In their back pack the children will need their morning tea and lunch in a lunch box, a water bottle, their wide brimmed sun hat, sunscreen, a waterproof jacket and any medication (such as inhaler or travel sickness medication)
  • Other medication is to be in a ziplock bag with the medicine authority form filled in (sent home already) and handed to Katie.
  • The following items should not be brought to camp: money, electronic devices, torches, cell phones, cameras, toys. 
  • Please label all clothing and items being brought to camp.
  • When we return on Thursday, the children will need to be picked up from our hub so we can sign them off. They will be very tired and may need help with their luggage. We estimate we will be back at school from 2:30-3pm. If your child will be going to Bosco upon their return, could you please inform us.
Long jump at Hillview Christian School

Unfortunately due to the rain and weather forecast, this even has been cancelled.

Canterbury Triathlon

If your child would like to enter the Canterbury Triathlon. Please, use this form to enter your child for the Canterbury Triathlon. 

This event is being held at Pegasus on the 28th of November. A good level of fitness is required as this is a tough endurance event. This is a perfect event for those children who really love a challenge. The children who have enter previously have loved this event and the sense of satisfaction that comes with completing the course. 

The race is as follows:
Year 5/6: 75 m swim, 4.5 km bike, 2.5 km run
Year 7/8: 100 m swim, 10.8 km bike, 2.5 km run

The swim takes place in the lake and there will be times when the children will not be able to touch the bottom. There are no lanes. While the children race in heats, there are still quite a few competitors starting at once, which the children should be prepared for. 

Transportation and supervision for this event must be organised by individual families. We are also required, as a school to provide one adult helper to assist with set up or pack down, and have marshaling duties. This adult must be free from responsibility for any competitor. Please let me know if you are able to fulfil this role. 

Zone athletics sports on Monday 12 November

Congratulations to those students who have qualified to represent our school at the zones. This will be held at Hansens Park. Children who are competing on Monday are to meet in the Kauri hub at 8:20am. They are to be wearing sports shorts and a Beckenham sports top. With them they should have their school bag with a big lunch, water bottle and their school hat. If they do not have a school hat they will not be allowed to compete.

School hats

In terms one and four, a red wide brimmed/bucket hat is a compulsory part of our school uniform. It is important that we promote being sunsmart at school. Every student must wear their hat at break times and during any learning times outside, including PE and sports. It would be very helpful if you checked that your child/ren has a named hat at school.

Stationery

At this time of the year we often find that a number of children have run out of essential stationery items. Not having the correct equipment at school becomes a barrier for learning, and is frustrating for all concerned. To be ready for learning every child should have a pencil, pen, eraser, glue stick, ruler and pencil sharpener. We would very much appreciate your support for ensuring your child is prepared for the school day.

Beach Education opportunity

We are pleased to be able to offer your child/ren the opportunity to attend a full day Beach Ed programme, at the South Brighton Surf Club. Beach Ed is a full day surf safety course delivered at the beach by surf lifeguards, and is age-appropriate learning for our year 4-6 students. Beach Ed also covers module 8 of Swimming NZ Kiwi Swim Safe Program. 

Activities on the day may vary depending on conditions but will cover the following:
  • A tour of the South Brighton Surf Club.
  • Teaching of surf safety rules.
  • Identification of and how to escape a rip current.
  • Beach games - relating to a skill to stay safe on the beach including a sand sculpture of a rip current.
  • How to set up a beach patrol, reinforcing safety messages.
  • Water activities. This may include mock rescues, using bodyboards, channel/hole identification, and survival using a flotation device.
  • Lifeguard in a rip.
  • Sun smart tips.

We will be travelling to South Brighton over two days, splitting our children into two groups. The Year 6 students and those students competing in the Canterbury Triathlon will be going on Tuesday. The Year 5 and 4 students will be going on Wednesday.

Dates: Tuesday 27th November & Wednesday 28th November
Time: Leaving school at 9:00 am, returning to school at 3:00 pm both days.
Location:   South Brighton Surf Club (cnr Bridge Street & Marine Parade, South New     
                        Brighton. 
Cost: It will cost the school $13.50 per child to carry out/run this activity/trip. A  
                       request for your contribution to support this additional activity will be added to  
                       your child's next account.

The PTA have kindly donated $1000.00 towards transport costs for this trip, for which we are very grateful.

In order to make this fantastic, educational day a success, parents and teachers must participate in both water and beach activities. We require a minimum of one adult for every five students in the water. It is essential that parents and teachers bring their togs and be prepared to get wet. We are unable to take Preschoolers on this trip.
To this end, we are asking for 10 parent helpers per day, 20 in total. 
This will be fantastic opportunity for your child. Without you we cannot run this event.

Please contact us ASAP if you are keen to come and help out on one or both of the Beach Ed days.

We are sending home a paper copy of this information today.