Term 2, Week 9

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 2, Week 9

Sunday 26^th June, 2016.

On Friday afternoon we held a special assembly to celebrate the Holy Spirit Strand of our R.E. programme. Classes shared their artwork, and some children spoke or wrote about why they chose the symbols or pictures they did. We had lots of singing, too, to warm us up on a cold day. Remember Room 4’s art work is up in the Church so I hope you’ve had a chance to see it.

Publishing:

I have now had over half the class email their published stories in to me. This is a really big effort and I am very proud of your writing and keyboarding skills. Keep up the good work so we can display the whole class’s publishing.

Matariki:

On Thursday morning the Senior syndicate (which includes Year 4) shared a celebration of Matariki, the Māori New Year. Room 4 started with a role play about the 7 stars of Matariki which was excellent. We then moved to Rooms 5 & 6 where those classes put on a series of presentations including posters, flax-work, string games, Power point presentations and dance. We finished with home-made biscuits made by Room 6. Thank you all for a great learning and sharing experience!

Important dates coming up:

*Ice-skating this week: Tuesday 28^th June and Thursday 30^th June. Room 3 & 4 from 10-11 am.

*Sacrament of Reconciliation Thursday 30^th June, 6 pm.

*Parish Family Mass Saturday July 2^nd, 6 pm. Starting with a soup meal at 5 pm, and games. Some Room 4 children will be presenting a role-play at this Mass. They will not commit to doing this until they have confirmed with parents that they are available.

*Parent Interviews for Year 4: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon of next week (Week 10).

*Poetry Eisteddfods in class on Monday 4^th and Tuesday 5^th July.

*Eisteddfod Assembly 1.30 pm Thursday 7^th July in the hall.

Student-led Interviews:

In class this week we will be reviewing our first half-year’s work in Room 4 so that we can set some fresh goals for the second-half year. The children are invited to join you for the teacher interviews next week so that they can share the goals they come up with. It would be great if you could discuss this with them as well so we can make effective use of the interview time.

The term is quickly coming to an end and there still seems to be a lot happening. To lighten the load a little, homework will be a simple reflection page for the God Strand called ‘People care for creation’. Please support your child to complete this carefully.

Regards, Markelle Ward J

Term 2, Week 8

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 2, Week 8

Sunday 19^th June, 2016.

The Monica Brown concert on Friday was great, and we had a neat time mixing with Holy Family School afterwards. The children really enjoyed getting to know at least one or two of the Wanaka children, and some recognised others from sport or other things. Everyone made a special effort, thank you and well done. We have bought some of Monica’s CD’s to continue her good work.

Publishing:

Published stories are starting to come in by email, thank you. There will be no reading or maths homework again this week as I appreciate typing up the stories can be quite a challenge. Keep them coming. Let me know if your child needs support with this task. J

Important dates coming up:

*Wednesday 22^nd June – St. Gerard’s Waste Audit. Room 4 session at 1.30 pm.

*Thursday 23^rd June – Senior Syndicate Matariki Celebration: From approximately 11.40 am till lunchtime (Room 4, 5 and 6). Details about the shared lunch will follow.

*Friday 24^th June – Assembly to celebrate the Holy Spirit Strand of the R.E. curriculum. All welcome to join us at 2.10 pm in the Church.

*Sacrament of Reconciliation Thursday 30^th June, 6 pm (Week 9).

*Parish Family Mass Saturday July 2^nd, 6 pm. Starting with a soup meal at 5 pm, and games (end of Week 9).

Oral Language and Poetry Eisteddfod:

We have finished the first full round of our Oral Language Presentations and the children really stepped up for this project. We will focus on Poetry now as we lead up to Eisteddfods, and will do another round of oral language presentations next term so everyone can have a turn at a different thing.

We will be looking at a whole range of poetry and verse in class over the next fortnight. Children will be encouraged to choose and practise reading their poem aloud in class and at home. Remember that an introduction is an essential part of their presentation.

Room 4 Inquiry:

We are very grateful for our session with Mrs Shea last week. Maria demonstrated and supported the making of our very own natural healthy Calendula cream, made from calendula leaves grown in her garden. This has been a very exciting development in our Inquiry. The cream is very popular as the children can now treat their cuts and dry skin at the teacher’s desk!

Have a great week.

Regards, Markelle Ward J

Term 2, Week 7

Room 4 Newsletter:  Term 2, Week 7

Sunday 12^th June, 2016.

Publishing:

Homework over the next week or two is to publish our narrative writing stories at home, with a little bit of support from Mum or Dad. A draft of the story will come home in their homework clear file. Children can type up as little or as much of their story as they like, some are much longer than others. Please do what suits  your family – it should not be a big stress. You can email the story into me at markelleward@stgerards.school.nz.

Important dates coming up:

*ICT with Mrs Flannery, Thursday morning 16^th June in Room 4.

*Friday 17^th June – Monica Brown Concert 10am in the Church, then Holy Family School with us for the day, yay!

*Friday 24^th June – Assembly, 2.10 pm, to celebrate the Holy Spirit Strand of the R.E. curriculum.

*Sacrament of Reconciliation Thursday 30^th June, 6 pm (Week 9).

*Parish Family Mass Saturday July 2^nd, 6 pm. Starting with a soup meal at 5 pm, and games (end of Week 9).

Oral Language:

We had another set of oral presentations on Friday. Charlie presented a well-organised book report off-by-heart, well done Charlie. Cait did an entertaining puppet show. Gabrielle did a great job of reading her poem, and Liam was well prepared with his news item.  Great job, all of you, and to those who supported them, and thank you to the girls for their impromptu talent item.

Religious Education:

Our Holy Spirit Art pictures are up around the walls of the Church now, and they look great.  There will be a special assembly next Friday the 24^th June to celebrate the Holy Spirit strand of our R.E. curriculum across the school. This week we begin the God Strand. As part of the God strand we will be celebrating what makes us unique and special. We will also be looking at how every person from every culture and country is equally unique and special. It will be exciting to look closely at how children our age around the world live, work, and play.

Have a great week.

Markelle Ward J