Holy Cross Catholic School         

Wednesday 31^st January 2018

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Holy Cross School and a warm welcome to our new families. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a nice summer break.  We are really looking forward to teaching your children this year. 

My name is Briar Edwards and I am pleased to have your child in my class (Room 13) this year.

The overarching theme for learning this year is ‘Our World’, and the focusing topic for this Term is Whanaunatanga. We will be learning about relationships within our community.

The questions we will seek to answer are:

1.      How does God teach us to show love and respect for each other, creation and ourselves?

2.      Why is the Treaty of Waitangi important to us?

3.      How can we work together in a way that is fair to everyone?

Consequently, during the first few weeks at school we will be getting to know one another and becoming comfortable with classroom routines.

Communication between school and home is very important so if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to make contact me.  My email is: edwardsb@holycross.school.nz. I will also let you know when our Class Blog has been set up.

Swimming

Swimming lessons begin for students in Rooms 10, 12 and 13, tomorrow 1^st February.   Students need to bring their togs and towel in a named bag. This programme is part of the Physical Education programme and it is compulsory for your child to go swimming.  If your child is unable to swim on a particular day, a letter of explanation must be given to his/her class teacher.

Please make sure that all of your child’s clothing is clearly named.  Hair must be tied up if it is past shoulder length.  Students will change into their togs at school.

Room 13 will leave Holy Cross on the bus at 11.55  The lesson will start at 12:20 and finish at 12.55.  We will leave Freyberg at 1:10 arriving back at school at approximately 1.20. 

The 10 lessons are held at the Freyberg School Pool in Roberts Rd, Te Atatu South. The children will travel there by bus each day. Lessons are taken by trained instructors from the ‘Duck N Dive’ Swim Academy.

Swimming is part of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum and is a rich and valuable experience that encourages children to develop their safety and skill levels.  Only one class will be in the pool at a time with three experienced and qualified swimming teachers.  Your child’s swimming lessons are slightly longer this year.  As well as learning to swim, your child will have a water safety component added to their lesson.

N.B. Room 8 & 9’s swimming lessons start on Friday the 16^th of February. 

We are looking forward to a successful year and getting to know both you and your children.

God bless.

Kelly Nisbet (Room 8), Jessica Velasquez (Room 9), Christine Matthews (Senior Teacher, Room 10), Ben Dawes (Room 12) and Briar Edwards (Room 13).