Term 1, Week 8

Monday 24th March, 2014

I trust you all managed to get out and about over the long weekend for a little bit of fresh air and family time J

Important dates:

*Monday 24^th March – Anniversary Day

*Cricket – each Tuesday afternoon 1.30 – 2pm

*Central Otago Triathlon Wednesday 26^th March

*You, Me and Us Parent Meeting – Thursday 27^th March, 7.30 pm

*School Eisteddfods: Class – 7^th April, Whole school - Thursday 10^th April

Year 4 Goal-setting interviews:

Thank you to all those who were able to make it to goal-setting interviews. For those who couldn’t make it, I will be in touch this week to make another time.

Homework

Rather than sending home full spelling lists, I have decided to go back to basics with the Spelling Alive Programme, just to ensure that everyone is practising the most accurate spelling habits possible. At the moment we are focusing on Digraphs, so there will be a task to reinforce this in the children’s homework book this week.

Eisteddfod Programme

This week, Years 3-8 will begin preparing for this term’s Eisteddfod Challenge, which is Scripture Reading. For your information:

*Your scripture reading can be anything you like, eg. parable, a psalm, or a reading from the Gospels.

*The introduction should be approximately 20 seconds. This might be the main idea or a brief explanation of what the reading means to you, eg. ‘What the story of the Last Supper shows is …….’

*Eisteddfods will be presented in class on Monday 7^th or Tuesday 8^th April. Two students will be selected (one boy and one girl) to go on to the whole school scripture reading in the church.

*On Thursday 10^th April, the format for the whole school scripture reading is that students will start their introduction in the middle of the church in front of the altar using a microphone, then move to the lectern and say the actual scripture or reading. Details will be in the school newsletter closer to the time.

You are welcome to have some input into what your child chooses to read, and to ensure that preparation and practice takes place at home. Please keep it simple. You could note down in the children’s homework books what their reading is likely to be by the end of this week. Otherwise I will have suitable material available for the children to choose from, and we will prepare in class. They are assessed on criteria such as opening, content, conclusion, presentation, voice, and style.

Have a great week.

Markelle J

Email markelleward@stgerards.school.nz.  Cell phone number:  0278168609