Email sent to your Whānau today....

Kia ora Kākāpō parents and whānau, 

I hope that this email finds you well and everyone is enjoying their holidays!

Just a few quick reminders before we start back next week. More information will be sent out in the Syndicate newsletter and if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I have had a great term of studying and have heard that Kakapo had a enjoyable term with Miss Hills! I met with Kath and Charlotte in the holidays for a full debrief, and Kath and I have started to plan an exciting final quarter of 2012. Although I am looking forward to getting back into Kakapo it will have to wait a few more days as i am away for a wedding and wont be back in class until Thursday 18th (Week 1). Jenny Mahony will be in for me for Mon - Weds.

A few reminders:

• We start off the term with Tech at Hutt Intermediate, students need to wear closed toe shoes for Health and Safety reasons. Tech days this term. Week one - Mon Tues Thurs Fri, Week two - Tues only.

• Diaries - We are happy with the way that most students have learnt to use their diaries properly. If your child has consistently scored high, then we will not be checking their diary every week, we will only be collecting them all in on Friday of Week 5. We expect the students to maintain their use of their diaries as they have proven that they can monitor their own workload and use a diary to assist managing their time. We will write a note in these diaries so you can tell if your child is required to hand in their diary each week or not. If this is not your child, please remind them daily to check their diary, fill in their reading log and complete other tasks as required. If you wish to communicate with either Kath or me, please ask your child to hand in their diary, regardless of whether they are asked for or not.

• RISE Challenge- As this was a compulsory part of the homework, students that have not completed enough tasks will be given the opportunity to work on their challenges in weeks 1-4 from 8:15 am every morning for 30-40 minutes. This will happen in class, or in the library if the classroom is not unlocked (due to staff meetings). Students are encouraged to seek help to ensure that every student completes the required amount of challenges.

• All students need to be ready for school and sitting in their seats prior to the bell - ideally this means 8:50 at the latest. Before school, students are encouraged to get on with existing work, and take their initiative where possible.

•  A brief reminder about PE gear, Students need to bring PE gear on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. NRL league shorts are not part of the school PE Uniform, even if they are the shorts of the champions of the 2012 Premiership...!

• Homework reminder - Please ensure that your child is completing their homework each week - this includes at least 1/2 hour reading each night and their maths homework. Homework will continue throughout the term except for EOTC week (week 7) and the final week of the year.

• We have been endeavoring throughout the year to contact parents regarding their child's positive behavior and work standards. We will continue to do so, and will be also beginning to text these messages home, please make sure you let one of us know if your cell phone changes or if you prefer verbal rather than text feedback.

• Some students may need extra stationery, as it is that time of the year when things are running out - please ask your child if they need anything at school.

After getting started - there actually turned out to be quite a few things to be remembered! Hopefully some or all have been of help. 

Finally - Thanks to Kath for taking over the full time role in my absence. Having Kath in class allowed me to have full confidence that things would be done thoroughly and I could relax focus, on my study!

I look forward to catching up with all of you at some point or another over the next nine weeks. We have lots to keep us busy, especially the Year 8's who have the end of year prizegiving to prepare for, leavers lunch and leaders dinner!

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to get in touch

Ma te wa! Bye for now!

Chris   (and also on behalf of Kath)