KTS Newsletter
Term 4, Week 1, Tuesday 19th October 2021
Whilst not quite the start to term 4 we had hoped for it is good to be back into a routine of sorts. I hope you have enjoyed some nice picnics with another family - I know I have.
A warm welcome to the following students who joined our KTS family this week: Meisha, Lillian and Sam (Room 3); Hannah (Room 7); and Elizabeth (Room 10). I look forward to meeting you personally in time.
There has been a lot happening in the school over the last few weeks. The raised garden beds behind the hall are taking shape and are just about ready for filling and planting when we have students back on site (see photo below). The main block has been repainted and looks so much fresher. We have had some cabbage trees removed so other trees around them can thrive.
Finally, due to a few high-needs students who have come into the school, we have had a report done by MOE for the replacement of our fencing and the installation of gates at the front of the school to ensure these students can not leave the school during school hours; Gillies Ave is an extremely busy road, as we know, so the safety of the students is paramount. Installation of the gates at the front of the school and between the library and Room 10 will start this week. The second stage will take place in due course.
- Alison
Distance learning review
Thank you for responding in large numbers (153 responses) to our distance learning review last week. We have analysed the results and had a staff meeting last week to discuss the results.
Thank you also for the large number of really positive comments about the distance learning programmes we have been delivering. These programmes were based on feedback from last year so we felt it was timely to do a formal review as we come into term 4 still under level 3 restrictions.
As a result of the feedback, each year level has made tweaks to their programme. Teachers will have been in touch with you regarding their revised timetable and expectations. In general, Zoom sessions will involve more instructional teaching, small group activities and specific support, celebrations of learning and opportunities for social engagement.
We recognise the challenges many of you are facing as you juggle work and distance learning, you are doing an amazing job. We too are balancing the need to deliver the curriculum and ensure students are making progress while not overwhelming families and adding additional stress. Please keep communicating with teachers and just do what you can.
Staff vaccinations
As you may have heard, the government has mandated that all school staff will have to be fully vaccinated by 1 Jan 2022. We currently have a very high vaccination rate and are close to meeting this requirement. In the meantime, all staff are required to have a negative covid test before coming into school; this is a weekly requirement until they are fully vaccinated.
I respectfully request that you do not ask staff about their vaccination status. They are entitled to their privacy under the Privacy Act. The requirements outlined above are what is required at this stage.
Devices
We have had more requests for devices to support distance learning, there are still more available.
Please email Catherine (catherine@kts.school.nz) if you would like to make a contactless collection from school. We will confirm a suitable time. You may also want to consider purchasing your own chrome book. PB Tech have a given us a special price on a couple of options which can be accessed by either clicking on this link www.pbtech.co.nz/education/byod/kohia-terrace-school or scan the QR code.
Please type in KOHIA22 for the discount.
Radwan (Rm 6)
Eddie (Rm 6)
Hunter (Rm 5)
Hunter's Kaitiaki art, created at school.
Tokelau Language Week
Talofa nei Malo ni. Next week is Tokelau (Gagana Tokelau) Language Week (Sunday 24 October to Saturday 30 October 2021). Tokelau is a territory of New Zealand and there are over 7,000 Tokelau people currently residing in NZ.
Bounce and Balance Challenge
It is not too late to send in your sponsorship money for the Bounce and Balance Challenge, to go into the draw for one of our fantastic prizes. Be in to win an iPad, fitness trackers, Westfield vouchers, a pizza lunch for your class, and spot prizes too! We will be holding the prizegiving assembly once we are back at school. Payments can be made to the school account (12-3048-0433992-00), make sure you include your child’s name and room number, and the word ‘sponsor’. Also, don’t forget you can claim a tax refund on any donations over $5. Email Becca (becca@kts.school.nz) with the name and email address of the person your tax receipt should be made out to.
Special Home Edition of Book Club!
While we are currently schooling from home, Scholastic Book Club has created a special digital catalogue to help families stay inspired to read and learn. It's jam-packed with bonus Christmas pages and the best of the best books of 2021!
This issue is available by viewing the catalogue online and placing an order on the LOOP platform. All orders will be delivered directly to the home!
Storylines What Now Kids’ Pick
For the third year Storylines and the producers of the popular TV show What Now have partnered to create a competition to encourage young New Zealanders to read the best books by New Zealand children’s writers.
The Storylines What Now Kids’ Pick is an online competition in which children throughout New Zealand vote for one of the ten 2021 Storylines Junior Fiction Notable Book they would best like to read. Each Storylines Junior Fiction book will be reviewed by an intermediate school-aged student on a selected review panel. The reviewing panel for 2021 consists of students in Years 7 and 8 at Hornby High School in Christchurch.
The reviews of books are presented on the What Now Sunday morning Programme on TV2
Sunday 17th October - Memory Thief | Mallory Mallory
Sunday 24th October - Three Scoops | Spearo | Red Edge
Sunday 31st October - Charlie Tangaroa | The Inkberg Enigma
Sunday 7th November - Viola Vincent | The Tunnel of Dreams | The Ghosts on the Hill
Students can access all the reviews, and information about the books through the Storylines button on the home page of the What Now website (https://whatnow.tv/). There are instructions for viewing the videos and voting for the book they would most like to read.
The competition closes on Friday 12th November. All entries will go into one of two draws to win a set of the 10 Junior Fiction Storylines Notable Books.Contact Us
Email: office@kts.school.nz
Website: https://www.kts.school.nz/
Location: 3 Kohia Terrace, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Phone: 09 630 4525