Room 4 Newsletter: Term 1, 2017 Greetings! Nau mai haere mai ki Ruma Wha! We’re off to a good start in Room 4. Today has been a big one for your child, with lots of new information and new people; there’s a lot to process on the first day of school! This newsletter is full of information to help you navigate Term One at Te Awamutu Intermediate. Along with this, you will receive other papers too. Your child will keep one of their L-shaped pockets in their backpack to protect items as they go to and from home. I recommend that they don’t remove the L -pocket (just take out the contents) so it’s always there in their backpack when needed.

Our Vision

Stationery Thank you for promptly purchasing stationery so that we can get straight into our programme for learning. Students are welcome to keep surplus items at home until they’re needed. I’ve included the stationery list on the back of this newsletter.

Behaviours we’ve identified as positive for school success

B.Y.O.D. 2017 TAI is a B.Y.O.D. school (Bring Your Own Device). Your child can bring any device with a keyboard to use in class, and I recommend this. If you are in the market for a device to support their learning, we would recommend getting a netbook like the Chromebook. Your child will use the Google Suite (Google Slides, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Classroom etc) and these are all accessed via the internet. Netbooks/ Chromebooks need much smaller internal storage and therefore are a cheaper option. It is important that the device has a keyboard as your child will develop important writing/keyboarding skills through daily use. Note: Devices are now compulsory once they reach Te Awamutu College, among others.

Important Dates: Thu 9 Feb: Meet the teacher BBQ, @ 5.30.

Entry Testing

Thu 9 Feb: Band evening @ 7.30

Starting in week 3, students will be working on several tests which provide us with our baseline data and give us some ideas on how best to help your child learn. Thus, it is very important that your child be at school every day so as not to have to be removed to sit catch-up tests and miss further class learning time.

Fri 10 Feb: Inter House– Minor Games

Swimming This is an essential curriculum area. You need to send a note, text or email if you wish to excuse your child from swimming. Please ensure children have the correct swimming attire. (See school prospectus). Class Web Page/ Email/ School Mobile Reminder that Rm 4’s class web page can be found at www.teawamutuint.school.nz under the Classrooms tab. We are on Facebook as well.

Thu 16 Feb: Class Photos Fri 3 Mar: Inter House– Swimming Thu 9 Mar: Makuhari arrive Inter Intermediate (WIMS) Competitions: Swimming

27th Feb

Cricket

7th Mar

Volleyball

14th Mar

Touch

21st Mar

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. If you num-

prefer to text, please be sure to include child’s name and room ber and send message to the office’s mobile on 021 022 30827.

Check the school’s weekly newsletter or website for new events as they arise.

Labelling Uniform Uniforms are expensive. Please ensure that all uniform items are clearly named. It is almost certain your child will leave some item or other somewhere at some point; with over 450 students dressed the same, you can imagine the problems that arise! TAI BBQ– come say kia ora  This will be taking place on Thursday the 9th February from 5.30pm. This is an informal way of catching up with me. The pool will be open and a BBQ will be available to use (Bring your own food). Band Information Evening The BBQ will be followed by a Band information evening @ 7.30 for all those interested in learning an instrument. The benefits of learning music are wellestablished so aspiring rock stars, rappers and concert pianists should check it out! Opportunities/ Leadership At the beginning of the year there are a range of leadership opportunities that your child can get involved in such as Councillor, House Captains (Year 8 ), Class Captain and school duties, to name a few. There are also a range of sporting and cultural activities that your child can get participate in– please encourage them to give things a go and I will do the same. Term One Topics This term we will be exploring TIME, the BRAIN, GROUP DYNAMICS, units of MEASURE, REPORT and LETTER writing.

Walking, Cycling and Taking the Bus to School Your child attended a meeting today to outline expectations for getting home safely. It would be great to ask them about this and model respect for the rules that keep everyone safe on the buses, footpaths and roads.

Homework I require you to sign your child's home learning book at least once a week. It makes a massive difference if your child reads for 20-30 minutes a night. Research suggests that reading can also take the form of you reading to them… we’re never too old to be read to! Knowledge of current events – TV, radio, newspaper is also encouraged as we have a weekly news quiz. Google Classroom– Parent Access Room 4 uses the Google Classroom platform to distribute work, share links and make our learning accessible at home. Google has just introduced a way for parents to receive updates and I am trialling it now, with more info to come. It looks like a promising and simple way to keep home and school connected. Notices & Money Envelopes Please check the additional information that has gone home with each child today and fill out, sign (if needed) and return a.s.a.p. Your child will also bring home some pre-printed envelopes to assist you when sending $$ to school.

Warm Regards, Sarah Bolton Aka MzBee [email protected]

Internet & Publishing Agreement A permission form will have gone home with this newsletter. Please read and sign. Your child must also sign it. Infringement of this agreement will be taken seriously. Please note that students cannot take photos or videos of others OR themselves at school. Inappropriate use of a device will result in it being held at the office, requiring a parent to pick it up.