Friday 7 December 2018

Breakfast Ice-Cream creations!!

Term 4, Week 8

Kia Ora Whanau,

Well only 5 more days of school, until the end  of the 2018 school year!!

This year has went very quickly. Thank you for all your support  for room 8 and for supporting your tamariki in room 8 through the year.

This week our highlight was making home- made Ice cream. School kit and Dairy NZ  gave us an assortment of ingredients. We used these to make breakfast ice-cream.
The flavours were
Strawberry Powder, honey, Muesli, Porridge, Bakes Beans, Miso, Marmite and pineapple chunks.

The children's favourites were Strawberry, Honey and  Muesli.

Room 1 and 2 senior children came to help Room 8  make ice-cream. We had so much fun and laughter!! We had so many awesome conversations happening between room 1 and room 8 children.   The children were using specific science words! I loved hearing them talk between each other!!

School kit and Dairy NZ you are simply the best!!

Petra, helped Nesta and Hosea make icecream.

Danielle  with Shikryah 

Shadae worked with Pani and Vicky

Twinkles helped Valencia and Edward with their creations

Roxie from Room 1 helped Phoenix, Hazel-Lee and Harlee make ice-cream

I hope you all have a great week.
Please don't forget we have Swimming on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday next week.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Saturday 1 December 2018

Thank you cards to our whanau

Term 4, week 7

Kia Ora Whanau

There's only 10 days left of school. This term has flown so fast!!

We are having parent/teacher interviews on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30-5:30. Straight after wards the whanau hui is beginning at 6pm  at the Memorial Hall with Nanny Rachel Velden.

She has organised this education hui to inform  everyone involved what's happening around education for the tamariki in Kaikohe.

I hope to see you all there, ready to support our children of Kaikohe.


Vicky wrote a lovely thank you card to Rose

Amaziah and Frankie were in room 8 for the last 2 days. The boys received a certificate because they were so focused on their mahi. Santana, Alyssa and Hosea also received certificates  for showing  a great attitude to learning.

I hope you have a great weekend with the whanau. I hope to see  lots of whanau at school on Tuesday afternoon so we can discuss your child's learning over the last 2 terms.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8



Saturday 24 November 2018

Birthdays are the best!!

Term 4, week 6

Kia ora Whanau,

We have had another busy week at school. Thank you so much to Mike, Rose, Apina and Jaraam for being whanau help while we went to visit Waitangi Muesum on Thursday. We had fantastic weather, No rain even!!

All the tamariki had a fantastic time and learnt lots about our maori culture.

Santana was turning 6 on November 24th. She was so excited, it was lovely to see how much Santana just loves having a birthday.

Manga and Vicky received their class certificates and Santana received a birthday card from room 8.

Swimming is starting this week. Please remind your child we have swimming now MONDAY, TUESDAY and  THURSDAY

We will be having reporting to whanau regarding their child's reports on Tuesday 4th December 2018 from 3.30

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Saturday 17 November 2018

I have the best class ever, Room 8 rocks!!!

Term 4, week 5

Kia Ora Whanau

Well only 20 days left of school, I can't hardly believe it!!

For the next 3 Mondays we  have Top Energy swim safe  coming in to educate the tamariki how  we can be water safe around water.  Please remind your child to bring their togs and towel in, so they can participate in this worthwhile programme.

After a busy week as  school, I got this lovely caring note from  Quiara-Lane! 

Tamati and Anania received their weekly class certificates for  having a growth mindset and for completing their 6 year net observation survey 

Room 8 will be starting swimming Monday 26th November. Our swimming days are:
MONDAY, TUESDAY and THURSDAY

Our class trip to Waitangi is next Thursday  22nd November 2018.
Please make sure your child has covered shoes, a drink, healthy lunch. I will send a note home the day before with final reminders!

Have a great weekend.
Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Saturday 10 November 2018

Happy Children = Happy Teacher

Term 4, Week 4

Kia Ora Whanau/Caregivers,

Wow, I can't believe it is the end of week 4 already. WE only have 25 days left of school until we finish the 2018 school year!!    I'm sorry I didn't do a blog post last weekend, I was coming home from Auckland after taking my children Chelsea and Mathew to Sam Smith's concert at Spark Arena!

Our last day of school is Friday 14th December 2018  @ 3pm

We have a lot going on over the next 5 weeks!!

Next week there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday 13th December- Teachers are  having rolling strikes through out New Zealand over the coming week. Thank you for understanding and providing care for your Tamariki on Tuesday.  I look forward to seeing you all back at school on Wednesday.

Also from next week, we are swimming every Monday.  Tracy from Sport Northland is coming in to educate the tamariki around water safety!

We should be swimming around week 7 when the water gets warmer-  Monday 26th November.

