Kererū 2024
A fabulous warm welcome back to all the Year 8 Kererū ākonga and their whānau...
.. and a special welcome to the new ākonga and whānau who are joining us for the first time in the Kererū class.
I hope you have all made the most of the awesome weather we have been having and enjoyed some time away or simply hanging with friends and family. We spent a fabulous week up in Blenheim with family, then I headed away on a mini adventure to Nelson and Kaiteriteri. I was super proud of myself for learning to mountain bike for the first time and to master how to ride switchbacks (albeit very slowly). I am looking forward to catching up with you all over the next few weeks and hearing about your summer.
This year we are a combined class of Year 6, 7 and 8 students. There will be opportunities for us to work altogether as a whole class such as the Hanmer camp coming up in Week 4 and in the various learning tasks across the curriculum. The Year 7 and 8’s will continue to have their separate opportunities to attend Technology later in the year and receive language lessons from the Cashmere High teachers. A programme for the Year 6 ākonga will be planned during these two sessions. As part of my role as a senior teacher, I also look forward to working with the Year 8 learners as they prepare for their next journey into high school.
Kererū Teaching Team:
I am the full-time teacher of the Kererū learners, their well-being, planning the classroom programme and monitoring their progress.
This year, I will be on release most Wednesdays. I generally remain on site for these release days so am still available if I am needed. I will let you know once I have confirmed who my release teacher will be. However these days are planned by me, following the curriculum schedule that I have laid out for the term.
We are lucky to also have Rachel Kelly teaching Phys Ed across the school this year. Our sessions are on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, starting in Week 1.
Term 1 Inquiry
Using the inquiry model, explore the histories of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The inquiry model supports deeper learning and understanding.
Māori history is the foundational and continuous history of Aotearoa NZ.
A wide range of cultures have participated in and contributed to Aotearoa NZ.
Advocating for the right to citizenship and respect for difference has contributed to the development of a more diverse nation.
A number of other curriculum areas will be woven into this integrated unit of work.
Term 1 Guided Whakatauki
Titiro whakamuri, kia anga whakamua
Look to the past in order to move forward
Languages taught by teachers from Cashmere High School
Each Wednesday at 11:30 am (starting in week 2 of this term)
Term 1 and 2: French
Term 3 and 4: Te Reo Māori
Year 7 and 8 Technology at Te Aratai Technology Centre
Friday mornings of Term 3 and 4 only
Over the two terms the Year 8’s will cover Food, Digital Technologies, Product Design and Makerspace
The Year 7’s will do Hard Materials, Fabrics and double Food (which they will love)
💻 Digital Communication Forum
All Kererū ākonga will be using Google Drive and Google Classroom again this year. This is a great digital forum where we can post and share work. Access to their learning is then available anytime and anywhere for them to share with you. The first few days will see the importance of unpacking the schools digital citizenship contract and setting our class expectations around safe practices when using digital technology for learning.
BYOD (bring your own device)
Our Year 6, 7 and 8 ākonga are able to use their own devices at school if they wish. There are strict expectations around this and are only to be used for the purpose of learning during school hours. Each child wishing to bring their own device must bring their signed consent form back before this can happen. If you wish to provide your own device we request chromebooks not i-pads please.
Consent forms for Digital Citizenship, Cell Phone use and BYOD will be sent home in hard copy for you to sign on the first day of school and return back to me.
📒 Home Learning
A ‘Weekly Diary’ is used to record home learning, upcoming dates and helps to establish sound time management skills in preparation for high school. Please encourage your child to use this, as we really do see a correlation between being able to self manage and being able to transition to high school easier. Further information will be provided over the coming weeks to outline the expectations of Home Learning in the senior class.
🗓 SAVE THE DATE: Kererū Hanmer Camp
Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st February (but watch this space)
Other fun things to look forward to to this term:
Life Education lessons: What makes a good leader
Whānau Connect meetings in Week 2
Whole school Top Team competition
Kapa Haka on a Thursday
Swimming Sports in week 5
Things to know for the first day:
Come in and say hi
Choose a cubby to put your bag in
Leave your stationery in your bag as we will sort it later
Place your named drink bottle in the water baskets provided
Choose a desk that you may like to sit at and pop your name tag on it
🏊♂️Swimming days for us are a Wednesday and Friday (starting the first week) so please remind your children to bring their togs.
I am always available before school from 8:30 onwards or after school on a Wednesday to Friday if you want to pop in and see what we are up to. Alternatively, you can email me with any queries or to book a more formal meeting.
Ngā mihi
Ange Rayner