Week 5, Term 4

During this term our art topic is 'Fabric and Fibre'. We have been using all sorts of materials to practise our weaving skills. Many thanks to Karen and Sarah who have come in to school to help us.

Grasshopper Tennis

Over the last four weeks we have been going to Grasshopper Tennis where we have been learning lots of new games and skills. We have had heaps of fun playing with the balls and rackets. Andre has been our cool coach.

Grasshopper Tennis - slideshow with music

Next week.... During literacy time we will be concentrating on punctuation, such as, speech marks.
At maths we are adding on from the biggest number.
It is hard to believe just how much time we have, or don't have left of this year! We have some class trips coming up which I will require some parent help for. We have a trip to the Suter Art Gallery to view a Jane Evans Exhibition, a trip to the Nelson Turner Library and our Kowhai Big Day Out at Founders Park. Exact dates and times will follow in a notice home.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 1, Term 4

Welcome back to Term 4! I hope you all had a wonderful break and are ready for another action packed term.
 On Friday Funday Major Blunder came in with his troops to share his knowledge about the Agincourt Battle which took place on October 25th 1415. It was a battle that took place in France between the French and the English. We were pretending to support the French so we made blue flags to cheer on our soldiers. The rest of the school had made paper swords and helmets. We had a fabulous time watching safely from the sideline!

Agincourt Battle - flash slideshow

As part of our enterprise learning our next inquiry topic is 'Popcorn'. Our key idea is learning how profitable goods have to be researched, developed and marketed. We have completed out first 'taster' and I suspect we may need to repeat this!
This term for P.E. we will be covering Run, Jump and Throw activities. We also have 4 sessions of Grasshopper Tennis which is a fun and interactive programme to introduce children to tennis. We have experts to come in and run the sessions.

Next week....

We will be reviewing the use of capital letters and full stops.
Our tricky words will be ask/any.
During maths we are consolidating numbers before and after any given number up to 100.

Things to remember...

Library day is Friday. It would be great if we could have 100% library books returned by Friday.
As it is Term 4 it is an absolute must to be wearing a sunhat at morning tea and lunch. The hats need to be wide brimmed to cover neck and ears. Caps are not acceptable.

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 9, Term 3

What an amazing time we have had this term learning about design and technology. Our overall theme was Terrific Trolleys. We wanted to closely link our learning to our community with this topic. The up and coming release of 'The Kiwi Flyer' seemed to be a fantastic opportunity to hook into. Tim from the Nelson Trolley Club has been a wealth of knowledge and support for us, from guiding us with general design, cutting over 100 blocks of wood, constructing a race ramp to finding sponsorship for our wheels. A huge thank you to Sam and all the parents that have contributed to make our topic so rewarding and memorable.

This Monday afternoon around 5.30pm there is an event at the top of Trafalgar Street with a build up to the premier of the Kiwi Flyer movie. We are encouraging children to come along with their trolleys so we can show case our learning to our community. Tim will have the race ramp there set up for us.
Here is a slide show of our journey!

Renwick 3's Trolleys - free slideshow

Next week... At literacy time we are looking at long vowel sounds.
For the next two weeks in maths we will be learning about time, days of the weeks and months of the year. We will be having our folk dancing display in Week 11. A notice will come home to advise the time and place.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 8, Term 3

Each week we look forward to Tuesdays because it is our I.C.T. day. Last week we had a great time playing on the I.C.T. Maths Games site. Tania helps us work our way around the site.

A free digital slideshow by Smilebox

Excitement is building for this Friday as we are holding our Kowhai Trolley Derby. Our trolley cars are having the final touches put on early next week. Be sure to take a peek!
As a teacher it has been very rewarding listening to the children's discussions in regard to their learning throughout this inquiry unit. They have an amazing understanding of the actual technology involved in their trolley's and the appropriate vocabulary.
Recently a child brought in a large banana box to school. When I asked what it was for she replied "Oh it is my car, but its just that I haven't attached the axle and wheels yet!" I am a bit embarrassed to say that at the age of 21 plus, I have only recently investigated the workings of axles and wheels myself!