Our SWIMMING days for term 4 will be MONDAY, TUESDAY and THURSDAY!!
Your child will need their togs, towel,  swimming cap- I have one for them, all in a plastic bag please.


Our Trip to Waitangi is  planned  for Thursday 22nd November. Thank you to all the parents  that have offered to support us on the trip. I will get back to the 3-4 parents that  will be coming.

Harlee and Hazel-Lee  holding their weekly class certificates!! I am so proud of these two. They are both very focused and motivated learners
Just thought you might want to see an updated room 8 photo!!  WOW, I have such an amazing class of learners!!  Lucky me being their Teacher!

Have a wonderful weekend, see you at school on Monday.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8



Saturday 27 October 2018

Term 4 newsletter,Certificate success and learning through play

Term 4, week 2

In case you missed the newsletter in the book bag, here it is for you to read.

Kia Ora Whanau/Parents                                                     
Welcome back to term 4. I can’t believe we are at the end of the year already and there is only 7 weeks to go until the end of 2018.

This term is very busy  and we have lots of exciting things planned. Swimming will be starting in week 3  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 are in the process of planning an end of year trip to Waitangi Museum on Thursday 22nd November.  A letter will be sent home ASAP to ask for parental support for Room 8’s class trip. This term our Inquiry focus is  centered on Science. We will be focusing on how to Seek and describe simple patterns in physical phenomena.

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.

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)



Tia looking very focused during her learning through play

Room 8 wrote a cute note to me  in response to what I had originally written n the whiteboard. It made me feel very appreciated and valued. Thanks Room 8
Warana and Manga with their certificates.
I am very proud of both boys who are making a huge effort in their mahi!!


Have a great week, please don't forget to bring a food item in for the room 8 gala raffle box.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8





Friday 19 October 2018

Term 4, week 1, 2018

Kia Ora whanau,

Welcome back to term 4!!!

It is going to be a very busy term with already one week to go!!  We only have 8 weeks left.

We finish school this year on Friday 14th December 2018!  The whole junior school will be having  an EOTC trip to  Waitangi.  The tamariki will be visiting the muesum and learning lots of interesting things.

Sadly, Roman, Enzo and Sharlia have left our class.  We wish them good luck in their new schools.
 Swimming may be starting late in November, I will keep you updated on progress

For the first time since 2012, Kaikohe West School will be having be  hosting a school gala on Saturday 24th November from 10-2pm.  We are fundraising to upgrade the junior and senior playgrounds.

Edward, Caitlin and Chance  receiving their class certificates

Here is a lovely caring note written by Hazel-Lee and Valencia to me.

Have a fantastic long weekend. I look forward to seeing you all at school on Tuesday.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8



Friday 24 August 2018

Room 8 is learning a new waiata

Term 3, week 5

Kia Ora Whanau,

Well in another week room 8 will be on stage  performing our song Nga Marama-we have been learning the months of the year in Te Reo.

The Waiata has a great snazzy tune and the Tamariki are getting so more confident at  pronouncing the Kupu.

I hope you can come and hear us sing our Waiata, next Friday the 31st August 2018.

Please ask your child if they can sing it for you at home!!


Image result for lyrics image

Here is the link to the lyrics,   Nga Marama

Have a great weekend
Mrs Birchall and room 8

 

Sunday 19 August 2018

Super confident room 8 children

Term 3, Week 5

Kia Ora whanau

This week in room 8 we have focused on learning through play. Structured play is so important and it allows all children to experience success and enjoyment while they are learning through a play focused environment.

Rahiri was learning his spelling words while using the maths rods and Phoenix  used the magnetic letters to learn his spelling words.

This week Harlee and Anania received certificates!!  Anania is becoming a very confident  reader and Harlee's attitude to  learning is amazing!!

Rahiri learning to spell the words  "and"  "to"

Phoenix learning to spell the word "because" and  "about"

Harlee and Anania with their certificates

I hope you have a great week.
Mrs Birchall and room 8

Friday 10 August 2018

Today a cat visited Room 8

Term 3, Week 3

Kia  Ora Whanau

Well its nearly that time of the year for our annual Cross Country run. It is Next Friday 17th August 2018. Our children have been training and getting fitter by working on their endurance and fitness levels.

On Friday Anania came to school as a cat. Her Mum had  facepainted her  to look like a cat.  She looked fantastic. 

I even ate some delicious chocolate chip cookies from Ngatoki and Harry. Every Friday they are selling some to the teachers and children.  Thank you boys the cookies were delicious!!

Pani and Tia were the lucky children to receive certificates on Friday!
Pani received his for being ready for learning.
Tia got hers for  making great progress in writing and for having a great attitude towards her learning.

Anania came to school as  a cat!!

