Thursday, February 20, 2020

 Whānau Koru at Potters Park

Our long hot summer continues...

Today we packed up Whanau Koru and walked to Potters park for a picnic and play. Thank you so much to all the wonderful parents and grandparents who were able to come with us today-you did an amazing job!


You may have heard us talk about the concept of the Environment as the Third Teacher. This is a key part of the Reggio Emilia approach which has influenced education theories and practice worldwide for many decades. (The first teacher is the parent; the second, the classroom teacher). 


At Balmoral we are working at the moment on understanding how we can create learning environments with the children which are responsive to their interests and developmental stages. We want our environments to to promote relationships, curiosity and exploration, communication and collaboration. 

Our learning environment is not confined to the classroom. Learning outside the classroom is a powerful, dynamic and challenging third teacher. We discover new things, have new experiences, build new relationships, transfer learning from inside to out and explore, take risks, solve problems and have a huge amount of fun. 


A trip such as this helps to fulfil aspects of the Health and Physical Education curriculum, for example, children develop a wide range of movement skills, using a wide variety of equipment and play environments.


Children participate in creative and regular physical activities and identify enjoyable experiences.




Children learn to demonstrate respect through sharing and co-operation in groups.



 They learn to use safe practices in a range of contexts and identify people who can help.


Our morning was full of learning, meeting so many different aspects of not only the NZC but also Te Whāriki. When we plan a trip, we consider the learning which may take place, its purpose and value and whether it meets the many needs of the children. This trip met many goals within the Te Whāriki strands of Wellbring/Mana atua, Belonging/Mana whenua, Contribution/Mana tangata, Communication/Mana reo and Exploration/mana aotūroa.



 A magpie was watching us, so we watched the magpie.



We had a wonderful morning in our local environment at Potters Park- so much to do.  Children collected feathers, seeds, cicada shells, chestnuts, chased bubbles and went on a treasure hunt.

Then we came back for a cool down!
Have a great weekend.
Ngā mihi nui.






Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Reading in Whanau Koru


Kia Ora, 

We thought we would follow up after our Meet the Teacher evening last week. The teaching of reading in all its various forms has not changed. Instructional reading groups are an integral part of any reading programme and complement other teaching decisions about reading in class. Our foremost goal is to encourage the love and joy of books and reading-if we can do that we are well on the way to growing life-long learners.

Just like every year, a classroom reading programme does not get into full swing until Week 6. This is when instructional groups begin. Your child will be reading instructional texts with the teacher which have been chosen specifically to support your child's learning at the time. 
Prior to this, teachers are getting to know the children in their class, working alongside them listening, observing, talking, reading and writing with them. The professional teaching term for this is formative assessment. This allows us to gauge interests, motivations and skills of children and plan accordingly. Instructional whole class reading is happening every day at this stage alongside daily Phonics. If your child was at school last year, your teacher will be working with them to assess the right starting point for them this year and will be building up familiar reading texts for them to access in class over this time. 

Just a reminder about books coming home:
Children may choose a book they would like to read or have someone read to them. They may however decide not to bring a book home. 

If your child does choose a book to bring home, spend some time talking about what is happening in the story and enjoy it, have fun with it. You may need to read it with them or to them and that is great. It may be an instructional text but often it will be a book that they have really enjoyed reading and want to share with you. 

Please be assured that teachers are encouraging children to choose a favourite book to bring home.  We know that whether they choose one or decide not to, you will be reading your wonderful stories at home with them at night.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to talk to your child's teacher.

Thank you and kindest regards, Whanau Koru teachers.



Saturday, February 15, 2020


Ngā mihi nui

Nau Mai haere mai ki Whānau Kou


Term 1, 2020



Tena koutou, Malo e leilei, Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Bula vinaka, Ciao
Namaste, Al Salaam a'alaykum, Nihao, Merhaba, Konnichiwa, Hola, Annyong hasayo



A huge welcome to all our new and returning whānau.

It has been wonderful seeing all our excited tamariki settling into school with such enthusiasm and big smiles on their faces. They are so eager for learning, full of wonder and curiosity and have so many stories and experiences they want to share with us.


There are already some dates to note:

Week 3: Wednesday, 19th February Pasifika Family BBQ 
6:00-7:00p.m. 
Love to see you there!

Friday, 21st February Picnic at Potters Park
Don't forget togs, towel, change of clothes and hat. 
Thanks for all your offers of help!

Saturday, 22nd February Making Sense of the Treaty of Waitangi
This is a free community workshop. Encourage other family members to come along.


Week 4: Thurs, 27th and Fri, 28th February Class Photos 
Another photo is taken at the end of the year so don't worry if your child is away for this first one.


If you have any queries or anything to talk about, don't hesitate to contact your classroom teacher.


Our school vision is:
"To value diversity and to develop curious, confident and connected learners".

We are excited to have you join us as we share learning from across our whānau this year.

Our curriculum empowers our children to learn and grow, reflecting the holistic way in which this happens. 

You, the wider world of family and community are an integral part of our curriculum.

Welcome from all of us in Whānau Koru. We're really looking forward to getting to know you.


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