Welcome to T4

 Term 4 2012

Kia Ora Koutou!

Welcome to Term 4 of 2012. It’s hard to believe we are now in the final term of the year. Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who supported our very successful production, ‘The Uno Effect’, at the end of Term 3. It was a huge undertaking for everyone involved, the children performed fabulously on stage and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

As usual, Term 4 is set to be another busy one.  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 this term is persuasive writing, where we will be exploring how advertising is used to persuade others. We will also be looking at poetry and short stories as a minor focus through the term.  Our Reading lessons will continue to focus on developing comprehension skills and will be linked to our inquiry topic.

Numeracy

We start the term revising some key concepts from the year. We will be focusing particularly on the operational strategies of addition/subtraction and multiplication/division. We will also be looking at algebra as well.  Please continue to encourage your children at home with their Mathletics, particularly their basic facts.

Inquiry

Our big idea is: ‘Live Right, Feel Great’. All classes will be involved in an inquiry where each child will develop a healthy menu for children. Their task will involve preparing for a ‘Master Chef’ experience during our EOTC week.

Health

Towards the end of the term Year 5 classes will be involved in revisiting the concepts around ‘Peer Mediation’. This is a programme created by the Peace Foundation and is part of their ‘Cool Schools’ initiative. In this programme the children will learn the skills of resolving conflict. At the end of the programme the Year 5 students will have an opportunity to apply to be a Peer Mediator in the playground at lunchtime so they can put these skills to good use. This will be an excellent leadership opportunity for children when they are in Year 6.

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, Quoit and Sprints. This leads in nicely to our school athletics day and Zone competition. We end the term with Swimming starting again down at the local pool.

EOTC Week

EOTC will be in Week 9 (10^th-14^th December) and planning is currently underway. Activities will be finalized by the end of next week.  As usual, we will need a lot of parent support for these days. More information will be sent home once ideas and dates are confirmed.

Year 5 and 6 Camp 2013

There will be a meeting for Forest Lakes Camp 2013 towards the end of the term. Details will be sent out closer to the time. You might like to consider whether you would like to be a parent supervisor, preference will be given to parents who can attend the whole week.  The dates for our camp are 19-22 March 2013.

*Important Reminders

Homework

Homework will be given out each Monday and is due back in on Friday.  The continued focus for homework is the basics: reading, spelling and maths – using Mathletics.  The ‘classroom activity’ aspect of the homework will be based around our inquiry learning and will also use ‘Ryan’s Thinking Keys (http://www.tonyryan.com.au/home/innovation/thinkers-keys/).

Syndicate Assemblies

In term 4 we will continue to have ‘informal’ syndicate assemblies.  We found that this worked very well last term and we will continue to have these meetings but on a fortnightly basis.  We will blog/email the minutes of each meeting.   

  

Class Blogs

The class blogs are a great way for you to capture a ‘glimpse’ of what is gong on in/outside of the classroom.  We encourage you to visit often!  We would also like to see the students commenting on the posts that are made, as it is a great way for the students to reflect.

Portfolios

If you still have your child’s portfolio please return it for updating this term. They will go out at the end of the term with the reports.

Stationery Check

Many students are now missing pens, pencils and rulers. 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. It needs to be a wide brimmed hat, not a cap and ideally should be left at school in their desk for easy access. Thank you to those students who have remembered. Students not wearing hats have to stay in the shade area by the junior rooms.  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

This term we need students to wear clothing that is suitable for outdoor sport. Please ensure your child wears shoes that they can run easily in (especially on Friday’s as this is our syndicate sport (athletics) day.  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.

Mauri ora! Kia ora!

The Year 5 and 6 team,

Deane McKay

Murray McMillan

Raihania Chadwick

Kirsten Berry

Syndicate assemblies

Syndicate Assembly Week 10

Sport 
*ASB Soccer Girls Tournament – Thursday.  Email has been sent home to teams about this.

*Y5/6 Rugby match v Boulcott School on Wednesday of Week 11 @ 12pm @ Boulcott School.  We will need parent support with transport!  There is a meeting for all rugby players in Room 10 at morning tea today. 

