Wednesday 30 November 2016

Reading Book Returns

Can ALL class reading books also be returned please by Friday. Children can place these in the grey reading container at the front of the class (R18 end).

Thanks.

Library Books Due Friday

ALL library books to be returned for our last library day on Friday please.

Children with long overdue books would have had a notice with the outstanding books, to be returned or the replacement cost if you are unable to find them. Thanks.

Triathlon

The Triathlon takes place on Thursday afternoon. For those children who have indicated they are taking part, they will need to remember their togs and towel, and either a bike or scooter plus a bike helmet.

Please make sure items of uniform and togs etc are named as we have 9 classes of children taking part.

For those not taking part, they are in the supporters crew!! GO KOHARA!!

Sausage Sizzle Orders

If you forgot to pre-order your sausage sizzle for Athletics Day, you can still do this on Thursday morning. $2 each.

Athletics Day Reminders

Junior children to wear sports mufti on Thursday. 
If they have a top in the colour of their team that would be even better but not compulsory. Teams are either red, blue, yellow or green and the children should know what colour team they are in from our practice on Monday.

Sunhat must be worn.

Drink bottle.

Sunscreen applied before coming to school if possible please.

Suitable shoes/sneakers for running, throwing and jumping in.

Athletics starts at 11am on the back field at school. Children will rotate around a variety of stations with their class group. Parents are welcome to come and watch - we'd love to see you there.

Following the conclusion of the Athletics, there is a community lunch. If you forgot to pre-order your sausages for the sausage sizzle and still wish to order, you can do this before school on Thursday. Feel free to stay and enjoy lunch with the children.

Tuesday 29 November 2016

ATHLETICS DAY LUNCH - REMINDER

If you are wanting a sausage for your lunch on Thursday please order outside the hall tomorrow morning (Wednesday) $2.00 each.

Monday 28 November 2016

No Tuesday Swimming

No class swimming Tuesday. The pool is fixed but needs a day to heat up.
Class swimming will resume Wednesday and Friday.

Sunday 27 November 2016

Week 8 (28 Nov-2 Dec)

Welcome to Week 8!

Wheels Day
Monday the 28 November (this Monday) is Wheels Day. Bike or scooter to school and be in to win spot prizes. Plus watch out for some wheelie good fun at Monday Meet Up!
Kohara also has a Wheels session during the day as well as visiting the Truck Time session.
No usual reading programme today.

Athletics Day
This Thursday 1 December is our Athletics Day. Come join us from 11am until 12.30pm on the school field. Come in sports mufti on the day and make sure you have a sunhat and sunscreen on.

Athletics Day Sausage Sizzle Orders
Place your orders on Wednesday morning outside the hall. $2 a sausage. Don't forget you can order for the whole family. The coffee shop will also be open. Community lunch will be between 12.30-1.30pm on Thursday. All welcome.

Triathlon
Thank you to all the children who have returned their notice and are having a go in the triathlon on Thursday afternoon. We look forward to cheering you all on. The triathlon starts at 1.30pm on the back field, then to the courts for the bike/scooter course, finishing in the pool.
Children participating MUST have a helmet please.

Swimming
The pool filter is still awaiting repairs so no lunchtime swim on Monday. Class swimming on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday if the pool is open. Bring your togs just in case!

Classroom Release
On Wednesday Room 19 have PE with Mr Lukes from 11-12.30pm.

Final Library Returns
Please have ALL library books back at school by this Friday please as it is our final library session.

Spelling
Our weekly spelling programme is now finished but keep up the practise of previous words. We will be re-testing children on their current and previous spelling lists between now and the end of the year.

Reading Books
Can you please send ALL reading books back to school at the end of the week as these are being collected in for reshelving. If you have some spare time and would be able to help return these to the reading room, we would be most grateful.

Maths Games
As the year draws to an end and our usual reading/spelling programme ceases, why not play a boardgame for homework instead. There is loads of maths related learning in board games - counting, adding dice, recognising dice or number patterns, shapes, colours and lots of social skills as well (taking turns, good sportsmanship etc). Cards are another great way to practise maths - why not draw two cards each and practise adding or subtracting the numbers. or get clever and try it with three cards. You could also order cards, make number patterns, look at odd and even numbers... the possibilities are endless.

