Camp Meeting

For the parents attending camp there will be a meeting on Thursday 13th August at 6.30pm. 

Please let me know if this time does not suit as it would be great to see all parents who are coming on camp at this meeting to ensure we are all on the same page :) 

Cheers

Jo

Week 2 Term 3

Hi everyone,

I hope you all had a great weekend. I managed to get to the 7 a-side Rugby tournament in Alex on Saturday and enjoyed watching some awesome St Gerard's boys playing rugby. A big Congrats to the Alex Prem Rugby team who won the Central Otago competition on Saturday!! It was a very exciting game!

This week:
I have release on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning which means Mr Hogue will be in Room 5 teaching science. 
Thursday - swimming 9.15-10.15. Thanks to those parents who helped by taking children to the pool. It would be great if children could take a jacket and or warm hat to put on once we leave the pool as it was a freezing morning last week.
Friday - Assembly led by Room 1 &2 and Mass led by Room 3 - please come along and join us.

Interviews:
These are based on your child's report that you received at the end of last term.  I will have a copy of your child's report for the interview. These interviews will be directed by the parent to discuss any questions or concerns that you have from the information I gave in the report. 

Camp:
Thank you to those of you who promptly returned the risk disclosure form for camp last week. If this hasn't been returned, please ensure it is handed in this week. If you have any questions or concerns about camp please don't hesitate to contact me.

Have a great week

Jo

Term 3 week 1

Hi everyone

Welcome back to the third term!! It's crazy that we are half way through the year already! I hope you all had a great break and managed to keep warm.

Room 5 continues to grow - this term we welcome Max back from Queenstown. We now have 21 children in our class.

Camp:
A notice went home yesterday with all of the information for camp. Week 5 is going to be upon us in no time so please ensure you are beginning to gather and organise gear for camp. If you need to borrow anything please let me know and I will get it put onto the class blog and in the newsletter. Please ensure payment is either paid or sorted (fundraising) at the office as I need to pay most of our expenses before we head off to camp. If your child will be needing medication or if they have a medical condition, please let me know ASAP. If you have any questions or concerns about camp please get in touch with me.

Swimming:
We have our river safety swimming in the first 4 weeks of this term. We swim on a Thursday from 9.15-10.15. The dates are as follows; Thurs 23rd July, Thurs 30th July, Thurs 6th August, Thurs 13th August, and FRIDAY 4th September. This is a tricky time to get everyone to the pool so I ask that children are dropped at the pool or are allowed to walk directly there. If your child will be at school or will be coming on a bus we will get them to the pool either by Mrs Eastwood or any parents who are dropping off other children to school and then heading to the pool (if you are happy to pick up kids from school and drop them at the pool, it would be fantastic). I will be at the pool from about 8.45am. We will walk back to school after swimming. Thursday mornings for the first part of the term will be a bit messy, but it all seems to work out perfectly!!
If you child will not be swimming, I need to be informed either by a note or email please.

Homework:
Maths homework, reading and an in class project (that can be worked on at home if your child chooses). Homework due in on Friday :)

Interviews:
The upcoming interviews will be based around the report you received at the end of last term. If you need clarification about anything on your child's report, this will be discussed at your interview. Please see the link below for bookings.

Upcoming dates:

~ Thursday 23^rd -- Swimming - Children to wear their full tracksuits please

~ Week 2 -- Book Week 27^th–31^st July.

~ 28^th-29^th July --Year 4-8 Parent Interviews - Tuesday and Wednesday 3.15-5 pm. If you haven’t booked already please go to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz, enter the code FJVGF, and choose a time and day that suits you.

~ Wednesday 12^th August (afternoon) – School Cross Country.

Have a great week!

Jo

CAMP INFO

Hi team,

I'm just posting this notice that will get handed out on day one incase you want to start getting gear organised over the last few days of holidays. The parents who are coming on camp are listed on the notice. Sorry for the late notice - I realise most of you need to take time off work. If you have any problems attending camp if things have changed for you, please email me ASAP.

Please note the cost of parents skiing on camp has decreased as we booked in time to get a special offer which is great!! If you have any questions or concerns about any information on this notice please get in touch.

Hope you're all having a great holidays and you're enjoying having your kiddies at home with you :)

Thanks heaps

Jo

Years 5 & 6 Ski Week

19^th – 21^st August 2015 

Dear Parents,

Most things have fallen into place and we can now just hope that the snow and weather are favourable.  Thank you to those of you who have offered to come on our camp. It’s going to be a great 3 days!!

