Week 8 Term 4

We are getting excited counting down to our Peter Pan Production-it is going to be amazing! Please, can all costumes be handed in by Wednesday as we have a dress rehearsal this week. 

Well done to our students who took part in the Weetbix Tryathlon this weekend. We hope you enjoyed the event. 

Good luck to Mila, Kennedy and Wairanaki (Our Ahurei reps) who take part in their Kapa Haka performance tomorrow. 

Kakano 1 and 2 are swimming this week 

Library returns

Many of our children have overdue books which need to be returned to the library so they can complete a stock take of all the books.

Mrs Hall would like to have the main cast members in for a rehearsal next Saturday. Please read the notice below.

Peter Pan Production Rehearsal Main Cast

Saturday the 5th December 1:00pm- 4:00pm, the school hall. 

Required:

• Harmony Choir

• Mains

• Lost boys

• Mermaids

• Fairy Dancers

• Sea Creatures

• Pirates

• Backstage & Props Crew

• Narrators

• Tribes People

Your child has already received a notice last week about this. Students are to bring snacks and water. All students are to be promptly collected at the conclusion of the day at 4:00pm from the school hall. If your child cannot make this rehearsal please email me to let me know. Thanks to those who have already.

bernieh@stmarysrotorua.school.nz

School Magazine

We are publishing a school magazine again this year, and this will be available during the last week of this term. There will be only 100 magazines printed and it will be a great memento of 2020. Orders will be taken now with the cost for the magazine being $10.00. Orders will be taken at the office. Be quick as there will only be 100 printed.

End of Year Mass

On Friday 11th December we will be having our End of Year Mass at 9am. It would be wonderful if you could join us for this celebration of our school year.

School Prize Giving 

Tuesday 15th December is our School Prize Giving. If your child is receiving a prize they will be taking home a notice. 

Religious Education

This week we will be focusing on Advent. This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. We will be learning about Advent being a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus.

Maths

This week in Maths we will continue with addition and subtraction. Also within measurement we will be ordering and comparing objects by weight, volume and capacity.

Literacy

Use the 5 w’s (who, what, why, when where?) to build more complex sentences with joining words. 

Here’s the week ahead

Monday 

• 8:45 am Ahurei children travel to Event Centre for a rehearsal

• 7:30 pm Kapa Haka performance

Tuesday 

• Principal’s Morning Tea 9:45 am

• Advent Liturgy 12:15 pm

Wednesday 

• Gymnastics at lunchtime

• 1:45 Dance practise for production

Thursday 

• Dress rehearsal for K1-3 (Please ensure your child’s costume is in)

Friday 

• Chess club

• Golden Time

Looking Ahead for the last few weeks of term

Monday 30th November Kapa Haka group at Ahurei

Tuesday 1st December Principal’s Morning Tea

Tuesday 8th December School Production (Kakano 1,2 & 3 are performing)

Wednesday 9th December School Production

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon(Year 0-2 11:15-12:15)

Friday 11th December  End of Year Mass

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day

Week 7 Term 4

We are really impressed with how well our Kakano 1, 2 & 3 tamariki are coping with term 4. As we enter weeks 8, 9 & 10 the hot weather, and all of the end of year activities, might lead to some mood swings. Our Kakano team are likely to need just a little more TLC to help them cope with the overwhelming emotions and increasing tiredness, they will be feeling.

Kakano 3 kids are powering through their water each day - thank you for sending them with their water bottles.

Religious Education

This week we are continuing our unit about Saints and inspiring people. We will be learning about what makes Saints inspiring and what we can do to become more like Saints (keeping the Golden Rules and School Values is a great place to start).

Mathematics

We are learning to count in in tens from any given number to solve problems. 

(Home hint: Make a 100s board in rows of 10 and practice counting 10 more from the ty numbers (20, 30 etc) then from any number.)

Literacy

We are learning to find and fix our own mistakes in reading and writing. 

(Home hint: Don’t jump in too fast. Let your child read to the end of the sentence/page to see if they fix up errors by themselves.)

There is no swimming this week as the middle team have tutors coming in from Make a Difference for the week.

Here’s the week ahead

Monday 

Tuesday 

• Kakano 2 = library

Wednesday 

• Gymnastics at lunchtime

• Kakano 1 = library

Thursday 

• Kakano 3 = library 

Friday 

• Chess club

• Golden Time

Looking Ahead

Sunday 29th November - Weetbix Tryathlon

Monday 30th November - Ahurei

Tuesday 8th December - School Production (Kakano 1, 2 & 3 are performing)

Wednesday 9th December - School Production

Friday 11th December - End of Year Mass

Monday 12th December - School Tryathlon

Tuesday 15th December - School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December - Missioning and last day of term (School closes at 12noon)

Thursday 17th December - Teacher Only Day

Our Marble Run

 We designed and built a marble run.  First, we used cubes to design the walls with our linking cubes. We were able to change our design if it was too easy or too hard. When we were happy we drew around the walls so we knew where to build. We used cardboard  from paint sample sheets and milk boxes and straws and we used A LOT of hot glue. It took a loooooong time. We worked on it every morning and Mrs T let us sneak a little bit of time today so we could finally finish and play it.  

