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!



Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

***Change in Bus times for 2014***

***Change in Bus times for 2014***

We have received several requests to review the bus route due to the length of time some children are on the bus as well as 2 possible extensions.  I have written to the Ministry of Education and at this time they cannot complete a full review.  They did confirm that both extensions are within their criteria, however there were concerns about the conditions of the road, safe turning points and the time needed to complete the run if they were to be included.

Neither of the extensions are currently viable as adding either would mean the first students would be picked up by 730am and the last drop off would be close to 5pm.  While this is within Ministry of Education’s allowable time frame, I believe it is far too long for young children to be on the bus. 

However, to ensure all children have a more fair time on the bus the morning run will be completed starting in the Kokatahi Valley.  The afternoon run will remain the same.  Tony has provided approximate times for pickups, however these may change slightly.  If you are dropping children off at school next year, please keep in mind that the bus will have to complete a turn in the school car park at about 8:15am.

I will post the map with approximate times on the school blog so that you check times next year.

Sorry for the late notice, but I only received confirmation Tuesday afternoon. 

If you have any questions please email me on principal@kokatahi.school.nz

Have a fun restful summer.

In case you need a laugh

Term four is always busy with the build up to the end of year.  The change in routine at school, changes in the weather, and the full on exhaustion that the children are experiencing after a long year of learning, means everyone is a little less patient and a little more ragged.

So since they say laughter is the best medicine - here's a little clip that might make you laugh. :)

Grandparents Day

A big thanks to all the family and friends who came out to make grandparents day so much fun!  The scarecrows were fantasitc and hopefully some are still surviving in your gardens.

Click here for some Grandparent day photos

Pet Day 2013

What a great job organising pet day!  Well done to Lisa and her fantastic Home and School team who created such a wonderful day.  It was great to see so many fantastic projects and wonderful pets. To see some of the photos click here.
Congratulations to our three winners:

•  Fergus, with his pet calf Diamond 
• Hunter, with her pet dog Boss
• Peter, with his pet hen Missy-no-toe

A big thanks to all the judges who had the hardest job!

• Philip and Helen Cook
• Catherine and Rhona Taft
• Hokitika Veterinary Clinic
• SPCA

and big thanks to the sponsors who also make the day so wonderful

• ANZ bank                                          FMG insurance
• AMI insurance                                    Westland Milk Products
• Gordan Handy Machinery                   Westland Dairy Shed
• Ravensdown                                       Olivers Shoes
• Take Note                                          LIC
• PGG                                                   CRT
• Hellers 

Pet day postponed

Due to the lovely rain today, pet day will be postponed until tomorrow WEDNESDAY 23.  Pet day will be on tomorrow rain or shine.

The bus will run today as normal.

Welcome to term 4!

This year is flying away and what a blustery start to the term!  We have a very short term with lots of events ahead of us as well as all the usual teaching and testing so hopefully we can keep up with it all.

Well-being Game 
There is still time to enter the game and add to your team's points!  Well done Kowhai house team you are doing fantastic!  Let's see if the other houses can catch up!

Pet Day 22 October
The children are excited about the upcoming Pet Day - Please remember, even if your child is not bringing a pet, it is still a school day and they need to attend.  We usually do follow up activities based on Pet Day and it is great for them to be their to support their peers.

Grand Parents Day 1 November
Grandparents, parents, (or stand-ins) are invited to join us for Grandparents Day.  This year we are planning to start about 10am and finish about 12:00ish.  After a welcome from the children and morning tea, we will be working together to construct some child size scarecrows (1 for each family). Please bring alone some old children's clothes and some 'stuffing'  such as New World bags, bubble wrap etc.

We'll do our best to keep you posted on the events through the term!

The Wellbeing Game!

Here is a fun challenge for all families!  It is a great excuse to do some fun things with friends and family and earn some house points!  You earn points in this game by spending time with your family and friends, learning together, giving, connecting, taking notice and being active.

Rata House  Click here to join your team
                 Kowhai House Click here to join your team
                                   Mahoe House Click here to join your team

There is heaps of information on the game site  http://www.thewellbeinggame.org.nz

Pet Day

If you are new to Pet Day below are some examples of Pet Day Posters and projects. These are Year 1-4 examples. Older children are expected to complete a booklet with more detailed information.