Term 2 - Week 8

Kia ora Kākano whānau!

The shortest day of the year (in terms of sunlight hours) occurs on Tuesday this week and marks the winter solstice. This also brings cooler weather for the next few weeks, so make sure you wrap up warm each morning before coming to school. Fingers crossed the rain stays away this week and we get lots of time out in the fresh air. Our play provocations continue to be around planet earth and beyond this week. 

Congratulations to Klara in K6 who won the Young Vinnies talent show last week. Your creativity and originality made you shine like the super star you are Klara! Well done!

Matariki Public Holiday - School closed on Friday

This year marks the first year that we have an official public holiday to celebrate Matariki on June 24th. In Māori culture, Matariki is both the name of the Pleiades star cluster and of the celebration of its first rising in late June or early July. This marks the beginning of the new year in the Māori lunar calendar. Matariki is a time for celebration, growth and renewal. It's a chance to get together and remember whānau who have died, share food, tell stories, sing and play music. Enjoy your Matariki holiday and time spent with whānau.

Sacred Heart Mass

On Thursday at 11:30am in the church, we are celebrating the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart of Jesus that began beating in the womb of Mary still beats today in the glorified humanity of the Risen Christ. In the heart of the Lord, we experience the overwhelming mercy of God and His infinite desire to be in a relationship with us. One way is to talk with the Lord and share your heart with him in prayer. You are all welcome to join us in this celebration at Mass. 

The week ahead:

Monday: Normal school day

Tuesday: Normal school day

Wednesday: Normal school day

Thursday: Scared Heart Mass at 11:30 in the church

Friday: No school - Matariki Public Holiday

We  hope you keep nice and warm in the cooler weather coming this week.

See you tomorrow

The Kākano Teachers

Term 2 - Week 7

Kia ora Kākano whānau!

Well, winter feels like it is well and truly here.  It has felt like the rain has not stopped falling for days.  Here's hoping the sun will start to shine again soon. June also starts the month of Matariki, over the next two weeks our play focus is on planet earth and beyond.  The teachers will be providing opportunities for the children to participate to extend their learning around this.

The young vinnies have been running a talent show, we have several Kākano children in the finals and will be there to support them on Monday.

Sickness

As we move into winter we are being notified of more illnesses going around our classroom.  Last week we had children away with chicken pox, step throat, vomiting and diarrhea as well as a virus that is causing high fevers.  We ask that if your child is sick please keep them home.  Giving them pain relief is not enough, they need rest.  

Please also remind your child about hand washing and sanitise when entering school and the classroom.

Uniform

We have noticed many children are wearing items of clothing that are not part of the school uniform.  Please make sure your child has the correct school uniform when they leave home if they don't please send a note to the teacher so we are aware of why they do not have the correct uniform. 

Girls need blue skivvy, tunic, navy socks/stockings, and black leather shoes.  They need their hair tied up with hair ties in school colours (Red, Blue, Black, Brown). If they have clips or hair bands they also have to be in these colours.

Boys need grey shorts, blue polo or skivvy, grey socks and black leather shoes.

The school jersey is the knitted wool one, the polar fleece is an extra layer to wear to and from school and in the playground.  If we head to the hall or church they will have to remove their polar fleece

Toast

The children are really enjoying having the toast back in the mornings.  They are learning how to use the toaster, and make their toasts with spreads they then have to wash and dry their plate after they have eaten.

We are still able to provide the bread, but we are asking for donations of spreads for the children to use.  If you are in the position to supply a spread the children will gratefully have them.

Boxes and recycling

We all have recycling and the children love to use these materials in their artwork.  We always have the need for these materials.
What is useful

* Cereal Boxes

* Egg cartons

* Clean yoghurt containers 

* Bottle tops. Milk, beer etc

* Old newspaper, flyers, magazines etc

* Fabric pieces

* Wool off cuts

* Untreated wood off cuts

If you have something that you are not sure of please check with the teachers,

This week we really need some clean glass jars with lids.

Other things we are always looking for 

* Old pots and pans

* Old kitchen equipment

* Sheets

We  hope you keep nice and warm and dry today and we will all see you tomorrow

The Kākano Teachers

Term 2 - Week 6

Kia ora Kākano whānau!

We hope you have had a great long weekend and have kept safe and dry.

REMINDER: Tuesday 7th June is a Teacher Only Day.

There will be no school. If you are needing childcare then please contact Maryanne Rolling on 0211215599. The teachers are out on a course at John Paul College all day.

