School finished for 2017

Term 4, Week 10

Kia Ora whanau,

Thank you for allowing your tamariki to be part of  room 8 for 2017. It has been an absolutely fabulous year!!


Have a very merry Christmas  and a happy and safe new year!!

School starts  again on Wednesday 31st January 2018.

Mrs Birchall

Last week of 2017

Term 4, Week 8

Kia Ora whanau,

I can't believe it!!!!!  Only 5 more days of school for the year!!

It was amazing the school float came  2nd in the school category. Kaikohe East came first and Ohaeawai school came in 3rd!!  Congratulations to all the schools that entered and who won a prize.


We have  school prizegiving  this Monday 11th December , starting at 11am.  It would be simply fantastic to see lots of whanau from room 8 who can come support and cheer on their tamariki for showing progress and achievement through the year.

Next Wednesday we are walking down to Santa's Ghotto after morning tea.  We will be back by lunch time.


Have a simply amazing week, I hope to see you all on Monday!!

Mrs Birchall and room 8.

2017 Christmas Parade

Term 4, week 7

Kia Ora Whanau,

Today was the Kaikohe christmas parade.  All the junior school put together a wonderful float based around celebration of cultures!!

Well done to Mrs Millar, Mrs wihongi, Mrs Bingham  for all there fantastic effort. Room 8 made some pretty glittery stars to make the float more stunning!

Next Tuesday we are having parent/Teacher interviews at 3.30. If you wish to see me please ring the school and make a time with Whaea Chanelle.

Only TWO more weeks to go. Everyone is getting tired but we are on the christmas countdown at the moment!!

 Our school prizegiving is Monday 11th December at 11am. It would be lovely to see  lots of whanau supporting the tamariki from room 8.

Front view of the float

Side view of the float

back view of the float

achievement= success=awesome report

Term 4, week 6

Kia Ora whanau,

Wow, only three weeks left of term four, the year has flown by so fast.  We are still swimming on a Monday and Thursday, please ensure your child has their togs. They feel extremely disappointed when they forget their togs on a hot burning day.

I was very proud of Ziggy, Cloey, Te Arai, Benji, Teina, Jahneequa, and mark. They came second in the rippa tournament in Kerikeri last Thursday. Everyone played with passion, resilience and determination. They only lost to Kaeo school 5-4 in the final. 

The tamariki are learning lots about bees and the role they have in the pollination process!!

Just a heads up, we are having parent/teacher interviews on Tuesday 5th December from 3.30.

It would be absolutely fantastic to see lots of whanau there so we can discuss the awesome progress of your tamariki. Just ring up the office and leave a message with Whaea Chanelle.

Summer is nearly here!!  we can't wait.

I have been sharing the learning progress with all the tamariki, so they know how far they have all come through the year.

Have a great weekend

Mrs Birchall and room 8

The special gold circus ticket

Term 4, week 5

Kia Ora Whanau,

This has been such an exciting week in room 8. All the tamariki have been trying extra hard to behave and support each other, as last week Ma Te Hira gave all the teachers one FREE circus ticket to a deserving tamariki.


In room 8 we decided to have a special draw  from the white cards that were collected all week.

We completed the draw after assembly on Friday and.........BENJAMIN was the lucky winner. I hope he has a fantastic time at the circus and tells room 8 all about it on Monday morning.

REMEMBER.... we have swimming also on a MONDAY and THURSDAY!!!

Have a great weekend

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Happyness and Success!!

Term 4, week 4

Kia Ora Whanau/caregivers

I hope you have had a great week.  During the week some children from room 8 went to the Kaikohekohe games at Lindvart park.  We had heaps of fun, laughter and whanauntanga.

Nivanna, Tiger, Ziggy, Benji, Cloey and Paytonn had a fabulous day. They meet children from the Kura, Christian, East and Bay of Islands Academy.  Whaea Tui and the teachers from the Kura in Kaikohe put on a yummy lunch for the tamariki.

Thank you to Nivanna and Luke's mum for coming along to support and cheer on.

