We're Getting an Elf!

This morning Mr Dorman came into our classroom looking very confused. He found a letter on his desk addressed to Kereru Class. He knew it must be important because the return address was the North Pole (and it was still cold!) so he rushed it over to us. He said that he had turned around to do something and when he turned back the letter had appeared as if by magic!
We were sooooo excited and couldn't wait to open it and read it. Once Margeaux started reading the letter we thought we had missed out on being selected for an elf but....... read for yourself!!

The Elf on the Shelf

We watched a short video this afternoon about The Elf on the Shelf.
Every year Santa sends out special Scout Elves to boys and girls in homes and classrooms around the world. Each night the elves return to the North Pole to report back to Santa about how naughty or nice the children are.
The elves always return to the classroom before the children get there (and sometimes they have been a bit mischievous and playful and get up to all sorts of tricks)
We have sent a letter to Santa telling him that we will be on our best behaviour and will look after the elf if we get one. We are REALLY hoping that our class is chosen to have our own Scout Elf sent to us from the North Pole. Only a few classes are chosen each year from schools all around the world so hopefully we will be one of them!

Inter-School Athletics

Wednesday is Inter-school Athletics Day. If you are participating please come to school in your PE gear. You may wear track pants as it can still be a bit cool in the morning. 

Here is a reminder of what else you will need:

-Sneakers
-School Hat
-Sunscreen
-Drink bottle (water)
-Lunch and snacks
-School Polar fleece or Jersey
-Wet weather gear (raincoat)
When: Wednesday 3rd December 2014 (All day)
Where: Saxton Track

Parents, families and friends are welcome to come along and enjoy the day.

Ministry of Inspiration Summer Camp

The Ministry of Inspiration is once again pleased to announce that we are offering a summer Science/Engineering camp and Computer Science camp. Both will be held at Garin College in Richmond Jan 19-23 from 9 am to 3 pm for the low cost of $250. Space is limited and will only run if a minimum of 10 students sign up for each camp (max. 20 in each course). Students cancelling their registration within 10 days of the event will be charged a $50 processing fee. 

The Science camp will include: lab safety skills, chemistry experiments/topics, physics topics, dissections, microscope work, bridge building, and electrical challenges. The Computer camp is designed for beginning to intermediate programmers using the SCRATCH programming language, a free drag and drop programme. In addition, students will be using Spheros, a small robotic programmable ball. For this portion students will need a hand-held device with specific programmes downloaded on it. Hopefully, as long as the shipment arrives prior to camp, students will also be building and programming their own robots. 

Both camps are designed for Years 4-8 and are taught by senior level students along side registered teachers. To register, go to ministryofinspiration.org

Groovy 60's Art

We have been learning about how turbulent life was in the 1960's but we’ve also looked at the peace movement, music, hippies, symbols and some of the fun things about the decade.

Last week we did some watercolour artwork. We chose patterns, colours and symbols that we thought represented the 1960’s. We painted patterns in watercolour on the background and then cut out symbols from the era using black paper and glued these on top of the paint.

Here is a sample of some of our work.

St Paul's School Athletics

Next Tuesday is our school athletics day. Come to school in your PE gear. You may wear track pants as it can still be a bit cool in the morning. 

Here is a reminder of what else you will need:

-Sneakers must be worn
-School Hat
-Sunscreen
-Drink bottle (water)
-Lunch and snacks
-School Polar fleece or Jersey
-Wet weather gear (raincoat)
When: Tuesday 18 November 2014 (All day)
Where: Saxton Track

Parents, families and friends are welcome to come along and enjoy the day!

Christmas Hamper Appeal

                                 The St Vincent de Paul Society is appealing for donations of 

Christmas themed goods that would assist families in the

Richmond area over the Christmas period.

We are asking each family to donate non-perishable food items suitable for 

celebrating the Christmas season. (please- no gifts).

The appeal will take place during November and the hampers will be presented at 

Mass on the First Sunday of Advent. (30 November)

Some Suggestions: Christmas cake, fruit mince pies, chocolate biscuits, tinned fruit, dessert sauces (chocolate, fruit) savoury sauces (cranberry, apple, sweet chilli) pickles and chutneys to accompany meat, salad dressings, nibbles (nuts, crackers, chips, dried fruit) specialty tea and coffee, fruit juice, truffles, liquorice, chocolate and lollies!

Thank you. We appreciate your support!

First Aid

This morning Kathryn from St Johns came to teach us some basic first aid.
We learnt how to identify an emergency situation and what to do. We also learnt how to manage nose bleeds, put a injured arm in a sling, dress a wound and help someone who is unconscious.
Hopefully we won't ever have to use our new skills but now we'll be better prepared if we do.

Dressing an arm wound

                    

Making a sling

Kathryn explaining what to do if we find someone unconscious

Practicing our skills

Listening for breathing

Helping a patient into a better breathing position