*The New Zealand Sport Stacking Championships were held in Palmerston North on Saturday.  The Muritai School Stackers had a great time.

The results:

3-3-3: 
Neve McKay – 1^st place Division 9

Mr. McKay – 1^st place Masters 2 Division

3-6-3:

Neve McKay – 1^st place Division 9

Ella McKay – 2^nd place Division 11

Mr. McKay – 1^st place Masters 2 Division

Cycle:

Neve McKay – 3rd place Division 9

Ella McKay – 3rd place Division 11

Mr. McKay – 1^st place Masters 2 Division

Doubles Cycle:

Neve McKay and Emma Beevers – 1^st place Division 10 and under

Ella McKay and Allanah Miller (St Mary’s) – 2^nd Division 11 and under

Neve McKay and Mr. McKay – 1^st place Parent/Child doubles

Timed 3-6-3 Relay:

Muritai One (Ella M, Neve M, Emma B, George MN) – 2nd place Division 11 and under

Inside

*There seem to be a lot of students inside classrooms (including the library) and the corridor during morning and lunchtimes.  THIS MUST STOP!  If you are thirsty – use the water fountain, if you are hungry – eat the food your parents have given you for each break time! If you need to go to the toilet – use toilet next to room 4.  There will be consequences for students who are caught inside without permission from a teacher.

Production – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

*This is it!  Production week!!

·      Go to bed early so that you can get a good sleep

·      Eat healthy food

·      Be patient

·      Be sensible

·      Be where you need to be

·      Be quiet/silent in the green room and back stage

·      Be AWESOME!

4C’s

*Last week our goal was to use our common sense, this week our goal it to show COURTESY.  Courtesy is where you show: ‘excellence of manners or social conduct and demonstrate polite behaviour’.  This will be so important this week as we have a big week of production performances.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!! THIS IS IT!!!

Syndicate Assembly Week 9

·      Sport: 

*The ASB Girls Soccer Tournament is to be held on Thursday in week 10.  Mr. McMillan will be finalizing the teams this week.

*Muritai School will have some stackers competing at ‘The New Zealand Sport Stacking Championships’ held in Palmerston North on Saturday 15^th September.

*Tennis

There is a tennis tournament next term for boys and girls.  Mr. McMillan would like to see anyone who is interested and has had tennis coaching or plays for a club.

*Touch

Touch notices need to go to the office.  They need to be by this Friday.  No form No play!

·      Maths

*The Y5/6 ‘Mathswell’ competition team had a great time last Thursday evening at Berhampore School in Wellington.  It was a really tough competition.  Well done Lauren, Mia TB, Max W, Monty D, Lucy C and Liam F for your efforts.

·      Artsplash Choir

*The Y4-6 Artsplash choir are going to Wellington, on Wednesday, for a rehearsal at the Michael Fowler Centre.  They will leave at approx.10.00am (rehearsal @ 11.30am) and return to school at approx. 2.00pm.  The concert is at 7.45pm on Wednesday night.

·      Production: 

This is the final week of preparation so make sure you:

-have all of your costume sorted and at school in a named bag

-continue to cooperate to ensure maximum concentration during practices.

-read the notice (email) that will come out this week about times and places

·      Behaviour expectations

It is so important to be ‘better than our best’ when there are relievers in the classroom.

·      Book work

We expect that bookwork be done to a high standard.  You need to have ‘PRIDE’ in all of the work you do.

·      Homework: 

*Room 11, 12 and 13 will begin the new homework this week.  It is a NEW and improved version of homework and it includes – Reading, Spelling, Mathletics, a relevant activity and ‘Extra for Experts’.  All of the required homework is due in by Friday.  

·      Welcome Felix!

*Felix has started today in Room 11.  Welcome to Muritai School Felix!!

·      REMINDER about Mathletics: 

* Free Parent Access!

