Junior Jottings Number 12

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week

As part of Matariki, the children have been involved in string games, activities using poi and sticks and they have also learned some new waiata. They will continue these activities this coming week. Ask them to share with you what they have been doing.

Performing Arts

We were very impressed by the performance of rooms 2, 5 and 6 on stage at assembly on Friday. They have been working with Mrs Hooke each week and performed superbly.

Cross Country

Every day we seem to be experiencing weather from each of the four seasons. We have been waiting for the first fine day that would be long enough between rain to hold the Junior School Cross Country run at Bishop's Park.  Last Monday was the first time we could actually do this. Mrs Cody made a quick decision just before morning tea to do the event straight after morning tea while the weather was still fine. We did not want to tell the children too much in advance in case the weather changed for the worse (as it had the week before) and have them upset and disappointed again. Parents of our older children taking part in the Cross Country events involving other schools will know how sad their children are when the events keep on getting postponed. I apologize to the parents and caregivers of our junior children and understand that you may have liked to attend but felt even if we had emailed you, giving you approximately fifteen minutes notice, (and even if you read the email straight away) it would have been impossible for many of you to change your plans. The children did their best and were back at school within half an hour. We do have some photos which we will put on the screen in the office foyer for everyone to see. We hope that next year the Cross Country run will go ahead on the proposed day in May.

Science Fair

Last Wednesday we visited the classrooms across the road to see the Science Fair exhibits that our Year 7 and 8 students have been working on. We were absolutely amazed at the fantastic array of experiments and asked lots of questions about each of them. We also visited their classrooms and were extremely impressed with the fabulous high quality art and work that we saw. This week some of the students will be bringing their science displays over to our junior classrooms to explain them in more depth. The displays will be up in room 24 (the green house) until the end of term so please feel free to pop in for a visit during school hours.

Mrs Ryan

On Thursday Mrs Ryan came to school to meet the students of room 1 and visiting preschoolers and their families. She will be coming back full time to teach them on the first day of term 3. She also went across the road and helped to judge the Science Fair displays, which would have been an extremely difficult job. She has added more things to her science blog so please have a look at some of what she has been involved in.

This Week

Monday and Tuesday

Gymnastics - We will be finishing gymnastics next week, as next term the children in years 3 to 6 will be having their turn with the equipment.

PALS - we hope the weather will be fine for us to do this at lunchtime.

Friday

Full School Assembly and reports will be coming home with the children in rooms 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

'Hooked on Books'

We are delighted with the progress the children are making while on the 'Hooked on Books' programme and sincerely thank all those kind adults who give up their time each week to listen to our children read. The programme will not run next week and will start again on the first week of Term 3. The programme will finish in Week 5 of next term. If any adults are unable to help in term 3 could you please contact me so I can alter the roster.

Parent Conferences

Please ensure you have made your conference time by this week. Go online, enter the code and follow the instructions on screen. Anyone having difficulty with this please contact Sue or Carole in our office. At the conferences your child's teacher will discuss their report and portfolio of work with you and answer any questions that you may have.

Headlice

There are a number of schools around the district experiencing an outbreak of head lice, including Muritai School.  We ask parents/caregivers to be vigilant and to please check and treat their children's hair for head lice.  Simple hair conditioner used together with a nit comb every day for 2 to 3 weeks is a cheap and effective treatment.  There are also a number of products available from pharmacies who will be more than happy to help find the best solution for you. 

Green Day
On the last day of school we will be hold "Green Day' where children are invited to dress up in green and give a gold coin donation to the Orphans of Nepal Trust.  The money raised will used for vegetables, seeds, etc for the orphanage garden.

There will also be a jar of jellybeans in the office. Children can guess how many are in the jar. Each guess costs $1 and the winner of the jar will be announced in the final assembly on Friday. Two girls from the senior school will be in the office before school to collect guesses.

Have a great week.

Kind regards

Maureen Buckley

Deputy Principal