Monday - Children to meet new teachers for 2015 from 12 - 12:30 pm
Wednesday - 9 am Prize - Giving ( Class Awards - Pink Slip in report.)
Wednesday - 5:30 pm End of Year Thanks - Giving Mass
Thursday - 9am any children in class who want to do a Secret Santa. We will just put presents altogether and then draw names out to choose. Don't spend over $5. There are lots of fun things at the $2!
Thursday - 11 am Year 6 Missioning, School Hall ( Students go home with parents afterwards. )
Thanks to Lauren. H for doing my notices this week !!!
Week 8 Term 4
We will not be swimming this week.
I will see year 6 campers ready to go at 7:45 am tomorrow! Year 5s at a more reasonable time of 8:30am on Wednesday.I have tried to put up the camp notices.But no luck so please check the Room 1 blog for the camp info. Thanks
Week 7 Term 4
Thanks to all the parents who came to help and support their children at the athletics day. I will have notices for the children attending the inter-school athletics (Tuesday) sometime today.
The Ahurei Festival is also on the Tuesday the 25th. Children who are at athletics will not be attending the practice for Ahurei during the day. But please see Mrs Dunkley if you will be away. Thanks.
The PTA raffle will be drawn this week. So all tickets sold or unsold must come back to school ASAP.
I think that is all. We are getting the final touches ready for the production. And of course there is camp next week!!!
Please email if you have any questions about the comings and goings this week or for the remainder of the year.
Have a great week everyone!
Week 6 Term 4
Hello everyone.
This seems to be a very busy week coming up. Be sure to eat your Weetbix to get through.
ERO arrive for their check of the school. We get to showcase all of the amazing things we have been doing over the past few years. I am looking forward to hosting them in our class later in the week.
Bring togs on Monday and Thursday only this week.
Wednesday the Year 6 students are going to JPC and have a few small assessments to do before they go, If your Year 6 child is not going to JPC they will stay at school and finish off work with the Year 5s.
Friday is ATHLETICS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please note that it will not be held at the usual venue. This year we are going to JPC and using their field. Rain day is Monday. We need heaps and heaps of parents to help. It is great day to spend some quality fun time getting to know your child's friends. So let Lizzy know at the office if you are coming along. Please drop off your child at JPC and pick them up as well at usual school times. Children are encouraged to wear house colours. But the school PE uniform is always a good option.
I will go over the gear list with the class later in the week.
Please email or txt if you have any questions. I don't know if I will have any answers but I will certainly try to help you get organised for the week.
Week 5 Term 4
Just a quick end of week notice. Grandparent Mass is tomorrow. All are welcome.
Tomorrow we are also having a Fish and Chips lunch for our Taste of.... topic this term. Next week will be taste of North America and we are sampling some pumpkin pie Canadian style. Usually I find the money in the class budget for this but alas I have come to the end of my budget. So for this week I have asked all that want to participate to bring a $2 for fish and chips. Many remembered and have already brought in money. Thanks to those families. I have the pumpkin pie ready to bake so there will be no cost next week.
Week 5 Term 4
No Swimming this week.
Library on Tuesday...please bring your books even if you haven't finished reading them.
Children in the production need to find out today (Monday) what days and times you have practice.
Athletics Day next Friday...not this Friday... We will need parents to help. If you have a spare day and love being outside in the sunshine please let the office know you can help out. This year it is going to be held at JPC.
Have a great week.
Week 4 Term 4
Swimming this week...rain or shine!
Jean Luc's dad is coming to do a science experiment or two on Tuesday. Check out or main blog page to see our exciting morning.
Kapa Haka students will be performing at the Convention Centre for new citizens on Thursday.
In maths this week we have finished with our topic about time. There are a few children who are still a bit muddled on quarter past and quarter to times. Please review as homework.
Thanks to all parents who came and helped at the working bee on the weekend. The school looks fantastic.
Week 3 Term 4
Time is flying this term!
If you haven't heard the production has been postponed until Week 9 December 10th and 11th.
We are not swimming this week.
Mr Macmillan asked me to put the following notice on the blog: St Marys is having a working bee on Saturday. The working bee starts at 8am and will conclude at 1.00pm with a tasty lunch and other refreshments. Many hands make light work. The children will be helping me with a few small things to keep our classroom and garden outside Room 2 look fantastic heading into the end of the year.
Otherwise it is looking like a fairly ordinary week ahead.
Thanks to all parents who supported their children reading over the holidays. It was fantastic to see so many students bring back their reading logs. Swimming was also well supported. The class is making huge improvement with their swimming fitness.
Week 2 Term 4
Reminders:
Swimming every day this week rain or shine. Mr Beckham has done a fantastic job getting the pool up and running. It is lovely and warm. All students are expected to swim as part of the school curriculum.
The school newsletter will be available online. No paper copies are going to be given out. Although there will be a few copies available at the office if you don't have access to the online version.
A few children are still getting a bit mixed up telling the time. Please ask your child each night what they have learned and help to consolidate their learning in this area.
All reading logs are due in this week from the holidays. There are a heap of prizes that can be won. I would love to have Room 2 with 100% return! That would certainly ensure I had bragging rights in the the staff room!
Have a great week everyone.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!
