Primary Update: Years 0-6
It is beautiful to see how quickly our Primary tamariki have settled into school this term. There is a really peaceful, attentive and positive atmosphere in each classroom and our core learning is well under way. We have been focusing on ensuring our ākonga (learners) have strong foundations in literacy and maths so that they can have maximum access to their learning in all areas of school life.
Our Explorers class has been focusing on creating great learning routines and ‘managing ourselves’ to set them up for the best opportunity to learn. Their mathematical focus this term is on number knowledge and place value, as well as a literacy focus on correct letter formation and decoding words. All of this happens in a fun learning environment where they also have been doing lots of Te Reo and puzzles.
In the Adventurers space, we've been diving into number knowledge, mastering basic facts to 20, and exploring place value as we work with numbers up to 1000 in Maths. Our Literacy and Topic lessons have focused on establishing routines and setting up our books for success, while also learning more about each other and how to be the best Horizon students we can be. In the upcoming weeks, we'll explore the school values of Faith, Hope, and Love, with a special focus on Love as part of our character learning. Miss Jess and the Adventurers have also created a beautiful display wall of our classroom learning—feel free to pop in and have a look!
In the Discoverers, our Mana Tamariki program has started for all of our Year 6 Students, which involves learning about leadership and how each one of them have a part to play in being a student leader in the Primary school. We have been discussing different styles of leadership and what type of leader they would like to be. It is encouraging to see our Year 6 tamariki already taking initiative to apply those leadership skills by stepping up to support other tamariki at lunch time, volunteering for roles like Student Librarian, Wet Day Monitor and Tech Team.
We are excited about Rachel from Waste Busters coming in to guide us through how to care for our school environment and reduce waste, as well as a visit from Senior Constable John Walker for year 5-8 students who are keen to learn how to do Road Patrol duty this year.
Our first Primary beach trip was a massive success and we are grateful for all of the teachers' organisation, parent support and fantastic behavior from the tamariki. We are looking forward to our Aotearoa Surf Trip coming up next Friday 28 February for Year 4-8 students as well as our next Snells Beach Water Safety trip for all Primary students on Monday 3rd March. More details and reminders will be sent out to whanau about both of these trips closer to the time.
