Final Week - please bring bags for books

Hi team,

Please if you see this blog bring a large bag for school books which will be returning home today!

Thanks

Mrs Lyon

p.s. - Mufti - for a tin donation to the foodbank!

Term 4, Week 9

Hi All,

Coming up this week

Life Education Bus - Room 5 has 4 sessions this week on the bus.  2 on Tuesday and 2 on Wednesday.  

Thursday - Wonder screening.  Please all ensure your children are at the Central Cinema by 8:50am on Thursday morning so that we are all in time to be seated for the 9am start of the flick.  We will all walk back to school together following the film. 

Graduation Mass - Thursday 6pm - Please ensure full school uniform is work - no sneakers!

Picnic and prize giving - Friday 15th of December.  

Next week we finish school on Tuesday with just a 1/2 day.  School will be officially finished for the year by 1pm.

Thanks Team,

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 8

HI all,

I'm looking forward to getting back into school on Monday, I know Mrs Annan enjoyed her time relieving and that the kids enjoyed her too - getting some good Christmas art done!

The goings on this week

Monday morning prayer - Room 5 are on Monday morning prayer this week so if you can make it to the church and join us for the first 15 minutes of the week, we'd love to see you.

Eisteddfods + Assembly:  Eisteddfod songs will be performed and heard on Monday and Tuesday this week.  The assembly for performances will be on Thursday this week.

Life Education:  Harold the Giraffe and Pip will be back at St Gerard's this week.  Room 5 will have their lessons next week on Tuesday and Wednesday - 2 sessions each day.

Pubertal Change:  Last week we only had 1 session (due to my absence) so this week we'll aim for 2 sessions of pubertal change.  The session we had last Monday focussed on periods and briefly touched on Sexual Intercourse.  We will revisit last session with a Q&A and then move towards the next topic which is Mood Swings.  Following this, we'll be joining classes with the boys so that the boys can learn about the changes girls go through and the vice-versa.

Movie:  Next Thursday morning (14th of December) we'll be meeting at Central Cinemas at 8:50 am for the screening of the movie Wonder.  I'm pretty sure all the kids are just as excited about this as I am. There is a possibility of a movie-time snack for the kids.  I know that it's an early showing so am just putting the feelers out to see if there are any objections to an ice-cream or perhaps a chocolate bar during the movie.  Please let me know if you are ok with this - I aim to use the remainder of the camp funds to cover the costs for the children to have a snack.  Any queries, email carolynlyon@stgerards.school.nz.

Please have a gentle reminder to your children to respect the fact that people can feel pretty tired towards the end of the year.  It's hot and we are all busy.  I still like to get some good learning done in the countdown to Christmas and to do this, it's important your children are still open to learning.  Please have a wee word and let them know that the holidays begin when the holidays begin.

Thanks all,

have a great week,

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 7

Hi all,

Here are the goings on for Week 7 in Room 5.

Pubertal Change:  We'll have 2 more lessons for Pubertal Change this week.  Last week's girl sessions covered 1) Why puberty happens and 2) The female anatomy and periods.   The boys covered 1) Why puberty happens and 2) body odour, hair and the male reproductive system.
Next week we'll look at feminine hygiene, we'll do a tour of the first aid room so that all girls are aware of the feminine hygiene we have and their whereabouts at school.  We aim to make the girls feel as comfortable as possible in case of a period happening at school - they'll be armed with some 'what to do when' knowledge!  We'll also cover period pain, emotions and keeping track of the menstrual cycle.
The boys will look at erections and wet dreams amongst other things.  Both sessions usually involve some questions and answer time too.
The children have specific boy and girl booklets which they fill in after watching a film about each topic.   At the conclusion of this we'll have 1-2 sessions with both the boys and the girls so that the learning about boys/girls and puberty is crossed over and both sexes are aware of each other's changes.

