Final Week Term 4 2012!!!

Well it's officially the end of the term here at Winton Kindergarten! The past nine weeks have just flown by with lots of things on keeping the children, families, and teachers on their toes!! As we wind down with our last days of the year we have to make a special mention to Kylie for all her hard work and wonderful contributions at Kindy...We are sad to have to say goodbye but know that Kylie has lots of exciting new beginnings for herself and her family in Wanaka. A friendly reminder that Wednesday and Thursday we are having a shared morning tea for Kylie and to celebrate a great year at Kindergarten with our children and families.

PARENTS/WHANAU: Please feel free to stay for the session...This is a nice way to celebrate your child's time at Kindy and to wind up the year - and of course we can always do with LOTS OF PARENT HELP FOR END OF YEAR CLEAN UP! (A big THANK YOU to all the wonderful parents we have had helping out this week with cleaning jobs).

Takehe naming competition: Thank you to everyone who added their name suggestions to the list...The Takehe is named Puiaki meaning treasure treasure.

We received a Thank-you card from St Johns for our donation from Amby's visit earlier in the term. Thank you to all those who remembered their gold coin. 

Thank you to all the kind families who donated pre-loved toys for our collection that Sally organised. Sally took these down to the local Salvation Army where the toys will be passed on to families this Christmas...A nice "Random Act of Kindness" to finish our  KINDNESS-FILLED year!

Just one of the baskets filled with goods for families in need this Christmas.

Ruby brings in her pre-loved teddies for children less fortunate...How Kind Ruby!

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 1 2013:
Monday, January 21st 2013: Enrolment Day for new families
Tuesday, January 22nd 2013: First Day Term 1 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL OUR AMAZING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES...SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!! Judy, Kylie, Christina and Sally

Term 4 Week 9

Our second last week for the year...Not long to go until Christmas!!


MTW Group:
On Monday we had a red day, with shared RED healthy morning tea and RED dress-ups to celebrate receiving our Healthy Heart Award. Thank you to Kylie and Linda for putting the time and effort into achieving this.

Healthy Heart Award morning tea

Healthy Heart morning tea on the parachute

On Tuesday we walked along to Burleigh Rest Home to sing Christmas Carols to the residents. Well done everyone what a special way to share some kindness. Thank you to the parents who came along. As one resident said, "This is what Christmas is all about," and another mentioned that, "This has just made my day seeing all these young children coming here," tu meke - awesome!!

Christmas Carols at Burleigh Rest Home on Tuesday

On Wednesday Tess Chapman and Ava came in to make Christmas crafts with the children. The group made Xmas trees with painted feet - very creative!! Sally and Christina went to Fiordland Kindergarten to observe their Nature Discovery Programme. The Kindergarten takes the 12 oldest children to Ivon Wilson Reserve once a week to experience nature hands-on. Sally and Christina have come back with lots of great ideas and inspiration for perhaps looking into introducing something simliar at Winton later next year...

Painted feet Xmas Trees with Tess Chapman on Wednesday

The "Nuff House" made by one of the Dad's at Te Anau for their child's farewell gift to the Nature Discovery Porgramme.

TF Group:

Jacob tries a carrot fresh from the vege garden

Today Kylie continued with the feet painting with our TF Group. Sally and the group got busy in the vege garden pulling carrots - taste testing was the highlight! Tomorrow the potatoes will be checked and hopefully we can make something with them!

Hayley pulls a carrot

IMPORTANT DATES:

KYLIE'S LAST WEEK NEXT WEEK...SHARED MORNING TEA ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. PLEASE BRING A PLATE TO FAREWELL KYLIE...THE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND STAFF WILL MISS KYLIE AND WISH HER WELL ON HER FAMILY'S NEW ADVENTURE IN WANAKA!!

LAST DAY OF TERM THURSDAY 20TH OF DECEMBER

Term 4 Week 8

Christmas is definitely round the corner with lots of excitement building within the Kindergarten as the children anticipate the arrival of Santa!

MTW Group:
The children are busy practicing lyrics for our trip to Burleigh Rest home on Tuesday morning to sing Christmas Carols and share more baking with the residents. We still need more parent help on the day for this excursion so if you are available please let us know Monday morning or flick Christina an email please. Permission signatures will be on the sign-in desk on Monday morning to confirm your child's attendance for the trip.

