Holiday Writing

Welcome back to Term 2. The Trailblazers have had an enthusiastic start with some great writing all about our holidays. We are sharing our favourite part of our holiday in a format called 'A Moment in Time'. It involves us writing eight sentences that start with 'I saw', 'I felt', 'I heard' and 'I wondered'. Our learning intentions are to write using WOW words and to use 'show not tell'. Here are a few snippets from some of the students:

"I heard the quad's powerful engine grumbling like a dog that hasn't had  enough to eat." By Isaac

"I felt the vibration tingle up my feet when I dropped it." By Jack

"I also saw the glazing red fire that was spreading across the jungle." By Yara

"I felt the rough rope clenched in my hand." By Sakura.

Kiwiana Art

We have been doing some amazing Art with Mrs Hickey this term. We have linked it to our topic of 'Kiwiana' by creating some 'tiles' based around iconic New Zealand images. We have pictures of the red band gumboot, pohutukawa and kowhai flowers, the humble pineapple lump through to the buzzy bee.

The creation of the tiles has been a gradual, layered process. We started by drawing the outline in pencil, using bold shapes. The next step was to use a mixture of black paint and PVA glue mixed up in sauce bottles to draw over the pencil lines. This was a lot more difficult than we first thought. There was a real 'art' to get the thickness of the line right and to make sure that we didn't smudge any of the lines. After this had dried, we then used water based paint to paint between our raised black lines. Only once the paint was dry could we then had the finishing touches of oil pastels to give our paintings some highlights, lowlights and shadows.

The finished products look amazing, take a look for yourself!

The 'Trailblazers' Classroom

The start of this year has seen the re-naming of the classrooms. Room 1 is now the 'Trailblazers' classroom. We are going to spend some time discussing what this means, what our classroom motto of 'Learning isn't a spectator sport' means and what this will look like in the classroom. We have some amazing new signs up around the school introducing the classrooms and it lists some of the things you will see us doing and learning about in our classrooms.

End of Term 2

Room 3 enjoying the Bumperballs as the celebration for the end of the Term 2.


Term 2 has flown past in Room 3. We have been busy writing poems and designing flags that represent what we think is special to New Zealand. Many of the flags show mountains, the Ocean, native plants and animals and the koru.

Congratulations to all those students who went up levels in spelling this term, especially in the last level test when half the class went up to the next level. Congratulations also to Sammy, Kate and Kassidy who won the Tables Challenge. It was a great effort to get 100% from 100. Yara just missed out with 99% {just 1 wrong}.

It has been a sad and a happy week for me as I have really enjoyed teaching this class. I appreciate the many cards and the shared morning tea that the class put on for me. Room 3 can certainly keep a secret. One of the things that I will miss the most is the discussions we had over Current Events. It was good to see everybody confident in expressing their own opinion but prepared to listen and think about what others had to say.

Keep working hard and make the right choices in the classroom and in the playground and I will follow your progress with interest.

Trip to Lake Karapiro

Wow! We are half-way through term 2. Room 3 has been very busy including a school trip to Lake Karapiro and a fun, mud run at Mrs Trousdale's farm.
Here is an account of our visit to Cambridge written by Jack Pallister.

"Ring, ring ,ring!"
"OK, everybody on the bus!"
"Vroom, Vroom"
"This is going to be a long ride."
When we got to the trenches, "You may now hop off the bus and have some lunch"
We chucked our bags into a corner and sat down to have some lunch. I was busting to go to the toilet. Just in time, Mrs Rosendaal said," All senior boys can go to the toilet." As quick as light ,I raced down to the toilet; I heard the same said to the girls. There goes the whistle. I went up the stairs." Now the fun begins," I thought.
All Seniors, go down the stairs to Sport Waikato".
First, we had to run around to get into groups. There was about 8 in a group. The fist game was hula-hoop, we had to get it around a circle without dropping it. Then we had to make shapes with a giant rubber band. We had a lot more games and finally we went to the trenches. It was awesome. There was a big cannon and a small one. The soldier told us some facts- some sad and some good. Finally we hopped back on the bus but it felt longer going back to school.

