Caitlin's class were given an Inquiry to do based on a famous conflict of their choice. They had to discuss the causes, resolution and impact of their cause and present it effectively. No more death by powerpoint in the Ashcroft house- oh no! We only make documentaries now!
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
Just a quickie
I have not been too well lately, a glass of wine feeding into head issues ( off the lines was not the half of it) and now I have my physical stress response of backache. Anadin extra does not exist here so I am still searching for the cure!
Anyway enough about me:-
More news from Blockhouse Bay Intermediate. Caitlin has been elected School Councillor for room 15. She is so chuffed about this. She began the week saying she was worried it was a popularity contest and she would lose. She asked a few of her friends who said they were waiting to hear the arguments before they voted- rather grown up I thought. Two troubled nights of speech writing later- after all, all the great politicians have help with their speeches ( not that she listened to my advice!)- she has duly been elected. Apparently the others tried to be funny and it didn't work but C wanted to be serious and added the odd jokey comment!
She is happy for a lot of reasons. Councillors get to go to the leadership conference, that she attended last year, and they get a star, though I can't remember what colour. C is determined to get the necessary stars for a kauri award at the end of the year so the stars are her motivating factor.
She has also made it into a netball team. There are four in each year and she is in the 7D team. The A team is made up of giants apparently! Needless to say, C's team didn't have a coach so after much soul searching and arranging of lifts to gym for Roo, I volunteered. I figured that if they couldn't play without me then I had to offer. I'm quite looking forward to it!
Roo is pootling along. He is determined to be in the running for All rounder of the year next year ( I think as C didn't get the award just a nomination) and is plotting his campaign ( banking road patrol, cool schools mediator, gym, swim team, athletics)
Caitlin is off shopping today with the 'bluey' she won at school. "Good efforts' get rewarded with a blue slip which is put into a weekly raffle and the winners get $10 to spend at the Mall. I am off to register for a 10k run I'm doing tomorrow and Roo is off to t ball. It's all go!
CAITLIN"S SPEECH
In my opinion room 15 is the best class in the whole school and if you elect me class councillor I will make sure it stays that way. Room 15 will have the strongest voice in the entire council because I would not be scared to stand up for what my class wants. You see that bit of wall there; I have already negotiated with Mrs Loomans that we can use that space to put up an ideas list that I would be able to present to the council. If you wanted a school swimming pool or a new bench or even windows that don’t fall out then put it up on the list and I would present it.
Although I am not the sportiest or the coolest person in the running what make’s me different is that I listen to everybody because everybody’s opinion matters. I am good at taking responsibility and I would not be scared to stand up in front of the school. I am good with numbers so collecting and counting money will be no problem and I am very organised so I can balance my regular schoolwork with my other responsibilities. I am also not afraid to take leadership and I know how to get my point across.
I have had a lot of experience in presenting my ideas and those of others as I was on the enviro council at my old school and represented the council at the school board meeting. I also was a school councillor in England when I was six when my main achievement was getting a decent pencil sharpener for my class.
By voting for me you will get a councillor who is dedicated and who listens to all your ideas. Because together I think that we can make a difference in this school.
Anyway enough about me:-
More news from Blockhouse Bay Intermediate. Caitlin has been elected School Councillor for room 15. She is so chuffed about this. She began the week saying she was worried it was a popularity contest and she would lose. She asked a few of her friends who said they were waiting to hear the arguments before they voted- rather grown up I thought. Two troubled nights of speech writing later- after all, all the great politicians have help with their speeches ( not that she listened to my advice!)- she has duly been elected. Apparently the others tried to be funny and it didn't work but C wanted to be serious and added the odd jokey comment!
She is happy for a lot of reasons. Councillors get to go to the leadership conference, that she attended last year, and they get a star, though I can't remember what colour. C is determined to get the necessary stars for a kauri award at the end of the year so the stars are her motivating factor.
She has also made it into a netball team. There are four in each year and she is in the 7D team. The A team is made up of giants apparently! Needless to say, C's team didn't have a coach so after much soul searching and arranging of lifts to gym for Roo, I volunteered. I figured that if they couldn't play without me then I had to offer. I'm quite looking forward to it!
Roo is pootling along. He is determined to be in the running for All rounder of the year next year ( I think as C didn't get the award just a nomination) and is plotting his campaign ( banking road patrol, cool schools mediator, gym, swim team, athletics)
Caitlin is off shopping today with the 'bluey' she won at school. "Good efforts' get rewarded with a blue slip which is put into a weekly raffle and the winners get $10 to spend at the Mall. I am off to register for a 10k run I'm doing tomorrow and Roo is off to t ball. It's all go!
