Kia ora Koutou,

As we near the end of the term, it is timely to reflect on our school value –‘love of work’. The tamariki continue to make the most of their time in class and develop academically in a more structured way. This is especially the case with Lexia Core 5 and the Code for literacy and working through Prime books for mathematics. Staff will be gaining further insights about the refreshed mathematics curriculum on Friday the 4^th of April. Please remember the school is closed for instruction on this teacher only day.

Another aspect of school life that has been progressing well is how the older children have been including younger children in different activities, especially during break time and lunch time. This family spirit is very important in ensuring children collaborate with each other in a positive manner.

We are currently checking our emergency kits in case of a disaster, and it is important all children have one outside their classroom. Thanks to those who have sent in their replenished kits.

We look forward to a Holy Week liturgy in the school hall with Father Joy at 11am on Wednesday 9^th of April. All are welcome to join us for this celebration before Easter during the holidays.

We have had a reported case of nits as school - please can you check your child/children's hair this weekend and treat if necessary.

End of day pick up time.

Please note school finishes at 2.55  and  all tamariki need to be picked up when school ends.  

Kerry de Graaff

Acting Principal

                                  Everyone had fun at Keith Spry Pool today 

Wednesday 9 April is our Holy Week Liturgy at 11am in the school hall. Father Joy will lead this liturgy. All are welcome.

The Sunday just past was the third Sunday of Lent. During this time, we continue to focus on purification, repentance, and renewal, and this cleansing involves prioritising God in our lives, so we are not distracted by temptations such as materialism. Lent also invites us to reflect on how we approach prayer, Mass and our relationship with God. This process is often about having a sincere heart and letting go of what separates us from God.

We have been learning about the Wahine disaster in Room 1 and been finding out quite a few things we didn’t know.  We have been lucky enough to make electromagnets in the Makeroom and it was great to see people with their finished product to take home.  We were outside on Monday to do some gardening and even harvested some heritage corn. We talked about what we could do with the corn and decided to give popping it a go.  We investigated how to pop corn and what we would need.  After that we hypothesised what would happen and why.  It was interesting to see what happened – ask someone in Room 1 to give you an update to what happened.  

Gallipoli WWI 

Last Wednesday we went to the Gallipoli exhibition at Te papa. Some things were extremely scary like the trenches. I thought the uniforms and the models of Gallipoli were interesting. My favourite thing was the giant statues made by the Weta workshop. And they were very realistic, especially the two that had blood. At the last part we made vibrant red poppies then we dropped it into a pit with one of the giant statues. I am looking forward to finding out about gallipoli and anzac day 

By Alistair 

ELECTROMAGNETS 

Last week on Thursday half of Room 1 went to the Maker room. We made electromagnets. An electromagnet is a magnet that creates electricity to attract other magnetic objects like a compass. We first glued wood together, then we stuck wires through the holes in the wood and put some electromagnet metal on it. Then , lastly we put batteries in and a yellow button. When you press the yellow button it would attract other magnets. 

By Frances 

FRIDAY  

On Friday afternoon room1,2 and 4 played some games together. One of the games we played was Dodge Ball where you throw a ball at a person in the middle. They must try to dodge the ball to not get out.  

It was a good game to play for children over 5 years old. I felt like it was a good game I rate it a 5.6 out of 10. In my group, there was Frances, Lion and me.  I am looking forward to this Friday afternoon.  

By Elijah  

 LIBRARY  

I’m excited to be a librarian because me and Alistair can help each other at Cardinal McKeefry Library. We issue and return books every Monday and Tuesday when Jo tells us to.  We go to the circulation box, push issue and then give books out.  Being a librian is fantastic. 

By Penny  

Sports 

Last Friday we did 2 very fun games with Mr Degraaff, our principal. First we went on the field to play EndZone and then we went to the basket ball court to play Dodge ball. We played quickly on the field.On the second game,Dodge ball someone has to be in the middle and a few people on the outside. People were passing and throwing at the person in the middle. It was fun and I felt enthusiastic while playing the games. We did it because we wanted to have fun and play around everywhere. 

By Naomi 

Gardening with Jo!  

On Monday afternoons we usually do gardening. I LOVE gardening with Jo. It's VERY, VERY fun. I'm looking forward to doing it together with jo, im looking forward to helping in the garden. I can be a bit enthusiastic sometimes. I LOVE nature I want to be with it AGAIN AND AGAIN! It's good to be with nature, you just get time to relax and be with God's creations, it's very relaxing just to think about it!  

 By Elisabeth   

Our Garden   

This week in the garden ,we have been planting seed tape .In the first session  

Me and Naomi planted radishes . Penny and Elisabeth planted beetroots .In  

The second session Naomi and I planted different seed tapes .I don’t really  

Remember what they were, but I think Naomi planted carrots .This week  

We harvested purple corn  

 By Kora  

Over the past two weeks, room 2 have continued to focus on read works with a unit on creating movies and being able to structure a sound sentence summing up the main point of their chosen article. It was pleasing to see the children publish their narrative with a clear problem and resolution. These will be put up on spotlight before the end of the term.  For mathematics, we are working on basic facts through timed practice of addition and subtraction equations, as well as progressing through our prime books.

Mrs Ryan has been teaching RE and the meaning of special taonga. It was great to see special designs of pounamu that will be made into gifts for others. On Fridays we have started our whole school focus on sport. The first session involved playing end zone on the field, followed by dodge ball on the courts. These games emphasised teamwork and spatial awareness, and it was great to see all children enthusiastically participating. Our next session will be on football and working well in a team.

Newsletter Room 4 week 8

Shapes- In room 4, tamariki learned about common 2d and 3d shapes. We learnt the shape names and the number of sides and corners 2D shapes have. As part of our hands-on learning, we used 3D shapes to create amazing models. Check out our wonderful creations!

Love of work- We have been embracing our school value, ‘Love of Work’, by fostering a positive attitude towards learning, perseverance, and pride in our efforts. Our tamariki have demonstrated enthusiasm, curiosity, and a commitment to doing their best in all aspects of school life. Keep up the fantastic mahi, Room 4!

Harriet- If I get my work wrong, I will fix it. Love of work means if someone gets their work wrong, don't be mean because it would hurt their feelings, and they will be sad.

Felix- Love of work means helping others and doing good. I show love of work by doing things correctly, and when something is wrong, I ask Mrs Bains for help and do not give up.

Otis- Love of work means doing work and having fun. I like learning new stuff and having a challenge.

Felix- Love of work means helping others and doing good. I show love of work by doing things correctly, and when something is wrong, I ask Mrs Bains for help and do not give up.

Shabad- Love of work means working together. I like helping my friends with their work.

Violeta- Love of work means doing a good job. Sometimes, it is writing, and sometimes it is maths.

Penny and Alistair are now fully trained librarians and will be holding the fort whilst I am away.  All the students in room one will get an opportunity to become librarians and take on responsibilities in terms two, three and four.  Penny and Alistair have shown great enthusiasm and dedication in these roles. 

Please encourage your tamariki to take out any ‘old favourite’ books for holiday reading as the National Library are currently sifting through the school’s collection.  Many books have been moved off the shelves already these will be replaced by National Library loans as we move into term three.