Catch up on what our Senior School students have been up to and find out what Term 3 holds for our team!

Kia orāna! This week is ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani: Cook Islands Language Week. The theme for this year is "Taku rama, taau toi: ora te Reo" - "My Torch, Your Adze: The Language Lives."

Year 6 Transition for 2020

The Year 6s had a great morning down at Pasadena Intermediate last Thursday at their Expo Day. They had a tour of the school then participated in a number of learning activities such as art, programming, sport, cooking and music. They were buzzing when they returned to school.

We are about to ramp up our transition processes for our Year 6s for 2020. If you are yet to enrol your child at an intermediate school for next year, we have enrolment forms available at our school office for Pasadena Intermediate and Ponsonby Intermediate schools. Having these completed by the end of this term supports us to ensure your child's transition is as smooth as possible. A reminder that Ponsonby Intermediate have their open evening on the 14th August and Pasadena Intermediate have their open evening on the 21st August. More information is available on their respective school websites.

Keeping Ourselves Safe & Conceptual Curriculum

We have now completed the teaching of the NZ Police Programme, Keeping Ourselves Safe. This has included a visit by Constable Holly to each Studio. Several homework sheets have been sent home over the last three weeks so that children can continue the discussion with you at home. These do not need to be returned to school, but if you haven't seen any of these homework tasks, please ask your child.

We will now move on to our new scientific focus for this term. Our Conceptual Curriculum will investigate the Science curriculum strand, 'The Living World.' We will start the term looking at the specific capabilities living things have that allow them to live and function. 

This learning will involve our trip to Tiritiri Matangi next month. A notice came home at the start of this week. If you are able to assist as a parent helper, please return the slip or complete this form by Friday next week. Thank you for your support.

Whānau Forum

We look forward to welcoming you all into our Studios in a couple of weeks time for Whānau Forum. These will be held on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th August. School will be closing at 12:40pm on Thursday 29th for these to take place. Please also note that the Interschool Soccer Competition is taking place during the school day on Thursday 29th.

Booking information is available in this newsletter.

Studio 6 Update

Since coming back from our holidays, students have been busy in Studio 6. Students have been regrouped for Writing and we have begun with some creative activities. Some students have been writing about ‘A Day in the Life’ of a range of exotic jobs. For the last two weeks, we have been working on a collaborative video; A poem that will travel all around the world and be a project to show at assembly. Studio 6 have been reading a range of Māori myths. Students began to notice a whole range of connections across these different texts.

During Maths, our students have begun to study division. We have been using a range of visual and materials to come to grips with this always challenging topic. We’ve also had a bit of time for a study of angles. Students have noticed how they’re all around us and how many jobs would need to know about how they work.

Studio 7 Update

We are back and Term 3 is off to a flying start. During Maths, we have spent some extra time working with division and multiplication to ensure we all have a solid understanding of these strategies. Our times tables recall is always improving and some students have memorised all their times tables up to 12 this year! We are moving onto looking at fractions of shapes and of numbers, and for some students looking at how these link to percentages and decimals. This leads on well from multiplication and division so feel free to quiz some of our maths stars about fractions the next time you order a pizza!

During Reading, we have been looking at metaphors and similes how we can add them into our writing to add more detail. We have also spent the last week looking at couplets. We have written a poem containing a combination of metaphors, couplets and similes about either winter or summer. We have presented it in an exciting way and are looking forward to you coming into the Studio to have a look! 

Studio 8 Update

During Mathematics, we have been learning how to identify, name and measure angles. The children have enjoyed practical activities where they have learnt how to use a protractor.

During Reading, we have been working on inferring and questioning when reading both fiction and non-fiction articles. Next, the children will begin a novel study in their Reading groups, developing their comprehension when reading extended texts and analysing their features.

Some of us started the term watching a video about plastic and sea pollution and were shocked to find out about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch! We wrote to persuade others about minimising waste so that it doesn’t end up in our oceans. This week we were inspired by the author, Anthony Browne, and have written from a range of perspectives as inspired by his book, Voices in the Park.

As always, if you have any questions or queries, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher.

Ngā mihi,
Ella, Melissa, Peter, Sarah, Stuart, Terry and Jason