Next week...

At literacy time we will be looking at our long vowels and tricky words two and have.
During maths we will adding and subtracting up to 20/100.
Friday is the Kowhai Trolley Derby!

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 7, Term 3

On Tuesday the sun was out and we finally got to have out Futsal lesson. We played tail tag and chain tag. Ashton was the winner of the day for tail tag! We raced around the court chasing one another having heaps of fun.

After Futsal we went to the hall to meet Tim. Tim is an expert on trolleys from the Nelson Trolley Club. He very kindly came to share his knowledge and answer our burning questions about trolley's. We started off watching a locally made movie about the Nelson Trolley Race down Collingwood Street. Then we got to sit in a real trolley called 'Jaws'. We had a fabulous time and now feel totally inspired to make our own trolleys. Tim has designed a purpose built ramp for us to start our race!

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Trolley of a kind! Last week Dean brought in some equipment that was used a long time ago in the Antarctic! We arrived at just the right time to get a free ride!

Next week....
Our tricky words will be some and one. We will also be looking at word endings, such as, ed, s, ing.
During maths our focus is working with the number ten.
Many thanks to all those who have sent in their washing powder soap boxes. Please keep them coming and if you have any spare they would be very much appreciated.
A friendly reminder our library day is Friday. Please ensure books are returned by Thursday.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 6, Term 3

This week we have been learning about fractions during maths time. We have been focussing on equal halves. On Friday Funday we decided to make some toast so we could practise cutting equal halves. Yum!!

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Our Terrific Trolley topic is zooming along nicely. We are starting to pick up the pace now in preparation for the big end of term derby. On Tuesday next week we have got Tim coming to visit us from The Nelson Trolley Club. He is an expert who is going to help us make our trolley's and give us some tips on design features.

Next week... Our sounds will be ea/ou. Our tricky words will be eat and about. During maths we will be working with doubles and halves. On Tuesday afternoon we have Tim coming to visit us from The Nelson Trolley Club. We also have our Futsal skills training. Thank you to those people who participated in Food for Thought. Your money is due back in now. Have a happy and safe week!

Week 4, Term 3

On Monday and Tuesday we got to visit Harold on the Life Education Bus. Of course meeting Harold was a real highlight but we also reminded ourselves how to be a good friend and how to important it is to look after each other.

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On Thursday we put up our doves on the front fence to celebrate Peace Week. We talked about how peace was being kind and caring to each other.

Next week... It is Maths Week! Play lots of games! Be sure to check out the great games on the website 'ICT Games'. Our sounds will be wh/u. Our tricky words will be what and where. During maths we are adding and subtracting lots of ten plus revising adding and subtracting to ten. NZEI are holding a community meeting on Thursday night called 'Raising Successful Children' at Tahuna School. Be sure to put it in your diary. There are some fabulous guest speakers including our very own Dr. Potaka! It is still not to late to register for the 'Food for Thought' fundraiser. Check out the informative blog that Tracy has put together. It is linked to the NCS webpage. Have a happy and safe week!

Week 3 Term 3

On Thursday we had some very special visitors from South East Asia. They were government officials that have come to N.Z. to improve their english. They taught us how to say hello in their language.

During our literacy time we have lots of 'jobs' to do. We rotate around in small groups to complete our tasks.

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Next week... Our sounds will be st/i. Our tricky words will be came/before.
During maths we are looking at making whole tens as well as addition up to 20.
Thank you to all those parents who have paid the $3 for the Life Education Bus. We have been timetabled for Monday and Tuesday next week. We will be reinforcing our social skills with a topic on friendships.
On Wednesday we have a special training session on 'Futsal'. This is a new game to me! We are all looking forward to learning more about it.
Friday night is the night to get your dancing shoes on! The Junior disco is being held in Trinity Hall from 6-9pm. All children are required to be accompanied by an adult. Dress as your favourite movie character and come along for some fun! Tickets are now on sale.
Thank you to everyone that made parent interviews. It is always a pleasure to share your child's successes with you.
Our local NZEI is organising a community meeting..