Parent Helpers:

Kendra Breen, Claire Cockburn, Vaughn Healey, George Flannery, Charlie O’Neill and Kevin Timms. The drivers will be Kendra, Vaughn, George, Charlie and Kevin. Vehicles that the children are travelling in will be shared closer to the time.

What to bring:

Below is a list of clothing requirements for the trip.  The weather can be very changeable on our mountains so everyone should come well prepared.  It is suggested that if students do not have all of the following they should beg or borrow it for the trip. Selene Scobie has a pair of size 12 ski pants that she is happy to lend out for camp. If you need any gear please let me know and I can put a list on our blog and in the newsletter to save people going out and buying new gear. Remember, several thin layers are better than one thick layer of clothing.  Please be sure that your child has sunscreen and sunglasses/goggles as the altitude, clear skies (we hope) and facing the snow all day leads to increased exposure of UV rays.

• 2 x polyprop or merino long johns underwear
• Jacket – waterproof AND windproof
• 2 pairs trousers/track pants NO JEANS
• Overtrousers (waterproof) or ski suit with polyprop/lycra or merino leggings
• 2 x Polyprops, skivvies or shirts, jersey (woollen/merino)
• 3 pairs socks, woollen if possible, a pair of thin socks (in the hut)
• 3 changes of undies
• Hat or balaclava (woollen/polar fleece)
• Helmet
• Hi Visibility vest – All children have been issued one of these from school.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen factor 15 or above
• Gloves (waterproof) and a spare pair
• Sleeping bag, - sheet to cover the mattress, pillow
• 2 towels
• Toilet gear – tooth brush, tooth paste, face cloth, brush/comb
• Pyjamas
• Slippers or runners for inside the hut
• Gumboots or suitable older shoes for outside the hut.
• Handkerchiefs/tissues, camera (optional) or i-pod (for photos only), 1 pencil, pen and rubber in a plastic bag – coloured pencils optional
• An indoor game to share and a book.
• Separate back pack - packed lunch and two drinks (sturdy drink bottles that will last), food for morning and afternoon snacks, 1 bag scroggin, hat, sun screen, gloves, goggles/sunglasses, hi visibility jacket, helmet attached.

Because of the altitude, cold temperatures and energy expended it is important that the students eat and drink plenty during the day so take plenty of food for the first day as well as those energy snacks to keep in pockets. Plenty of food and fluids are essential when skiing!!  A hearty snack will be provided each day about 4pm on the return to the hut.

Accommodation is at the Vincent Ski Hut, which is on the left just inside car park number 5.  Sleeping facilities are 2 bunkrooms with curtained off cubicles.  Parents will sleep amongst the students.  There is to be no food in the bunkroom area.

To be handed in at school no later than Friday 14^th August

2 small named bags of scroggin (for days 2 and 3 of skiing) – make sure you keep one with you, as you need this for the first day.

Medications:

Those students who require medication should bring spare supplies in a named plastic bag by Friday 14^th August – it will be carried as part of the 1^st aid kit.  Any medication administered while on camp will be recorded and parents informed on our return.

Cost:

The accommodation and food cost for parents will be covered within the costs of this camp, Parents will pay for their own skiing. If anyone has any difficulties with this please remember that you may contact myself or Mrs Eastwood. As soon as the food budget is confirmed the exact cost for students and parents will be available.  At present the estimate is $300 per student and $120 per skiing parent (this has been reduced due to us booking in time for more free of charge adults). Could the estimate amount be paid to the school office ASAP. Reimbursements will be made where necessary. Those fundraising please make contact with Mrs Eastwood in relation to your payment.

Food:

I will be discussing food with the ‘ helpers’ once we return from holiday. All families will be asked to donate either baking, muesli bars or small packets of chips - this information will be given to you closer to the time. Children will need to bring their own cereal if they want it for breakfast – this needs to be in a named bag and in class by Friday 14^th August. Bread for toast will be supplied out of the camp budget.

Parent Meeting Thursday 13^th August for those parents going on camp. Purpose: to share expectations, answer any questions, finalise travel arrangements and address BOT requirements regarding vehicles and chains.

Emergency Contacts and Health Profile Forms are not being sent out as we are using the ones that you did at the beginning of the year (to save you doing it all again). If your child has any issues or medical information (travel sickness, homesickness, bed wetting, headaches etc.) please inform me through email ASAP – jopassmore@stgerards.school.nz. Thanks J

Any parents wishing to visit or come and ski for the day with us are welcome.

Regards,

Jo Passmore