Week 5 Update

Kia Ora All,

On Friday we looked at a video about the rock cycle and the three types of rocks. We followed up with an activity learning about what happens to different types of rock as they are subjected to different conditions e.g., erosion. Next week we're going to do some more work on this activity as well as making a sedimentary rock. If your child would like to bring a couple of shells or similar, they could put them into their sedimentary rocks as 'fossils'.

• Homework books & book bags on Monday please!

Rock On,
Mr M

Week 4 update

Kia Ora All,

I thoroughly enjoyed the school BBQ and meet the teacher evening last week. We had a great discussion in Room 2 covering many areas such as mindfulness in the classroom, helping children manage anxious thoughts and build resilience, screen time etc. We also shared parenting tips (for those of you who may not be aware, my daughter is in Room 2 this year) and contrasted our own experiences of school with the experience our kids have these days. I found it to be an enjoyable and valuable discussion. Here are a few things to look out for this week:

• Homework books and book bags to school on Monday please. 
• In doing some research looking for kids' audiobooks recently, I found this RNZ page with a bunch of audiobooks for different age levels. It would be a great way to supplement your nightly read-aloud for your child. 
• If you don't participate in homework formally then please ensure your child is reading nightly and that you have a read-aloud on the go.
• If your child needs to be excused from PE, please send a note so I know their excuse is legitimate. 
• This term for science / inquiry we're studying rocks and volcanoes. On Friday we started our first activity sorting rocks using a hardness scale. To test hardness we used a scale dependent on how easy it was to scratch the rock with a fingernail, a piece of copper, or a paperclip. If the paperclip couldn't scratch the rock we tested to see if the rock could scratch a piece of glass and sorted the rocks accordingly. Below are some photos.

Rock on,

Mr M

Welcome to 2020 in Room 2

Tena Koutou Katoa,

I hope everyone is still feeling refreshed and relaxed after an excellent summer holiday. My family and I had a great break mostly staying around the Bay, but we also spent time on the West Coast and in Christchurch with grandparents. Here is a quick breakdown of what's coming up over the next couple of weeks as school swings back into gear:

• On Thursday the school is heading out to Wainui to check our planting site on the Wainui Sandspit. The recent hot weather and lack of rain has stressed the trees that we planted last year, so we're planning to take some water out to try to help them out. Children will need sunscreen, hats, togs, shoes, lunch etc for the day. 
• The other very important item we need is bottles to carry water in for the trees. We will be taking water from the carpark to the sandspit by hand. I reckon bottles with handles such as milk bottles would be ideal.
• The class newsletter will be going out on Friday. It will have information about what's coming up this term in Room 2 in terms of class programme.
• I haven't organised homework for this week. I anticipate kicking that off next week. I'll include information about that in the class newsletter.
• Next Thursday we are planning a meet the teacher evening and school picnic. More information will be in the school newsletter shortly.
• As always feel free to contact me with questions etc.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the first few of days with this bunch of kids and am looking forward to an eventful and fun year. Below are some photos of the students in action doing some self portrait art, which will be up on the walls shortly.

Rock On,

Mr M