Playing the game is also pretty tricky and needs lots of teamwork. We got pretty good at it (and at cheating) so we went to teach Mr Macmillan how to play our game. He was a bigger cheat than us! Kakano 1, 2 and 3 are a great team. 

Week 6 Term 4

 Thank you to the parents who attended the Incredible Years Parenting course meeting. We are sure that you will love the course - we loved the teacher version.  It’s really nice to be able to take time out to reflect and share your ideas and worries with others - parenting is a team sport. 

Week 6 means that we are halfway through term 4! One of the great things about testing weeks is that we get the chance to look back to see where we started.  Wow! Our Kakano 1, 2, 3 kids have really done some amazing learning this year. The teachers, kids and whanau of Kakano 1, 2, 3 are a pretty awesome team.

A wee shot from our first day. Look how little they are!

Religious Education

This week we are beginning our unit about Saints and inspiring people. It would be great if you could talk to your child about your favorite Saint (or a Saint whose name they might have been given at baptism) or a hero who shows the qualities of a Saint.

Mathematics

This week we are looking at fractions and sharing. We need to know how to find ½ and ¼ or a shape or a small set. 

(Home hint: cutting mini pizzas, sharing treats and other food motivators are great - just ½ and ¼ ). 

Literacy

We are learning to find and fix our own mistakes in reading and writing. 

(Home hint: Don’t jump in too fast. Let your child read to the end of the sentence/page to see if they fix up arrows by themselves.)

No swimming this week or next week

The big kids have a Swim Rotorua Coach coming in to work with them.

Monday 

Tuesday 

• Dance practice for production

• Kakano 2 = library

Wednesday

• Kakano 1 = library

Thursday 

• Kakano 3 = library 

• Kapa Haka at 9am for Mila, Kennedy and Wairanaki (Our Ahurei reps)

Friday 

• Chess club

• Golden Time

Looking Ahead

Some important dates for this term:

Sunday 29th November Weetbix Tryathlon

Monday 30th November - Ahurei

Tuesday 8th December School Production

Wednesday 9th December School Production

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon

Friday 11th December  End of Year Mass

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day

Tuakana Teina

 Yesterday Room 1 joined us in the pool. We all got to work with a big buddy.  They taught us lots of cool things and helped us with our swimming - we taught them our humming trick. 

Thanks for looking after us Room 1. We had so much fun!

Week 5 Term 4

 Week 5 already!! Remember this is a four day week. 

Teacher Only Day-this Friday

Just a reminder that Friday 13th November is a Teacher Only Day. There will be no school on this day. If you need to enrol your child in the Glenholme After School Care, please contact Mary-Ann Roling on 021 215599. She will be running this at St Mary’s. Thank you for your support with this.

Kakano 3 are swimming this week 

Kakano 3 has the first swimming slot of the day. Make sure you are at school well before 8:45 so you can enjoy all of your swimming time. 

Kakano 3 remember to bring your togs, towel and a bag to put them in each day.

Please, make sure you bring a water bottle to school.  Our brains need good hydration to function properly. Remember to bring your hats to school each day too so you can run around and play in the sunshine. 

Religious Education

This week we are continuing with our God strand. We are learning about the talents God has given us. The children will be sharing their talents with each other. We are really looking forward to learning some new skills and ideas.

Mathematics

This week we are looking at solving a range of problems. We will be using the vocabulary related to position and orientation for a range of activities.

Literacy

We are learning to be independent readers and writers. We have lots of great skills and knowledge that help us to find and self correct independently.

Another round of testing continues this week for our kakano 1-3 tamariki. It will continue for the next couple of weeks as each child is tested individually. We will endeavour to keep our normal programmes running as smoothly as possible during this time.

This week…

Kakano 3 are swimming everyday this week

Monday 

Tuesday 

• Dance practice for production

• Kakano 2 = library

Wednesday - Gymnastics at lunchtime

• Kakano 1 = library

Thursday 

• Kakano 3 = library 

Friday

TEACHER ONLY DAY

Looking Ahead

Some important dates for this term:

Friday 13th November Teacher Only Day

Sunday 29th November Weetbix Tryathlon

Tuesday 8th School Production

Wednesday 9th November School Production

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon

Friday 11th December  End of Year Mass

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day

Here's a wee clip of a swimming challenge we had in our last swimming week. 

