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Home Reading
Reading is a key skill to master. From a practical perspective, our ability to read as adults impacts how well we navigate filling out forms, reading for information in the world around us and completing aspects of our jobs. Reading also enhances our wellbeing- getting lost in a novel or reading around a subject that interests us provides a lifetime of enjoyment.
At Holy Cross we value reading- we have a library which tamariki/ children can access in school and at lunch time on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and it is a popular place. Our kaiako/ teachers are committed to improving reading skills for all our students. In our school days we cover many activities but everyday there will be a reading experience for tamariki.
Just like any skill, the more you practice reading, the better you get so it is important to encourage tamariki to read at home. It also helps tamariki see the value of books beyond the classroom. Tamariki in Room 11,12 and 7 bring daily reading activities home based on the new Better Start Literacy approach that we are learning to use in these classes. These activities focus on letter sounds, word families and practicing skills related to working out words. We don’t send home the readers tamariki are using in class but these readers are available on Google classroom for whānau to help tamariki to access and practice. Easy readers also come home that can be read together along with poems and other writing tamariki have done during the week. Tamariki in Room 6 and 3 also have quite specific reading tasks to do related to identifying basic words or building knowledge of word families and spelling patterns. Along with these activities, school readers are provided for tamariki to practice with in these classrooms.
Once tamariki reach Year 5/6 our hope is that they can begin to take charge of their own reading choices and read for pleasure, continuing this habit into Year 7/ 8 and beyond. There are lots of distractions in our technology soaked world that can appear to be more interesting than reading a good book. Supporting tamariki to read for pleasure requires whānau to be active in providing a time, a place and sometimes the resource of books that tamariki can engage in. Reading at bedtime is a great way to wind down from the day.
One other resource we have signed up for at Holy Cross is the reading program, Reading Eggs which all children from Year 1-Year 6 (Room 8) have access to. Each child has a username and log in. There are digital books on this program but reading skills related to working out words can also be practiced. If your child can’t access this, please contact the classroom teacher for the login information .
As part of our Whānau interviews in term 3 for Room 11,12 and 7, we will be having a workshop for parents on the new Better Start Literacy approach. Look out for more information around this as it will also cover the homework that tamariki can do in these classes. If you have any questions regarding home reading, talk to your classroom teacher/ kaiako- they love to talk about reading.
Reading is a passport to countless adventures- Mary Pope Osbourne.
The Primary Teachers Contract has been resolved.
Primary teachers have voted to accept the fourth offer presented last week. This is a positive outcome for all with an improvement in conditions, especially extra Class Room Release Time. Primary teachers will go from having 10 hours Classroom Release Time ( two release days a term) to 25 hours Classroom Release Time ( 5 days a term) beginning in 2024. This will significantly help to make teacher's work loads more manageable. There is also a 6% pay increase with further increases in 2024.
Thankyou for your patience and support during the time of negotiations- it is good to see a positive resolution to many of the claims made.
Staff Sickness.
Currently schools are experiencing high rates of staff sickness. Relievers are in hot demand and often when there is unexpected sickness, we won’t always be able to find a reliever for classes. When this happens, classes are divided up and sent with work to do in other classes. When this occurs, we will send an email home to the whānau of the students this has affected.
In the senior classes we have been learning about puberty with the understanding that “I am made in the image of God”. This is to help our tamariki to understand the changes that are happening around us and how they affect our family & friends, our spirituality, our bodies and our mental wellbeing.
Some of the topics they have covered so far are:
- Hauora - a Māori model for well-being,
- Understanding the landscape and creating a safe place for the journey
- Pubertal changes, the reproductive system and managing changes in our world.
- Respectful relationships
- Our values, choices and cultivating our “I am a Garden, made in the image of God”
During their learning journey students carry out a reflection by completing an analogy of themself in the form of a garden. The garden represents the changes in their life physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. They can include their family, friends, the challenges they face and the impact God has on them.
Here is an example of how someone sees themself as “a Garden, made in the image of God”
Our thoughts go out to the family of Ian Taylor who is unwell at present. Ian has been a long standing community member, who served as Chairperson on the Board of Trustees for many years. Please remember Ian in your prayers.
A quick note to inform you that Father Bill will be setting up appointments in the school office to sign preference certificates for year 8 students going on to a Catholic college next year.
The dates and times will be
Please call the office 04 388 7189 to make an appointment with Father Bill.
You will need to bring a preference certificate (we can supply that) and your child's baptismal certificate.
HEALTHY LUNCHES
HEALTHY FOOD- A school lunch with a fruit and/or vegetable snack and a water drink bottle are essential for providing children with the energy and nutrients they need to get through the day. Please ensure you pack enough food for your child to get them through the day. Reminder we are a WATER ONLY school.
REDUCE WASTE- We are most impressed with the efforts many are making to reduce waste. Please remember as a school we aim to keep our waste to a minimum so less wrapping and plastic please.
SUBWAY- On Friday the children can order a Subway for lunch. The PSG kindly take orders in the morning in the library from 8.30am and the lunches are delivered in time for lunch. Spare envelopes are available in the office as well.
COVID - We are seeing some new cases of COVID pop up again in the school again.
If your child is showing any signs of cold or flu, please keep them at home and ensure that you test for COVID. If positive children must stay at home for 7 days.
If you need any RAT tests please get in touch with the office and we can give you some tests for home.
Thank you for your support.
Today in the kitchen we learnt how to make Dahl (Lentil Curry).
First, half of the class had to cut the vegetables and the other half were boiling the rice. With the onions, one was fried and the other was boiled. The other vegetables had to be cut into small pieces.
Next, the other half of the class were measuring the rice. There wasn’t enough rice so we used different types of rice. They were called Masoor rice and Jasmine rice. We measured 1 cup or 237 ml.