Eisteddfod Songs:  We'll be starting to hear these songs this week as the children are ready.  The songs must be ready for presentation in Week 8 - next week!!!  Children can sing along to a karaoke version of their song, play an instrument or sing with a friend if they are nervous.  We have made these measures to reduce the stress and anxiety some feel when singing in front of others.

On Wednesday I'll be taking a group of children to the Clyde Dam for an enviro schools trip.  If you a parent of one of these children can you please let me know if you are able to help with transport?  I can't take all of the children coming - there are 6.  If you can help by loaning me a 7 seater car that would be ok too!  I only rally drive on the weekends so your car should be safe enough.   Mrs Annan will be relieving.

Veges in a cake:  This week we'll be doing some investigating into the vegetables we eat, how we can eat more and how we might hide some in a cake.  We have been given a $50 New World voucher from the amazing team at school kit to carry out this investigation! Check out their website if you have the chance - they do some neat projects for teachers and classrooms across NZ.  https://www.schoolkit.co.nz/

Repost from last week - just a reminder...

I have signed up to the Free books in schools Kelloggs promotion for 2018.  You may start to see this promotion advertised on Kelloggs product at New World.  If you are able to support our school by purchasing these products and nominating our school online via the details on the packets, we will receive free books in our school next year - Thanks to School Kit and Kelloggs for this wonderful promotion.  Encourage your family members and friends to do the same and we receive a pile of books.  Last year we received around 30 new books!

I think that's all at this stage.  

Have a great week,

Mrs Lyon.

Term 4, Week 6

Hi All,

It'll be a reasonably busy week in Room 5 this week as we begin the downhill slide to the summer holidays.  Spelling, reading and maths homework will be the same this week.  Please ask your child to share with you how they can solve addition and subtraction algorithm problems as well as 2 digit multiplication using the box method of problem solving.  We have been learning these strategies in class and as our place value knowledge is strong enough, the children are loving the success they have with these little maths gems.

I have signed up to the Free books in schools Kelloggs promotion for 2018.  You may start to see this promotion advertised on Kelloggs product at New World.  If you are able to support our school by purchasing these products and nominating our school online via the details on the packets, we will receive free books in our school next year - Thanks to School Kit and Kelloggs for this wonderful promotion.  Encourage your family members and friends to do the same and we receive a pile of books.  Last year we received around 30 new books!

Singing eisteddfod is coming up soon.  I will open up the opportunity for a practise run should any child want to have a warm up to their singing performance before I officially give them a mark.  The presentation to the class for singing will be held early in Week 8.  Please support your child in getting their song ready.  The more prep, the less stress and worry!

SWIMMING CATCH UP LESSON!!!  On Tuesday this week there will be a catch up swim lesson held at the pool.  The lesson will begin at 1:30pm and will run for an hour.  Please ensure your child brings their swimming gear to school on Tuesday so that we can all enjoy our last lesson for the year.  Late addition to this notice - PJ's are to be worn!

Mrs Donaldson will be in class on Monday morning and on Tuesday Kerrin Annan will be relieving as I am attending the Otago Athletics Sports in Dunedin.

Have a great week.

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 5

Hi all,

Here are the goings on for week 5.

Homework this week is the usual 20 minutes reading each night, spelling words and maths buddy if your child is able - 15 minutes a day makes a big difference to consolidating knowledge.  There are also some good tutorials on this site.

Pubertal Change Program - Parent information evening Wed 15th Nov

Over the second half of Term 4, Year 5-8 students will be taking part in the 'Things are Changing' pubertal change program at school. Before this program begins we are holding a parent information night to ensure all parents are aware of the content of the program  and to answer any questions you might have. We will be meeting in Room 5 this coming Wednesday 15th Nov, 7:30pm, for about half an hour.

Mrs Chamberlain will be teaching on Wednesday morning while I have my CRT.

As you know I am a passionate supporter of my brother's charity work in Argentina.  Tomorrow night there will be a quiz night to raise funds to go towards his cause.   I have space for 3 more teams (6 per team $10 entry each - $60 whole team).  Please if you can make it to Monteith's at 7pm with a team, we'd love to see you there.

