SWIS
Social Worker in School
(Family Works)
Contact:
Kia ora, Malo e Lelei, Talofa Lava, Ni Hao, Namaste, Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa Lahi Atu, Kia orana, Mauri, Greetings.
It is astonishing to think how quickly the end of the year is approaching. In these last few weeks, there have been some exciting things happening at school - the Diwali dance celebration being a particularly memorable event.
I was so impressed by the confident, skilful performances from students across the year groups.
I'd like to extend my thanks to our staff and our parent community who continue to support our tamariki at this busy time.
Calendar Art
Thank you for supporting our calendar art fundraiser. I hope you enjoy the impressive artwork.
We raised a total of $831.15.
Travelwise Leadership Group
Our leaders are doing an amazing job patrolling Hill Road at the end of the day.
They are reminding car drivers to move on from parking on the yellow lines, and pedestrians from crossing directly opposite New Hook Lane.
It is important that we teach our tamariki to be road safe, and they look to adults as their role models.
Thank you for your support of our leaders as they continue this important work.
Covid on the increase
Nationally we are seeing a rise in COVID cases once more.
Please be vigilant and let us know immediately if your child tests positive for COVID.
A child can return to school once showing a negative result and are no longer symptomatic.
We continue to maintain high standards of hygiene practice and ventilation in school to prevent spread of any disease.
End of Year Activities
Between now and the 15th December we have a number of end of year events to which you are invited.
Among these are our end of year assemblies that are special and always well attended.
Please make a note of the dates that follow in this newsletter.
The Junior and Senior School Prize Giving assemblies are arranged to acknowledge our students and recognise their achievements through the year.
You will also be treated to student performances during the Junior School assembly.
It is a special time for our children and you are warmly invited.
Looking ahead to 2024
Class lists for next year are being finalised. Due to numbers in particular year groups, some pods will have mixed classes with a two year range in each.
This arrangement provides younger children the opportunity to work with and learn from their older peers.
As a rule, children are placed with a new whānau teacher each year.
This allows them to experience a range of teacher strengths and interests as they move through their time at school. In exceptional circumstances a child may be placed with the same teacher for two years.
All classes have a range of ability, interests and achievement levels. This means there is no "top class".
In a pod, children remain with their whanau teacher for reading, writing and mathematics but have the opportunity to work with other students and teachers across the pod for other subjects and activities.
When children begin school at age 5, they are placed into a single cell classroom with a programme designed to settle them quickly into school routines and learning programmes. When ready the children are then moved to a Year 1 class.
School Attendance 2024
You can help us plan for next year by letting us know if your child will not be returning to MCS in 2024 (apart from Year 6 students of course).
Also, if your child is going overseas and not returning for the first day of school on Wednesday 31st January 2024, you must inform the school in writing, before the end of this year. Children who simply do not turn up to school risk being removed from the school roll.
Puriri Building Project
This project is currently on track to be completed by the end of the summer break. We hope to be back in the building by the first day of the new school year!
Ngā mihi nui
Michelle Dibben
Principal
We are so happy that the sun is coming out so we can spend more time learning and playing outdoors.
Please can you remember to send your children with a sunhat so we can continue to enjoy the sunshine.
We continue to work in our performance groups, getting ready to put on a wonderful performance for our families and we are getting excited that it is not very far away now.
Our performance groups also give us a great opportunity to get to know and work with other teachers and children from our pod so we can expand our friendships and become familiar working with different adults.
We are looking forward to a fun filled last few weeks of school before we head off on our Summer break.
This is Chloe's picture of her favourite part of the book, "Another Mother".
She liked when the mother emu hugged her baby with her snuggly, wuggly feathers.
Titoki has been playing teamwork games and learning how to communicate, cooperate and support each other.
It has been great fun learning new games to play.
This story is written by Darjayan.
On Tuesday we were outside playing hot and cold. The teacher took the catcher to a good waiting place so he couldn't peek.
Then someone hid the toy in a safe place so the catcher wouldn't find the toy easily. The rules were to say hot and cold to the catcher.
The cold one means you are far away. The hot one means you are almost near the toy.
The warm one means you are close.
We lost the game but I felt good because it was a funny game to play.
Summer is nearly here!
