Kauri Whānau Weekly Update: Term 3 Week 7

What a big week we had last week, with our ski day and learning conferences.

A huge thank you to all the parents who came along and supported the children on the slopes. We couldn't have gone without you. The children had the opportunity to embrace 'we love challenge' and they did this with great gusto!

Parent feedback is being collected about learning conferences. I have just read through the feedback that has been given so far. Thanks to the five parents who have responded from our team. It would be great to get more Kauri feedback, so we can build a clearer picture of whether we are hitting the mark with these conferences and what needs to be done to improve them. Please take a couple of minutes to fill in this form. 

Speeches:

This weekend we are reading through the children's speech documents and providing feedback and suggestions. We are working on a short timeframe with speeches this year. They will be delivered to home-groups starting this Friday afternoon, for those who are ready, with the rest being delivered on Monday and Tuesday of week 8. We are devoting quite a bit of class time to speech writing this coming week, however most children will also need to work on their speech as part of their home learning. The aim is to be finished writing by Wednesday, so that time can be spent practising the delivery, both at school and at home. The best six Year 7 and six Year 8 speeches will go forward to our speech finals. This will take place in our new hub at Beckenham, on Wednesday September 13th, in the afternoon.

Sexuality Education:

We are about to begin our ‘Sexuality Road’ health unit. During these lessons the children will be learning about changing bodies and feelings, relationships, communication and decision making, reproduction and support systems. We teach this topic every year in the Intermediate Hub, to ensure that students cover issues relevant to them, at an appropriate age. The Year 7s and Year 8s are taught separately.

If you would like more information on what is covered, we will be running an information evening on Thursday September 14th, starting at 7pm. This will be held in our new hub at Beckenham. It is important that you fill in this form, if you are planning on attending this evening.

Production Props and Costumes:

The Trials of Alice in Wonderland is our Year 7 & 8 production this year. The children are either in the acting group or the props and costumes creation group. It would be great to have some parents to support our children with the costume and prop making. If you are happy to help out and have the time on a Thursday afternoon, please send me an email. nicky.dunlop@beckenham.school.nz

Finally, here are a few more pictures from our day up Mt Hutt.

Joe gets up close with the snow ... again.

Go Bella!