Friday, 21 November, Week Six Term 4

CUST SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

e-mail: [email protected] www.cust.school.nz

School’s bank account number is 03 1592 0074218 00

Friday, 21 November, 2014 - Week Six —Term 4

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Well we managed to get through our Top Team competition unscathed. Well done and thank you to all the teams that turned up and participated – it was a bit dicey given the weather to begin with but it turned out to be not so bad. I am glad we went ahead but there were moments before 4pm where I doubted the decision. It looked like the teams were having a lot of fun and everyone certainly got wet – as the photos can attest to. Everyone entered into the spirit really well and from the feedback I received it was a big success.

A huge thank you to the PTA who provided the food. They did a tremendous job in getting all the orders out in 30 minutes! There is a lot of work in organising this part of the evening and it is much appreciated. Well done.

On Thursday I went up to the Year 5/6 camp at Hanmer and joined them on their walk to the waterfall. They certainly enjoyed the hot pools after that activity! Everything was running very smoothly and it appeared everyone was enjoying the outdoor experiences provided. I am sure Mr Foskett and the children will fill us in with more in next week’s newsletter.

As the year quickly comes to an end, the staff are busy reviewing the year by gathering assessments, writing reports and completing their appraisal work. This information allows us to look at what went well this year, what we can improve on and helps us plan for next year.

I have previously looked at some student achievement results which I have been able to analyse. There is still a lot of information to come in and it takes time to review this data. Some more data that I can quickly share with you is that in the spelling test all children at Cust did at the end of this year we had 87% of

children who were able to spell at or above their chronological age. This is similar to previous years. What is pleasing is that there has been a slight increase in children who are spelling 12 months or more over their chronological age – 50% of Cust children.

Whilst we look at this information through our reviews we are also planning for 2015. Now I know some people are wondering what is happening but it is very early to give this information out and I know from previous years things change very quickly. I can assure you that it is well underway and we are confident that we will make the right decisions for the whole school.

Congratulations to the following students who have made it into North Canterbury Rep Cricket Teams Year 6 North Canterbury Red Team: Jordan Nortman and Angus Smith

Year 6 North Canterbury Blue Team: Tom Rossiter, William Baggott and Archie Prain

Andrew Prain and Mikayla Nortman have made the Year 7 and Year 8 North Canterbury Cricket Teams.

Important dates to put in your diary –

Monday, 1 December WaiSwim begins for Rooms 2/3/4/5 Wednesday, 3 December Canterbury Athletics

Thursday, 4 December Room 4 Celebration of Learning Tuesday, 9 December Bible in Schools Christmas Concert Wednesday, 10 December BOT Meeting

Friday, 12 December Talent Quest (to be confirmed) Reports / Port folios home Monday, 15 December Year 8 Leavers Outing Tuesday, 16 December Final Assembly

Friday, 19 December School Ends 12.30pm

ROOM ONE

I can’t believe another week has past. They just seem to fly by! Due to growing numbers in Room 1 the school has employed Kathryn Winson to work in the class with me for one day a week. Welcome Kathryn. The Cust Top Team on Monday evening was a lot of fun for the whole family. Lots of laughs, it was great to see.

In the classroom we have finished our Pet Rocks and are now in the process of designing and constructing a home for them. In Maths we have finished learning about length and are moving on to weight, as well as continuing with Number. Next Thursday is the Junior Athletic Sports at school from 1.30-3pm. You are welcome to come and watch and support the children. There will be a parent and child piggy-back race to finish the event.

Enjoy the weekend, Kennys

ROOM TWO

What a fun time everyone had on Monday at Top Team! It was great to see all the families competing and watching all the antics (especially when water was involved!). Definitely something to be repeated at a later date we all decided!

In Room 2 we have been working on keeping ourselves safe (as part of topic) with small groups of children researching, creating and presenting posters about sun, water, fire, home and beach safety to name a few. In maths we have started measurement - initially learning about length, and of course we have been trying to do as much practise for athletics as possible in preparation for next Thursday's (1.30pm start) Junior sports. Hopefully Room 4 have had a great Camp at Hanmer - always lots of fun!

Have a great weekend, Ros

ROOM THREE

Kia ora

This week in Room 3 we have been working hard on our usual class routine. We have been practising for athletics, which is next week, and the children have worked hard. They are loving high jump and long jump! Homework is going well, and I am pleased with the children's reading and spelling.

As mentioned before, athletics is next Thursday, so if you can come along that would be wonderful for the children. As we are practising for this, if your child is unwell or injured please send a note along to me, so we can verify what they can or can't do.

Have a wonderful weekend, Allyce :)

ROOM FOUR

Away at camp at Hanmer Springs.

ENVIRO SCHOOL NOTICE

ROOM FIVE

What a fantastic family turnout for the Top Team activities! I saw groups of happy families, having lots of fun. Thanks for turning up in such," not so warm "conditions. We teachers were highly entertained! All the children involved said they had a great time.

