Term 3 Week 4
Principal's Message
Strategic Planning
Every three years, schools write new stategic plans. A strategic plan is an overview of what schools plan to do to improve themselves, and meet the needs and wishes of their communities. Then, each year we create an annual plan which contains goals towards achieving the plan.
This week, I will start consulting with the staff, children and community to help us gain an insight into your thoughts as we journey with your children on their 'pathway to the world' as is our Vision. I am going to use various different ways of gathering information.
* You will receive an email containing a link to a Google Form.
* You will receive an e-newsletter where you can translate the survey into you home language
* I will send the survey home in paper form.
* The link will be shared through Classsdojo.
* There will be devices available in the staffroom each afternoon next week so you can pop in while you are waiting for your children.
* I will be available 8.45am - 9.30 am on the 15th and 17th and 2.30pm - 3pm on 22nd and 24th August if you would rather share your thoughts face to face.
2024 Dates
Term 1 1st February – 12th April
Term 2 29th May - 4th July
Term 3 22nd July - 27th September
Term 4 14th October - 18th December
Lisa Small,
Principal
Te Reo Māori Words of the Week
matapihi (n) window Katia te mataphihi. Shut the window.
māra (n) garden Keria te whenua o te māra. Turn the soil in the garden.
kopa (n) wallet, purse Homai taku kopa. Pass my purse.
kiriata (n) movie, film He aha tō tino kiriata? What's your favourite film?
World Cup
A big thank you to Riley and his family for donating a World Cup commemorative football to the school. It is so shiny and new!
Faith News
Wednesday Mass
Please come and join Room 1, along with members of our parish to celebrate Mass in Room 3 at 9am this Wednesday 09 August.
Parish Newsletter
This week’s Parish newsletter is available here
School Admin
Lost Balls
A reminder that our neighbour will return any lost balls on a Friday. Please do not enter the property without permission, particularly now that they have a dog, or knock on their door during the day as one of the ladies works nights.
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.
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 1: 15 August 05 September
Room 2: 22 August 12 September
Room 4: 08 August 29 August
Room 1 Learning
At the start of the week we had three teachers because Ms Parsons was unwell. Amongst other things, Mrs Small talked to us about Korea for our culture of the fortnight and we made Korean flags, Mrs Harper taught us about 3-d shapes and with Miss Martin we read the story of creation and sequenced the events.
Room 2 Learning
For Pūtaiao/Science this term, Room 2 is focusing on physics; exploring everyday examples of physical phenomena, such as movement, forces, electricity and magnetism, light, sound, waves, and heat. This week the students explored magnetism and learnt about north and south magnetic forces, attraction and repulsion. Ethan shared a great video with us.
For Digital Technology the students used SCRATCH to animate their names. The task was to explore the functions of motion, looks, sound, events and control to create an animation of their names, using Scratch Lesson 2. Although the photos do not show the animation, the creativity and variety is evident. Great ako was witnessed as student experts helped other students and myself to learn how to use the tools.
Room 4 Learning
Last Tuesday, we continued with our Wonder Project Power Challenge by doing a series of simple experiments to show potential and kinetic energy. One experiment was to blow up a balloon to show potential energy. When the air is released from the balloon causing it to move the potential energy transforms into kinetic energy. The children had a lot of fun blowing up their balloons and letting them go in class!
Room 4 has also continued with writing prompt scenarios. Writing prompts are statements that the children write their opinions about. Here are some examples:
Is the school year too long?
Clara
I think the school year is WAY too long. You even have to go to school on your birthday and only have a few days off. I know this as a fact that kids cannot concentrate properly and making them sit and do work for basically the whole year is in my opinion, not a good idea. I do agree that children should go to school and get an education, you cannot do any job without maths.
Erin
To be honest, the school year is too LONG. I mean forty weeks of learning. The terms should have six and a half weeks each - now that is ok. I want longer holidays! Learning can be really fun, right? School is fun sometimes. Well, that is if you do not get an injury once a week.
Sam
A four day school week might actually be a good idea. It may improve attention spans and learning capabilities. The extra day at the weekend gives your brain a longer time to rest and prepare for the next day of school. Students would also be happier.
What is your favourite sport?
Riley
Basketball is my favorite sport because of the slam dunking, ball handling, defense and shooting. I really like how you can block your opponent's shot. My goal is to be drafted into the NBA and win the Rookie of the Year, the MVP Champion award and the Team Championship. I also want to play in an NBA All-Star Game!
If you are stranded on an island what are two things you would want to have with you?
Toby
I would want two magic genie lamps so I could have 6 wishes. For the first wish, I would get 50 people on the island so there would be a new country. For the second wish, I would want the island to be 50,000 square metres long and wide. For the third wish, I would want 100 houses each on its own little hill so they would not flood. The fourth wish would be to get five stores and three farms so we could have jobs and really start to make the island a thriving county. For the fifth wish, I would want the farms and stores stocked. For the final wish, I would want to teleport off the island.
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to Te Kahuirere who turns 9 this Saturday. We hope you have a wonderful, fun filled birthday.
Community Notices
