Rākau Nui Newsletter
Term 1, Week 11
Newsletter 11 April 2022
Tēnā koutou katoa
Lost Property
There are quite a few items of lost property to collect. Please come and have a look for any missing items. They will be outside Room 10 at the end of each day this week.
Seesaw
Seesaw is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what's happening in the classroom. Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student gets their own journal and will add things to it, like photos, videos, drawings, or notes. Each week more and more learning is being shared there. We highly recommend you check it and engage in conversation with your child about their learning.
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing choices…
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 wellbeing is important.
Valuables
For many reasons, we do not permit digital devices to be brought from home and used in the classroom or around the school. These reasons include controlling student access to the internet, removing unnecessary distractions from learning time and ensuring that valuable items are not left lying around. We would encourage families to leave these items at home, however any digital devices, or valuable items, brought to school MUST be taken straight to the office for safe keeping. These items include cell phones, money, tablets, games, Apple watches and other smart watches. It is ok for students to wear simple step counters (no bluetooth, filming or internet connection) and basic watches.
Cross Country
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.
Headphones please
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.
Homework
Each week we provide homework for all families, which is optional. There are lots of things you can do as homework. You can learn basic facts and times tables, you can play a maths game (either online or on paper), you could do some baking, thinking about the quantities in a recipe, or you could play a board game that needs you to think about maths, such as Monopoly. There is also the question of the week to get you thinking about problem solving.
EnviroSchools
As an Enviro School we are so impressed with the zero waste lunch boxes that children bring. Many thanks for your help with this. With reports coming out in the news about the amount of plastic that is infiltrating our oceans, land and drinking water we are very keen on being zero waste and wrapper free.
End of Term 1!
Term 1 will finish at 3pm on Wednesday 13 April as Thursday 14 April is a teacher only day. Term 2 starts on Monday 2 May at 8.55am.
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)
Monday 02 May- Term 2 starts 8.55am
Monday 09 May - NZ Sign Language Week
Tuesday 10 May - Whole School Cross Country
Friday 20 May - Pink Shirt Day
Tuesday 24 May - Northern Zone Cross Country Tournament (pp 26th)
Monday 30 May - Samoan Language Week
Friday 03 June - Teacher Only Day (school closed)
Monday 06 June - Queen's Birthday (school closed)
Tuesday 7 June - Thursday 16 June - Life Education Welcome Harold!
Tuesday 14 June - IZ Cross Country (pp 16th)
Friday 24 June - Matariki (school closed)
Tuesday 05 July - Regional Cross Country (pp 07)
Friday 08 July - Term 2 ends 3.00pm