Have a great week :)

Saturday 26 November 2016

Wheels Day Monday

Remember to bring wheels on Monday (either a scooter or bike) as it is our Wheels Day.
There are spot prizes at the end of the day for the children who wheel to school.

We will also be having a Wheels Time session during the day - children will need their scooters or bikes and helmets for this please.

We will also be visiting the Truck Time session.

Because of our Wheels Day and Athletics Practise in the afternoon there will be no school reading being sent home for homework on Monday. Feel free to share a favourite story or read library books instead.

A huge thanks to Mr Lukes for organising this on behalf of the school.

Pool Still Closed Monday

Just to let you know the school pool is still not fixed so no lunchtime swim on Monday. We will update you regarding Tuesday class swimming once we know more.

Thursday 24 November 2016

NO Friday Swimming - Pool Closed

Sorry Kohara! No swimming on Friday as the pool is awaiting repairs to the filter.

Pack them on Monday if you'd like a lunchtime swim though.

INVITATION TO ATHLETICS DAY

Waimairi School
Community Lunch and Sausage Sizzle
at the
Junior Athletics Day
Thursday 1st December 2016
(pp Friday 2nd December)
12.45pm - 1.30pm
School Field

You are invited to come and have lunch with the whole school.
 There will be a Sausage Sizzle for lunch, the coffee shop will be open or bring your own packed lunch.
 Please send $2 per sausage to school on WEDNESDAY 30th November, if you would like a sausage or two. Orders will be taken outside the coffee shop. Don’t forget to order for the whole family. Some orders may also be taken on the morning of the sports.

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Chewing Gum

We have spoken to the class several times this week regarding chewing gum/bubble gum. Some children have been bringing gum along and sharing it throughout the day. We have said that gum is NOT to be brought to school. We would really appreciate your help reinforcing this as well please.

Reminders for end of the Week

Library day on Friday 
Some children have notices in their bags today if they have long overdue library books. Sue, our librarian would appreciate either the books being returned or the outstanding amount to replace them paid please.

Swimming
Our next class swimming session is on Friday.

We have noticed that as our swim times are in between other classes using the pool, that the changing sheds are very busy with classes overlapping, and we are already finding misplaced and unnamed clothing items being left behind. Please make sure items are named - it makes it much easier to return items.


Athletics Practice on Thursday

Please pack the sunhat for Thursday as we have an athletics practice scheduled in preparation for next week's Athletics Day.

Thank you also to all the children bringing back their Triathlon return slips - great to see so many children prepared to have a go. Ka pai Kohara!

Important 2017 Music Lesson Update

Music Lessons 2017

Thank you to those who have already signed up for music lessons next year.  Unfortunately, the last form had some technical issues and the form needed to be recreated.  Please fill out the form again if you want your child to learn an instrument next year. A reminder that Year 2 children (in 2017) can learn recorder only, unless you have made arrangements through Miss Lord.

Do you want your child to learn an instrument in 2017?  Please sign up using the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/0l5Ll9DCXZNRDJsI3 or fill out a paper form which is available at the office.  If you have any queries, please contact katie.lord@waimairi.school.nz

COMMUNITY WHEELS DAY MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER

Community Wheels Day Monday 28th November

You are all warmly invited into school on Monday 28th November to share in our Wheels focused day.

Come and be entertained at Monday Meet Up and check our exciting displays here at school. The CCC will be here with the NZ Truck Association to educate and entertain.

Please encourage your child to bring wheels to school; bikes especially. We'll have rewards at the school gate...

Waimairi School has a proud history of supporting our biking, scootering and rip-sticking children and community.

Wheels are spun at play and lunch on our court area. We provide the annual Cycle Safe programme to our Year 6's.

We love seeing parents riding to school to reduce carbon emissions and car traffic in our community. It's great to see children improve and maintain fitness in a non competitive and fun environment.

Monday 21 November 2016

Look in the school bag..this notice should be there!

2016 ParentJunior Athletics Day.pdf

Tuesday is Swimming Day

Pack the togs - Tuesday is our first class swimming day.
Please remember to name uniform items, togs, towels and goggles... basically name everything!!

Music Lessons in 2017

Music Lessons in 2017

Do you want your child to learn an instrument in 2017?  

