Outdoor Classroom Day

 Learning Outdoors

Today is an outdoor education day. We went for a wander to check out Te Ngāhere, our bush walk. 

There has been a lot of activity there recently. There is weeding and planting and rat traps have been set.

Sonja showed us a dead rat that was in a rat trap.

Here are some photos of our wander.

Fungi on a tree trunk

What a stunning view of Putikitiki.

The mighty Redwood tree. The inspiration for our vision
'Stand Tall, Reach High.'
We think it is well over a hundred years old. 
If no-one cuts it down it could be here for a thousand years.

Our centennial oaks are looking magnificent in their Autumn colours.

Dress up as your role model day

 On Friday we came to school dressed as someone who inspires us.

Doctors and police and fire fighters were a recurring theme. As were parents.

Here are some of us are dressed as our role models.

A gymnast

A princess

Joan of Arc

Space explorer

A mermaid

If you're wondering who Ms Jones' role model is, it's the Wayfarer Rat in the story The Wind in the Willows. The Wayfarer Rat roams the world seeking adventure and doing good deeds.

Term One 2021

 Kia ora koutou

Welcome to the new year in Room 5. 

My name is Olive Jones. The children call me Ms Jones. I have been teaching at Hamilton East for many years. I lead the Arts and am involved in promoting the Enviroschools philosophy in our school. I am a keen gardener and printmaker. I love doing art with children and you can look forward to some lovely pieces of work coming home at the end of the year.

I have a Learning Assistant with me and her name is Val. Please visit our room when you drop off your child if you can and introduce yourself, if you haven't already.

There are 26 children in our class, all Year 2s. Some children are still five and others are already six. 

If you haven't purchased your child's stationery it would be great if you could do so as soon as possible so we can all start working in our books. 

Please check your child's book bag for notices. There will be a team letter coming home soon explaining how we do things in our class. 

I look forward to meeting you at the family picnic on Thursday the 25th of February,

Ngā mihi,

Olive 

Last day of term

 Tenā koutou kātoa.

Below is a collection of photos from the last days at school this year in Room 5.

I want to thank you, the parents and adults associated with the children from the class of 2020, for your kindness, sympathy, and caring towards me this year. It's been quite a ride, and I end it with a very full heart, having lost my partner of twenty years just a month ago.

 I appreciate that the children have had to live with the uncertainty of my absences, first from breaking my foot, then Covid, and finally my partner's swift illness and death. They have been wonderful and have helped me feel that life goes on in the face of loss.  I have felt supported and nurtured by everyone.

You have wonderful creative and eager children. They are beautiful and reflect the love they have from you. 

I wish them, and you, a restful summer holiday and a fresh start in 2021.

Ngā mihi nui.

Olive Jones

                                                                    Screenprinting

                                                            Making God's Eyes