ANZAC in Room 3

For the beginning of Term 2, Room 3 has made a display of Anzac information and memorabilia around the classroom. From researching information in books, computers and from watching television we are writing a report on things we have learnt about the Great War.

Here is a photo of Yara and Sammy reading a report of "Why We Have Anzac Day "to the School.
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End of Term 1 for Room 3

Room 3 has had a very busy 2 weeks with many things happening including Mr. X-Man who talked to all the classes about recycling. He has a great rapport with the students who are fascinated with his clothes and footwear which are made from recycled materials. We have begun preparations for the garden and have some very enthusiastic gardeners. We have planted some freesia bulbs which will be kept in the tunnel house until they are ready to go home.We would appreciate any imput [help, advice or ideas] from parents in maintaining the garden throughout the year.

On Friday we had our 3 weekly spelling test and congratulations to Sammy and Yara who went up to the next level. Also congratulations to Kassidy for getting the most points in mathletics and to Yara who was the runner-up.

To celebrate St Patrick's Day we made an effort to wear something green and some students even brought green food to eat. We all had a bit of fun. The days are going past very quickly with only 2 weeks of the term left.

Crazy Hair Day

We have got a new look in our classroom with 6 boys getting their hair shaved to raise money for Child Cancer. Here is what Shaun Erikson-Keith had to say-

On Wednesday 4th of March we had a Crazy Hair Day. At first we had a normal morning and than it began. We had a parade so that everyone could see what class had the best hair-styles. We were fund-raising for Child Cancer. At 11.50 we went out to have lunch. I bought a cookie, coke and a sausage. Than a group of us had a shop where we provided hair gel, colour and spray for those who gave us a donation. Yara, Kate, Isaac, Brooke, Skyla and Ania all helped me. At 1.oo we went under the shed to get our hair shaved off. After this the fire-engine sprayed foam onto the field for us to play in. It was a great day.

Room 3 - Swimming Sports and Crazy Hair Day

Room 3 has had a very busy 2 weeks with Swimming Sports and a Crazy Hair day to raise money for Child Cancer. It was great to see a good turnout of parents at these events.

Here is what Sammy Jefferis had to say about the Swimming Sports at Te Kauwhata College.-

As soon as I arrived at the 50x20m. swimming pool I felt nervous. I was the fist Waerenga Student to walk through the gate but it was embarrassing because almost everyone was staring at me including all the T.K. kids. I felt like a star that day because I was in the Grand Relay for the Year 5's. I think I swam the fastest I've ever swam. I swam in 7 events and came first in 3 of them. It was a fun-packed day with Mum and my friends. I even met some of my team mates from my Rugby team. The Swimming Sports were a lot of fun.

Congratulations to Sammy and Kate Wallace who represented the School at Ngatea and have now got into the Hauraki Plains team.

Hairy Day

What an amazing day!! It was fantastic to see everyone out and about supporting such a worthy cause. We had seven amazing students Amaru Rihia-Tipene, Matthew Johns, Devlin Kearney, Mitchell Pincham, Kane Raynel, Brendon Jenkins and Jordan Jefferis who shaved their heads to raise money for the Child Cancer Society. We are still waiting for the grand total on what has been raised, but whatever it ends up being, it was a very fun and enjoyable day.

Today the students have had a choice to write either a newspaper report about Hairy Day or they can chose a photo from the many amazing shots taken and write a 'Moment in Time'. They have only just started, but there has been some very descriptive examples all ready - watch this space!! A favourite seems to have been enjoying the foam.

Thank you for all your support and help to make the day such a success.

Welcome Back!!

Welcome back to 2015. We have had a busy start to the term, and looking at the Term planner, it is only going to get busier!!

Our class has their own website. This is where Mrs Hickey puts up information about what we are doing and there will be examples of the work we are doing over time as well. Click the link to have a look at the site:

https://sites.google.com/a/waerengaschool.co.nz/https-sites-google-com-a-waerengaschool-co-nz-room-1-waerenga/

Just remember that it is a work in progress and will be added to regularly!!

