Monday, December 1, 2014

camp photos

Lining up for breakfast
Chaos in the hall!
Trying to go to sleep

Monday, September 1, 2014

Monday 1 September

Hi everyone

The first day of spring already! This afternoon is the Skip-a-thon, raising money for the Heart Foundation. The children have made amazing progress in their skipping skills!  Sponsorship money is due into the office by this Wednesday.

No PMP this week.

This Sunday 7 September is the School Mass for Father's Day and all children are expected to attend.

On Monday 8 September we are holding a hamburger lunch for all the dads.  (If a dad can't make it a grandad would be wonderful.)  We are going to be making hamburgers for the dads during the morning and we will be sharing lunch and playing games.  The cost is $6.00 (this includes lunch for each child and their dad.)  Could you please bring the money for lunch by this Friday.
This will start at 12.15pm until 1.15pm.


Also we have had some queries from parents about costumes for the concert.
Girls - fairy dresses, gumboots and wings - any kind. 
Boys - animals/bugs, (only if you have something.)  If not let us know and we will sort something.

Have a happy week

Julie and Sue


Monday, August 18, 2014

Week 5 Term 3

Week 5 Term 3

Hi everyone

Just letting you know that Julie and I will be away tomorrow (Tuesday) as we are going to Gore for a course on using the Activ Boards in our classrooms. Trina will be relieving in Room 1 and Carolyn Lyon will be in Room 2.

We are starting Jump Rope this week during our fitness programme.  If any children have their own skipping rope at home they are welcome to bring them to use.

Also please keep sending along bits and pieces that would be handy for making musical instruments.  Some suggestions are shoe boxes, plastic bottles, bottle tops, tin cans, cardboard, egg cartons and pottles.

Also you are welcome to join us this Friday for school Mass at 12.00 and Room 5 assembly at 2.15.

Have a great week.

Sue and Julie

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Toilet rolls

Toilet rolls
If anyone has empty toilet rolls Room 1 would love to make mice out of them tomorrow:-) Friday
Thanks
Julie

Monday, August 11, 2014

Week 4 Term 3

Week 4 Term 3

Hi everyone

What a wonderful day we had for the Cross country last week!  We were very proud of all the children - everyone tried their best and all the training we have been doing at school really paid off.

Also the children all looked fantastic at our dress-up day on Friday and thanks to all those who supported the Book Fair.  We are now able to purchase new books for the library.

We are starting discovery time this week on Thinking about Music and Sound. We will be planning and creating musical instruments from old or recycled material, experimenting with sound and making music.  Could people please start bringing clean plastic, cardboard, wooden material to school that would be suitable for instruments.  Also is there anyone who would be able to come and teach a group of children ukelele for the next 4 weeks?

This Wednesday afternoon there is an Open Day starting at 1.30 in the hall for prospective preschoolers and their parents.  PMP will be at the normal time.  If there any extra  parents that would be able to help for PMP this week it would be much appreciated.  Please let Julie know.

On Friday 15th there is a Liturgy for the Feast of the Assumption at 9.00am at the church.  All parents are very welcome to join us.

Please remember to get children to read their poems in the weekend and get these signed.

Have a great week.

Sue and Julie

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Week 3 Term 3

Whats happening this week

Exciting disco!!! Great that the fire engine was ale to come and give children a real live experience. This was perfect timing as we complete our fire wise lessons this week. This will also make for some great writing this week.

We have been training each day at school over the past two weeks and it has been super to see how much fitter some people are.  The children have been able to run faster and further over the course of our high intensity training.
On Monday after lunch, 1:30 we will be heading over to the Cross Country track to have a run round the race track.  We need 2 or 3 parents to accompany us please.
Children need to come to school on Monday wearing tracksuits if they have one, or track pants.  If you have a school sports top and shorts please wear these underneath. If you read this in time, no problem if you don't sports shoes will be just fine.

This week is also book fair week. This is in the library and there is eftpos available. Dress up day for this is on Friday. Children can come dressed up as a character from The Lorax or a character from a gardening, recycling or nature book. There will be a parade on the courts at 11am. Parents are most welcome to attend this.

We will be going to church on Friday at 12pm and also assembly. Please feel free to pop alone to these events.

I have a information sheet about the cross country on a post, check out what time the children will race on Wednesday. Please be aware these times are a guide and races may be run before or after this time depending on other races.

