We have begun learning about our brain today and how it is a muscle that needs exercising to be the best that we can be. We watched Mojo overcome brain obstacles with the help of his friend Katie.
Covid - 19 Level 2 protocols at school this week
Tonight it has been announced that we will be back following Covid Level 2 protocols at school from Monday 15 February. It is a while since we have been at Level 2, so here is an outline of what is required.
WE NEED YOU TO FOLLOW THESE PROTOCOLS PLEASE.
ENTERING AND EXITING SCHOOL
Students are not to enter the school grounds until the gates are unlocked at 8.15am. Parents are encouraged to drop off their children at the gates.
Gates will be locked at 9.00am except for the Carnot St entrance. Gates will be unlocked at 2.45 pm.
NB KAKANO CHILDREN AND THEIR SIBLINGS WILL BE TAKEN TO THE GATES AT 2.45PM to meet parents.
School will finish at 2.45pm for all Kakano students and their siblings. Kakano students will be taken to the Church carpark gate by a teacher. If your child is in a Kakano class and you want your child taken to a different gate please advise the class teacher which gate you want your child taken to. If it is raining at the end of a school day we will need some help and parents will be allowed to collect their child from outside their classroom.
Y3-6 STUDENTS WILL FINISH SCHOOL AT 3PM, UNLESS THEY HAVE A SIBLING IN KAKANO.
PARENTS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
Parents coming onsite will need to sign in with the Covid Tracer app.
Parents are encouraged to drop their child at the gate but, if needed, feel free to bring your child to the classroom door. Please don't enter the classroom. We realise that it is still very early in the year for our young new entrants and that children may still need an adult to come into the school grounds with them.
GATES
Gates will be unlocked at 8.15am. PLEASE DO NOT DROP CHILDREN OFF AT SCHOOL BEFORE 8.15 AM.
ADULTS ONSITE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
If adults come onsite at any other they must sign in using the Covid Tracer app.
Ranolf St and Church car park gates will be locked at 9.00am.
Parents coming onsite between 9am and 2.45 must use the Carnot St entrance, sign in with the Covid Tracer app and report to the School Office straight away.
WHAT HAPPENS AT SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AT LEVEL 2
Children sanitise hands on entry to school.
On entry into the school grounds children go straight to their classroom
Wash hands on entry and exit of classrooms
Sneeze/cough into elbows
Encourage students to stay out of moist breath zone
WHAT EXTRA THINGS WILL STAFF WILL BE DOING AT SCHOOL
Cleaning surfaces in classrooms
Door handles and bathrooms are cleaned by the caretaker during the day
Door handles and bathrooms cleaned by cleaners at the end of each day
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO DO
Sanitise hands and register with Covid tracing app if coming into the school grounds.
Do not enter classrooms
Collect children from the gate at the end of the school day.
Note the earlier finish time for Kakano students and their siblings.
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
What a fabulous first week back. It was so lovely getting to know your little cherubs.
Library days
Please can you encourage your child to return any outstanding library books. Kakano 1 visits the library on Wednesday, Kakano 2 go to the library on Tuesday and Kakano 3 visits the library on Thursday.
Reading book bags
We would like your child to bring their reading bag to school every day. Monday through to Thursday we read each day and as such, we need their reading book at school too. On Friday’s we put a poem in our homework books. These can be read with you over the weekend. Please can the poem books be returned to school on Mondays.
Holiday Reading Logs
Please can these be returned to school this week. We have only had a few handed in. We have one more week to bring back our Reading logs! Don’t miss out on the draw there are some fabulous prizes to be won!
Hats
There are still a number of children who do not have a hat. It is so important all our students are sun smart. Remember ‘no hat, no play!’
Cricket
Over the next few Tuesdays Kakano 1-3 will be taking part in cricket sessions with Sport Bay of Plenty at school. This should be an exciting opportunity for our students. Kakano 2s session starts at 8:45 so make sure you are at school on time.
