NEWSLETTER NO. 5 – 01/03/18
PAID UNION MEETING – EARLY FINISH
On Wednesday 21st March there is a paid union meeting being held at AIS for teachers. It is important that our teachers attend this meeting; therefore students will have an early finish that day at 1:45pm. The school buses to Taita and Stokes Valley will leave AIS at 1:45pm. We apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause. If you are unable to organise alternative care for your child, please contact the school office and speak with Leanne or Michele.
LITERACY AND NUMERACY STUDY CENTRE
Our Literacy and Numeracy study centre sessions began this week in the school library. It is fantastic to see that both groups have at least 25 students attending each session. It is important that these students continue to attend study centre each week.
TERM 1 LEARNING
Our students have recently completed a number of reading and maths tests. The results from these tests help us to get a snapshot of where your child is working and to identify their strengths and next steps. We have one more test this term, which is an easTTle writing test that will be completed next week. Our main topics this term include:
Mathematics: Statistics, Addition and Subtraction strategies
Literacy: Narratives – Myths and Legends Topic/Inquiry – The Avalon Way
Science: Exploring Science Kits (provided by Hutt Science)
PE: Athletics Te Reo Maori: Pepeha, Marae, Karakia and waiata
ATHLETICS DAY
Our school athletics day is on Wednesday 7th March. To encourage team spirit, each team has been allocated a colour for the day and students are allowed to bring accessories or suitable clothing to school, which they can wear during the day. Alternatively, they can wear the school PE uniform. Students must come to school in full school uniform and will leave school in full school uniform. We do not want hair paint brought to school but students can use a small amount of face paint – this will be applied in classrooms. The Rangatira are organising a sausage sizzle on the day – these will be $1 each.
Team Hillary – Yellow Team Sheppard – Green Team Apirana – Purple
KAPA HAKA
Our Kapa Haka group met for the first time on Friday last week – we have over 50 students in the group! Matua Jonas is looking forward to working with our students in this learning space. We have a range of experience in the group and we are pleased that they have made a positive start to the year. Ka mau te wehi!
RUBBISH REDUCTION WORKSHOPS
Rachel Thomas (Masters student at Victoria University) has run workshops with all classes on reducing rubbish at Avalon Intermediate. Her presentation was engaging and at times shocking – it was very sad to see the affect that rubbish has on our environment and animals. Each class has made a pledge and we are asking everyone in our community to be proactive in this area. Reduce - Reuse – Recycle
SCIENCE
Twelve girls had a thought-provoking session with Kelly and Chenda last Thursday at Hello Cafe. They learnt about transport systems, including about the variety and challenges of infrastructure and resources in different countries in the world. Thanks to Engineering NZ and Futureintech for making these workshops available to us.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S AWARD
The Deputy Principal’s award was given to Nadia Massaad (Rm 5) for showing excellent initiative around the school. Nadia is a PE and fruit monitor and we are proud to have her working positively at AIS.
GOLD CARD
Congratulations to Natten Taylor & Aho Maake-Latu for winning the gold card draw this week!
TERM 1 DATES
Tuesday 6th March: Girls Futsal Tournament (Walter Nash)
Wednesday 7th March: AIS Athletics Day
Saturday 17th March: Tumeke Taita (Pomare School)
Thursday 22nd March: Boostrix/Gardasil Injections
Wdnesday 21st March: Early Finish 1:45pm
Wednesday 28th March: Interschool Athletics
Friday 30th March – Tuesday 3rd April – Easter Public Holidays
Thursday 5th April: Dental Van in AIS for the next week
Wednesday 11th April: Interschool Rugby 7s
Friday 13th April: Last day for Term 1 (school finishes at normal time)
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Play football at Lower Hutt City AFC in 2018 – Registrations Now Open!
Juniors – individual age grades for 7th- 14th grade (mixed grades).
Girls, do you want to play in a girl’s only team? Girls Only football on Sundays. For information on how to register to play this season, please visit our website - http://www.lhcafc.org.nz/joinlowerhutt.html
Ian Hastie
Principal