Hello Everyone

Welcome to Term three.  I hope you have all had a restful holiday as we have a busy term planned.

Swimming is on every Thursday from12.30 till 1 pm this term.  We do not have transport organised so we are walking to and from the pool.  Could you please send your child to school with a warm beanie and jacket for those cold days when returning with wet hair.

Cross Country is on next Wednesday and we are doing some practice runs for fitness.  Please send your child to school in their sports uniform for the next few days so they have comfortable clothes to run in and good sneakers as well.

Dress up as Your Favourite Book Character Day this Friday.  Please bring sneakers and something comfortable to run in on this day as well.

This will be the last time I write on the blog as we are changing to use 'Skool Loop'.  From next week I will be communicating through the Skool Loop app.

If you need to catch up with me my number is 0275618000 or email deblerew@stgerards.school.nz

Kind regards

Deb Lerew

Last Week of Term

Hello all.  Welcome to Week 10.

We still need cars to transport us to and from the ice skating rink tomorrow and Thursday.  Let me know if you can help. 

We are having a finishing up week this week, finishing off our art work, working on our mini research projects on pests and native animals, and working out what we need for our Friday Fun day.

It's been a full on, amazing term.  It has been wonderful to get to know your lovely children and I look forward to next term.

Arohanui

Deb Lerew

Today we walked to and from the skating rink and it was very cold and took a long time.  We have decided to try to get some parents to help to shuttle us next week.

If you are able to help out could you please contact me on deblerew@stgerards.school.nz  or

0275618000.  We need to be at the rink by 9.40 and will be ready to return to school at 10.50.  

The bus costs $76 for a round trip to the rink from school which is unaffordable. 

Thank you for your support.

Deb Lerew

P.S...

Daisy Thursday Morning taken by Amelia

Hi Everyone

The board has approved Daisy coming in and being part of our programme in our class.  Does anyone in Rm 5 have allergies to dogs?  I hope not! Or do you have anything against Daisy being in the class?  She is a placid Jack Russell who has spent every day at Clyde School with my Year 1&2 class last year and there were no problems.  We take her out for toilet breaks at fitness, morning tea and lunch and clean up after her.  She is sweet and kind and helps people when they are sad.  She also loves being read to.

Some parents are dropping their kids straight to the ice skating rink at 9.40 as we start walking at 9.10 so they will not be missing anything beforehand.  We are walking to and from the rink on Tuesday and Thursday 9.45 to put on skates finishing skating at 10.40.  All welcome to help tie up skates!!!

Have a great week.

Deb Lerew

Week 9

Poetry recitals times: 

• Thursday after lunch for theYear 5's with Rm 5 and 6. 
• Wednesday after morning tea for the Year 6's.
• These will be marked following the criteria shared last week.  Winners will share on Thursday 4th July at 1.30.

School Ski Camp info

A letter will be sent out this week asking permission for your child to come on camp as well as gathering info on parents who are interested to come, the extra skills and strengths on offer, and a rough guide on prices.

Ice Skating

Tuesday and Thursday for the next two weeks from10-10.40.  Feel free to meet us there to help with putting on skates etc.

School Mass

Week 10 Wednesday 3 July at 9 am run by Rm 5 and 6.  All welcome.

Predator Free NZ

We have tracking tunnels set up around the school to gather information about what pests or animals are in our area.  Ask your child about how these work.  We are hoping to work on some mini projects on both introduced pests and native animals.  If your child can bring a device this and next week it would be very helpful for our research.

Have a great week,

Deb Lerew

Hi Rm 5 Team

Upcoming events:

School Ski Camp

We are now taking the Year 6 kids first,  Monday 9th, Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th September and the Year 5's are going Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th September.  We have had a lot of interest from parents.  I am happy to bring as many parents as we can fit but this will mean you will pay for your own skiing and we may be able to cover your accomodation and food.  There will still be parents that may miss out so I apologise for this in advance. 

