Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the final term of the 2020/21 acadmeic year. I hope you all enjoyed quality time together with family and friends during the holiday.

Last week we celebrated Nexus Book Week. Thanks to the amazing library team, learners across the school have enjoyed a range of book-related challenges throughout the week. We have had virtual and in-person visits from local and international authors; mystery readers; book cover illustration sessions and much more!

The week culminated in our ever-popular book character dress up day. We were delighted to see so many learners with amazing costumes, many choosing books from their home countries as inspiration. Even the staff took part too, including a Hogwarts Learner Services, Magic Tree House Primary School and Where's Wally/Waldo/Willy HPE Team. Take a look at the Recent Events Section for lots of great photos.

Continuing with the theme of English Language Arts (of which Reading is a key element), this week's News from the Year Groups has a focus on our English Language Arts programme. At Nexus we are proud of our English Language Arts programme. We know that the development of reading, writing, word study, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and communication skills (speaking and listening) is a driving force in all other aspects of the curriculum.

Our English Language Arts programme is taught through a blend of discrete sessions and integrated within the wider Primary School Program of Inquiry. This allows the learning to be relevant, engaging and challenging for every child and in turn builds an intrinsic love of literacy in our learners.

Our English Language Arts programme is based on the New Zealand and English national curricular. We carefully assess children in all aspects of the programme using tools such as Phonics Letter & Sounds, PM Benchmark Literacy Assessment, PROBE (Prose Reading Observation, Behaviour and Evaluation of Comprehension) and Words Their Way. We use these assessments to reflect on the progress each child is making and set next steps with them. Assessment also supports our decisions on how best to differentiate learning, for example offering targeted individual support and group work. We know that every learner is unique and requires a personalised approach. At Nexus, language is supported through various literacy activities such as guided reading, writing workshops, writing in context, classroom libraries, instructional vocabulary, individual word lists, regular read alouds and opportunities for learners to use language during presentations and collaboration.

Take a look at the News from the Year Groups section to read about some of the exciting ways that we support and challenge your child through their journey to become life-long readers, writers and communicators.

Next week, to observe UN International Mother Earth Day on 22 April, we will be celebrating Earth Week. We are so proud that this week is fully learner-led. In fact, it was two boys in Year 4 a few years go that founded Nexus Earth Week. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength and has included building partnerships with WWF, Conservation International and the Pacific Whale Foundation to name a few. As we are limited by Covid-19 restrictions with the activities we can run, this year the focus is on advocacy. Take a look at the Upcoming Events section for more information. The week includes a dress up day on Friday - learners are invited to dress as their favourite insect or mini-bug as part of our Bee Awareness Campaign.

Best regards,

Paul Beach

Head of Primary