Mid Year Interviews
.Mid Year Interview Notice 2010
Year 7 News
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Mega Math Month
For the month of May, we have been having a major school wide push on times tables. As you can see from our results their hs been a great improvement from a 72% average across the school to a 86% average. Thank you to all parents who supported their child in learning their times tables and it is important to keep checking on your child so that they retain this knowledge.
The students will be awarded with a free swim to acknowledge this achievement, details can be found below.Math Letter Swimming
Year 7 News
All Year 7 classes recently visited the Orokonui Ecosanctuary or the Otago Museum Butterfly Sanctuary. The focus for all trips was to take photographs for the Otago Museum Wildlife Photography Competition, while learning about the environments that students were taking pictures in. We were very lucky to have Kerry Kelk from Kelk Photography come and share some knowledge on taking good photos with all the year 7 students before going on the trips. Balmacewen has entered a large selection of our best shots into the competition, below is a selection of some of the best shots. All the photos will be on display for public viewing at the Otago Museum from the 3rd of June.
Science Fair
Next term is the annual Science and Technology Fair. Here is some important information to get you started. Many of the class blogs have some excellent links to web sites that will help you with your science fair.
Mega Math Month
For the month of May, we have been having a major school wide push on times tables. As you can see from our results the school average is steadily climbing. With only two weeks to go we would love to see this average climb even higher. We have broken the 80% barrier and we need to push onto the 90's!
Times tables are vital parts of mathematical knowledge. We use our times tables every day in all facets of life. When a child confidently knows their tables, other mathematical learning becomes easier and more rewarding. The instant recall of times tables, particularly at the maths levels expected at this age group is a necessity. Without sound times tables knowledge, maths may be something a child decides is “too hard” and therefore develop a negative attitude.
There are literally 100s of web sites you can find if you search for “multiplication times tables,” “Multiplication Flashcards ”or “times tables games.” Here are some of the best to get your started.
http://www.kidsnumbers.com/ - A great new website we have just found with a step by step method of practising your timestables.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/wholenumbers/multiplication/timestables/ The BBC’s website has a huge amount of educational material including a great section on times tables
www.mathisfun.com – Some great tips on how to learn your times tables in the number and then multiplication section
www.multiplication.com – Lots of good times tables ideas and games
http://www.prongo.com/math/multiplication.html - A class favourite here at Balmacewen.
http://www.helpingwithmath.com/resources/online_flashcards/flashcard_multiplication03.htm - Simple online flash cards
Board Elections
Unfortunately due to a clerical error by the returning officer, the current election process has been invalidated.
This means that the entire process will be repeated with a new election date of 18 June. All documentation will be resent to you.
We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to your participation in the new election.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Hunter
NZEI Meeting
This notice is to inform you that NZEI, the Primary Teachers Union, have called a paid union meeting to discuss their upcoming Collective Contract negotiations.
Because this affects all classroom teachers, we will be releasing students at 2.25pm.
Any bus students will be supervised at school until the normal 3.00pm finish.
I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for your understanding.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Hunter
Swimming Sports Results
The Balmacewen swimming sports were held on Friday the 19th March and once again were a great success! The stands looked great with everyone dressed up in house colours and cheering on their house – the lifeguards even needed to put their earplugs in!
In the non-competitive section students competed in kickboard, hoop, egg and spoon and other races, with those placed first and second clocking up valuable points for their house.
The competitive section students raced either 25m or 50m in freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke events.
Well done to these people who were placed overall in their age group events:
Girls 12+ Aleisha Ruske 1st, Grace Perry 2nd, and Emily Alloo 3rd.
Girls U12 Olivia Gold 1st, Abby Hubbard 2nd and Brianna Thompson 3rd.
Boys 12+ Bailey Brandham 1st, Jamie Harrison 2nd and Clayton Woods 3rd.
Boys U12 Ben McMahon 1st, Lachlan Brandham 2nd and Samuel Wardhaugh 3rd.
The house relay was won by Highgate, followed by Chapman, Shetland and Lynn. The final house points were extremely close with Chapman taking it out – just! - on 621 points, Shetland were very close behind with 618 points, and they were closely followed by Highgate and Lynn.
Well done to everyone who gave it a go on the day! And good luck to those of you representing Balmacewen at the Otago Primary Swimming Champs this weekend.
Year 8s Visit the Aquarium
As part of the survivor topic the Year 8 students have been studying all classes went to the aquarium to look at the different animals adaptive features. Click here to learn more about adaptation! Special thanks to all parents who came along and to the staff of the Aquarium
Swimming Sports this Friday
The annual school swimming sports is this Friday, for more information please read the letter below.
swimmingsportsNotice 2010Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent/Teacher interviews are being conducted today and tomorrow. If for what ever reason you have missed out please contact your childs class teacher to organise a time
Otago Anniversary Day
Balmacewen will be observing Otago Anniversary Day this Monday the 22nd of March. School is closed for the day
Year 8s Visit the Aquarium
As part of the survivor topic the Year 8 students have been studying all classes went to the aquarium to look at the different animals adaptive features. Click here to learn more about adaptation! Special thanks to all parents who came along and to the staff of the Aquarium
Year 7 Camps
The last year 7 camps are happening this week. We would like to thank all of the parents for coming along. Without your support we would not be able to offer such an interesting programme and learning experience for the children. We would also like to thank the teachers for all their hard work and of course to the students who tried so hard.
Trips to the Settlers Museum
As part of the Year 7's intergrated unit looking at their identity and that of people in New Zealand, Room 26 recently visited the Settlers Museum and Chinese gardens. Many thanks to all the parents who have came and supported their childrens learning.
Year 7 Camps!
Information about the upcoming year 7 camps can be found below including all of the risk management that we have undertaken. The dates for camps can be found in the calendar section.
Information for Parents and Caregivers
Day One Done!
We hope that everyone has had a good day and not had to much "information overload"! You should have received a newsletter and perhaps a swimming notice. Stationery will start to be issued from Wednesday and PE tops from next week.
2nd Hand Uniform Sale
The annual second hand uniform sale 20,21,22 Jan 9am until noon. Uniforms to sell must be clean and well presented. We DO NOT accept PE t-shirts, PE shorts, Boys socks or girls white shirts.
Welcome Back!
The school year for 2010 starts on Tuesday 2nd of February at 8.50. We welcome our new year seven intake and new staff members; Mrs Burden, Mrs Tasi Cordtz and Mr Friend. We also welcome back all year 8 students and staff. We hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday and that you are excited about starting the year at Balmacewen!