Newsletter - May 2013
What’s on at the Corner???
We have the Art Exhibition in the Little Blue House coming up in the week 17th to 21st June and the creativity is flowing everywhere in many, many forms. What an inspiration your children are as they experiment with a variety of ideas and methods of art. We are looking forward to having Kylie (Aurora’s Mum), Tracey (Torsten’s Aunty), Steve Graveson from Katikati Open Air Art and possibly some of the other local artists from our community share their creativity with the children. Would you also like to share your artistic talent/passion with us? Book a time in with us! Do you know of any men who like to dabble in art? We would love them to pop in for a visit to show us their techniques.
We are going to need lots of volunteers to man the “Little Blue House” over the week. Shifts we thought 10-12.30, 12.30-2.30,2.30-4.00pm. We are trying to get as much help as we can; Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles and anyone who can spare a couple of hours.
NZ Music Month has provided us with a great opportunity to reflect on our music curriculum and inspire children to create songs, make music and find their rhythm. We have got someone who runs the music programme at Katikati Primary visiting. Yay!
The Whanau aka Holiday Wall is starting to take form. The idea is if you have something interesting happening or your child wants to take photos of their room, then bring some photos to kindy or email them to us if easier. Your child can then share that experience with the rest of us. Not only is your child gaining confidence at sharing at mat time but it helps children’s development to reflect on the experiences and to make connections between home and kindy. Also other children may have shared the same experience making connections and deepening relationships. We have a kindy camera that is available to take home.
We are also updating our letterbox book. Basically, we need you to take a photo of your child next to your letter box with the numbers visible so we can discuss the numbers together. This is to help support your child in learning of their address and of numeracy.
We recently visited Lexham Park Retirement Village ; singing some songs and sharing our learning in our profile books. It’s such a delight to see this and the affect they have on the residences.
Matariki – Maori New Year is fast approaching in early June. It’s a time to celebrate the earth and show respect for the land in which we live…..a Land of Plenty. Last year we celebrated all that God has given us with a whanau gathering and feast and it was beautiful. We are planning to do the same this year in the week of the 10th of June.
Maori Language Week is coming up 1st to 7th July with the theme Ngá Ingoa (Maori names). We try very hard to make Te Reo part of our everyday language, if you can help us we would love your support. If you find your child speaking Te reo to you and would like some support in developing the skill then please see one of the teachers.
School Visits. Grandpa Gary and Corina will be walking up to the school with our 4 ½ year olds on a Friday fortnightly from the 14th June. The visits are dependent on how many we have going to KK Primary.
Students: At present we have Shayni Green with us on Thursdays and the month of June. She is in her first year of training in Early Childhood at BTI. For those who have been part of our whanau for a long time she is Jizzy’s daughter who used to teach with us before going to Katikati Kindergarten.
We also have Sidena Scanlan, a Gateway Student from KK Collage here with us Tuesday mornings for the term. It is always a pleasure and honour to inspire and shape the up and coming Early Childhood teachers
BIG THANK YOU
To Luke Clark (Chloe’s Dad) for his concreting skills and time. We now have moved the rubbish and recycling bin to make way for some wine barrel planters that have been ordered.
To Donna McKeran for helping us foster the interest in hairdressing and setting up a salon right here at kindy.
To the Symes family for donating us money that will be used for getting some new musical instruments.
HOUSE KEEPING
- Gone are the sunhats and in are the warmer clothes. Please can you supply your child with plenty of spare warm clothes.
- Due to the fact that we go for lots of spontaneous walks, please make sure your child comes with some walking shoes.
- Please ring if your child is going to be away for the day. This just helps us plan, especially if we are going for a walk.
- Reminder about Healthy Lunch boxes. We have received a Healthy Heart Award and would like to model good eating practises with our children. We also have a NO NUT ZONE due to some children being allergic.
- We have reviewed our fee structure again in hope that it will help bring us in some more families. More info coming.
Food For Thought… for your children’s wellbeing and development.
Here at Pukeko Corner we are always reflecting on our programme and our teaching Strategies. Lately we have been looking at transition to school. Reading a Ministry of Education review on Transition from EC to School we have some points we think are important to reflect on…..
▪Transition is not an event but a process.
▪The key is relationships; with friends, peers and teachers – not how academically capable the child is
▪Early Childhood curriculum should not be predetermined by school curriculum because the school curriculum is not intended to be appropriate for the learning needs of infants, toddlers and young children. Early childhood is a phase with its own value and purpose
Did you read the article put out by Sports BOP?
It talked about the numbers of preschool children who are becoming addicted to technology. Experts have warned parents who allow babies, toddlers and preschool children to access tablet computers for several hours a day they risk causing “dangerous” long term effects.
We have got all sorts of research, books and articles that provide information for parents about how to provide opportunities for your children to fulfil their potential and reach for the stars. A wonderful concise and easy to read book is The Amazing 5 Year Old with practical info on getting your children ready for school.
God Bless,
Cathy, Corina, Gary, Jody, Kim and Dianne.
Posted: Wed 22 May 2013