Kakano 6 2022

   In our class, we spend time learning to read and write the alphabet letters.  I have been so impressed with the way the children persevere to correctly write all letters.  We are having fun learning the sounds the letters make and have even started putting letters together to read and write words. If you would like to learn more about how we teach reading and writing at St Mary's I have included a few articles and links you may like to look at. • Lifting Literacy Aotearoa  • Learning MATTERS  • iDeaL Approach  • APM Reports – At a Loss for Words. (Very interesting analysis of current methods of teaching reading)

  Kia ora whānau It is week 9 this week and we continue to be impressed with the way the children are working across all Kākano classes. It has been pleasing to see many children return to school after periods of illness or isolation.  As always, we remind you if your child is displaying any cough or cold symptoms you keep them at home and test for Covid. In class we continue to… Keep our space well ventilated with open windows and doors Clean hard surfaces throughout the day Remind children to sanitise as they enter the classroom Homework Each day your child brings home an activity to do with your support.  You will find a description of the activity in your child’s Blue Reading Log.  The activity aims to support the classroom learning your child has done that day and should take no longer than 10 minutes. We thank all the whānau who take the time to share in their child’s learning.  We have noticed a remarkable difference with those children who are regularly completing home activiti

  The children have loved being creative and are really exploring different art mediums. This week the children worked out how to drill holes in pumice and made a fantastic hanging art piece.  They all spent some time drawing and painting sunflower pictures on our Ukraine day. We used Van Gogh as inspiration for our sunflower art. The children are thinking of their own art ideas and can ask for what materials they need to create their own art. 

  Kia Ora Kākano whānau Wow, Week 8 already! The term seems like it’s flying by.  We would like to thank parents for their continued support of the school’s Covid protocols. It looks like a wet week so we would again like to remind you that on a wet day, we ask all parents to stay on the outside of the Kākano gates as we have lots of children to get to set areas. Once again, if your child tests positive it is very important to let either Dave, Anne, your child's teacher or the school office know.  Thanks for all your help with this. Also a  big thumbs up to those children and whanau who are working hard on the Home Learning activities. Many of you will notice some differences to the reading coming home and should receive an information sheet/email about the changes. Please check their book bags and home books for any activities we have sent home.  It is an exciting time for the Kakano teachers as we move into the next phase of our structured literacy programme.  Swimming No Swimmin

 Today we headed off on an adventure. We picked yummy blackberries and then headed back to class and made yummy blackberry muffins. 

  Thursday morning tea we ate plain bread and water. We talked about how some children don’t get the yummy food we do. We have discussed that Caritas helps children around the world especially those in need. 

  Kia Ora Kākano whānau Thanks so much for helping the Young Vinnies raise $522.90 from all the donations towards helping people in the Ukraine. It was wonderful to see so many of our children dressed in yellow and blue. Covid is continuing to make its presence in our school.  We have children and staff who are at home isolating.  It is really important for us to continue to keep up our Covid protocols so we ask that no parents come inside the Kākano classrooms and continue to drop your children off at the gates. On a wet day, we ask all parents to stay on the outside of the Kākano gates as we have lots of children to get to set areas to meet parents.  We continue to keep our classrooms well ventilated, surfaces washed down and have children sanitising. If your child tests positive it is very important to let either Dave, Anne, your child's teacher or the school office know.  Thanks for all your help with this. Swimming Kākano 6 are swimming this week.  Please bring your togs every

Kia Ora Kākano whānau We had a lovely week this week celebrating the beginning of Lent.  We made Lenten Promises on Monday.  We then burnt our promises in preparation for Ash Wednesday. Please ask your child what they decided they were either going to give up during Lent or what they are going to do to be helpful during Lent.  On Tuesday it was Shrove Tuesday and all the children made pancakes.  On Wednesday it was Ash Wednesday and the children took part in the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.  They all had the sign of the cross drawn on their forehead with the ashes from their Lenten promises. Covid has started to make its presence in our school.  We have children and staff who are at home isolating.  It is really important for us to continue to keep up our Covid protocols so we ask that no parents are inside the Kākano classrooms and we have made the drop-off zone outside of the Kākano gates  On a wet day, we ask all parents to stay on the outside of the Kākano gates as we have lots of childr