Have a happy and safe week
Julie and Sue


Cross country information

St Gerard’s School Cross Country Format
Wednesday 6th August
12.00pm – Early Lunch

12.30pm – Leave from School
Children will have an early lunch on this day and we will walk from school to the course at approximately 12.30pm

12.45pm – Walk the Course
Children will walk the course at approximately 12.45pm and races will begin immediately following this. The race order will be as follows.

1.00pm (approximately) Races Begin
Race order as follow:
Year 7  & 8 Boys (4 laps)
Year 7 & 8 Girls (4 laps)
Year 5 & 6 Boys (3 laps)
Year 5 & 6 Girls (3 laps)
Year 1 & 2 Boys (1 laps)
Year 1 & 2 Girls (1 laps)
Year 3 & 4 Boys (2 laps)
Year 3 & 4 Girls (2 laps)

Years 3 – 8 are eligible for the cups.  Years 5 – 8 are eligible for selection to represent St Gerards at the Central Otago Cross Country on Wednesday 20th August.

2.30/2.45pm (approximately)

Last race finished, tidy up of area, return to school.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Mr Knowle's Visit

Mr Knowles came to talk to us about keeping safe around fires and how to clean fires.   He is showing us his spy camera that he puts up chimneys.

Sam is having a go with the spy camera.
We all had a turn with the chimney brush.  It was lots of fun!



Sunday, July 27, 2014

Week 2 Term 3

We hope that everyone had a great weekend.
This week we will be running everyday.  Children are to wear running shoes to school with their uniform.
PMP starts this Wednesday and this term it will only be once a week. If you are able to help there is a timetable on Room 1's door. We need 3/4 parents at a time. Thanks for your support with this fantastic programme.
We are starting to learn songs for our school musical this week and the show is in week 9, in the town hall. EXCITING!
We have welcomed 3 new students to Room 1 and they have all made a fantastic start to school life. We welcome also their families to our school community.
This week we continue with our Firewise programme. Everyone should have their DVD and homework book for this unit of work.
Also if you have a family photo at home could you please send it to school or email it to us at school.  We are looking at our whanau this week in RE as part of belonging to a community.
We wish Chrissy all the best for the start of her treatment this week and thank her for all the fantastic help she has given both the students and teachers in Room 1 and 2. We will miss her heaps.
We welcome Mrs Conner who will be working in Room 1 and 2 in the mornings from week 3.
Have a happy and fun filled week, take care.
Julie and Sue

Monday, July 21, 2014

Week 1 Term 3

Welcome back to term 3.
We hope that everyone had a great holiday.
Room 1 welcomed Taine and Bella today.

This term is a very exciting and busy term. We have the school musical at the end of this term which the whole school is involved in. Exciting! We will need help with costumes - more about this soon.

Also the school cross-country will be held on Wednesday 6 August so we are training for cross country as part of our fitness programme.  It would be a good idea for children to bring running shoes to school each day.

PMP this term will only be on Wednesdays. If you are able to help please fill in the timetable on Room 1 door. This is from 2pm for a set up, PMP starts at 2.15pm and finishes at 2.50pm.

Reading homework is every night and homework books are to go home.

Please feel free to join us for….
Assembly this week at 2.15pm in the hall.

Have a happy and safe week

Julie and Sue

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Week 9

Wow last week of term 2!!!
What an exciting term it has been and lots of great learning experiences.
Skating tomorrow Monday and Wesnesday.
Poems will be presented in class on Tuesday. A few children will say their poems on Thursday, parents are welcome to join the school for this.
Please make sure you are seeing homework books each night.
Have a happy and safe week and a great holiday. Thanks to all the parents who have helped with skating.
No PMP this week with skating.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Week 8 Term 2 2014

Week 8 Term 2

Hi everyone

Only two weeks left this term and heaps to fit in!

Ice skating starts this week on Tuesday 24 and Thursday 26 June.  We will be catching the bus to the pool and our time is 11.00-12.00.  Parents are very welcome to help.  Children need to have a warm jacket, track pants, gloves and a helmet.  Could you write your child's shoe size on their hand as it makes it much easier fitting the children with skates.  On Tuesday the four Room 2 children who go swimming will need their togs with them as they will walk to the pool straight after ice-skating.

Also hopefully everyone is busy practising their Eisteddfod poems.  We will be listening to these next Monday 30 June.  If your child doesn't have a poem please see us or write a note and we will help them find one.

