Pihinga Team

Our team consists of four classrooms

Pihinga Team

Introduction

The Pihinga Team is made up of four classes 

Pihinga Team

Pihinga 2 - Mrs Kaye Roberts - Team Leader
Pihinga 1 - Miss Ashleigh Stevenson
Pihinga 4 - Mrs Nicky Kelso
Pihinga 5 - Mrs Nicola Green 

Innovative Learning Practice

As a school we are implementing our new learning model developing the values of being an Ashgrove STAR by encouraging and sustaining the values of  service, trust, attitude, respect / responsibility through becoming confident, collaborative and creative learners in the essence of our school vision statement, Growing Together for Success.  These values are embedded in our daily teaching and learning activities.  

We use a themed approach for our collaborative planning and implementation of units.  We are developing the early skills for Inquiry Learning according to the National Curriculum.   Time is made available at our team meetings to discuss ideas and strategies to best support all learners.

Planning for the teaching of inquiry/thinking skills is a major focus in topic work which integrates science, social studies, technology and arts based curriculum areas. We aim to ensure that all aspects of the curriculum are covered in a two year cycle. Literacy, Numeracy remain key focus areas for development in the Junior school.

Innovative practice highlights the importance of student led learning under the guidance of teachers and parents / caregivers. It embraces the five key competencies which focus on self-management, being an active learner, co-operating and collaborating with others and applying problem solving skills. Children are encouraged to reflect on their learning by considering where they have achieved success and what their next focus is. Throughout the day we focus on these competencies and arrange learning opportunities in the best and most practical way to support the needs of our learners. We continually reflect and refine our practice to continue along this changing educational landscape.

Literacy

All lessons in literacy work towards developing the following skills.

Oral Language	Speaking and Listening
Written Language	Writing and reading
Visual Language	Viewing and Presenting Handwriting
The Language Learning Processes	Exploring Language Thinking Critically Processing Information

Numeracy

We focus on the core skills and strategies as set out by the National Numeracy Project.  The other strands including Statistics, Geometry and Measurement are also covered throughout the year.

Te Reo Māori

Te reo (language) and tikanga (customs and protocols) are taught in our team. This learning includes waiata, correct pronunciation and the children learning their own mihi (personal greeting).

Health & Physical Education

Health and Physical Education continues to be an important component of our programmes for 2018.   As well as timetabled Physical Education lessons and  fitness or jump jam sessions, classes will have a 30 minute skill teaching session each fortnight taken by instructors from the North Canterbury Sports and Recreation Trust.

In Term 3 we have swimming instruction timetabled for Thursdays.  

Health units are part of our school wide integrated topic.  In Term 1 we will be teaching the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme.

The Arts

Visual Art

Visual art may be integrated with the current topic or taught as a separate curriculum area depending on the skills needing to be covered.

There is a focus on the use of different media each term with sketching and drawing being taught as part of visual art across the whole year.

Music, Dance and Drama

There will be an emphasis on the different arts strands of dance, music and drama throughout the year.

Many aspects of these disciplines are covered in daily programmes and weekly planning.

Assemblies and End of Term Celebrations

At the end of each term the Pihinga team will host a celebration assembly where parents and whanau are welcome to come and join in the successes of the term.  A notice will be sent out prior to this to inform parents of the date for the term.

Trips / Education Outside the Classroom

Planning for the year has yet to be finalised so not all activities have been listed below.   When these have been confirmed they will be added.

Term 1

• Kiwi Sport Coaching alternate weeks beginning Week 1
• Margaret Mahy Playground
• Celebration Assembly 

Term 2

• Kiwi Sport Coaching alternate weeks
• Celebration Assembly

Term 3

• Sport
• Weekly swimming instruction
• Keeping Ourselves Safe
• Celebration Assembly

Term 4

• Kiwi Sport Coaching alternate weeks
• Junior Sports Day
• End of Year Celebration Assembly

Team Newsletters

At the beginning of each new term a newsletter will be emailed home to outline upcoming programmes and advise parents of trips, additional programmes or changes within the team.  A copy of this will be put on the school website for parents information.

Homework

In line with the school policy children will have daily reading and basic literacy and numeracy activities.

Parent Contact

As classroom teachers we are happy to discuss any needs or concerns your child may have throughout the year.  To do this thoroughly please take the time to make an appointment that suits us both.  We thank you for your continued support in helping us make the most of your child's opportunities to learn successfully.

Useful websites

There are a number of useful websites to help you to support your child's education.

Ministry of Education - http://parents.education.govt.nz/

Maths - http://nzmaths.co.nz/faqs-families