Ruru Whānau Newsletter
Term 1 2022
Dear Whānau and Parents
Welcome back to the school year. We hope you and your whānau have had a safe and enjoyable summer break. A special welcome to our new families who are starting at Ardmore School this year. This year we welcome Ms Deanna Richards back into Ruru Whānau. She will be teaching Year 5 & 6 ākonga in Room 7.
This newsletter contains information to help establish routines and keep you informed of upcoming events in Ruru Whānau.
Swimming
This term all classes will have two swimming sessions per week until approximately week 8. Swimming is an essential life skill and an area in the New Zealand Curriculum. It is compulsory for all students to participate in swimming lessons unless they have a genuine medical reason. If your child is unable to swim please email or send a note to their class teacher stating the reason they are unable to swim and when they will be able to swim again. Your support in this is appreciated.
The class swimming days are as follows:
Room 5 Wednesday and Friday
Room 6 Monday and Thursday
Room 7 Tuesday and Friday
Room 8 Tuesday and Thursday
Room 9 Monday and Wednesday
Sports & Physical Education
At the completion of swimming Ruru Whānau will participate in whānau sports. Each class will also participate in a Physical Education lesson per week to develop skills in a variety of sports.
It is compulsory for Rooms 5 & 6 (Year 7 & 8) to wear their sports uniform for Physical Education and sports. All students need to wear shoes suitable for sports and Physical Education as lessons may take place on Bell Field. It is also advised that Rooms 7, 8 and 9 either bring their school sports uniform, (if they have one) or clothes suitable to participate in physical activities on these days.
As with swimming, Physical Education is a compulsory area in the New Zealand Curriculum and students must participate unless they have a genuine medical reason. Please email your child's teacher stating the reason why they cannot do physical activity, if they are unable to take part in Physical Education.
Communication:
Communication from the school will be sent via the school APP and email. Please check that you are signed up to the school APP and are linked to the relevant groups, e.g. your child's class, bus group, E.C.C.S. Sports etc. You can download the school App free from the App Store - Search SchoolAppsNZ, then add Ardmore School.
Please do talk to us, we would all rather sort out any small queries or problems before they become bigger. It is also really helpful for us to know of significant events at home that may affect your child at school. Communication between home and school is very important and helps us work together to best meet the needs of your child.
If you have a question, problem or would like to talk to your child's teacher please email them using their email address, or ring the school office to make an appointment.
Please make contact with your child's teacher through email and not Seesaw. The purpose of the Seesaw is to share learning and assessment with parents and whānau.
If you need further assistance please contact Carol Paterson, the Ruru Whānau team leader.
You can also find information about the school and upcoming events on the school website; www.ardmore.school.nz
If your contact details, e.g. phone number or email change please let us know so we are able to contact you easily if needed.
Homework
Homework will be set by class teachers. The aim of homework is to help your child develop the skills of time management, independence and taking responsibility for their learning, while practising skills learnt in class.
Homework will consist of activities such as, reading a book from home, spelling words, a Maths worksheet and a weekly current events quiz.
School Uniform
Students are expected to wear the correct school uniform. Long hair is to be tied up and no jewellery or nail polish is allowed.
School wide brimmed sun hats must be worn in Term 1 and 4. Year 5 & 6 wear the blue wide brimmed school hat. Year 7 & 8 wear the red wide brimmed school hat.
Please check that all clothing, including school uniforms, hats, sports clothes and shoes are clearly named so if they are misplaced the owner can be found.Year 7&8 Technology Classes
The intermediate classes, Rooms 5 and 6, will be attending technology classes each Tuesday morning from 9:00am - 10:30 am, at Papakura Intermediate School. The students travel to Papakura Intermediate by bus accompanied by their teachers. The bus will leave Ardmore School at 8:45am in order to get to Papakura Intermediate by 9:00am. Your support in getting your child to school by 8:40am would be much appreciated.
This year the curriculum areas being covered by the Year 7's are Food Tech, Digi Tech and Music. The curriculum areas being covered by the Year 8's are Bio Tech, hard Materials and STEAM. Materials for each of the classes are covered in the Tech Fees.