RAISING SUCCESSFUL

                   CHILDREN

Find out more about how we

prepare our children for success in the

21st century?

      A community  forum for parents, whanau, educators and everyone with an interest in children!

            Thursday16 August 2012

Muritai Centre,

Tahunanui School

7.30pm

with

    Lee Corlett    Sports Initiative

     Brenda Holdaway

       Whanau Support Nelson Tasman Kindergartens

     Gavin Millar   Big Brothers, Big Sisters

    Dr Paul Potaka

          Principal, Nelson Central School

        Everyone is welcome   

Have a happy and safe week.

Week 2, Term 3

On Friday Katrin has been coming to help us at music time. She is amazing at playing the guitar. We sang some of our favourite songs.

We have been having lots of fun with our new inquiry topic 'Terrific Trolleys'. We have been exploring different objects that are round...

This digital slideshow made with Smilebox

This week... During literacy we are concentrating on our vowel sounds. These can be quite tricky and often trip us up. During maths we are working with the number 10. Thank you to all those people that have made interviews. I look forward to sharing your child's progress with you. At the moment we have lots of bugs going through the school. In Renwick 3 we seem to have a lot of children suffering from high temperatures and or the diarrhoea and vomiting bug. If your child is unwell please allow time for recovery. Have a happy and safe week!

Week 1, Term 3

Welcome back to Term 3, I hope you all had a happy and safe holiday.

There have been a few changes in this term. As Ellen has opened up Renwick 1 Sam will be teaching in Renwick 3 in the afternoons for the rest of the year. I will be continuing with the literacy support programme in the afternoons.

This term we will be exploring printmaking. We created some interesting creepy crawlies using out hands!

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We have also started folk dancing! Watch this space! We plan to put on a small concert at the end of the term to demonstrate our fabulous coordination and skills.

Our topic this term is called 'Terrific Trolleys'. It is a science/technology inquiry unit based on the movie 'Kiwi Flyer'. I am sure the learning will be enjoyable and very meaningful for the children.

Next week we have parent interviews. I note that many of you have made appointments. Thank you. For those who are yet to do so I encourage you to do this as soon as possible. I look forward to sharing your child's progress with you.

Next week...


During literacy we will be looking at medial vowels a/e
Our tricky words are put/said.
During maths we will be doing subtraction to 10/20.

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 9, Term 2

On Wednesday we celebrated Matariki which is the traditional Maori New Year. During the day we rotated around different classes participating in various activities such as acting out Maori Legends, weaving, rakau sticks and painting. The morning was completed with a shared kai for lunch. A big thank you to our mums and dads for the delicious food. We really enjoyed our day.

We have had a busy term and I think we are all ready for a well earned break.

Next week...

Our sound is 'oo'.

Our words will be want and walk.

During maths we will be looking at weight and capacity briefly.

Michelle will be teaching in Ren3 on Monday afternoon and Ellen will be back on Tuesday.

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 8, Term 2

A Visit From Jake!

On Friday we had a special visitor to our classroom. It was Riley's new puppy called Jake. He was so cute and soft. Jake was one of 4 puppies and Riley's family picked him from the litter because he was the only boy. Jakes eats special dog biscuits for puppies and sleeps in their garage.

Thanks for coming to see us Jake!

We are on the move again! Back to Renwick 3! The builders and painters have finally finished making our classroom safe again. A big thank you to Ellen who lets us take over Renwick 1 for the term.

This week we will be celebrating Matariki. On Thursday we are going to participate in a rotation around the Kowhai classes. We will finish our morning with a shared kai. Please remember to bring a plate of food to share for lunch.

