Welcome to Term 4
It’s great to see the children back for another term of exciting learning. We had a busy term 3 with speeches, science experiments, gymnastics and book week. Well done to all the children for putting in a fantastic effort in their speeches. We had a fantastic turn out for the speech finals, with the staff room full of parents. From room 9 we had Evangel, Theron and Taiyo in the finals. Well done to Taiyo for coming second equal with her speech on Strawberries. Evangel also entered the year 1 speech competition and came second. His speech was about tigers. It was a tough decision for all the judges.
This term is going to be full on. In the first 2 weeks our inquiry study will be on pirates. In week 1, we will be having a ‘pirate day’ the children can dress up and will be doing all sorts of pirate related activities. On Tuesday of week 3 the students will be watching a performance from 'Molly the Pirate'. There will be a small fee for this performance. We will be sending a notice home about it in beginning of term 4.
On Tuesday 19th October Room 9 will be going to Oratia Stream for the Twin Streams Project. Please let me know if you can come and help us. Like before, children will require a change of clothes so their uniforms won’t get dirty. A reminder notice will come home about this at the beginning of Term 4. Remember there is no charge for this activity.
In week 5 we have our athletics day. Also this term we have the Sunnyvale Primary 50th Jubilee. This will be held on Labour Weekend, which is at the end of week 2. If you would like more details you can check out the link on our website - http://www.sunnyvale.school.nz/Site/50th_Jubilee.
As you can see we have a really busy and exciting term ahead. Remember if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
Contact times: I am available to meet with parents on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:15am onwards. I have meetings after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. However, if you let me know I can change the time of my meetings. Otherwise you are able to leave a message for me at the office or email me at moniquer@sunnyvale.school.nz.
Morning Routines: School starts at 8.55 am. Your child is allowed in the classroom from 8.15 am. If they arrive earlier they need to wait on the seats outside the library until the 8:15 bell goes. It is important that they arrive at school in time to put away their bags, have a little play and have a chance to settle in so they are ready for the day ahead.
Book Bag: Your child will bring a book home with them every night (as long as they have their book bag with them). Please take time to read and discuss with them the book they have brought home. Please fill out their reading journal.
Library: Room 9’s library day is Tuesday. The children will be able to take a picture book home from the library, as long as they have their book bag. We are also fortunate to have the Waitakere Mobile Library visit our school every second Friday from 1.15 – 2.15. Any children who bring their Waitakere Library card can visit the bus and borrow books.
LEARNING AREAS Two Week Focus: The inquiry cycle we will be looking at pirates for the first 2 weeks.
Concept: Our concept for this term is 'Dare to Imagine'. As well as our pirate inquiry, we will be concentrating on art, dance, and music.
PE: Last term we focused on gymnastics for PE. Every Thursday afternoon we used the new school hall to learn some snazzy new skills with the help of some senior students. This term our focus for PE will be learning about small ball skills and athletics.
Writing: The major writing focus for the term will be learning about language features.
Maths: The main focus for this term will be on addition and subtraction. Our strand focus will be on measurement. Weekly will be having basic facts testing to try and beat our score and times. You can help at home by asking basic fact questions up to 10.
Reading: Group reading will first week back. Students will read with me 2 - 5 times per week (depending on which group they are in). On the days students read with me they will bring home the book that they have read. On other days they will bring home a book from their choosing box. They can only take home books if they have brought their book bag to school. Everyday the students should also have their spelling notebooks in their book bags. Please go over the words with them as on Fridays they get tested.
Please come and see me if reading at home with your child is causing problems or stress. We may be able to sort out a better and happier system!
Monique Rakich