Children should note that…
They need to wear covered in shoes;
Hair must be tied back;
Standards of behaviour both at tech and on the bus to and from Papakura Intermediate are expected to be exemplary.
Students must show their Tech teachers respect and follow the instructions and rules of their tech class.
Technology fees are due now. They are $39.22 for the year. Please pay the fees using the KINDO APP.
Seesaw
We will continue using Seesaw as a digital portfolio to share work and achievement with whānau. Last year the teachers and students really enjoyed sharing their learning through Seesaw and seeing the responding likes and comments from their family.
Please take the time to make a comment or add a like to the work they share.
If you are not joined to your child's Seesaw account you will receive a notice or email from your child's teacher, with instructions and the relevant access code. When you receive the letter please sign up for the free APP which will enable you to access Seesaw and view and comment on the learning your child and their teacher shares with you.
Up to 10 family members can download the free APP and view your child’s account.
Please be aware there is also the ability to translate the comments into other languages.
The Ruru Whānau 2022
Ko Hikurangi tōku maunga
Ko Waiapu tōku awa
Ko Horouta tōku waka
Ko Ngāti Porou tōku iwi
Nō Tūranga-nui-a-kiwa ahau
Ko Carleen tōku ingoa
Kia Ora,
I am teaching Year 7 and 8 in Room 5. I have 2 children who have both attended Ardmore School. I enjoy spending time with my whānau, travelling and reading. I look forward to an exciting year ahead!
Mrs Carleen Ashford
Room 5 Year 7 & 8
Ko te Kohukohunui te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Manukau te moana
No Tamaki Makaurau ahau
Ko Carol tōku ingoa
Kia Ora,
I have lived in Auckland all my life, but love spending time in the Coromandel. When I am not at school I enjoy spending time at the beach, tramping and travelling. I teach Year 7&8 ākonga at Ardmore School. One of my favourite events of the school year is Ag Day because I really enjoy the rural nature of the school. I am looking forward to being back in the classroom with the ākonga and working with you and your whānau this year.
Miss Carol Paterson
Room 6 Year 7 & 8
Ruru Team Leader
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Kei Tamaki Makaurau tōku kāinga ināianei
Ko Deanna tōku ingoa
Kia Ora. I am in Room 7 with a Year 5 and 6 class. I have two sons, a daughter, two dogs and a cat, so life at home is busy and fun. Camping, the outdoors and spending time with my family are my favourite things. I have a passion for environmental science and learning new things. I am really excited about this year and getting to know my learners.
Ms Deanna Richards
Room 7 Year 5&6
Ko Ngongotahā te maunga
Ko Lake Tikitapu te awa
Kei Glenbrook tōku kāinga ināianei
Ko Coral tōku ingoa
Kia Ora, I am lucky enough to be a part of the Ruru Whānau and teaching at Year 5&6 students at Ardmore School. When at school you will often find me sipping on coffee, in Showquest rehearsals or checking out the cute pups at school pick up. Outside of school I enjoy going to the gym, walking my handsome dog at the beach and judging at NZ Trampoline competitions! I am so excited for another fabulous learning year with Room 8 2022!
Miss Coral Farkash
Room 8 Year 5 & 6
Ko tokatoka tōku maunga
Ko Kaipara tōku awa
Ko mahuhukiterangi tōku waka
Ko te uri o hau tōku iwi
Nō Ruawai ahau
Ko Trisha tōku ingoa
Kia Ora, My name is Trisha Quinn. This year I am teaching year 5 in Room 9. I am married to Kirk and have one daughter named Molly who is about to enjoy her first year of high school. I am also a proud dog mum to the world’s cutest dog named Frankie Otter.
In my downtime I like to read, spend time with my family, travel and watch movies.
I look forward to getting to know you and your whānau this year.
Mrs Trisha Quinn
Room 9 Year 5
Contact Us
Email: office@ardmore.school.nz
Website: https://www.ardmore.school.nz/
Location: 599 Papakura-Clevedon Road, Ardmore, New Zealand
Phone: 09 299 6228