Term 4 Newsletter 2014

Kia Ora everyone,

Welcome to Term 4 of 2014.

It’s hard to believe we are now in the final term of the year. It is fantastic to finally see the sun after a long, wet winter. Firstly, a massive thank-you to you all for your support with an action-packed Term 3. With the NIWA Science Fair, Art and Dance splash, sport tournaments, production and debating it really was a rather busy one! We really appreciate all your support to ensure your children are exposed to wide variety of opportunities at Muritai.

As usual, Term 4 is set to be another busy one - especially for our Year 8s. Below is a run down on the term. Feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher if there is anything you wish to discuss further.

Literacy

 Our major writing focus for the term is studying the classic play by William Shakespeare – Romeo & Juliet. We will use this play to teach the components of narrative writing plus thinking deeply about the themes of the play and how they relate to modern day life. We will be viewing scenes from the old and new versions of the movie and making comparisons. The students will also have the opportunity to re-write scenes from the play in another genre or time, write letters and character descriptions.
 
Numeracy

 We start the term revising some key concepts from the year. We will be focusing particularly on fractions, decimals, place value and operational strategies. We end of the term we will be looking at Geometry then studying Measurement. We will continue to cross group for the rest of the year.


Integrated Studies

 We start the term with a Health focus where each class will be taking part in DARE: Make a choice programme. The main theme around this unit is to strengthen young people’s ability to make positive life choices with special emphasis on drug use. We are lucky enough to have Police Education Officer Julie Orr visiting us for the first 4 weeks to assist in administering this unit of work.

 Towards the end of the term we continue with the theme of making choices but with more of an emphasis on career education. This follows on from our successful careers afternoons we held last term where parents came to talk about their professions. The focus for this unit is for students to acknowledge and examine their own distinctive set of qualities and interests and make connections with possible career pathways. There will also be time for the students to reflect on the year that has been to identify all the opportunities and  they have been involved in and the successes they have had.

  Physical Education

 An exciting term for PE is planned, starting off with Athletics. The children will be taking part in Long Jump, High Jump, Vortex, Shot put, Discus and Sprints. This leads in nicely to our school athletics day. We end the term with swimming again down at the local pool.

 We are also lucky enough to have Richard Hackney join us for the first couple of weeks of the term to run some intensive fitness programmes with the team.

 Art

 We will be continuing on with our Printmaking unit we started last term. There has been some outstanding pieces of art already created!

 Syndicate Sparks

 In weeks 6 and 7 we will be running an electives programme throughout the team. This will give the students an opportunity to select a workshop that best suits their passions. We are still finalising the options so will keep you posted once they have been confirmed.

  EOTC

 Planning is well underway for the Year 8 Abel Tasman adventure and the Year 7 EOTC week. We will be meeting with the students regularly to ensure they are fully prepared for the exciting week at the end of the term.

We are also planning on taking advantage of our stunning local environment by utilising the Eastbourne bush tracks. This is excellent preparation for EOTC week where both groups (particularly our Year 8s) will be walking for long distances every day.

 Important Reminders

 Reporting to Parents

 Teachers will very shortly start writing academic reports for each student. This is a summative assessment on the progress and achievements your child has made throughout the year. These reports will be coming home at the end of the term. Your child will also bring home a collection of work samples that they have completed throughout the year.

 Stationery Check

 Many students are now missing pens, pencils, rulers, plastic pockets and calculators. These are necessary for everyday class work. Can you please ask your child if they need any items and replace them. Thank you.

 Sun Hats & Drink Bottles

 It’s term 4 and each child needs a hat to wear everyday outside. Thank you to those students who have remembered. Students not wearing hats have to stay in the shaded area. It is also recommended the children have their own named drink bottle at school. As the days get warmer it’s important they are fully hydrated.

Footwear and clothing & personal hygiene

 All the children will be a lot more active this term and when the weather starts to get warmer we all start to sweat (and smell) more. We are recommending that students bring a spare change of clothes and suitable footwear for exercising at school. For many students it is time to start using roll-on deodorant - we are more than happy for them to use this at school. Please ensure your child wears shoes that they can comfortably run in. Jandals and boots are not appropriate.

 If you have any concerns or worries please contact your child’s teacher by leaving a phone message at the office or by email: teachers surname @ muritai.school.nz.

 Kind Regards The Year 7 and 8 team