New learning tools for our school

We are all very excited to have some new learning tools that we get to use in our classrooms this year. We have iPad minis, which will help to support our learning and will give us new learning opportunities.

 Room 4 were the very first class to try them out on Day 1, and as you can see from these photos...WE LOVE THEM!!!

 Mrs May didn't manage to get photos of many faces as we were all heads down, busily working with our buddy.

 We played games where we could challenge each other....

 ...and games where we challenged ourselves.

 Whatever the activity, we were heads together, happy, busy and fully engaged.

 Some of us had never been on an iPad before, so we buddied up with someone who had, and together we navigated our way around the device.

 We worked at desks, at our new bar tables, on the mat...

 ....in the library corner...

...on the floor...

 and at the brown table.

 

We were so excited with our new learning, and the amazing opportunities that they will create that we invited Mr Auld to come and see us as we worked, collaboratively, collectively and creatively!! He seemed very impressed.



Room 4 2014 - What an impressive bunch!!!

Welcome into 2014

Hey Room 4 of 2014 - have Mrs May and Mrs O got some exciting things ahead for you this year!!!

We are going to have a fabulous year in Room 4.

Welcome back.  We are so looking forward to working with you all.  Hope you're ready for a superb year of learning.

Prizegiving 2013

What a celebration of 2013 we were treated to last night at the LAS prizegiving!  Congratulations to all of the students who received awards and trophies in recognition of their extra-special achievements.  We know that you all 'Strive to Excel' and we are proud of the year that all of our Room 4 students have had.  Some of you achieved outstanding success in South Otago representative activities, which have been acknowledged and congratulated during Junior School assemblies throughout the year.  We look forward to following your continued successes and watch with interest as you become the older students at LAS and receive some of the many sporting and academic awards on offer.

The night began with some singing items by the Y0-10 students.

The Year 3 students all received their merit certificates...

... followed by the Year 4's.

The choir entertained with two songs....

... including one involving four students keeping the beat in time, and doing tricks with cups!!!  VERY ENTERTAINING!

Room 4's ukulele group performed a medley of 3 songs.

 AND SO TO THE SPECIAL AWARDS RECEIVED BY ROOM 4 STUDENTS........

All Room 4 students were presented with a certificate outlining achievements throughout the year. One student from each year group was awarded the Academic Achievement Award, while another was chosen as the Lawrence Lions Evans Bequest for Diligence throughout the year.

There were also three Room 4 students who received trophies to celebrate their achievements in swimming this year......

Kate - winner of the Year 4 academic achievement award

Abby - winner of the Year 4 Evan's Bequest for Diligence award

Samara - winner of the Year 3 academic achievement award

Josie - winner of the Year 3 Evan's Bequest for Diligence award

Toby - winner of the Room 4 Little Red Hen citizenship award

Rubie - winner of the Junior Girls swimming trophy

Jenaya - winner of the most improved junior swimmer trophy

Hamish - winner of the water confidence trophy.
Unfortunately Hamish was unable to be present at the prizegiving assembly, so was presented his trophy at school today.

Congratulations to each and every student for your terrific work throughout the year in Room 4 and especially the way that you conducted yourselves at prizegiving.  You have been a delight to teach and have earned a well-deserved summer break.  HAVE FUN in your holidays and we look forward to seeing your smiling faces back at LAS in 2014.  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Biking the Clutha Gold Rail Trail

Well, we must be the luckiest teachers in the world!! On Friday we had the wonderful pleasure of taking Room 4 on a biking trip. We started at the Lonely Graves (just below Miller's Flat) and cylced the 15km journey alongside the Clutha river until we arrived at Beaumont. The scenery was sensational and the kids were AWESOME!!!

Students had bikes of all sizes, some with gears, some without, and yet they all pedalled their hearts out without a single grizzle. The were cheerful, delightful, and super enthusiastic.

We had an amazing group of adults with our group. They cycled amongst the students, offering encouragment where necessary and keeping the pace at the front and back of the group.

We also had the amazing support of our support driver, Maria, who drove (very slowly) down the Millennium track beside us, carrying lunch boxes, drink bottles, sticking plasters etc.

Check out some of the photos from our amazing day!!

Our first stop was the 'Horse-shoe bend bridge.' We stopped and walked through the paddocks to find the bridge. It was a very flexible suspension bridge and moved as we walked over it. Most of us were brave enough to walk across the bridge.

 .

 Then it was finally time to get on our bikes and begin our ride. We were very eager to set off so once the bikes were unloaded we were off!!

 We had a few stops along the way so that we could rest our weary legs and refuel our hungry/thirsty bodies. It was nice to sit beside the river and enjoy a picnic lunch. The river-side scenery was MAGIC!!

 Thanks to the heavy rain that fell the night before our trip we had a fabulous big puddle to play in. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to zoom through the muddy puddle.

 The key to success was maintaining momentum so that you didn't have to put your foot down. However, there were many children who went home with soggy socks and soggy sneakers. But - it was SO MUCH FUN!!!!

 There were plenty of people willing to come to the resuce of anyone who got stuck!

 MMMMMmmmm, Mrs O - Do you think you may have picked up the wrong bike???

 When we completed our 15km journey we were rewarded with a play/padde/swim in the Clutha River. We found a terrific wee spot to play in while some of the adults drove back to retrieve the vehicles.

 We had a great time building a damn together.

 It really was the very best way to spend the last Friday of our school year.

We had so much fun, it will be hard to pick a highlight of the day.

 For Mrs May and Mrs O it was the kids, the adults, the scenery, the weather, the cycling, the fresh air, the picnic, the mud puddle, the enthusiasm, the fabulous track, playing beside the river, the amazing sense of achievement, and spending time with our wonderful class before they all go on holiday! :-)

Tell us what your highlights were...



Junior School Athletics Day

On Friday we held out annual school athletics day. Despite the forecast the sun shone down brightly on all of our athletes. Students competed in extremely hot conditions, only getting a small respite when they competed in the high jump which was held in the gym. They all competed very well, giving their best effort and encouraging their class mates. Check us out!!!

 Discus

 High Jump

 and more high jump

 Long Jump

 Long jump

 and more long jump.

 Obstacle Course

 Running

 More running

Shot Put

Everyone gave it their very best and we were really proud of their amaxing efforts. It was so great to see each and every one of you 'striving to excel.'



Student of the week - Venessa

Venessa has worked very hard all year to improve her writing.  She has been excited to work with Mrs Grant and is always ready with ideas.  We are impressed with her positive attitude and improvements. Keep up the great work next year Venessa!

Student of the Week - Toby

Keep your eyes peeled for this young man's name on the front cover of a book in the future - he truly is an author in the making.  Check out the beginning of his latest narrative....

Big Ears was a skinny little elf who was quite good at hearing but not very good at talking.  However, his wife Little Ears was quite good at talking, but unlike Big Ears, quite bad at hearing.

One Saturday morning Big Ears was waddling down from his retirement home to get the post.  Suddenly he came rushing in, but being old it took him three minutes to get back to his retirement home which was three metres away from the post box!

"Yippee! We're going to our son's wedding.  Yippee" ........

Student of the Week - Kate

Congratulations to Kate for achieving excellent results in the recent E-Asttle reading testing.  Kate demonstrated fantastic reading comprehension skills and received the top score for Room 4.  Your love of reading is evident in your results Kate.  Awesome work!

Student of the Week - Jessica

Jessica produced an outstanding sunflower painting, mixing colours effectively.  She also helped others in the class to get theirs finished once she had completed her work.  This was done quietly, without bringing attention to herself.  This is very worthy of 'Student of the Week' Jessica.  Top job!