Term 2 has “kicked off” in the Pre-School and what a term of exciting events the teachers have got planned for all the tamariki.

Gymnastics, Wheel-a-thon, Music workshops, physical education with Miss Dowlgray, art with Mrs Edmond, yoga with Donna and plenty more FUN to be had this term.

We welcome to Pre-School at the start of Term II, Selene  and Cooper.  We know you will make these children and families feel very welcome.

Last Wednesday we started our weekly gymnastics programme. Every Wednesday, ten children will travel by school mini-van to Christchurch School of Gymnastics for a one hour gross-motor session. This was an initiative we introduced last year over the winter terms to ensure that if the weather is less than ideal for outside time, the children are still able to have gross-motor skills activities. The mini-van will leave at 9.00am on a Wednesday and all children will get a minimum of three sessions. For those families who are enrolled to start their session after 9.00am, we will request that three times during the term you arrive prior to 9.00am.  All families will be invoiced $40.00 for the term.

During last term, the teachers undertook a centre-wide self-review on how music is woven throughout our programme. Over the term break the teachers took part in professional development to further explore music within our programme. This was lead by Julie Wylie who is a “guru” in musical therapy and the importance music plays on the development of all children.

For Term II we have been fortunate enough to book a weekly workshop with Victoria from Julie Wylie Musical Play. Victoria will work with the children during the term in two small groups. Each group will have five weeks with her. We are really looking forward to this time. There will be no cost for these sessions as the Pre-School will cover the cost of this programme.

To further enhance our music programme the Pre-School have organised for two amazing percussion instrumentalists to come and perform.   This concert will be taking place this Thursday 10 May at 10.00am in the school hall.  You are welcome to come and join the show as it is truly amazing and loud! One of the performers is Harry McWilliams auntie which is wonderful to have such a strong connection.

The big event for Term II is the Pre-School Wheel-A-Thon. This takes place next week on Thursday 17 May at 11.00am. The children have been talking lots about this at Pre-School and telling their friends about who is going to sponsor them. This year we will also have a Pre-School sausage sizzle straight afterwards so please feel free to join us. If the weather is cold, we will have it inside, but if fine we will sit at tables located just outside the Pre-School gate.  Thank you to Iver's mum and dad who are kindly donating sausages and bread for our sausage sizzle.

Many thanks to all the families who have generously donated to this event. In 2017 we were able to purchase many extra resources which were over and above our budgeted resources. The children have made their wish list of items they would like us to purchase with any funds raised. You can see the list in the locker bay on the large pink tree. 

During the term we will continue to have specialist yoga, art and PE woven into our play-based curriculum.

We are looking forward to a busy term ahead. Please ensure your child has appropriate dress and footwear daily. Gumboots are always a great addition to the winter terms. In the Pre-School we truly believe it is NOT bad weather, but more likely unsuitable clothing. Unless it is raining and bitterly cold – the outdoor environment will always be available to the tamariki.