Also, see below - awesome concert coming up!!!

And if you want to see some awesome acting - check out these guys...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN6rETZFxHE

Have a great week parents.   Message from me - your kids are awesome!

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 4

HI All,

Just a few brief notes about the goings on this week in Room 5.

Tomorrow most of our class will be representing St G's at the CO athletic sports at Molynuex Park . The children who aren't attending this meet will be working in other classrooms around the school. 

QUIZ NIGHT - Please help me out by gathering a quiz team together to support my brother's charity in Argentina.  The Quiz night will be held at Monteith's Bar next Monday night.  Teams of 6 are $60.  You will be supporting a worthy cause and Monteith's do a great job at making the night fun!   I am needing about 4 more teams to get the house full.   


Maths Buddy tasks have been added to so please encourage your child to spend time on this when they can.  The tasks are fun and they really do help cement the maths we learn at school.

A reminder that Friday 24th of November is PET DAY. 

Have a good week.

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 3

HI all,

We have a few things going on this week. 

There will be some athletics practices for those children attending the CO's next week.   If your child has qualified for any of the events listed below they may wear their PE uniform on the noted days.
Monday - Long jump, relays
Tuesday - Shot put, Long jump, relays, high jump
Thursday - Shot put
Friday - Relays, discuss, high jump

Skink Monitoring:  This week we will continue our skink monitoring by building some temporary skink shelters.  We hope the shelters will look like an attractive place for skinks to make a home.  We have had no skink action from our site so far which is a little disappointing, however the children still enjoy going onsite and investigating what sort of action is happening - hedgehogs, mice etc. 

Inquiry:  This term Room 5 are working with a buddy to come up with some inquiry questions under the topic of Playing our Part.  The questions will be followed up with research to either find a solution to the problem (whether it be a local, national or global issue) or to suggest to organisations who govern the said issues what they might do to improve the situation.  The children are choosing things that they find relevant in their own lives.  The topic of Playing our part guides the children to have a voice and/or opinion about how things could be improved as a member of a community. The children will work towards presenting their issue and solutions to the class.  Perhaps their research will lead them to writing a letter to the local council.
I would like some research to happen at home this week so that everyone will be completing their project by the end of November/start of December.  As Term 4 is usually a busy one we can sometimes lose quality time in class/not have access to the C.O.W. when needed for research purposes.  Please encourage your child to share what their inquiry is about.  Question them, ask them what they need to find out, and what their solutions might be.

Homework (as well as the above) will include spelling and tables practice too.  Please encourage your child to complete at least 2 or 3 maths activities on Maths buddy daily. 

Movie showing:  The date for the showing of 'Wonder' has been confirmed for Thursday the 14th of December.  On this day we will meet at Central Stories for the movie showing to show sharp at 9am.  We have other goings on at school on this day so this is the only time we could squeeze in the much anticipated film.

Thanks so much to all the awesome kids who helped out at the fair today - I am so proud of you all.  I love the fact that I can pop some kids in charge and they successfully manage a stall, prizes, parents and children.   Well done - you are capable and organised!

HATS - Hats are compulsory now as the sun is shining down on us.  Sun block also is a good idea - it might pay to pop a tube in your child's bag so that we can be super sun smart on the hot days.

Wrapper free lunch - keep this up please, it's great that our enviro school is making a difference to how much rubbish we contribute to the planet.  Thanks to those of you who make the effort - 1 less wrapper each day counts.

Have a great week!

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 2

HI all,

Tomorrow - please meet at Molyneux Park by 9:15am.  Athletics day will run from 9:30am until 2:45pm.  Bus children will be taken from school to the park and returned at the end of the day if needed.  The timetable for the Athletics sports is on the school facebook page.  Please ensure your child has sunblock, a sunhat, a good lunch and a large drink bottle.  Tomorrow will be great fun with a dose of competitiveness.  Good luck to all the kiddies.