Please sign up using the following link: http://tinyurl.com/waimusic2017 or fill out a paper form which is available at the office.  If you have any queries, please contact katie.lord@waimairi.school.nz

Please note most instruments are for year 3 up. 

Sunday 20 November 2016

Week 7 (21-25 November)

Welcome to Week 7 :)

Staffing
Welcome back to Ms Jill Kelk on Monday as Mrs O is away looking after Jack who is still not quite recovered from his bout of chicken pox.

Ms Kelk will also be in on Tuesday morning while Mrs Campbell is on River Leader Release.

Classroom Release
Room 19 children have PE with Mr Lukes on Thursday morning from 9-10.30am.

Spelling
This week the children need to revisit and practise previous list words in their spelling notebooks. We will soon be re-testing the children on their current spelling list so it's a great time to revisit words from earlier in the term.

Swimming
Our class swimming days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Please ensure swimming togs, towels etc are at school on these days. It is our expectation that ALL children will participate unless there is a medical reason for not swimming. Please let us know asap if your child is unable to participate due to a medical reason.

The juniors can also have a lunchtime swim on Mondays if they wish (optional).

Athletics
We will be practising for our upcoming junior athletic sports on Monday and Thursday afternoon this week. Please make sure children have suitable shoes for running, throwing and jumping.

Next week, on Thursday is our actual Athletics Day - you are most welcome to come down to school on Thursday 1 December to support the children and enjoy a shared lunch afterwards with us. In the afternoon we will also be having our optional triathlon. This is loads of fun - if you're not sure what's involved, feel free to have a chat to class teachers about it.

Sunhats
With athletics practice, class fitness and PE, it is really important all children have their school sunhat at school every day. These should be hung up on their bag hooks for easy access during the day or kept in their school bags. We have done away with the sunhat box inside the classroom - as you can imagine when 55 children are all trying to find their hats out of the same container at the same time, things get a bit chaotic!

Library Day
Please send library books back for our visit on Friday.

French Club
At this stage French club is no longer running on Wednesday lunchtimes, We will advise you if this restarts again before the end of the year.

Have a great week :)




Swimming Starts This Week!

Please remember to pack the swimming togs, goggles and towels as this week is the start of our class swimming programme.

Monday: Year 1/2 optional lunchtime swim
Tuesday: Kohara class swimming
Wednesday: Kohara class swimming
Friday: Kohara class swimming

It is also helpful if swimming gear, school uniform items and even underwear are named as often clothes seem to get muddled up in the changing rooms. This makes it a lot easier when trying to return items to children.

Children not swimming for medical reasons: please let us know if there is a medical reason why your child is unable to participate.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Headlice

Headline are doing the rounds again - please check your child's hair :)

Reminder

Just a reminder that children should not be arriving at school earlier than 8.30am. This is particularly important given the recent earthquakes as often teaching staff are out of the classroom before this time and unable to safely supervise children in the case of an emergency. If you need help with before school supervision, please come and talk to us and we can help sort something out.


Rest Home Visit


Rest Home Visit

On Tuesday 13 December Kohara are visiting The Fitzroy Rest Home in Merivale to sing songs and interact with the residents. We have been practising our singing at school and we know that some of the song books have gone home too. Mrs Campbell's mother is a resident at the rest home and we wanted to reach out to a part of our community at Xmas time. If for any reason your child does not come you will be reimbursed the money paid for the bus which will be added to this terms school activity fees.
If you have any questions please come and see Tracy or Monique.

Week 6 (14-18 November)

Welcome to Week 6 :)

Staffing
This week Mrs O is home with her youngest son as he has the chicken pox. Kohara welcomes Mr Richard Guise (Monday), Ms Jill Kelk (Tuesday and Thursday) and Mrs Bindy O'Callaghan (Wednesday plus Tuesday morning for Mrs Campbell's River Leader release). Mrs O will be back in on Friday for a change of scenery!!

Classroom Release
Room 18 will have Art with Mrs McHaffie on Wednesday afternoon.
Room 19's PE this week has been rescheduled until next week.

Swimming
Our class swimming will start next week and we will be swimming every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Children are expected to have their togs and towel at school for our class lessons. If there is a medical reason why your child cannot participate, please advise us as soon as possible.

