Rakaia River Trip to Plynlimon Park

Here are a few photos of our recent Rakaia River trip to Plynlimon Park. It was really neat to see the interactions between our senior children in our River group and our junior children. We enjoyed fabulous weather and a variety of fun activities and sports - a big thank you to all our parents who took the time to come along and join us on the day. We hope you enjoyed it as much as the children did!

Friday Reminders

Friday is our library day and our class swimming day. Please pack the togs and library bags :)

Whanau Evening

A huge thank you for coming along tonight with your whanau. It was lovely to see such a great turnout and to spend time with you all. We bet the children will all sleep well tonight! For those who couldn't make it - we will pop up a summary of our talk on the blog over the next few days.

Thanks to Kate (Leon's Mum) for this fabulous photo of the children saying our karakia kai.

Luca's Bunny

Look at this cute rabbit that Luca made. She thought about the details a bunny would need and added these to make it look just like a real one. Luca practised her sewing skills and added stuffing inside to make it soft and cuddly. Ka pai Luca!

Lauren's Cushion

Although Lauren is brand new to Kohara, we have already learnt that she loves to create. This was her first ever project - learning to sew and we think she got the hang of it pretty quickly! Lauren decided to add some beads to make her cushion more interesting and each side has a different pattern. It was also Lauren's first time learning to use the hot glue gun.

Hannah's Dolphin

Wow Hannah - look at your detailed dolphin that you made for your barbie to ride on. You put a lot of thought into creating a saddle and reins so barbie doesn't fall off.

Archie's Pillow

Look at this lovely soft pillow that Archie made. He made it for his family - that's why there is a F for family on it. We tested it out in Kohara - Mrs O nearly fell asleep on it!! Archie learnt lots of sewing skills including how to pin the fabric and how to make the stitches. Lots of new learning for you Archie.

Addison's Pig

Addison wanted to learn how to sew. She made this gorgeous pig where she got to practise lots of hand stitching. She has even got a goal for the next time she does a sewing project - to make her stitching smaller so there are no gaps around the outside. Addison - we love the details you added at the end. It will make a fabulous cushion or soft toy!

Gemma's Rabbit

Gemma decided to make her rabbit at home a friend after her other bunny died, so she created a soft toy rabbit to keep it company. Gemma learnt to use the hot glue gun and to practise her sewing skills. She had a few hiccups along the way but we were so proud of the way she persevered even when the sewing got tricky!

Angus's Race Track

Angus has created a race track for his cars. Just like all inventors he struck a hiccup. He had to modify his design because after testing he found that the ramp didn't work as well as he wanted so he made some modifications and now it works great.

Valentines Day

Hannah created a weaving heart for her family for Valentines Day. She cut, weaved and wanted it laminated for long life!! Hannah has said she can now be the teacher for any children wanting to do a weaving project....We like that Hannah.

Week 3 (13-17 February)

Welcome to Week 3 :)

Swimming
Swimming days for Kohara are Wednesday and Friday. Please pack the togs for these days.
Optional lunchtime swim on a Tuesday lunchtime as well.

Library
Library day is Friday. Books can be returned any time during the week to the library containers in Kohara.

Kapa Haka
Junior Kapa Haka on Tuesday afternoons 2.30-3pm.

Kohara Whanau Dinner/Swim
We hope you can join us on Thursday 16th Feb (this week) for a BYO picnic dinner from 5pm.
At 6pm we will meet in Kohara for a quick introduction to how things work in Kohara, and following this the pool will be open for anyone wishing to have a quick swim before we finish up at 7pm.
If fine, we will eat out on the grass opposite Kohara (beside R22, near the hall).
The children will help lead a short karakia prior to us enjoying our kai together.

Classroom Release
The Room 18 children will have PE with Mr Lukes on Thursday 11-12.30pm.
The Room 19 children will have Art with Mrs McHaffie on Thursday 11-12.30pm.
The children should know whether they are R18 or R19 but we will help them out if they're unsure :)

Sunhats
Please ensure all children have a wide brimmed navy sunhat at school every day this term. We would love to see every child in Kohara with their hat at school for class fitness, PE as well as for break times.

Reading
On a Monday morning before Monday meet up, can the children please return all their reading books form last week into the grey container by the teachers chair in the R18 end. The children keep their books for the week in their reading folder so you are able to re-read and enjoy them throughout the week before returning them at the start of the next week.

Poetry Folders
Please get children to return their poetry folders into the poetry boxes on a Monday morning.
This week we will also have a poem for reading on Thursday due to classroom release.

Parent Interviews
You are now able to book online for our upcoming parent teacher interviews. Please see Tracy or Monique if you would like help booking online. The booking code was in the school newsletter last week.

