October 2009
Dear Parents and Caregivers
We have had a very busy start to the last term of the year so I apologise for the delay of this newsletter.
Topics for Term 4
- Keeping ourselves safe – School wide unit where children learn strategies to stay safe in a variety of situations. This will include a one and a half hour session with an education officer from the police.
- Hector’s World – An interactive unit to teach children about internet safety.
- Life Education-Heart Central - Harold and the Life Education bus will be here to instruct the children about their main organs and the things that we can do to keep them healthy.
PE
This term we have athletic skills, gymnastics and swimming. It is important that all children wear appropriate clothing for gymnastics. Skirts and dresses make it very difficult to use the equipment correctly.
Music Electives
As all the children did such a fantastic job in the production last term we are offering the children several options in the performing arts such as creative dance, jump jam, choir, computer music and drama. The children get to choose which one to participate in. They will have several lessons in their chosen domain and then we will share items with the Block.
Drawing skills
We have booked a workshop in which the children will develop their drawing skills. The topic is how to draw figures in action. The children will work from models and/or projected images. They will learn about basic figure proportions and will be introduced to ways on conveying movement. As we already have some talented artists we are looking forward to seeing the results.
Sunhats
It is compulsory that children wear their school hats when outside in Term Four. If your child has misplaced their school hat they will need to purchase a new one from the school office. If they do not wear their sunhat when playing they may be asked to sit in a shady area.
Parent Helpers
We have been very fortunate in having some regular parent helpers in the Block. We would like to thank these people who give up their time to assist with classroom programmes as what you do really does make a difference for both the student and teachers.
Doodle for Google Competition
Congratulations to Thomas Wellington who is a finalist in this competition. His entry may be viewed and voted for on this website (www.google.co.nz/doodle4google).
Kind regards
Nicki Stempa
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
M BLOCK WHEELIE DAY |
 |
 |
As part of their language unit on recounts the children from M Block bought their bikes, scooters and roller blades to school for a fun afternoon and then had to write about what had happened. |
 |
 |
It looked like so much fun that even the staff got in on the act ! |
 |
Term 2 M Block Newsletter
Monday 27 April 2009
Dear Parents
We hope you all had a chance to enjoy the wonderful weather we had during the holiday break. This term our major topic focus is advertising. The children will be reviewing the purposes of advertisements, the different ways to advertise and their effectitiveness. They will also look at the specific features of an advertisement such as the use of persuasive language, visuals and sound effects. If you know of anyone who is involved in advertised that would be willing to talk to the children or provide us with supporting information could you please make contact with Nicki Stempa (Room 16). Below are some other activities that you might like to do with your child.
- Discuss the worst and best TV advertisements.
- Compare the ways that companies advertise e.g. radio, magazines, bilboards, newspapers, tv and fliers.
- Find examples of the specific language that advertisers use.
We look forward to working on this topic with the children and will appreciate any examples of advertising that you can provide.
CROSS COUNTRY
For the first four weeks of this term M Block will be training for the school's cross country run. It is very important that children come prepared to run by wearing appropriate clothing and shoes.
NORTHERN ZONE SWIMMING
All the best to the children who will be participating in the Northern Zone Swimming Sports tomorrow.
Regards
M Block Staff
M Block Newsletter
4 February 2009
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Welcome to M Block. The teachers in this Year 3 and 4 syndicate are Stephen Trotter (Room 14), Ingrid Hyde (Room 17), Cheryl Dimond (Room 15), Nicki Stempa (Room 16), Stacey Peacock (Room 18) and Ingrid Hyde (Room 19).
This term the major topic will be: The Rocky Shore. This will be an integrated study here the children will Study the ecosystems of Rock Pools and will probably include a field trip to some rock pools. We will start this topic later in the term so that teachers have a chance to set up routines.
Fitness
- Occurs daily so it is important that children wear appropriate footwear and clothing that enables them to participate fully in all the physical activities. Sport will be on a Thursday afternoon.
Wet Lunch
- To help with activities for wet lunchtimes, we are asking that children bring games and puzzles that could be kept at school. We would also like any spare newspaper, magazines, material, cardboard and ice cream containers for art.
Independent Readers
- Please return independent reading material from previous years. No questions asked. We will just be glad to have them back for use this year.
Homework
- We will start homework in the second week. Children will have two weeks to complete homework activities.
Sunhats
- It is compulsory that children wear their school hats when outside in Terms One and Four. If your child has misplaced their school hat they will need to purchase a new one from the school office.
We would like parent helpers to assist with library support. If you are interested in helping could you please inform your child’s teacher.
We hope your child settles happily into their new class. Please feel free to visit your child’s teacher or the Block Leader (Nicki Stempa - Room 16) if you have any enquiries.
Kind regards
M Block Teachers
M Block Parent Helper Form
M Block Staff would like to start a parent help programme in numeracy and literacy. This would mean a commitment of one or one and a half hours a week (see timetable below) to work with individuals or small groups of children. It would also involve a training session with one of the teachers. If you are willing to volunteer your assistance please fill in the form below.
Please tick the area you would like to assist.
I would like to help with Maths (9.30-10.30).
I would like to help with Reading and Writing (11.00-12.30).
I would like to assist with Library (returning and issuing books).
Name ____________________ Phone Number ___________________
Thank you for your kind offer to help. Your child’s teacher will contact you in regard to training and the day that you would like to help.
M Block Staff