Week 6, Term 1

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

Thanks to those of you who attended our Picnic last week and showed support for your child’s learning. For those of you who didn’t make it, and who haven’t had conversations with teachers yet this year, your teachers will be in touch about a time to meet.

I have been observing in the Feuerstein lessons, and am thrilled with the learning our children are doing and the thinking skills that they are developing to transfer into life.

Here is a compilation of what some of them have said:

“We are learning to stop and think before we solve a problem, and to not be impulsive but to take our time to think so we can create a pattern that is exactly the same as the model. I am getting better at noticing patterns. Sometimes I need to turn the shape in my head and think about the problem in a different way. I am getting better at finding clues to help me work out how to do a problem.

I am learning to think harder and to concentrate. I am learning to be calm and not to get frustrated. If I get frustrated I breathe and I look up at the ceiling and I try again.

Doing this has made the impossible possible. I thought it wasn’t possible!

Some things are hard for some people and easy for others.”

I think this is good evidence that your children are making progress!

Thanks to Christine Copeland who drives up from Greenhithe three times a week at no charge and volunteer teaches this programme with Year 4-8 every week.

Thanks to June Port for teaching Years 2-3 three mornings a week, and to Mary Allen for leading the charge with Noticing the Absurd in Years 1-3.

Have a great week.

Sandpit

The school sandpit is nearly completed and is looking fantastic.  A huge thank you to Gary Morning for all the hard work he has put into making it.  We would also like to thank the following companies:

Cato Builders for the loan of the excavator to create the space for the sandpit.

Mason Contractors for the donation of $1000 worth of sand which will fill the sandpit.

Swimming and Sport

The children have been enjoying their Thursday afternoons at Snells Beach.  This week it will be swimming and sports.

Your child will need sun hat, sunscreen, lunch, drink bottle every Thursday. On Swimming days they will also need togs, towel, and a bag for wet clothes.

  

Thursday 12 March - Swimming and Sports
Thursday 19 March - Sports only
Thursday 26 March - Swimming and Sports

Prayer for our school
Louisa Kimber has kindly taken on the prayer for the school each week.  The time has now been changed to Tuesday mornings from 8.50am – 9.20am in the crèche in the church. If you have any questions please contact Louisa on (09)4254274 or louisakimber@gmail.com

Assembly

Assembly this Friday will be at 9.10am.  Room 1 children will lead the assembly .  Morning tea will provided afterwards.

Board Meetings
The next Board of Trustee Meeting for this term is:

Tuesday 10th March 7pm - 9pm

Hockey
We are coming into the hockey season, the following teams are available:
Funsticks is for Year 0-1 and they meet at 8.30-9.15am on Saturday mornings
Junior Hockey is for Year 2-4, and they play at 8.30 or 9.20am on Saturday mornings.
Senior Hockey Year 5-6, and they play  at either 9.20, 10.10 or 11am.
A team will also be organised for Year 7 and 8 children. The fee for the year is $80.  If your child would like to be part of a team, can you please call Nicolette on 021 307 387.  Nicolette would also love to hear from you if you would like to coach or manage a team. Registration forms need to be returned to school by this Friday 13^th March.

News from the PTA

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS
We are doing Scholastic book orders again this year.  Catalogues were sent home last week and orders are due back at school by this WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH.
Remember if you have a $2.00 voucher from last issue then you can use it to put toward books in this issue.

 
PTA MEETING
The PTA would love to see you at the PTA Meetings.  They meet on the first Wednesday of every month.  Meetings are generally for 1hr.  If you can't make the meeting but would still like to be involved please contact Isabelle Franks on Isabelle@conetworkz.co.nz and we can put you on the minutes list.

Community Notices

Girl Guide Biscuits
Remember the lovely taste of girl guide biscuits that are only available once a year.
Get yourself a supply that will last all year.
SELLING NOW - Call Isabelle 422 9556

Shepherding a Child’s Heart
Parenting Conference 20-21^st March 2015
Dr Tedd and Margy Tripp, authors of the best selling book, “Shepharding a Child’s Heart will be speaking at this conference.  Tickets can be purchased from : http://fs30.formsite.com/kfdLSR/ALKD/index.html
Further details can be found at www.shepherdingthehearttour.co.nz

Healtheries Competition

Help us to win $10,000 in sports gear for our school, delivered by Dan Carter, plus have a chance to win a $1,000 prize pack for yourself! Just buy any two Healtheries Supplements, Teas, or Kidscare snacks from Countdown supermarkets during March and swipe your Onecard – the more times you buy, the greater your chance of winning!