Piwakawaka Whānau Newsletter

Term 1 2022

Dear Whānau and Parents,

Welcome to Term 1. A special welcome to our new families who are starting at Ardmore School this year. We hope you have had fantastic holidays and are ready to get into the new school year full of fun! All the teachers are well rested and excited for the term ahead! We have had a challenging couple of years and still face uncertain times. Our goal is for your children to have fun and engaging learning experiences within the confines of being in Red level. Bring on 2022!

This year we welcome Logan Franks to Ardmore School and into the Piwakawaka team. We also welcome back Louise Scott, who previously worked in Tui before having her daughter. You will find her in the Rainbow Room, along with Helen John, doing Reading Recovery.

Swimming

We will begin swimming this week. Swimming days for each class are listed below:

Rooms 10, 11 & 12: Monday and Thursday

Room 13: Monday and Wednesday

Room 14: Tuesday and Friday

Please ensure all clothing is named: underwear, shorts, culottes, shirts, dresses, shoes, hats, togs, towels and goggles. This time of year is when we see a lot of children lose their items of clothing in the transition from swimming to class time. Unless it is named, we will struggle to track these items, so please name everything and anything.

It is essential your child participates in swimming as it is a part of the New Zealand Curriculum. We focus on water confidence, safety and having fun in the water. Please see the classroom teacher if you have any queries or concerns.

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. Please contact the Classroom teacher if you have any queries or concerns. This can be done through an email or in person (when we are out of Red level). 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. Please check your child’s book bags and homework books daily for notices. Contact the office soon as possible if your child is going to be absent. You can also find information about the school and upcoming events on the school website; www.ardmore.school.nz

Homework

Your child will bring home a reader every night from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, they will bring home their poem book to share the poem of the week with you. There are also alphabet/word lists glued into their homework book that the teacher will update as testing takes place over the term. Your child will have a word ring in their book bags of the words they are learning. Please take the time to read the home reader/poem with your child over the week.. Talk about what the book is about, help them to work out tricky words and sign their homework reading log daily. Children love to share their learning!

Seesaw

This year, we will be continuing to use Seesaw to share your child's learning on a regular basis. It is a fantastic way for you and the family to get snapshots of your child throughout the day. Don’t hesitate to comment on a post about your child. The teachers love to share these with your child and the smiles they have knowing their family are proud of them are priceless. 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. Contact your classroom teacher if you need help in setting up Seesaw.

The Piwakawaka Whānau

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Mrs Hayley Brier Piwakawaka Team Leader Room 11 Year 0/1

Ko Ruapehu te maunga

Ko Waikato te awa

Kei Pukekohe tōku kāinga ināianei

Ko Hayley tōku ingoa

Kia Ora, I am the Piwakawaka Whānau Leader and one of the new entrant teachers at Ardmore School. I have grown up and lived in South Auckland all my life. I also attended Ardmore School as a student myself and taught at Ardmore School for many years. I live with my husband, Jeremy, and two sons, Grayson (5 years old) and Spencer (7 years old). In my downtime I love to read, shop and spend time with my whānau. I also like to escape to Lake Taupo where my older sister and her family live. I look forward to getting to know you and your whānau this year.

Contact email: hbrier@ardmore.school.nz

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Miss Julianne Allen Room 12 Year 0/1

Ko Ruapehu te maunga

Ko Waikato te awa

Kei Clevedon tōku kāinga ināianei

Ko Julianne tōku ingoa

Tēnā koutou, I am one of the new entrant teachers at Ardmore School. I have lived in Auckland my whole life and currently live in Clevedon. I enjoy spending time at the beach and lake with my friends and whānau, shopping and exploring different beaches in Aotearoa.

Contact email: jallen@ardmore.school.nz

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Miss Logan Franks Room 10 Year 1/2

Ko Ruapehu te mangua

Ko Waikato te awa

Nō Taupō- Nui a Tia ahua

Ko Logan tōku ignoa

Kia Ora, I am a new member of staff here at Ardmore school. I am excited to be teaching a year ½ class this year. I have recently relocated to Auckland with my partner and small dog Zoe. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach, shopping and spending time with my Whānau in the wider Auckland and Coromandel area.

Contact email: lfranks@ardmore.school.nz

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Miss Rhiannon Ludlow Room 13 Year 1/2

Ko maungarei te maunga

Ko inverine te waka

Ko nga kete wananga te marae

No Aotearoa ahau

Ko Rhiannon tōku ingoa

Tēnā koutou,

Welcome back to the Piwakawaka Team. I have lived in Auckland my whole life, I live with my fiance and our four year old daughter. I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling New Zealand. I look forward to getting to know you all this year.

Contact email: rludlow@ardmore.school.nz

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Miss Coby Graham Room 14 Year 1/2

Ko Pou-o-terangi tōku maunga

Ko Rotokakahi tōku awa

Ko Ohaki tōku marae

Ko Te Aupouri me Te Rarawa tōku iwi

Ko Coby Graham ahau

Tēnā koutou katoa, welcome back to another year with Piwakawaka. I am a mother of two sons and one daughter, aged 11, 9 and 16 months old. I enjoy spending time travelling to new places and experiencing exciting activities with my family such as rapid boats, luge rides, hikes and much more. A whakatauki (proverb) I use as guidance for my teaching philosophy is Poipoia te kākano kia puawai: Nurture the seed and it will grow. In saying that, I look forward to meeting you all and making our learning space an unforgettable one. Ngā mihinui ki a koutou.

Contact email: cgraham@ardmore.school.nz

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Mrs Helen John Reading Recovery

Ko Ohuiarangi tōku maunga

Ko Tikapa tōku moana

Kei Papakura tōku kāinga ināianei

Ko Helen tōku ingoa

Tēnā koutou katoa, I am currently teaching Reading Recovery and working within the Piwakawaka whanau. My husband and I have three children, Mason 9 years, Amelia 5 years and Georgia 2 years. They keep me very busy with their love of bikes and scooters and swimming at the beach whenever we can.

Contact email: hjohn@ardmore.school.nz

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Mrs Louise Scott Reading Recovery

Ko Rangitoto tōku maunga

Ko Waikato te awa

Kei Bombay tōku kāinga ināianei

Ko Louise tōku ingoa

Kia ora, I am a Reading Recovery teacher working in the Piwakawaka team. I live on a small farm in Bombay with my two young girls (Emma 3 and Taylor 20 months) and my husband. I love travelling and getting out in my garden. I am so excited to be returning to Ardmore School and getting to know you all.

Contact email: lscott@ardmore.school.nz

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