Parent and Whanau Newsletter August 2009
Big welcome to Braeden, Matthew, Teutau, Tupau and their families, it’s great to have you part of our Pukeko family
What’s going on at the Corner???
You would have noticed a few changes in our environment lately. We have been part of a professional development programme that has challenged us and helped us reflect and examine what we do and how we can make it better for you and your children.
Thank you everyone for all your amazing learning stories you have added to your children’s profile books. Our children have been very proud to show them to everyone at kindy. The teachers are starting to look deeper into our children’s learning as well. We will now be adding current research theories to the stories to help keep you informed of current learning strands and also to deepen our professional teaching.
We have always grown food at kindergarten to eat and in the past it has been an extremely enjoyable experience. Jody is currently undertaking a mammoth task of producing summer foods in the outdoors. The entire area is about to be transformed into Pukeko Corner sustainable foods. We have started a worm farm to use for our fertilizer and the children have been researching in books and on the computer for the kinds of food/plants they would like to grow. They have mapped out the area with Jody and Grandpa Gary to gain an understanding of the space we have. Lets watch the magic of pure hands unfold the glory of growing naturally.
Lately we have been reading and acting out many Maori myths and legends (understanding Maori Tikanga). Our children have embraced these stories and have begun an artistic explanation of these stories. You can see what they have been doing on our learning story journery wall. (This has moved to the main mat wall). This wall is about to inform us of the learning journey our children have decided to venture into. If you have any thoughts about our learning journey please add it to the wall. We all know learning and teaching happens at home and at kindy, so lets get together and share this amazing journey together.
We would like to encourage our children to learn and enjoy all our weather cycles, like water hoses when it’s hot, running through the leaves in autumn, playing with the frost outside and being out in light rain so...if it is lightly raining and the children have brought with them a raincoat and some gumboots, we are encouraging them to splash in a few puddles and feel raindrops on their face.
Our Kapa Haka group is forming nicely, with lots of children wanting the opportunity to be a Rangatira (leader). We are in the process of learning new waiata and hand movements. Our songs, our karakia and our haka are on the wall for you to learn as well. The meaning of our waiata and karakia will also be posted to give a deeper meaning of what we are singing and chanting about.
We had an amazing time at Lexham Park on the 22 July. We all felt very proud of our children as they mixed and mingled, sharing their learning in their profile books with the residents. To see the joy that our children brought them and the way our children confidently shared and sang warms the cockles of your heart. We got a lovely letter and card of thanks. Teachers have discussed and decided it would be great to take a walk up to Lexham Park once a term. We are all part of a community that can support and share together.
School Visits are every two weeks, depending on weather of course as we walk. Cathy was challenged on a course about what happens to profile books once a child leaves us; does the school use it? We are going to take profile books along with us from now on so that the children can share their learning with their soon to be peers and teacher.
We had a busy teacher only day in the holidays and the product of that is we have reviewed all the policies. We urge you to all take a look, we have copies for you to take home. As part of our commitment to professionalism and to you our whanau we need to consult you in such decisions that effect your children. Another question for you?? Have you read our Philosophy lately?? Check out the window noticeboard by the kitchen and the back of this newsletter. Please make comments, suggestions... it is not about us as teachers but about your and your children.
On the 31st August and 1st September we will have our first friendly visit from the Education Review Officers Greg Stuart and Kim Monsey. Once upon a time this was a scary, stressful experience but as Gina said ”Bring it on”. Good chance to see if we are on the right track and reflect on our practices and procedures. They will be around at pick up time hoping for a chance to chat with you, our whanau .
Jemima and Fluffy are excited at the prospect of going home to children’s houses over the weekend. If you would like to book your family in please see a teacher.
Up and coming events
Parents Dinner, social event to chat and make new friends. Fri 18th Sept
Wacky Week, back due to popular demand. Details to follow. 31st Aug-4th Sept
Staffing
A happy teacher at Pukeko Corner reflects on everything we do. All teachers have requested at different times that they would like to work 4 days a week, they too have children, orchards and house work etc. We have honoured that request and have employed at new teacher Dianne Poole, due to start on the 17th August. Dianne spent some time here with us in 2008 as a reliever so is familiar with our Philosophy and programme. She is trained and has worked the past 10 years in Early Childhood.
House Keeping
We still require items for our Civil Defence Kit. Our kit is filled with food, first aid, water, gas stove, torches, radio etc just in case one day we have an emergency right here in Katikati. Our food and water is to last three days and at present we are lacking in the food area. We need.......Milk powder, muesli bars, Tiny Teddy biscuits, 2 minute noodles, energy chocolate, microwave rice, boiled lollies, plain biscuits and dried fruit. Please check the expiry date as we only check the kit once a year. See Cathy or Diane if you have any questions.
We at Pukeko Corner have been reinforcing good hand washing and drying techniques, encouraging sneezing and coughing into the inside of elbow. We require you to do the same at home. If your child is sick please keep them at home, this not only prevents spreading but also is best for the wellbeing of your child.
Thanks for all your support.
God Bless,
Cathy, Gina, Corina, Gary, Jody and Dianne.
Posted: Wed 12 Aug 2009