It will be a short and sweet week for our tamariki in class this week and we look forward to seeing them all on Wednesday. The teachers will still be sending home their reading homework this week. However this will most likely be a review of some of the concepts they have already been learning about, rather than a new book. 

Attending Pentecost Mass last week was a highlight of our school year, as it was the first time we have all been in the church together as a school! The children were very well behaved and their singing was beautiful. Have you had a chance to ask them what Pentecost is all about?

The week ahead:

Tuesday: Teacher Only Day

Wednesday: Normal school day

Thursday: Normal School day

Friday: Sausage Sizzle & Juicies $1.50 each / Rollerskating club at lunchtime

Kia pai to rā,

Kākano Teachers

Term 2 - Week 5

Tālofa lava!  This week is Samoa Language week.

Samoa Language Week celebrates the identity, language, and culture of students from Samoa and students whose families are from Samoa.  Throughout the week there will be activities children can participate in during class time as well as lunch breaks.

Why not try learning some words or phrases to use at home this week…

• Tālofa lava: Hello (formal)

• Mālō le soifua: Hello/Good health

• ‘O ā mai 'oe? How are you? (to one person only)

• Manuia fa‘afetai: Good, thank you

• Manuia le aso: Have a great day

• Tōfā soifua: Good bye (formal)

Our Learning

This week sees our morning play change to a different curriculum area.  Over the next two weeks children will have the opportunity to develop their skills as scientists.  Teachers will be supporting the children to use the science capabilities such as observing, inferring, and gathering data while conducting simple science experiments.

We continue to be impressed with the perseverance of all our children in their reading and writing.  It is always a pleasure to see children trying their best and working hard to achieve their own personal learning goals.

This term, in maths, we continue to develop our knowledge around number.  We will also be looking at measurement which includes volume, length as well as time (days of the week, months of the year).  Measurement is a wonderful learning area where children are able to use their knowledge of number to solve real life problems.

Ko Hāta Maria Icon

We are incredibly lucky to have the icon Ko Hāta Maria - Holy Mary in our parish.  All children in Kākano will visit and learn about this beautiful icon during the week.  

Pentecost Mass

This Friday, 9am, Kākano children will be running our whole school Mass.  All families are welcome to join us in the church.  It will great to have our community celebrate Mass with us again.  We also have two of our Kākano teachers, Mrs Thomson and Mrs Mareroa being invited into the Catholic church.

Pentecost is a special time in our church and is known as the Birthday of the Church.  Our learning in RE this week will be about Pentecost and the gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit.

The week ahead

Monday: Gym at lunchtime - girls bring a change of clothes

Tuesday: Book Club at lunchtime

Wednesday: Kākano children visit the icon (11:15 - 11:45)

Thursday: Normal School day

Friday: Pentecost Mass (9am in the Church) / Sausage Sizzle & Juicies $1.50 each / Rollerskating club at lunchtime

Teacher only day

Tuesday 7th June is a Teacher Only Day. The Teachers at St Mary’s will be joining John Paul College for this day’s focus of ‘Matariki’. There will be no school for children on this day. If you require childcare you can contact Maryanne Rolling on 0211 215599.

Have a lovely Sunday and enjoy your week. I will be away from school again this week as I continue to recover from surgery. I look forward to seeing everyone again in Week 6.

Tōfā soifua,

Miss Ryan

Term 2 - Week 3

Thanks so much to all our Parents, Caregivers and students who came to our 3-way Conferences this week. It was great to catch up with you all and discuss your child's progress and next steps.

School Photos

On Monday morning we have our school photos. Our classes are up first so there will be little chance to get dirty. We will make sure all our tamariki are looking just right for the photos. Boys are to have their woollen jerseys on and girls are to wear their skivvy and tunic with long hair tied back. Please can you ensure your child’s jerseys are named too, in case they take them off!

Teacher Only Day

Tuesday 7th June is a Teacher Only Day. The Teachers at St Mary’s will be joining John Paul College for this day’s focus of ‘Matariki’. There will be no school for children on this day. If you require childcare you can contact Maryanne Rolling on 0211 215599.

Principal for the day

Next week the PTA are running a raffle. The main prize is to be Principal for a day. The tickets are $2 each.

This is usually a silent auction at the Gala, but as we haven't had one instead they are running a raffle. The tickets are $2. If you would like to buy a ticket just give the money to your teacher on Monday to Wednesday next week. The draw will be made next Friday.

