The Last Post

The 2014 school year is over. It has been a busy year full of learning and growing. Everyone has worked very hard and should be proud of their achievements. The Year 3s are ready for next year's opportunities and challenges in the Middle School.

During the holidays three Room 5 people will have birthdays. As we  won't be at school on their birthdays we sang 'Happy Birthday' to each of them. We wish Callum (23.12), Addison (09.01) and Isabella (14.01) a great birthday.

 




This year school has been open for 383 half days. Congratulations to Addison who has had 100% attendance.

Finally I wish to thank you for your support this year and to wish you a happy and holy Christmas and a restful holiday.

Term 4 Week 10

The production was amazing. Everyone played their part extremely well and delivered their lines clearly. I am very proud of the way Room 5 stepped up. Look out Hollywood!
Here's some snippets from our writing about the production:

On Monday we did the production. I was so good the people were clapping. We had swords and chest plates. It was so much fun. Callum

I was excited because I had a speaking part and wore a head mike. Joshua

In the production I was a guard. My line was: ‘Grab him, men. The master will reward us for catching this thief.’ I liked being a guard because I got to march and to wear a silver tunic. Zach

Then it was our turn. I was Joseph. I didn’t have that many lines. I had an amazing night. Ollie

I was a villager who was scrubbing the floor. First I was excited but then I saw all the people and I got a bit nervous. Ryan

This morning we caught up on weekend sport. Elspeth competed in a swim meet at Jellie Park. She received two ribbons, including one for getting a Personal Best. Ka pai, Elspeth.

2014 has been a busy year with lots of learning happening. Everyone has worked hard and made wonderful progress. Ka pai everyone.



Our Mathletics Stars are Isabella, Joe, George and Peter.
Well done to everyone who achieved Mathletics certificates this year. You can use Mathletics over the holidays - Live Mathletics is a great way to improve your Basic Facts knowledge.


Congratulations to Maria, Lachlan, James, Sophie, Connie and Asher. You have all worked very hard to improve your reading.

Term 4 Week 9

At today's school assembly Asher received a certificate.

Ka pai, Asher, we are proud of you.

There's only 2.5 days left of the school year. On Monday we will be having our dress rehearsal in the Aurora Centre. Our performance is on Monday evening. All children need to be in The Green Room by 5:45pm. Please see the notice that went home today for full details for Monday.

Enjoy the weekend.

Year 3 Graduation

This morning we had our Year 3 Graduation. It was a great ceremony where we remembered some of the things we have been through over the time the children have been in the Junior Syndicate. Two of these children actually had their first day at school in a tent!

We prayed and sang, watched a slide show and presented certificates, then had morning tea. 

The Year 3s have had a wonderful year and are ready for the challenges the Middle School
will give them.

Happy Birthday

Yesterday Lachlan turned 8. Today we sang 'Happy Birthday' and wished him all the best for the coming year.

Lachlan had a busy weekend as he also received two ribbons and a trophy for being a champion child dog handler. Congratulations, Lachlan.





A big Thank you to Steve, Addie's Dad, for giving us a real Christmas tree. It smells great and we enjoyed decorating it today. Come in and check it out!

Notes for this week:

Thursday - 9:15am Year 3 Graduation in the hall (all Year 3 parents are invited and are asked to bring a small plate of food for morning tea)

Thursday - 1:30pm Year 3 children will attend the Middle and Senior prize giving

Friday - 9am School Assembly in the hall

Term 4 Week 8

At today's school assembly four Room 5 people received certificates. Congratulations to:
James, Asher, Addison and Isabella.
We are proud of you all. 

A special congratulations to Isabella for receiving her second Gold Mathletics certificate - what a star.

Today Leah came into school to take our photos. Here we are lined up in the same position as we were for our class photo back in March. Look how much we have grown and matured!
Thanks, Leah, you are an amazing photographer.

Next week will be very busy with production practices, Year 3 Graduation (on Thursday 11 December), Prizegiving, and school assembly (which will be at 9am on Friday 12 December). We will also try to fit in some reading, writing, maths and Christmas related activities. The countdown to the end of the school year will start on Monday!
Enjoy a relaxing weekend.

Gold Again

A big congratulations to Isabella, who has gained a second Gold Mathletics certificate. This represents dedication and diligence as Isabella has worked to gain a certificate each week for 40 weeks. Isabella also received a Principal's Award for her effort.

Asher also gained a Gold Mathletics certificate. Ka pai, Asher.

Today we caught up on Touch Rugby from Tuesday. Sophie was named 'Player of the Day' for her team. Ka pai, Sophie.

Remember that tomorrow's assembly is at 10am in the school hall.

Gold Mathletics Certificate

Today Addison was presented with her Gold Mathletics Certificate. Ka wani key, Addison, this is a fantastic achievement.





A couple of reminders:
Assembly this Friday 5 December will be at 10am in the school hall.
If you still have a school library book at home please return it to me asap - let's be the first class with all our books back!

Term 4 Week 8

Today we caught up with sporting news. 

Last Tuesday James was named 'Player of the Day' for his Touch Rugby team 

and on Saturday he was named 'Player of the Day' for his Cricket team. 

Ka pai, James, you are a super sportsman.

Congratulations to Asher who received two certificates at a trampoline competition during the weekend. 

Production practice continues this week. The play is all coming together and will be great on the night. Remember to get your tickets - $8 - from the school office.

