Term 2, Week 1

HI all,

Welcome back to school everyone.  Here are the goings on for the week.

Netball:  Over the next two weeks we'll be having some netball lessons leading towards a house Netball tournament on the 14th of May.  Please ensure your child wears their sports uniforms on Mondays and Wednesdays over the next two weeks (and also Monday 14th).

Next learning steps for Writing:  Over the next week I'll be setting new learning goals for each child in Room 5 with regards to their writing.  Last term they completed a recount writing assessment and from this sample I have come up with some goals for them to move forward with.  I'll have the children write these goals in their homework books so that you can talk with them at home about how they'll work towards achieving them.  Even a simple conversation like..."Tarquin, tell me about your next learning steps for writing...Mrs Lyon has said that you have some new goals to work towards. What do you need to do next time you work on your writing? "

Keeping Warm: As the weather cools down, please ensure your child is wearing enough clothing to keep warm at school.  I myself will be bringing my beloved ugg boots into class as they are nice and toasty, so if you're child has some slippers you don't mind them bringing in - I'm ok if they wear them IN CLASS ONLY.   

Winter Sniffles:  Please have a chat with your child about being extra vigilant with hand washing, nose blowing and the spreading of winter cold/flu viruses.  With Frans in our classroom it's really important that we are taking into consideration the fact that his low immunity makes him susceptible to catching anything floating around our classroom.  Sniffles and runny noses can be very common at this time of year and for the most part are harmless however  if your child has anything viral or infectious, please keep them at home for the safety of all others at school. 

I'm pretty sure that's it for now.  Keep reading and learning those basic maths facts and times tables!

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 10

Hi all,

I imagine you are all feeling well rested after a nice Easter break.  I had two busy days followed by 3 of just relaxing! 

Eisteddfod - Next week the children will be presenting their Eisteddfod Scriptures.  Please have these ready to be presented by Friday this week so that we are able to sort those children who will read theirs in front of the school next week.

Goal Setting Interviews - Hopefully you have all slotted yourselves in with a time to see me next week.  These interviews are a nice time for us all to have a chat about your child's learning so far and their next steps at school

Times Tables - how's it going?  I'd love to hear some feedback from parents regarding how the learning of times tables is happening at home.  This year I've shifted the focus from rote learning basic facts at school to this being encouraged at home.  The reason behind this is to enable more maths 'thinking and problem solving' learning at school.  Feel free to drop me an email or send me a message on Seesaw - esp if you need some support in this area.

Homework books and diaries should be in the children's bags each day.  Please ensure you remind your child to check there whereabouts.

Have a great week,

Mrs Lyon

Term 1, Week 8

CAMP WEEK!!!


Church Car Park by 8:30 am please - pack swimming gear and warm clothes!

Yay!  I am super excited about camp for this week.  Mrs Chamberlain and myself have sorted most things now and there's just a few last minute jobs needing done before Wednesday morning and we'll be good to go.
Mr Eastwood has kindly offered his services on Wednesday so that we have enough cars for everyone when we're off the trail.

Pump those tyres people!


See you Wednesday morning - please have your child at the church car park by 8:30 am at the latest.  We'll aim for a 9:00am departure - if it's wet, we'll have some activities up our sleeves!

Mrs Lyon

Head Lice

Just please be aware these are about!!

Here is a link to a Clip about head lice!!

They are very hard to spot!!

Itching is the very easy to see!!!

Please all check!!


Clip on Nits!! 

Term 1, Week 7

HI Folks,

Not long now until CAMP!!!   We are so lucky to live in such a great part of the world and it's nice for our kids to become a little more familiar with their own backyard!  Another gentle reminder to you for your child's bike to be sorted before our departure.

The Playhouse Theatre will visit our school on Thursday this week.  We are also making room for Omakau School to join us for the show. 

PAT's will be happening in class this week.  These provide some good data for me and the information from them helps me to build an overall picture of where your child is at academically.  We will have 4 tests over the week - Maths, Reading Comprehension, Reading Vocabulary and Listening Comprehension.

Stop Ball is a game we play most days during fitness time.  The kids all seem to enjoy themselves and they learn so much about team dynamics, improve their ball handling skills, quick thinking and strategy all while just getting out of the classroom for a breather.  It's such a neat part of our day - myself and the children look forward to it.  I'm pretty sure it's helped a good number of kids in our room to really develop their ball handling skills too.  Just thought you'd like to know!

There's not too much to pop on the blog for this week - really just sorting bits and pieces for camp and making sure all is in order.  If you're a parent attending camp, expect a notice home/email from Bridget and myself with a few more details for you all. 

Have a great week,

Mrs Lyon

What to bring for Camp

Hi all,  

Please find below a list of what is needed for our up and coming camp. 

What to bring:

Each person needs to take the following items – there will not be a bag check.

Sleeping bag

2 towels

plastic bag with tea-towel

cup, bowl, dinner plate, knife, fork and spoon

toilet bag (with toothbrush, sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste, facecloth etc).

pyjamas, 
2 pairs shorts (or bike shorts)

2 pairs of long pants, leggings for cold weather cycling – merino are always handy

3 pairs of socks 

2 changes of underpants

2 t-shirts – collars are helpful if sunny

2 jumpers (merino?) 

windproof/waterproof jacket

2 pairs shoes

sunhat or cap
Swimming gear

hat for cooler weather

torch with fresh batteries

handkerchiefs/tissues

device for taking pictures (optional)

1 pencil, rubber and pen in a plastic bag – coloured pencils optional – an indoor game if you'd like

a book. 

Term 1, Week 6

Hi Folks,

At the end of this week we'll be halfway through the term - pretty crazy how time goes so fast.

School Triathlon:  This Tuesday we have the school triathlon.  Senior children will be biking along the Rail Trail to the pool with myself and Mrs Eastwood around 12pm on the day.  Please make sure your child is prepared for the day including a good sized water bottle for hydration. 

Mass on Tuesday:  There will be a mass on Tuesday morning held by Rooms 2 and 6, please feel free to come and join us as we celebrate mass together.

Camp:  Thanks to those parents who have filled out the camp and health forms to be returned to school.  Also to those parents who are coming on camp with us and have sorted out their police vetting forms.  It's vital these are completed as soon as possible so that I can sort paperwork needing to be done.

There'll be a meeting (date to be confirmed during the week) next week for all camp parents.  This is to go over responsibilities, transport, food and any other areas which may need sorting.

Seesaw:  We're slowly getting the hang of using the seesaw application to communicate our learning at school with you all at home.  We've spent a little time practising sending messages with the optimum goal being that children will use seesaw independently to keep you in touch with what's happening at school. 

Have a great week everyone.

Mrs Lyon