Kia ora Whanau,

We were delighted to welcome back eager learners last week who have now settled in to Term Two. Week one was busy sorting learning plans and protocols for operating at the “Orange Traffic Light”. A copy of our protocols can be found in this newsletter.

Our theme for the first two weeks of Term is “Belonging”. We are all exploring what belonging means, how being part of a group helps us develop social interaction skills and gives us the opportunity to meet new people.

Our curriculum focus this term is:

Kua Tipu Te Wa

Term 2 - Walking hand in hand; learning and growing together

Curriculum Focus - Social Sciences.

· We understand that belonging to groups is important to all people

· We understand we all have social and cultural rights and responsibilities

· We understand that Maori are tangata Whenua and acknowledge their place in Aotearoa/New Zealand History

Our students have been exploring a wide range of groups and we look forward to seeing their ideas and presentations of their learning. Each learning hub has a particular focus and students are encouraged to work in a range of ways to develop their understanding of the concept. Take some time to talk with your child about what they are learning about groups and belonging.

You will be aware that our school have embarked on our Structured Literacy Journey. Teachers are working hard to plan for the specific learning needs of the students in their class. Structured literacy gives each and every child an opportunity to develop their knowledge of the sounds and aspects of the English language which enables them to become successful speakers, readers and writers. We look forward to sharing this journey with you at our whānau conversations towards the end of the term. More about this process will be shared soon.

Have a great week

Sue Jury

Last term we posted the form for parents to register their child/ren Year 4 and above for the Sacramental programme for 2022. If you have not already registered and you would like your child to be part of this journey, please complete the form using the link below.

https://forms.gle/wvCLpBhE6BSeGKxj7

The students in Rimu Whanau have had a great start back to term 2 catching up with their friends and teachers. They have all been very busy working hard to build new knowledge and develop new skills across the curriculum. In RE they have been focusing on The Resurrection of Jesus, following on from their Holy Week studies at the end of Term 1, and learning the ‘Hail Mary’ for May as we celebrate The Month of Mary. They have also been exploring and discussing what it means to belong to a group/groups as part of their Connected studies and writing about their experiences. In PE this term they are excited to be doing Te Reo Kori, using Poi, Rakau sticks and action songs/dance. There are lots of other exciting opportunities for learning going on every day and the teachers hope that your children are all going home and having great conversations with you around the dinner table about what they have been up to each day.

In Hinau, this term we continue with the Connected “It’s Grow Time” theme, this time focusing on the importance of Belonging. We are learning about how to ‘grow our knowledge’ about what it feels like to belong and how we can help others feel included. We are now choosing to explore groups in Aotearoa in some depth and we are learning about how belonging to groups can benefit people.

In Maths, we have been doing a lot of problem solving tasks, involving addition, subtraction and multiplication, working collaboratively to solve the questions.

In PE we are learning and practising te reo maori games and action songs including poi and Te Rākau.

Term One - Wednesday 2 February- Thursday 14 April 2.40pm

Term Two- Monday 2 May- Friday 8 July 2.40pm

Term Three- Monday 25 July- Friday 30 September 2.40pm

Term Four- Monday 17 October- Thursday 15 December 12.30pm