Stationery
Thanks to everyone who has bought stationery for their child. If you have not had the chance to sort stationery for your child, details re: stationery can be found on our website or by going to the following link https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz/2021-stationery-packs/
Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. You are more than welcome to join us for the distribution of ashes in the church at 9am. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent which is the season of preparation for Easter.
Opening School Mass
We have the Opening School Mass on Friday at 9 am in church. We will be leaving our classrooms at 8:45 am so please can your children be on time. Again it would be lovely to see you there if you can.
What’s on this week
Monday-
Tuesday-
Kakano 2-library session
Cricket sessions with Dan Fisher
Wednesday-
Ash Wednesday-9am in the church - Distribution of Ashes
Kakano 1-library session
Thursday-
Kakano 3-library session
School singing
Friday-
School Mass 9 am in the church
See you all tomorrow
Thank you to those children who have returned their reading logs already. The draw is tomorrow. If you haven't yet brought your reading log in, bring it to me first thing in the morning and I'll sneak it in for you. If you have misplaced your reading log, just fill in the books you've read with your name and class number on a sheet of paper.
These gorgeous children are in Mackillop (blue house).
We learned a new game in Maths called odds and evens. This game helps us to recognise the numbers up to 10 that are odd or even, practise adding two numbers and keep a tally of who wins each match. The first one to three is the overall winner.
Next we had a powhiri to welcome new students and teachers to our school. This was followed by our Waitangi Liturgy. All class teachers and two students from each class signed our school treaty to say that we are going to work together to uphold the Golden Rules and School Values.
After morning tea we did some reading together and all got a new book. Then it was time to show Miss Ryan our amazing writing skills.
Lastly we had a swim together with Kakano 1 & 3. Those children that didn't have their togs got to hang out with Miss Ryan and were put to some alphabet work. We were sorting disney tiles, with alphabet letters on the back, so that they can be shared between the Year 2 Crew. What little champions!
Your precious children are going to sleep well tonight if they are half as tired as I am.
Week 2 2021
Welcome back everyone! It was great to see so many of you at our 3 way conferences last week. We are very excited to begin our new year with your wonderful children and getting to know you and your whanau better. Your child may come home very tired after the first few days. They may need some down time just to relax as it’s been a while since they have been at school.
School starts on Tuesday 9th February at 8:45. Remember to wear your summer uniform and bring your hat.
When you get to school
put your bag in your cubby outside Kakano 1-3
do your roll
say hello to your lovely teachers
add your stationery to the boxes
We have a lovely day planned and are looking forward to an amazing year ahead.
Drink bottles
Please ensure your child has a drink bottle which they can refill during the day. The weather is so warm at the moment and your little cherubs need to stay hydrated.
Brain breaks
Kakano will be having a brain break midway through the first block. Children will be allowed to have chilled milk from school (or water from their drink bottle) and a piece of fruit. This helps them to keep their brains energised for learning until morning tea time.
Hats
Your child will need to have a hat in order to play out on the playgrounds. ‘No hat! No play’. We only have a limited number of spare hats per class. Hats are also available at the uniform room to buy.
Swimming
This week:
Kakano 1, 2 and 3 are swimming this week.
Kakano 1-3 are swimming on even weeks. Please can you provide your child with their togs, a towel and if you have them swimming goggles.
What’s on this week
Monday- Public holiday
Tuesday-School starts 8:45 am-3 pm
Waitangi Welcome Liturgy 10 am
Friday- Room 1 Assembly
Stationery
Thanks to those caregivers who have already purchased stationery for their children. If you have not had the chance to sort stationery for your child. Details re: stationery can be found on our website or by going to the following link https://www.stmarysrotorua.school.nz/2021-stationery-packs/
School App
We have a new school app. We suggest you install and set this app from School Apps NZ then search for St Mary's Catholic School Rotorua. Make sure you set up for the notifications you wish to receive. Alternatively, you can go to this link
https://schoolappsnz.co.nz/install/ and search for St Mary’s Catholic School Rotorua
Educa
The Educa App has had an update. It might be a good idea to uninstall then reinstall this app. This link may be useful https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/educa-touch/id523025716
See you all with your beautiful smiles on Tuesday