I hope you are out enjoying the last few days before Term 4 starts.
A few reminders:
We swim Weeks 2,4,6 and 8. The focus will be on life saving techniques and then just continuing our basic strokes and swimming fitness we worked on Term 1. ALL students are expected to participate in swimming lessons. Please come with togs and towels every day. As you may imagine it is nearly impossible as a teacher to monitor 32 students in and out of the pool. Therefore I need to have all students in the pool. Thanks for your co-operation.
We are completing a short unit on time in maths the first two weeks of school. I am hoping that children can read both digital and analogue (clocks with hands) time. We will be covering problem solving measuring time. If you think your child needs a bit of a refresher can you please try and review telling the time at home. There are apps available and some are free I just Googled it and there are lots. Check online for free games as well.
This term we are continuing our topic about globalisation. We are going to be looking at specific countries and their food, dance, stories, celebrations (Christmas) and did I mention food? If you, or someone in your family has a food item, dance, craft or other item you would like to share with Room 2 we would love to have you come in one afternoon to share your culture. Please come and see me or email me at susann@stmarys.rotorua.school.nz We will start and end in New Zealand and then Canada is next.
I am looking forward to starting Term 4. If you need stationery like pens, pencils or glue sticks please come with your new supplies on Monday.
Remember we are in summer uniform.
Term 3 Week 10
Welcome to our final week of Term 3. Last week was busy with pizza and two class trips. The museum trip was excellent as was the Aida production. I hope it will inspire our students.
Monday: Pass It Programme. Please bring PE gear to school.
Thursday: Loom Disco at school 5:30 - 7pm
Friday: Senior School to parish mass. All children are to be in correct uniform.
The holiday reading programme will start again. Lots of great prizes to be won...and all students have to do it read! Teachers also get to fill out a form. But we can't enter unless we have everyone participate in our class. So be sure to read and write it down.
Have a great week.
Term 3 Week 9
Not much to add from the notices from last week so this will be mostly a recap of this weeks events.
Monday: Pass It programme. All students are to have their school PE uniform.
Tuesday: Walking to Boys High to watch a production.
Making pizzas. Please bring toppings and a list of where the ingredients are from.
Year 6 parents pre-puberty meeting 5:15 pm. A time to ask questions and hear
about the programme.
Wednesday:
Thursday: Museum Trip. We leave at 9 am and back by 11:30 am . I still require some
parent help. Please email me if you can help.
Friday: Golden Time: If I am out this will be free time or dodge ball...
Off to jury service. I will be in school before and after class Monday.
Check the homework tab for this week's homework.
Term 3 Week 8
Mid-Week Notice!**********
Next week I have been called in for jury service. So I will be out of the classroom at least for Monday morning.
I am looking for a parent helper on Thursday September 18th. We are going to the museum. We are going on the bus but I require at least one other parent with me while we are there. We go from 9am to 11:30am. Please email me if you can help.
Tuesday after morning tea (11am) Week 9 we are making pizzas. I would love some parent help and especially so if I actually have to be involved with a trial and the reliever gets landed with this activity!!!. If you think you can help out please email me susann@stmarys.rotorua.school.nz
The children are making the dough. I will purchase the ingredients for the dough and the sauce. All children are in groups of 4 or 5. They are bringing home a list of ingredients they would like to have on their pizza. It would help if items were pre-cut and grated before school. We have limited equipment here at school.
Thanks for all you help.
_*******************************************************************************************************
Not many notices for this week.
Lauren H is off to RotoMaths on Tuesday after school. We wish her team all the best.
Year 6 Cake Stall: All year students going to camp are holding a cake stall on Tuesday. Yummy goodies will be on sale at morning tea for $1.
Friday: 9am Birth of Mary Mass at the church.
Forms should all be returned for Pre-Puberty . Thanks to the parents of Year 6 students.
Please return all chocolate bar money.
Term 3 Week 7
Welcome to Week 7.
Our Whanau Roopu group is having a raffle this term. If your child is in the Kapa Haka group then you will have received tickets to sell. If you would like to support the group please let the office know if you would like to purchase tickets.
Mr Macmillan is pleased with the effort of our home readers. Keep up the great work. Remember books go home on a Monday and back Friday.
A reading survey went out last week. Finished surveys need to be in by Tuesday.
PTA Father's Day gifts will be sold in the hall on Wednesday for $3.
Mufti day on Friday. There is a $1 gold coin donation.
Please email if you have an queries or concerns.
Susan
Term 3 Week 6Welcome to Week 6.
Not many notices for this week.
MONDAY IS PHOTO DAY!!!!!!!!!!
It isn't too late to order photos. Please send to school tomorrow.
ALL students must wear the school jersey.
Room 2 had 26 students audition for the school production on Friday morning. The children should hear this week what part they will be playing or if they have a backstage job. I was pleased that so many took the challenge and put themselves out there and gave it a go. The Cinderella production will require many students to help out in some fashion.
We nearly had 100% with our Home Reading return challenge this week. Just one student forgot to bring it back on Friday. Parents please get behind this simple initiative. So this week will be the week...I can feel it!
Tuesday I am out of the classroom from 9-12pm for a technology workshop. I will be back in class for the afternoon. We also have the Pass It programme on Tuesday. All students to have St Marys PE gear.