Poetry Eisteddfod this term:

Using poetry, recite/perform a chosen poem making meaning clear by using

appropriate speech and delivery.  It will be marked as follows:

Introduction /10

Preparation /10

Diction /10

Audience suitability /10

Presentation /10

Total /50

Year 5 will be presenting their poems to Rm 5 and 6 on Monday 24th June so get practising.  Year 6 will present theirs to Room 5 

Iceskating

Iceskating is the next two weeks.  It is on Tuesday and Thursday from 10-10.40.  Rm 5 will be walking to the rink and home by bus.  Your child will need:

• Gloves (these protect fingers from blades as well as for warmth)
• waterproof pants and jacket
• Helmet
• warm long socks

Play is the Way -  is starting this week school wide and will be part straight after lunch three times a week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  

Thanks and have a great week.

Deb Lerew

SKI CAMP 2019

The date of Room 5 Ski Camp is Week 8, September 9 - 13.  The Year 5 students will be skiing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the Year 6's are skiing Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

I need to get parent numbers sorted asap so we can police vet any parents that haven't previously.  The police checks last for three years.

Email me on deblerew@stgerards.school.nz or text me 0275618000 if you are keen to come on camp.  Spaces are limited so get to me as soon as you can.

Thanks

Deb L

Welcome to Week 7.

We will be looking at the Eisteddfod Oral Language requirement this week. Details below:

Room 5 Poetry Eisteddfods will be heard in Week 9 of this term.

You will need to recite the poem in a way to make the poem come alive, as the poet meant it to be when read aloud. We are looking at performing the poem rather than just reading it.

Chosen poems should be of a reasonable length - 16 to 20 lines is a good length.

The performance is scored out of 50:

• 10 marks for the introduction - state the title, the poet, some interesting facts about him/her if you have some. Why you chose this poem? The meaning you take from the poem?
• 10 marks for the preparation - how well have you learned it? What ideas have you used to perform it? Do you bring any props?
• 10 marks for diction - how clear are the words? - can we understand all of them and can we hear them all?
• 10 marks for audience suitability - Room 6 are the first audience, and later the whole school - is this a poem that suits this audience? I know that we all enjoy humorous poems, animals, adventures, narrative poems that tell a story and ones with interesting nonsense words.  Many people also seem to enjoy poems that have a clear rhythm and rhyme.
• 10 marks for the overall presentation - this is the pure performance and entertainment factor.

Also please let me know if you are interested in being a parent helper on the ski trip next term.  We need names soon as everyone has to be police checked.

Interviews will be the first week back next term and a report on your child’s progress will be out at the end of this term.  I will be sending a follow-up goal setting sheet home this week to be completed and then sent back to school and used during our three-way student led interview.

Have a great week,

Deb Lerew

Week 4

Hello and welcome to Week 4.  Wow, that has come around quickly!

We have had three weeks jam packed full of learning including the netball tournament on
Wednesday that went very well.  It was great seeing everyone trying their hardest, working as a team and encouraging others in their team.  It was a fun afternoon.

We are doing Chapter Chat on twitter which involves reading a book along with many other Year 5/6 classes in the country.  The book we are reading is 'Called Fish in a Tree' and Rm 5 are getting right into the cool activities provided each week.  On Fridays we post our work onto the Chapter Chat Page to share with other schools.


Another exciting thing we have been trying out is Kahoot.  It is a site where you can make up your own quizzes on any topic.  The rest of the class can all join in by entering a pin number and taking the quiz together.  Its been a fun way to learn more information on a topic, as well as learn how to select questions with multiple choice answers.

This week your child will have 5 spelling words to learn.  These will be tested on Friday. 

I am hoping that your child is reading each night.  They can either bring home a journal or read a book of their choice.  If your child records their reading in their diaries, they will receive 4 points on Dojo for the week.  Being a great 'Self-manager' is really important and we are making this a real focus this term.

The Rippa Tournament is this Thursday so lots of Rm 5 students will be playing their little hearts out for the day.

Feel free to come see me any time if you would like to chat about your child, or call me on 0275618000.

Kind regards

Deb Lerew

Hello everyone. 

 Firstly, I realise my  mobile number in the newsletter was wrong, my correct number is 0275618000.  I'm very sorry about that.

I hope your child has settled into the term ok and is embracing the changes in Rm 5. We have been busy setting up routines and your kids are working hard and stepping up to the new expectations and challenges.  The days are flying by and their doesn't seem to be enough hours in the school day to fit in all that we need to!  We have Sticks n Stones, ukulele and netball coaching added to our busy schedule  so there is a lot going on.

On Friday we did some Environmental Art with Room 6.  We created 2D patterns and 3D Sculptures with natural products found  around the school.  Check these out.

