Masters
Masters’ Syndicate Newsletter
Term 1 2010
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Welcome to Term 1 2010.
A big welcome to the families who have joined the Masters from Bachelors, and those new to Chelsea School.
Your child is now a member of the Masters Syndicate, comprising Year 3 and Year 4 children, in Spaces 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Space 1: Ms Jessie Cameron
Space 2: Mrs Janine Cross (Team Leader)
Space 3: Miss Yvette Croft
Space 4: Mr Peter Anderson
The children’s Maths groups will also spend an hour a week with Mr Davis developing computer skills.
Stationery
Thank you for the prompt supply of the children’s stationery.
Some of the general points of information for you to be aware of are:
- Refill, clear pockets and clear files have been collected by your classroom teacher. The clear pockets will be named and used by your children in Maths, English and in their tote trays.
- Pencils, rubbers, rulers, sharpeners, glue-sticks, colouring pencils and jovi crayons are the children’s responsibility and must be kept in a suitable pencil case. Please not large round and rigid. Rectangular, soft and flat work best in the tote trays.
- Please encourage your children to use their book bags to transport readers, homework books, reading log books, library books and notices to and from school, to keep them clean and ensure they last the distance.
- Please keep a supply of pencils etc at home for homework activities so that the children don’t have to take their pencil cases home daily and that way homework can be kept to good standard of presentation.
Swimming
Swimming is compulsory, and the children will have either a class lesson or have a lunchtime opportunity to swim most days. For this reason, and to save confusion, please ensure your children have their togs with them each day. Non swimmers must have a note with a medical reason for exemption. Togs, towels and a bag to keep them in, must all be named.
Swimming Sports
Swimming sports for Year 3 will be held on Tuesday 2 nd March, at school and for Year 4 on Wednesday 3 rd March, at Northcote College. It will be wonderful to see as many of you who are able, along for these days. Children who make it through to represent Chelsea School at the Interschool Swimming Sports will be attending this on Wednesday 17 March at Northcote College.
Uniform
Correct school uniform must all be named, including tops, bottoms, hats and shoes. Bottoms must be the regulation plain navy, shoes plain black, socks and hair accessories must be navy or white only. No other colours should be used for socks or hair accessories. Hats are compulsory in term 1 & 4.Footwear is optional in the playground, but advisable for travel to and from school, in Terms 1 & 4.
Nutrition and Hydration
Nutrition and hydration have extremely important effects on concentration and learning potential. It is important that all children have a healthy breakfast and a lunchbox adequately supplied with nutritious and healthy food options for morning tea and lunch. Insufficient healthy food intake and dehydration mean children become tired, unmotivated and less likely to learn and retain knowledge as the day progresses. Please don’t over layer your children’s clothing in this hot weather, as they visibly begin to wilt by the afternoon.
We encourage the children to have a named water bottle for classroom use.
Bird Take Home Folders
We have 4 take home folders with a native bird in each. When these wonderful birds visit your home please assist your child in filling out one of the sheets in the folder and returning it the following school day. If there is no time for your child to do the sheet that night please feel free to remove a sheet for them to fill out when time allows.
Maths and English
Our cross grouping for English and Maths, begins in week 3. We follow the Chelsea School Multi Level Maths programme. This will allow us to target your child’s particular needs more effectively. Remember that these groupings remain open to allow for growth and needs, and regrouping is particularly common in Maths as each topic area can mean changes for some children. Maths this term will cover Addition and Subtraction, Number and Numeration and Graphs and Statistics.
Homework
By week 3 you will have your children bring home their homework books. Please read the information sheet near the front for more detailed information. Our focus is reading, spelling and basic facts. We know that you and the children will enjoy using the reading log books. Parents please do have a good look at these as they have some great tips for you, as you assist your child in increasing their reading mileage, fluency and love of reading.
There will also be a 4 th task that will either be set by your child’s English, Maths or class teacher. This task will provide important opportunities to revise learning and undertake research.
Basic Facts and Spelling
Basic facts will be tested on Day 6 and Spelling levels will be tested on the fourth Day 6. The first one will be the Thursday 11th March. Remember that our aim is for retention of these skills long term. (Just a hint: Have your children practise their division with their multiplication in families of facts.) eg:
3 x 4 = 12
4 x 3 = 12
12 ÷ 3 = 4
12 ÷ 4 = 3
Regarding Basic Facts , For those who are unaware we have a Level 5 Preparation, which is 100 questions but is comprised only of the previous basic facts covered in Levels 1 – 4. Any child who is about to begin Level 5 or was struggling with this level at the end of last year will complete Level 5 Prep to get them used to speed and quantity before new material is introduced.
Communities of Thinking
The School wide topic this year is;
“How Could Anything Live There?”
As the term progresses we will be extending the children’s knowledge of how we learn and the development of thinking strategies. We will be teaching research skills using the Octopus (Te Wheke) as our topic for teaching. We then plan to move on to a focus of ‘Hot & Cold’.
Habits of Mind
Our focus is teaching the children that we can all be successful learners by understanding the Habits of Mind that create success. These apply not only to school success but also home and work success. Understanding and use of the language is being established School wide.
Raising Responsibility
This is a school wide focus of raising responsibility for our own behaviour. It involves identifying acceptable behaviours and setting our own goals in achieving these. We strive to encourage children to be independent, make good choices and be self motivated.
Teacher Communications
Any communications with your class teacher are most welcome but please bear in mind class begins at 8:55 and making an appointment may be more suitable. Please feel free to supply us with your e-mail address. It is often a good way to make quick contact, and to have any questions answered. We look forward to working with your children.
Thanking you,
Janine Cross , (Janine.cross@chelsea.school.nz)
Jessie Cameron (Jessie@chelsea.school.nz)
Yvette Croft (Yvette.croft@chelsea.school.nz)
Peter Anderson (Peter.Anderson@chelsea.school.nz)
