We hope you had a good two weeks despite the chilly weather! 

Kia ora whānau,

Unfortunately Tania has been away this week but she should be returning next week. It has been a pleasure to have Judy Bockett in our space this week filling in while Tania has been away. 

Our Learning

This week, we have been implementing a few changes to our Literacy programme in the mornings. We have spent the week getting used to it and the children are beginning to settle in again.

During our Literacy time, we will be doing Writing, Word Study and Reading but the way we are doing it is slightly different. We have also added in time for the children to work on their Inquiry for the term and this is being done through Ako Bases. Our Ako Bases are just a structured step by step process for the children to work through.

Writing 

We are giving the children the opportunity to write in any genre they choose and on any topic they choose. While they are doing this, we are offering small workshops and supporting them in their writing of choice.

Reading 

This week in reading we have been completing some assessment for new students and for some of the groups. Students have also had a chance to look over the reading goals, they have set, and look at some steps they can take to achieve these. Students are learning why it is important to set realistic achievable goals and what steps are needed to be taken in order to do this.

Next week we will be looking at the reading strategy of evaluation - this will be taught within each group differentiating with the texts given. Evaluation is when a reader judges and justifies their thoughts, on what they are reading, based on evidence within the text.

A few books have gone missing over the break and some students are not bringing their book bags to school - please remind your child to pack their book bags everyday.

Maths 

Miss Hebberd's Maths Group - This week we have been revising some of our learning from the end of Term 2. Next week, we will be looking at Fractions.

Ms Gallagher's Maths Group - We will be continuing with multiplication and division.

Ms Mansfield's Maths Group - We are beginning to work in the area of money.

Our Inquiry this term across the school is looking at the design technology process. The children are going to research, plan, design, test and package a food or a craft in order to sell it. The aim is to sell it at a student-led Food and Craft Fair towards the end of term. The children are very excited and are buzzing with ideas which is fantastic. If they are discussing this with you at home, please encourage them to be creative. If they are making a food, they should come up with their own twist or flavour on something. If they are making a craft, it needs to be hand made. We don't want the items to be expensive to make as they will need to make a few of each thing. The money raised will be given to charity.

Other Notices

Please check in with your child to see if they need any new stationery. Some children do not seem to have pencils or red pens.

We are continuing to do Physical Literacy on a Tuesday (weather permitting). Students are encouraged to brings sports shoes. This term we are focussing on target skills.

If children are late to school or leave school early in the day, please sign in and out at the office.

Have a great weekend!

Nicky, Vanessa and Tania