Farewell
This week we say farewell to Miss Michele Walker who is finishing up her seven week teaching placement with us. Michele has been an absolute star and the children have loved working with her during her time with us. We wish Michele all the very best for her future teaching career.

Shared Lunch
On Friday 18th November we will be having a shared lunch for Miss Walker. Can all children please bring a plate of food suitable to share for lunch to school on Friday (can be left on the bench in Room 18 in the morning).

Showtime Performance
On Friday afternoon the children will be watching a special performance of the Showtime 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. We are really looking forward to watching this. For families who would like to attend, you can purchase tickets for the evening shows from the school office.

Library
Please send library books along to school for our library visit on Friday. Our last issue date is Friday 2 December and then ALL books will be due back by Wednesday 7 December at the latest. A good time to start hunting out books that are overdue.

PTA
PTA Meeting Tuesday 15th at 7.30pm in the library - this month we are looking at fundraising ideas for next year. All new members welcome - pop along and you'll see lots of familiar faces from Kohara there!

Health & PE Inquiry
The children have recently finished their designs for their cooperative dioramas. Each pair of children  designed a part of our school outdoor environment with some very cool suggestions for our rebuild. We particularly like the mud slide in the forest, the roller coaster out to the lunch area and the fabulous looking sandpit and bike track designs! These are on display in class - feel free to pop in and check them out!

Have a great week :)

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Tuesday Trip

Kohara will be off to St James Park today leaving at 12 and returning by 2pm at the latest. 

Sunday 6 November 2016

Week 5 (7-10 November)

Welcome to Week 5.

Canterbury Anniversary Day
School is closed this Friday due to Canterbury Anniversary Day (Show Day).
Enjoy the long weekend.

Classroom Release
Room 18 have Art with Mrs McHaffie on Wednesday afternoon 1.30-3pm.

Library
Change of time this week due to Show Day - Kohara will have library on Thursday 11-11.30am instead. Please remember to pack the library books.

Change to Normal Programme
Becasue this is a short week we are going to have an Inquiry Week. This means our usual reading, writing and mathematics programme will not be running as usual. The children will have two poems to read during the week - on the other nights, please choose a book at home to enjoy together.

We will be starting to make dioramas, working in buddies, based around what we would like our school's outside environment to look like after the rebuild. We hope to present our models to Ms Hudson and Mrs Coleman when finished so they can consider our ideas. We have been making lots of connections about what things in nature help nurture us and the kinds of things people enjoy doing in our outside environment.

We are also hoping to fit in a walk down to St James Park since the weather meant we had to postpone our trip last Friday. Depending on weather conditions we will aim to walk to St James Park either on Tuesday (or Wednesday if weather is not suitable) leaving school around 12 noon, taking our lunch down there for a picnic and then returning to school by 2pm at the latest. We will update on the blog later in the week to confirm day.

PTA News
Don't forget cook books are on sale via the office - a great Christmas present idea!
Also tickets for Ali Harper's Christmas Show.

Have a great week :)

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Wednesday Lunchtime Clubs

Optional lunch time clubs on Wednesday lunchtime...

* French Club (for those with some basic french) in He Tangata (R16/17)

* Chess Club in R21 from 12.45pm, all ages and abilities welcome.

Low Sugar Cook Books

The PTA are selling a Low Sugar Cook Book at the moment - it's a gorgeous looking book with family friendly, low sugar recipes. If you're interested you can view one at the office. They are $40 each - might be a great Christmas present idea for someone special!

Ali Harper Christmas Show

For those of you who have heard Ali Harper (Thomas's mum) sing you will know how amazing she is! Just ask the Kohara parents who went along to the Big Event at school on Saturday and heard her - simply stunning.

Ali has an upcoming 'Christmas Joy' Show on Sunday 18 December at either 2pm or 7.30pm at The Piano venue on Armagh Street. Ali has once again generously given Waimairi the opportunity to sell tickets for this, with a percentage of all ticket sales coming back to the school. If you are interested tickets are available for $34 adults or $20 children. You can order these at the school office.

Wednesday Tennis

Fingers crossed the weather is fine for our tennis session tomorrow (Wednesday) 12-12.30pm.