You can register for free parent access so you can view your child’s progress and certificates.  Visit www.mathletics.co.nz/parent Fill in the required fields and submit Record your new username and password.  Each student’s Mathletics account holds information relating to individual results and progress.

Please ensure that your child is the only one to access and use their account.

·      4 C’s:

* Last week’s goal was ‘Co-operation’.  It was great to see most of the students co-operate with each other and teachers through production preparation.  This week’s goal is to use Common Sense  - things that are ‘normal around our school’ e.g. walking in the corridors, picking up rubbish (even if it’s not yours), letting others through the door ways, looking after your own property and respecting others’ property etc.

Speech Competition

And the winners is...

Y5/6 Speech competition Final

The final of the Y5/6 speech competition was AWESOME!  

All of the finalists did a great job. 

The winner of the Y5 category is...Andrew Sutcliffe

The winner of the Y6 category is...Milly Griffiths

The 2012 overall Y5/6 speech champion is...Milly Griffiths!!!  Well done Milly!!!

Syndicate assemblies

Syndicate Assembly Week 8

·      Sport: 

*The ASB Girls Soccer Tournament is to be held in week 10 of term 3

*Congratulations to the Y5/6 Girls and Boys hockey teams as they won the Central Zone trophy by coming 1^st and 2^nd respectively.

*Y5/6 Boys Hockey feedback:

“They took direction very well, and outplayed teams with players with much more experience by working well as a group, backing each other up and showing superior fitness (and bravery). They exhibited good sportsmanship on and off the field, supported the girls when possible and were a real credit to the Muritai School. Most importantly they all seemed to enjoy themselves and are all very keen to play again”.

*Water Polo – The finals are this week.  Make sure that you check your emails for times etc.

*North Island Primary Schools Ski Championships – The following Y5/6 students took part in the championships last week:  Tobias Knight, Max Hahn, and Mathew Jones.

·      ‘Mean Green House’ competition

*Grace Allan, Ella Tait, Eva Oliver and Lauren Redpath (of Room 13) have been working on a project over that last few weeks, which they have entered into the ‘Mean Green House’ competition.  They have put a lot of hardwork and effort into this project.  You can see the video they made, as part of the project, on Room 13’s class blog.

·      BP Technology Challenge

*Last week Muritai School sent 2 teams to the BP technology challenge.  Pablo, Eden, Ella T, Charlotte W and Grace Ogilvie made up the Year 5/6 team.  The team had great success, placing 3^rd in the ‘known challenge’ section of the event. 

·      Enviro School

*The Enviro Team (Eden and Rosa) will be setting up a new compost bin for the students to start putting food scraps in to.

·      Maths

*The Y5/6 ‘Mathswell’ competition is this Thursday evening at Berhampore School in Wellington.  We wish our team all the best!

Problem solving: Lauren, Mia, Max

Activity: Monty, Lucy, Liam

·      Production: 

*You need to bring in all of the things you need for your costume by Monday of week 9. An email has been sent home explaining what is required.

·      Y5/6 Speech finals are today.  Good luck to all of the finalists!!!

·      Homework: 

*Room 11, 12 and 13 are coming to the end of the inquiry homework.  All of the required homework is due in by Friday.  Room 14 has an extra week as they started the inquiry homework a week later.  There will be a NEW and improved version of homework starting in Week 9 and will include – Reading, Spelling, Mathletics, inquiry and an ‘Extra for Experts’.

·      ‘Tell the teacher’: 

*It is always important to ‘tell the teacher’ about any incidents that happen in or outside of the class.  The teacher needs to be informed of things that are contrary to the class OR syndicate expectations.

·      Mathletics: 

* Free Parent Access!

You can register for free parent access so you can view your child’s progress and certificates.  Visit www.mathletics.co.nz/parent Fill in the required fields and submit Record your new username and password.  Each student’s Mathletics account holds information relating to individual results and progress.

Please ensure that your child is the only one to access and use their account.

·      4 C’s:

*Consideration (moving silently through the corridor during learning time) was last week’s goal.  This week’s goal is Co-operation, we need to ensure that we co-operate with students and teachers through all of the production preparation.