CAITLIN"S SPEECH
In my opinion room 15 is the best class in the whole school and if you elect me class councillor I will make sure it stays that way. Room 15 will have the strongest voice in the entire council because I would not be scared to stand up for what my class wants. You see that bit of wall there; I have already negotiated with Mrs Loomans that we can use that space to put up an ideas list that I would be able to present to the council. If you wanted a school swimming pool or a new bench or even windows that don’t fall out then put it up on the list and I would present it.
Although I am not the sportiest or the coolest person in the running what make’s me different is that I listen to everybody because everybody’s opinion matters. I am good at taking responsibility and I would not be scared to stand up in front of the school. I am good with numbers so collecting and counting money will be no problem and I am very organised so I can balance my regular schoolwork with my other responsibilities. I am also not afraid to take leadership and I know how to get my point across.
I have had a lot of experience in presenting my ideas and those of others as I was on the enviro council at my old school and represented the council at the school board meeting. I also was a school councillor in England when I was six when my main achievement was getting a decent pencil sharpener for my class.
By voting for me you will get a councillor who is dedicated and who listens to all your ideas. Because together I think that we can make a difference in this school.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Caitlin
Today Caitlin has her audition for RockBand and the second netball trials. She also has her gifted and talented writing ( oh and her alliteration homework was sent to the head AGAIN!)
Yesterday she had her piano lesson and heard that she had made it into the Bay Festival Choir - a smaller elite school choir.
On Wednesday I went to her student led discussion. Parent/ teacher interviews are so passe!
She led me through her report and explained her goals for this year. Academically she has set very high goals for herself, going up whole levels in Maths and English. Both she and Trish think she is capable of this. Caitlin explained that 'As Mr Heff says,shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you end up in the stars!!!'
Caitlin has proved herself to be very goal oriented. She wants to earn stars and get awards, and she wants to represent the school any way she can. Trish is so pleased with the way she has settled in. She is really making the most of EVERY opportunity.
Here is her alliteration.
Caitlin’s Calico Cat
Caitlin carefully coloured in the calico cat she had created. Caitlin couldn’t draw confidently but she compensated for that by covering the cat in fancy crepe paper to make it more eye catching. Ideas were constantly being catapulted into her cranium about how to finish the cat. She wanted her calico cat to look cute when completed. The closer she got to completion the cuter the crepe paper cat became. She completed her calico cat and charitably gave it to a cat-loving child called Cherry.
Yesterday she had her piano lesson and heard that she had made it into the Bay Festival Choir - a smaller elite school choir.
On Wednesday I went to her student led discussion. Parent/ teacher interviews are so passe!
She led me through her report and explained her goals for this year. Academically she has set very high goals for herself, going up whole levels in Maths and English. Both she and Trish think she is capable of this. Caitlin explained that 'As Mr Heff says,shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you end up in the stars!!!'
Caitlin has proved herself to be very goal oriented. She wants to earn stars and get awards, and she wants to represent the school any way she can. Trish is so pleased with the way she has settled in. She is really making the most of EVERY opportunity.
Here is her alliteration.
Caitlin’s Calico Cat
Caitlin carefully coloured in the calico cat she had created. Caitlin couldn’t draw confidently but she compensated for that by covering the cat in fancy crepe paper to make it more eye catching. Ideas were constantly being catapulted into her cranium about how to finish the cat. She wanted her calico cat to look cute when completed. The closer she got to completion the cuter the crepe paper cat became. She completed her calico cat and charitably gave it to a cat-loving child called Cherry.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Another Ashcroft success
Reuben was chosen to take part in the Krypton factor. Over 12 schools entered two teams each for a day of physical activities, team work, general knowledge and and other tests. Out of over 24 teams, Laingholm A came second!!!!!
The team was superb. From the very beginning when their geography skills were put to the test, they worked together like a well oiled machine. The obstacle course was a triumph. The lead runners held up the cargo net and the first kids through held up the end so the team could basically run through.
Roo was particularly proud of knowing the Canadian flag and the position of Brazil on the map and knowing that 40 winks meant having a sleep- which the rest of his team didn't know.
The poor lamb is exhausted and the whole family slightly burned after a lovely day in the field
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Teacher reports
This week sees teachers reporting back on the children. Today was Reuben's turn.
Sarah is very impressed with his start to year 5. He is reading well above average, his writing level is high level 3 to mid level 4 ( for comparison C at Intermediate is mid level 4), his maths level is 7 ( way above average) and he can answer 100 basic facts questions in less than 5 minutes. His presentation ( title pages and such) are showing his creativity and he is becoming much neater...About time too.