This week we are making hobo stoves for Golden Time on Friday. We need large tins like restaurants might use. The bigger the tins the better the stoves. We will make the stoves on Thursday. If you have access to someone who may use these tins please grab a few for our cooking teams. Thanks. The menu will be decided on by each group.
Have a great week.
Susan
Term 3 Week 5
Hello everyone. It looks like an uncomplicated week ahead.
I am away at a professional development day in Rotorua. I will not be in the classroom on Monday. I found out late Friday after school so homework will be online tomorrow. Also the class will have library tomorrow at 11am rather than Tuesday at 11am. Children will also have both lunch hours on Tuesday and Thursday to return and issue books.
Thursday the entire senior team is going to the Science Roadshow at Rotorua Intermediate School. There is a $4 cost. Please bring in the money Tuesday. Thanks to those students who have done so already.
Lost property is over flowing. It is time to collect lost jerseys. I will be doing a check on Tuesday to see which children are missing a jersey. Please have it named. I will send home a note with all children who don't have their jersey. Mrs Dunkley says there are over 20 in the lost property box! This is a huge problem. Please be part of the solution. Thanks.
No Pass It this week. We will practice the skills this week during fitness.
Home Reading Students well done this week...Just one student in our class left their books at home. Remember just minutes a day will make a huge difference with reading levels. Mr Macmillan is looking for a 100% return on Friday. Let's meet the challenge.
Have a great week. See you Tuesday.
Term 3 Week 4
What a fabulous week last week!
Students learned heaps about reading the labels on the food they eat and drink. Andy from New World was an enthusiastic presenter and the students were a joy to take into the store. Shoppers were delighted to see the children so engaged in their studies.
Our trip to Ohinemutu and having the opportunity to go inside Tamatekapua Whare was truly something special. I have photos that I will put up on the blog later this week.
I would like to thanks the mums and dads who helped out on both of these trips.
Friday we celebrated St Mary of the Cross Feast Day. It was a fun day full of fun activities. The shared lunch was overflowing with yummy treats. Again thanks to all families who brought in something to share. The children sang beautifully during mass. The Year 5 and 6 classes have a huge responsibility to learn the new songs quickly and lead the rest of the school.
Homework will go on the homework tab later today. Just a reminder that students on the home reading programme need to write down all reading they complete in their notebook. Mr Macmillan has made this a priority for term 3 and will be checking in with the children to see the improvement in their reading from making an effort to read more and more at home each day.
Only one message for this week so far. We have the Pass It fitness programme on this week. All students are to wear their school PE uniform. Pass It is tomorrow (Tuesday)
Have a great week!
WEEKEND UPDATE
Hi Everyone. Hope you have a great weekend. I had a chat with the class before they left about parent helpers for next week.
We have two trips scheduled for next week!
Tuesday is the new date for the postponed marae trip from last term.
We need several parent helpers to drive only. So if you can sneak out of work at 9am and then pick us up at 12.20pm. We would love to see you. Email me at school susann@stmarys.rotorua.school.nz or txt me at 0276974000 if you can help. Thanks
We also have a trip to New World on Thursday at 11.15 - 12.45pm Just need a parent to two to help me walk the class to the store and back again.
And finally on Friday we will have a shared lunch with a junior class. It is our school's feast day and we are celebrating all things Saint Mary Mackillop. So if you could send along a plate Friday morning it would be a fabulous way for two classes to get to know one another better and share a meal..
Term 3 Week 2
Welcome to Week 2!
JPC interviews are today and tomorrow. I am sending the children along but if you arrive early please come to the class and pick them up.
Thursday the school is selling steam puddings. The are very scrumptious. If your child is interested please bring money on Thursday. I will have to ask someone the cost as I didn't get an email giving that information.
Home Reading Holiday Programme: Please fill out the sheet with all the wonderful reading students managed to accomplish during school holidays. The draw is on Wednesday after singing in the hall.
August 6th at 5:30 the Whanau Hui are having a combined evening with the Fillipino, Pasifika and Indian families.
Term 3 Week 1
I am the owner of a new school laptop. So sorry about the notices delay but the password is no longer saved for the blog and I had to find it at school today.
Tomorrow we have a liturgy to farewell Father Mark. A notice went home today. After speaking with teachers after school, I found out that the shared morning tea is for adults only. So if you are coming along and bring a plate please pack something extra in your child's lunch so they don't feel left out. If I had known I would have made it clear to the class. My apologies if there are any misunderstandings.
Homework is under the Homework Tab. Please check tonight.
Tomorrow we also have tennis. Not a winter sport in Canada so if it is cold tomorrow perhaps a hat might be a good idea. I will be wrapped up snugly. Hopefully there will be an extra racket so I don't freeze on the courts. Henry is an amazing instructor. He loves teaching kids how to play. Our class is showing great potential as future kiwi tennis players. Girls should have their PE gear on under their dresses.
Mid-year reports go home on Friday along with the Portfolio and RE Book. These reports are show progress against the National Standards of Reading, Writing and Maths. Week three we have parent interviews. I am not expecting to see many of you as they are targeted for students who may be needing extra support in some area of their learning. You can check in with me week two to see if I need to catch up with you at interviews. If you don't hear from me or the school then you can assume all is well and keep up all the hard work you are doing already.