School Mass is this Sunday 29 June celebrating the feast of St John the Baptist and Saints Peter and Paul. Children are to wear their winter school uniform and meet us at 8.50 outside the church.  Families are asked to bring a plate for a shared morning tea and a food bank item for the Offertory.  New Entrants will be receiving their Bibles at this Mass.

Have a great week,

Sue and Julie

Monday, June 16, 2014

Week 7 Term 2 2014

Wow week 7 already.
We hope that everyone had a fabulous weekend.
This week on Wednesday we have our school hockey tournament at the turf in Alexandra. Children are to wear house colours but also need to wear clothes they can play hockey in. We will be leaving school at 12.30pm and having our lunch at the park. If you are able to walk with us that would be great.
On Thursday Mrs Flannery will be at a meeting with Mrs Eastwood and Mrs Banks will be teaching in Room 1.
Mini hockey is this weekend in Cromwell, please let me know if your child cannot play.
Homework books will be going home every day this week, starting tomorrow for Room 1. Could you please make sure these are returned in reading bags everyday. Poetry books need to be signed in the weekend and returned on a Monday.  Reading every night and signed off please.
Today in RE we finished our lessons on the Holy Spirit and all children were able to share their understanding of the Holy Spirit.
Tomorrow we start the God strand and information about this from the Family books will be in children's homework books.
Have a happy and safe week
Julie and Sue


Sunday, June 8, 2014

Week 6 Term 2

Week 6 Term 2

Hi everyone

We hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Last week we were lucky enough to watch the Kahurangi dance group perform songs and the story of Matariki.  The children really enjoyed this performance.  Room 1 has written a class thank you letter to the group and Room 2 are writing recounts about the performance.

This Friday the New Zealand Playhouse is performing Rap-unzel for the whole school at 1.30. A big thank you to the PTA who has paid for both performances.

Swimming continues on Tuesday and Friday for the 6 year olds in Room 2.

For Maori the children are learning their mihi.  Room 1 has their mihi pasted into their poetry book and Room 2's is in their homework book.  Could you please help your child practise these at home.

Also before we know it, it will be Eisteddfod time again.  This term it is poetry.  Your child will need to say a poem in front of the class in Week 8.  It can be quite short e.g. a nursery rhyme, or a poem from their poetry book, or a poem you have found in a book or online etc.

Have a good week

Sue and Julie

Monday, May 26, 2014

Eye tracking


Pmp


Week 4 Term 2

We hope that everyone had a great weekend. The next few days are going to be a little chilly. Some children had very cold feet today, so if your child would like to bring slippers to wear in the classroom that would be fine. These can go home at night or stay at school.

PMP- thanks to all parents who have offered to help with this programme. Our groups are all now set up and the children have been working on the positional language of PMP in the classroom programme.

The children will have hockey lessons on Thursday and Friday this week.

This week on Friday we will be attending church at 12pm. Assembly at 2.15pm in the hall and you are all very welcome to join us. Also on Friday morning you are welcome to go to the staff room and join Sue from the PTA for a culpa.

Please remember the meeting on Wednesday night. You will all be given an invite on Monday.

Also some children in Room 2 will be bringing home 5 spelling words to learn.  These will all be easy 2/3 letter words which will enable your child to practise using their tools and also increase the number of sight words he or she can write independently.  On Tuesday, they fill in Day 1 as follows.  Say the word, tool it, cover it and then try to write it correctly, putting in the sound lines. This is repeated each day and the words will be tested in class on a Friday.

Please come and see us if you have any problems or concerns. We are here to help.

Have a happy and safe week.
Stay warm
Julie and Sue

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Week 3 Term 2

Welcome to week 3 news.
I was really impressed by the children's listening and taking part in the small sticks in schools program with me on Friday. Well done. The children will get 4 hockey lessons as part of this programme. Then at the conclusion of the session we will have a school hockey tournament.  This week the children will have two more lessons on Thursday and Friday. If they have sticks or other gear they are welcome to bring it on Thursday and Friday this week.
PMP program me starts this week, thank you to those who have put their names on the roster on Room 1 door. We do need some more parent help so please if you are able pop your name down. Training for this programme will take place on Wednesday at 12.45pm in the hall. I am happy to train on the day too. This is an excellent program me with amazing equipment that really helps children's learning, but relies on parents to help. So a big thank you.
Mini hockey (unsticks this week in Cromwell) is this Sunday in Cromwell, please let me know if your child is available to play.
Have a happy and safe week
Julie and Sue