Term 4 Week 8

At today's school assembly four Room 5 people received certificates. Congratulations to:

Isabella, Addison and Joshua who all got 100% in their spelling test for the list of Commonly Misspelt Words. What great spellers you all are.

 Hamish was presented with his Gold Mathletics Certificate.
Ka pai, Hamish, what a super achievement.

Still on the Mathletics front: James received his first Silver Mathletics Certificate and Peter reached Number 4 on the NZ Top 100 Students board. Well done boys.




The Kiwi Reading Group presented 'Robin Hood and the Silver Trophy' as Readers Theatre. Readers Theatre requires the readers to use their voices to portray characters rather than relying on props. Everyone spoke clearly and used super expression.
Ka pai to Zach, Ashleigh, Joshua, Hamish and Callum.

Have a relaxing weekend - only 2.5 weeks left of the 2014 school year.

Reading Activity

Last week the Kakapo Reading Group read 'Kumera Treats' and today they made the kumera treats for us. A big thank you to Bridgette, Jason, Liz and Teresa for helping in the kitchen. The kumera chips were yummy!

Aysha, Elspeth, Addison, Isabella, Nicholas, Bridie, Ephrem, Joe, George and Peter

This afternoon we finished our Van Gogh Sumflowers. They are now on display in the classroom - come in and check them out. A big THANKS to Ms O for all her hard work teaching us art this year - you are amazing!

Remember our spelling test tomorrow.

Principal's Award

Congratulations to Sophie, who was given a Principal's Award for her story about our swimming week. Ka pai, Sophie, we are proud of you. (Sophie's story is on the previous post).

In Art we have been studying Van Gogh. come in and look at our drawings. On Wednesday we plan to finish our sunflowers.

Term 4 Week 6 Birthday and Other News

Today Hamish turned 8. We sang 'Happy Birthday' and wished Hamish all the best for the coming year.

We have finished our week of swimming. We were all very tired by the time we got back to school on Friday. Everyone has learnt new things and improved in their swimming. A big THANK YOU to all those who were able to help us with getting changed after our lessons. I was very impressed with how organised everyone was and the speed with which they dressed. Connie was our champion, being one of the first three out each day, even when she wasn't first into the changing room. Ka pai everyone.

Here's a great recount of what swimming involved:

Yay, it's swimming week. On Monday my favourite part was wriggly worm. I like how you move side to side. On Tuesday my favourite part was doing dolphin diving because my feet are like a dolphin's tail. On Wednesday my favorite was back stroke. On Thursday my favourite was diving. On Friday my favourite was breast stroke because I like how you have to put your legs straight and then bend them and then put them out. All this swimming made me feel worn out but it was great fun. By Sophie

Addison

Isabella

Elspeth

Bridie

This afternoon we celebrated Christ the King Day. The liturgy was a time of reflection and thankfulness for our school and all it means for us. After a sausage sizzle lunch, kindly provided by the Parent Council, Room 5 and our Room 12 buddies walked to the Westburn Bike Park. We had a great time cycling and scootering around the roads with our big buddies directing traffic. Thanks big buddies, and Mrs A for the lolly scramble. On our return to school we each had an ice-block, thanks to the Board of Trustees. What a great way to celebrate out feast day. Thanks, too, to the parents who walked with us.

Zach

Alex

Asher and Ashleigh

Next week we will be back into some routine. We will be having production practices each day and will fit in more traditional learning around those times.
Monday: Library - please return your library book so you can take another one home.
Thursday: We will have a big spelling test (this is the day the children voted for). For most the focus will be on Lists 4, 5 and 6. If you need another copy of the Essential Spelling List please ask me.

Enjoy your weekend.

Term 4 Week 6 Swimming

We have nearly finished our swim week. It has been pretty busy and tiring, but we have learnt lots and have also enjoyed getting into the pool. Here's a few of photos:

Sophie, Joe, James, Nicholas and Ollie

Neave

Joshua

Callum

Tomorrow we celebrate Christ the King Day. Children are to wear their uniform. A liturgy will begin at 11:45am then each child will receive a sausage for lunch (thanks to the Parent Council). Room 5 will go to the Westburn Bike Park with their Room 12 buddies (and teachers!) for the afternoon. When we get back to school we will have an ice-block, thanks to the Board of Trustees. Remember to bring your bike or scooter and any safety gear.

Term 4 Week 6

This week Isabella was named 'Star of the Week'

Ka pai, Isabella, it's great to have you in Room 5.

Over the weekend two Room 5 people competed in different events.
Congratulations to Bridie, who won several trophies in a dancing competition in Oamaru, including 'Most Promising Dancer Under 12'.

Congratulations to Connie who received two ribbons at Saturday's Athletic Ribbon Meeting.

This week we are swimming at Wharenui Pool. Here's a couple of photos:

Joe and Ollie

George

Term 4 Week 5 'Star of the Week'

Today two boys were named 'Star of the Week'. Congratulations to Ephrem and Joe. 

You are both super role models, especially at production practice times.
Ka pai, boys, it's great to have you in Room 5.

Next week: swimming. Please check the notice that was sent home on Monday for details.

Remember - no school tomorrow. Hope you all get a sleep-in and have a great weekend.

Mathletics Success

Hamish has worked hard on Mathletics and has gained a Gold Certificate. Ka pai, Hamish, what a fantastic achievement.

Peter has also been successful on Mathletics with a first placing on the NZ Top 100 Students board and 5th on the World board. Ka pai, Peter, keep up your good work.