We are busy with Christmas crafts...Judy worked with a group of children making snow flakes and stars. Sally has been hard at work in the Project room weaving flax baskets with the children for them to gift to family at the end of the year. Kylie came back yesterday and made wire Christmas trees with the children. Christina shared the Portable North Pole personalised Santa video message as well as sending home letter templates for the children to complete and post at Paper Plus...I wonder who will receive a letter back?!?

TF Group:
A BIG thank-you to Rachel Reed who came along to make Christmas crafts with the children...The children made wooden clothes peg reindeer to take home a the end of the day - they looked amazing!! Kylie was busy baking with a big group of children...They used the gingerbread man cutter which will make reindeer faces when turned upside down and are decorated on Friday!!

Today we had Willie come in for the last time to share stories with the children before finishing his time @ Winton Library. We were introduced to Raewyn who will be taking over from Willie...The children will miss Willie's wonderful story-telling ability and wish him well in his new adventures.

KINDY XMAS PARTY TOMORROW NIGHT 5-7PM @KINDY!!!

Rylie Johnstone and Rachel make wooden peg reindeer decorations

Gingerbread reindeer to decorate on Friday!

Anna and Samelliah working together 

Hayley looking so very grateful to Riley for finding her reindeer

Santa's little helpers!!!

Week 7 Term 4

This week we are busy preparing for the Celebration of Learning Evening tomorrow night...Thank you to all the families who have confirmed their attendance. This is a special night to share our term's programme and meet the parents of your child's life-long friends! Thursday night, 6 - 8pm!!

Cooper, Alex and Jacob working together to complete a maths task on the BIG  ICT touch screen at Winton School

On Tuesday, Christina visited Winton School and Limehills School to observe the New Entrants classrooms and gauge a clearer perspective of the transition to school. At Winton School 13 of the 15 children were recent Winton Kindergarten Graduates - this articulates the importance of a collaborative approach to life-long learning as children move between early childhood curriculum/philosophy and primary curriculum/philosophy!! At Limehills she met lots of older siblings who were very proud to share that they had affiliation to our Kindergarten!

Mel Cooper shares a poem as part of the phonics programme at Limehills School

MTW Group:
"We're going on a bear hunt" movie is progressing with lots of editing to do before the premier...A trailer of the movie will be on show at the Celebration of Learning Evening tomorrow night.

This week we welcomed Ben Fitchett, Daniel McDonald and Lily Cameron to Discovery Time. Revisiting the sea shell provocation at the start of the term, we worked on creating natural collages using shells, pine cones, and stones glued to rings of wood. The group discussed the different textures and ways get material could be utilised. Daniel made a digger and took it home for Dad's birthday - tu meke!!

TF Group:
We will be making the final preparations for the Celebration of Learning Evening: Making truffles and setting up the environment...I wonder if that BIG BEAR will be found this week??

IMPORTANT DATES: Family night next Friday, 7th December 2012.

Term 4 Week 6

What a sunny week we have had in Winton...Everyone has made the most of the lovely weather with lots of water play and outdoor activities! A big thank you to Jan Murphy our relieving teacher for all the games outside with week!

Tomorrow we farewell our student teacher Georgia...Although she will be back next year for her final year - we are VERY lucky to have such a talented student on board!!

MTW Group:

The tamariki explore the sushi table...

Last week Millie Scott was picked up early to go to town...A group of children were sitting round the kai table eating lunch and overheard that Millie would be having sushi for lunch - What's sushi?!?! Georgia set up a provocation for the children on Monday morning with a range of ingredients, chop sticks, and a sushi kit. We explored the textures and tastes and talked about how we might make our own later in the week. On Tuesday the group cooked the rice. Wednesday was the big sushi-making day and the children were eager to get involved! It was great to see so many children trying out the sushi for the first time...I wonder if sushi has been requested on the menu at home since this experience!

Welcome Miah Short...Fun outside jumping off the log

TF Group:
Lots of outside play with Jan...Cricket was a real hit today as the group discussed some of the rules of the game. Tomorrow we will be filming more of our "We're going on a Bear hunt" movie - Please remember to bring along your props!!

