In this week's newsletter:

School life

• Teresa's Update
• Readathon
• Congratulations to our Junior teachers
• Whānau Forum

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Basketball

Other Opportunities

• Holy Moly Arts and Crafts

• Lewis Eady

• Samantha Nicole - School of Dance

• Head Held High

• Performance Net

• Fridays Drama Club

School life

This week the children have been working through the Mitey unit of work on kindness. I have noticed being in studios that the unit of work has helped to support a calm and focused start to the term. This week on a school tour a new parent to the school commented on the level of focus and that every child in the studio was busy and engaged with learning. It was lovely to hear from a visitor. It is how we maintain such high standards at Westmere.

After a busy term with a science focus last term, our focus this term is on the arts. For some children, this will be an opportunity to bring to school skills and expertise. For others, it will be an opportunity to push themselves out of their comfort zone. Next week children in years 3-6 will have the opportunity to work with experts from the University of Auckland School of Dance. 

Don't forget that the studio updates that you receive each week are a window into the classroom/studio. They are a great opportunity to begin discussions with your children about learning.

Readathon
Thank you if you took the time to take part in the Readathon. Lucy and the Westmere School supporters are true heroes of our school. 

We are hoping to have raised $7000 by the end of the week. It is a phenomenal achievement. Thank you.

Congratulations to Our Junior Teachers
This week the teachers in our Junior School completed their Better Start to Literacy Approach study. It has been a big piece of work that has involved learning theory and a new way to teach. They have assessed and evaluated their own teaching as well as the progress of the students.

The work we are undertaking is changing the way that we teach reading in the Junior School. Please look out for a survey in the studio update this week. Your feedback is important to us.

Whānau Forum

This is a chance for your child to update you on their learning and for you to catch up with your child's teacher. Each slot is for half an hour.

• Wednesday 16th August
• Classes will finish at 1pm for all English-medium studios
• Classes will finish at the usual 3pm for NUONI
• Book here or go to https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the code w7869

Extracurricular Opportunities

Calling new Basketball Players!
We need a few more players for our senior basketball teams. Games are played on Friday afternoons at Ponsonby Intermediate School, 20-minute games. 

No experience is needed as you can learn as you play. 

Get in touch with Kimberley at sport@westmere.school.nz if interested. 

Other Opportunities

Holy Moly Arts and Crafts

Lewis Eady

Samantha Nicole - School of Dance

Head Held High

Performance Net

Fridays Drama Club

Fridays drama club continues this year with well-known Shortland Street/Celebrity Treasure Island actor/teacher/ motivational speaker Lynette Forday.

Lynette became a household name on NZ television and was a pioneer in getting a minority face onto mainstream television.

Her passion lies in helping children believe that they are enough, that they are extraordinary and they can take on the world no matter what.

Lynette grew up being the only little Asian face in the playground and knows from her childhood the importance of feeling enough and having the skills to stand up and be heard.

In her class there’ll be drama games, charades, improvisations, public speaking practise, and script work but most importantly lots of fun learning.

All in the name of self-confidence, positive body language, creativity, and confidence in speaking in front of others.

These lessons run on Fridays during school.  By design, it’s a small club so if you’re interested get in touch with Lynette at ljforday@icloud.com or 021367329.