Whanau Koru Teachers 2018
Lyndsey, Deborah, Judith, Leah, Adrienne, Suzanne and Emily
Balmoral
School Vision
To
value diversity and develop curious, confident and connected learners.
Children in Koru bring to school a
diversity of experiences, knowledge and ways of learning. Inspired by their
interests and wonderings, we support and celebrate their learning journeys in
our classrooms.
Inquiry
Learning across the curriculum at
Balmoral is based on an Inquiry approach. During the year learning will go in
many different directions and teachers strive to respond to the
children’s wonderings and interests. The children explore, question, make
connections and form theories as they try to make sense of their world.
Taakaro
Whanau Koru’s Taakaro sessions take
place on Thursday mornings. We support the children in creating their own
contexts for learning through play. They have the freedom to be creative,
explore, problem solve, connect and communicate. Taakaro helps the children to build a sense of Mana Whenua (belonging) - they get to know other
children and teachers in Whanau Koru while having great fun! At the beginning
of the year transitioning to school is important and Taakaro gives the children
opportunities to do this in a fun, non threatening environment.
Aquatics
The school pool is open for class
use. Your class teacher will have told you when your pool sessions are. If your
child is not able to go in the school pool then please see your classroom
teacher. Our focus this term is developing the children’s knowledge of water
safety. The programme is called ‘Water Skills for Life’. It will cover things
like getting in and out of the water safely, using different ways; and how to stay
afloat.
Home Learning
In Whanau Koru the children’s home
learning will be their home reader. This is a book that the children are
familiar with and bring home to share and enjoy with their family. We call this
‘familiar reading’ and is used to develop their skills as independent readers.
Every year we lose many books from our Book Room. The children can only take a
book home if they return the book from the day before to school. Please help
your child to build the routine of the daily return of books in their book
bags once books start to come home.
Reading Programmes
Our main focus at the beginning of
the year is to set up classroom and school routines and familiarise the
children with their school environment. Teachers are spending time getting to know
children. We are gradually introducing our Reading programmes in our
classrooms. Home reading books will start to come home in the next few weeks.
Change of Clothes
Please have a change of clothes for
your child at school (these can be kept in their bag or hook), especially on
our Taakaro days where messy play is a popular area of play.
School Hats
Please ensure your child brings their school sun hats to school every day. They are required to wear them at
morning tea, lunchtime and whenever they are outside during the school day
during Terms 1 and 4.
Library
The New Entrant/Year 1 children can
issue one library book for one week. If the book is not returned then another
one cannot be issued. Bronwyn, our librarian, has a fantastic knowledge
of children’s books. You are most welcome to pop into the School Library and
chat to her if you want any advice about books for your children.
Toys
Please do not let children bring toys
to school unless your child’s class is having a special day with toys.
Arriving at school after 9am and
leaving before 3pm
Please note that if your child
arrives late or needs to be picked up early for an appointment (even if they
are coming back to school) you need to go and sign them ‘in and out’ at the
main school office. The earliest time for dropping children at school in the
morning is 8.30am. Teachers cannot be responsible for the children before that
time as they may be out of their rooms doing jobs and getting ready for their
day. Please take time to settle your child at school by arriving a bit before
9am so they can leisurely get ready for their day.
New Parent Morning Tea
Each term we hold a new parent
morning tea in the staff room. This is a chance for new parents to meet other
parents and also to meet Malcolm Milner, our Principal, and Katy Sparkes, our
Associate Principal. This term it is on Thursday 15 February at 9am in
the staff room. Pre-schoolers are most welcome.
Events this term
Whanau Day: Thursday 22 February -
9 till 11am; more information to follow
Ambury Farm: Friday 9 March - we will
need parent help for this trip. A notice will come home.
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