Week 5, Term 1

We welcome Jethro and his family to St Gerard's! Jethro is from the Philippines,  it is so nice to have you in Room 4 Jethro!

Well done to everyone who participated in Swimming Sports last Thursday!  What a great event it was. 

This week I will begin the Basic Facts Tests on a Monday.  This is a timed test in which we mark in class.  If your child goes up a level this week you will receive new equations to go into their BF's clear file. 

I will be giving out the children's SumDog Username and Password tomorrow.  This will be glued into their school diary.  This is an optional maths homework but can be a fun way to learn and consolidate maths knowledge at home.  The website it https://www.sumdog.com/user/sign_in

Please remember to record the new Fridge words onto your laminated magnet.  If you need a new one or never received one, please record this into your child's diary and I will send one home!

I do check the diaries every morning, so remember this is a great way to promote self management for your child and also a means for communication between teacher and parents. 

Library is every second week so we will be going in Week 6.  It would be great to see everyone with a card next visit.

Have a great week!

Week 4, Term 1

Room 4 has had a busy week, our class Mass was on Ash Wednesday and the children were very reverent.  Everyone who had a reading part in the Mass did very well and should be proud of themselves.  It's not easy to get up in front of the school and parish community and read, so I thank all those who volunteered.

We have a busy week this week with swimming.  Room 4 will be going to the pools on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.30-11.00am.  If you are available to come and help on these days we would appreciate that.
On Thursday it is School Swimming Sports.

We will be visiting the Library this afternoon.  If anyone is available to come walk down to the library once a fortnight on a Monday at 1.30pm, please let me know.  It would be great to set up a parent help roster for this.

Please remember to put the words from the diary onto the Fridge card each week.

Today, I have sent home the Basic facts programme in the clear file.  Please check this,  there is a letter in the front pocket.  I will be testing the children on their facts each Monday morning.
If you have any questions about this please, don't hesitate to contact me (clairedwyer@stgerards.school.nz).

Thanks, have a great week!!

Claire

Library Visits

Hi Everyone,

Unfortunately there is another booking on a Tuesday for the library so I have had to change the day to a Monday.  We will start this on Monday, Week 4.

Sorry about the muddle up!

Claire Dwyer

Week 3, Term 1

On Wednesday it is Ash Wednesday, Room 4 is on Class Mass for this. You are all welcome to attend this.  Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent so we will be discussing Lent and starting the Caritas unit "Let us go together" this week.

We will be walking to the public library on Tuesday afternoon.  On children library accounts, there is no late fees, so another bonus of your child having their own card!

Homework
The Fridge words should be in your child's Diary, please put these on the card and keep it on your fridge.  There will be new words sent home every Friday for this. 

Maths - This week I will be assessing the children on their basic facts and they will be put into a level.  A letter will go home about this in week 4.

Reading - Each child needs to be reading for around 15minutes each evening.  This may be a reader that is sent home or their own reading book.  All children need to record what was read in their diary, We will check this every morning. 

NOTICES
Swimming - Thursday 
YEAR 5 Parents - Camp Meeting on Thursday in Room 5 at 6pm
SCHOOL Mass - Sunday 18th of February - 9am 

Bridget and I enjoyed our first week back last week.  It was great to finally meet the wonderful children in Room 4.  We look forward to meeting all the parents on Thursday, at the Meet the Teacher BBQ. 

Swimming
This week Room 4 will be going to swimming on Wednesday, our session is 1-1.30.  If there are any parents who could take a swimming group during this session, could you please email me (clairedwyer@stgerards.school.nz).  We have a short slot and it would be great to utilise this time the best we can with some parent helpers. 
Thank you!! 

Religious Education 

This week in R.E we will be doing the prayer module of Introducing children to prayer - Karakia.  

Lesson 1: Prayer- Karakia Using Your Whole Self
We are learning to (WALT) recognise that people can use their whole being to pray with
WALT identify ways to pray using their mind, heart, body, will and imagination

Lesson 2: Prayer Using Gesture
WALT recognise the place of gesture in prayer
WALT demonstrate appropriate use of gesture in prayer 

Lesson 3 Praying with Movement and Dance 
WALT demonstrate appropriate ways of moving in prayer - karakia 
WALT demonstrate appropriate skills and attitudes to movement in prayer 

Please support your children when they bring home material to share.  It would be helpful if you could spend time as a family praying together.  Page 42 in the Family/Whanau Book has suggestions on family prayer. 

Kapa Haka
Kapa Haka begins for the year on Monday the 5th. 

Reading
This week we will starting our reading programme but we will be working on the expectations  during this time and how to present their books.  For homework, I would like all children to be reading a book of their choice for 15mins.  This should be recorded in their diaries for that day.  We will talk more about the diaries at the 'Meet the Teacher' evening. 

Thanks! 

Claire Dwyer