WELCOME TO WEEK 9! Well done to those who are still 'hanging in there' this term! It feels like one unusual moment in time right now, but we are getting there. School routines are still largely in place, and our Team are amazing at coming in, and getting on with it. Our class is functioning VERY well indeed. Please keep us updated with how life is going for you, and of course if there is anything we can do to help, just ask. We have packs of learning activities for children that need them. Please note, we are still full time teaching, so individual email responses will not always happen.
This week we have been developing our setting descriptions, and you will have seen your child's maths assessment for the term come up in HERO. Next week we will be completing our Reading assessment followed by our Writing assessment in Week 10. Please note, if children are away during the assessment period, they will not be completing them.
As we draw closer to the end of the term, we are keen to reward our team for the magnificent term they have had, so we are planning our infamous Matawara Fort Day! This is a day set aside for our team to bring things to school that they can construct (inside) forts from, usually with all the home comforts like pillows, doonas, teddies etc! They will work within these forts for the day, in small groups. The day we have set aside for this is WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL. More information will come out closer to the time!
**CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MATAWARA ASSEMBLY WINNERS**
Swimming Sports
Values T-Shirts
Principal's Certificates
HOMEWORK -
While we don't have a homework programme, in the traditional sense, the following are expectations of all children in Matawara.
1. READING! We read for a sustained period of time in our team each day, and we continually express to the children that we expect them to also be doing this at home.
2. YEAR 8 : Leadership Project - this is a year long commitment and the expectation is that ALL Year 8's should be completing something towards this every week (or however they like to split the time up). We SHOULD see at least work to the effect of 1-2 hours per week. All of the work is on their Workspace.
3. YEAR 7 : Emerging Leaders Project - Linda has worked extensively with the Year 7's on their project, which is completing the Year 8 Leavers book. There is an expectation that there will be continued work on the independent parts of this. Again, this is on each Year 7's workspace.
Both the Year 7 and Year 8 Leadership Projects will have some class time allocated to them, however children should not rely on this alone.
On occasions, your child may elect to complete work at home, if they are running pretty close to a deadline. Please know if this happens, they HAVE had ample time in class to complete it.
PARENT LIBRARY -
You may (or may not!) know that we do have a small parent library here at school. It has a selection of topical books, that you are able to borrow for a short time under your child's borrowing number. I thought I would share one from time to time, so you can see what is in there. If you are keen to take any of them, just let me know and I will get it to you.
This one from John Parsons (a Cyber Safety and Risk Consultant for the Police) is an absolute cracker to get us started. It delves deep into the Online environment with real case studies to read about in terms of Cyber Safety. It gets a 10/10 from me!
"At the end of parent workshops and professional development sessions I am asked if i have any material to take away that captures my approach to cyber safety.This book is my response. It is based wholly on experience. The stories, with names changed, are real, and in many instances have involved agencies that have contributed to successful outcomes for the child. All of my work in the area of cyber safety is collaborative, and I want to acknowledge the parents, teachers, police officers, health professionals, and above all the brave young people and their families, who have helped increase my knowledge and encouraged me in this work." John Parsons
PODCAST LIBRARY -
This weeks Podcast comes from a fairly unlikely source - Dr Phil! It was released earlier in the week, and I listened to it immediately just because of the title, and I was glad I did! (NOTE - there are annoying ads, particularly in the first half, so you get good at using the fast forward button!)
It is titled "The Pandemic Aftermath and How it is Affecting Students" and while it is "American-ised," it is transferrable information. Dr Phil interviews a parenting expert Dr Michele Borba, regarding this topic, and the absolute GOLD at about 47 minutes was The 7 teachable traits that are highly correlated to success. In this section Dr Borba outlines the following traits and how they can apply to your children family...
* Confidence
* Empathy
* Self Control
* Integrity
* Curiosity
* Perseverance
* Optimism
I hope you are keen to have a listen!
- The Apple Podcast Link is HERE
- The Spotify Link is HERE
EASTER RAFFLE - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
We have a box in our classroom for donations from families for our Easter Raffle being held at the end of the term. We ask please that each family donates something easter themed that can go into hampers we make up for the raffle.
MATAWARA you are AWESOME! Our Easter box is looking rather SCRUMPTIOUS... Keep it coming!
Or if you can support us through a donation or vouchers from business owners, as a prize for raffles, that would be very much appreciated also.
Raffle tickets have gone home this week, so good luck!
Have a super weekend!
Kristie, Linda, Jenny and Helen.
LOOKING FORWARD...
WEEK 9 -
* FRIDAY - Year 8 PLANNING Section of Leadership Project Due - 9am
* FRIDAY - Tech - ALL DAY - Bus leaves at 9:15am SHARP!
WEEK 10 -
* FRIDAY - Camp Wellington Pizza Fundraiser! (Michelle Berg and Steph Rayward are doing this one!)
* FRIDAY - Camp Wellington Chocolate at the Gate Fundraiser! (Ranwell Family)
