Pīwakawaka Hapori news
Welcome!
We are excited to be starting another year of learning in the Pīwakawaka team and would like to extend a special welcome to all our new families at Kaikorai! We've had a fantastic start to the year, settling into our regular learning routines, and getting to know each other. Our classrooms are looking colourful, with lots of new learning and artwork on display. Come and see your child’s work!
We have been learning about our school values and what it means to be a kind Kaik kid, setting class rules, and learning about our classmates through statistics. We are also learning about the Zones of Regulation.
Meet the Teacher Night
What an amazing night we had last night! Thank you to everyone who came along to spend some time as a Kaikorai School community, and to learn some more about your child’s classroom environment/programme. It was lovely to see so many faces and share a bit about what we have planned for the year. Class teachers will send out their slide presentations next week.
PMP
We will soon be re-starting the Perceptual Motor Programme (PMP) at Kaikorai, which is a fun and active part of our learning that helps children develop their balance, coordination, strength, and confidence through movement activities. This programme is being run for our Year 0 and 1 children (mostly).
To run this programme safely and effectively, we are looking for parent volunteers to assist us on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:45–2:45pm. We require 4–5 helpers each day to support children at the different activity stations.
No special experience is needed — just a willingness to encourage and support the children. Your help allows us to provide this valuable learning opportunity.
If you are available to help on one or both days (either regularly or occasionally), please email or let me know in person.
earmstrong@kaikorai.school.nz
Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme - 23rd February-9th March
The Keeping Ourselves Safe Parent Information Evening will be held in the Kererū Learning Street on Thursday, February 19, from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm.
At the meeting, Constable Ross Greer will explain the KOS programme's content and how it teaches children to recognise and respond to unsafe situations, both online and face-to-face. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to support your children at home. Constable Greer will teach four of the lessons.
What will our children learn during Keeping Ourselves Safe?
They will learn:
-to work out when their safety is at risk
-how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people
-who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused
-to go on asking for help until someone does something to stop the abuse
-that it is important to make and follow personal, family and school safety rules.
They will know:
-that abuse is never okay
-that abuse is never their fault.
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Our PBL for this term will be based on the driving question: How can we, as artists, create meaningful artworks to share with our school and community that reflect our stories and what makes us unique?
In this project, learners explore how art can be used to tell stories about who we are, where we belong, and what makes us unique as individuals and as a school community. Students investigate identity, culture, and tūrangawaewae through creating meaningful pieces of art.
A big part of our projects is having experts talk to our students in groups, as a class, or as a syndicate. Please let us know if you have a particular skill that is relevant for this term's PBL and would like to support us in any way.
Swimming
Get those togs ready! Our swimming sessions are scheduled for Weeks 7 & 8 of this term. As swimming is a level three activity, it requires a separate consent form. Please fill in this form for each of your Pīwakawaka children:
Independence
We encourage independence in the Pīwakawaka team. Please support us by asking your child to carry their own bag, unpack/pack their bag, dress themselves (especially with swimming approaching!) and look after their belongings.
'ENGAGE' Programme
Check your child's bag today for a consent form regarding the ENGAGE programme.
What is it? ENGAGE is a fun, game-based way to teach tamariki self-regulation. This means helping them learn to:
Control impulses (stopping and thinking).
Remember instructions.
Manage their emotions.
Why are we doing it? Research from the famous Dunedin Study shows that children with good self-regulation skills grow up to be more successful adults. We want to help our students build these skills early through play.
How does it work? Our teachers (kaiako) will play specific games in class as part of the normal day. We are partnering with researchers to see how effective these games are in primary schools.
Action Required: Please sign the consent form if you are happy for your child’s results to be included in the study, and return it to school.
Homework
You should soon see some homework coming home. This may include a range of things: spelling, letter/sound practice, maths practice, a poem to share, books to read. Any questions, please ask your child’s teacher.
Kā mihi nui,
Emily Armstrong
Nicole Wilson
Imogen Youngs
Paula Fisher
Sam Baker
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