Syndicate Assembly Week 7

·      Macey Caughley (Bad Habits) and Harrison Summers (6 weeks in a wheel chair) presented their speeches

·      Sports – Zone Hockey Tournament on Tuesday 28^th August

·      BP Challenge – Thursday 30th August

·      Production – Help needed for the painting of the backdrops.  Please contact Ms. Berry ASAP if your parents are able to assist.

·      Speeches  - Top 8 finalist to be confirmed by Tuesday and the FINAL will be held on Friday.  An email with names, times and venue will be forwarded as soon as we make the final decisions.

·      Our team GOAL for the week: moving through the corridors silently during learning time (Consideration)

 

 

Syndicate Assembly Week 6

Today we met as a syndicate and talked about what is coming up this week, what we have been achieving over the last few weeks and also what we aim to achieve.

• Hockey team is organised and slips need to be returned

• Girls football team still has opportunities available to participate

• Arts Club is up and running as an option for the Year 6 students.

• Speech Semi Final this Friday. Each class will be informed of their finalists by Wednesday.

• All classes inquiry homework underway...Keep referring to the marking schedule. And ASK A TEACHER if you have any concerns.

• Production practice starts today! You will need to be incredibly patient at times during this process.

• Some students had the opportunity to participate in the Hutt City Green Gold waste tour...With so many passionate students, it will be easy to continue our green gold path.

• Well done Year 6's earning 10 mins extra play for our syndicate!!! Keep up the good assembly behaviour.

• Focussing on being respectful and kind to all members of our school regardless of friendship circles. Remember: If a problem seems to big to sort out or continues...see a teacher.

 

The fast and the furious

Tena Koutou !

It has been a ‘fast and furious’ start to term 3.  The Y5/6’s have been very busy getting involved in their learning in a wide range of contexts.  Early this term we had a timely reminder about our attitudes towards learning and life from a special guest, NED (a special show), which stands for Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best.   I think the Yo-Yo craze was well and truly brought back too.

As always we continue this term with our streamed maths classes, which we have each morning.  The focus for maths this term is fractions, proportions and ratios as well as some learning in the statistics strand.  The students have also had the opportunity to challenge themselves further in mathematics through the Otago Problem Solving and the ICAS Maths test.   There is another great opportunity for our top Y5/6 mathematicians later this term, a selected few will be chosen to compete at the Mathswell competition.

The students have been focusing much of their literacy time on the preparation of their speeches.  This week they have been ‘a-buzz’ with excitement as they have had their opportunity to give their speeches.  I have been very impressed by the preparation and performance, so far, of many of the students.  After the students have presented their speeches to their classes the top 2 Year 5’s and top 2 Year 6’s will be chosen from each class to present their speeches in front of the team.  The top 8 students (4 Year 5’s and 4 Year 6’s) overall will then progress to a final where they will present their speeches in a school assembly.  A speech cup will be presented to the best Year 5 and Year 6 finalists.  This term we are also exploring the narrative genre in writing.  This style of writing is a nice contrast to the speeches the students have been preparing and presenting.

This term has already seen a number of students represent the school in sporting competitions such as zone netball.  Later this term there is the zone hockey tournament and an ASB girls 5 aside soccer tournament.  It was a real shame that the weather did not come to the party earlier this term as the inaugural sports exchange with Boulcott and Hutt Central Schools was cancelled.  The students were really looking forward to mixing it up with the students from those schools and were quite disappointed.  Another much anticipated WRFU barefoot rugby tournament was also canceled.  On more of a positive note, students have enjoyed the gymnastics in the PE programme.  We are also looking forward to the Muritai School Mini Olympics next week. 

The arts will take center stage soon as we have a number of students involved in the Art Splash Choir.  We are also moving towards full-scale preparation for the school production, Uno’s Garden.  We will be spending more and more time in preparing and rehearsing for this over the coming weeks.  Ms. Berry has created a wonderful production, which I’m sure will WOW the audience.   Ms. Berry will also start up the visual arts club that will begin this Friday lunchtime.

