Week 5, Term 2

This week we had a very colourful visitor to Renwick 3. Blue, Hayz's bird, came to see us. Blue was very gentle and friendly. He comes from the parrot family and is a vegetarian. Although he did enjoy nibbling Hayz's ear!

On Friday we got together with our buddies and did some printmaking using our hands. We used orange to symbolise 'Hands up for Learning'.

Next week...
Our sounds will be h/r or ng/v.
Our words will be are/down or where/they.
During maths time our class focus is reading and writing numerals.
This Wednesday we are off to the Suter Art Gallery to view an exhibition. I will require parent help to make this trip successful as there is a hands on component which the children will need assistance with. Please let me know if you are able to help.
We are now completing 2 laps of the front field for our cross country training. This is our final 'build up' for the big day! The children are and doing very well. I am aware we have a few reluctant runners. I encourage the children to take part and be proud of what they have achieved. The race is only ever about challenging yourself not always others.
As the winter months are upon us I am asking the children to remove muddy shoes before entering the class room. It is very helpful for me if they are able to independently put their shoes back on before going outside again. If your child wears lace up shoes can you please assist by helping them learn how to tie laces. Alternatively you can purchase 'stretchy' laces that will hold the shoe on without having to tie laces.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 4, Term2

This week we were very proud to be part of the opening of Room 12A. We all assembled on Renwick House deck for the ceremony and cutting of the ribbon. There were four new students there to help cut the ribbon.

We have been training very hard for the cross country. Next week we plan to 'step up a gear' and run 2 laps of the front field!

Next week...
Our sounds will be c,k,e or z,w.
Our words will be, come, here or away, out.
During maths our class focus will be counting on and backwards from a given number.
Please help your child to remember our library day is Friday. Our list of overdue books seems to be growing steadily!
We have had a small outbreak of headlice in the class. Please check your child's hair regularly to keep these unwelcome visitors at bay.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 3, Term 2

This week we had a big adventure with a trip to the Maitai Dam. We have been learning how precious our water is. We went to see where our water comes from. Lachie's Grandad showed us around the dam.

We have had a very physical week in Renwick 3. We have started our Cross Country training. Every day, Monday through to Thursday, we meet at the front field after lunch time. All our Kowhai and Te Pouahi friends come and we run an entire lap of the front field!
We have also been throwing and catching large balls (which also involves quite a bit of running!!). Over the last couple of weeks we have improved a huge amount.

Next Week...

Our sounds will be n, p or ee, or.
Our words will be no, a or this, she.
During maths time our class focus will be the number that comes before any given number.
A reminder that this Tuesday I will be attending a Teacher Paid Union Meeting. You can collect your child from school at 2.15pm. Some staff will be on duty to provide supervision only.
We are continuing to focus on co-operation as our social skill. I am encouraging children not only to share and take turns but also to take care of each other. We have talked about the fact it is our right to feel happy and safe at school. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure everybody feels included, safe and happy.
On that note .... have a happy and safe week!

Week 2, Term 2

This week in Renwick 3 we have been learning about capacity during maths time. We listened to the story 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. We looked at the different sized bowls of porridge and estimated how much each would hold to see which bowl belonged to Father Bear.
In groups of 3 we got out our own lunchboxes and drink bottles and imagined they belong to the 3 bears who were going on a picnic. We had lots of discussion on what lunchbox and drink bottle would hold the most food and therefore belong to Father Bear, then Mother Bear and finally Baby Bear.

As part of our learning about the letter 'J' we made some jelly! The smell was delicious....and it tasted great. It was a wonderful treat for Friday Fun-day.

Next week...

Our sounds will be t,i or oa,ie. Our words will be, in, it / little, put.
For maths we have finished our measurement topic and will be now focussing on number for the remainder of the term.
Our Inquiry topic, 'Splash', is going well. We have been busy identifying the difference between a natural resource and man made resource. We have acknowledged that we need to take care of and use our natural resources efficiently. Our trip to the Maitai Dam on Wednesday will support our learning in this area.
Our class is now full with 18 delightful and energetic children. We are having lots of fun learning how to use our new interactive whiteboard. It is a fabulous tool that engages and excites the children with their learning.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 1, Term 2

Welcome back to Term 2! I trust all of you had a happy and safe holiday. The children seem well rested and full of enthusiasm for life and learning!
We had a delightful week with 3 more friends joining Renwick 3. We now have 18 champions in our class.
During the week we were busy getting back into our routines. Below are some pictures of us busy at work!

Next week...
During reading time there will be 2 phonic groups. Children who started part way through the term will be starting at the beginning of the Jolly Phonics letters and sounds to ensure there are no gaps.
Therefore one group will be learning 's' and 'a' while the other group will be working on 'ai' and 'j'. Words we will be covering will be... see, am / of some.
During maths we will be continuing to work on measurement. I will be introducing capacity to the children.
We have started our new topic called 'Splash'. We have been looking at what a natural resource is. The key understanding for the children is to learn that we need to take care of our natural resources.
P.E. this term has started with large ball skills. From week 3 onwards we will be starting our cross country training. Children will need to wear suitable footwear. A notice will come home during the week with further information regarding the cross country.
For art we are making the most of our autumn weather and exploring printmaking. You may have noticed we have an abundance of beautiful leaves around the school to make good use of!
No sunhats are required for this term, however, it is totally optional.
Any questions or queries please do not hesitate to come and see me.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 7, Term 1

We recently visited Natureland as part of our Inquiry topic 'Is it an animal?'
We discovered we can group animals into different categories depending on their characteristics.

Our class is slowly but surely growing. We now have 11 champions and 3 more friends join us on Monday. At the beginning of next term we will be completely full and then Room 10 will open up for all the other new children starting school.

Across the hall in Renwick 1 we have some friends joining Renwick House from Te Pouahi. This is a class of Year One children.

Next Week...

Our sounds will be g and o. Our words will be go and going.
During maths time we will be looking at measurement.
Next week we will be looking at pedestrian safety as a mini Inquiry topic. This is in conjunction with the Feet First programme.
I am looking forward to meeting with you next week for parent interviews.

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 5, Term 1

During lunch time at school we sit with our friends on the Room 11 & 12's deck to eat our lunch. We stay seated and eat for at least 15 minutes. The duty teacher then checks our lunch box to see we have had enough to eat, only then are we allowed to go to play.




This week in Renwick 3 we have been learning how to make positive comments to our friends and to keep those not so nice comments to ourselves. We have numerous opportunities during the day to make our friends smile and feel happy. Neroli got the rainy day box out as a special treat!

Next Week...

Our sounds will be h and r. Our words will be here and come.
During maths time we will continue to work on backward sequence numbers as our class focus.
Tuesday we have our trip to Natureland. This is to initiate our new topic 'Is it and animal?'. I am sure we will have a most enjoyable time with lots of learning. Thank you to all the offers of parent help.
We are having a busy time on Friday mornings with all our new friends visiting who will soon be starting school. Last Friday we had 14 visitors! All of which will not be in Renwick 3! We have 9 more children to join our class and then we will be full. Room 10 will open up at the beginning of Term 2.

Have a happy and safe week!