Celebration of Learning evening: Thursday the 29th of November, 6-8pm @ Kindy

Welcome Cedric Vasallo

Term 4 Week 5

Jack Keith with our BIG card to post to Wellington

Wow I cannot believe we are half way through the term already...where has the time gone!! it will soon be the Summer holidays and as we build up to the end of the year, the children are beginning to anticipate Santa's long-waited arrival!! On Tuesday a BIG blue truck pulled up outside Kindy and the children were quick to spot lots of boxes being unloaded and delivered...What could it be, who were they for....more importantly, WHO were they FROM!! Everyone helped the nice man haul the heavy boxes inside. After a lot of excitement and discussion the tamariki thought that perhaps it was one of Santa's helpers! We put the boxes in a safe place to make sure that "whoever" they were intended for would receive them at Christmas...With all the excitement NO-ONE stopped to notice WHO was driving the big blue truck...Maybe it was Santa the children agreed!! So, an early visit from Santa means that that time of year is all but here; still lots of things to get done before the end of the term tho, we better get a move on!

Riley, Mackenzie, Emma, and Jack ask how much it will cost and hand over our money

Sophie Chambers viewing the Ecplise through the welding mask

On Wednesday the Discovery Time group walked down to Paper Plus to post the oversized "Thank-you" card they have been working on since attending "Around the World and Buck again" last Monday. We have heard lots of barking and farm play since our trip to Invercargill - the children love retelling their experience. As part of our Kindness focus, we discussed how we could show our gratitude to the actors for their wonderful effort. The group decided to send a card and we used the Internet to find out where to send it.

Below is the blog our student Georgia posted about the Partial Solar Eclipse we witnessed yesterday morning. This was a special experience for the children to take part in and I'm sure our families have heard lots of stories about wearing the big black welding mask to see the green sun and moon!

TF Group:
Today we watched DVD5 of the Amazing Me series. This DVD looks at sharing and taking turns, as well as telling others how you feel.

IMPORTANT DATES:
PARENT GROUP MEETING: WEDNESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 7:30pm @ KINDY

CELEBRATION OF LEARNING EVENING: THURSDAY 29th NOVEMBER 6 - 9pm @ KINDY

the partial eclipse

Mackenzie with the welding mask and the children waiting to have ago.

Sophia and Tamara looking at the eclipse

Charlie Whitaker looking through the mask

Millie, Sophie and Hannah all looking through the lens at the eclipse

Info table set up for the children

Camera shot of the eclipse through the lens

On Tuesday Millie Scott, Sophie Chambers and Hannah Eade were oh so interested in the sun and what it looks like after drawing it and Georgia asking them does the sun really have spikes like they had made?... Finding out that today there was going to be a partial eclipse while we were at kindy was like the icing on the cake. Getting the whole centre involved, a table was set up with a welding mask, some welding lens, some sunnies and some solar system books to help the children understand what a solar eclipse was. I brought welding mask and lens from home in preparation for the eclipse; I was unable to get eclipse glasses at such short notice but these worked great. After doing some research about what time it was, why it happens and what happens we set outside to see the moon cross in front of the sun. The eclipse was a partial one so we would see the moon cross in front of only half of the sun. Unfortunately the clouds were in front so not much could be seen. We planned to head out again to check if the clouds had gone away later in the morning. At last we could finally see the sun. All the children got involved having a look through the lens or in the mask, some could not believe that there was the sun AND the moon. 

"It looks green!" Riley 

"There is a bit missing!" Millie 

"I can see it moving!" Olivia

"Oh gosh, that’s cool!" Hannah

How great it was to see the whole group taking turns and helping the other children to see the eclipse this morning - a great act of kindness Winton whanau, ensuring everyone was included in this special event.

Documented by Georgia (visiting student)

Term 4 Week 4

Georgia McMaster our student teacher sitting with Ivy Solis to town

A fabulous week to be a Kindergarten Kid with the sun shining and lots to see and do!!
This week we welcome Georgia McMaster who is joining as for a 3 week posting. Georgia is now at the end of her 2nd year of study at the University of Otago Teachers College at the Southland Campus. It always great to have a local student joining us. Many of you will know Georgia already, and those that don't I'm sure you will make her feel welcome during her time with us by introducing yourself.

All About Me Programme:

Hamish Russell, Jack Crean, Lily Cameron, Mackenzie Vaughan ready to hop on

This week we are starting to look at DVD5, the final in the Amazing Me series with Suzy Cato. This DVD discusses turn taking and co-operation with others.