Monday Meet Up
This week at Monday Meet Up we will be welcoming Lauren and Lochie and their families to Waimairi School. They have both settled into Kohara so easily and we are enjoying getting to know them both.
For Monday Meet Up our Kohara children can make their way to the hall when the bell goes and find a seat (or Tracy and Monique will bring over anyone who needs a helping hand).

Have a great week - we look forward to seeing you on Thursday night!

Whanau Hui

We would like to welcome you along to school on Thursday 16th February between 5-7pm for a BYO picnic dinner with the other Kohara families.

5pm Dinner (on the grass outside the hall if fine or in Kohara if wet).
The children will lead a karakia before eating.

6pm Brief chat in Kohara about how our class programme works.
Following this, the pool will be open for a swim for those that would like, concluding at 7pm.

A notice will be sent home tomorrow.

Parent Interviews

We look forward to meeting you and learning more about your child at the upcoming Meet the Teacher interviews. There is information in this week's school newsletter on how to book a time with us.

If you are a new family to Waimairi School this year, you do not need to book a time as we will meet you along with Mrs Coleman (our Assistant Principal) at our 'New to Waimairi' family interview.

Week 2 (7-10 February)

Welcome to Week 2

Swimming
Our swimming days are Wednesday and Friday.
Optional lunchtime swim on Tuesdays for Year 1/2 children.

Library
Library day is Friday - books can be returned to the containers in Kohara at any stage during the week.

Reading Roster
Thank you to the parents who have already signed up for this terms roster to re-shelve class reading books. This is greatly appreciated. If you are on the roster, let us know when you have some spare time during your rostered week and we are happy to show you what to do.

Reading Books
The children will bring home a reading book or a poem to read with you each night. Poetry folders need to be returned to school the following day (the children know where these go in the classroom). Reading books are kept in reading folders for the whole week and on a Monday they get returned into the grey reading container by the teachers chair in Room 18. It is great to see that most children now have their reading folders at school - these go in their tote trays each morning.

Kapa Haka
We have a new Kapa Haka teacher this year - a warm welcome to Matua Steve. Our junior Kapa Haka is on every Tuesday at 2.30pm.

Music
If your child is learning an instrument this term, please let us know the time/day of their lesson.

Sunhats
There is still quite a few children without sunhats. These need to be at school every day please. Children are able to keep them on their bag hooks or in their school bags.

Pokemon Cards
Our class rule around Pokemon cards is that they are welcome to be used before school, at morning tea or at lunchtime. They are not to be seen in class during learning time.

Have a great week!

Just a quick reminder!

Hi All
We are keen to get out to you the Friendship List so you can start to organise those playdates. If you haven't done so could you please send back the completed Contact List form that was on the back of the newsletter we sent home on the first day.
Many thanks
Tracy and Monique

Block Mat Creations

The children have been enjoying creating on our block mat. This week it has been free choice creations but from next week the children will have a block challenge to recreate each day. One of our key words in Kohara is detail and the children are encouraged to include as many details in our block challenges as they can. This helps develop observational skills and it is always fascinating listening to the rich oral language that takes place as the children collaborate and challenge each other  with their ideas.

The boys worked cooperatively on their tall tower - this picture was taken before it was finished. It is now even taller. Johnny  thought it was "about a metre and a half" and when we measured it was 153cm!! Great estimating Johnny! Kohara talked about why we thought the base had to be wider than the top and we thought it was because this made it stronger, more stable and so that it didn't fall over. We tried to imagine what would happen if the tower had a wider top and we all agreed that it would be too heavy. We even found a connection to other things we knew that had wider bases at the bottom and skinnier tops - the Eiffel Tower, hills, mountains and volcanoes were a few of our ideas.

Below is Gemma with her airport. It has planes that have landed and even a chute where the baggage comes out for the passengers. I wonder where all her passengers are arriving from? Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world for a holiday?

First Swim

The Room 19 children in Kohara enjoyed their first swim on Wednesday. Unfortunately Room 18 have to wait until tomorrow for their first swim as they were busy having sporty fun with Mr Lukes instead. It was great to see the children showing off their swimming skills and getting to know each other in the pool.

Trip Reminder

A reminder that we are off to Plynlimon Park tomorrow (Friday) with the other classes from our River group. We will be out of the school from 11.50am returning by the end of the day.

Thank you to all those who have offered to parent help - your child should have a notice for you in their bags with more information. We will assemble on the back field at 11.50am before heading down to the park via the cycleway.

Whanau are most welcome to join us at any stage - feel free to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the afternoon with us.

All children will need:
* SUNHAT
* Drink and lunch (no hot dog orders)
* Warm jersey
* Suitable shoes for walking, running and having fun in!

Swimming Day Friday

Pack the togs Kohara - Friday is our class swimming day.

A great time to check uniform items are well named to avoid confusion in the changing rooms.