by Robin Hartley

Senior & Middles News - 31/08/18

Read on the see what your children have been up to this term. Please read to the bottom of the article for up and coming events and important dates.

Senior News

The seniors have been very busy through the middle of this term.  

We have had a wizz bang assembly from Room 1 on signifiant people, places and events, with dancing, smoke and explosions!  

Winter sports are all coming to a close with competitive excitement.  Please take the time to read up the children's writing on the recent netball competition.  It was great to see the team make into the top half of the field.  

Our PAL leaders have been working hard in the playground and the hall running sports and games for all children in the school.  They have also been running PMP exercises for children.  Mrs Kumar has been helping them with their teaching and organisation skills.

A group of senior students made it to the Epro8 technology challenge final and were up against some stiff competition and some very difficult problems to solve.

Sixteen children went to compete in the Otago O'Mathalon, a high speed, high octane, high energy, problem solving extravaganza.  Our Kaikorai kids did very well with both 3rd place and 2nd place results.  Well done to them!

A group of students from Room 2 have been organising the collection of cans of food for the annual canned food appeal.  Structures were made and hundreds of cans collected.  It is fantastic to see children making a significant difference in the world.

The seniors along with the rest of the school have been feverishly mixing colours, making designs and pushing their art skills to the limit for this year's calendar art.  Please take the time to see what your child has produced.  Proceeds will go to help out the Parent Group currently raising money for an amazing new playground for our school.

However our main focus is learning and I am very impressed with the seniors this term.  I have seen children creating 3D designs and using the 3D printer, creating non-linear stories using a cutting edge programme called Twinery.  I have seen children solving angle problems using Edison Robots and programming them to achieve specific goals.  Finally we are very excited as the children work hard on creating a project to make a significant difference for their school or community.

Middles News

Classes in the middle syndicate have been discussing significant people in our community and beyond, both in the past and the present. Some classes have also been looking at (and creating) significant structures around the world. The next part of our inquiry will be looking at using 'Good Sorts' news item which features on One News within our own school, linking it to the positive effects we can have on others. 

Middles Camp

Children are now starting to get excited about Term 4's Tirohanga Camp. This camp is always a highlight for the year.  In the lead up to this, classes will begin looking at ways that they can be more independent, as well as being keen to try new things. There will be a few important notices sent out over the next couple of weeks. Please let your child's teacher know if you need paper copies of these. 


Up & Coming and Important dates to note:

  • 7th of Sept. - 'Have a go day' Edgar Centre (middles only)
  • 12th of Sept. - PAL summer sports training 
  • 14th of Sept. - Sausage Sizzle (Room 6 Parent help needed)
  • 14th of Sept - Room 3 Assembly
  • 21st of Sept - Capital E show in the hall (for seniors and middles)
  • 1st October - School Holidays
  • 24th to 26th Oct. - Middles Camp at Tirohanga