welcome back to term 3

WELCOME BACK TO TERM 3!!!

Welcome back to another exciting term at Winton Kindergarten. We have started off with our new session model; so far we have received lots of positive feedback from families, thanks for that, it has been a busy two weeks as we find our feet! The children are enjoying our rolling morning teas and lunches, and having the space and time to learn at their own pace over the longer session times. Our new model provides us all with the opportunity to be reflective about our philosophies and what we value in early childhood edcuation. 

This term we welcome many new families to our Thursday and Friday sessions. We trust you will all take the time to introduce yourself to our new children and parents. 

On that note we also welcome two new teachers to the whanau. Sally Bailey, our long term reliever, and Christina Vaughan, our permanent full time teacher. Sally lives in Inverargill and has been at a number of other Kindergartens South centres before coming to us at Winton. Some of you may remember Christina from when she was a student here in 2010. 

The term has started off with a focus on the Olympic Games...The tamariki have shared their ideas about what is involved in the Olympic Games. Tarama made a set of Olympic rings with coloured paper, an Olympic torch was produced, and even our own winning medals! Good luck to the Kiwis as they compete against the best in the world...I wonder what new knowledge the children will come back to kindergarten with after the opening ceremony this weekend??!!

Our planning and programming for the term is focused around KINDNESS. Random acts of kindness are now being acknowledged in our 'Proud of Me' box on Wednesday afternoons...PARENTS THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO INCLUDE MOMENTS FROM YOUR CHILD'S WEEK WHERE THEY HAVE SHOWN AN ACT OF KINDNESS OR MADE YOU PROUD! Here we have photos of Twizel pushing her friend Tamara on the swing, and Dylan helping Jack H with his jacket zipper...Thank you for demonstrating kindness towards others. 

POLYFEST IS NOW LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY! On Monday this week we walked to the Library to watch Limehills perform their Polyfest entry. This was a wonderful opportunity for the tamariki to find out what is involved in performing in front of an audience. The costumes they wore were amazing and all of the performers looked so proud to be representing their school and community...PARENTS WE ARE HAVING A PUI PUI MAKING DAY ON MONDAY THE 30TH JULY...MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK...WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU SUPPORTING YOUR CHILDREN IN THIS CULTURAL EVENT! 

With our BIG PERFORMANCE around the corner, anticipation is growing at Winton Kindergarten! Daily practices of waiata (songs) have become a special time of day for the tamariki. Discovery Time has also been focused around our Polyfest performance, with the seven oldest children working together to create the templates for our pui puis; tu meke! Kylie has sent out specific information regarding our plans for Polyfest on the 8th of August, and we hope everyone can support this is some way. 

During the week we had a special visit from Lynley Henderson and some members from the Board of Governors. They were all very impressed with what they saw...Well done! 


Also this week we said farewell one of New Zealand's most loved childrens authors, RIP Margaret Mahy. Monday the 30th of July we plan to have a tribute day, sharing some of our most favourite Margaret Mahy stories. 


Keep up the Polyfest practice at home... :)

Judy, Kylie, Sally, and Christina

Healthy Heart Lunchbox ideas...

Planning Story - Term 3 2012

Term 3 Newsletter 2012

Celebrating Matariki 2012

Well the term has once again come to an end and what a busy one it has been!!  

Cross country, Polyfest, Matariki to name but a few.  As we get ready for next term there are a few changes to be aware of as we anticipate the beginning of our new Kindergarten hours.  Thanks so much for your co-operation as we work through all these changes.  We understand it hasn't been easy and we too are new to it all as well so we ask you to ear with us as we go through the transition period.

We coinsided our end of a sessional era and the Matariki celebrations with a Party in the Dark last Monday night.  It was a fabulous turn out and for those who came rugged up in their winter wooloes, we hope you enjoyed it!!

We also previewed our Polyfest performance songs that we have been practising during the term and look forward to getting up on stage and seeing all our hard work come into fruition!!

We are excited to welcome Christina Vaughan who has been appointed the full time teacher role.  Some of you may remember Christina as she was a third year student a couple of years ago.  And Sally Bailey has taken on the full-time long term releivers position.  Exciting times ahead!

Check out the pics on the slideshow below of the Matariki evening and we will see you all back on the 16th of July!!!

New model...here we come!!

This digital slideshow made with Smilebox