Rippa Rugby

Central Otago Rippa Rugby Tournament

Molyneux Park

What: Central Otago Schools Rippa Rugby tournament

When: Thursday 11th April. 9am – Approx 2:30pm

Where: Molyneux Park

Who: Yr 3-8 students who have chosen to take part. We have two year 3-4 teams entered, 2 x Year 5-6 teams, and 2 x Year 7-8 teams entered.

Bring: PE uniform. School tracksuit. Warm clothes. Lunch and drink. Money if you want to buy food from the canteen.

Registration: All players are required to register with the Rugby union. Please click on the link on your class blog or Seesaw to fill out the registration form.

Parent Helpers: We will need 1-2 parent helpers per team. You don’t need to be a Rippa expert, you just need to help manage reserves & subbing, and help students to be at the right place at the right time. Please contact me asap if you are available to help.

Thanks!

Mr Yeoman

ollieyeoman@stgerards.school.nz

Sticks n Stones T-shirts

Hi Folks,

Here are the details for t-shirt orders if you would like to purchase an ambassador top for your kiddie.

FYI - Eden Breen fits a child size 10 and Jack Sole fits a child 14/adult small

Cost is $6 for a short sleeve and $12 for a long sleeve. 

Can we please have all orders and payments before the school holidays. (T Shirts will not be ordered unless payment has been received)

https://forms.gle/2ToipJ4xySoPfFpY8


Mrs Lyon

EISTEDDFOD ASSEMBLY, Week 10

Hi folks,

This is last week at St Gerard's School.  This term has raced by and I am ready for the next adventure!  I won't be far away nor a stranger to Alex, so while I'm sad to be leaving school and my home town I know I'm not far away from my familiar and awesome community.

The names of the children who will read their scripture eisteddfod on Monday in the church

Jada O'Neill-Cooney
Jelena Morrell
Sophie Tait
Quinn Lemuelu
Aurelia Lanham

Please feel free to join us in the church for these on Monday - 1:30pm.

FIRST AID: On Tuesday this week Room 5 will receive some first aid instruction around injury prevention - this should be fun.  I wonder if it'll sink in - he he - we have some active kids in our room!

RIPPA TOURNAMENT: Thursday this week.  A notice will be sent home with an update for this, but just to remind you that on this day, it can be REALLY COLD - it was last year!   Please rug up your kiddies and have them smothered in merino to keep them warm.  An insulated drink bottle with warm drink/soup for lunch might be a good idea too. 

Ha Ha - this meme is definitely me this week!

Have a great week.

Mrs Lyon

Rippa Registration - MUST REGISTER WITH NZRFU

HI folks,

If your child is playing in the up and coming Rippa tournament please click on the link below and register them with Rugby NZ.  It is essential you do this before they play

https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/94668

Here's the notice sent home from Mr Yeoman - in case you managed to miss it.

Central Otago Rippa Rugby Tournament

Molyneux Park

What: Central Otago Schools Rippa Rugby tournament

When: Thursday 11th April. 9am – Aprox 2:30pm

Where: Molyneux Park

Who: Yr 3-8 students who have chosen to take part. We have two year 3-4 teams entered, 2 x Year 5-6 teams, and 2 x Year 7-8 teams entered.

Bring: PE uniform. School tracksuit. Warm clothes. Lunch and drink. Money if you want to buy food from the canteen.

Registration: All players are required to register with the Rugby union. Please click on the link on your class blog or Seesaw to fill out the registration form.

Parent Helpers: We will need 1-2 parent helpers per team. You don’t need to be a Rippa expert, you just need to help manage reserves & subbing, and help students to be at the right place at the right time. Please contact me asap if you are available to help.

Thanks!

Mr Yeoman

ollieyeoman@stgerards.school.nz

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 9

Hi Folks,

Here's what's happening this week at school.

Eisteddfod: Assembly for the scripture eisteddfod will be next Monday the 8th of April.  Please ensure your child is ready to read their scripture eisteddfod on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday this week.  This one is relatively simple for the children and a nice introduction into the year of eisteddfod performances.
The introduction for their scripture should be between 30 seconds-2 minutes long.  The scripture your child chooses to read should be introduced and introduced in a way that shows how your child has a connection to the reading.  There can be a description about the message and anything else you think may be relevant can be spoken about at this time.  Following the introduction your child will read their chosen scripture, psalm or other bible story.
Mrs Laidlaw and I will be joining forces to hear the Year 5 students and also to ensure judging is consistent across our classrooms.  I have already warned Mrs Laidlaw that I will be Simon and she can be Amanda!!!