MTW Group:

Capital E Productions Around The Round and Buck Again

On Monday we headed to the Civic Theatre in Invercargill to watch a performance by Capital E Productions..."Around the World and Buck Again". We met Buck, a champion dog trialist returning home from a successful world tour. Stuck in quarantine with British bulldog Horatio, French poodle Fifi and the mysterious Doloers Del Mar from Mexico (a rat from Australia in disguise!) they swapped stories of grand English manors, stylish Parisian quarters and Buck's love of the kiwi farm. The theme of the play demonstrated respect through sharing and co-operation in groups. Buck's plight encourages the children to explore and share ideas about the importance of listening to others' point of view and appreciating their differences.

The Stumpery at Queens Park

After the performance we visited The Stumpery behind the Blind Foundation at Queens Park. PARENTS: Have you been to check out The Stumpery with your family?? It truly is spectacular...We had a quick stop for morning tea on the GIGANTIC carved tree bench seat and the children had the chance to climb over the built up tree roots LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN!! A short walk through to the playground where the children had a blast playing in the paddling pool and shooting down the bumpy slide. We had the whole playground to ourselves and it was a great way to let off steam after sitting so respectfully at the show! After lunch it was time to jump back on the bus and head back to Winton...a few tired faces after a fun day out. A BIG thank you to our parent helpers who came along today to make this trip possible...Chrissie Maguire, Stephanie Chambers, Vicky Fitchett, Jane Campbell, and Donna Gilbert!

Congratulations McDonald family...Welcome to Amy Catherine

Tuesday - We held a practice Fire drill

Wednesday - We held a practice Earthquake drill
We were introduced to Daniel's baby sister Amy.
The children have been fascinated with making paper planes...I wonder where this will go over the coming weeks?

TF Group:
Thursday - We held a practice Earthquake drill

I think they planned this!! Looking flash in our Kindy Tops

Georgia our student introduced a teaching resource modelling how to make a range of paper planes...The children thought this was the coolest thing ever!! It's nice to see interests flowing between the two groups, which are in many ways two very distinct groups, yet we are always two parts of a whole..

Friday - Amby the Ambulance from St Johns in today to teach the children about what to do in an emergency - ringing 111. Thank you to all those who remember to bring along their donation to Amby.

Jo from St Johns comes to visit

Term 4 Week 3...Wacky Wednesday/Freaky Friday!!

Gift tags on our cupcakes

What fun we have had this week with our Wacky Wednesday and Freaky Friday! Thank you to all our children and families who put lots of thought into their costumes!! We raised just over $100 for the Blind Foundation - tu meke (awesome)! As part of The Blind we took part in "Bake a Difference". The idea behind this was to encourage people to sell their baked goods to raise money for the Foundation. We added a little twist to this by using our dress up day to raise funds, and then integrated our "Random Acts of Kindness" focus for the baking. On Wednesday the group baked cupcakes to share with the residents of Burleigh Rest Home. Lily Cameron, Hamish Russell, and Savanna Fletcher represented the kindergarten and walked down in the afternoon to share our baking. What a lovely experience; one I'm sure the children will remember in years to come. The residents were so grateful to all the wonderful children we have here at Winton Kindergarten. The TF Group also contributed by making cupcakes. This time we baked for poor Judy who had been unwell, and to show our appreciation to our wonderful relieving teacher Megan Graham...Thanks everyone, what kind gestures!

MTW Group:
On Tuesday Emma Gilbert, Pyper Allan, Hannah Eade, and Alex Hart escorted me to New World for some very important purchases...Items for our Wacky Wednesday AND some ice blocks!! A nice surprise on a hot sunny day!

Belinda Forde showing the children how to wrap the cupcakes made for the Burleigh residents on Wednesday

Lily Cameron being thanked with a kiss at Burleigh on Wednesday

Wacky Wednesday was a real hit...Special thanks to Jane Campbell for bringing in some eyeball lollies and spooky marshmallows for the children to share! Everyone was brave when taste testing the worm-filled jellies, it's great to give things a go!! Many hands make light work...Thanks to all the bakers who cracked eggs, mixed ingredients, iced cupcakes and helped out in some way! Thank you to Belinda Forde for going the extra mile while on Parent Help Duty - the children loved the idea of using cellophane and pipe cleaners to wrap the cupcakes!