Next week...

• Our sounds will be ch/th/sh
• Our tricky words will be your and when
• During maths we will be exploring measurement, weight and capacity for two weeks
• Matariki celebrations Thursday
• Ellen is away this week and Michelle will be teaching in Ren 3 for the afternoons

Have a happy and safe week!

Week 7, Term 2

Wet day fun! At the beginning of the week we had some wild and wet weather so we had to stay inside at lunch time. We made a tent out of some sheets and set up camp!

Room 3 have been really busy with their inquiry topic and have been making 'toys' using electrical circuits. They invited us to take a look. We were very impressed!

During our topic time we have been making musical instruments with recycled materials. We have been learning about reusing things we don't need or use any more.

Next week ...


Our sounds will be ou and ay.
Our tricky words will be out and play
During maths we will be exploring teen/ty numbers.
We seem to have a growing list of overdue library books! Please help your child to remember to bring their book back each Friday.
Have a happy and safe week!

Week 6, Term 2

Caught Being Good!

During literacy time the children are engaged in a number of activities to reinforce their learning. Here are two superstars who were 'caught' using their initiative sharing a book together.

 On Friday we had our annual school cross country. We were last to run and had a long wait. The butterflies in our tummies had long flown by the time we ran!!

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During topic time we have been making our own instruments using recycled materials! I am sure a Renwick 3 orchestra will soon follow!

Next week...
Our sound will be ng and our tricky words are 'saw' and 'mother'.
During maths we will be looking at our number knowledge up to 100.
Now that cross country has finished we will be concentrating on out large ball skills for the remainder of the term.
This Friday we have Rutherford Street Kindergarten coming to visit us. Their children want to know what fun we have at school. Have a happy and safe week!

School Fun!

Last week at school we had some fun exploring different ways to measure ourselves.

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We have been super busy training for our school cross country. Here are some photos of us warming up and running the course.

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The real event is this Friday the 1st of June. We will be running later in the afternoon. More details will follow in regard to the exact time. We hope our friends and family can come to cheer us on. Please remember this is a normal school day which ends at 3pm. Have a happy and safe week!

Week 4, Term 2

Some of our senior students at Nelson Central have taken on roles as 'Sports Leaders'. They have done a wonderful job of organising various activities for us at lunch times. Many of children from Renwick 3 have signed up for skipping.

During the week we had been sharing a big book called 'This is the Bear'. The book was helping us to learn the 'th' sound. At the playdough table we were creating bears to write about.

Next week... Our sounds will be sh and a. Our tricky words will be all and you. During maths we will be continuing addition and subtraction. Our cross country training is going well with an 'I can' attitude! Our library day is Friday. Please help your child to remember their book so that they can be reissued with another book. Thank you for your support. Have a happy and safe week!

Week 2, Term 2

On Wednesday as part of our Inquiry topic we went to the York Landfill and the Recycling Centre to see what happens to all our rubbish that we put out at the gate.
At the Landfill Christopher's Grandad, Kevin, showed us where all the trucks go to dump the rubbish. We could see and smell lots of interesting things.
We then hopped back into our cars and went to the Recycling Centre. This was awesome because there was a lot for us to explore. This is the place to bring your things that you don't want anymore so that other people can reuse them. Neroli and Tracy bought a huge rug for our classroom for only $10! We also saw how our recycling is sorted and packed to be sent away. It is processed so that it can be used to make new things such as plastic buckets, drink bottles etc.

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This week we have been exploring Autumn. We had some fun in the playground gathering autumn leaves! We loved to hear them crunch under our feet.

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Next week ...


Our sounds will be ie/ee.
Our tricky words are day/of.
During maths time we will be looking at addition and subtraction up to 10/20.
On Friday there will be Juicies for sale for $1 as classes are fundraising for school camps.
Have a happy and safe week!