Term 4 Week 2
Principal's Message
Relievers
Occasionally we have to employ relieving teachers cover our classes. We are very lucky with those we use and I am very conscious that I want the best teacher possible infront of your children. I thought I'd tell you a little about the ladies we use.
Mrs Anna-Maria Williams was introduced to us by Ms Parsons who knows her from their time together at Karori Normal School. She has a long career of particularly junior school experience but can teach all levels and the children love having her in class. Each time she works with us she provides fun learning activities and has also created some fabulous displays in Room 1.
New to us last term was Mrs Doreen O'Sullivan. Until two years ago, she was the principal of St Anne's School, Mr Small has worked for her in the past and she and I have known each other for a long time.
Mrs Connor-Wills hasn't relieved with us for a few years because she has been working at the Ministry of Education. She and I worked together at St Francis de Sales School, even sharing an open plan classroom for a couple of years. We are lucky to have a reliever who can turn her hand to any age level and is such a fun and caring teacher.
Of course we are lucky to have Mrs Harper on staff so she is always our first choice if she isn't already carrying out one of her many roles in the school.
Lisa
Faith News
Wednesday Mass
Please come and join Room 2, along with members of the parish, for Mass this Wednesday morning at 9am,
in Room 3.
Parish Newsletter
This week’s Parish newsletter is available here
Calendar Art - Last orders this Wednesday
The children have completed some fantastic artwork which can be made into cards, calendars, diaries, mousepads and sketch books. These make great Christmas presents for family and friends.
If you did not see their artwork at the Celebration of Learning las term, it can be viewed in the school office, please see Katrina.
Order forms were sent home last term, please see Katrina if you did not receive one and would like to place an order.
Orders need to be placed by this Wednesday 23 October to ensure Delivery for Christmas.
Swimming Lessons
All children will be taking part in our swimming programme this term. Lessons are on Fridays. Children will travel by bus to the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre at 12.15pm. Lessons will be from 12.45 to 1.45pm. Parents and caregivers of younger children are welcome to join us at the pool and assist with changing.
Please ensue all items of your child's clothing and footwear are clearly named. Children must remove all their belongings from the changing rooms during lessons, check that the bag your child will take to swimming is large enough for them to fit all their clothes, footwear and towel into while they are swimming.
Children are to wear their P.E uniform on swimming days.
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: 23 October 13 November
Room 2: 30 October 20 November
Room 4: 06 November 27 November
Sun Hats Term 4
A reminder we are a sun smart school, so all children must have a school sunhat at school each day this term regardless of the weather.
We have a strict no hat, no play policy.
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to Alna who turns 12 on Friday, and to Manu who turns 6 on Sunday. We hope you both have 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 seemed all very excited to be back at school and catch up with each other! There was lots of conversation about what they had done in the holidays, the playdates and playgrounds!
With the Woolworths card promotion ending, I had been given a BAG of cards kindly collected by family, friends, and neighbours, and thought this would make a great collaborative maths activity. The children sat in table groups and I dished out packets of cards to each table. Great excitement as they ripped open the packets and lots of conversation about the various cards/characters/ movies etc... After that excitement had died down, I then posed questions " how might we sort, order or group the cards?" The table groups had to work together, sharing and listening to each other's ideas and then agree on a solution. I was very impressed with the turn taking and respectful listening of each other. The cards were duly sorted, and put into containers. We then thought about games we could play using the cards - with memory, snap, and making puzzles the most popular.
On Wednesday morning we took part in Save Out Teddies organised by Hato Hone - St John. We had lots of fun learning what to do in an emergency if the adult we are with won't wake up. We were lucky to be one of ten schools to who won a first aid kit for registering for the event. Please spend some time teaching your child their address, you never know when it might come in useful.
Room 2 Learning
Room 2 has been amazing at jumping straight back into their learning!
We had a dynamic week with our athletic try-outs and our first swimming session last Friday. It was definitely a big week full of fun and excitement. The photos below show some snapshots from the week, including our throwing skills from our athletic try-outs (quoits and vortex) and a little spring gardening maintenance.
Looking forward to an awesome term 4!
Room 4 Learning
On Tuesday afternoons, our Year 7 and 8 children attend Mount Cook School to learn and develop their technology skills. During Technology sessions, the children are taught cooking, electronics, woodwork, sewing and digital technology. It is always great to see what the children return to school with after completing one of the learning modules. Last Wednesday Kelly McArthur, the digital technology teacher, shared some photos of the Year 7 and 8s in action at Mount Cook School. There is also a picture of Natalie with her finished model battleship.
In class this term, part of our learning focus is plants (Yr 6) and New Zealand birds (Yr 7 and 8). The students researched facts about fruits and vegetables, including the parts of the plants they came from. Did you know when you eat broccoli you are eating the flower part of the plant? Do you know that capsicum is the fruit of a plant even though it is a vegetable?
Here are facts the Year 6s found out about fruits and vegetables:
Blake: Carrots can also be white, yellow, red and purple.
Dara: The Latin name for peas is pisum sativum.
Inigo: Lettuce contains lots of vitamin K. (Vitamin K helps to heal injuries).
Quest: Asparagus - a great source of folate, iron and fibre.
Joan: Leeks are a member of the onion family.
Joshua: Kidney beans - used for casting votes by the ancient Greeks.
Public Notices
Get Kids Moving, Learning, and Thriving at Bigair Gym!
Is your child keen to learn cartwheels, handstands, flips, trampolining tricks, or parkour? Bigair Gym is the ultimate place to explore these skills and more! Classes combine fun, focus, and fitness in a supportive environment where kids can build confidence and master new techniques. Catering to all levels, from beginners to advanced, with safety and technique prioritized.
At Bigair Gym, kids participate in structured classes with a 1-10 level program, designed to encourage progress, celebrate milestones, and promote achievement. A variety of classes are offered, including Gymnastics, Trampolining, Tumbling, Free Running (parkour with flips and tricks!), and Cheerleading. Weekend Birthday Parties are also available and highly popular!
Join Bigair Gym and watch your child thrive! Term 4 Class Bookings are open online now at www.bigairgym.co.nz
Bigair Gym Owhiro Bay: ph. 383 8779, e. wgtn@bigairgym.co.nz at 14 Landfill Road, Owhiro Bay.