Joking aside, please reassure your children, as I do, that getting up and giving this a go is a great way to build the public speaking muscle lurking inside.  For some kids, this is not a bother, but for others, it's a big ask - we know this and are supportive of all children.

That's pretty much it for the week - please keep up the effort with Mathletics, spelling and reading - At school it is obvious that extra time is put in with these subjects at home and it's a great way to support your child's learning at too.   We have been doing some wonderful research around anzac soldiers in our Walking with an Anzac project.  Be sure to ask your child about whom they are studying and what they are finding out about their soldier/soldiers/families of soldiers.
If you are interested in taking a peak yourself, here's a link to the website we are using - it's amazing!

https://www.walkingwithananzac.co.nz/

Have a great week folks - only 2 weeks left.  I'm a bit sad it's fair to say, I have loved getting to know your children and I will most definitely miss them and wonder how they are getting on when I move to Wanaka with my family.  I'm so glad it's a likelihood I'll bump into you/them from time to time.

Take care,

Mrs Lyon

Marking Schedule for Eisteddfod Scripture Reading:

Scripture Reading  Eisteddfod

*  Using scripture, recite/perform a chosen scripture making meaning clear by using appropriate speech and delivery.

Name:  __________________                          Title: ___________________

Introduction	/10
Preparation	/10
Diction	/10
Audience suitability	/10
Presentation	/10
Teacher comment	/50

TERM 1, Week 8

Hi folks,

Here are the goings on for the week.

Wednesday - Dunstan Zone Triathlon.  Good luck to all children who have entered this event and will represent our school. 

Friday - School Photos.  Please make sure full school uniform is worn on Friday - this means appropriate footwear.  Please refer to this link if you are unsure of what is required.

Homework - Please ensure spelling, reading and mathletics activities are being completed. 

Have a great week!

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 7

HI Folks,

This morning we are having whole school prayer in the church and welcome as many who would like to come to join us.  We will be praying for the victims and their families of the horrific shooting Christchurch on Friday.

Sticks N Stones - Vanessa Breen will be in our classroom today taking a session for our children around building self esteem and friendship awareness.  Sticks N Stones is a locally owned and nationally acclaimed anti-bullying education agency.   We are super lucky to have their free support in our classroom.

Triathlon: THIS THURSDAY!  Please ensure your child is ready for this.   Bikes must be dropped at the pool for the beginning time of 12:00pm.   Mrs Wright and myself will be riding to and from the event with those children whose bikes are unable to be dropped at the pool.
If you want me to have a quick check over of your child's bike I can do so.  It is important that brakes are working, tyres are pumped and that your child's helmet fits properly.

Have a good week. 

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 6

Hi all,

This week we are getting on board with a new positive behaviour management class plan.  The plan revolves around these words.

RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
HONESTY

As members of a class community we'll be looking for students who show these attributes regularly.  Showing respect, being responsible and being honest makes a child a valued class member and it also means that they set a good example to fellow students.

When students show examples of these values a point will be added to a tally sheet (google doc - owned by me)  The point can be saved up and used as currency for a class movie session at the end of the term.  The more points you earn, the more comfort you'll be able to 'buy' during the movie session.
These comforts were thought up by Room 5 today.  They are as follows;
Popcorn,
The use of a pillow,
The use of a blanket,
A seat on the couch,
An ice-block,
Feet up on a rest of some sort,
Jaffas or other small choice of sweet
The choice of movie seat.
All students will get to watch the end of term movie, but their level of comfort will be determined by the total points they collect over the next 5 weeks.



PAT's will be happening in class next week.  We use the results of these standardised tests as one piece of evidence along with others to get an overall picture of where and how your child achieves as a learner at school.

Homework - please help your child's learning by ensuring they are practising their spelling words Monday through Thursday.  Please test not only their spelling, but also their understanding of their new words - levels 4 and 5 have some new vocabulary so it's important that children learn not only how to spell the word, but that they understand it and can use it moving forward.
Reading should be happening for 20 minutes (please sign their diary to confirm this).
Mathletics should be visited 2 to 3 times a week.  If you have internet restrictions, please let me know.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 4

Hi everyone.