Monday, May 12, 2014

Week 2 Term 2

We hope that everyone had a great Mother's Day.
A big thank you to all the Mothers that joined us for the Mother's Day cafe. The children were all very excited about you coming and we hope you enjoyed it. It was great to have your support.
This week Mrs Flannery has classroom release on Tuesday and Mrs Donaldson will be teaching.
PMP- we really need parents to make this programme work. If you are able to help please write your name on the roster on the Room 1 door.
Assembly this week at 2.10pm on Friday. You are very welcome to come along.
We have one pair of new size 3-5 green winter tights  for sale- $8. If you would like to try them
Julie has them.

Have a great week

Julie and Sue




Monday, May 5, 2014

Week 1 Term 2

Welcome back
A very big welcome to Charlotte and JayT who started in Room 1 today.
We hope that everyone had a great holiday. Term 2 is 9 weeks and we have lots of learning to pack into this time. Skating this term and swimming for 6 year olds.
This term we also start PMP and this will start next week.  PMP will be on Mondays and Wednesday from 2.15 till 2.50. We need parents to set up at 2.05pm if you are able to help the roster is on Room 1's door. A meeting to help you understand PMP will be held next Monday at 1pm. If you would like to learn more about the programme. It is a perceptual motor program me which helps children with their fine motor skills and general development.
For Mothers day room 1 and 2 children will host a cafe which will be open for morning tea this Thursday at 11am. The children will bring home an invitation today. Your child is welcome to have one adult for the morning tea (mother, grandma or mums friend).
The pie warmer is up and running. Children are welcome to bring pies, toastie pies, sausages, cheese rolls etc to be heated up. These need to be wrapped in tin foil and have names and class written clearly in permanent marker.
Hockey starts this weekend on Sunday in Cromwell, could you please text or email me if your child can play and how many kids packs your family needs. (these are $2 and get your child, chips and a drink) Julie 0275314097
Reading is up and running and all children will have a reading book to read to you tonight. Please sign this every night.

Have a happy and safe week
Julie and Sue

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Week 11

Hi everyone

Well the first term has just flown by!

Julie and I have been at a writing course at Cromwell today and we are full of exciting ideas to try in our writing programme next term.

Tomorrow is a very busy day for the junior school as we are sharing our talents with the elderly at Ranui as one of our acts of kindness for this term.  Please ensure your child has a jacket in case it is raining.

Then in the afternoon we have the Easter Liturgy in the church at 2.00 and we hope to see you there if you can make it.  Each class is presenting part of the Liturgy and the songs are great!

Have a happy and safe Easter and enjoy the holidays.

Sue and Julie

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Week 10

Dear Parents,
We hope that everyone had a great weekend.
This week on Tuesday night we need as many children as possible to sing at Sue Roys leaving terrace kindergarten too. Please, please let me know tomorrow Monday if you are able to bring your child along. The children need to be there at 6.45pm and can be collected again  at 7.15pm.
Wednesday - Caritas  activity day in the afternoon children to wear house colours
and bring $2 for the Caritas Appeal
If your child would like to play hockey please come to the meeting on Tuesday at 4.30pm.
Have a great week
Julie and Sue

Monday, March 31, 2014

Junior school singing

Next Tuesday at 7pm at the Cellar Door there is a function for Sue Roy who is retiring from Terrace Kindergarten. We have been asked to perform a song. This will be Room 1,2 and 3 children who are available next Tuesday night. The children will need to be there at 6.45 and will be able to leave just after 7. The song we are singing is I wish.
Please let me know if your child is able to come.
Many thanks
Julie

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Week 9

Welcome to week 9.
This week Room 1 are visiting Terrace Kindy on Monday morning.
On Tuesday night Mrs Flannery is heading to Christchurch with Mr Hogue for a course and will not be back till Friday night. Mrs Wright will be teaching Room 1 and 2 and the normal programme will continue.
Reading every night and children also need to get a short prayer ready to read at the start of next week (week 10).  You can google a prayer or pop in and see us and we can give your child one from our resources at school.
Have a happy week,
Julie and Sue

