WELCOME

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all those students and their families who have joined the Middle School through last term or at the beginning of this term.

CURRICULUM FOCUS

This term Middle School students will be conducting an inquiry unit called “Welcome Home”. We are inquiring into personal migration histories, migration specific to NZ (past and present) and reasons for people to migrate.

We will be learning to devise questions that will be used in interviews, and using e-learning tools to present information about our migration stories.  To support our Unit of Inquiry, Middle School classes will be visiting the Maritime Museum during Week 9 on the 29th June and 1st July. The day will include sessions with an educator, and a self-guided tour through the museum. We will require parents to help with this trip. Further details of the day’s plan will be sent out at a later date.

If you are able to assist on this trip please complete the ‘Parent Help’ section on the permission and payment notice that is with this newsletter.

To begin the term we will be learning about forces. This will be a hands on unit of study with the students carrying out many experiments.

HOME LEARNING

Although homework is not compulsory, the school expects students to complete a prescribed amount of home learning on a regular basis.  The school believes that home learning is a responsibility shared by both the home and the school.  Completing it will assist the students to develop responsibility for their own learning.  Homework encourages the development of good study skills and habits, and will provide opportunities for parents to have a sharing time with their children.

For Year 3 and 4 children, up to 20 minutes a night is considered sufficient.

In the Middle School, Home Learning will be set weekly. Home Learning will usually comprise of daily reading, learning of spelling words and rules, and maths basic facts.

From time to time teachers will set additional tasks to be completed for homework and these tasks will be explained in the Home Learning book. Later this term there will be some general knowledge science quiz questions set to help the students prepare for the PTA “Scienceathon” fundraiser.

LOST PROPERTY and UNIFORM

Lost property is now kept in boxes in the room next to the hall. Please NAME everything that your child owns. This term the children are in winter uniform. Socks are often especially difficult to track down so we ask that you please do your best to name them in some way.

Students are also reminded that they are expected to wear the correct uniform for sport. They should be wearing blue shorts with their whanau t-shirt or new sports shirt and suitable footwear.

Last term we had a few instances of toys being brought to school and in some cases the toys becoming broken. Please help us by reminding your child that unless it is part of class learning, toys are not to be brought  to school.

HEALTH

Students are asked to be mindful of health and hygiene during the winter months. There are usually tissues in classes which are available for student use, but children with runny noses need to bring their own supply of tissues/handkerchiefs.  Students are also reminded about washing hands and covering faces to cough and sneeze.

If your child appears unwell in the morning we ask that you keep them home. This speeds their recovery and prevents illness from spreading. Please remember to contact the office before school if your child is absent.  The website can make this task simpler – go to the absence section on the homepage of www.bbps.school.nz

TERM ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Class Treaties:

During the first few weeks of the term classes worked on preparing treaties outlining the expectations for behaviour and relationships in the class. Each class attended a special assembly where they shared their class treaties with each other.  The treaties are displayed in the classroom for all to see.

Wakaaranga Estuary

Last term the Middle School classes visited the Wakaaranga estuary to find out more about life amongst the mangroves. It was a very physical day with everyone walking about 5 kms and taking many photos and videos. We were very impressed with the behaviour and the way the students were engaged in their learning all day. For many students, the learning culminated in presenting information in posters, videos, and google slide presentations. You can see some of these on the school’s website under Student Voice.

THIS TERM

“Rhythm Interactive”

On Tuesday 10th of May BBPS will host a Rhythm Interactive Show in the hall for all of the BBPS students.  The show costs $4.00 and is an interactive drum show, where students get to join in and play the drums.  It is a very popular show and students always enjoy it.  There is a separate show for Years 1-3 and Years 4-6.

Science Van

Our classroom science programme will also include learning about forces through experiments and activities. Our learning of forces will take place in the first 2-3 weeks of the term and children are welcome to bring items related to forces that can be shared during lessons. On Wednesday 18th May the Science Van will be at school and all students will get a chance to visit and experience the exciting activities provided. This year the focus will be on learning about forces.

3-Way Conferences

In Week 10 of this term all students will have a chance to share their learning with their families and whanau through a 3-way conference. There will be further communication about this later in the term.

A written report will go out to each student in week 9,  1 July.

COMMUNICATION

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have a question or there is an issue or problem at school or at home.  Our email addresses are the first name of the staff member, followed by the school address, e.g., debbie@bbps.school.nz

Dates for Term 2

Friday 6 May – Mufti Day

Tuesday 10 May – Rhythm Interactive

Week 3, 16 – 20 May –  Science Week

18 May – Science in a Van

6 June – Queen’s Birthday Weekend

29 June and 1 July – Maritime Museum

1 July – Reports home

5, 6 and 7 July – 3 Way Conferences

Middle School Events Term 2

Paying Online

• Please remember all payments can now be made online under “Parent Shop” on the school website www.bbps.school.nz. Payment is considered as full permission for your child to participate.

• However, we are seeking parent helpers for the Maritime Museum trip, and ask that this signed form is also sent to school in this instance as this will make it easier for the class teacher to identify parent helper numbers.

Please return this form to your class teacher in a sealed named envelope.

Total Money Enclosed $ __________________ or I have paid online Yes / No

Child’s Name _____________________________________ Room No. _______

Parent Signature __________________________________

Contact Phone number ____________________________

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