Welcome to 2011 in Kahikatea!
Rm11 Janine McDonald Rm12 Tatia Downer Rm15 Sue Dore
Rm21 Laura Yousif Rm22 Julia Bevin Release: Sam Edwards
We hope you have all had a relaxing break and have been able to get out and do some exciting things with family and friends.
Term one is an important term for setting the scene in a classroom, establishing routines and expectations, and for Year 5 and 6 students they are beginning to analyse their own learning and develop self management skills.
Gymnastics – our PE programme this term is focussed around gymnastics and we will be visiting the gymnastic centre on Mazengarb Rd every Tuesday for 6 weeks. The children will bus to and from the centre at a cost of $15 per student – please pay via the school office. The cost of the programme is paid for by the school. Students are asked not to wear clothing with zips or belts, no jeans or jewellery either for these sessions please. Parent Helpers are required for each session so please contact your child’s teacher if you are able to help.
Swimming –the school pool is operational giving each class 2 swimming slots a week. These are likely be morning sessions. Please make sure your child has their togs and towel at school.
Homework – is set by classroom teachers on a Monday and lasts a fortnight. Homework will always include spelling words and a reading log, the other components of the Homework Grid will vary depending on the classroom programme and needs of each class. There is usually one oral language task per term which forms part of the homework.
Topic – our topic to start the year is called ‘Relating to Others’ which links into the Life Education Programme called ‘Friends’. The significant questions being asked this term in our classes are;
What are manners?
Why do we have manners?
What happens when we don’t use manners?
Reward System – each class runs their own reward system but as a syndicate we hold Fun Afternoons once a term. These are aimed at rewarding students who regularly complete homework and have a positive attitude towards school and their peers. Detentions are held once a week for students who have work to finish. Students may also be given a detention for unacceptable behaviour. Students who have a detention will bring home a form to be signed by a parent and returned to the school the following day.
Camp – This year Kahikatea Syndicate will be visiting El Rancho camp in Waikanae for two nights – 23rd and 24th of November. We are holding a parent information evening on Tuesday March 8th at 7pm in the school hall where we will outline the programme and costs involved.
Preparation for Learning – many things contribute to successful learning and there are some helpful things that you, as parents can do;
* Sun block every day (hats are provided by the school). And remember that clothing must cover the shoulders (no straps!)
* ‘Water is the drink to make you think’, please ensure your child has a drink bottle full of water. Sugary drinks are not okay for school.
* Food is fuel. Recent studies have shown that breads and grains have a significant impact on children’s learning. Please ensure your child has sandwiches (or similar) and fruit in their lunchbox every day. Chippies, dry 2-minute noodles and other pre-packaged foods are ‘sometimes’ foods and should not be an everyday lunch box item.
* Appropriate footwear. Physical activity is very important for getting oxygen to the brain and students will be involved in physical activity everyday. In order to participate effectively students need sturdy shoes or sandals. Jandals and high heels are not suitable
* Equipment – all students should have their stationery for the start of the term. Please check with your child regularly to ensure they have pens, pencils, erasers etc. as these things quickly disappear.
We look forward to learning with your children this year. Please contact us via your child’s communication book or email us.
Kind regards
Julia Bevin, Janine McDonald, Tatia Downer, Sue Dore, Laura Yousif and Sam Edwards.