Sunday 26 February 2017

We have another busy week planned in A1.  

Our letters that we are focusing on are 't' and 'p', we are still writing every day focusing on where to do our plans, write our names and do our writing, and for maths we are focusing on number recognition to 10, before and after numbers to 10 and basic facts to 5.  We are continuing to work on our school song, our school dance and we have team building middle block on Friday.  Hopefully after all of that we will still have time to fit in our swimming, library and some reading as well!

We have our new Bike Track opening on Wednesday afternoon straight after we have been to visit the library.  It would be great if the tamariki could bring decorated bikes or scooters to ride around the track on that day!  Don't forget your helmet and your shoes if you do decide to bring them!!

Sunday 19 February 2017

We are slowly getting used to being at school.  We had lots of tired children at the end of last week!  Luckily Friday was a really fun day with a powhiri to welcome all our new staff and students, team building with the rest of the A-Team, and a special assembly where Charlotte from Peaches and Pickles told us all about Passion Fridays.

Passion Fridays are new to Whangaparaoa School and we are all excited about being involved in encouraging our tamariki with the passions that they have.  The eldest and only child in each whanau should have received a newsletter today outlining Passion Friday and the cost that it will incur.  Please be sure to have your forms into the school office before the end of the week if you wish for your child to be involved in any of the classes.

We are busy learning a school song and a new dance that we will hopefully be able to perform at the end of the term with the rest of the school.  We are having heaps of fun learning them!  Here are the links so that you can practise them at home:


Sunday 12 February 2017

Some people may have noticed the pink 1F4 book in their child's book bag each night.  This is their home book.  Inside it is the Anton Song that we sing daily, a sheet with the correct formation of letters and the rhymes that go with them, and a Word Worm at the back of the book.  Please sing the Anton Song with your child each night as it helps with their alphabet recognition and sounds.  I have included the formation sheet in their homework books so that you are able to check that they are using the correct formation and pencil grip when they are doing any writing at home.  The Word Worm has either letters or words that your child is learning in class.  They will get a sticker on each word/letter as they master them.  A reader will be sent home in their book bags to read with somebody each night.

I firmly believe that home time is family time and the time to speak to your child about their day and what they are learning about at school.  While reinforcing what they are learning in class is important, it is also important for them to have some down time to recharge the batteries ready for the next day.  If you do not manage to sing the song or do the Word Worm every night then that is not a problem.  I do ask however, that you make the time to read their reader with them each night.  Doing this helps them with their basic sight word recognition and reinforces the lessons that they have had with that book during the day.

REMINDERS:

Swimming is on Monday and Thursday afternoons.  Please make sure you send their NAMED togs and towel to school in a plastic bag.

Library is on Wednesdays this term.  

Our day for the water slide is Thursday this week.

Our powhiri for our new staff and students is at 10am this Friday.  Hope to see you all there!

Wednesday 8 February 2017

What a fun filled few days we have had!  We are busy getting to know each other, testing, and getting into routines.  We have started using our writing books and are trying to remember what to do when the bell goes at the end of playtime and lunchtime.

We now have our library day.  We will be going every Wednesday this term.  Don't forget that we also have swimming on Monday and Thursday afternoons!