Karaka Junior Newsletter : Term 2 : 2012
Monday 23 April
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Welcome back to Term 2. We trust you had an enjoyable break and enjoyed the mild weather. We are all ready for a busy and exciting term ahead. A special warm welcome to the new children and families who have joined Karaka School.
As the weather is starting to turn colder, warmer clothing will be needed. Layers are useful with shorts underneath track pants for the cooler mornings. These are easily taken off if the afternoons become warmer. Children do not always recognise their own belongings! It is essential that all polar fleeces, track pants, socks etc are named. Help your children to develop responsibility for their own belongings. Hats are not compulsory in term 2, but with hopefully some sunny weather continuing, it is advisable for children to keep their sunhats in their bags.
It is lovely to welcome Mrs Hargreaves back to the syndicate. She will be starting a New Entrant class in Room 10 after Queen's Birthday weekend.
We begin Term 2 with a Social Studies topic looking at Roles and Responsibilities. This will start by looking at the different roles we all have within our families, and the responsibilities that go with those roles. This will then move to a school focus and then finally the Roles and Responsibilities within a work place. We will be visiting Gellert Nursery on 23 May to look at what is involved in the running of a local business and how the different Roles and Responsibilities are all important. We will need to ask for parent assistance with transport to the Nursery for this trip. A note will be sent home asking for help closer to the trip. This is much appreciated.
Our science unit this term is based on the Physical World and is focussing on Forces.
Phys-ed this term will start with work on large and small ball skills, as well as integrating Dance from the arts curriculum.
We also have a major school-wide fitness focus this term which is incorporated with the Westpac Chopper Challenge. This will begin in week 4 and is a project that will consist of preparation, training and ultimately, completion of a fitness test based around the actual regime performed by the crew of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The exercises are age appropriate and the school will be supported by Westpac bank staff who will man stations throughout the Chopper challenge. Children will be asked to seek pledges of sponsorship from family and friends etc to help raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Individuals who raise the most funds will earn a helicopter flight! More detailed information will be given early in the term
In Maths the focus continues on numeracy, addition and subtraction and geometry.
Home reading continues to be an essential component of the school programme. Please hear your child read the book they bring home and sign and return the next day. This home support is extremely important and valuable. Please be aware that if the previous day's book is not returned, a new book cannot be sent home. Books can also not be sent home without a bookbag for protection.
Reports will be sent home on Monday 25 June. Parents and Caregivers will have the opportunity for an interview on Wednesday 27 June to discuss your child's progress to date and learning points to work on.
The school wide virtue that is being focussed on for the first half of the term is Assertiveness. Being assertive means being positive and confident. When you are assertive you think for yourself and ask for what you need. Without assertiveness others could bully us and we may have a hard time saying no. When we are assertive, others respect us and we respect others. We stand up for what is right.
Please remember that before school is a busy time in the classroom. If you have any queries or concerns you wish to discuss with your child's teacher, please make an appointment for an appropriate time. Conversations before school are often interrupted as there are a lot of things happening!
A reminder school starts at 8.45am. It is important that your child is at school in time to complete any before school tasks and be ready to start the day on time. If your child is away please phone the school office or notify your child's teacher beforehand if you know they are going to be absent.
We are all looking forward to an interesting and fun filled term and continuing the working and learning relationship between school and home.
Regards
C.Aull, E.Pringle, V.Hargreaves, D. McDonald