Ziggy was especially lucky this week as his name was picked out of the white card box and he got two half  price tickets to the circus that is coming to Kaikohe next week.

Don't forget our swimming days are Monday and Thursdays.  The water is slowly getting warmer!!

Have a fantastic week.

Mrs Birchall and room 8

Little Gardens

Term 4, week 3

Kia Ora Whanau

Well it has been a busy week. I was sick for three days this week. Rom 8 had Mrs Pearson and Whaea Liz who  taught the class while I was away. Thank you so much ladies for your support.

While I was away the little gardens grew  really well,  We are going to re plant them on Monday in the planter boxs so we can start to attract the bees.

Swimming has started, we will be swimming on a Monday and Thursday, please ensure your child  is organised with their togs, towel in a named bag.

On Friday the children did a E-astle writing sample about, why Music is more important than  sport.  All the tamariki did a fantastic job!!  They have all made the most amazing writing progress.

Cloey has been in charge of watering the plants every day, She has taken on this role with a responsible attitude.   Please be careful as its  Guy Fawkes tonight!!  Please keep all your animals safe. See you all next week.

Mrs Birchall and room 8

Achievement, yellow card = success!!

Term4, week 2

Kia Ora Whanau

I can't believe swimming season is almost here.  We will be swimming from next week on a Monday and Thursday. Please ensure your child has their togs and towel in a plastic bag.

During the school assembly on Friday,  Stevie-Ray and Skylah received a certificate. They were both so proud of themselves.

Ziggy and Teina got their names picked out of the yellow box and Teina  was lucky enough to spin the wheel also.

I am very proud of my class because they always work hard to achieve fantastic  learning results!! 

Progress= SUCCESS!!!

Have a great weekend

Mrs Birchall and Room 8 

Welcome back to Term 4, 2017

Term 4, week 1

Kia Ora Whanau,

Welcome back to term 4.

In case  if you missed out on the term 4, class letter well here it is!!

Dear Parents/Whanau                                                      

Welcome back to term 4. I can’t believe we are at the end of the year already and there is only 9 weeks to go until the end of 2017.

This term is very busy  and we have lots of exciting things planned. Swimming will be starting in a few weeks time once the water gets warmer. Please ensure your child has their togs in a plastic bag along with their towel. We have swimming caps at school as well. Please remember to put healthy food in your child’s lunch box. We are a health promoting school, so good food, means your child is more focussed in learning time, has better behaviour and also feels fuller for longer.

We will be planning an end of year trip, more details to come soon.  This term our Inquiry focus is  centered on the living world, environments and learning why bees are so important and the job they do. Room 8 are going to be investigating how as a class we can find out why bees are important in the pollination process.

Sunhats are compulsory in term 4. Please ensure your child has a hat to bring to school, so they stay safe from the sun. We are also a sunsmart school that encourages hats to be worn daily in the hot summer’s sun.

Room 8’s class blog is http - kwsbirchall.blogspot.co.nz  The children love having their mahi commented on please come and visit our blog so you can capture your child’s learning in action.

I would really appreciate your continued support to listen to your child read each night, please record their learning in the reading log. Some tamariki already have read nearly 75 nights in a row!!  Please remember they need to bring their book bag to school each day.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via phone, email or a school visit.

Your continued whanau support is everything to your own child!

Mrs Louise Birchall ( Kaiako)

louise@kaikohewest.school.nz

This term we will be swimming on a Monday and Thursday.  We should be starting swimming  by week 3 or 4. 

Earlier in the term we said goodbye to Mrs Woods, who has been a teacher at KWS for the last  40 years. Room 8 always loved it when she came in to teach!!  Her experience and caring personality were fantastic especially when she passed on her nuggets of wisdom!! 

Here is Ashley with Mrs Woods farewell card

Room 8 saying goodbye to Mrs Woods


Have a great long weekend

Mrs Birchall and room 8.

Last week of term 3!!

Term 3, Week 9

Kia Ora whanau,

I hope you are happy with the election results. I went to vote so we all have a chance to have a better government. 

