Dress up Day - St Mary's 2014

 Dress up Day

Last Thursday St Mary's staff and students came dressed up as their favourite book character. We had all sorts of characters in room 6 as you can see from our photos. Children had to bring a gold coin donation, which will go towards relief efforts for the typhoon ravaged Philippines.

Some of the children put a lot of effort into their costume selection.

A group photo shows the wide range of characters we had in room 6.

Poppy vainly attempts to scare Mr. Bach with her costume.

  Charis

 Veronica

 Koby

 Jasmin

 Naina

 Ria

 Lucille

 Tyler

 Willem

Misty

Andrew Chinn

 Andrew Chinn -  2013

St Mary's was privilèged last week to welcome Australian Catholic Christian singer Andrew Chinn to our school for the day. Children are familiar with Andrew Chinn songs that we use regularly at St Mary's for class prayers, liturgies and masses. Some of the older children will remember Andrew from his last visit in 2010. Andrew spends the day working with the children to include as many as possible for the evening concert. He first works seperately with the junior, middle and senior schools in the morning and then the whole school together in the afternoon. Andrew is an 

ex-primary school teacher and is very patient and encouraging while working with the children.

 Joseph, Edward and Koby made great gophers during the Noah's Ark song.

Andrew performs with the children rather than performing to them.

 There were some great movers and shakers amongst the children during the songs.

 Willem poses with Andrew Chinn. Willem loves Andrew Chinn songs and is always asking for them for prayers during the year.

 Being cool during one of the performances.

Beautiful voices.

Willem boogies down the church aisle.

 Willem and Ryleah thank Andrew for coming and Willem presents him with the gift of a pen (but not in the case though!!!!)

Picture Prompts - writing

 Picture Prompts - Motivating to Write and stimulating thinking

A good way of getting children to write is by using picture (usually photo) prompts. Big pictures are best and they can be electronic or in paper form, as long as the children are able to look at them closely from the place from where they are writing.

Children can be guided to describe the setting or a character in the setting by using looks like, feels like, smells like and sounds like, or they can use the scene to begin a story using who, what where and when.

 The children may have to be encouraged to choose a prompt as procrastination in making a choice is common.

 Room 6 children have chosen their prompts in this picture and are now orgainising their books and other writing equipment.

Some children are very happy and motivated writers - others may need support and encouragement to write.

Poetry Recital - middle school

 Middle School Poetry Recital Finals 2013

In the last week of term 3 the annual middle school poetry recital finals were held in the hall. Our judges were Janet Keen and Mrs Cato. Janet gave a very complimentary review of the competition in her weekly newspaper column. 

The standard was very high this year with all finalists having memorised their poems and many children used expression in their voice and gestures.

Alex Veper and Poppy Martin represented room 6 in the year 3 section and Tom Parry, Joseph Boles and Naina Michael represented room 6 in the year 4 section.

Children from rooms 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15 participated in the recital.

Tom gave it his best using expression and gestures.



Joseph gave an excellent recital but had his poem cut short by early clapping.

Well done to Tom and Joseph for giving it their best and making us proud.

Poppy went the extra mile and included props and a costume as part of her recital.

Alex wrote his own poem for the competition. Here he shows us his participation certificate.

Kate won the year 3 section with a magnificent poetry recital showing public speaking skills of the highest order.

Room 6 Assembly Term 3

 Room 6 Assembly Term 3

Last Friday at the end of week 9, Room 6 students ran the school assembly. This was the second assembly that Room 6 have run this year. A new group of students got the chance to participate and practice reading clearly in front of an audience. All the children learned their words perfectly and spoke clearly to the assembled audience.

The assembly was opened by Joseph who welcomed everyone to the hall. 

Josh introduced the prayer which was Hail Mary or Awe e Maria in Maori. He did the sign of the cross in French and then Maori.

Tae'o asked the school to stand for the singing of the National Anthem.

Claire and Anna played us a beautiful piece of music on their ukeleles.

All of Claire's guitar students played us a couple of pieces together with some musical accompaniment.

Willem asked Mr Macmillan to present the Principal's Awards to some worthy students.
He wore his Dad's tie especially for the occasion.

Mr Macmillan presented the Principal's Awards.

Teachers and pupils admire the wonderful assembly put on by the marvellous students of Room 6.

Wacky Hair and Sock Day

 Wacky Hair and Sock Day

Wacky Hair and Sock Day was to raise money for the Special Needs Christmas dinner on Friday 30th August. Room six won the the class prize for its overall participation in Wacky Hair and Sock Day  Even Mr. Bach got involved, grudgingly, when swarmed on by teachers and children with hair colouring and pipe cleaners. Some children in room 6 really got into the wacky hair theme with some excellent colours and styles. Look below at all the awesome looks.

Willem












Koby

Tyler

Charis
                                                                            Wylie

Joseph

Tae'o

Alex

Ryan

Mr. B

Patrick

Tom