We have our marae visit scheduled. I will post the date as soon as I can find it. If it rains then we will not be going. We also have a trip to New World scheduled. We are looking at healthy eating this term and will be a large part of our topic. Later in the term we are going to the museum. We will be walking to New World, I may need helpers. We take the museum bus to the museum as it is donated to primary school school children to use in Rotorua. We will need drivers and helpers for the marae visit. If you are keen be sure to fill in the parent help again with the notice (I hope they are sending out a notice).
Have a great week!
Term 2 Week 9
Wow! This term has gone quickly. Here are the notices for the week:
Literacy and Maths Evening Senior School - Tuesday July 1st from 5:15pm to 6:00pm. If you have any questions about your child's learning in these areas please come along.
The children have the Hit It programme for a few days this week. There appears to be a few scheduling problems we need to work out. Regardless please send your child with their PE gear ALL week.
We have the Moreton Bay Orchestra here on Thursday giving a performance.
Friday we have an athletics/tabloid sport day planned from 9am - 12.30pm. This is going to be run by an outside agency and I don't have many details at the moment.
Mr Macmillan and Mrs O'Leary are running the Holiday Reading Programme again this year. I encourage all Room 2 to read everyday during the holidays.
Finally our class would like to wish Brae, Lachie and Josh good luck at the BOP Cross Country tomorrow!!!
Term 2 Week 8
The marae trip has been cancelled due to the weather. It will take place Term 3. I will post the date when it is confirmed.
Your child was given a notice last night about our upcoming exciting Reading and Mathematics workshops Tuesday July 1st (next week). We will be hear to explain a little about what we teach, how we teach and what you can do at home to help your child with their learning. Please send in the attached form at the bottom. I look forward to seeing you all again.
Thursday we have a dress up mufti day to raise money through our Young Vinnies group. Please support this with a gold coin donation.
I want to commend all the students and their hard work reading so many books this term. Our Reading Chain display is looking fantastic.
Term 2 Week 7
Hi everyone. I posted here just before the cut to the cables left us without internet on Tuesday. I thought the post was updated but alas it was not.
Things to keep in mind this week:
Please send back a letter for your child about the student led conferences. We will open these when everyone brings one in to share. Remember this is an important part of the celebration of learning.
Money for our class trip for June 25th. The cost is $2. We also require five to seven parent drivers. It will be a fun day on the marae. All students were sent home with a notice...if you didn't get one please check the bottom of your child's backpack! If you plan to come and stay for the morning all women who are welcomed on to the marae will need to wear a dark skirt or shawl over their trousers.
Monday is a Teacher Only Day. You will need to find appropriate care for the day. Usually Marianne does run a day programme.
Students chosen for the Inter-School Cross Country will have another opportunity to qualify for the Bay wide competition on Friday. Let's hope for good weather as Room 2 has 8 students involved.
Have a great week.
Term 2Week 6
Welcome to Week 6. I hope you had a lovely weekend.
This week we have our first Student Led Conferences to celebrate the learning in Room 2. ALL parents are too make a booking. I will be calling Monday after to school to check in with anyone who has not made a booking. We are expecting 100% of our families to join in this celebration. Please book in a time that is convenient for you. It will be a valuable tool in encouraging your child to " Strive for Excellence" in their schooling this year. This will prove to be a very powerful message that we send our children about how adults perceive learning as important.
School is going to finish early at 12.30pm on Wednesday June 11th to accommodate the conferences. Please ensure you have care options for your child if you are working.
I can't wait to see you all this week.
Have a great week!
Extra for Week 4**********Please read the notice sent home about cross country. All help with transport will be greatly appreciated. If you can't transport for work reasons please be sure your child knows where they need to be. There will be minimal transport back to school ( not to worry we will not leave anyone at the Redwoods!) But we do need to know where you will be picking your child up from. Last year we had a few who didn't know.
Also it is Francine Sales last day with us before her family moves to the sunny Hawkes Bay. We are having a small shared lunch at morning tea Thursday. Hopefully the message got to you this week.
Term 2 Week 4
This week there isn't much on. The notice below is VERY important. Please help us if you can. Thanks.
Cross Country - Week 4
We will need parent helpers next week. The cross country is at the Redwoods next Thursday at 1pm. We will need parents to help with transport (leaving school at 12.30 and returning at 2.30) and supervision around the course. If you are able to help, can you please email me.
susann@stmarys.rotorua.school.nz
We have a few visitors to our school this week. They are part of the team performing a reveiw on our Catholic Character of our school. Students may come home this week and say that visitors were in our classroom looking at their RE portfolios. They may be asking a few questions. They are in the class to see all of the wonderful things we have been learning this year.
We have a few visitors to our school this week. They are part of the team performing a reveiw on our Catholic Character of our school. Students may come home this week and say that visitors were in our classroom looking at their RE portfolios. They may be asking a few questions. They are in the class to see all of the wonderful things we have been learning this year.
Term 2 Week 3
Gabriel's Presence City Focus Concert -
Hi everyone. Mr Norman would like to know if there are any children who would like to join them in singing " I will Walk" on Sat 24th May at 11am at the City Focus. If you are interested and have no sports commitments, please see Mrs Waititi in Rm 15. She will give you a notice you can take home for your parents.