                                                          Pani and Tia with their certificates

I hope everyone has a great weekend, please keep safe on the road
Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Friday 3 August 2018

Amazing spellers in room 8

Term 3, Week 3

Kia Ora Whanau

I hope you have had a great week, it's been another busy week at Kaikohe West School. At the moment we are focusing on learning and exploring through a play based way of learning.

Some of the learning conversations I am privileged to hear are gold!!

Quiara-Lane and Roman received class certificates this week for making accelerated achievement in Reading.

Tamati spell out his spelling words for the week using magnetic letters!!
- isn't he so clever!!
Roman and Quiara-Lane with their reading certificates

Don't forget we have whole school cross country practice every Monday and Wednesday until week 4.

Have a fantastic weekend.
Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Sunday 29 July 2018

welcome back to term 3!!

Term 3. week 1

Kia Ora Whanau/Caregivers

Well its been a really  busy first week back after the holidays!! Our new tamariki have transitioned with ease from room 14 to room 8!!

Santana, Vicky, Valencia, Hazel-Lee and Rahiri have meet new friends and are learning  new routines and expectations as they adjust to their new class, friends and teacher.

It was fantastic to see Manga's mum at parent teacher interviews on Monday night.

If you need to see me I am normally available on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. We have staff meetings on a Monday and Tuesday.

WE are getting ready and fit for our School Cross Country on Friday 17th August.  We are having whole school running practice on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 2.05-2.45. You are welcome to come and support your whanau if you have time.

                                Valencia, Rahiri, Vicky, Santana, Hazel-Lee and Maringirangi with their class                                       certificates. All children were so excited to walk on stage and receive it!!

I hope you have a great weekend.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8





Saturday 30 June 2018

WINTER is here!!

Term 2, week 9

Kia Ora Whanau

Well its been a very busy few weeks. I have been busy writing room 8 reports.

I was away in Auckland this week for a few days at my Aunty Gloria's funeral. Thank you to Mrs Pearson for  teaching room 8 while I was away.

I am very pleased at the progress the tamariki have been making in their learning.

Thanks also to Nanny Rachel and Nanny Cilla  for coming in 4 days a week to read with many of our special children.

Have a great weekend, please keep warm as its getting very chilly!!

Mrs Birchall and room 8


Image result for Thank you message

Saturday 16 June 2018

Matariki learning

Term 2, week 7

Kia Ora Whanau,

This week we are learning about the importance of Matariki and we are also learning the names of the 7 sisters. We have been listening to many Matariki stories  and have responded to some texts to show we understand what we have read.

Next week we are going to create some amazing  Matariki art.

This week our certificate hero's were Chance, Manga and Troy!!

Room 8 were also lucky to have their names picked out of the yellow box for staying of traffic light and for coming to school every day, the lucky winners were Tia, Roman and Nesta
Tia picked a huge lolly pop
Nesta picked some coloured pens
Roman picked a connect 4 mini board game




Image result for matariki art


Have a great week

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Saturday 9 June 2018

FREE chocolate for room 8

Term 2, week 6

Kia Ora Whanau

Well this week was exciting, I entered a draw at Kaikohe New World to win some free Moro and  crunchie chocolate.  The great news is that I won!!!

Room 8 were excited to hear this,  they loved eating it they then wrote  a recount about it. 
We received our special free box of stationery from warehouse stationery. All the children loved investigating the silver pens, glittery paper, black post notes, bluetooth speaker and exercise books to preview for next year.

I captured some photos to show this.

Tamati was practising his spelling words

Room 8 with their FREE chocolate box

Pani and Sharlia with their growth mindset certificates

Have a great week, next week there is more rain coming, please make sure your child brings a warm jumper to school. Please keep up the spelling and reading at home, heaps of tamariki are making very pleasing progress!!

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Sunday 3 June 2018

Sick children and winter chills!

Term 2, week 6

Kia Ora Whanau,

Winter is now upon us and we  need to make sure all children are dressed nice and snug!!

There is heaps of germs, colds and coughs going around.  Can  you please make sure your precious tamariki has a warm jumper on as  we don't want any tamariki getting sick and missing school.

Beanies and slippers are encouraged during the winter months.

I don't mind  cooking any noodles for lunch if you would like your child to have a hot lunch.

Have a great weekend and keep warm.
Mrs Birchall and room 8Image result for children dressed warm in beanies and warm jumpers






Saturday 19 May 2018

learning through play involving maths

Term 2, Week 3

Kia Ora Whanau

I hope you have had a great week, I was sick for 3 days this week and the children had a great week with their relievers!!  Thank you Mrs Pearson and Mrs Squires.

It was Pink shirt day on Friday and room 8 watched the video Oat the Goat, everyone was immersed in it and didn't even make a peek!!

We are learning how to identify a bully and what we can do if we are being bullied.

Roman made the number 15 using  transport toys

Quaira-Lane made the number 15 using coloured dice

Anania wanted a photo with her friend Chance. Everyone likes everybody else in room 8!!

