Counting down until Christmas?

Ever wondered how Santa gets down a chimney?  Or how Rudolph's nose glows?  Well these scientists think they have the answers! 

Another Thanks :)

A special thanks to the parents who came out for my focus group discussion.  I finally got my results back for that including the comment that my focus group sounded very insightful and keen to support the school.  Thanks for being awesome!

No newsletter this week!

We will not be sending out a newsletter this week.
Our next newsletter will be sent on Tuesday 28th October.
Remember Monday is a holiday!  Friday 31st is Grandparents Day!

The hills are alive with the sound of Ella....

Thanks from Ms McLellan

A big thanks to the staff, students and parents who have been helping me with my studies this term.  It has been great to be able to consider how to apply what I am learning to Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School.  It has also been great to see all the great learning that has been taking place already this year, keep up the great work! 

I am busy writing huge essays (the part I like least) and getting ready for another adventure (the part I like most).  This time I am heading to Charlotte, North Carolina and Dubuque, Illinois in the USA.  While I am there I will have a chance to learn about their education system, and spend some time in a few schools to see how their classes are taught!  I can’t wait to share what I learn J

Thanks again to everyone for your help!

Invite to Parent focus group

Parent focus group – 10am Thursday 28 August @ Valley Café

This focus group discussion is to assist me in my study regarding developing partnerships between the parent community and the school with the aim of improving educational outcomes for all students. 

To assist me in reviewing the discussion I would like to record it. The recording will be deleted at the completion of this assignment.  Participants in this discussion will not be identified in my assignment and only the assessing lecturer and I will read my assignment.  If you are interested in joining the conversation please join me (coffee is on me!).  Discussion questions are below.

Understanding of the possibilities of parent input in developing teaching programmes that meet the needs of their children 

1. How do current school practices help to keep you informed about the learning that your child is involved in and how you can be involved?
2. Some parents have expressed how much learning has changed since they were in school.  Do you understand these changes or do you feel welcome to find out more about how we teach in your child’s classroom?
3. Formal parent consultation happens approximately every three years to ensure the school reflects the values and educational priorities of the community.  Elected Board of Trustees members also provide input on the community’s behalf.  Do you feel this is a sufficient level of community input into learning programmes?
4. Parents are often invited to volunteer in the school to support learning activities.  This is a great asset to the school.  Are there ways in which the school could improve this involvement (include different parents, encourage more dads etc) without overusing community support?

Teacher Only Day - Monday 11 August 2014

 The teachers will be being taught on Monday and school will be closed. Enjoy your long weekend!

Mary O'Connor Mini Marathon 2014 Results

Mary O’Connor Mini Marathon 2014 – Results

BOYS Ages 6 and Under(3km):

1.         Tyler Shaw (6)                                    14.43  

2.         Seth Staples (6)                                   23.09

3.         Sam Nicholls (5)                                 24.17

GIRLS Ages 6 and Under(3km):

1. Brynne Gordon (6)                             13.12  
2. Tamsin Gillespie (6)                            16.17
3. Maia Hurley (5)                                   17.52
4. Ruby Little (6)                                                19.39
5. Pera Gordon (5)                                  20.31  
6. Morgan Butler                                     28.42

BOYS Ages 7 – 8 (3km):

1. Caleb Beri (7)                                      12.35                                                  
2. Allan Harris (7)                                   14.41
3. Michael Lord                                      17.29

GIRLS Ages 7-8 (3km)

1.      Skye Davis (8)                                         12.36                          

2.      Jessica Beri (8)                                         14.02                                                  

3.      Emily Coleman (7)                                   15.50              

4.      Maddison Scott (7)                                  16:18

5.      Jesse Paton (8)                                         16.46

6.      Korie Shaw (8)                                         17.02

7.      Isla Croy (7)                                             18.18

8.      Alanna Nicholls (7)                                  18.30

9.      Grace Arnold (7)                                      19.49

10.  Ciara Russell (7)                                       20.06

11.  Zara Kirk (7)                                            21.51  

BOYS Ages 9 – 11 (6km)