Thank you to the whanau that came to discuss their children's progress!!  It was lovely to see you.

This week we created some gorgeous maori koru art.   Everyone had so much fun being creative!!

Nivanna in the middle of her art.

Darcy created some amazing art.

Cloey looking very focussed

Examples of more of the art work in progress.

I hope you have had a  great weekend. Only one week to go until the school holidays. I hope you didn't forget to put the clocks forward by one hour today.

Mrs Birchall  and Room 8

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Term 3, Week 8

Kia Ora Whanau,

Next week we are having  parent/teacher interviews on Tuesday  19th September from 3.30-5.30.

  I am hoping to catch up with lots of whanau so we can celebrate their child's success and talk about their amazing progress!!


Just ring up the school office and make a time with Whaea Chanelle.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Birchall and room 8

Proud Tamariki in Room 8

Term 3, Week 7

Kia Ora Whanau,

I hope everyone has managed to stay warm and dry this weekend.  I can't believe how cold it has been. This week in room 8 we have been busy talking about the Auckland Zoo and all the wonderful experiences and memories they created!!

This week Nivanna was my star student in room 8. She was being a terrific 2IC when Matua Gus had a tummy bug on Monday and Tuesday.  Nivanna was helping Darcy with his learning and supporting him in his reading, writing and maths.

I did really appreciate how she displayed mahi tahi with respect and collaboration, working as one!!

Caeshian, Darcy and Nivanna with their certificates.

Next week we have the rippa rugby taniwha "give it a go" day on Tuesday 12th September at Lindvart park. Please ensure your child has a bigger lunch and drink bottle. Thank you


Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Room 16 learning and sharing in Room 8

Term 3, Week 6

Kia Ora Whanau,

On Wednesday Room 8 were so excited, 16 children were going to Auckland for two days. The tamariki went to visit Auckland Zoo and  Kelly Tartlons.  On Friday morning everyone was bursting with exciting stories of their adventures. Next week we will share these on our blog.


On another note, I was Room 16's teacher for two days. We all had so much fun from talking, listening, laughing, counting, geometry shapes, reading and writing.    Chance also turned 6 on Thursday, we made him a special card.  Samicia and Soraya came in from room 3 to help with the extra lovely tamariki also.  Thank you for your help girls.

The star student was Edward. He received a special certificate at Fridays assembly to celebrate his amazing attitude to learning.

2D shapes and patterns

Daley with his creation

Tamzin with her creation too.

Edward and Anania  working together, great mahi-tahi  displayed.

Have a great week
Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Junior trip to Auckland

Term 3, week 5

Kia Ora Whanau,

Well it's only THREE days to go until half of the Junior school  venture to Auckland. I have 17 out of 21 tamariki going from room 8!!!  Everyone is going to have sooooooooooo much fun and learn so much.

Mrs Wihongi has been worked extremely hard on getting everything organised. A final letter went out on Friday advising whanau what was needed on the trip!!!


I hope everyone has an awesome time at Kelly Tartlon's and the Auckland Zoo!!

Have a great week
Mrs Birchall  and Room 8

P.S. I can't wait until the tamariki come back to school on Friday and share all about their adventures!!!

Room 8 cross country heroes!!

Term 3, week 4

Kia Ora Whanau

On Wednesday we had Kaikohe west school  cross country, it was a splendid SUNNY day, without any rain even in the sky.  All the tamariki  gave it their best and ran their little hearts out!!

We have been practising alot and 7 of our children  managed to get themselves placed in the top 3 in their age groups. These children will be attending Ohaeawai interschool next Wednesday 23rd August 2017.

Here are my amazing runners, Jahneequa, Cloey, Te Arai, Mark, Ziggy, Frankie and Teina! 

Jahneequa with her 3rd place getting in the 7 year old girls.

I am so proud of EVERYONE in room 8 who ran their quickest and fastest!!

Have a great week

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Kids Can Crazy hair day and birthdays!!

