Senior Learning Studio
Room 13 and 14 Newsletter
Term 4 October 2016
‘He waka eke noa’ We are all in this together
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Whanau and Students,
Kia ora and welcome back! We hope you and your families had an awesome break and are ready for a busy term ahead!
Room 13 and 14 are now well and truly set up and working in the newly refurbished classrooms so please remember that you are more than welcome to come in and visit us at any time. We would love to see you.
As we begin this term we congratulate all of our students who received awards and certificates at the end of Term 3. A special congratulations to Jayden and Rebecca who were awarded Term 3’s Student of the Term for Rooms 13 and 14. Throughout Term Three these two students have displayed amazing dedication to learning and respect in every aspect of school life. They have shown that they are helpful and hardworking students. Congratulations Jayden and Rebecca! We look forward to finding out who Term 4’s Student of the Term will be.
It is wonderful to see the students back at school and enthusiastic about our upcoming learning and events. They are looking smart and tidy in their uniforms! Please support us by ensuring that your child wears the correct uniform every day, with pride! Remember school wide brimmed sunhats are compulsory in Term 4.
Also as we begin the new term please ensure that all of your child’s school items are named clearly to avoid any loss of items, e.g. uniform, stationery, lunch boxes, drink bottles etc...
We have put together this newsletter to provide you with some key information about what’s happening in Room 13 and 14 this term and across Team Kahikatea.
Term Four Team Kahikatea Learning
This term our topics for inquiry are ‘Pet Week - Pet Day’ and ‘Celebrating and Sharing Our Stories’. These inquiry topics have a Social Sciences and Arts curriculum focus. During the ‘Celebrating and Sharing our Stories’ inquiry students will be celebrating their lives and local areas. They will be sharing information through stories, in a variety of ways like dance, drama, art and writing.
Other Senior Learning Studio Learning during Term 4
Enviroschools, Multiplication and Division, Basic facts, Mathematic strategies, Reading, Writing narrative, Spelling, Languages, Careers, Google Docs, Technology, Athletics, Summer Sport Skills, EOTC activities, End of Year Camp and Technology.
Designcraft / Technology at Makoura =
Year 7 and 8 students attend technology sessions at Makoura College (Masterton) every Tuesday from 10:20am until 1:00pm. The Technology sessions cost $76 for the year. The Technology fees cover the MATERIALS the students use while at Makoura (eg baking ingredients, fabric, wood etc) - All other costs eg travel, teachers, are covered by school and MoE. A big thank you to those of you who have paid this already. If you are unable to pay this in full you can make part payments. This can be paid to the office or by automatic payment. The total amount needs to be paid before the end of the year. Thank you. Please be aware that students are required to wear covered shoes at Technology for safety reasons. If they do not have the suitable footwear they are not permitted to attend the session and will remain at school. We have spoken to the students about these points and we trust they will take responsibility for themselves.
This term the Year 6’s students will be working with Matua James while the Year 7 and 8’s are at Technology with Mrs MacGregor and Mrs Kennedy.
Library =
We will be using the school library once a week. All students are encouraged to issue 2 books. They may keep these books for up to 2 weeks. Please help your child to use and care for our library books as well as return them promptly. While in the library we will be working on inquiry, research and note taking skills. Please log on in and have a look at your child’s Google Doc account to see their learning.
PE =
This term we are participating in Jump Jam, Athletics and Summer sports skills. Please encourage your child to wear sensible footwear to school or bring trainers/sneakers to put on when needed.
Buddy class =
During this time we read, write, develop spelling and maths skills, as well as build friendships with our buddies. This happens every Friday before lunch for 20 minutes.
Camp Fundraising =
As you are aware we have a camp planned for this term. A more accurate amount of what you need to pay will be coming home soon. A big thank you to those of you who have already started to pay. If you are unable to pay this in full you can make part payments. This can be paid to the office or by automatic payment.