I hope everyone has  a great weekend. Please keep up the reading at home. It was lovely also to see many more children at school this week. Our attendance has increased and less children have been away this week Yippee!!

Mrs Birchall and Room 8

Friday 11 May 2018

Growth mindset in room 8

Term 2, week 2

Kia Ora Whanau

This has been a busy week, Room 8 have been focusing on maintaining a positive mindset and always giving learning a go and to never give up!!

On Friday Tia wasn't happy with her cutting out so she said can I please restart!!  This is a great start to changing from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.
I felt really excited for Tia as she is now changing her attitude towards her learning.

Last week Nesta and Roman got their names picked out of the blue box- they both won a lunch box full of goodies!!

Manga and Pani  with their completed digger puzzle.  Both boys never gave up and  completed the puzzle even though it was tough

Boys doing the dab!

Attendance has become a concern in room 8. If there is anything we can do to help this issue, please come in and see me. Attendance = progress.

Have a great week.
Mrs Birchall and room 8

Saturday 5 May 2018

Welcome back to term 2 and Duffy and the cloakbay bully show

Term 2, Week 1

Kia Ora Whanau/Caregivers

Welcome back to term 2.  I sent out a class letter this week explaining what was happening in room 8 during this term. If you have any questions please come and see me.

This week we had Duffy and the cloakbay bully show at school on Wednesday, it was very funny. The children saw how being a bully was hurtful to other children and how important it is to stand up for yourself and talk to someone you can trust if you are being bullied.

This week we welcome Alyssa, Enzo, Harlee and Tia to room 8 from room 14. They have all settled in well.  This week Matua Gus turned 60 years old, we made him a very special card!!  Matua Gus is a very important part of Kaikohe West School.

Matua Gus's card that room 8 made.

room 8 in front of the Duffy car

Manga was lucky enough to  spin the wheel . He won a bubble wand. Here are the special children, Alyssa, Harlee, Tia and Enzo who received a certificate this week.

I hope everyone has a great week. Please remind your child to bring their book bag to school every day please.

Mrs Birchall and Room 8



Friday 6 April 2018

Getnz writing success and Proud tamariki

Term 1, week 10

Kia Ora whanau

Well only another week until school is over for term one!!

Whanau night is on Next Thursday 13th April 2018 from 4.00-6.00 ish.  Please bring some money as everything is only $1  each.

Our two lucky certificate tamariki this week is Warana and  Manga.  Warana  for reading with  more confidence and  Manga for having an improved attitude to learning.

Warana made the word 'Was" using maths rods

Room 8  actively engaged  in completing #getnz writing

MORE  #getnz writing photos

Warana and Manga with their class certificates!!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

See you next week, Mrs Birchall and room 8

Sunday 1 April 2018

special metaphor writing

Term 1, week 10

Kia Ora whanau/Caregivers

Well we only have 2 weeks to go until  we finish term 1!!  It has went very quickly.  Room 8 have been creating some amazing metaphors about themselves.   Our school in Tepuke will be so excited to get our package.  Yay #getnzwriting

Some of the metaphors were put into the school newsletter last week!! I was very proud of room 8!!

Chance and Caitlin received a certificate this week for coming to school every day and for reading with more fluency with Nanny Cilla.



Last Thursday night I went to hear Mike King speak in Kaikohe. His message was entitled, I am hope.  Mike was talking about giving unconditional hope and love to our children.

Chance and Caitlin looking very pleased  with their certificates!!

I hope you have had a  great Easter weekend and have  enjoyed your quality whanau time.

Mrs Birchall  and room 8

Friday 23 March 2018

Learning through play fun in room 8!!

Term 1, Week 8

Kia Ora Whanau/Caregivers

Well it's the end of week 8 and we are coming closer to our Easter break and the end of day light savings.  I am sure the tamariki in room 8 are looking forward to Easter egg hunts, Easter bunny and sleeping in!!


Pani has been busy writing many sight words!!  He is now becoming a very confident learner.

Tamati made the word "the" out of math rods

More writing using  math equipment

My 4 Enviro rubbish heros. Sharlia, Ruihi, Caitlin and Nesta. Keep up the  awesome mahi girls

Sharlia and Pani  were the lucky tamariki that received  outstanding certificates for week 8.  Look how proud Pani looks of his achievement!!

House night is on Thursday April 12th from 4.30-6.30 pm. It would be great to see lots of whanau . Please encourage your child to come dressed in their house colours. Food, drink, prizes for best dressed and a lolly scramble will happen!


Yay, go TUNA!!P.S. Thank you to Nanny Rachel and Nanny Cilla for reading in room 8 each morning! We  appreciate you both !!


Have a  great weekend
Mrs Birchall and Room waru (8)