Cross Country at the Redwoods next week. I will send home a notice as soon as we know details.
The ICAS Computer test is being written Tuesday morning.
Golden Time this week is ....well I've forgotten...I do know that if it is raining we will have electronics time. I will check with the class and I will fill in the activity. I can remember the two things that weren't voted in!
School Leaders need to have their badges on every day. If your child has lost their badge please let me know.
Term 2 Week 1
I hope you all had a fun-filled school break. I can't wait to hear what everyone got up to for the holidays.
Remember it is winter uniform time. I am hoping to reduce the amount of clothing that makes its way to the lost property box from Room 2. So I am running a little contest in the classroom. If we can get everyone in the class to have all articles of clothing named by the end of the week I will bake chocolate chip cookies for the class as a treat. (Alex C I will have to find a neat treat for you if the class is successful!) Tomorrow I will discuss what has to be named and then we will have a check of all the clothing tags on Thursday or Friday. I was looking at the lost property over the school holidays and thought of the waste of time and money for so many families. There is still time to check for lost items this week. Please come in and find your forgotten items.
I have all kinds of amazing and wonderful things planned this term. So I hope you are ready for school this term. Our concept this term is Structures and we will have a few different areas of focus that I will explain as the term unfolds.
There will be homework tomorrow. I will post a note after school explaining what is expected this term.
Peer Mediators are off to a course this Thursday...all day. So if you signed up I will hopefully have a list by tomorrow telling me of who will be going for the special training session and I can pass it along to the appropriate students.
Gets lots of sleep and dress warmly...it is quite chilly in the mornings.
Ms Nelson
Week 11
We will not be swimming this week. We have two liturgies during our swim time and with a short week we will wait until Term 4 to use the school pool. Remember that there are many swim schools in Rotorua and I would recommend that all children should take extra lessons outside of school time.
Holy Week Celebrations:
We have two liturgies in the hall this week. Tuesday is the Stations of the Cross and Thursday is Washing of Feet. (Not every person is having this done...those that are have been notified.
Wednesday: Roman Day!
Don't forget to bring a plate for our roman feast. I have been looking everywhere for flamingo tongue. Also, if you can manage, try and dress up. Two families had fantastic ideas last week. One used a pillow case with head and arms cut out, the other used a large white T (XL men's section) from Farmers ($10) and the tie from a dressing gown. I am wearing a tunic dressed up with fabric...nothing fancy and put together with safety pins. Or why not get the sheets off the bed and make your toga! Come in school uniform and we will change at morning tea. I have lots of fun things planned.
Mufti Day for the Chapmans:
We raised $500 for Tara's family last week. St Marys is also hosting a garage sale at Mrs Rush's house Saturday. You can drop things at school, arrange to have someone come pick up larger items and I'm sure any offer to help will be taken.
Here is to a fantastic final week of term... I have already started to plan for next term!
Week 10
Welcome to Week 10. This week seems like we only have a few things going on... for the moment. Friday is our donkey procession to celebrate Palm Sunday. I will be reminding the class to wear their Mary and Jesus clothes this week. Keep it simple and the girls can wear a shawl or big scarf and the boys can wear simple shepherd clothes. The more students who dress up the more they feel part of the procession. I will be dressing up.
Thanks for the huge response to the Young Vinnies Lent Appeal. We raised over $900.
We had a good walk to the Aquatic Centre. We will not be swimming Week 11 because we have a few liturgies on during our swim times. We will be swimming again Term 4.
See the update for Week 11 for our Roman Day.
Have a great week!
Update for Week 11The senior school is having a Roman Day (well 1/3 of a day) Wednesday April 16th, the last week of school. We are encouraging the children to dress up as a person from ancient roman times. This can be elaborate but I have suggested that simple Jesus clothes work just fine. If this is a problem please come and see me early the week before.
The entire senior school (I think this is true) will be doing some great learning first hand. In our class we will be learning about games children played and making a roman craft. Then we will sit down and have a shared lunch eating things the Romans ate...well....I don't fancy stuffed door mouse but I heard a few children say that they might get some snails from the garden...please don't!
So get online or head to the Rotorua Library to research your costume and food. Hint: think breads, fruits and nuts. Keep it simple and don't spend a lot of money . I think everyone can think up some fun and inexpensive treats that resemble roman food. Any parents who would like to join us you are more than welcome...just remember you must be in full costume!
UPDATE
More FM is running an end of term fun day at Rainbow Springs. You can nominate our class Room 2 at St Marys Primary by clicking on the link. It would be a fun way to end the term. The children have been working very hard and they deserve a lovely outting to celebrate being such a wonderful class!
Thanks to our wonderful parents for all of the offers to help with walking the children to swimming tomorrow. I now have 2-3 parents helping. That is amazing! I know how busy you all are. As a teacher I never get to help out my own children during school time. So, many thanks to those of you that could re-arrange your schedules to help us out. I will post all of the great swimming efforts so everyone can see how much effort our class has put in the pool this term.
I would also like to acknowledge the three students from class going to inter-school swimming tomorrow. Kapua, Josh, Lauren H, Isabella and Brooke will be representing their age groups and we wish them all the best in the pool.
