We celebrated many successes in Term 2; our Inquiry focus on ‘Changing Landforms’ was very enlightening, particularly with regard to a better understanding of Auckland’s landforms, which was highlighted by our ‘Volcanoes of Auckland’ trip.

Our ‘Thriving Thursdays’ programme has allowed for meeting a greater range of learning needs and students are thoroughly enjoying the range of choices. This term there will be some changes to the programme, as follows;

9.00-10.40: GATE Art, Boys in Schools, Buildling Confidence in oral presenting / speech making

11.00-12.30: All students in Rooms 10,11 & 12 will be split into a variety of Strand Maths programmes aimed at targeting particular identified needs, and with a focus on ‘hands-on’ activities, such as cooking. It will cover volume, weight, capacity and temperature.

1.00-1.30: Choir

2.00-2.45: ICT, Readers Theatre, Yearbook, NZ Sign Language, Play reading, Science Experiments, French, Chess

Parent help with Strand Maths activities or the afternoon rotations would be greatly appreciated. You do not need to be an expert!! Please fill out and return the form on the backif you are happy to contribute time to any of the above.

Sadly, we will not have time to run our usual Electives programme this term; however, we do feel that our Thursday programmes make up for this.

Our Inquiry focus this term for Rooms 7 and 8 is ‘Change’, with particular focus on the Coatesville context.

Also, Rooms 7 and 8 will begin cross-grouping for Numeracy this term, which will be of great benefit to students.

We are planning to tie this into our production which we will begin preparing for later in the term. At this stage, we are intending to hold a performance for the Junior school on Wednesday morning, and two night performances on Wednesday and Thursday evenings of week 10 for families. Once again , we would thoroughly appreciate any offers of assistance with costumes, stage sets etc., and will give further details about this closer to the time. Also, it is very important that teachers are informed well in advance if your child will be unable to attend any of these performances.

Our main focus at the beginning of term is the presentation of speeches. The important dates for this are as follows;

Week 5 Syndicate semi-final presentations (Wednesday 31 Aug 9.10am)

Students and teachers only

10 - 12 children then chosen for finals

Week 6 School finals in the library (Mon 05 Sept at 7pm)

To be judged by Richard Johnson and Marilyn Shaftoe

Parents and extended family invited.

Inter-school finals at Kristen School Thurs 08 Sept 1.30pm.

Week 8 Yr 3 &4 finals (Thurs 22 Sept)

We are sadly fare welling Nicola Gilkison from Totara team, as she begins her new role as the Room 3 teacher. However, we are thrilled to have the addition of Amelia McNabb, who will teach Thriving Thursday programmes and will release Shirley Jensen for ICT duties on Fridays.

Once again, we look forward to seeing you both formally and informally during the term.

Kind regards

Prue Blackmore (on behalf of Totara Team teachers)