Then we had to wash the rice to get the bacteria out of the rice and it’s not sticky. We had to make sure the rice would not let the rice fall out of the pot. Aleksandra told us to use the draining method, we use our finger to block the rice from falling out and the liquid go under.
Finally, we stirred it and I thought it would be a challenge but it turned out to be easy in the end. It smelt delicious and if I were able to change it, I would not change a thing.
By Haven.
Today at the Garden to Table we are learning about compost.
First we started talking about our other karakia and what it means in english and for those people who haven't done it write it in english version too.
Next we started talking about what goes in compost and what doesn’t. Carbon,Nitrogen,Water and air go in compost and meat,cheese,bread,bones and ice cream do not go in it. Compost stinks really bad though.
Then we started talking with Olivia about what the FBI is and it is Fungi Bacteria and Insects. These micro organisms help break the compost. Worms eat the scraps and poop it out then the bacteria eat the poop and so on this is the poop loop.
Did you know that 75% of the earth's surface is water, 12.5% is ice and mountains tops 9.5% is too hot too dry too wet too cold SO only 3% of the earth can be used for growing.
By Lauren.
There will be an extra swimming lesson in Week 10 on Wednesday 28th June for Room 7,11 & 12 and Room 1 & 2, this makes up for the lesson missed last week.
Wee reminder:
We still have the following uniform items for sale at a reduced cost:
- Navy long sleeve skivvy (sizes 4 & small) @ $10 each.
- Grey woollen socks @ $5 a pair.
(This item can still be worn until the end of 2024).
Keep cup @ $10 per cup.
If you are interested in buying please come & see us in the office. CASH ONLY PLEASE.
Birthday wishes to Cody, Anna, Ishaani, Marlon, Jenson, Haven and Roman, enjoy your special day everyone.
"Unlock the spirit of exploration these July School Holidays! Join us for an incredible journey and explore the July School Holidays with sKids. From exciting activities to immersive games, there's a world of discovery awaiting your child. Don't miss out! Visit us at www.sKids.co.nz/Holycrossmiramar to book now!"
PreparingYourECE+SchoolForWinterWellbeing
New Afterschool Program at Seatoun Park
Matariki evening at MMCC July 8
A little more info than what’s on the poster: At 4pm we will gather in the hall. If you come earlier you can grab a cuppa, otherwise please do so with minimal disruption as we start the evening. Once gathered and seated we will karakia to start. We will do our mihi and welcome and acknowledgements. A speaker will then talk to us about Matariki (a story and an activity). Then we will hand out pieces of paper and you will write down your aspirations (or reflections and thoughts). We will then gather outside around the fire to drop in the papers to send to Hiwa-i-te-rangi (the star responsible for our aspirations and dreams). We might do a karakia before this or during the whole process. People can take their time dropping in the papers at their own pace. A karakia will finish the evening and people are welcome to stay for a little time to have a cuppa or chat or return to their home.
Music Holiday Programmes
Are you looking for a holiday programme that is suited to creative and musical children? Busking trips to build their confidence, rock band school, songwriting sessions and lots of fun activities. Perfect for singers, guitarists and keyboard players. Beginners to advanced. Contact us today. geoff@therockacademy.co.nz or 021 565 750.
Monday the 3rd to Friday the 7th of July 2023
What's happening at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve these July School Holidays?
There is lots to do at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve these July school holidays - see https://ngamanu.org.nz/ for more details:
- Scavenger Hunt – Find the Matariki stars hidden around the reserve, answers the questions correctly and go into win a Ngā Manu annual family membership
- Wall-e and The Lorax conservation themed movies
Enjoy the Ngā Manu movie experience with a big screen, bean bags, chairs, pillows and throw rugs to cuddle up with as you watch. $5 includes movie entry, a hot chocolate and bag of popcorn (admission to the reserve not included) - Monday 3rd July 2.30pm: Movie Wall-E
- Monday 10th July 2.30pm: Movie The Lorax
- “The Penguin and the sea monster”
Puppet show by String Bean Puppets
- Tuesday 4 July, 11am
- Koha entry
Matariki Weekend
- Come and see our new kiwi, the Giant Kiwi
Introducing our new life-like and life-sized costume replica of the North Island Brown Kiwi, we have aptly named the ‘Giant Kiwi’.
- Friday 14 July, 11am (official reveal), and 2.30pm 1/2 hour viewing
- Saturday 15 July, 2.30pm 1/2 hour viewing
- Sunday 16 July, 2.30pm 1/2 hour viewing
- Seed Bomb workshops. Be prepared to get your hands dirty!
Learn how Matariki marks a time of year of new life through seed regenerating.
- Saturday 15 July, 2.30pm and
- Sunday 16 July, 11am
- Sausie sizzle and hot chocolates for sale
- Friday 14 July, 10-2pm
- Saturday 15 July, 10-2pm
- Sunday 16 July, 10-2pm
Child friendly wildlife experiences
Check out the new Wildlife experiences available. There are lots of opportunities to experience the Nature Reserve behind the scenes and up close.
- Native Bird Close Encounter, $20 per child/$30 per adult
- Ranger Experience, $75 (8.30am – 12.30pm shadow a ranger)
- Kiwi Night Encounter, $30 per Child/$50 per adult. Discover the secret lives of Kiwi at dusk, ages 7+
- Stay overnight in Theo’s Cottage with this special winter rate of $140 per night (valid until 31 August 2023). Stay over after your Kiwi Night Encounter and experience the reserve all to yourself after hours.
We look forward to seeing you all at Ngā Manu soon.
Ngā mihi,
Jane Carruthers
Marketing & Communications Manager
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
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