Newsletter Week 2 Term 4 2014

Parents, Friends and Caregivers

We are thrilled with the way the children are developing their artistic talents and look forward to sharing their artworks with you.

Collaborative teaching and learning is an important feature of an increasing number of schools throughout the world, and we are delighted to see the results of the collaborative teaching in the senior class.

The junior classes (Years 0-3) are also teaching and learning collaboratively increasingly this term.

The advantages of teaching this way include:

·         The gifts and strengths of teachers are shared with a larger number of learners than those in their own class (a teacher with great art skills can give instruction to everyone while another teacher can be in support, helping other children)

·         Teachers learn from each other, and the level of teaching skill tends to improve

·         Teachers have more time for one-on-one targeted teaching time due to more flexibility and creative use of instructional time

·         Children can be easily and efficiently grouped for workshops and small group teaching according to stage rather than age - better meeting needs of learners

·         As they get to know children outside their own class better, teachers share the task of raising achievement

·         Teachers can knowledgeably reflect, discuss and support each other to ensure that learning happens for each child

·         Teachers feel less isolated in their classes, and receive more support and validation from each other

·         If a teacher is ill, the transition to work with another teacher is easy

·         If a teacher needs to do testing with one child, the remaining children can be easily engaged in quality learning at the same time

·         Increased collective expertise resulting in greater effectiveness with a variety of students

·         Teachers can often have more energy and greater enjoyment from teaching

Our children are so fortunate to have teachers who are ALL completely committed to the art of teaching, thoroughly focused on achievement of each child, and committed to the overall well-being of each learner.  As principal, this is something I am extremely grateful for.

And when we share the results we are seeing in every class, you are going to be as encouraged as I am!

Two practical things to focus on this week:

Name ALL uniform articles and undies BEFORE SWIMMING on Thursday PLEASE!

All swimming money is due in this week. Please email June if you need to pay week by week.

Thanks!

Helen

Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons start on Thursday. Payments or arrangements for payment should have been received by the office yesterday.

Bring bathing caps and goggles if you have them. All children with long hair need a cap or a hair tie.

School Uniform Hats

School hats are now available from the uniform shop. Cost is $10 and the hats come in a range of sizes. School hats are not a compulsory uniform item but please see below as to what hats are acceptable under our policy.

Children without hats will have to play in the shaded areas during playtimes.

Summer Uniform

Students can wear black sandals rather than black socks and shoes during the summer.  A hat is compulsory if your child is in the playground.

Our policy states : “require students to wear hats which protect the face, neck and ears, whenever they are outside and involved in school activities. Students at school without a hat must remain in an allocated shaded area or inside at break times. Hats must be broad-brimmed (min 7.5cm), or legionnaire/bucket hats (min 6cm brim, deep crown). These hats provide significant protection to the eyes”.

Open Days/Try Days

In term four we will have Open Days/Try Days every Tuesday for anybody who would like to see the school in action and prospective students. If you know anybody who is interested in the school please encourage them to come and check us out.

Special Assemblies

October 24^th and 31^st          Rooms 3 & 4 Honouring Assembly

November 7^th and 14^th       Room 2 Honouring Assembly

November 21^st and 28^th      Room 1 Honouring Assembly

December 1^st Volunteers     Honouring Assembly

December 12^th                   Prizegiving

Board Meetings

These are the dates for the Board Meetings for the rest of the year.

You are always welcome to attend they are held at 7.00 in the staffroom.

28 October, 9 December

Calendars/Diaries/Cards Fundraiser

In term 4 each child will produce a piece of artwork that will be made into a calendar or pack of 8 cards/envelopes or diary.

This will be a fundraiser to enable us to get new bean bags, a couch and cushions for the refurbished library.

Calendars will be $12.00

8 pouch of cards and envelopes $12.00

Diary $15.00

Final day for ordering will be Wed 29 Oct. They will be available mid Nov to enable you to get these posted away for gifts for family and friends. An order form will be sent home in term 4.

Picnic/Talent Show/Guy Fawkes

Friday 31 October

Shared dinner/picnic followed by a talent quest. Start practicing now. Guy Fawkes will round off the evening.

Zoo Trip

Our postponed  zoo trip has been scheduled for Monday 24th November. Something for the children to look forward to.

Upcoming Events:                                

24 Oct                           Rooms 3 & 4 Honouring Assembly

28 Oct                           Board of Trustees Meeting

29 Oct                           Interschool Crosscountry

                                    Calendar /Diaries/Cards orders in

31 Oct                           Rooms 3 & 4 Honouring Assembly

                                    Picnic, Talent Show and Fireworks night

4 Nov                            MCS  Athletics Day

5 Nov                            Parent Group Meeting

7 Nov                            Room 2 Honouring Assembly

14 Nov                          Room 2 Honouring Assembly

16 Nov                          Anniversary Church Service

21 Nov                          Room 1 Honouring Assembly

24 Nov                          Zoo Trip

28 Nov                          Room 1 Honouring Assembly

3 Dec                            Parent Group Meeting

1 Dec                            Volunteers Honouring Assembly

5 Dec                            Carols by Candlelight

8 Dec                            Rainbow Care Day

9 Dec                            Board of Trustees Meeting

12 Dec                          Prizegiving Assembly

                                    Art Exhibition/Bible Fair

16 Dec                          Last Day of School for Year

 

Community Notices

iPad and Laptop engraving

$10 to have your name and phone no engraved on your iPad or laptop. Email wwengraving@xtra.co.nz or ph 094250201/0274824209.

Take a Kid Fishing - Warkworth Lions Club Annual Event 

For Kids 12 years old and under

           Kids must be accompanied by an adult

·         Sunday February 22^nd 2015  9a.m. to 3 p.m.

·         From Sandspit wharf, Warkworth

·         Limited numbers

·         Registrations compulsory and close Thursday February 19^th at 5 p.m.

NO LATE ENTRIES  accepted.

·         Registration forms available from January 7th at Diving and Fishing Snell’s Beach, Hunting and Fishing  or online at                     takeakidfishingwarkworth@gmail.com

·         Rules and information on Registration forms.

Prizes, Raffles, sausage sizzles!