PAT testing is happening in Rooms 4, 5 and 6 this week.  I try to make these testing times as relaxed as possible for the children.  We have been practising answering multi-choice questions a little.   The usual pattern for these types of questions are that there will be one question that DEFINITELY isn't the answer, 2 possibles and 1 random.  I encourage each child to use a pen and paper to answer the question independently first (esp for maths) and then look for the answer in the choices.

School Fair - this weekend!  Room 5 will be involved in running a few games at the fair.  This is always a nice day for the school community to mix with the wider community - let's hope the weather is fine!

MOVIES!  Last term we read the novel 'Wonder'.  The movie is being release this month and I'd like to take Room 5 along to see it.  There is a small amount of money left over from our ski camp which could be used to cover the cost of the movie screening at Central Cinemas.  I'd like to use the funds to take the kids to see the film so if anyone has any queries regarding using the leftover money to pay for the movies, please let me know. 
Here's a link to the trailer wonder if you'd like to see what the film will be about.  We all loved reading the book and look forward to a viewing of this new film!  Not your everyday school activity, but fun for sure. 

Have a great week everyone,

Carolyn

Touch Notice!

Thursday Night Touch Teams – Term 4 2017

Beginning THIS THURSDAY

Team Name	St Gerards Touched by the Holy Spirit (Year 7 & 8)	St Gerards Saints (Year 4-6)	St Gerards Got the touch (Year 4-6)
Manager/Ref	Jono Love 021941175	George Flannery 0273559576	WE NEED A MANAGER PLEASE!!!
Team	Rafe D Olly L Charis M Charlie B Thomas O Jacob F Rafferty L Mia F Amber S Ethan C Hannah T Owen Gullick Jade C	Sully L Charlie D Dilan W Ana F Shannon K Kayla S Cody R Thomas P Harry R	Jack S Otis B Bobbie S Adam W Mason B Alia R Annajhay W Hayvin O Angus H

These are the teams entered. Contact people are the ones who will get any further information from Shelly Sanders who coordinates the evenings.  If you are unable to play for any reason please let your manager know in plenty of time if possible.

Years 4-6

Please meet the manager of your team at Pioneer Park at 5:20 pm for your 5:30pm game this Thursday 19th October

Years 7-8

Please meet the manager of your team at Pioneer Park at 5:50 pm for your 6:00pm game this Thursday 19th October

Please remember to wear your school sports uniform to all games. Also remember your best manners as we are representing the school in our community!

Good luck – enjoy your games.

Mrs Lyon

Term 4, Week 1...71 Days until Christmas!

HI folks,

Welcome back to everyone - Term 4 is here.   This term can feel super busy for the children, yourselves and also the teachers.

Athletic Practices: This week athletics practice will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  PE uniform on these days please.

Monday 23rd October -  Labour Day - YAY a holiday!
Tuesday 24th October - School Athletics Sports Day. (Wednesday Cancellation Day)

Sunday 29th October - School fair - please remember to bring along your contribution to the hamper packages if you haven't already. 

It's sunhat time again.  I suggest getting your children to write their name on the outside of the rim to easily identify their own hats...a lot tend to go walking and get picked up by others never to be seen again.

Have a great week,

Mrs Lyon

Term 3, Week 10

Hi folks,

Last week of term!!!

Here's what's happening this week.

Finishing of art work for WOW evening.
Eisteddfod speeches

PE UNIFORM:
Athletics - Monday and Thursday
Dance - Wednesday

Skink monitoring is still happening, it is not necessary that your child wear their sports uniforms on these days.

School Mass - Wednesday morning - Room 5 will be running the mass, please come and join in with us as we celebrate the Eucharist with the school.

Wednesday Evening, 5-7pm - WOW night for school families.  This will begin with a family picnic and will be an opportunity for parents to see what great learning has been happening in our school this term/year.

Friday - Eisteddfod assembly - 1:30pm in the hall.

Enjoy your holidays everyone!

Mrs Lyon.

CLOCK RACE DETAILS

Hi Racers and Parents,

Please be at the Rivers St race start for the Race to the Clock at 4:45pm on Friday.   Please have your PE uniforms.  

