Dates to Remember: As I have said in previous newsletters we have some important dates coming up. We are going on a trip to Ambury Farm either Friday 16 Sept or Tuesday 20th September.  You will get a notice that will tell you the day your child is going as it is different for each child depending what group they attend on a Friday.  We also have trips to Te Uru Contemporary Gallery 13th September for Rowan's homegroup, 14th September for Vashti's homegroup and 15th September for Ned's homegroup.  Look out for the notice tomorrow.  The Art festival is coming up next week Thursday September 1st.

Art Festival

The children have been working hard on their Art Festival pieces.  This year has been run a bit differently to previous years in that the children have been doing it as part of their conceptual learning unit.  They have had much more freedom in what they create this year so we hope you enjoy their creative expression.  The concepts they have been looking at while doing their art are innovation and technique. They have been doing their art in different classes with different teachers so you may have to go to a different studio on the night to see the art.

Keeping Ourselves Safe

Over the past week we have been doing the 'Keeping Ourselves Safe' programme. We have done the unit Confident Me and we are moving into Safe or Unsafe.  We hope that the lessons have been providing you with things to talk about at home.  Constable Taina has been in and talked to the class about getting safely home and also about a movie called 'Mark Makes a Good Call'. The children have been amazing  while learning about things that sometimes makes them feel a little uncomfortable.

Maths

During maths over the last two weeks we have been solving problems involving fractions and Pokemon.  The children are learning how to find a fraction of a number as well as learning to identify fractions.  Some children have also been learning how to convert fractions.  As you can imagine the Pokemon theme has been very motivating.

Literacy

Literacy has been revolving around Art.  They have been doing reading around different art forms and writing adverts to promote their artwork for the art show, or reading about different types of artwork.  They have also been writing amazing 'Moment in Time' pieces about riding on the Power Surge at Rainbows End by watching someone with a GoPro going on the ride (such fun).  It has produced the most amazing writing.

Calendar Art

Keep a look out for the Calendar Art which should be up and on display by the art festival day.

Visitors

Thank you to the parents that have come in to help with the children's learning.  Luella's Da,d Dallas, and Finn's mum, Andrea, came in to talk to the children about their own experiences at the Olympics - both at the present Olympics and past Olympics.  Eleanor's Dad, Scott, came in to share his knowledge of light and colour with the children.  We love it when parents come in and share their expertise.  

This term is rocketing along and we are already at week 5.   Thank you for continuing to support our children and ensuring that they are coming to school ready to learn.  We really appreciate everything you do to support us and your children.

Ka Kite

Ned, Rowan and Vashti