Savanna Fletcher handing out cupcakes on Wednesday

Add captionLily, Hamish, and Savannaat Burleigh...Thank you for your leadership today representing Winton Kindergarten as part of our Kindness/Blind Week Appeal 

Wacky Wednesday!!! Ngaarrgii and Nicholas looking flash!!

TF Group:

Laura Warren and Jorjia Marshall lend a hand adding and mixing the ingredients on Thursday.

Wormy jellies and cupcakes were on the menu again on Thursday...lots of fantastic bakers at Winton Kindergarten!!

Meg Howard adding the sprinkles to Judy's "Get Well" cupcakes on Thursday

Adding the final touches to the cupcakes...The children enjoyed all the "Quality Control" taste testing that was necessary to ensure only the best cupcakes made the grade!! Emma Gilbert, Kate Crowe, Meg Howard, Tristen Davis, Jorjia Marshall, and Jessica Hawkes-Fennelly

Freaky Friday!! Awesome to see all our tamariki getting in the spirit of things and being creative with their costumes...Some were quite "FREAKY!!" A nice way to end the week...everyone went home with a Bind Foundation Bake A Difference colouring competition that families can freepost and a chocolate for their efforts!

Wormy jellies and scary spiders....It must be FREAKY FRIDAY!!

 Coming up next week...
MTW Group:
Bus trip to Capital E Production at the Civic Theatre on Monday....Please remember a packed morning tea and lunch, water bottle, warm clothing....And of course some excitment!!

TF Group:
Amby the Ambulance is coming to visit as part of our All About Me Programme. Please bring a gold coin donation to St Johns.

Enjoy your weekend, see you next week!

Term 4 Week 2

What a lovely way to start the week with Labour Day on Monday...I'm sure after all the excitement of being back at Kindergarten last week that many of the children (and teachers) were in need of the looong weekend! So a short but busy week here, with more Kindergarten photographs on Tuesday, and more new families joining us in the TF group. It's great to see new children and families feeling welcomed into the Kindergarten...an important time to reiterate our dispositional focus for Term 4: "What if KINDNESS/MANAAKI were the only rule?" Please take a few moments to introduce yourself to our new families, or to find out the names of parents that your child raves about at home! This role models for your children how to interact with others in new situations, and I'm sure we can all remember a time when someone has reached out to us and what a difference that has made to our sense of belonging to a place; such as being a part of the wider Winton Kindergarten whanau...Kindness breeds kindness!

The tamariki catching up over the kai table at morning tea...Taking time to listen and be a part of the group

Jodie and Poppy arrived with cupcakes they had baked for their teachers...How very thoguthful and kind of you girls!

Logan was so happy to see his good friend Alyssa...Logan had made some "Get well soon" treats for Alyssa to make her feel better!! Kind gestures go a long way :)

With the wintery weather we have experienced over the past few weeks, the children have been having lots of fun with their imagination and role play inside. You may have noticed huts being constructed with chairs, lycra, and anything (everything!) the children find. These huts have become home to many families and characters this week! Continuing on from last week where the children were in deep conversation regarding wedding rings and their purpose/meaning; Kylie introduced some adult dress ups such as hi-vis work singlets, high heels, and even her own wedding dress!! We have been overhearing lots of discussion as the children share their understandings about marriage, the roles of mums and dads, and what it means to be an adult. The children are learning about the construction and reconstruction of their working theories through these conversations...For example, the children are taking what they know and supplementing this knowledge with new ideas from their peers. They are challenging their beliefs with the ability to take on new information which may or may not oppose their current ways of thinking! This is why we promote play FOR learning...So much can be discovered through our social interactions!

Amazing Me Programme
This week we have revisited our Amazing Me Programme with DVD 4 of the series. The children have been learning about expressing how they feel, and the importance of letting others know that it's okay to be upset or angry. Suzy reiterated "Stop Think and Act" which we now hear the children repeating to their peers in their play - tu meke, awesome!

MTW Group...
We are starting to look forward to our bus trip to Invercargill on Monday the 5th of November when we head to the Capital E Production "Around the World and Buck Again" at the Civic Theatre. Many of the group performed at the Civic Theatre in August for Polyfest so it will be a nice way to revisit some of those memories as we become the spectators! PARENTS: Please ensure permission slips and the $8 to cover ticket costs are returned so that your child can attend this amazing event!

TERM 4 PLANNING

Term 4 Newsletter 2012