We had to try to push the board flat on the pool floor but we we're allowed to stand on it.

It looks a little ridiculous but we were learning to blow bubbles through our noses, find our feet in deep water and when we'd been knocked around, holding our breath, kicking, duck diving...

There's even some science in here with floating and sinking.  

There is method in Mrs T's madness (usually). 

Ok - so it doesn't always go smoothly.  Luckily, the Kakano 3 kids are made of tough stuff, eh Carlos?

Week 4 Term 4 2020

Week 4 already! Before we know it the school production will be on and Christmas will be knocking on our door step. We have been really impressed with how focused our Kakano 1-3 tamariki are this term. Thank you for all your help and support at home with their learning.

It’s getting pretty hot and sticky during the school day. Please, make sure you bring a water bottle to school.  Our brains need good hydration to function properly. Remember to bring your hats to school each day too so you can run around and play in the sunshine. 

Thank you to all the parents and families who were able to come and help out with the working bee on Saturday. Many tasks were completed and the school looks amazing.

Production Costumes - Mrs Thomson and Mrs McIntyre are looking at sourcing costumes for all Kakano children for the production. In order to do this effectively we need to know what size shorts and t-shirts your children are. Can you please flick a quick email to your child’s classroom teacher to let them know the correct sizes. Thanks for your help with this.

lornad@stmarysrotorua.school.nz - Kakano 1

micheller@stmarysrotorua.school.nz - Kakano 2

karent@stmarysrotorua.school.nz - Kakano 3

Kakano 1 and 2 are swimming this week 

Kakano 1 has the first swimming slot of the day. Make sure you are at school well before 8:45 so you can enjoy all of your swimming time. 

Kakano 1 and 2 remember to bring your togs, towel and a bag to put them in each day.

Religious Education

This week we are continuing with our God strand. We are learning how Jesus is God’s most precious gift and how Jesus reveals God to us as a loving and forgiving father.

Mathematics

This week we are looking at skip counting in 2s, 5s or 10s to solve problems. We will also be looking at using the mathematical language of certain, possible and impossible in different scenarios.

Literacy

We are learning to be independent readers and writers. We have lots of great skills and knowledge that help us to find and fix our own mistakes.  You can help us by sitting on your hands and biting your tongue and letting us figure it out (yes, our teachers know how hard that is - be strong Mums and Dads).

Another round of testing begins this week for our Kakano 1-3 tamariki. It will continue for the next 2-3wks as each child is tested individually. We will endeavour to keep our normal programmes running as smoothly as possible during this time.

PTA Meeting: for your diary - next meeting is Wednesday 4 November at 7pm in the school staffroom. Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting.

FREE PARENTING PROGRAMME AT ST MARY'S ....

An internationally renowned, FREE, Parenting Program will be offered at St.Mary’s in Terms 1 and 2 of 2021. It will be presented by Erna Cullen, from the Ministry of Education and Corbus Venter, an Educational Psychologist with a passion for helping young children.

It is a 14 week evidence based program that supports parents who have concerns about their child’s conduct. If you feel like you need some help or want to understand your children better, this is a course for you.

There will be an information afternoon/evening held on the 5th November in the school library at 2.30pm and again at 5.15pm, for those interested in learning more about the Incredible Years' Parent course. Feel free to come along to find out more and have a chat to the convenors of the course or to sign up.

If you would like to register your interest for this course earlier, please email or phone Brigitte Holmes, our Learning Support Coordinator. brigitteh@stmarysrotorua.school.nz Mobile 0272121206

(Our teachers have done the teacher version of this course and it is excellent. We recommend coming along for a look.)

This week…

Kakano 1 and 2 are swimming everyday this week

Monday 

Tuesday 

• Dance practice for production

• Kakano 2 = library

Wednesday - Gymnastics at lunchtime

• Kakano 1 = library

Thursday 

• Kakano 3 = library 

Friday 

• Chess club

Looking Ahead

Wednesday 4th November PTA meeting 7pm in staffroom

Thursday 5th November: All Saints/All Souls Day Liturgy

Thursday 5th November: Incredible Years Parents’ meeting 

Friday 13th November Teacher Only Day 

Sunday 29th November Weetbix Tryathlon

Tuesday 8th School Production

Wednesday 9th November School production

Friday 11th December  End of Year Mass

Monday 12th December: School Tryathlon

Tuesday 15th December: School Prizegiving

Wednesday 16th December: Missioning and last day of term

Thursday 17th December: Teacher Only Day