Welcome Back

What a hot start to the year!  It is great to have all the kids back and hearing of great summer adventures! They have been yachting, climbing, swimming around islands, visiting family, breaking arms, going to the beach, jumping on ponies, reading stories, riding bikes, go-karting, bouncing on castles.... well, the list is pretty much endless! Sounds like it has been a fantastic holiday.


We have a exciting year ahead of us with lots of learning, fun and challenges. Our big goal is to improve student achievement in writing and the summer adventures will help give the students great ideas to write about.
Make sure to bring your togs everyday so we can make great use of our pool (which was 29 degrees today!) and your sun hats.
Hope everyone has a wonderful year.

Getting ready for the new school year :)

As teachers are drift back from their holidays to get classrooms ready for an exciting year we are looking for someone to join our team.

Teacher Aide
5 days per week, 9:15 - 12:45

This person will be supporting learning in a classroom as well as working with small groups and individuals.

Please apply by email to Megan McLellan, Principal
megan@kokatahi.school.nz

Applications close 26 January 2015

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