Term 2 Week 10-Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July.

Hi All

Here we are half way through the year and it's been one we've never seen before and hopefully never again. Term ends this Friday 3 July and Term 3 starts Tuesday 21 July.

Please come and join us for Monday Meet-up in the hall this Monday 29 June at 8.50am. It will be great to all be back together again.

If you haven't already found it there is a brief newsletter in your child's bag.

There is a new app that you will need to access so that you are kept up to date with all matters relating to school. Please follow the instructions on the Waimairi School website.

Reading Books
As the term comes to end it is important that all our reading books are put away ready to start the new term fresh. We have a bit of a back log at the moment and would really appreciate 10 minutes of your time in the morning or after school to put some of the books away.

We had some Year 5/6 children join us for an afternoon and as you can see we had fun showing them some of our learning activities.

We hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday break.

Tracy and Kirsty.

Term 2 Week 8 -15 June

Hi All

It certainly feels like winter has arrived and those mountains are now covered in snow! They look fantastic.

There have been so many positives for the children walking in and out independently and sorting their own belongings. We still want you to visit us but let's try not to undo this growing independence in our children. They are so proud of their efforts and it really has made a difference in the classroom for locating their things and knowing where their things are.

READING BOOKS ROSTER
Thank you so much to Wendy (Lizzie's Mum ) for the marathon effort of putting away the reading books. It took two visits!! We will put up a roster and we really do appreciate your help with this. The reading books are collected in each Monday so from Monday afternoon till the end of the week they are available to be put away. Kirsty and I really appreciate your help.

CHESS
We have some budding chess players and would love any old chess sets you have that you don't want anymore that is taking up space in a cupboard. Please send them our way.

WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON...
Here is a montage of the activities going on in Patiki. We love seeing the children exploring their own learning and as you can see it can be block challenges, Lincoln recreating the Solar System and naming the plants, projects and working independently or co-operatively.

Have a great week.
Tracy and Kirsty

Reading books - parent volunteers

Evening All,

We have a growing number of reading books that desperately need to be returned to the reading room. Now that we are in Level 1 you are able to come into the classroom and other school buildings. Although you do need to sign in.

If you are able to spare some time this week or next to return reading books we would be HUGELY APPRECIATIVE.

Keep warm.

Thank you in advance,

Kirsty and Tracy

Level 1 - Tuesday 9th June

Evening All,

As we enter Level 1 tomorrow we would like to remind you that children are only to enter the classroom from 8.30am onwards. Please don't arrive before this time.

Thank you,

Kirsty and Tracy

Mike's message below (email sent out today from Mike):

The self-discipline and huge sacrifice has paid off. At midnight tonight we enter Level One. Thanks for making Team Waimairi an effective part of the wider 'team of five million'.

A very important lesson in citizenship has played out in front of our children's eyes.

The ramifications for so many of our whānau will continue for a long time. Tautoko.

What does this mean for school tomorrow?

-We switch to using the NZ COVID Tracer app for checking in.

All parents, staff and other visitors need to use the app each time you arrive at school. It is a very simple process, no need to type in any details, just scan and you are done. Download and set up the app tonight.

-You are all welcome inside our buildings, after 8:30am each morning. In bad weather any early arrivers can shelter under the hall verandah.

-Volunteer helpers are warmly welcomed back.

-Buy coffee, buy coffee, buy coffee - the coffee shop is the PTA's only current fundraising scheme operating. We desperately need funds coming in. The lockdown etc. has decimated the annual fundraising budget. Buy coffee.

-As we unite to recover from the effects of COVID-19, it's still important that we keep the basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands and coughing or sneezing into your elbow. Go back over the 'singing happy birthday twice' method with your kids tonight.

-Have fun. Enjoy lingering and catching up with your friends and neighbours at school. This is a part of the 'Waimairi Vibe' that has really been missed.

Given the suddenness of the move to Level One, we will give out information about things like Monday Meetup, Sport, Hot Dogs, and other aspects of school life over the next few days - as details come to light and plans are made.

Rock On! Waimairi - we are beating this virus.

Week 7 - Monday 8th June

Hello All,

We hope you have kept warm over the weekend. Winter is definitely here!

Reminders:
-please bring reading folders every day
-return Poetry books on a Monday
-bring a warm jacket for break times
-all children need a named drink bottle as our drinking fountains are still closed
-please remember parents are not allowed into the classroom under Level 2, however this may be due to change in the coming days, we will keep you informed

Enjoy photos below of our creative kids in Patiki:

Meadow's finished project.

Lots of children took on the challenge of creating marble runs with the blocks.

Ava's mini marble run. It worked really well.

Zavier's Project, lots of paint was used!

Claire and Phoebe worked together on this 2 story house Project.

Sophie's farmhouse Project.

Elise's detailed and quality Project.

Grace completed a flower Project.

Olivia's amazing Project with a glitter flower garden included.

Alex and Kaden worked together to create their Project.

Week 6 - Tuesday 2nd June

Hello All,

We hope you all enjoyed the long weekend. We had another super week in Patiki. The children are so proud of themselves each day as they unpack their belongings in the morning by themselves and then repack in the afternoon.

Also we have a huge number of children making and creating Projects in Patiki. We encourage all children to plan and create Projects as this encourages the use of many different life skills:

-problem-solving
-pre-planning
-locating materials
-looking for detail and quality
-following a sequence
-independence
-managing themselves
-sharing in front of their peers
-listening to positive and constructive feedback

If your child has not created a Project this term you may like to have a chat with them and start brainstorming some ideas.

A few reminders:
-Please return your child's Poetry Book. We still have a number of books that have not come back since Lockdown. The children take their Poetry book home on a Friday and it needs to be returned the following Monday.
-If you have a stash of small boxes we could use for our box construction area, please send in a bag with your child. No bigger than a shoebox.
-Please remember that the weather is much cooler now and all children need a named jacket to put on at breaktimes.

Each day a photo is put up in the Block Challenge area and the children have to recreate the image with blocks. Look at Zavier and Olivia's creation. Super job team!

They have looked carefully at the detail and have collaborated together. 

We love this learning in Patiki.

Phoebe and Addi created another block creation on a different day. They were very proud of their efforts.

Louie and Daniel worked together to make an amazing Duplo tower. Great problem-solving boys.

Keep warm everyone and enjoy a shorter week.

Kirsty and Tracy