Letters will be coming home about camp so if you do not receive anything, please contact either of us and we will get a copy to you
Extra Activities / EOTC / Sports = Year 7 / 8 - Senior Sports - Brooklyn Exchange
This is our annual sports event with Brooklyn School in Wellington. We will be travelling over on Wednesday 26th October [Week 3] for the day. We plan to leave by bus at 8.30ish and be back at school around 4/4.30ish. All Year 7 and 8 students are expected to participate and we will look at other students to fill any gaps. We also need parent support for the day so if you can help let me know [Lesley Kennedy] More information to follow.
Important Dates [so far]
Week 1– Pet Week 13th October Powhiri to welcome new students,
Pet Day Friday 14th October (Half a day)
Week 2 - Monday 17th Kapa Haka Wahanga, 19th - 20th Kapa Haka Festival at the Event Centre. Room 13 ARC due on Friday 21st.
Week 3 – Labour day 24th(Day off), Group Day 25th October. Brooklyn Exchange 26th October.
A & P show students art displayed.
Week 4 – Haka challenge in Masterton 2nd November
Week 5 - Home Garden Judging 9th November, Friday 11th Chess Tournament, Athletics (TBC),
Week 6 – Camp 16th 18th November, Report files sent home
Week 7 – 23rd November interschool Athletics, 27th November Garden Trail, ,
Week 8 –
Week 9 – Year 8 Leavers Dinner 8th Dec, Report sent home 9th December
Week 10 – Special Assembly 13th, Final Assembly 14th. All Whanau are welcome to come along. School finishes early
on Wednesday.
Homework and Communication =
Below is a brief outline of homework tasks over the term.
· There will be weekly homework for Room 13 and 14. We will be continuing with Kiwi Kids News for this homework. This will be issued on Monday and due the following Monday and will be marked on Tuesday.
. Room 13 will be continuing to work on their ARC. Due date is Friday of Week 21st October.
· There may be weekly homework set by the Technology teachers. This will be issued on Tuesday and is due the following Tuesday.
Reports will be sent home this term. The date for these to be sent home will be on the school newsletter. These will be emailed to you.
The school day begins at 8.55. Please make sure that your child is at school before the bell rings. If your child is late to school they will need to go to the office for a Late Slip.
During each term we are entitled to two Classroom Release Days and Management Release Day. On these days Ms Whitburn or Ms Taylor will be teaching Room 13 or 14. These dates are yet to be confirmed.
To help the school, your child and staff, please send notes to school about any sickness, absences or any other issues, as sending notes saves time and confusion.
Head lice are an ongoing problem. If your child is itching please check them and treat them if necessary. We will have head lice checks in class if it is needed. A note will be sent home if this is about to happen.
If your child has Asthma, please send an inhaler to school. The inhaler can be kept in their school bag until it is needed. Please let us know if your child has any medical conditions that we need to be aware of, including having an inhaler in their bag.
If you have any questions, concerns or would like additional information about your child’s learning and progress, please ring, text, email (details below) or come in and see us at school. I recommend that you come between 8.15 and 8:45am. Although on Tuesday mornings the staff have an Administration Meeting in the Staffroom from 8:00 until 8:30 so we will not be in classroom until 8:30 on Tuesday mornings. Or please come to see us between 3.00 and 4:30pm, as we will usually be in the classroom, staffroom or the Library, preparing or assessing work. Please remember Team Kahikatea or Professional Learning meetings happen every Tuesday at 3:30 so we will be unavailable at those times also. We are on Gate Duty every Friday so we need to be at the gate soon after the 3:00 bell. If you need to see us could you please wait until we return which should be about 3:15.
We am really looking forward to a productive term full of learning and engagement! Please do not hesitate to contact us at school or at home if you have anything to discuss.
Teachers and parents working together make a powerful combination.
Working together to achieve success.
Kind regards,
Melanie MacGregor and Lesley Kennedy