Exciting stuff - this is a great race!

See you there,

Mrs Lyon

ROUND CLOCK RACE

"Here are our teams for the Round the Clock Race this Friday night. In order to enter every team needs three adults to supervise and support them (one adult at the start/finish and two adults on the hill). Can you please look at which team your child is in and confirm with Mr Yeoman immediately if you can be present to supervise. Entries are due immediately! Kia ora"

Rockets team(10)  = Paddy, Olly, Seb, Thomas, Hayvin, Sully, Adam, Mason, Kayla, Immy

Mountain goats team (9) = Cody, Lachie, Charlie D, Grainne, Harry, Millie, Ana, Zaria,  Mika

Chamois team (9) = Ethan, Rafferty, Jack S, Dilan, Jack O,Pippa, Hannah, Mayce, Tadhg

Term 3, Week 9

HI All,

Here's what's going on in Room 5 this week.

Skink Monitoring - we are continuing to monitor skink (and other) activity at the rail trail.  This week we will reset some ink tracking sheets and also set some pit fall traps to see if we can get some skinks to pop their wee bodies in for a snack.  We will check the traps daily and release any skinks found. We are hoping to get an idea of skink numbers in the area.   In class this week we will be working on our skink research projects to gain a deeper understanding of the species while we investigate their habitat.

HOMEWORK - This week we have spelling words, reading each night and ALSO something different.  Please allow your child to research information for their skink project at home.  I have emailed them some websites which will be helpful for this.  Please help them and encourage them to collect their information and write down what they need to know IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
I understand not everyone has access to the internet - that's ok.  Maybe questioning and researching in other ways (Library, Museum) might be options for you - no pressure busy parents.

Athletics:  This week we have athletics practice on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 2pm.  The children are allowed to wear their PE uniforms for this.

Eisteddfod speeches are due this week - preferably by Thursday.  I am happy for the odd speech to happen next Monday however we have to sort Mass for next week and also a few other finishing off projects so their may not be as much time available to us next week to sort these --- aim for Thursday please.

Friday - The Gathering.
TEACHERS ARE AWAY from school on this day.  If your child is in the Kapahaka group they are going to be welcoming those attending the Gathering.  They will need to be at The Cellar Door by 8:45am on this day.
There will be 3 relievers at school available to teach the children who are coming to school on this day.  If you have an alternative option for your children then it's fine if they do this instead of coming to school.  Please let us know what you intend your child/children to do on this day.

ONE MORE THING - If your child is keen to enter the Race to the Clock as part of Blossom Festival Celebrations, please let me know ASAP... entries are becoming rather formal for this race.  There is also an egg throwing competition which needs an online registration too!

Have a great week,

Mrs Lyon

WOW NIGHT- KEEP THE DATE

Term 3, Week 8

HI all,

I hope you had a nice weekend.  I was in Timaru with Olly  - watching him play hockey.

Here are the goings on for the week in Room 5

Otago Skink and Gecko monitoring project
Our science focus for the next 6 or so weeks (before and after the holidays) will be to learn about and investigate the living habitat of the Otago Skink (and Geckos).  In class we will research these creatures and work towards making a scientific poster to show our learning.  Out of class we will be setting up some monitoring equipment on a small area beside the rail trail just near school.
PE uniform may be worn on Monday and Friday this week as we will be working onsite with Anna Robinson from Enviro schools to begin the project.  We'll be heading to the rail trail after lunch - around 1:45pm on Monday and before lunch on Friday if you'd like to join us.   The trips will be no longer than an hour.

Gymnastics
Sports uniform may also be worn this Thursday as the children will have Gymnastics with Sharelle from Kelly Sports.