Term 1 Week 9
Welcome to Week 9!
We are going to the Aquatic Centre for our final swim on Tueday at 11am. We are walking from school. This will take us just over 30 minutes. So we will leave the school at 10:15 am. We need a parent (or two) to help get us there safely. If you have a spare 1.5 hours we would love to have you with us. It is a great time to get to know your child's classmates and put a few faces to some names that I am sure you have heard about around the dinner table. Room 2 is a great class to take on trips and the children love meeting the parents and grandparents of their classmates. Please email or drop in to let me know if you are interested.
Friday is Mufti Day! The Young Vinne group is holding a coin trail for all the coins we brought in for our Live Simply Rice Day. It was an interesting lunch and I think the kids would all agree that it wasn't as bad as they may have thought. Our wonderful teacher aids made heaps of rice and it was steaming hot. Even the teachers were surprised at how filling it was...I must admit it was much nicer hot than cold.
I am thinking of asking the class to not use erasable ink in class. I prefer to have the changes visible in their writing and maths. We don't use pencil for that very reason. So if your child comes home with a request for new pens this week it will be because I need to see the improvements and changes in their daily writing. Changes in thinking show growth and learning and I can't tell what they have learned if it is rubbed out. Thanks for understanding.
We are swimming this week at school starting on Wednesday. I am not sure when the school pool is closed down for the term so this may be our last week of swimming. The children have made huge improvements in how far they can swim. Our goal this term was to swim at least 200m without stopping. If they could swim that far already then the children set goals around the stroke they used or going for a longer distance.
Thanks for all the homework being completed around the Roman Villas. I have been most impressed with how much thought has gone into these projects. If your budding architect is still working on their masterpiece try to have it in by the end of the week.
Please keep the Chapman family in your prayers. Our class has been very thoughtful to have remembered Tara at every morning prayer time since the beginning of the year. Room 2 is a class of very kind children.
Have a great week and I look forward to the many emails from all of you wanting to come for a walk with us on Tuesday!
Term 1 Week 8
I hope you all had a great weekend. I went to Auckland to catch up with my son, Alex, who has enrolled in his first year of study at Auckland University. He seems to have settled in nicely so I can relax and enjoy the remainder of the term.
Tomorrow is Rice Lunch. I know the children seem a bit concerned/excited about the event. Our class decided to only do only the lunch part of the experience. This means we are going to eat a regular morning tea and eat the rice for our lunch. The senior teachers will also be participating. This is simply a time to reflect on our blessings living in New Zealand and to think about how some children experience lunch at school in other countries. We will also have our Milk in Schools right after play lunch. Children might like to include a small snack for 3pm to have on the way out of school, if you are concerned about them not eating enough during the day.
Please send your child along with a bowl and a spoon.
Many thanks to the children who have already brought in their gold coin donation. The Young Vinnies group always have a fundraiser during Lent to send supplies to students in need in other countries.
There are few students with dietary requirements in the class who will have a different lunch but will follow the guide of creating something simple to eat. It is a great time to break out the carrot sticks and grapes and maybe have spaghetti on toast for breakfast! I promise I won't do anything too stressful or physical in the afternoon tomorrow. I hope you will take the time to ask your child(ren) how things go tomorrow. I think it will be a great time for reflection and appreciation of our lives.
Tomorrow we also have an Assumption Liturgy in the church at 10am. You are more than welcome to join us. Two classes will be taking the liturgy.
No swimming this week. But next week we will be walking to the Aquatic Centre. When I find out days and times I will send home a quick note looking for a helper or two. It takes about 35 minutes to walk down. Do a few laps in the pool and help us walk back... better than the gym!
The class has been doing some fantastic work with Mrs Hall with photography. I can't wait to show you their amazing work. I had a sneak peak today and I am very impressed. They are also starting a maori unit this week or next.
We have started our reports writing unit. So there may be a few students keen to do some extra research over the next week or so. I will write a line or two in the homework section after the class they start their individual writing task.
iXL ends tomorrow! I have spoken to Mr Macmillan and the senior team is looking into getting a programme to help students practice maths online. I will let you know when/if things are finalised. This week I will likely try a new website to fill in until decisions are made.
Golden Time this week is a pj party. Students are to wear their school uniform to school. There was some talk of a pillow fight. As a parent I don't see this as an option. As a teacher I see needing a few ice packs. So there will be no pillow fight, as much fun as that may seem. I will save that for sleepovers! But we will have a movie on and they can bring their soft toys and we may have a few contests for oldest stuffed animal...funniest PJs. I am now wishing I bought the bunny pjs from The Warehouse with a cute feet!
Have a great week.
Term 1 Week 7
There seem to be only a few things on this week.
Room 2 swims this week...rain or shine. The heater was fixed and it is toasty warm again! The children will head off to the Aquatic Centre Week 9 to have another session with the swim instructors in the 50m pool. I will need a couple of parents help me walk the class down. I will publish the time when I am given the schedule.
St Joseph's Mass will be celebrated on Friday. Everyone is welcome.
Swimming Sports Day was fantastic this year...even the teachers agree! Our class set some goals around participation in 3-5 events. Many students exceeded their goal. I think this may be a reason why the day was so much fun.