Term 3, week 3

Kia Ora Whanau

This week I have been on release to  complete my reading recovery assessments.  From week 4 I will be back full time in room8.  Thank you to Mrs Young for taking such good care of room 8 in my absence.

On Friday it was my birthday and Room 8 made the best birthday cards ever!!!  Thank you so much for the lovely messages.

Also on Friday we had Kids can crazy hair day so we could raise some money for such a worthy  organisation.  Every year Kids Can donate baked beans, scrogin, peach pots, muesli bars, tissues, shoes and wet weather jackets.

I captured Skylah looking pretty amazing with her spectacular looking hair.

Skylahs back of her crazy hair design

Skylahs front view of her crazy hair

Next Wednesday is our school cross country, We will be starting by  10.30. It will be fantastic to see lots of whanau support there to encourage and cheer your tamariki to run faster.
Sausage sizzles, drinks and iceblocks will be all $1.00 each.

Have a great weekend

Mrs Birchall and Room 8.

Welcome back to term 3, 2017

Term 3, week 1

Kia Ora Whanau

I hope you had a great holiday. I am sharing the term 3 newsletter  with you, it will be coming home on Monday.  We are in the middle of cross country training, please ensure your tamariki brings their running shoes on Monday and Wednesday as these are our training days!!


From Monday we are start a reading challenge through Hell Pizza. Every time your child reads at home they will  get a clip on their Pizza card, once they have read 7 nights in a row they will receive a FREE pizza in the next school holidays.  This is a great promotion to create more enjoyment and pleasure when it comes to personal reading!!

Kia Ora Whanau

Welcome back to Term 3!!!!  Room 8’s newsletter for this term is about reinforcing what we are learning about, up and coming events and how you can support your child to be the best that they can be.

Our Inquiry focus this term is looking and comparing  animals  that are native to New Zealand and Australia. This links nicely into the Junior school trip to Kelly Tartlon’s and the Auckland Zoo at the end of August.

Our school cross country will be taking place Wednesday 16th July. Times will be confirmed closer to the time, it would be lovely to see you at school cheering and encouraging your child to try their best.

Room 8’s class blog is http - kwsbirchall.blogspot.co.nz  The children love having their mahi commented on please come and visit our blog so you can capture your child’s learning in action.

My class has a planning site that you can also visit, https://sites.google.com/a/kaikohewest.school.nz/room8-2016/?pli=1

I would really appreciate your continued support to listen to your child read each night, please record their learning in the reading log. Some tamariki already have read nearly 50 nights in a row!!  Please remember they need to bring their book bag to school each day.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via phone, email, social media or a school visit.Your continued whanau support is everything to your own child!

4011713- school, 0275004575

Mrs Louise Birchall ( Kaiako)

louise@kaikohewest.school.nz

Kia Ora Whanau

Welcome back to Term 3!!!!  Room 8’s newsletter for this term is about reinforcing what we are learning about, up and coming events and how you can support your child to be the best that they can be.

Our Inquiry focus this term is looking and comparing  animals  that are native to New Zealand and Australia. This links nicely into the Junior school trip to Kelly Tartlon’s and the Auckland Zoo at the end of August.

Our school cross country will be taking place Wednesday 16th July. Times will be confirmed closer to the time, it would be lovely to see you at school cheering and encouraging your child to try their best.

Room 8’s class blog is http - kwsbirchall.blogspot.co.nz  The children love having their mahi commented on please come and visit our blog so you can capture your child’s learning in action.

My class has a planning site that you can also visit, https://sites.google.com/a/kaikohewest.school.nz/room8-2016/?pli=1

I would really appreciate your continued support to listen to your child read each night, please record their learning in the reading log. Some tamariki already have read nearly 50 nights in a row!!  Please remember they need to bring their book bag to school each day.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via phone, email or a school visit.Your continued whanau support is everything to your own child!

Mrs Louise Birchall ( Kaiako)

louise@kaikohewest.school.nz

Skylahs 8th birthday

Paytonn made this birthday sign for Skylah. I  have the most caring class ever !!!

