Rooms 20-21-22-23-28
11 February 2009
Dear Parents
Welcome to the Totara Syndicate, especially to new families who have moved to our school. The year has begun well in this syndicate and we are all looking forward to the exciting learning that will take place and the challenges of 2009. The establishment of routines across our syndicate are a consistent focus, and most of the children are aware of the structure of a day at school beginning promptly at 8:55 am. To encourage independence we want the children to hang up their own bags, bring in their book bags and their water bottle, plus their news items for the day, help put the chairs down and put out their writing folders. This means it would be helpful if your child could arrive between 8.30am and 8.45am.
Curriculum Topics we plan to cover this semester are:
Science/Technology: Creepy Crawlies (Living World), Day, Night and Shadows (planet, Earth and Beyond)
Social Studies/Language: Holiday Places (Place and Environment), Myths, Legends and Traditional Tales
Health: Mental Health - Cool Me, Cool Class (Positive Classrooms/Learning Community)
Safe Walking, Keeping Ourselves Safe
Where possible we integrate Language, The Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Art), Technology, Maori and ICT with each theme, as appropriate. Naturally, Reading, Mathematics and Language programmes will continue daily.
Gentle Reminders:
1. Swimming days are: Monday and Wednesday for Rooms 20 and 21, and Tuesday and Thursday for Rooms 22, 23 and 28. This is a compulsory part of our Physical Education programme while the weather is suitable during Term 1. We go swimming in the afternoon so the water is usually warmer at this time. However, your child may wear a wet suit if you wish. If your child is occasionally unable to swim due to medical reasons, please excuse him/her with a note to the classroom teacher on that day.
2. Lost property is already accumulating! Thanks to those who have already named every item of clothing, footwear, underwear, sunhats, swimming gear, towels etc. to ensure an immediate return of property to a grateful child and parent/s.
3. School Uniform: We especially ask for your help in having all our Year 2 children wearing their correct uniform with pride, and representing our school properly. Black or brown sandals or shoes (no stripes or logos) form part of our uniform standards.
4. Sunhats: It is compulsory and important for all children to wear an ENPS sunhat when outside during Term 1 and Term 4. Please ensure your child has a named school sunhat to protect them.
5. Jewellery: To keep children safe during school while playing, exercising and moving around the school we ask that jewellery is worn at home and not school. (Apart from cultural jewellery).
6. Absences: If your child cannot attend school for any reason, please ring the school office before 8:30 am on 6305144 so their classroom teacher can be informed. This is a safety precaution for your child.
7. Allergy: Due to the prevalence of peanut allergies within the school, it would be preferable if your child does not bring food with peanuts in it. However, if they do have these food items could they please inform their class teacher so seating arrangements can be monitored at eating times.
Communication between home and school is important. Please read newsletters carefully – and keep them for future reference. If you wish to inform us about your child we are happy to listen. Should an extended time be required, an appointment may be made.
We look forward to a successful, productive year.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Kilgour, (R21), Kate Cope, (R22), Zara Jackson, (R20), Heather D’Souza, (R23), Carly Bishop, (R28).
Syndicate Teachers.