There are always ‘extras’ that happen through the term.  Over the past few weeks Mr. McMillan and Mrs. Ryan have been working with a small group of students to prepare for the BP technology challenge.  It is sure to be an awesome challenge.   Another one of those extras is homework.  The students need to continue to do the basics every day, which includes spelling, reading and mathletics.  Over and above that this term is an inquiry based around the Olympics.  The students will be given an outline, which will guide them as to what is expected for the next 4 weeks for their inquiry.  

As you can see it has been and will be, this term, a full and vibrant learning environment for the Y5’s and 6’s.  It is always important for us as a teaching team to make the partnership between home and school effective.  We invite you to ‘come in and see’ whenever you would like, there is always an open door.  We encourage you to visit the class blogs, which will give you a window into the teaching and learning of each classroom.  Each class will show you their uniqueness, which is always important to celebrate. 

Mauri ora! Kia ora!

Mr. McKay

(on behalf of the Y5/6 teaching team)

Y5/6 Homework

All of the Year 5/6 students have been given the following homework inquiry.  The homework outlines what the students need to be doing each week, from week 5 till week 8 of term 3.  ENJOY!

Bringing nations together!

Inquiry Term Three

I am very impressed with the quality of classroom inquiry so far. Students are asking quality questions, finding information from a range of sources, processing information, analyzing information and presenting it back. Excellent work!! Now it is time to utilize these skills and create this terms inquiry document. (Remember always ask if you need advice and use the assessment schedule to guide you as well as this sheet)

Week 5:

Introduction

Create an introduction that answers the following:          

• What are the Olympic Games?
• Why are the Olympics an important event for everybody to celebrate?
• Why are the Olympics important for the host city?
• How do the Olympics bring nations together?

Timeline

Create a timeline that shows the important events in the history of the Olympics.

Week 6:

Research/White Hat Thinking (Details fact and information)

Select a country that participated. Answer the following:

• Where is this?  (Map included)
• Why did you select this country?
• How many Olympic games has this country participated in?
• How many times has this country hosted the games before?

Create a mini biography on a famous/well known Olympic athlete from this country. Include:

• Who they are (Picture included)
• Their Olympic achievements
• What they do now (especially if they no longer compete)
• Any other relevant information (In your own words)

Week 7:

Statistical Investigation

Ask a question for the basis of further investigation

Interview a range of people about their thoughts and feelings towards the Olympic Games

Create a table and graph showing your data/results

Write out statements based on the data.

Week 8:

Evaluation / Red Hat Thinking (Your thoughts)

What did you find most fascinating?

How did you manage your time?

What was your most challenging aspect of this Inquiry?

Is there anything different you would do next time to improve your final result?

The following is a guide to how the homework will be assessed:

1	Introduction/Timeline: No introduction. Research: One resource used, no map or picture and limited information. Statistical Investigation: No inquiry question asked/No data or results shown. Evaluation: No Evaluation. Presentation:  Handwritten, stapled. Cover and contents page not included. Time Management: Assignment is not completed.
2	Introduction/Timeline: Limited information on event. Research Two resources used, only 1 of the map or picture and missing information. Statistical Investigation: Simple inquiry question asked. Basic data and results shown. Only 1 or 2 statements provided.    Evaluation: 2 of the 4 questions answered. Presentation: Handwritten in parts, stapled. Cover and contents page included. Time Management: Assignment is not completed late.
3 Must	Introduction/Timeline: Answered all questions on inquiry sheet. Research Three resources used, completed all requirements on inquiry sheet Statistical Investigation: An inquiry question asked. Data and results shown. 3 statements provided. Evaluation: Evaluation questions answered. Presentation:  Typed, bound, cover, contents and bibliography page included. Each section has a clear title. Time Management: Assignment is completed and handed in on the due date.
4 Should	Introduction/Timeline: Answered all questions and shows an extra effort in outlining the significant events surrounding The Olympic Games. Research Four resources used, completed all requirements on inquiry sheet with extra effort evident. Statistical Investigation: A probing inquiry question asked. Data and results clearly shown. 4 statements provided with personal perception and thought. Evaluation: Evaluation questions answered in depth with personal reflection on the big idea. Presentation: Typed, bound, cover, contents and bibliography page. Each section has a clear title. Plus consistency of font and borders. Time Management: Assignment is completed and handed in before the due date.
5 Could	Introduction/Timeline: Answered all questions and shows an extra effort and personal expression. Research Selected a challenging country and athlete to find information on. Four resources used, completed all requirements on inquiry sheet with extra effort evident. Statistical Investigation: A probing inquiry question asked. Data and results clearly shown. 5 or more statements provided with personal perception and thought explaining the results. Evaluation: Evaluation questions answered in depth with personal reflection on the big idea depicts empathy towards people involved in the event. Presentation: All requirements met and exceptional presentation overall. Time Management: Assignment is completed and handed in before the due date. All of the weekly tasks have been handed in on time.

