Rākau Nui Newsletter
Term 1, Week 8
Newsletter 22 March 2022
Tēnā koutou katoa
As the weather starts to change, the type of clothes students will need at school will also change. In order to continue giving everyone the much needed breaks from mask wearing, we will be continuing to spend as much time as possible outside and this will include when it is drizzling and there are rain showers. We would appreciate it if students could have a named rain jacket and, if possible, a change of named clothes in their bag just in case. We will be taking a common sense approach to being outside when it’s wet and won’t be outside when we’re experiencing heavy rain, or if it is very cold and wet, as student well being is important.
In the build up to cross country events in term 2, we have started training. It is important that students wear comfortable running shoes everyday so that they can participate.
To minimise the noise from teacher videos being played in the classroom, we are allowing students to bring their own headphones/earbuds to school if they wish. If students choose to do this, please make sure that they are not expensive or precious items as it is possible that they may be misplaced or broken. School will provide a limited number of sets for those students that need them. Please make sure that where possible, they are also clearly named so they can be returned to your child if lost.
Everything you and your child will need for hybrid learning is in one place, the Rākau Nui Hub. This has been shared directly to the Rākau Nui Links Google Classroom to make access easy. If you would also like it shared with you and you have a Gmail account, please let us know. All the Classroom codes that take students through to Google Classroom for maths, literacy and STEAM are available here. Students have an opportunity to access STEAM learning but they will need to join the correct Google classroom for their STEAM rotation.
Google Classroom will be the place where we put learning activities for students to do independently. This is how we are also working in the physical classroom so students are familiar with using Google Classroom. The Rākau Nui links Google Classroom (code: vxjto3t) has the Google Meet link for maths and literacy starters and for hui. Other links for Google Meet can be found in the relevant maths, literacy or STEAM class.
For digital safety reasons, it’s important that there is an adult in the room while students use Google Meet.
If your child brings a cell phone to school for any reason, could you please remind them that they must be taken to the office before school and can be collected at 3pm. Student cell phones are not permitted in the classroom or cloak bays and school cannot take responsibility for any missing or broken phones that are left in pockets and bags. Additionally, mobile devices should not be used to take videos or photographs on school grounds as the images captured may include both adults and students who have not given consent to be recorded.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything with us, please remember that your first point of contact is your child’s home class teacher. Our email addresses are:
christinel@paparangi.school.nz
Hei konā mai
Jenni, Trelise, Sarah, Christine, Ali, Judy, Kath, Andi, Leah, Kuini, Haley, Min and Megan
Useful Dates - Please note that all dates are subject to COVID restrictions and events may be cancelled or postponed
Wednesday 13 April - Term 1 ends 3.00pm
Thursday 14 April - Teacher Only Day
Friday 15 April - Good Friday (School Closed)