Term 3 Week 7
Principal's Message
Illnesses
We have had a lot of winter illnesses this term, both staff and children. Thank you to those parents who have sensibly kept children home until they are no longer contagious. Hopefuly we will see health improve now as we get more spring days arriving.
Uniform
You may remember that the Archdiocese has agreed to pay for certain items of new unifrom when children start at new schools. I am in the procsess of working through details of this and will let you know how this will work as soon as it it is finalised.
Lisa
Faith News
Wednesday Mass
Please come and join Room 1 for Mass this Wednesday morning at 9am in Room 3.
Parish Newsletter
This week’s Parish newsletter is available here
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 4: 04 September
Birthday Wishes
Special birthday wishes to Daniel & Marco. Daniel turns 10 on Friday, and Marco turns 10 on Saturday. We hope you both have a wonderful, fun filled birthdays.
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
Room 1 have been enjoying their Ki o rahi sport sessions on a Friday morning. The warm up games have helped improve hand-eye coordination and encouraged everyone to work together as a class. In the team games, Room 1 has been learning to play as a part of a team. This involved understanding that each person had a role to play and a job to do and a game plan to follow. A bit tricky at times, but we gave it our best try with HEAPS of enthusiasm and speed!!
As part of the maths strand (topic) of measurement , we have been learning the months of the year and seasons. The children made a "seasons "clock to help them learn and remember which months belong with each season. They love them and have taken them home to share.
Room 2 Learning
In Room 2 we have spent extra time focusing on the theme of friendship and emotional wellness. The children have taken part in a range of activities that encouraged them to think about what it means to be a good friend and how we can look after one another.
We have been learning about the different ways we can feel and how to understand these emotions in ourselves and others.
The children explored the different “zones of emotions”:
- Yellow – feeling silly or anxious
- Red – feeling angry or frustrated
- Blue – feeling sad or lonely
- Green – feeling happy and content
We talked about how it’s perfectly normal to experience all of these emotions, and that no feeling is “bad”. What matters is learning how to manage them in healthy ways. For example, we discussed strategies for calming ourselves when we are in the red zone, such as taking deep breaths, finding a quiet space, or talking to someone we trust.
It was wonderful to hear students sharing their own ideas about what helps them return to the green zone, and how they can support their friends to do the same.
Room 4 Learning
Fossil Fuel Formation
Last Wednesday afternoon, Room 4 created a model to visualise and learn about the formation of crude oil (petroleum). The children used plastic cups, dirt (coffee), green glitter, rock sediment pebbles and yellow playdough to create their models. The purpose was to see the different layers that contribute to the formation of crude oil, which takes place over millions of years. The first layer in the plastic cup was the yellow playdough, representing the seabed. Next the children added green glitter, which represented the plants and animals that sink to the seabed and decompose. The next layer consisted of dirt, using coffee instead of real dirt to prevent drying out too quickly. This was mixed with three spoons of water to form a layer of mud, which was spread over the layer of animal and plant matter (the green glitter). The final layer was pieces of rock sediment. Rock sediment forms layers at the bottom of valleys and seas. Each plastic cup also had several holes near the bottom. Once all the layers were set, the next step was to take another plastic cup and use it to push down hard on the layers. This action represents the natural process of compression that compacts the layers and releases oil. The children could see this when they saw water spilling out from the holes of their containers. The children really enjoyed pushing down to create the crude oil!
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
Wellington Harrier Children's Athletic Club
Our season open day is Saturday 11th October at Newtown Park, and starts at 9.30am. Come and join the fun!
At our club days, athletes practice all events, Including long jump, hurdles, high jump, sprints, middle distance and throws.
There's also a children's interclub competition which is held on Sundays, for those that are keen!
Our children's club day caters for all abilities. New members are welcome!
You can register through http://www.whac.org.nz
For more information please contact: Julie Richards juliemaerdy@yahoo.co.uk 0212959026
