Welcome to Junior Jottings number 1 for 2011! School is busy already and we have had another great week of learning. I have been in each of the classes since the term began and am very pleased with the quality work I have seen the children producing. They have settled into their classroom routines and are working very well together. Classes are starting to exhibit some of the children's artworks with sketching and portraits adorning the walls. Have a look at the classroom blogs as well to see examples.
Aquatics Education
In the holidays, all staff attended the 'State Kiwi Swim Safe Professional Development' workshops. As part of this, we are so fortunate to have expert swimming instructors working with your children. They are employed to give swimming and water safety instruction for each class for half an hour daily over a two week time span and at no cost to us. Classroom teachers will implement the aquatics programme outside of these sessions. Under their expert guidance, these instructors have ensured that the children have made amazing progress already. They have been assessing the children's skills in the water in an effort to ensure they attain the levels on the certificate. Please note that from this week there are some changes to days and times so please check with your child's teacher to ensure your child comes with their correct gear on the correct day. We will have swimming for the next three weeks until the Eastbourne Pool closes.
Assessment
Each child is taking part in a range of assessments in a range of curriculum areas so that their teachers have a starting point for the next learning steps. Over the holiday break many children have not had daily reading, writing, mathematics and spelling practice and may be at levels lower than they were at the end of last year. e.g. Your child may at the moment bring home a reading book that is very easy. This will occur until all testing has been completed and children have been grouped accordingly. It is important at this stage of the term, for children to get back into the daily habit of homework, experiencing success and for parents to continue reading aloud to them also on a daily basis.
Mind maps
This year every child will be learning how to do a mindmap. Please ask them about it and for further information please go to 'The Learning Den' blog by Sarah Richardson.
Toys
Children have been bringing expensive and precious toys to school. We discourage this but if toys do come to school it is the child's responsibility if they become lost, damaged or broken. Parents please talk to your child about this and also have a peek in their bag from time to time to see what they are bringing.
Sunhats
Thank you all very much for supporting our sun safe message by ensuring your child has a suitable hat (not a cap) at school each day. Hats need to be named.
Capital E National Festival of Arts
We will be taking all classes to Wellington to see three shows in the arts festival, over one day. We are going to see 'Grimace', 'Passing Wind' and 'Boats' so that parents who are booking for shows in the festival know which ones we will be attending. Further details will be given closer to the time.
Pataka Museum
As part of our Inquiry 'Here's our History' in March we will be going on a trip to Porirua to take part in a range of activities at Pataka Museum, that we have booked with the education officers. I will also give details of this at a later date.
Buddies
All classes have met their big buddies and have planned further activities with them. The younger buddies are delighted to see them in the playground as well. Ask your child about their buddy.
Before school
A lot of children are coming to school early, some even before 8 a.m. Please ensure your child stays at home until 8.30 a.m. We offer before school care for children if you need to leave Eastbourne early. If you need to take advantage of this service, please contact our school office. We also have children arriving too late to school, which disrupts their learning and that of the other children. Please ensure your child is at school in their classroom by 8.40 a.m.
Have a great week enjoying this beautiful weather.
Kind regards
Maureen Buckley
Deputy Principal
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