Have a great week!
Term 1 Week 6
Great weather to get lots of things done this weekend...
I see I still have a few things to post on the blog. I will get one of the children to help me out with that tomorrow. We had a fun day making pretzels on Friday. The smell of fresh bread wafted into the hall during assembly and everyone was curious to see what Room 2 was up to. I think I have some photos to put up of the end result. It was pretty messy and the 30 minute time limit posted on the recipe may have been for experienced bakers and not a class of 32! I promised the class we would try it again next term since they are now experts.
Thursday is SWIMMING SPORTS at the Aquatic Centre. Please drop off your child before 9am and pick up at 2:30pm. I will post some reminders of what to bring later in the week. If the event is cancelled it will be posted on the school website. We can always use parent helpers during the day to help run events and organise children. If you have the time we would love to see you all day at the AC. Please leave your name at the office.
Otherwise no swimming this week at our pool and I think the Kick It sessions are finished until next term. We will be playing team games most days that the weather co-operates.
So children should bring their PE gear please.
The iXL website emails me reports of how our class is doing solving maths problems. So far over 5000 maths questions have been answered. The free subscription goes until the 25th of March. The class gets about 15-20 minutes per day to use the programme during class time. I am sure it is helping to get lots of maths ideas back into their heads after the summer break. Thanks for giving your child access to the internet at home.
If you have any questions about anything please be sure to drop in to class, send a note or an email.
Have a great week!
Term 1 Week 5
What an amazing week we had last week!
Thanks for supporting our gala on Thursday. It was fantastic to see so many families having such a great time. We couldn't have done it without your support. Thanks so much to everyone who made a difference by helping out.
The assembly was great. Room 2 is full of future performers that is for sure! I am just putting the video up on to YouTube. Either I will post the link or embed into the blog tonight or tomorrow (Monday).
Last week I enrolled the class onto iXL Maths for a one month free trial. This will finish on March 25th. This will be our maths homework. The class has already completed over 2000 questions and have completed over 2 hours of maths on the website since Monday. That is outstanding! Practice makes a huge difference in the confidence of students for maths. When students are capable of using the knowledge then in class we can focus on the application of that knowledge as required by the Ministry of Education to meet Year 5 and Year 6 National Standards. Keep up the great work and thanks for allowing your child to access the internet for this purpose. The class computers are available from 8:30 am for those students who do not have access at home.
It is fantastic to see almost the entire class wear their PE uniform. It is comfortable and keeps the children's school uniform from getting dirty. The kick it programme has been a real hit with the class. I am unsure if we have the programme on Wednesday due to the liturgy at the church on Ash Wednesday. I will know more on Monday and tell the class and post on our blog.
This week the children will be preparing for Lent.
We swim this week. Bring your togs. We won't swim Tuesday or Wednesday.
Monday: Meet the principals from 2:30 - 3pm in the staff room. Bring all your questions you would like to have answered to or if you have any ideas you think the school would benefit from hearing about. Cake and coffee will be available.
Orders for pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. They will cost $1. Please order Monday or Tuesday.
1:30pm Leader's Assembly in the hall. All parents and whanau are welcome to come along. All Year 6 Leaders will receive their badge.
Tuesday: Shrove Tuesday. Pancake orders today. Room 2 and Mrs Russell's Room are hosting the Promise Ceremony in hall at 10am. All are welcome.
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday Liturgy 10am at the church. All are welcome.
That's all the notices I have at the moment. Check back later in the week to see if anything has popped up that you might need to know about.
Term 1 Week 4
GALA DAY THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have had wonderful support from our Room 2 families so far. But we still need a few more things to make this gala successful. Please check your notice for the items the PTA are most looking forward to receiving this week. I know they would still like to have lots more helpers. Mrs Dunkley and I will be running the "Shoot the Hoop" game. So be sure to bring lots of bottles for the prizes for that game and many others the teachers will be organising that night.
A few children will be swimming this week. They have been asked to bring their togs this week. Everyone else will need to bring PE gear Tuesday and Wednesday.
Remember March 3rd we have the Leaders Assembly. We have an amazing group of students serving our school this year in this capacity. Thanks to everyone for bringing in their signed leader sheets Monday morning.
We are on assembly this week! Yes this is the week! Room 2 is full of talented students and this will be a fun time to reflect on how we have started our new school year. Many of you parents will be thrilled with all the practicing going on at the dinner table with cups. Last week we started to look and sound like a team. So, with a few more practices we will be good enough for a school performance. I'm certain the rest of the school will be impressed!
Not much else to let you know about...but I will add more later in the week.
Have a great week everyone. See you Monday at 8:30am!
Term 1 Week 3
Swimming this week. The instructors will be in from the Aquatic Centre on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. All students are expected to swim this week. This is an especially important time for non-swimmers to take advantage of the swimming expertise in our local community. At St Marys we have an expectation that all students will show improvement in their swimming skills Term 1 and 4 with the overall goal set by the Ministry of Education stating all students will be able to swim a minimum of 200m when they leave primary school. Our pool is heated to enhance the students' swimming experience. Please support our school and insist that your child swim every day we are scheduled for swimming. Remember swimming is one of the most important skills we can teach our children in New Zealand.
