Welcome to Term 4. I hope everyone was able to enjoy their break away from the daily school routine. These holidays have been difficult for everyone with the Level 3 restrictions taking up the majority of our break.  We are now hoping we can continue with Term 4 without any more Level 3 restrictions and cancellations of events.

Outlined below are major learning focuses for the term and key dates for syndicate events. 

 Focuses for Term 4:

Mathematics - The classes will be continuing to work through the strands in the mathematics curriculum with a focus on consolidating number knowledge and introducing new concepts.

Homework will differ from class to class; in order to focus on the needs of the students. 

Writing - Classroom teachers will identify surface and deep features which need to be developed using the students term 3 writing samples. They will plan targeted lessons to teach these through narrative, recount and poetry writing.

Spelling / Grammar -We continue to develop knowledge of spelling patterns, word origins, sentence structures, spelling rules and new vocabulary.

Reading - Our class will be working on addressing any common gaps in reading comprehension strategies with a particular focus on critical thinking and evaluation.

Inquiry - Our focus curriculum area is : The Arts.   

 Compelling Question: Why do humans create through The Arts?      Due to the disruption of Term 3 they will continue to develop their Term 3 Inquiry focus through Term 4.  Most of the classes are  at the Finding Out stage answering, sorting and going further with their wonderings.

Physical Education / Health - 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.

ICT- A range of activities to develop skills using Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and Forms within our classroom programmes. All classes are using technology as a tool to assist our learning on a daily basis. We will also continue to use our eportfolios to share our learning.

 Te Rapa H.E.A.R.T : Each fortnight, 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.     

Finlay Park Camp 

We are continuing our planning for camp this term The parent contribution for camp has been calculated at $330 and we encourage families to start making small regular payments towards the cost of this camp or to set up automatic payments at the office anytime from now. Final payments will be due by Week 1 Term 4.

Reminders for Term 4:  

Please ensure your child has a spare pair of clothes for athletics training at school each day. 

 Year 7’s  need to be at school by 8:30 each Thursday, ready to leave on the bus for TechArts 

 Year 8’s depart school at 12pm for their afternoon session at Hamilton Junior High.

 Key Dates for Term 4

 Week 1 - 

Week 2 - Monday: Labour Day

Week 3 -Monday: ICAS Science Tuesday - Friday: Year 7&8 Camp (Finlay Park)

Week 4 - Monday: ICAS Spelling Bee

Week 5 - Book Week (Whole School) 

 Monday: ICAS Maths Tuesday : Book Day                    

 Wednesday: Yr 5-8  Athletics at Porritt                

 Friday : Full school Assembly  Assembly/School Cross Country

Week 6 -  Monday: Teacher ONLY DAY 

 Tuesday: Rainbows End Trip - Student Councillors  

 Friday: Big Day Out - Road Patrollers (Waterworld)

Week 7 - Wednesday :WFPS Athletics Day &  Production rehearsal day & Opening Night Thursday: Production second evening performance

Week 8 - Tuesday: Big Day Out                     

 Wednesday: Whanau Performance Night                    

 Thursday: Year 7 & 8 Disco Friday: Full School Assembly

Week 9 - Tuesday: Year 8  Leavers’ Dinner 

 Thursday: School Prize Giving                     

 Friday: School finishes @ 12pm

 We wish all our Te Rapa representatives all the best in the events they are involved in this term. 

 Reminders: 

Stationary - Please ensure that your child has replenished their stationery supplies such as their pens, pencils and rulers ready for another term of learning.

Technicraft -  Year 7’s need to be at school before 8.30am so they do not miss the morning bus.  Year 8’s  will attend the afternoon session leaving Te Rapa at 11.45 am and returning at 2.50 pm.

Students are also reminded about our “Shorts for Sports” policy when playing out on the fields during interval and lunchtime.

Review classroom homework requirements and establish this routine for the term.

 If you have any queries please do not hesitate to  contact your child’s classroom teachers through email, dropping into school or for longer discussions through appointments.