The Bi-fun-athon was a hit last week, with fantastic weather and great support from parents. We had a great day at the Senior Swimming Sports yesterday, all the participants swam really well and it was awesome to see the students supporting and cheering each other on.

Hope to see a few of you at our 'Hairy Day' next Wednesday, we have lots of fun things planned.

Term 1- Year 5 in Room 3, 2015

Term 1 is underway in Room 3. Our class is made up of Year 5 students and Mrs Howells is our teacher in the mornings. Three times a week we have handwriting and than we get on with our spelling. Our spelling levels are set and we all have 10 words to learn every Monday and we will be tested on these every third Friday. For reading the task is to read a book and than write a book report which includes an opinion on the story. In writing we are using descriptive words to give our work more impact.

There is also a homework worksheet that covers basic facts, language and a general knowledge quiz. This is handed out every Monday and is to be handed in by Friday.

Another busy term

Room 1 went digital this term with all students having a lap top. Their planning and goals were set so they could refer to them as they were learning. Students enjoyed the ability to share their ideas and work at anytime or place.

A group happy in their work

We had a performing arts group visit us and they are great. Everyone enjoyed their  show which included the involvement of students,teachers and parents.

The Room1 students did great in the English and Maths ICAS exams with 3/4 getting awards for achievement.

And lastly our concert and prize giving. The show this year was At the Movies.

There was a fantastic turnout and the students putted on a great show.

Well done to all the prize winners pictured below.

Calf Club

We were lucky to have a fine day and a great turn out of pets, with just over 70.
A big thank you to the PTA for organising the day and the support of the community for the event.
Well done to all the students who put in the effort with their pets.

Hanging out with the lambs

Umm that 1 looks good

Don't you just love them!!

Boys ready for action.

Then the waiting.

Term 4 is Off

Homework
Once spelling levels are set they will have words to learn every Monday and tested on these every third Friday.
Spelling words are on the students dashboard in spelling which they and you can access at home.
There is also a homework worksheet that covers basic facts, language and on the back a general knowledge quiz for them to have a go at, which you can help them with.This sheet is handed out each Monday and should be handed in on Friday or the latest, first thing Monday morning.
They will have assess to mathletics and reading eggs (reading program) at home if you have the internet.
The students have a dashboard on line which get you access to see their work through google. Room1 is now working as a digital classroom.

We have many things on like Calf Club, Jump Rope, Flower Shop, Book Fair and Athletics to
mention a few.

Students busy on their individual computers

Producing some music

Room 1 Computer programs

Room 1 students have been designing their own web page which involves a number of computer skills.
With the remodel of Room 1 in the term break, each student will  have assess to their own computer to work with. We are setting up google docs at present so the students will be working in their groups but will be able to share their work with other students, teachers and you the parents.

Sharing their programming ideas

You can see they are happy in their work!

Kids For Kids Show

Well done to all the students who took part in the Kids for Kids show. It was enjoyed by all as you can see by the photos.

What up in Room 1

At present we are working in the area of algebra in maths. We have been working on rules and equations, which will lead into coordinates and graphs.

In unit we have just finished the Commonwealth Games and are now looking into New Zealand history and will look at our electoral process closer to the election.

We are all singing our kids for kids songs as part our music programme and the students are looking forward to garageband next term. This is a program where they compose music.

In their ICT periods with Mrs Michels they are working on their basic programming to develop their own website.

The Cross Country

Well done to all the students for putting in a great effort at the schools cross country.
We have 20 students going to represent our school at the Hauraki Inter-school cross country next Monday the 18 August. We wish them all the best.

Year 6 boys are ready to go

Year 6 girls a the start

10 year old boys

9 year old boys are ready

Some of the parents watching the racing

Nick winning the year 6 boys race

Emma just holding off Rhiana in the year 6 girls race

Brendon winning 10 year old boys

Cael taking out the 9 year boys

Ania winning the 9 year old girls