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.