Wednesday: Students are to bring PE Gear. We have kick it! The children have time to change before and after the lesson. The class is working on teamwork skills and ball handling with their feet. This programme is taught by a qualified instructor from South America. He is very entertaining and the students are having fun and learning some great fundamental soccer skills.
We are on assembly week 4 (next week).
If possible, for our assembly
Please check that you have all the school books for the year. A few students need a maths book or a larger book for topic. Thanks for having the majority of books in so quickly this year. We have made a great start to our learning in 2014!
GALA....Don't forget to pack an item or two for the gala this week. We always have fantastic parent support. With everyone pitching in it makes a huge difference!
Lastly a big thank you to the parents who came to school on Thursday evening. It was lovely catching up with you. For those who couldn't make it we discussed a few things about camp and production. I will be sending notices home over the next few weeks as I get information to keep everyone informed about dates, costs, parent help and fundraising.
Have a great week everyone!
Term1 Week 2
Week 2 is starting to look rather busy so be sure keep track of the following notices:
MONDAY ******Swimming at the Aquatic Centre
All students must bring their togs! The team there are taking over the swim programme for Term 1.
We are walking down. I estimate this will take nearly 40-45 minutes. We leave St Marys at 10 and plan to be back at 1pm. We will eat morning tea before we go and have lunch when we get back. But if you want to pack a piece of fruit to eat after swimming that might be a good idea. Pack a drink of water especially if it is sunny and warm. All children must wear a school hat or a wide brimmed hat. If it is raining we will still walk.
This is a one day only event. The next times we are at the Aquatic Centre will be for swimming sports later in the term. The children are doing some deep water work with life jackets and we cannot complete that work at the St Marys' pool. Thanks to Claire's mum for offering to help walk us down. This is the ONLY day we swim this week.
THURSDAY Meet the teachers meeting.
I hope you all got the new times and have put them into your diary.
I will be in my classroom from 6:30pm. I have a 15 minute introduction to the class and learning expectations for the year. I would love to have an email from parents who are coming.
FRIDAY School Mass
All parents are invited to every school mass we hold. It begins at 9am. Just a reminder about school uniforms. Please ensure they are in tidy order, children are to have the correct footwear (no jandals), girls no fingernail polish, hair longer than shoulder length to be tied back with hair ties that are school colours only. We will not have PE on Friday. So there is no need to wear the PE uniform under the school uniform. The t-shirts are often visible under the dresses and boys polo shirts. So leave the PE gear at home on Friday. Thanks for taking pride in our school and in how you present yourself when learning at our wonderful school.
And last but not least, well done to Mackillop House for winning the tug of war competition Friday afternoon!
I hope you had a great weekend. See you tomorrow at 8:30am!
Update Week 1
Remember we are swimming this morning!
Also sausage sizzle at lunch...I think I read that in the newsletter.
Parent meet the teacher night is Thursday February 15th. There are three times. The senior team teachers will be in class the last session of the afternoon. I will discuss expectations around learning, behaviour, camp in term 4, reports and some of the fun things we will be doing in class this year. Come along...ask questions and meet the other parents of Room 2.
Swimming at the Aquatic Centre February 10th. Rooms 1 and 2 are walking to the Aquatic Centre first thing and we need some parent helpers to walk with us. Mr Macmillan has indicated that we will need a ratio of 1:10 parents to children ratio. If you can support your child and our class we would love to have you help out for a few hours.
Golden Time is tug of war house competition. We also finish the day and week of with a whole school assembly.
Term 1 Week 1 FYI
Contact Details:
School Email
susann@stmarys.rotorua.school.nz
All contact information is available on the school website
www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz/
Swimming Schedule:
Room 2 swims odd weeks this term (except week 6 and 7)
Weeks 1,3,5,6,9,11
Swimming Sport is on this term and we have two sessions at
the Aquatic Centre (TBA)
All togs and towels named please
Weeks 1,3,5,6,9,11
Swimming Sport is on this term and we have two sessions at
the Aquatic Centre (TBA)
All togs and towels named please
Uniforms:
We have a playground rule
NO HAT NO PLAY
Please wear a school hat every day
Students are required to have a PE uniform that can be purchased from the uniform shop.
Please name all uniforms.
NO HAT NO PLAY
Please wear a school hat every day
Students are required to have a PE uniform that can be purchased from the uniform shop.
Please name all uniforms.
Library:
Our Library day is Tuesday
Please remember to bring in your summer reading logs!
Please remember to bring in your summer reading logs!
The stationery list is available at WHS and on the school website.
If possible it would be great if the children could have a whiteboard pen, an unruled 1A8 (or similar) and an old empty book to use for free drawing
Topic: CITIZENSHIP
We will be starting our studies with the first citizens… from Ancient Rome. Then citizens of NZ including the significance of Waitangi Day and working on being safe digital citizens.
We will be starting our studies with the first citizens… from Ancient Rome. Then citizens of NZ including the significance of Waitangi Day and working on being safe digital citizens.
I would also like email and MOB numbers to contact everyone. You can email me the information or send it with your child.
Can't wait to see you all tomorrow. Remember to bring a bottle of water to keep hydrated all day!
Ms Nelson
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