In reading we have started a unit on Independent Research on a self-chosen topic and goodness me the topic range is amazing! I'm off to the National Library to get some resources. We are grateful for any books from home, if you have them.

Some of the topics are: WW1, Tanks. Snow Leopards, Vets, Christmas in the Netherlands, Pandas, Native NZ Birds.

We have begun a Poetry Unit and the children are showing some creativity in their writing. The Year 5's will be back from their camp next week and we look forward to them sharing their experiences with us.

Have a great weekend, Kind regards

Linda & Hannah

ROOM SIX

We have had a creative week in Room 6, enjoying the opportunity to complete some art using oil pastels and modern Maori symbols. We have also started reading about 'History Makers', creating a fact file of people who have influenced the world in a range of different ways throughout history. As a part of this, we have watched a movie about Amelia Earhart, a fascinating character whose life and disappearance has really captured Room 6's imagination.

I have begun the enjoyable, yet time-consuming task of marking the children's latest literacy studies on a book of their own choice. As the grand finale of their English work for 2014, it has been very rewarding seeing the high standard of presentation and content within these. What a creative, articulate bunch we have in Room 6!

Have a great weekend, Miriam Bell

CERTIFICATES

Room One: Well done Violet for showing success in Piko’s Tips for being caring when others are hurt. Great work awarded to Dion for reading the story of Mrs Wishy Washy with fluency and expression.

Room Two: Student of the week awarded to Lucia for impressive use of description and detail in her writing!

Student of the week awarded to Sophie for showing great persistence in her handwriting and presentation skills.

Student of the week awarded to Tynisa for making great progress in her time management skills and always trying hard to produce best quality work.

Room Three: Great work awarded to Hugh for putting in effort and producing quality work in Maths. Great work awarded to Millie for producing quality work in her spelling and grammar book. Well done awarded to Hannah for showing success in Piko’s Tip’s for solving problems in class and always putting in effort, particularly in Maths and handwriting.

Room Four: Room Five: Great work awarded to Finn for writing some great poems this week.

Well done Lauren for showing success in Piko’s Tips for showing perseverance and effort in the completion of her “Book Cover”. An excellent standard of work.

Room Six: Student of the week awarded to Kendall for great work ethic and perseverance when things didn’t go his way. Awesome attitude.

PTA NEWS

We will be holding a sausage sizzle at the Car Boot Sale – if you can help with this, please contact Megan 3125552, 0226850057 or Deb 0274289016

We are still looking for a couple of helpers from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. If you can even help for 30 minutes that would be appreciated. An adult to cook and children can serve/take money. This is our last fundraiser for the year!

Cust School Car Boot Sale

To be held at Cust School on Sunday 23 November 10 am to 2 pm. $10 per car/site

Contact Megan to book a site: 3125552 or 0226850057 Or email [email protected]

Second Hand Uniform Sales

Clothing will be on display outside the Multipurpose Room at the following events: Car Boot Sale and Junior Athletics. Gold coin donation.

Top Team Challenge PTA BBQ Dinner

Thank you to all the families who supported the PTA BBQ dinner. It was a fun night and the weather was kind to us in the end. We raised about $400 from the BBQ and will let you know what this will be spent on at a later date.

Next Meeting: Tuesday 10 February 2015.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

FOR SALE AND TO GIVE AWAY

Two Rangiora High School Summer near new Dresses Size 14 in good condition hardly worn. Also Polar Fleece, long sleeve white blouse and have three jersey's to give away if anyone wants one.

Please contact Sally Rossiter 3102521 or 0226399844. P.Y.O CHRISTMAS TREES

During December weekends, 10am -6pm 2517 Tram Rd. www.needlefresh.co.nz CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK - CLARKVILLE

Sunday 7 December, 5-7pm, Rice Park, corner of Tram & Heywards Roads (opposite Clarkville School)

Old fashioned children’s races first then live entertainment from local Professional Band and talented local singers and dancers. Bring a picnic tea and/or purchase from the Sausage sizzle, Coffee Van and Snow Cone (Sugar Free) Van. Santa has scheduled us into his busy day as well.

CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN OXFORD

11 December, Big Night Out, Oxford Main Street, 6pm ‘til late. Come and join the fun – late night shopping. Xmas stalls, carol singing and Santa Claus strolling the street.

11 – 24 December, Christmas Wonderland, Oxford A&P Show grounds, 2-8pm daily, Sat/Sun 11-8pm. Entry $2. Christmas filled fantasy land, with amazing displays, locally decorated Christmas trees and Santa visits.

21 December, Christmas parade and picnic, Oxford Main Street, 12.30pm. Starts outside the Town Hall and proceeds to the A&P show grounds. Super Hero theme, floats, stalls and much more.

24 December, Christmas Carols, Pearson Park Old Bowling Green, 7-9pm. Good old fashioned family Christmas sing-a-long. Sausage sizzle or bring a picnic, kid’s lolly scramble.

CUST VILLAGE MARKET

This Sunday 23 November 10 am-2 pm, St David's Church, Main Road, Cust. Contact Kate 312 5833 or email

[email protected]

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