TOMARATA SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

1st February 2012          

Reminders:

• Please remember that children must have a sunhat at school during Terms 1 & 4.
• Stationery is available at the office, for those who have not purchased it yet.
• Please update the office with any changes of address, phone numbers, emergency contact numbers or medical requirements.
• Waitangi Day is next Monday 6th – don’t forget this day is a holiday.

 

Tena koutou katoa,

Welcome back to school and a special welcome to new students and parents. We are having a very settled beginning to the school year, and the children appear very happy and refreshed. The early purchasing of stationery has aided the smooth start to learning for the year.
As always at the start of a new year we have new goals to set, so please discuss these with your children as this process takes place in the classroom. Rooms 3, 4, 5 and 6 will soon be selecting their Student Voice representatives for 2012 who will meet regularly with me and seek feedback from their peers.
This year we have a larger number of students in Years 1 – 4 than in previous years. As we are a relatively small school the makeup of our classes and levels depends on the student numbers in each level. For planning purposes and organisation this year, Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 will work together as the Junior Syndicate which has all the students in Years 1 – 4. The Senior Syndicate this year will include the children in Years 5, 6, 7, and 8, who are all in Rooms 5 and 6. Year 4 children will still join in all appropriate sporting activities, of course.

Building Project:
Our multi-purpose building is now planned to start next week, with Peter Oakden Builders winning the contract. There was a hold-up with the Ministry approval in Wellington, but now we have the go-ahead as well as the approved consent from the Auckland Council. The site has been prepared and the retaining walls completed.

Teacher Trainee:
We welcome Mrs Michelle Carmichael to our school – she will be in Room 6 for the next 3 weeks, then will return later in the year for a further 7 weeks. This is a good opportunity for her to see the routines and systems being put in place at the beginning of a school year. She says she is looking forward to being part of Tomarata School and getting to know your children.

Friday Fun Days:
During Term 1, if the weather is suitable, we plan to have the waterslide available for use at Friday lunch times. The cost is $1 per student, for as many turns as can be fitted in on that day. They just love it and Mr Mataroa has generously offered to set it up each Friday.

Consultation:
Many parents have added comments (or ticked those already there) about ‘What are the most important things for your children at Tomarata School?’ The sheet is in the office on a table inside the door, so please make additions or confirm some of the comments already written. The most common ones relate to:

• Safety and happiness
• Enjoyment in learning
• Enthusiastic teachers who really know their students
• Low class numbers in a small rural school

Your input will be helpful for the Board of Trustees while they are completing the Strategic Plan for the next 3 years. This is part of the School Charter and will be sent to the Ministry of Education when it has been approved.

World of Maths Roadshow:
Numeracy is a compulsory component of our curriculum and to make numeracy fun and relevant to our students we have arranged for the World of Maths Roadshow to visit our school. The World of Maths Roadshow is an ideal opportunity for students to see how Maths is applied to some real life situations. More importantly students will be engaged in hands-on activities that will cater for all ability levels and probe their problem solving skills. It is a highly engaging session which will show children that Maths can be fun!
This will be on Monday 13th February with a cost for each student of $4.50. The sessions will be 8.40-10.10am Years 5 - 8 and 10.50-12pm Years 1 – 4. Please send in this money as soon as possible.

Information meetings:
We invite parents to come to school on Thursday 9th February to meet your child’s teacher and listen to an outline of the class programmes, routines and expectations, and to answer any queries you may have. There will be 3 sessions to cater for families with more than one child at school.
The meeting times are:
2:45 -     Rooms 6 & 1
3:00 -     Rooms 4 & 5
3:15 -     Rooms 2 & 3
Interviews to discuss individual students will be held at the beginning of Term 2 but if you have any specific concerns to discuss, please make an appointment for an appropriate time with the relevant teacher.

Active Learning Extension Workshops:
Lynn William’s classes will resume in the week of February 7th, for years 1-3 and 4-6. If you feel that your child might enjoy and benefit from this programme please inform your child’s teacher or phone 09 426 6116 after 8.30pm or email activelearning33@yahoo.co.nz

Technology Lessons:
These will start next Tuesday 7th February for all Year 7 & 8 students at Rodney College. These students need to wear covered shoes on this day or they will not be able to attend. Rodney College will invoice parents for these lesson fees. Students travel into Wellsford and back by bus. The lessons are held in six week blocks throughout the year.

Wastewise:
The whole school is taking part in a 2 year Wastewise contract with the Auckland City Council. They offer resources and support so expect to hear some information about activities and knowledge filtering through!

In the Classrooms…
Room 6 are busy with their Daily Organiser Senior Diaries which include a lot of information, study tips, facts and jokes. They will be a valuable communication tool between students, teachers and parents/caregivers.
I found Room 5 in the library. They have been busy writing Summer Stories.
Room 4 children were busy writing descriptions about their Norgards (Dragon, spelt backwards) or using the ‘Paint’ computer programme to draw their creatures.
Room 3 children have been busy completing their ‘Passports for Learning’ and also making a delightful mess with painted handprints!
Room 2 are designing and painting pop art name banners.
Room 1 students came to visit the office area, and enjoyed looking at my selection of stickers.

Coming Dates:

Lynne Duffin

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Other Notices: