Class has disappeared.
Note on gate says “We have run away on an adventure…. tell you all about it next week!”
K/1 Week 7 Term 1
mumble mumble, notice our new class name. We were voted down.
We have a lot of Thank yous this week.
Thank you so much to the parents who came and help with swimming each week. It is wonderful though we were struggling to get everyone to the pool this week so if you can help please talk to me or Jo.
Thank you to all the parents who came to the Aquarium, it was a wonderful day and the dugongs were a bit magical.
It was a wonderful turn out for our “Talk so children can listen” meeting on Monday night. Thank you to Jessie and Karen who did such a wonderful job at organising the whole thing, flyers, cakes and setting up tables.
Please remember to remind the return of readers!
This week we are studying Nature, this afternoon we are going to explore the weather.
Take care
Teacher of K1 (mumble mumble)
Fran and Jo’s Class Week 6 Term 1
Dear Parents,
There are several different events and agreements to tell you about this week:
Canteen- Parents have expressed concern that children are sharing money on Canteen day, and also losing the money they bring. We have discussed this in class meeting on Wednesday and the agreements are that we will bring a purse or wallet to keep the money in, and that we are not able to share money with others.
Swimming- Our third excursion to Greenwich Baths occurred on Tuesday. It was another great afternoon, and we’d like to thank the many parents who are making this weekly event possible. We will continue to leave school at 1pm, and it would be great if those parents who are driving the kids could come to school at 12:30pm, so that you can join us in our pre-excursion discussion.
Excursion to the Aquarium- This Friday, as part of our study of dugongs and mermaids, we will be visiting the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour. Everyone will need lunch and a drink bottle, a hat, shoes and a bag to carry it all in. We will leave school at 10:00am and leave the Aquarium around 2:30pm.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the books we’ve been making in our studies on different characters and the facts behind them, come in and have a look. There are some brilliant stories inside.
Take care,
Jo
Fran’s Class Week 5 Term 1
Thank you to all the wonderful parents who agreed to drive and supervise the swimming at Greenwich Baths, it was a lot of fun. We now know that the Jelly Blubbers are actually Moon jelly fish. We will do some more research on these during the week.
We have been working with ‘e’ this week and writing fact and fiction books as part of our Facts and Fiction topic. We plan to go on an excursion to the Aquarium to see the Dugongs before the end of term.
Willem and Lucc (our visitors from Holland) have been running an extensive physical education programme with dancing and ball skills with our class which is fantastic.
We are reviewing our Sustaining Currambena programme at the moment and developing our meeting skills in the process. We had Pre School visiting us today to discuss the sharing of the area around Pre School, so we now have a list of agreements.
Any questions please talk to Jo or I any time.
Take care
FRAN
Fran and Jo’s class Week 4 Term 1
Dear parents,
Our excursion to the Greenwich Baths on Tuesday went beautifully. We would very much like to swim there every week, however the bus is too expensive. If possible, we’d like to use any available vans etc. to take the whole class there each Tuesday. If you can help us with transport, please let us know.
Last Thursday night we met to chat about the running of our class. Questions asked at the meeting were:
1. How can we ask our children what they did at school- and find out?
2. How is the class size being managed?
3. How is sun safety managed?
4. Do children need to be inside for inside time?
5. What reporting occurs?
6. Which teacher takes which students?
7. Is there going to be a ‘Jo’s class’?
8. What timetable does the class follow?
9. What homework is there?
10. How can we encourage proper pencil grip?
11. What excursions will occur?
12. Is eating and drinking monitored?
13. Are conflict resolution skills being taught in the classroom?
If you missed the meeting and would like to know the answers to these or any other questions, please see one of us.
Finally, if you would like to attend the Conflict Resolution Follow-Up Course on the 7th of March, please let Fran, Chris or Wendy know.
Have a great week!
Jo
Fran’s Class Week 3 Term 1
Dear Parents,
Came and see our huge bodies which was a spontaneous art activity. We also have a few lists of rules as we work towards becoming our class. We are now already being able to get on chairs and have a class meeting. The children are enjoying the craft and music with Chris and Tony. So it is a busy place.
Jo has been unwell for a few days, though plans to be back tomorrow. Thanks to Sarah and Shai for stepping in.