Hope you had a nice weekend break - great to see so many of you at school mass on Sunday. 

Homework this week:   Spelling - your child will have their homework book in their bag with updated words for this week.  Please ensure they spend a couple of minutes filling out their sheet each day - Mon-Thur - so that they are ready for testing on Friday. 
Mathletics - each member of Room 5 has a log in for this site now.  It's an awesome site for your child to learn on.   There are loads of set activities based around number with videos and tutorials if your child needs assistance.
Reading - 20 mins each night.

Swimming Sports:  Thursday this week!  Please ensure your child is at the pool by 9am.  Each child is encouraged to dress in their house colours.  Please label your child's swim gear and have them bring 2 towels, a drink bottle and a decent lunchbox of food. 

Timetable: championship and non-championship races will begin as soon after 9 am as possible.

9:00 – 10:00 (approximately) championship & non-championship full length races.

10:15 – 10:30 ish break for morning tea 

10:15 – 11 Junior school sports in the therapeutic pool.

11 – 12 Completion of the championship and non-championship full-length races. House relays – plus a lane for teachers and staff. Do you want to swim a leg of the parent relay? Is there anyone who can arrange a team of 4? This is a highlight for the kids – come on community!

Note: Parents of Junior school students wishing to watch their children we suggest you come 10 – 11.

Children will travel back to school after 12 by bus.

Have a great week!

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 3

Hi all,

We're into week 3 already and the students in Room 5 are settling nicely into the classroom learning routines.  Mathletics is ready to be started so I'll be introducing the class to this in the next week or so - once i've had a play around on the site.   Mathletics will be a nice addition to our maths learning in class.  It won't take place of maths instruction, but will be a tool the children will use themselves to practise and strengthen their maths knowledge and understanding. 

Swimming:  TUESDAY - PLEASE BRING SWIMMING GEAR!  We'll be walking to the pool for our swimming lesson on Tuesday morning.  This will be the only lesson the children get before the swim sports and will be a good chance for me and for them to see which races they'd like to enter for the school swimming sports. Please encourage your kids to have a go at most races they are capable of doing,

Homework:  There will be spelling words to learn this week.  Please ensure your child spends 10 minutes or so a day practising their words.  Their homework spelling sheet has spaces allocated for for each day Monday through Thursday.  Keep up the reading and times tables practise too.

BYOD: We are still waiting for a few signed contracts to be returned to school.  Once these are returned we can begin as a class to use laptops/devices to aid our learning. 

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY:  On Friday morning Room 5 will need to be at school promptly as we are to be singing the national anthem at a citizenship ceremony at the council chambers and need to be there by 9:20am.   I have done this before - with last year's class - and it's an awesome thing to do.  The children get to hear stories of people who are becoming citizens and then welcome them by singing our national song.  We don't get to do this very often, so I'm excited I have the privilege of our class being invited to sing.

School Mass and Parish Picnic: Mass next Sunday is a school mass and will be held in Pioneer Park.  This will be followed by a parish picnic.  There'll be some fun games for you all to join in on.  Bring along a picnic lunch and spend some time with other school families.   The mass will begin at 10am.  Please ensure your child is at the park by 9:55 at the latest. 

Have a great week,

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 1

Hi Folks,

Welcome to you all.  It was very hot at school today so a bit of a task getting the poor kids to be in school mode instead of holiday mode - and the teacher - ha ha!  Thankfully we're not jumping straight into the learning learning just yet - lots of team building exercises and getting to know each other first.

I haven't set any homework for this week but from next week there will be spelling words, some maths (when mathletics is set up) and the expectation that reading for at least 20 minutes will be a part of your child's day at home.

Waitangi Day: This Wednesday is a public holiday! No school.
There is a 9am Mass at the Church of Dunstan in Clyde.
Also St Gerard's families are invited to meet for a family picnic at Pioneer Park from 11am - 1pm.

Meet the Teacher: NEXT TUESDAY from 5:30pm at school.  Pop this into your diaries team, this is a good time to come and hear what's going on for your child this year in Room 5.

If you need to contact me for any reason during the year please email me at carolynlyon@stgerards.school.nz

Have a great week folks! 

Mrs Lyon.