Find your field of dreams

The learners in Room 18 have been lucky to have swimming instructors taking them for lessons twice a week. This week they learnt about life vests, how to enter the water safely and huddling in a group for warmth. They had an absolute blast.

We also took a walk down to the river as part of our Turangawaewae unit. The children were able to explore how the river is used and how it has changed over time. We have also been learning about how the Waikato river was used in the past, and the ways in which we, as kaitiaki, can look after our waterways.

We are looking forward to an exciting week ahead, learning about our pepeha and where we come from. Please remember to return the form that was sent home as this will enable your child to make a start on this.

A great start to term 1

The learners of Room 18 and I have enjoyed a busy and productive second week.

Our week has been filled with swimming, positive assembly, a mihi whakatau for the new teachers and students at Hamilton East school and lots of new learning.

Sketching our mighty Totora tree on Thursday, learners practise observational drawing.

We have started our first maths unit "All About Me" where learners are discovering how to collect and display data about themselves and their peers.

We have also started reading groups with Whaea Robyn and Room 17.

Another thing we began this week is our portraits. Each learner has come up with five words they think describe themselves. These are part of a collage that will be displayed in our classroom. I'm looking forward to seeing the amazing results. The photo below is our brainstorm of some words we could use to describe ourselves.

Next week is going to be another jam packed week for our learners. Swimming lessons with Find Your Field Of Dreams begin and we have our trip to Hukanui Marae on Friday. Notes were sent home this week, and need to be returned before Friday.

I hope you all are having a great weekend, and look forward to seeing our learners bursting and ready to go on Monday.

A letter introducing your new teacher

2nd February 2019

Kia ora koutou!

It was so lovely to meet the children today and I’m very excited to share this years’ journey of learning and growth with them. I thought I’d take this chance to share a little bit about myself with you.

My own journey to become a teacher has been a long one. After leaving university I studied Child Psychotherapy and then worked as an early childhood educator for a number of years.

I left teaching to look after my children (Noah, Isobel and Jack) and returned to the workforce as a teacher aide in a special needs unit of an Australian high school.

When we returned to New Zealand, I decided it was time to follow my dream and gained a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. Hamilton East was one of my practicum schools (which is why my pink hair might look familiar). I loved it so much. I was really excited to be offered a teaching position here.

My passions include art and craft (I am an avid sewist and make most of my clothes), I love reading, writing, and being in and around the water. In my spare time, I race dirt karts and collect and fix vintage sewing machines.

Your child’s year in Room 18 is going to be full of fun, lots of learning and exciting adventures.

If at any time you have any questions, problems, or just want to have a chat about what’s going on, please don’t hesitate to contact me,

Ngā mihi nui,

Ange Dent

adent@hameast.school.nz