1.      Tom Grosser (10)                               25.35    

2.      Nate Croy (10)                                  28.04

3.      Jacob Harris (10)                                29.50

GIRLS Ages 9 – 11:

1. Leila Challenger (11)                          28.55 
2. Georgia Dawson (10)                          30.30  
3. Ava Little (9)                                      DNF   

BOYS Ages 12 and Over (6km):

1.                Caleb Harris (12)                                 40.81

2.                 

GIRLS Ages 12 and Over (6km):

            No Entrants

Happy Support Staff Day!

We are very lucky to have such a great number of fantastic support staff members at our school.  They are an awesome support to our students, teachers and parents.  It is wonderful to be able to work with such a caring dedicated team who work so well together to ensure Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi is a great place to learn!

We hope you have a great day - and thanks for all you do Jane, Nathalie, Merryn, Chrissy Julie and Andrew!

Cross Country on Friday!

The Cross Country at Ross will go ahead tomorrow and it will be muddy so please make sure the children have a change of clothes and their own drink bottle (there is no water at the venue).

Welcome Back for Term 2

It was an exciting (and very difficult for some) holiday with the extreme weather we had. The children have
arrived back full of stories and energy. Have a browse of today's newsletter to find out what things are coming up this term!

Fun, Jump, Throw Day Thursday 10th April

Kumara and Ross Schools will join us for a day of running, jumping and throwing.
All Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi School children should come to school in sport clothing in the
Colour of their house.

Mahoe: Purple
Rata: Red
Kowhai: Yellow

Kokatahi School is running smoothly with Mrs Warner at the helm. Here are some pictures of the plays from the Hoiho class on Friday.

Goodbye... for now!

Today is my last day and I am off studying for the rest of the year - with a few adventures planned as well.  I am sure you will all have a great year with Ingrid leading the way.

I am very excited to have the opportunity to study and am looking forward to the chance to refresh my ideas along the way. It is very hard to leave the children behind as there are so many things I would love to be doing in the classroom this year.  I will post some updates on my class blog  through the year and you are always welcome to email me on megan@kokatahi.school.nz .

I will also be popping in to check up on the staff from time to time ;) so I am sure I will see you through the year - if I don't catch you have a fantastic year and see you in 2015.

First destination... Vancouver :)

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra

We had a visit from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra... well, 5 of them, not the whole orchestra!  What a great treat.  The children's faces where as interesting to watch as the music was to listen to.  With songs from Peter and the Wolf to the Simpsons theme song the children enjoyed a range of emotions and images music can create.
A big thanks to the wonderful musicians who travelled to see us as well as to the sponsors who ensured there was no cost to the school.

Click here to see a short video a Portia conducting the symphony! 

Welcome Back!

Welcome to term 1 2014!
The children have come back with big smiles and great summer adventure stories.  A big thanks to everyone who helped get the school ready for the start of year.  The field looks great with an increasing tinge of green.  Staff are off to a great start, getting things under way with class routines and learning programmes.

Next week we will begin swimming in the afternoons.  Please ensure your child has named togs and a towel at school everyday.  We will try to swim everyday, even if there is a light drizzle.

We will be looking for some parent helpers to supervise the pool at lunch time as well.  If you can help us out please let us know.

Please also ensure your child has a sunhat at school everyday in term 1. 

More details will be in the newsletter on Tuesday.

Getting bored of the holidays?

It hardly seems likely that anyone can get bored of summer holidays... but as they draw to an end I am sure that there are some people (parents especially) who are keen for the term to start.
I came across this math activity on a neat blog called bedtime math - it seems a great creation for a wet summers day!

http://bedtimemath.org/make-a-marshmallow-catapult/


- Enjoy the last of the holidays and we'll see you on the 30th!



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