Passion week 2017 photos

Term 2, week 7

Kia Ora Whanau/caregivers

I have been sick with that yucky flu that has been going around. I haven't posted any passion week photos, so here they are.

Jahneequa and Nivanna holding up their paper bag monsters

Group canvas of passion week so we wouldn't ever forget

Photo frames

Skylah and her amazing drawings

Jahneequa with her paper bag creation

Manga being busy, haapy and focused

We have parent teacher interviews Tuesday week 9. Tuesday 27th June. I would love to see heaps of parents so we can talk about your child's learning journey!!!

Please make sure your children have a warm jersey in their bag. It is very chilly in the mornings.

Have a great week

Mrs Birchall, Mrs Graham and room 8

Passion week 2017

Term 2, week 4

Kia Ora whanau/ caregivers

I hope you have had a great week, Passion week is coming up soon. Please ask your child what they are excited about learning!!

I handed out a term 2 newsletter this week. Here is a copy  just in case you missed out on it.

Welcome back to Term 2!!!!  Room 8’s newsletter for this term is about reinforcing what we are learning about, up and coming events and how you can support your child to be the best that they can be.

Our Inquiry focus this term is  looking at systems.  We have an overarching theme of whānaungatanga and looking to include  recycling where we can. We are aiming to have less litter in your child’s lunch boxes. Please ask them how we can achieve this and how we can have less rubbish at school and in the community.

Junior school PE will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. This term we are looking at increasing child’s skills in dodging, catching and invasion games.

Room 8’s class blog is http - kwsbirchall.blogspot.co.nz  The children love having their mahi commented on please come and visit our blog so you can capture your child’s learning in action.

My class has a planning site that you can also visit, https://sites.google.com/a/kaikohewest.school.nz/room8-2016/?pli=1

I would really appreciate your continued support to listen to your child read each night, please record their learning in the reading log. Some tamariki already have read over 25 night in a row!!  Please remember they need to bring their book bag to school each day.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via phone, email or a school visit.

Your continued whānau support is everything to your own child!

Mrs Louise Birchall ( Kaiako)

louise@kaikohewest.school.nz

Have a great week, oops by the way our new children from Mrs O'brien have settled in really nicely. Congrats to Skylah and Ziggy for earning a classs certificate on Friday. The stem challenge on Friday also was heaps of fun. We made very interesting and creative marshmellow bridges and towers!! Everyone worked together and helped by being supportive by using whanauntanga.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

More farm pictures

Term 2, Week 3

Kia Ora Whanau/ caregivers

I found some more pictures from the class trip to add to our blog. The children are making a display in the class  to show the  milk process from grass to  finished products.

It is passion week in two weeks, please talk to your children about this exciting  week. I have been asking them what they would like to be learning about, I have some great ideas to keep me motivated also.

You are all welcome to join in on passion week, if you would like to be included just come and see me.

This is the farm dog Jess

Fresh rich delicious milk coming out from the vat.

I hope you all have a great weekend, I look forward to seeing everybody at school on Monday.
Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Junior school farm trip to Ohaeawai!!

Term 2, week 3

Kia Ora Whanau/parents

On Friday we visited  Terence and Suzanne Brocx 's farm in Ohaeawai.  The children learnt to take risks, experience new learning opportunities, conquer their fears, laugh, move out of their comfort zone and bond with their amazing teachers.

#DairyNZ and school kit allowed this amazing opportunity for the tamariki to happen. DairyNZ paid for the bus, each child received an amazing fun filled day, a chocolate calciyum and a Rosie pack filled with goodies.

Everyone involved was amazing,  A very BIG thank you goes out to Terence, Suzanne, Craig, T, Jared and Helen. The day was well planned out.

Here is just a photo below from our day, more pics to come

Thank you also to the whanau who came and supported us, Pauline, Logan and Erana.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Welcome back to term 2,2017

Term 2, week 2

Welcome back to term 2. This is going to be a fantastic term.

I would like to welcome Patunghere, Ashleigh, Paige and Frankie, they all transferred from room 14. I hope they enjoy learning and building friendships with us in room 8.

