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!