What a tremendous start to Term 3 our Tuakana Whanau have had! From our Space-Themed Connected Curriculum launch, to looking ahead to our Cross Country event, College trips for our Year 6's, welcoming our International Visitors, to ensuring we continue to achieve high standards in reading, writing and maths.

Internationals - It was with great delight that we welcomed our international students to our Tuakana classes. This is an exciting opportunity for our students to experience peers from different countries and cultures, to learn from one-another and for our Tamariki to show guidance, support and, sometimes, a little patience! We have had visitors from China, South Korea and Japan mainly this time around and they will be with us for roughly four weeks in total.

Global Classroom Experience - Many of our students will have the opportunity to work more closely with our International visitors. Under the guidance of Ruth Taylor, they will learn more about each others’ cultures and understand what skills are required to help bridge the language barrier. Global Class has now finished its initial run of two weeks for the first groups, and now is ready for the next groups through weeks 3-4.

Home Learning - This will begin in Week 2 with a whole new Passion Project, and the usual template for home learning

Parent/Teacher Interviews - Thank you so much to the many parents who booked in for appointments. It is always a pleasure to see you and so much changes in a child's life at this age, there is always plenty to talk about!

Connected Curriculum Theme for Term 3

This term, we will be learning about Space, and in particular our Solar System. From knowing and ordering the planets, to understanding what a colony on Mars would look like. 

Here are the main learning outcomes this term related to Space:

• Understanding how to sustain life on a different planet (know the water cycle, weather systems and rock types)

• Know the planets of the solar system, in order and understand distances

• Know how to sustain life on a different planet - what do all living things need? 

Novel Study:

This term we will be looking at a novel entitled ‘A River’s Story’ by Jasmine Warga. For reading, we will focus on summarising, note-taking, character study and inference.

For writing, the focus is on persuasive writing.

Cross Country Training:

On Thursday, our students began their training for the Annual Cross Country Event, taking place on 29th August. It was a great start, with all students pushing themselves hard and digging deep. By and large, they enjoyed it, and that adrenalin, coupled with the endorphins produced by strenuous exercise meant they felt good having completed the course. The training will continue next week, as we revert back to our planned Tuesday afternoons. Please ensure your child brings their PE kit, appropriate footwear and a water bottle.

Key Dates for Term 3

Parent Interviews - Monday, 29th July from 3.15-5.30pm and Thursday, 1st August from 3.15-7pm

International Camp - Friday, 2nd August

Mrs Smallman will continue to be out for weeks 1&2 on medical leave, so Room 27 will continue with Mrs Foot

For Weeks 3-4, Miss Williams will be taking one of the Global Classes, so Mrs Bell will be teaching in Room 25 during this time

Year 6’s visit Whangaparaoa College - Thursday, 8th August 

Numicon Parent Workshop (6-7.30pm @ GHS) - Wednesday, 21st August 

Cross Country Event @ GHS - Thursday, 29th August 

NEST Puberty Parent Presentation & Q&A, 6-7pm - Thursday, 5th September 

NEST Positive Puberty for all year 5&6 students. Payment is $20 and due on 24th August - Tuesday, 10th September 

Science Open Evening, 3.30-5pm - Thursday, 12th September 

It looks like a very exciting and jam-packed term!