Term 1 Newsletter

Western Heights School - Middle School

Term 1, Week 2, 2009

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

A warm welcome to all our students and their families.

We trust you had an enjoyable summer holiday with your family and are refreshed for a continued hot summer term with many new learning experiences that have been planned for optimum learning.

Sunhats – Our School Policy is No hat, no play. All children are required to wear a hat outside at playtime and lunchtime.  Children without hats must stay in the shade on the deck or under a shade tree.  Hats need to be named and it is a good idea to keep it at school for Terms 1 and 4.

Personal Belongings – Please label your child’s clothing, including footwear, swimwear & towels, and stationery so that children can identify their property easily. Children involved in extra curriculum instrumental activities need to have their name and class space on the cases of their instruments.

Class Routines – It is very important that your child arrives before school starts at 8.55 am and that they organize their own belongings for the day i.e. book/library bag, sharpened pencil, drink bottle with water, lunch, homework book etc. This is also a good time for informal social interaction.

Absences – If your child is going to be absent it is essential that you ring to notify the school or send a message with an older sibling.  Please phone the school office before 9.00am (ph 8361213) or leave a message on the answer phone. Teachers record absences on a green form each morning, which is sent to the office.  If an absence has not been notified, a phone call home will be made to check.  However, if your child arrives late please notify the office before coming to the classroom.  This procedure is in place to protect your child’s safety. Our school policy for children leaving the grounds during school time is for parents to present themselves to the office for a blue release slip.

Lunches – Please provide your child with ‘brain’ food (sandwiches, fruit etc.) and a labeled drink bottle for playtimes and lunchtimes. No fizzy drinks are allowed. We will be encouraging water only and children can keep their bottles in the classroom.  Lunch orders are taken to C.S.14 before school. Please put money in an envelope and label with child’s name, class space and order.

Toys/Collectable cards – School cannot be held responsible for collectable cards and other valuables. We  encourage that they’re kept at home.

Homework – Starts in Week 3.  Children glue their weekly sheet into their Homework books on a Monday after the teacher has discussed the contents with them.  The Homework book is returned on Friday for class marking and the spelling test.  More information will be inside the front cover of the Homework book.

Parent Helpers – Help is greatly appreciated.  Please see your class teacher.  We need parents to put away readers on a regular basis.  We will also be calling for volunteers for the Middle School Book Club.  This entails one morning per week (9.00 – 10.30am) listening to children read on a one to one basis.

Open Door Policy: We have an open door policy at our school, but please make an appointment to discuss  important issues as teachers have very busy schedules.

 Language                   Personal news sharing

                                    Personal Writing – Diary/Journal writing, Memoirs

Reading                      Shared class reading for the first 3 weeks.  When all children have been tested they will be placed into ability groups for guided reading lessons.  Once new children have settled into class routines, they will take home readers most days.

Spelling                       New words on Mondays and test on Fridays.  They will be written on their homework sheet.  Please check your child’s spelling words everyday.  How we learn new words will also be on the inside cover of Homework books.

Handwriting                Correct letter formation and setting out of books.

Mathematics              Number & Statistics

                                    Basic Facts (focus) – ongoing all year.

                                    Children are cross grouped and can be moved to accommodate ability.

Fitness                        Daily – Jump Jam / Running games.

P.E /Sport                   Aquatics - Swimsafe Programme.   

If you wish your child to develop their swimming skills further, please consider private lessons, as our time is limited in the school pool.

                                 Sport - Every Thursday - Small Ball Games.

Library                      Once weekly. Children can choose 2 books to take home in their library bag. They may also have computer access during this time. Library books need to be returned before another is issued. 

• Parent / Teacher Conferences – Thursday, 26^th February
• Parents Maths Evening – Thursday, 5^th March
• Junior and Middle School Picnic –  Friday, 13^th March
• Water Day – Friday, 20^th March

We look forward to a busy and exciting term.  Any queries please see your child’s class teacher.