Week 9, term 2

On Monday we celebrated Matariki (Maori New Year). We had a wonderful shared kai followed by an afternoon of Maori games and activities. Knucklebones was a bit challenging for us but we gave it our best shot!

We have been having lots of fun exploring with magnets over the last couple of weeks. We spent some time working in our inquiry groups this week. We were predicting what we thought the magnet would pick up and why. We each have a different role to play in our group. We have a materials person, a recorder and a reporter. Taking turns and cooperating is really important in group work and we are getting very good at it!

Next week...
Our sounds will be qu,ou or ai,j.
Our words will be you're,what or be,we.
During maths time we will continue to work on skip counting.
We have had a lovely time playing with our big buddies this week. It is really heart warming to see so many children engaging with their buddies at lunch time as well. This is a very special relationship for both parties.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 8, Term 2

This week Sarah Langi came to speak to us about Zero waste. We looked at a range of packed lunchboxes and had to order them from the lunchbox that had the most rubbish to the least.
There are a number of ways we can reduce the amount of waste in our lunchbox. Sarah showed us some lunchboxes with lots of compartments. These are great because the food does not require wrapping of any sort.
We decided that paper lunch wrap was the best kind to buy if you needed to because it will rot down in our environment where as glad wrap does not. We don’t want our earth filled with ‘sad wrap’!



We started our new inquiry topic this week called ‘Magic Magnets’. Stirling or better known to us as ‘Mr. Science’ came to show us his magnets. We made lots of new discoveries and had lots of fun playing with the magnets.

Next week…Our sounds will be u/l or sh/th.
Our words will be he/she or they/there.
During maths time our class focus will be skip counting in tens.
On Monday I will be in Wellington for the day on a Thinking Skills workshop and Sam will be teaching in Renwick 3.
Also on Monday we will be celebrating Matariki (Maori New Year) with the children. We are having a shared kai for lunch with the Kowhai syndicate. This will be followed by an afternoon of fun activities.
As cross country has finished we will be focussing on large ball skills until the end of the term. Sam and I are both very impressed with the children’s improvement with passing and catching the balls.
Unfortunately we have had a few nasty bugs roaming about Renwick 3. This seems to be common place throughout the school! We have been taking care to wash and dry our hands properly and to cough/sneeze into our arm. Hopefully we are over the worst of it now.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 7, Term 2

After a very wet week the sun finally came out for our cross country on Thursday. We all gave our 100% effort and made Neroli and our families very proud! We shared our infectious enthusiasm to cheer on our brothers, sisters and big buddies!

Much to the childrens delight we have three new residents at Nelson Central School! Lachie was first to spot the ducks early one morning. We have been keeping a careful eye on them ever since!



Next week...
Our sounds will be g/o or x/ch.
Our word will be day.
During maths time our class focus will continue to be ordering numbers. Knowing our numbers 1-20 inside out is crucial at this stage. You can easily practice this at home by just using a pack of cards.
On Thursday we have a visit from Sarah Langi. Sarah will be talking to us about Zerowaste in our school. Please come and join us at 2.30pm in Trinity Hall. The talk should be 20-30 minutes. You are then free to take your child home.
Next week we will start preparing for Matariki (Maori New Year) which we will celebrate in Week 9. Further details will follow.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 6, Term 2

We really enjoyed our poem this week so we thought we would share it with you!



This week we had a trip to the Suter Art Gallery which we thoroughly enjoyed. We were learning about how the people of Parihaka peacefully protested in attempt to regain their land. We also made our own poi!

On Thursday we were lucky enough to have Robyn Belton visit our school. Robyn has illustrated many of our favourite books including the Greedy Cat stories. Robyn was read us some Greedy Cat stories and finished by drawing an amazing picture of Greedy Cat.

Next week... Our sounds will be m/d or oo/y. Our words will be like/little or you/your. During maths time the class focus will be ordering numbers. On Tuesday, weather permitting, we will have our annual Cross Country. The 5 year old boys and girls will run last. We will complete 2 laps of the front field. After the racing the children will return to their class and end of school will be at 3pm as per normal.
We are finished our Splash Inquiry unit. This week we will start our new topic which is based on magnets.
Have a happy and safe week!

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!