Newsletters/Notices
Rata Term 4 Newsletter
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
We hope you’ve all had a relaxing holiday and that the students are refreshed and ready to work hard and have lots of fun.
Dates to Remember
Tuesday 13th October
English ICAS
Wednesday 14th October
Rata A and Rata C visit to Stardome
Thursday 15th October
Rata E and Rata KH visit to Stardome
Monday 19th October
Maths ICAS
Tuesday 20th October
Science ICAS
Thursday 22nd October
Digital Technologies ICAS
Primary Schools Rugby Festival
Monday 26th October
Labour Day- no school
Tuesday 27th October
NO SCHOOL- Teachers Only Day
Wednesday 28th October
T-Ball Tournament
3rd -5th November
ILC testing days (ONLY for students who have chosen to go try out for the Independent Learning Class at Northcross)
Thursday 12th November
North Harbour Gymnastics Competition
Thursday 19th November
Senior Athletics Day
Tuesday 24th November
Senior Athletics Day- Save Day
Tuesday 1st December
Northern Bays Athletics Day
Wednesday 2nd December
Save Day Northern Bays Athletics Day
Thursday 3rd December
Y6 Graduation 6.30-8pm
Friday 4th December
Reports Home
Monday 7th December
Rata H, D and KH - End of year trip to Snow Planet
Tuesday 8th December
Rata C, E and A - End of year trip to Snow Planet
Friday 11th December
Meet New Teacher for 2021
Monday 14th December
Prize Giving- further details closer to the time.
Tuesday 15th December
Last day of the year
School closes at 1pm
Programme for Term 4
Year 6s
Y6 Graduation
This term the Y6s will be learning a variety of dances leading up to the graduation on Thursday 3rd December. An official invitation will come home closer to the time.
This graduation celebrates the end of primary years for your child and everyone will be awarded a graduation certificate to mark this event.
The evening will consist of student dances, photo opportunities and a shared buffet at the end - please bring some finger food to share.
Time 6.30- 8pm.
Parents usually accompany their child to the graduation.
Students will be given water on the night. Unfortunately we can’t afford to buy drinks for parents, so you will need to bring your own drinks from home and a cup if needed (NO alcohol please).
The students should wear clothes and shoes suitable for a celebration and dancing, but they do not need to go out and buy anything new. In previous years most boys have worn trousers and a shirt. Girls usually wear dresses.
No stilettos please as they damage the floor in the gym.
There is a graduation planning meeting, for all Y6 parents interested in decorating the hall for the graduation, on Thursday 15th October at 3:15pm in Rata Maui. If planning for the graduation isn’t your thing maybe you could offer to help with the decorations on the day or clear up after the graduation - remember many hands make light work. Please contact Delyth Cook (email below) if you can help in any way.
Year 5s
While the Y6s are practising for their graduation the Y5s will take part in extra sessions developing their creativity.
T4 Inquiry
Our inquiry this term is about caring for the environment. Our Big Idea is ‘My choices affect living things and their relationship with each other.’
Students will learn how:
Each environment is unique
Each living thing within an environment relies on each other.
Our actions can affect the balance of each environment .
.
How Parents Can Help at Home
Although reports are being written in the middle part of the term, there are still things you can do to help your child’s progress at home. It is not too late, even at this time of the year, to make a big difference by providing support at home. The basics of reading, maths and spelling are still important to maintain and you can help by:
● Encouraging your child to practice basic facts and times tables on Mathletics
● Listening to your child read a passage from their book and encouraging them to read to themselves for at least 15 minutes every night. Discuss what they have read that night and ask questions that link what happens in the book to their own ideas and opinions.
● Practising spelling - five minutes a night is usually enough.
End of YearTrip to Snow Planet
At the beginning of December, we are taking the Y5/6 team for an end of year trip to Snow Planet. The children will take part in a 2 hour snow programme- 1 hour in a lesson on either a snowboard or skis and the other hour practising.
Inside Snow Planet it is minus 5 degrees, so cold. For this activity, the children WILL NOT need to buy snow gear, if you do not have it already please can you try to borrow some since we are unable to afford hireage and do not have supplies ourselves. Wearing wet weather gear will be just as good with warm layers on underneath. The same goes for thermals/merinos, again these are not needed unless you have them as you can layer up cotton tops and jumpers. They will need gloves and warm socks. If necessary, we can arrange for items to be hired but this will be an additional cost for your child and will need to be paid before the day. Snow Planet has limited stock.
We know it can be tricky to find bits and pieces, hence letting you know in plenty of time. if you have any problems, please let your class teacher know by email. We know the kids will have a great time.
A few reminders:
School sun-hats are compulsory this term.
● Please phone the office (4783024) or email if your child is absent. This is a courtesy to Mrs Martin in the office, so she does not need to check where your child is.
Communication- Email is the best way to contact us. Our email addresses are:
delythc@sherwoodprimary.school.nz,
traceye@sherwoodprimary.school.nz
petea@sherwoodprimary.school.nz
ginnyd@sherwoodprimary.school.nz
nickyh@sherwoodprimary.school.nz
kellyh@sherwoodprimary.school.nz
We look forward to another successful term.
Kind regards,
Delyth Cook
Y5/6 Learning Leader
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