She reckons he is holding back! He doesn't let others take the lead because he's lazy, he's just taking it all in. She is giving him lots of opportunities to try out his leadership skills and to offer his suggestions. Oh yes and he always thinks outside the box!!!!
And another thing,he successfully completed a full forward flip from the floor to a mat and landed on his feet today at gym. This was however before he tried to eat the trampoline!!!!
Caitlin gets her first written report on Friday...
Sarah is very impressed with his start to year 5. He is reading well above average, his writing level is high level 3 to mid level 4 ( for comparison C at Intermediate is mid level 4), his maths level is 7 ( way above average) and he can answer 100 basic facts questions in less than 5 minutes. His presentation ( title pages and such) are showing his creativity and he is becoming much neater...About time too.
She reckons he is holding back! He doesn't let others take the lead because he's lazy, he's just taking it all in. She is giving him lots of opportunities to try out his leadership skills and to offer his suggestions. Oh yes and he always thinks outside the box!!!!
And another thing,he successfully completed a full forward flip from the floor to a mat and landed on his feet today at gym. This was however before he tried to eat the trampoline!!!!
Caitlin gets her first written report on Friday...
Roo's news
Sadly Roo didn't make the swim team- beaten by a girl- but at least he had a go.
He is now the proud owner of a mouse called Itchy- also a girl but we gloss over that. We got her off a lady on Freecycle, a nice symmetry since Yoda went to his new home via Freecycle. Her daughter had adopted the class mice. One was eaten by her cat. Then they move to a 'no animals' apartment so Granny was looking after the mouse. I think Granny was only too pleased to see the back of it. We are off to get Scratchy at the weekend.
Roo HAS been chosen to represent the school in a local Krypton factor competition. It involves problem solving, team work, athletic stuff and getting up early on a Sunday morning!
He's doing gifted and talented Science and Thinking skills. The teacher, who is his teacher's sister, said he was very bright but very disorganised...That's my boy!!!!!!!
He is now the proud owner of a mouse called Itchy- also a girl but we gloss over that. We got her off a lady on Freecycle, a nice symmetry since Yoda went to his new home via Freecycle. Her daughter had adopted the class mice. One was eaten by her cat. Then they move to a 'no animals' apartment so Granny was looking after the mouse. I think Granny was only too pleased to see the back of it. We are off to get Scratchy at the weekend.
Roo HAS been chosen to represent the school in a local Krypton factor competition. It involves problem solving, team work, athletic stuff and getting up early on a Sunday morning!
He's doing gifted and talented Science and Thinking skills. The teacher, who is his teacher's sister, said he was very bright but very disorganised...That's my boy!!!!!!!
A character study by Caitlin
C is dead excited. She has been asked to join the gifted and talented writing class once a week at school. This is an example of her writing.
Playing with a leprechaun
She stared at me, her mahogany eyes judging me as if she was trying to read my mind. I asked her a question. As I asked, her eyes slid down to what lay in her hands. She tilted her head letting her hair fall across her face. Thick strands of fire lay across her cheek. If I touched her bright red hair I would not be surprised if I burnt myself.
She looked up and beamed. Her face lit up like the sun and her teeth glistened like pearls. Looking down again her impish face darkened and creased with concentration. It did not usually take this long. In almost everything she is full of energy and wastes as little time as possible. But every so often she shows a slower, calmer side. I like this side of her but her bubbly personality always shines through in the end.
The bubbliness was starting to shine through now. I could tell because she had begun to fidget. She squirmed as though she was sitting on hot coals. I decided to speed things up so I repeated my previous question. “ Helena, do you have any threes?” She had a final glance at her cards and her face broke into a broad smile. “Go fish!”
By Caitlin Ashcroft
Playing with a leprechaun
She stared at me, her mahogany eyes judging me as if she was trying to read my mind. I asked her a question. As I asked, her eyes slid down to what lay in her hands. She tilted her head letting her hair fall across her face. Thick strands of fire lay across her cheek. If I touched her bright red hair I would not be surprised if I burnt myself.
She looked up and beamed. Her face lit up like the sun and her teeth glistened like pearls. Looking down again her impish face darkened and creased with concentration. It did not usually take this long. In almost everything she is full of energy and wastes as little time as possible. But every so often she shows a slower, calmer side. I like this side of her but her bubbly personality always shines through in the end.
The bubbliness was starting to shine through now. I could tell because she had begun to fidget. She squirmed as though she was sitting on hot coals. I decided to speed things up so I repeated my previous question. “ Helena, do you have any threes?” She had a final glance at her cards and her face broke into a broad smile. “Go fish!”
By Caitlin Ashcroft
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