HQ4 Water Safety at Kings

What's going on in Week 5?

Well it's been a pretty full-on weekend for Mrs Moore this weekend as Albie tripped over and broke his arm on Friday.  He had it set on Friday evening but the surgeon was not happy with it, so he had to stay the night in hospital (Mrs Moore stayed with him too) and he had another operation on Saturday to fix it properly and insert some wire to hold it in place.  You can imagine how sore Albie must be and what a traumatic time it has been for their family.  Mrs Moore is going to stay home with Albie on Monday, but we hope to see her back during the week.  Our thoughts are with you with lots of speedy recovery messages being zoomed out to Albie.

Great swimming last week at the swimming sports!  We were all so proud of your behaviour and 'can-do' attitude.  Seeing you all giving it a go (even those of you who don't like swimming so much) made our day :)  Congratulations to those of you who will be representing Avonhead at the Zones.

This week...

• Mufti Day on Friday to raise money to help the Fijian community devastated by Cyclone Winston recently.  Please bring $2.
• Please check your Brief but Exciting History... has had all necessary adjustments made to it, and has been handed in.  
• HQ4 - if I spoke to you about your summer holiday writing on Friday - please ensure you have addressed the points made!
• Check your parents have added their emails to our blog.
• This week a notice will come home about an exciting day out we have been organising for you.  The purpose is to develop leadership and team work skills.  More information to come.
• Road patrollers - please meet int he staffroom at 11:15am - take a highlighter.
• Chorale - Monday 1:30pm
• Kapa Haka - Tuesday
• Orchestra - Wednesday2pm

Have a great week :)

Mrs B

Week 4 Happenings!

Hi everyone - I hope you've had a great weekend.  What lovely February weather we are having this month.  My phone tells me we are in for another week of hot sunny days too.  Things to take note of this week:

• Kings Swimming lessons continue every afternoon this week.  Remember a drink bottle, sun hat and your swimming gear please.
• Our annual Year 5-8 School Swimming Sports are this Thursday the 25th of February at Canterbury Swim School.  The bus leaves school at 8.55am ready for the first event at 9.15am.  You need to be in your swimming gear underneath your school uniform please so that we can start straight away.  More information is being uploaded to the school website about the event.
• It's birthday week this week once again in the HQ - along with a couple of student birthdays we have Mrs G's birthday on Tuesday and my birthday on Thursday!  So it's hug a teacher day on those days this week!
• Those students with "resubmits" for their 'Brief But Exciting' tasks that were due in on Friday will have their books given back and need to work on their tasks to finish or improve them.  See your home room teacher for more information.
• Please make sure you've got your parents or caregivers to click on the bottom on the top right of this blog that says "follow" and popped in their email address to get these reminders.

Have a fantastic week team.  See you all tomorrow!      Mrs Moore

Week 3 Events & Reminders!

I hope you are all safe and settled again after our recent earthquake.  It is a good time to remind ourselves of what to do in an event like that if we were to have another one during the school day - seek cover under a desk or door way, away from windows, and form a turtle shelter for yourself.  The school buildings have been checked over both inside and out by Mr Levings and our school is fine and reading for school as per normal tomorrow.  Reminders for this week are as follows:

• Your kiwiana icons art task is due on Monday by the end of the day.  This is your piece of art on the bubble paper.  The ones that are completed and already up look AMAZING!
• Kings Swimming starts on Monday.  You need suitable walking shoes for walking there and back, your sun hat, togs, towel, swimming bag, googles and a cap.  You are able to borrow their swimming caps if you wish.  Make sure everything is named please.
• Your 3 compulsory and 3 options "Brief But Exciting History" tasks are due by the end of Week 3.  These are expected to be completed to a high standard, with you taking pride in your work and presenting your work thoughtfully and neatly with colour!  The teachers are looking forward to reading all about you!

Swimming timetable 2016

Lesson time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1230	HQ1	HQ2	HQ3	HQ4	HQ1
1255	HQ4	HQ1	HQ2	HQ3	HQ4
120	HQ3	HQ4	HQ1	HQ2	HQ3
145	HQ2	HQ3	HQ4	HQ1	HQ2

Lessons are 25 minutes long

We will leave Avonhead to walk down to Kings 30 minutes before the lesson starts, and will arrive back at school approx. 30 minutes after the lesson finishes.

Please remember your togs, towel, goggles and swimming cap for Monday (all named please).  Bring a sturdy bag to carry them in - sometimes supermarket shopping bags tear after a few uses, so if you have something 'tougher' that would be awesome!!

Swimming at Kings

A letter came home today (hard copy and via email) regarding swimming lessons for the Senior HQ.  A brief outline follows...

Dates: Monday 15^th February until Friday 26^th February(Please note, there will be no swimming lessons at Kings on the 25^th as that will be our school swimming sports day at Canterbury Swim School – more info to come on this soon).  

Where:  Kings Swim School

When: a revolving timetable will be set up across the four classes.  This will be shared with parents in case you wish to come down and watch.

Cost: The cost for the nine lessons is $46.62 which will be included on your term’s invoice.

Transport: Students will walk to and from Kings.

Other info: 

·       A swim cap is compulsory.  

·       Goggles are optional but will make swimming more pleasant.

·       Friday is ‘water safety day’ so please bring long tracksuit pants and long sleeved shirt.

Please complete this swim assessment by Wednesday 10^th February please.  This can be emailed to dbusfield@avonhead.school.nz or send in to school with your child.

Child’s name: _______________ 
Swimming level (if Swimming at Kings)__________

❏  Cannot swim
❏  Can stroke and breathe with assistance
❏  Can swim Freestyle and Backstroke 40m
❏  Can swim Freestyle and Backstroke 50m plus
❏  Swims in a training squad (please name the club)

If your child has had a severe fright or an accident in water please record the event below:

Many thanks for your assistance to help place students in the correct group.

If you have any queries please contact me at dbusfield@avonhead.school.nz

Kind regards

Darelle Busfield, Bruce Rodger, Sandie Gamperle and Karalee Moore

Reminders for Week 2

• Waitangi Day is acknowledged on Monday so you have the day off school on Monday.
• Kapa Haka begins Tuesday afternoon.  We would love as many of you as possible to sign up for this group - the seniors really strengthen this cultural group.
• Swimming at Kings starts in Week 3 actually.....not Week 2!  Get yourself organised in advance with your swim gear including a swim cap if you can!
• Technology at Kirkwood begins - arrive by 8.30am on Tuesday mornings for a home room roll call.  The buses leave by 8.40am.
• Meet the Teacher is in the Senior HQ on Wednesday 10th with two sessions for your parents - 5.30pm and 6pm.  Please invite them along to meet us all and hear about how the HQ operates!

Day One is done and dusted!

It was so lovely to see everyone back safe and sound in the HQ today.  Welcome to our new students who joined us today!  The familiar faces look tanned, taller and relaxed which was great to see.  You all did so well today and we were really impressed with your manners, positive attitude and the contributions you are already making to the HQ and school as we got all the monitors sorted.  We are set to have a fabulous term with such a great start!  Each home room enjoyed a game or two today and lots of getting to know you tasks and challenges.  Remember to bring your stationery ASAP and a sun hat each day too.  Tomorrow is meant to be very hot!  See you all tomorrow!