Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back everyone. We trust you all had an enjoyable break. We have prepared an exceptionally busy but interesting final term and the purpose of this newsletter is to provide you with some details.
As you are all aware I will be away working for the National Education Monitoring Project for the first six weeks of term and Maree Goodall from Room 9 will be acting as Syndicate Leader. Jo Allan will be working in Room 6 for these weeks.
THEMES:
Weeks 1 - 2 Keeping Our Safe
Week 3 – 4 Art focus – each class will look at different types of art
Weeks 5 – 6 Life Education Bus
Weeks 7 – 8 Art Focus
Week 9 Health: Yr 5 ‘Personal Hygiene’ and Year 6 ‘Pubertal Change’
Weeks 10 Arts ‘Christmas Crafts’
There are a number of events this term that will be mentioned in subsequent school and Block newsletters. These include: Yr 6’s final visit to Raroa Intermediate, a Yr 6 outing towards the end of term, Road Patrol Training for selected Yr 5’s, School Athletics and Northern Zone Athletics, and Block Swimming lessons 16th – 27th November.(weeks 6 and 7). The choir will also be participating in Kid for Kids on Wednesday 21st October.
LITERACY:
Classes will explore a variety of poems and short narratives.
MATHEMATICS:
All classes are exploring the Number Strategy of Fractions Proportions and Ratios. Each teacher has also identified the specific Number Knowledge areas (e.g. place value, basic facts) reflecting the needs of their class and this also forms part of the programme. Some classes will also be covering different strands throughout the term.
THE ARTS:
This continues with different teachers leading Drama, Dance, Beat and Rhythm, Reading and Playing Music and the Choir.
P.E FITNESS AND SPORT
Daily Fitness continues. The P.E. focus for the first half of the term is Athletics and Gymnastics and our Athletic Sports is in Week Three. Friday Sports for most of the term relates to the summer sports codes with modified games.
HOMEWORK:
Formal Homework returns this week.
FINALLY:
It is a pleasure to work with your children and we all appreciate the interest shown and support given throughout the year. We look forward to a fantastic final term.
Best wishes
S Block Teachers
S Block Newsletter –
Term 2 2009
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
After our Easter Break we are ready for another busy term. This newsletter contains information and news about the Senior Block this term.
THEMES:
Our Theme unit this term is focussing on the children using their inquiry, independence and time management skills. The Theme unit is based around “Small Businesses’’.
LITERACY:
Last term all classes focused on writing information reports based around environmental issues. This term all classes will focus on reading and writing recount texts where we will explore the features of recounts and write about our personal experiences.
MATHEMATICS:
This term all classes will be exploring the Number Operational Strategies of Multiplication and Division. From individual records each Teacher has identified the specific Number Knowledge areas of focus. Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts continue to be an important aspect of the programme and children need to build this into their homework.
P.E Fitness and Sport
Our Fitness begins with jogging in preparation for the Northern Zone Cross Country. All children are expected to be fully involved in the training leading up to this and will need to have appropriate footwear and clothing every day. They will need a note from a parent if unable to be involved for any reason. The Northern Zone sporting events this term are swimming, which will be taking place on Tuesday 28th April and cross country which is on Tuesday 2nd June. We are also excited to be having Melissa Moon, New Zealand’s top Mountain Runner, come to school and give the Northern Zone Cross Country representatives advice on how to train and do their best.
Homework:
The homework programme will be changing this term, we are bringing in an exciting new idea. More details on this will follow this week.
Year 6 Students:
The year 6 students have been invited to visit Raroa Intermediate for their first induction visit. This will take place nearer the end of term.
Finally:
It is a pleasure to work with your children and we all appreciate the interest you show and the support you give us throughout the year.
As usual if you have any queries or concerns please discuss these with your child’s teacher or Sarah Brown, Room 6.
Best wishes, The S Block Teachers
4th February 2009
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
After a long holiday we are all refreshed and ready for another busy year. Welcome back to all of you. This newsletter contains information and news about the Senior Block this term.
Staffing:
Mrs Sarah Brown (Cox) R6 (Senior Teacher)
Mrs Maree Goodall R9
Miss Lisa Walker R7
Mr David Martin R5
Miss Adele Montgomery R8
Mr Eugene Becconsall R10
Theme Topics:
Week 1 – 2 Class Culture Building
Week 3 – 11 Environment with Yr 6 Camp and Yr 5 EOTC visits. (Camp and visits will take place in week 10)
Grouping:
We cross group for Maths to ensure learning needs are addressed. Students are grouped according to behavioural, social and learning needs for Literacy and homebase class.
Camp:
Year 6 students will attend camp during week 10, the dates being 6th – 9th April.
Information including permission forms will be sent out to parents soon, along with a camp parent meeting date. If you have any questions please contact Mrs Brown in Room 6.
P.E Fitness and Sport
The main events for term one is school swimming sports which will take place on 25th February.
Homework:
Homework will start in Week 2 and information about this will be included in your child’s homework book. Please read this carefully and if you have any questions contact your homebase teacher. Once testing is completed a spelling programme will begin.
Student/Teacher expectations and how you can help:
We clearly communicate our academic, social and behavioural expectations and encourage students to take increasing responsibility for their learning and behaviour. At this level of the school we expect students to be responsible for delivering newsletters/information to you at home and to return necessary information back to us at school.
Punctuality:
When students arrive 15 – 20 minutes before the start of the day they can unpack and organise their equipment, return notices etc and be ready to begin learning. It’s also a great time to socialise and catch up with their teacher and peers.
Clothing:
A reminder that students are required to wear or bring appropriate clothing and footwear to school every day and that this is to be named. We have daily physical activity and need to ensure your child’s comfort and safety at all times. Students are required to have a ‘House’ sunhat (not caps) at school and to have their shoulders covered when outside, if they do not have a hat these can be purchased at the school office. If shoulders are uncovered students are expected to bring a tee shirt or similar to wear when outside. Although we do have sunscreen at school it would be helpful if children applied sunscreen before leaving home and had a personal supply in their trays.
Cellphones etc:
Please do not send these along to school with your child. They can be a distraction and security issue. Expensive toys and electronic devices fall into the same category and if these are brought to school we take no responsibility for them.
Participation and Attendance:
Please encourage your child to participate in all school activities. The more our students ‘give things a go’ the more likely they are to build personal confidence and skills.
Regular attendance is important. Mondays are times when activities and testing occurs to set up for the week and Fridays are days when we collect information on how well students have achieved during this time. Homework is given out/due back on these days also and this time off school can be disruptive for all, both socially and academically.
Finally:
It is a pleasure to work with your children and we all appreciate the interest you show and the support you give us throughout the year.
If you have any queries or concerns please discuss these with your child’s teacher, Sarah Brown or Di Patchett, the Deputy Principal.
Best wishes, The S Block Teachers
HOMEWORK 2009
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Your child will bring homework home every other Monday. He/She has two weeks to complete it. He/She can work through the activities at their own pace to allow for after school commitments and other family activities. The work should not be onerous, no more than 20 minutes each night. If your child has difficulty completing the work despite working steadily please write a note in their homework book.
The aim of the weekly homework is to develop time management skills, personal discipline and practice skills learned at school.
This year we have included a marking criteria sheet and both your child and their teacher are to record their assessments. An explanation is provided on the sheet.
It is important that homework is returned on Friday so teachers can mark work and acknowledge efforts made.
It is your child’s responsibility to complete this homework to the best of their own ability.
Any problems please ring your child’s teacher to discuss these.
Parent or Caregiver
I have read this note and understand the homework requirements:
Signed _____________________________
Thank you
S Block teachers