We have noticed the change in the weather over the last couple of weeks and the sunshine has been very welcome, it makes all of us smile just a little bit more!
It does mean the end of the year is fast approaching but we are still busy learning and celebrating how much we have grown this year.
Last week we wrote a letter to someone special to us at school letting them know what we appreciate about them.
Miss Truong got to hand out these wonderful notes from our class mail box. Lots of kind words were shared!
You may hear lots of singing and dancing happening in Kōwhai as we are practising for our final assembly of the year. We are so looking forward to performing for you on Wednesday 13 December.
The children in Tī Kōuka Pod have been developing great 'remembering' skills.
The teachers in Tī Kōuka have enjoyed listening to a wide range of poetry recitals recently.
This was the first time the students have had to memorise a poem and then share it to their whanau group.
The children have been learning and memorising their routines for various end of year performances too!
It's great to feel the warmth of the sun and we are looking forward to a long sunny summer this year.
Please remember all of our children need to wear sunhats at all break times when they are playing and eating their lunch outside.
This term is passing by very quickly! Our Science Inquiry is humming along really well and into research mode for our plant, animal and minibeast groups.
Our vegetable garden is looking great and our sunflower seeds have sprouted and will need staking so that they can begin to grow as tall as us! We are enjoying swimming in the pool and getting some extra safety tips before the summer holidays.
Congratulations to our lovely dancers who performed during the Diwali Showcase.
You guys were awesome!
During Te Reo Maori time we showed Matua Cassidy our Manurewa School Haka. He was very impressed and has been teaching Rimu pod another Haka to learn. This is Matua Cassidy's last week with Rimu pod and he will be missed by us all. We wish him all the best with his future in teaching.
In Nikau pod we have been enjoying learning about different places in NZ.
We've been making the most of having our school pool open - the solar heating makes such a difference.
This week we will sadly say goodbye to our student teacher Miss Hunter.
It has been great having her in Nikau pod and we wish her all the best for her teaching journey.
Last week we had our speech finals and we were blown away with the quality of the speeches.
Thank you to Mrs Suyker for being our guest judge.
In Kauri Ngahere, we have been busy reviewing our roles as Kaitiaki to our environment after our trip to Rotoroa Island where we learned loads of information about conservation.
We have been learning about different and significant political movements within New Zealand, tapping into our inner musician and artist magic, and preparing for graduation which we are all looking forward to.
We are so proud of the progress and effort our Year 6's have made this far!
Weetbix Kids TRYathlon
Congratulations to
all our students who took part
in the 2023 Weetbix Tryathlon
and big mihi
to all the parents and families
who went along to support.
Parents, caregivers and whānau
Please help your child/ren to be at school by 8.30-8.45am every day.
This gives your child/ren time to talk with the teacher, see their friends and get organised for learning for their day.
All students are required to be 'ready for learning' by 9.00am every day.
Our learning programmes begin at this time.
Thank you for your help and support in ensuring a happy start to the school day for your child/ren every day.
Our Year 6 students have the opportunity to take part in experiencing Education Outside the Classroom at Camp Adair in Term 1 2024.
This exciting experience allows students to grow in confidence, self-awareness, and independence.
Activities include abseiling, low ropes, kayaking, archery, bushcraft, and other team-building and problem-solving activities.
The Camp takes place in Week 7 of Term 1 2024: Monday 18 March to Wednesday 20 March 2024.
Keep an eye out for information coming home with your child about Camp 2024!
Please DO NOT allow your child to bring toys to school.
We are not able to ensure they return to their rightful home or that they do not get broken.
Please DO NOT send lollies & lollipops to school.
We encourage healthy eating at school.
Please save treats for after school.
No fizzy drinks please.
We appreciate your help with these requests.
Parents/Caregivers
Please ensure your contact details are up to date!
These can be updated by email to:
officemanager@mancent.school.nzPlease check we have a copy of your child's vaccination records and any important medical information.
Pasefika Healthcare Nurse: Anita Lea
Our nurse is available at school by appointment to advise and support you with any health concerns for your children.
She is available for hearing and vision checks and will throat swab for infection at your request.
Referrals can be made to see the nurse or for advice and support via application at the school office.
Gates are closed at 3.20pm.
Term 4 - Sunhats for play please!
Dates for Your Diary
Term Dates