Newsletter - October 2015

What happened At Pukeko Corner in Term 3

What a great term we had with our bus trip to Bullswool Farm on  12 August following the children’s fascination with animals.  They saw and experienced farm animals and nature up close.  It was so successful we will definitely be returning again next year. 

 We had our annual Disco on 11th September.  Thank you to all those who dressed up, and boogied the night away with us.  The winners of the best dressed adults were Pirate Kirsty (Matthew Donaldson’s mum) and Queen Elsa Jenna (Olivia’s mum). 

 The Multi-Cultural Day on August 6 was so special as we honoured the different cultures that make up our kindy.  We appreciated the different clothing and bravely tried the unusual foods at our multi-cultural feast—yum!  Thank you for your kind donations for the children who have been trafficked or are at risk of trafficking and their families in Cambodia. Corina’s trip there was incredible as she worked with these precious children in such a horrendous village in Cambodia.  God is definitely at work there with Agape International Missions.  If you want to know more have a chat to Corina.  In NZ we take for granted that our children should be loved and valued as they deserve.

What’s happening at Pukeko Corner

Animals

The fascination with animals continues, particularly cats.  The children have been drawing and making cat masks, we have many new tails being worn, and the Cats Musical has been popular. 

 ERO

The confirmed report from ERO was placed in your pockets recently.  We were very happy with their findings.  One suggestion they made was focusing more on individual children to ensure the learning informs our planning.  We have begun this by selecting several children to focus on at a time, and observing them in their play and interactions.  As part of the process a Whanau Voice form will be filled out by you and your child, while we fill out a Kaiako Form.  Together we will agree on some outcomes for your child based on the learning dispositions—taking an interest,  involvement, persisting with difficulty, expressing ideas or feelings, and taking responsibility.

 Incredible Years Teachers Course—Creating a Positive Learning Environment

Kim and Corina are attending this wonderful course which has 6 workshops, one per month.  The topics covered so far include: Building positive relationships with the children, proactively preventing behaviour problems, using attention, encouragement and praise to turn behaviour around, helping children learn social skills, empathy and problem-solving, and using incentives to motivate children.

We will be focusing on making our kindy rules more visible and on the children’s social and emotional literacy—How they relate to their peers and understanding how they are feeling.

Grandparent’s Days

Each year we love to invite your children’s grandparents to come to kindy and play with them.  Lots of warm fuzzies as we celebrate this special love between a child and their grandparents.  Invites will be sent out by your children shortly. To ensure most children can attend we have 2 days set aside—Wednesday 4 November and Thursday 5 November.

 Group Photo

We will be taking a group photo on Thursday 22 October at 9am.  They will be available to purchase.  You are invited to bring your child in at this time if they do not attend on a Thursday.  Please put this date on your calendar so you don’t miss out.

 Sunhats, Sunhats, Sunhats and Sunblock!!

Yes it’s that time of year! Please provide a named sunhat for your child; a wide brim is better.  We have a rule for Term 1 and 4... No hat, no outside play. Sounds harsh but it’s the sun that is harsh on the young skin of our children. For those new to our summer routines, please sun block your children at home and we will re-apply after lunch with our natural sunblock.

 Christmas Parade

We will be entering another float in the Katikati Christmas Parade on 5th December. We have won 3 times already! And runners up twice.  All offers of help greatly appreciated.

Abacus Calendars

This year the children can use their own artwork which we have been doing with them or you can supply a photo. It must be in by 6th November. You can submit your own photo online if you wish.  Note: Photos for calendars should be in a landscape format.

Fruit for Morning Tea

Please ensure you bring your 3 pieces of fruit each week per child for the children’s morning tea. 

Spare Clothes

Please ensure you place extra clothes in your child’s bag as so much learning occurs with water and mud play. 

Lexham Park

Lexham Park visits for those of you who don’t already know are a special part of our curriculum. We endeavour to go every 6 weeks to visit the elderly at our local rest home. This is an opportunity for the young and old to come together and share experiences, benefiting both parties.

Kindy Christmas Party

This will take place on Tuesday 22 December at 9.30am.  The children will sing Christmas Songs to you and then Dan the Puppet man will entertain us all.  The children were fascinated with his  Road Safety show earlier this year, so it  should be FUN!  We will finish with an early shared lunch.

Important Dates To Put in Your Diary:

Group Photo                                    Thursday, 22 October 9am

Grandparent’s Days                            November 4 (Wed) and 5 (Thurs)

Lexham Park                                    Wed 21 October, Thurs 10 Dec

Christmas Float Parade                       Saturday 5 December     

Christmas Party and Last day               Tuesday 22 December 

Teacher Only Day                              Friday 22 January 2016

Start date 2016 for Kindy                    Monday 25 January 2016

Thanks for all your wonderful support

God Bless from Cathy, Jody, Kim, Corina, Gary, Christina, and Dianne.