Senior choir perform in the Music Festival

If you went to the show tonight, I'm sure you'll agree with me that it was amazing! I loved all the music and even got goosebumps during the final song 'Circle of Life'. Our students performed exceptionally well and it was a privilege for Mrs G and I to be 'helpers' this evening!  

Here's a few photos I took before and during of some of our students!

And starting the Mexican Wave which travelled around the arena at least 7 times!!!!

Term 4 Week 4

Wow, this term is flying by!  We are all very proud of our senior students for their efforts and achievements in the athletics sports during the week. We certainly have some talented athletes who excelled in their events, but the resilience and determination shown by all was what really impressed us!

The teachers are in the process of planning some exciting events for the reminder of the term.  These include sailing at Lake Rua (the letter for this has come home already - please return it as soon as possible), the Tough Kids competition out at the South Brighton Domain on November 30th and our end of term trip to the Halswell Domain and Pool on December 13th (letters about both of these will come home next week).

Mrs G and myself had the pleasure of accompanying the choir to the Horncastle Arena this morning for their rehearsal - I can't wait to be a 'helper' tonight! For those of you going, you're in for a real treat.


Reminders for next week:

1. The Otago Problem Solving Final challenge for invited students will now be next Wednesday.  Friday afternoon was never ideal, but I think we can sit it comfortably next Wednesday.
2. On Monday, we have the Science Roadshow being held in our school hall.  Some of our students will be 'roadies' and help set up the exhibits, while others have been chosen to be exhibitors - they will help explain and demonstrate the science experiments.
3. Year 8 students - please send (or bring) in your 5 year old photos for our end of year celebration - Mr Rodger has emailed your parents about this.  Also if you have any photos from your time at Avonhead, please get these in as well.
4. 12 year olds - you will have your high jump on Monday - please bring appropriate clothing and shoes.

And finally, with sadness, I need to tell you that I will be leaving Avonhead School at the end of the year.  I have a position at Prebbleton School, where my children go.  I am really excited about the job at Prebbleton, but I will desperately miss the students at Avonhead School.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Darelle / Mrs B

Term 4 Week 3

Week 3 already!!!!  We hope you enjoyed your bonus day over the weekend.  Who knows why Labour Day was introduced?  Bonus prize from Mrs B for the first three people who can add a comment down below with some information about the origins of Labour Day.

What's on this week?

1. Technology, as usual, on Tuesday morning.  Please be at school by 8:30am for the roll.
2. Athletics Day is on Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting).  Make sure you have appropriate tops and shoes - house colours or PE tops are great!  Bring a big drink of water and a decent lunch and snacks to sustain you during the day.
3. Friday is the big day for our choir who will perform at the Horncastle Arena in the evening.  Choir, you will be out at rehearsals all morning, and the rest of the HQ will do an alternative programme for the morning.  All the best, I bet you'll be amazing!
4. Otago Problem Solving Final Challenge for incited students will be on Friday afternoon - not the most ideal time, but with Athletics and choir, there is no other time.  If Athletics is postponed, we will sit this on Thursday morning.  It is an hour test. Congratulations to Ben, Aden, Elnathan, Jacob D, Sam W, Evan, Will M, Oliver, Kayley, Callum, Tina, Mackay, Emily L and Mikayla who have been invited to sit this test.

Have a great week everyone.

Term 4 Week 2...

Welcome back to Term 4 - a great start by all the students in the HQ.  We have another busy term planned, with our focus being Healthy You! If you are in a line of work, or have a passion in this area (very broad that it is!!!) and would be happy to come in a share your knowledge with the HQ, a class, or a small group, we would love to hear from you.  Please email Darelle (dbusfield@avonhead.school.nz)

So far we have talked about Hauora / Well-Being, and thought about how we can enhance the four areas of well-being (Physical, Mental/Emotional, Social and Spiritual).  We have also started to look at the Mental Health Foundation's '5 Ways to Well-Being'.  Over the weekend an email will be sent inviting families and students to join in the Well-Being game - this simply means every day you hop on the computer and record something you have done that has used one or  more of the 5 ways to well-being.  

Follow this link to see the 5 Ways to Well Being

A big change this term has been to do with the timetable.  We will now be starting each day (apart from Tuesday, which is technology) with writing.  Every odd week, Mrs Moore and Mrs Busfield's reading group will be at 10:10am, along with Mrs G and Mr Rodger's maths groups.  After morning tea, Mrs B and Mr Rodger's other maths group will happen, with Mrs Moore and Mrs G's reading groups.  On the even weeks, this will be reversed.

What's happening this week?

1. Friday is mufti day - please bring a tin or packet of non perishable food, cleaning products or toiletries which will be donated to the City Mission.

2. Burnside High School testing catch up is on Tuesday.

3.  We will be starting Sexuality Road (puberty) on Wednesday - a notice about this went home on Thursday / Friday of Week 1.

4.  We are in full swing of athletics training now - please make sure a PE top and appropriate footwear is brought daily.

5.  There is a working bee at school on Sunday from 10-2.  Please bring a paint brush if you can.  The focus will be sprucing up the junior playground.  A sausage sizzle and bouncy castle will be provided :)

Have a great week everyone :)