Saturday 17 September 2016

Week 10

We had a very enjoyable Grandparents Day on Friday and we thoroughly enjoyed having grandparents in the class.  We created photo frames, both for present and absent grandparents, we had some interesting discussions about school life in years past, and we sang songs together.  Our fabulous grandparents shared their attention and time with all the children in the class which we thoroughly appreciated.  What a fun day! 

We are lucky enough to have a number of our tech-savvy grandparents on Seesaw, sharing and commenting on the children's work. Please let us know if you would like your grandparents /family etc to access your child's portfolio - they are most welcome.  

This is our last week of term three and the weather is looking decidedly average.  We have a full school games morning planned for tomorrow, involving playground games from history - knucklebones, hand games, marbles, elastics etc.  I expect that if the weather is anything like today this event may be postponed until later in the week, but it would be appreciated if your child can bring a coat and warm clothing to school, just in case. 

On Wednesday we have a fundraiser - Pizza Day.  Your child will have brought home a notice about this last week.  If you did not receive this please let us know and we will get one to you.  Pizzas are $5, optional, and will be delivered at lunchtime.  There will be no Thai lunches on Wednesday.  

You will have read in the school newsletter that the school will be open on Saturday 22nd October (Labour Weekend) to celebrate 150 years.   School will be closed on Tuesday 25th October. 

At the beginning of term four we will be having another Bring n Buy to raise money for the senior school camp next year.  If you are having a clean out of toys at any stage over the next few weeks we would appreciate any donations! 

Please let us know if you would like to take home some readers to keep the momentum of regular reading.  We can also provide maths and literacy worksheets for those that want them over the holidays.  We will have these available on Thursday and Friday. 

Amy is out of the class on Tuesday (but around school) and Claire is on a course (offsite) on Friday.  

Have a lovely rainy Sunday! 

Claire and Amy 

Saturday 3 September 2016

Week 7

Last weeks movie fundraiser

Big thanks our fantastic mums who joined us for the movie Bad Moms last Thursday.  What a laugh!  It was awesome to see such a big Kowhanga contingent. Nice one! 

Pataka trip tomorrow 

We are visiting Pataka in Porirua tomorrow morning as part of our Changes unit, leaving just after 9am.  It is important that all children are at school before the bell rings at 8.55am. Unfortunately we won’t be able to wait for those that are late and they will be accommodated in another class. Please ensure that children have appropriate clothing, morning tea/lunch and a drink bottle in their bag.  

Parents who are joining us - can you please flick us a quick email to confirm that you are still available to come along.  Thanks. 



Calendar Art


Over the last few weeks Claire has been busy organising Calendar Art as part of a Hutt Central School fundraising initiative. They look fabulous and will be ready to view in the school office at some stage over the next couple of weeks.  We will keep you posted. 

Union Meeting on Thursday

On Thursday afternoon a number of teachers will be attending the Paid Union Meeting for all NZEI members in relation to the proposed changes in education.  This is the extract from the school newsletter last week: 

The NZEI and PPTA unions are holding a Paid Union Meeting from 1:30pm on Thursday 8 September 2016. It is important that as many school staff can attend as possible and so we encourage you to pick up your child from 12.30pm on that day. Please send the return slip attached to this Newsletter to school. If an adult does not come to school on Thursday 8 September to pick up your child we will look after them until 3:00pm. If you would like your child to make their own way home, please let the classroom teacher know in writing.

Onesie/PJ day 

On Friday the school councillors have organised a onesie/PJ day to raise money for the Wellington Free Ambulance.  Children can come to school in their PJs.  Please bring a gold coin donation to help Wellington Free Ambulance. 

Grandparents day

Your child will have brought home a notice and invitation for Grandparents Day, to be held between morning tea and lunch next Friday 16th September.  We are asking that children invite their grandparents to join us in class for activities, discussions, and lunch.  Multiple grandparents welcome, but equally if grandparents are unable to attend there will certainly be plenty to share around! 

Comings and Goings

We are both released on Wednesday - Andrea and Mrs Muzzy will be in the classroom.  

See you tomorrow! 

Claire and Amy 


Chrissie Straayer

16:26 (7 minutes ago)

Thursday 1 September 2016

Making Super Structures

Today we re-used card and pipes to create two massive huts in our Kowhanga. We decorated them using our original art and we plan to use the huts as chill-out spaces for reading and quiet, independent work. AWESOME!