Term 2 Week 8

One alteration to information on last week's blog.  Since Father Pat will be attending the Catholic Convention in Wellington along with some of our staff, there will be no Friday mass this week.

I hope everyone enjoyed sharing the "Granny" writing in the poetry books at the weekend.  When writing these short descriptions our WALTs were to:

• use a WOW word to describe Granny
• use a strong verb to describe what she does

Year 3 Snow farm camp:  There was information in the school newsletter last week about fundraising for the year 3 - 8 camps.  Further to that, there will be a meeting next Tuesday 16th in Room 5 at 6:45pm for any parents interested in fundraising towards camp costs.  This does not mean that you need to be on a committee, but gives you the opportunity to share ideas, hear ideas and what is planned for fundraising this year.

Science: shadows - as part of the science learning with Mr Hogue last week, everyone began a science/maths activity measuring their shadows.  We will measure these again each week, at the same time of day in the same place (as long as the sun is shining), from now until the end of the term. You might want to set up a similar experiment at home and notice any changes as we pass the shortest day. This will be an interesting learning activity, which will be continued and changes discussed again next term. There are a number of interesting kids sites which you could talk about together.

Swimming: Thursday - great to see the increase in confidence and skills of everyone.  Remember your togs on Thursday.  Have you paid the $13 for the bus to the school office?  Please help Mrs Bennie with this before she has to deal with skating money.

Homework

1. Reading: not a lot of people are recording their reading in their reading logs.  Good to see one or two people recording chapter books that they are reading - you are fantastic learners.  Keep this up.  The more you read, the better you get and the better you write!
2. Spelling: working on the long 'o' spelling patterns for the next 2 weeks.  Note the Focus at the top right of each spelling sheet.  That is the learning that the list is practising.
3. Poetry Eisteddfods: everyone has the information about this in their poetry books as well as the information posted on the blog last week. Next Friday 19th everyone needs to have a copy of their poem in their homework book. I am happy to help choose a poem if anyone needs help.  I have already photocopied poems for some people.  Please just ask - don't sit and worry about what might be suitable. Poetry Eisteddfods will be shared on Monday 29th June.
4. Religious Education Sheet: we are beginning the Church Strand and have been talking about knowing the name of our parish, our church and the names of some of the people who work for our parish. We are learning that our parish is our church family. Our church's feast day is 23rd June - the feast day of St John the Baptist.

Have a great week - it hardly felt like winter today, although we are planning writing about winter.  It's hard to get the experience of what it feels like - we might have to venture outside to feel this, first thing in the morning. 

Thank you for your help with having books at school each day so that your child is not playing catch up with glueing poems or spelling sheets.  Great to see so many children are now self managing this before school on Monday (poem) and Friday (spelling).