Dear Parents
It has been a very positive first week back at school and I have congratulated the students on great attitudes, willingness to settle down to work and producing what is asked of them – a great start! We have also been enjoying the new classroom, what it has to offer Year 8 students, and in particular the air-conditioning when the weather is very hot! The students worked on a series of passport activities last week that introduced them to the procedures, expectations, and some units of work for this term. They were also introduced to the two habits of mind that we are focusing on this term; Thinking interdependently (key competency – relating to others) and thinking & communicating with clarity & precision (key competency - participating & contributing)
This week we will be getting stuck into the main aspects of our units; I shall outline the units and what we are focusing on below:
· Writing and reading focus this term is on writing recounts and the many different ways you can plan and draft for a formal recount. With reading we are focusing on three specific reading comprehension strategies. We also start looking at our grammar and punctuation focus, with the spelling focus starting in a couple of weeks time.
· Topic – Our theme is ‘active citizenship’, the first focus will be on leadership which should help all the students develop their leadership skills with house leader selection later in the term.
· ICT – cyber safety, file management and use of blog site.
· Goal setting – we set short-term goals biweekly to aim for and reflect on the following week.
· Obviously we are practicing for the tryathlon on Friday and the swim sports later in the term.
· Learning languages – we are starting with greetings and commands for Te Reo Maori and later in the term will study German.
Home learning this week has two parts; The first sheet for Maths Mate (due in on Thursday) and making up a ‘fitness trainer’ to house the student’s sports/fitness goals for the year. This is an opportunity for the students to be creative.
Reminders & information: - On Monday at 11.000am the Yr 8 girls will be meeting with the Public Health nurse for information about the HPV vaccination – this is happening in all schools with Yr 8 students. They will get information about it that day, and will need to return a form. We have our tryathlon on Friday afternoon, starting at 12.50pm with the Year 8 boys running first, followed by the Year 8 girls. On Friday morning the students also have their first session at MOTEC and most importantly we have ‘Meet the Teacher’ on Wednesday night 5.30 – 6.00pm in Room 11 – would love to see you all there.
Yours sincerely Mandy Stephens
Dear Students
This week I would like you to do the following:
· Complete Maths Mate sheet – Term 1, Sheet 1
(Due in on Thursday)
· Complete a ‘’fitness trainer’ that will house the sports and fitness goals you will set in class.
· You can use the template given and remember to stick the tongue down on shoe so it can house the goals we will set in class. If you need items for laces let no know – I have several options.
· This must be completed to A1 standards, bright, colourful and creative – let me respond with wonderment & awe!. Three prizes awarded: - 1) Overall creativity 2) Best lacing system 3) Most colourful
(Due in Friday)
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