Social Justice Week
Please keep an eye out for some activity cards which will be coming home with your children this week.
Social Justice week is an important time for us to remember those who are not as fortunate as we are.  I have made a new display in our classroom showing the work my brother Ben does in Argentina with his Food for Thought programme.  Please feel free to come in an have a look and a read and check out what he's been up to lately - including the building of a chilean bread oven!  We often talk about the work Ben and other people do which make Jesus' request that we love one another a reality. These examples of people doing good work right now show our kids that helping people is important and it makes a difference.

Maori Language Week

This week in class we'll be playing some new, fun Maori language games to increase our use of te reo in the classroom.  These will actually become a regular feature of our daily 5 learning programme moving forward.  Don't forget to ask your kiddies to share their learning with you.  Mrs Tamati will also be visiting our room soon and hopefully she'll introduce some more games.

Special Character Review Team Visit
We welcome the Special Character review team into our school from Monday to Wednesday of this week.

Wednesday Mass this week will be led by Room 3.

Wow Night
On September the 27th there will be a wow night at school.  This evening will be to showcase all the great things that are happening in our school.  We'll have a shared meal and a fun evening of showing you exactly what we've been learning about in class this term/year.

Eisteddfod Speeches
A reminder to children and parents that the eisteddfod assembly will be held in Week 10 on Friday the 29th at 1:30pm.  Now would be a very good time to spend some time writing and learning a speech of your choice to present to our class.  Speeches must be around 2 minutes duration.

Have a good week,

Mrs Lyon

Term 3, Week 7

HI folks,

Goings on this week in Room 5.

Monday:  On Monday afternoon we'll be stepping outside of the classroom to help spread some wood chips Mr Yeoman is getting delivered for the new native garden in front of Rooms 5 and 6.  If anyone has a wheelbarrow they can drop off (and pick up) for us to use that would be awesome.  If the kids want to wear their running shoes/outside shoes for this it would mean their school shoes will stay nice and clean.

SPORTS UNIFORM:  For dance on Wednesday and Gymnastics on Thursday.

Missing Guitar:  Sophia Lyon's guitar has gone missing.  There are 2 places is has been - home and school.  It is definitely not at school and yes, a guitar is a strange thing to lose!  If you know of its whereabouts I'd be glad to know.  It's a dark reddish-brown in a black canvas case.  It is 3/4 sized.  I am offering a reward if anyone finds it.    If only it was just the pick that was lost!

Spelling homework:  I'd like to see Room 5 making a bit more of an effort with their spelling homework.  It seems a large number of the class are not prioritising their spelling as an after school activity and this really is important to meet the standard for Level 3 of the Literacy Curriculum.   It'd be great to see more students having success in their tests on Friday mornings and even better if their spelling was showing improvements in their writing.

CONGRATULATIONS: Hannah O'Connor needs to take a bow.  She has been the only student to log onto maths buddy outside of school time over the last week!  Nice one Hannah!  Parents - there are great tutorials on this site to help kids with their maths - the more they log in, the easier they'll find their in class work.  Encourage them to complete the fractions and measurement activities set - these are our focuses this term - as well as, of course, regular times tables practice!

I think that's all for now,  have a great week.

Mrs Lyon.

Gymnastics this week

Hi all,

Gym this week is on Tuesday (catch up day today - as Sharelle was sick 2 weeks ago), possibly Thursday - will double check this...and Friday.

Thanks Team.

Homework this week is just spelling and reading.  Thanks Team

Camp Arrival Home time will be updated on the school facebook page.

I imagine return time will be in between 5-6pm on Wednesday for Y5's and Friday for Y6's.

Sleep tight people

Mrs Lyon.

SKI CAMP GEAR LIST FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NEED IT!!!

HI Team,

Here's the gear list again for those of you who can't locate the notice I sent home.

Please have baking requirements sorted and have your child bring these to school either on Friday or Tuesday before their camp departure OR have the child bring them with them on the morning of departure in an ice-cream container.

What to bring:

Below is a list of clothing requirements for the trip.  The weather can be very changeable on the mountains so it is essential we are well prepared for adverse weather conditions. Friends, family and Trade me are affordable options if you are falling short of any clothing items.