Monday, March 24, 2014

Week 8

I hope that everyone had a super long weekend.
This week on Thursday at 9am room 1 will be visiting Alex Kindy. If you are able to walk with us please let me know. Next week on  Monday we will visit Terrace kindy please let me know if you are able to walk with us.
Thursday discovery afternoon we would love some helpers. 
Reading everynight and room 2 have study ladder to go on.
Have a happy week
Julie

Ps please make sure you have added your email to the gadget on the side of the blog. Then you will get updates when i add information.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Week 7

WOW WEEK 7
Hope that everyone had a super weekend.
St Patricks day Monday and children are aloud to dress up in green for the day to celebrate St Patrick.
On Tuesday Mrs Donaldson will be in Room 1 for teacher classroom release.
On Wednesday we have Cyber Busters show at 1.30pm till 2.10pm. We have Millers Flat and Omakau coming to join us. As part of our PE this week we will be playing some games with them from 12pm.
On Thursday we have our discovery time and would love some parent help with this. Our topic is making a difference to someones day. If you could help from 1.30pm until 3pm please let me know.
On Friday all teachers are going to be in Dunedin for the Gathering of catholic schools. Please let us know if your child will be at school on this day as we need to know numbers.
Have a happy week
Julie and Sue

PS Please remember to go to the gadget on the side of the blog and pop in your email so that you get emails when we add to the Blog.


Monday, March 10, 2014

Week 6

We hope that everyone had a great weekend.
This week at this stage we have no interruptions amazing.
We are looking for helpers for discovery time on Thursday from 1.30pm to 3pm.
I have some nectarines in class for brainfood, the children are very welcome to these.
We are doing jump jam for fitness this week.
Homework is reading every night. Poem on Friday, could you please sign this. We would really appreciate that the homework books come back to school everyday. This is because we are adding words every day.
We have 10 clean sounds that we are working on in class these will go into children's homework books on Tuesday.
Congratulations to the Ryan family on the arrival of Tommy.
Have a happy and safe week
Julie and Sue

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Discovery time

Discovery time is not on this week but next Thursday afternoon.
If you can help please let me know.
Talk to your children about what they could do for the topic Acts of Kindness.
Thanks

Friday, February 28, 2014

Week 6

I hope that everyone has or has had a great weekend.
What stars all your children were at the swimming sports.
Please add your email to the side of the blog page where it says follow by email. This means that when anything is posted you will receive an email notification.
This week we have the triathlon on Thursday afternoon. If possible the children could bring their bikes to school on Monday and Tuesday to practice.
Homework this week will be reading every night and a poem on Friday. If children could keep their homework books in their book bags please. We are adding words from reading into this and would like to check these words every day. (These words are in a word caterpillar)
Discovery this week is focused on Acts of Kindness. If you are able to help us on Thursday afternoon with activities that would be great, please let us know.
On Thursday children will wear sports gear.
On Friday we have assembly at 2.10pm, please feel free to join us.
Have a great week
Julie and Sue

Monday, February 24, 2014

swimming

Please see the school newsletter for all info about swimming tomorrow. (Online, last weeks)
Children to be dropped at the pool and to wear house colours.
Junior sports start at about 10.15am. Children  will be bused back to school at 12pm.
Thanks heaps

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Week 4

Hope everyone had a great weekend:-)
This week the swimming sports are on Tuesday. Will post more information about this on Monday:-)
Have a great week remember just ask if you have any questions.
Julie and Sue

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Week 3

Thanks everyone for attending the school mass on Sunday.
We welcome Jelena and Otis to Room 1, happy school days.
We are swimming this week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Also this week Mrs Wright and Mrs Flannery have classroom release on Wednesday and Mrs Donaldson will be teaching.
The children have all settled in well and getting into the swing of learning and the routines of school.
We have a school assembly on Friday at 2.10pm in the hall, you are all very welcome. Also on Friday we will be attending mass at 12pm in the church. This will be happening where possible every second Friday.
Swimming sports are next week.
Have a happy and safe week
Julie and Sue

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Week 2

Welcome everyone,
Today we have sent home homework books.
The blogs will be all go next week.
I will be adding a gadget and by clicking on this and adding your email you will get notifications when new  information is added to the blog.
Have a happy and fun filled week
Julie

Week 9 Important information

Hi everyone Well, this is the last blog for the year. The time has just flown by! What's on this week? Junior School Christmas Crafts...