Kia ora e te whānau, hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of term. Classes continue to have an incredible learning buzz about them and it is always exciting at this time of term to see the learning come together in creative ways.
Today's newsletter is the last for this term, so has a few updates as well as information about events coming up soon and into next term. We encourage you to join us for our end of term assembly next Friday 2:30pm where we finish the term with a couple of performances and our always popular term highlights video.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Friday 4th April - Out of Zone Ballot for 2025 places closes
- Friday 11th April - Last Day of Term 1, End of Term Assembly 2:30pm
- Monday 28th April - Term 2 begins
- Wednesday 7th May - Junior School (Year 0-3) Information Evening
- Wednesday 21st May 6:30-7:30pm Online Safety Evening: Navigating Technology at Home (for all families)
- Friday 30th May - Teacher Only Day
- Monday 2nd June - King's Birthday Public Holiday
- Thursday 19th June 6-8pm - Matariki Disco
- Friday 20th June - Matariki Public Holiday
- Friday 27th June - Mid Year Reports and Last Day of Term 2
Term Two Concept
Our Term 2 Concept is 'Connection' (Tūhononga):
Connection is when two or more things are linked or come together in some way. Connections can be physical or emotional. It’s like when puzzle pieces fit together or when you share something with someone, like a story or a feeling.
The first step of our learning process is called 'Framing the Inquiry', which is where we share the understanding of the concept with our students and our school community, to help decide the context the learning will be framed around. We would love you to talk about this with your child using the questions below as a guide. Kaiako will be asking these questions in class as well.
- What learning could be linked to this concept?
- What are you interested in that is linked to this concept?
- What is going on in our local community, wider community, nationally and globally that may link to this concept?
You can share your answers with us by filling in this form.
Mathematics at Nukumea
Our goals for mathematics are aligned with the refreshed NZ curriculum. You will now find that our mathematics goals are split into two distinct sets of goals.
Our Number and Algebra goals cover number structures and operations in both whole and rational numbers. This supports the understanding of the structure of numbers e.g. how to read, write and order them and understand their place value, before working with them across the four operations. Students in the early phases mostly work with whole numbers and basic fractions, where in later phases students are being introduced to decimals and percentages. You will also find goals for Algebra and Financial Maths sitting under the Number and Algebra set of goals.
Our other set of goals in mathematics are for Statistics, Probability, Measurement and Geometry. This year, as part of the government's initiative to boost learning in mathematics, we have chosen to work with Oxford Owl as our structured maths provider. Our teachers have undergone professional development in this programme and will continue to learn more about it alongside using it to support the wider classroom programme in mathematics.
You can learn more about what we teach in mathematics and how you can help at home by reading the one page overviews on our website.
Athletics
Our senior students have had a term of athletics for their PE classes. As well as the speedy running, they have also learned the technical side of field events like high jump, discus and shot put. The students showed huge improvements in their skill levels over the term and then got to put them to the test with an afternoon of athletics qualifying events. A special mention must be made here for Jane Jomy who met the Inter School qualification standard in all 3 of Shot Put, Discus and High Jump - what a great effort!
We are now sending a team of 6 students to the Inter School Athletics this Thursday. Good luck to Jane, Freyja, Willow, Maddox, Kiean and Seth.
Swimming
In weeks 3 and 4 of next term, we are having our two weeks of intensive swimming lessons at Northern Arena. The students change into their togs at school, head to the pools via bus, have their lessons and then return to school. Last year, we saw massive improvements in their confidence and abilities over the two weeks.
To help us get students into the right level classes, a form has been sent home with each child. Please fill out this form and return it to the office by next Friday.
Trumpet Orewa Coastal Clean-Up
This Saturday, Sustainable Coastlines and Tip Top Trumpet, are running a beach clean up of Orewa Beach. Starting from 9:30 and finishing by 12, they are welcoming anyone who wants to take part. Basically, you provide the manpower, and they will provide the ice creams and drinks to fuel you along, plus the equipment needed to clean up our local beach. Some of our families are already signed up to be there, if you want to join them, read the information and register here.