• 2 x Merino (or polyprop) leggings
• 2 x Merino (or polyprop) long sleeved tops
• Jacket - Waterproof and windproof
• 2 pairs of trousers - no jeans.  Trackpants or similar
• Ski pants to be worn over leggings when skiing
• 3 pairs of socks - wool if possible, extras for back at the hut.
• 3 changes of underwear
• Hat/Balaclava
• Hi Vis Vest - please let me know if your child has one/needs one ASAP
• Sunglasses, Sunscreen - spf 15 or higher
• Gloves (waterproof) and a spare pair
• Sleeping Bag - sheet to cover the mattress and pillow case
• 2 x towels
• Bathroom bag - including toothbrush, paste, face cloth, soap, brush comb etc
• PJ’s
• Slippers or sneakers for inside the hut
• Gumboots or suitable snow boots for outside hut
• Tissues, camera (optional) - NO PHONES - pencil, pen, rubber in a plastic bag.
• Indoor game/cards to share and a book to read
• Back pack - to be used to carry packed lunch and other items.  The lunch box should be filled for the first day with 2 full drink bottles also.  Food for morning/afternoon snacks if extra is needed - scroggin type snacks.  Hat, sunscreen etc will be in this bag each day.

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

Items not to be brought to camp:  Phones, chewing gums, sweets.

Thanks everyone,

Let's hope the weather plays its part and we have 5 lovely days of skiing!

Mrs Lyon

Cross Country

St Gerard’s School Cross Country
Wednesday 16th August
12.00pm – Early Lunch
12.30pm – Leave School and walk together to the course
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 follows (Distances may change if the course needs to altered due
to weather conditions/mud):
Year 7 & 8 Boys (2 big laps and 2 short laps)
Year 7 & 8 Girls (2 big laps and 2 short laps)
Year 5 & 6 Boys (2 big laps)
Year 5 & 6 Girls (2 big laps)
Year 1 & 2 Boys (1 short lap)
Year 1 & 2 Girls (1 short lap)
Year 3 & 4 Boys (2 short laps)
Year 3 & 4 Girls (2 short 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 Thurs 24th August.
2.30/2.45pm (approximately)
Last race finished, tidy up of area, return to school.

Term 3, Week 4

Hi All,

We will have a big week at school preparing for the 2 ski camps next week.

Tomorrow in class we'll be joining up with the Year 5's from Room 4 and we'll be checking ski clothing, talking mountain safety and answering any questions the kids might have about the camp.

If you could please send your child to school tomorrow with their ski jacket, pants and gloves. They'll come home tomorrow following a check from myself and Markelle.

FAIR PLAY on the sports field.

Last week I had a big chat with the kids about sledging and putting others down on the sports field.  This can sometimes be accepted as a natural part of sport for some children but I have let the kids know that it will not be tolerated on the field at school.  This means that putting someone down or commenting on their sporting ability in a mean way is not ok.   This behaviour has been used by kids in our class and the new guidelines set by me are that if any child uses derogatory terms towards another player they'll have a stand down period from playing the game they are involved in and a phone-call to home will also happen.  Please talk to your children about the correct way to handle emotions on the sports field.  If you want to discuss this with me, by all means, please come and see me - any good ideas are welcomed!

SPORTS UNIFORMS - TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY this week.

Tuesday - Gymnastics and Swimming

Wednesday - Cross Country - big drink is essential.

Thursday - Swimming..............please be aware that a mid-week wash of clothing will probably be the go.

Parish Mass will be in the church on Wednesday at 9am.  Everyone is welcome. 

Maths Buddy - all the children now have new usernames and passwords for the mathsbuddy.co.nz website. This site has tutorial videos as well as online activities for the children to develop their maths knowledge.  Please encourage them to make the most of this site - we have free access for the next 6 months - it is usually a pay to use website.

I think that's it, have a great week.  Please ensure that the baking contribution for camp should be on your radar.   Teacher's favourites are chocolate caramel square, rocky road and ginger crunch.  😀

Mrs Lyon