What an amazing time we had a Motutapu Island!!!

 Focuses for Term 4 

 Mathematics - Each class will focus on the following strand: Statistics, and continue to focus on Number e.g. Multiplication and Division.  In order to focus on the needs of the students, homework will differ from class to class. 

 Writing - Upon returning from camp, students will focus on recounts and then move onto creating short stories.  They will continue to develop their understanding and knowledge of complex sentence structures and paragraphing.   

 Spelling - Students will continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of spelling.  This includes spelling patterns, word origins, prefixes and suffixes as well as new vocabulary through our school wide Spelling Under Scrutiny Programme. 

 Reading -  The class teacher will create a learning programme to accommodate the learning needs of the class and/or students.  

 Inquiry -  Teachers have decided that the first 3 weeks will be used to complete our Arts Inquiry from Term 3.  From there, we will shift our focus to Careers.   

 The Arts - Compelling Question: How do The Arts teach us about Culture? Underlying Concept: The Arts open up ways for us to communicate why we think, feel and act as we do, demonstrating culture and  values.    Context: The cultures within our class  Careers The focus will be on “How can I prepare for the future?” as the students inquire into these understandings: We have a distinctive set of qualities and interests. There are different ways of learning the skills we will need in the future. A career is not a job  - and it isn’t only about work. 

 Health and Physical Education -  The students will participate in a rotation where they will have the opportunity to develop their athletic skills.  The rotations will include: discus, shot put, long jump, high jump, sprints.  We will also be beginning our daily swimming programme. 

 ICT- Activities to develop skills using Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms and a range of apps that will enhance the students’ learning within our classroom programmes.  E-portfolios will continue to be developed, showing a snapshot of the students' learning and reflections.                                                                                                                                                                

Te Rapa H.E.A.R.T -  Each week, a different aspect of H.E.A.R.T will be the focus.  One student, from each class, will receive the class award at the end of each fortnight.  We will begin the term with Honesty and finish off with Teamwork.  

 Key Dates for Term 4 

 Week 2 

- Monday 24 October: Labour / 

Thursday 27 October: Tech Arts / PCT Challenge / 

Friday 28 October: Tech Arts (catch up) 

 Week 3 

- Wednesday 2 November: Looking to Lead 

Thursday 3 November: No Tech Arts 

 Week 4 

Monday 7 November: Year 8 Leavers’ Photo 

Wednesday 8 November: Whaanau Hui 

Thursday 10 November: Tech Arts 

 Week 5 

Tuesday 15 November: WFPA Kapa Haka Festival 

Wednesday 16 November: Year 7/8 Athletics Day (Postponement date: Monday 21 November) 

Thursday 17 November: Tech Arts  

Friday 18 November: Full School Assembly / Year 8 Immunisations 

 Week 6 - Book Week 

 Thursday/Friday(catch up): Tech Arts 

 Week 7 

Tuesday 29 November: Looking to Lead 

Thursday 1 December: Tech Arts (Last class for the year) / WFPS Athletics - Porritt Stadium 

 Week 8 

Monday 5 December: Student Council Trip 

Tuesday 6 December: Year 7/8 Big Day In 

Wednesday 7 December: Whaanau Performance 

Thursday 8 December: No Tech Arts and Year 7/8 Disco  

 Week 9 

Wednesday 14 December: Year 8 Leavers Dinner 

Thursday 15 December: No Tech Arts 

Friday 16 December: Full School Assembly. 

 Week 10 

Monday 19 December: Prize Giving & Reports go home 

Tuesday 20 December: Last day of the year (finishing at 12pm) 

 Term 4 Reminders: Please ensure your child has a spare pair of clothes for athletics training at school each day. Please ensure your child knows what Tech Arts rotation they are so that they arrive on time, and to also wear appropriate footwear.  Rooms 19 and 21: to be at school before 8.30am / Tech Arts: 8.45am - 11.45am (est) Rooms 17, 18 and 20: Tech Arts 12pm - 2.50pm (est) Please ensure your child has their swimming togs each day once swimming begins. If they are not swimming they require a note explaining why they need to be excused from the daily swimming programme. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to  contact your child’s classroom teacher through email, dropping into school or for longer discussions through appointments.