The excursion was postponed for a number of reasons so we will try again next Tuesday. The same plan. A bus from here at 12:30 returning to school at 2:30. We are going to have a picnic so lots of lunch and drink.
We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday night for the Parent meeting. We have a lot to discuss.
Lice are back, please check.
Congratulations to The Shim family with the arrival of their new baby.
Please keep returning the readers!
Take care
FRAN
Fran’s Class Week 2 Term 1
Dear Parents,
We had a very successful class meeting this morning which is fantastic considering we have only been together for 7 days.
Excursion! We have ordered a bus which will be a school at 12:30 on the 17th of February. Thank you to all the parents who have volunteered to come with us. If you have little ones with you it would be great if you could meet us there. The children need swimmers etc, hats, lots of lunch and drinks. We will picnic and swim and the bus will take us back to school at 2:30.
Parent Meeting: 19th of February. This is a chance for you to came and meet Jo and Sarah and we will discuss our plans for the year. This is an opportunity to ask any questions and also meet the rest of the staff and Council Members.
Readers: The aim for the readers going home is for the children to have as much opportunity to be exposed to print as we can. It is aimed to be fun and relaxing. Then the folder is returned with the books inside (to protect the books for drink bottles and lunch!) to the white box at the door of our class. At the end of the day after tidy up, the children change the reader and put them in their bag. We are also encouraging the children to be independent about this process as they are the one learning to read, though some prompting would be appreciated!
Thank you so much to Steve and Eduardo for all the work they have done to get theses rooms so wonderful and to all the parents who cleaned and scrubbed. It is a lovely space.
It is fantastic to have Joanne with us and Sarah in the mornings. We are having an amazing time with your gorgeous children.
Take care
FRAN
A quick hello from the new teacher, Jo
Just a quick word to give you a bit of an idea about the person you have welcomed so warmly into your community.
I moved to Sydney last October, leaving my much missed family in Queensland. I have settled well into my great flat at Lavender Bay- being able to see the Harbour Bridge from my bedroom window has given me a real sense of place, and the harbour provides all the beauty I was looking for when I moved here.
Before teaching I studied psychology and naturopathy. The move into teaching was a surprise to me; I taught English to adults and children in Norway and loved every minute of it. I returned to Australia, gained my qualification and have been teaching in Queensland since.
I am thrilled to have discovered Currambena. The school is a living embodiment of my teaching philosophy, and I believe that working here is exactly the progression I needed. I am beginning to get to know the students, parents and extended community and would be delighted to chat with you anytime we can. Thank you again for the welcome; I look forward to reciprocating your many kindnesses throughout the year ahead.
Cheers,
Jo Bellotti
Fran’s Class Week 9 Term 4
Dear Parents,
What can I say! The end of an amazing year. I have had such a fantastic time with your children, we have had lots of adventures and fun, lots of learning and discovering and during all that we have become good friends.
The end of year party is today, we say good bye to Isabelle, we will miss her so much. So we wish her and Jo and Jessie and Grace all the very best in Adelaide.
Each child will be bring home their portfolio of all they have completed (on paper) in the last two terms. This is their book which they all very proudly put together. I hope you enjoy!
We have done it! We have a new teacher Joanne Bellotti and assistant Sarah from CASP so a fantastic team for next year. The wall is coming down in the holidays and the room painted.
Thank you everyone one of you for all your support and commitment this year and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Have a fantastic holiday.
FRAN
Fran’s Class Week 8 Term 4
Dear Parents,
Thank you to Mikee for driving us to the surfing and all the other parents that helped.
We have a had a busy week revising and practising the time and gathering data. We are working through our spelling. Next Wednesday we plan to have an end of term party. We decided to have a lucky dip, so a toy they don’t want can be wrapped and the kids decided it needs to be labeled boy or girl! Also some party food would be great please.
Tomorrow we would like to go down to Tambourine Bay with Olivia’s class, an opportunity to bond with Olivia’s group and spend some time together. Please send some swimmers and extra lunch.
The selection committee has been very busy and we have interviewed 8 perspective teachers for next year and are close to making a decision so will keep you all informed. If you have some maintenance hours to complete it would be wonderful if you could come and tiding the room before the renovations and changes.
Take care
FRAN
Thank you for all the amazing work that went into the fair, it is such a wonderful public relations event.