Middles News

PBL

As part of our learning around healthy living this term, we were thrilled to have Frosina Barlev (one of our parents) talk to some of our classes about how the heart works.  Children had the opportunity to ask lots of questions about the heart and how it works.  They were able to see the heart in action with an ultrasound device.  They were also able to  put an oximeter on their finger to show them their heart rate and oxygen saturation, and watch the numbers change with different activities. Another highlight was using a balloon filled with some water, and squeezing it to simulate the heart pumping blood around the body.  Our parent experts are always a highlight of our PBL learning and any contributions are greatly appreciated.   

Classes have been working hard to get their steps in for our virtual challenge.  Many students have taken part in the lunchtime football games run by our senior PAL leaders.  Others have been working fitness challenges for their friends to complete - with lots of creativity in including a range of exercises.  We would also like to congratulate our students who took part in the Hills Cluster Cross Country.

Online Safety

At our syndicate assembly this week, we talked about online safety.  As part of this discussion, children were able to think and talk about the importance of only using the learning websites that have been looked at and approved by our teachers.  We also talked about the use of our Kaikorai Google accounts and that these should not be used to sign up for out of school websites and games.  While we are happy for students to be using their Kaikorai Google accounts at home to sign into our teacher approved websites, however as part of our Chromebook User Agreement, these are only to be used for school related activities.

Term 4 - Swimming and Day Trip to Tirohanga 

In the first two weeks of Term 4 we will begin our syndicate swimming block.  Our swimming programme is run by JC Swim School. A Google Form with information with confirmed costs, dates, and times will be sent out in the next few weeks.  

We will also be heading out for our day trip to Tirohanga next term.  This is always an exciting day for students with lots of fun challenges.  Parent helpers for this day are key to the successful running of all of our activities.  A Google Form with all of our key information for the day will also be sent out in the next few weeks.

Ngā mihi nui,

Amy McBeath, Jill Kumar, & Emma Anderson