Term 3 Week 6
Principal's Message
Cultural Performance
Last Tuesday morning we joined the other Kāhui Ako schools at St Patrick's College for a cultural performance. It was such a great event with children given the opportunity to see others performing. The children got to see groups from our three colleges and see what they could aspire to in the future. I was so proud of how the children did, standing on a huge stage in front of a large crowd. We were suppoprted by Emily which was lovely of her. The first video below is our performance and the second one is a highlights reel of the morning.
Baptism
On Wednesday morning we celebrate the Baptisms of Cole and Joshua. It was great for the school to be part of this special day and an honour for me to stand as one of Joshua's godparents.
Paid Union Meeting
This Tuesday afternoon, teachers ansd teaching assistants will attend paid union meetings as part of the current collective agreement negotiations with the government. From 1pm, I will supervise the students while Mrs Harper takes her small language groups. If you wish to collect your children early that is fine by me but there is not expectation to do so as I appreciate taking time off work can be tricky.
Lisa
Faith News
Wednesday Mass
Please come and join Room 2 for Mass this Wednesday morning at 9am in Room 3.
Parish Newsletter
This week’s Parish newsletter is available here
Birthday Wishes
Special birthday wishes to Quinn who turns 11 today! and to Hunter who will turn 6 on Wednesday. We hope you both have a wonderful, fun filled birthdays.
Brooklyn Library Visits
This term we will resume our termly visits to Brooklyn Library. If your child wishes to borrow a book during the visit they need to bring their personal library card with them. We will return books on the next visit if they are brought back in time. Books not brought on the day of the visit will need to be returned by yourselves. If you would like to leave your child's card in the classroom between visits then teachers will find a safe place to keep them.
Room 2: 21 August
Room 4: 04 September
Absences
If your child is sick or unable to attend school for all or part of the day, please either send a notification via the school app (skool loop), email the school office on office@stbernards.school.nz or phone 3899377 by 9.00 a.m. so that your child's absence can be accounted for.
Children who are late need to report to the office in case they have been marked absent by the teacher who takes the roll first thing in the morning.
If an absence is planned for a special reason, a note or telephone call to the school in advance is appreciated. In cases of prolonged absence, e.g. a family trip, a written note is required.
Room 1 Learning
Snippets from our learning last week....
Big Book Reading
Maths work with the number 5
and learning about the Assumption - drawing a Marian symbol and learning the Hail Mary prayer.
Room 2 Learning
Room 2 has been learning about Mary's Assumption - the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken into Heaven body and soul at the end of her life - celebrated on August the 15th. We discussed why this is such an important celebration in the Catholic Church and how it shows Mary’s closeness to God. Room 2 then created some beautiful artwork to reflect their learning, showing both creativity and thoughtful understanding of this special event.
Room 4 Learning
Fossil Fuel activity - Oil and Water - Do they mix?
Last Wednesday, Room 4 conducted a scientific investigation comparing oil and water molecules. The children worked in pairs or individually, filling one container with 10mls of oil and water. They observed that the oil molecules rose above the water molecules, forming a layer on top of the water. This is because the oil is thick and heavy, but its molecules are spread further apart, lowering its density. Since the oil has a lower density, it floats on the surface of the water.
The children learnt that oil and water are two liquids that are immiscible, meaning they will not mix together, even after vigorous shaking of the container. Next, they filled another container with the same amount of oil and water. This time they also added a squirt of detergent and shook their containers really hard! They observed that the molecules mixed when the detergent was added. This happens because detergent (or surfactant) is attracted to both water and oil molecules. One end of the detergent molecule is water-loving (hydrophilic) and attaches to the water molecules. The other end is water-hating (hydrophobic) and is attracted to the oil molecules. This property allows small globules of oil to be suspended in the water. The combination of oil, water and detergent form an emulsion. An emulsion is a stable mixture of two immiscible liquids.
The final part of the session involved the children investigating the saying “ like water off a duck’s back” using a paper towel, a feather and water droplets. The children saw that the paper towel absorbed the water droplets while the droplets rested on the top of the duck feathers, which are waterproof. When water drops hit the feathers on a duck they bead up and do not penetrate the feathers. Birds make their feathers waterproof by preening and grooming them with water resistant oils found in the preen gland at the base of their tails. Waterproof feathers help insulate the birds keeping them warm and dry. Room 4 really enjoyed observing oil and water molecules and seeing the processes of immiscibility and forming an emulsion formation.
Public Notices
Glasses and Soccer Shoes for Cambodia
Alice’s mum, Suzanne, is going back to Cambodia soon and would love to take spectacles and good quality soccer/football shoes with her. She would like to collect these by 26th August.
Spectacles
Nurse Makara runs an eye clinic for the poor and elderly in his village from his clinic. The older people especially look forward to me coming with these. I love their faces when they find a pair of glasses and they can actually see. They have no money for eye tests or glasses. All types of glasses needed - prescription, reading and sunglasses. If possible, can the glasses come with their cases? They have a rough life over there. If you have cases only, we would appreciate donations of those as sometimes we receive glasses only.
Teen/Adult Football boots - European Sizes 39-45 (US sizes 7-11)
Makara has a little shop at clinic where he sells restored second-hand football boots to the guys in the village to make a few extra dollars. They often play in bare feet. He also coaches a youth team and plays in one. I would love donations of good quality second-hand football boots in European sizes 39-45 (US sizes 7-11)
Please give these to Katrina at the office or to Alice.
Alliance Française September Holiday Programme
Week 1 (Monday 22 September - Friday 26 September): French heritage. Week 2 (Monday 29 September - Friday 3 October): Tales & Fables from childhood.
Children are immersed in the French language through cooking, arts and crafts activities designed to educate and entertain. From $55 per day, 9.00am—3.00pm (5 -10 years old). Contact admin@french.co.nz or book online at french.co.nz"
Interested in Gymnastics?
Whether you're new to the sport or returning, Capital Gymnastics Club in Newton offers exciting programmes for children aged 5 to 18 years. Our structured classes help kids build skills, confidence, and a love for gymnastics in a supportive environment.
📍 Visit our website: www.capitalgymsport.org.nz
📧 Email: office@capitalgymnastics.nz
📱 Call/Text: 027 239 9139
Holiday Programmes – Book Now!
The club offers two sessions so you can book for the morning, 9 - 12:30 PM, or the afternoon, 12:30- 4 pm of the full day drop off starts at 8:30 am ($30 per half session or $55)
The programmes are full of fun games, gymnastics circuits on all of our equipment, including tramp, tumbling, etc. Each day will have a gymnastics skill focus, so fun and learning will go hand in hand – No Experience needed! For more information, please go to our website: https://www.capitalgymsports.org.nz/holiday-programme