 

Term 3

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Term 3
The next term is going to be a very busy one with plenty of opportunities for students to
continue to achieve. There will be an Olympic inquiry unit, speeches, ICAS Mathematics and
English, a Year 5/6 sports exchange with Boulcott and Hutt Central Schools, Arts Splash
choir, gymnastics, the Production, our Enviroschools 3 year Green/Gold celebrations, the BP
technology challenge and also netball, rugby and hockey sporting competitions. Students
will need to continue to display the CARE code, making the most of these opportunities.

Homework
The homework structure at the start of next term will be a mixture of speech research,
development and preparation. After this it will be a weekly Olympic inquiry task that will
be collated into a final inquiry piece. Students will also need to continue to do the basics;
spelling words, Mathletics and daily reading.

Speeches
Next term our initial literacy focus will be on speeches. The following is the current timetable
for this process:

1) By the end of the holidays
Students need to have a topic sorted

2) By the end of Week 1
Students need to have developed research questions and done the research that will help
them in their speech

3) By the end of Week 2
Students will have written an interesting and catchy introduction in class. Students also need
to have practiced this at home.

4) By the end of Week 3
Students will have written the main part of their speech.

5) By the end of Week 4
Students will have everything prepared and practiced their speech.

6) By the end of Week 5
Students will have performed their speech in class.

Stationary
Now that we are half way through the year there are a number of students who require more
stationery. Please discuss with your child whether they have the required stationery to be
prepared for each lesson. Students are expected to have:
• Required textbooks (covered)
• Ruler
• Rubber
• Pens (Blue or black and red)
• Pencil
• Pencil Sharpener
• Glue Stick
• Calculator

Thanks.

Cross Country 2012

Muritai School Cross Country 2012

Well done to everyone who completed the cross country!  

It's always great to see individuals achieve their goals; from placing in the top 3 or 10 to completing the race.  

Awesome effort and support was shown throughout the day.

Year 5 Top 10

	Year 5 Girls	Year 5 Boys
1st	Macey Caughley	Andrew Suttcliffe
2nd	Ella Giles	Max Hahn
3rd	Grace Olsen	Lachlan Bourgois
4th	Rosie Owles	Matieu Inwood
5th	Bridget Forsyth	Matthew Jones
6th	Phoebe Evans	Ben Cass
7th	Helena Cvitanovich	Callan Hughes
8th	Emma Olsen	Tom Flynn
9th	Lucy Crawford	Lincoln Moffatt
10th	Charlotte Goble	Tobias Knight

Year 6 Top 10

	Year 6 Girls	Year 6 Boys
1st	Grace Allan	Liam Lamb
2nd	Milly Griffiths	Ben Grenfell
3rd	Mary Heath	Jack Healy
4th	Anna Rodgers	Matthew Dalziel
5th	Georgia Cotter	James Murdoch-Gibbs
6th	Ella McKay	William Langley
7th	Lily Griffiths	Piper Veal
8th	Sally Bird	Monty Daley
9th	Rhianna Crawford	Robbie Michael
10th	Jasmine Stock	Mathesan Lamb