Structured Literacy Information Session

Are you curious about the new approach to spelling and reading taking place at school? You may have learned a little about this at your parent conference this week. 

Come along and learn about the structured literacy approach, what this means for your child and how you can support their learning at home.

Our consultant, Marion Kirby from Learning Matters will give you a brief overview of how the brain learns to read - you may learn a thing or two yourself!

See you upstairs in the Staffroom at 3 pm this  Wednesday the 18th of May. Tea, Coffee and snacks provided. 

The week ahead

Monday: Gym at lunchtime - girls bring a change of clothes

School Photos

Tuesday: Book Club at lunchtime

Wednesday: Structured Literacy Parent Information Session - 3pm in the staffroom

Thursday: Normal School day

Friday: Sausage Sizzle & Juicies $1.50 each 

Rollerskating club at lunchtime

Library Day for Kakano 5

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday

See you tomorrow

Miss Ryan

Term 2 - Week 2

Happy Mothers Day to all our wonderful mums.  We hope you have had a lovely day with your children.

Three-Way Conferences

These are happening on Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th after school - this is in week 2. Please ensure you book a time to come, with your child, to discuss their progress and their next learning steps. Thank you to those parents who have already made a booking. 

You can still make bookings by doing one of the following:

1) Go to the School App and then the Links section then School Interviews. Enter the code akwma

2)  Go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and enter the event code akwma

 

The week ahead

Monday: Gym at lunchtime - girls bring a change of clothes

Tuesday: Three-Way Learning conferences (please book an appointment)

Wednesday: Three-Way Learning conferences (please book an appointment)

Thursday: Normal School day

Friday: Sausage Sizzle & Juicies $1.50 each  Rollerskating club at lunchtime

Term 2 - Week 1

Welcome back! We hope you have had a wonderful break and got plenty of rest and relaxation along the way. We are looking forward to seeing your tamariki tomorrow in their winter uniforms and hearing all about their holidays. 

Welcome to our new families joining St. Mary’s. We are looking forward to getting to know your tamariki and developing relationships with them and yourselves. There are lots of new friends to make that will be starting school on the same day and I’m sure there are children they may already know in our kakano space.

Three Way Conferences

These are happening on Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th after school - this is in week 2. Please ensure you book a time to come, with your child, to discuss their progress and their next learning steps. Thank you to those parents who have already made a booking. 

You can still make bookings by doing one of the following:

1) Go to the School App and then the Links section then School Interviews. Enter the code akwma

2)  Go to www.school interviews.co.nz and enter the event code akwma

Library

The library is one of the many rooms in the school that was recarpeted during the holidays. The contractors were on a tight time schedule to get the carpeting done. As a result, the library will be closed until it is able to be reset.  Library days are likely to be affected - we will keep you updated throughout the week.

Holiday Reading Logs

Bring these back to school this week to help your class go in the draw to win pizza and chips for lunch. The classes with the most reading logs returned are eligible to go in the draw. Remember - if mum/dad/aunty/grandpa etc have read you a book during the holidays, this counts as one of your entries. If you have lost your reading log, write down on a piece of paper what you have read or what has been read to you. PLEASE make sure that your NAME and CLASS are written on your reading log.

Reminders / Changes

• School starts at 8.45 am for all students. There will not be staff at the gates in the morning and students will be permitted to come into school as they arrive. We do ask that you drop your child off at a reasonable time.

• School finishes at 3.00 pm for all students except bus students who will leave their classrooms at 2.50 pm.

• Students are to sanitise their hands as they come through the school gates

• If your child is late to school they must report to the office before they go to class.

• If your child needs to isolate because they have Covid they must isolate for 7 days, effectively 5 days of school. There will no longer be a Home Learning programme offered to students who are absent. Children should just focus on getting well.

• Winter uniform is to be worn. We do appreciate that some uniform items are unavailable at the moment.

 

Mother’s Day Gifts

Our wonderful PTA have organised Mother’s Day Gifts for your children to purchase. These are available this week from Wednesday to Friday. The gifts are $3 each if you are wanting to purchase one or more.

The week ahead

Monday: Gym at lunchtime - girls bring a change of clothes

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday: Sausage Sizzle & Juicies $1.50 each

            Rollerskating club

Upcoming events

Week 2 - Tuesday 10th = 3:15-6:45 & Wednesday 11th = 3:15-5:45 - Three Way Conferences

Week 3 - Monday 16th - School Photos are being taken. More information will come home closer to the day.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday

Kakano Teachers