This week also we had two more children join our  whanau in room 8, Nikkiyah and Te Arairangi.  It is wonderful to see how many children have chosen Kaikohe west as their new school.

Next Friday 12th May all of the year 2 and 3's are going to have a farm trip to Okaihau. It is going to be very exciting. Please make sure  all children have a bigger lunch, drink, warm clothes and gumboots just in case it is muddy.

We now have 24 children in room 8!!!  how we have grown. Mrs smith will be teaching Monday and Tuesday and Ma Te Hira will be in Wednesday to Friday in room 8, while I complete my Reading recovery training.

Here is a gorgeous photo of my lovely class ( everyone was even here to take the photo!!!)

I hope you have a fantastic weekend. Please don't forget your permission slips for the farm they are all due back next Wednesday, See you all on Monday

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Room 8 #GetNZWriting

Term 1, Week 10

Well only another week to go Whanau then it's the Easter holidays.  Next week we have parent teacher interviews on Tuesday 11th April from 3.30-5.30.  Just ring and leave a message with Whaea Chanelle at the office.

I hope to see lots of you there so we can discuss your child's learning and there next steps.

I captured some photos from #GetNZ writing that we posted to Mellonsbay school in Howick,Auckland.

Here is our mahi we created about room 8 at Kaikohe West school

Our postcards we created using metaphors about ourselves

Our completed mahi in the courier bag ready to be sent off

Darcy and Ariana showing of their certificates!!

Have a great week, see you all next week.
Mrs Birchall and Mrs Smith

Writing with Mrs Smith

Term 1, week 9

Welcome to week 9, only 2 more weeks to go until we finish term one. Wow, the term has flown so so quickly. It has been fantastic having Mrs Smith team teaching in room8!!  The tamariki are loving having another dynamic  teacher to learn from.

This week Matua Gus and Mrs Smith read them a story book The spooky bats. They drew the pictures and captions and then sequenced the story in the correct order.

The class's learning intention and front cover

Pages 10 and 9

Pages 8 and 7

Pages 6 and 5

Pages 4 and 3

Pages 2 and 1


I am so proud of room 8's fantastic mahi. They all worked super hard to re create the book The spooky bats.

Room 8 was also involved with #getNZwriting. We exchanged our learning with Mellonsbay school in Howick, Auckland. We will be receiving our postcards and poster in the next week.Have a fantastic week. Please don't forget we have parent teacher interviews Tuesday 11th April  from 3.30-5.30.

Mrs Birchall and Mrs Smith

Welcome Mrs Smith to Room 8

Term 1, week 7

This week we have really exciting news. Mrs Smith our wonderful DP is going to be teaching in room 8  every day from 11.00-1.00pm. She will be teaching writing and maths.

During these two hours I will be continuing my reading recovery through the year!!!  I am so excited to be team teaching with Mrs Smith, she is a talented teacher and we will all benefit from her knowledge, skills, strategies and experience she has to offer.

Keep watching this space so we can post what is happening in room 8!!

This week also all of the junior school will be going for a walk up Monument hill  to further connect with the identity of Kaikohe and ourselves!!

Please also don't forgot please return the permission slip to allow your child to go on the trip to Auckland in August this year.


Have a great week😄😄

Mrs Birchall, Mrs Smith and Room 8.

Busyness!!

Term 1, Week 4

Kia Ora Whanau,

Next week I am  on release all week, to complete my reading recovery assessments. Whaea Desiree will be teaching in room 8 all week.   Well done to Skylah and Gerrat  for receiving a class certificate on Friday!
Please make her feel welcome!!  Reading in room 8 has offically started your child will be bringing home 2 new books per week.
If they read with the teacher on a monday, that same book will be re read on a Tuesday. If your child reads with the teacher on Wednesday that same book will be re read on Thursday.

A poem book will be sent home every Friday also.  The challenge in room 8 at the moment is to read every single night. We are all trying to read more, so the more we read the clever we get!!


Have a great week, I look forward to catching up with all your tamariki through the week!!

Mrs Birchall and Room 8