Canterbury Athletics Champions

Strides ahead

West Melton School students Kieran Brown and Matthew Lane have reason to celebrate after achieving some outstanding results at the Canterbury Athletics Championships at QEII this week. Both students were representatives from the wider Lincoln area after qualifying at the Zone Athletics Sports. In the 9 years Long Jump event Matthew Lane jumped 3.99metres, placing him 2nd in Canterbury in this event. Kieran Brown was entered in the 11 years High Jump, 60m sprints and Long Jump. He was placed 4th in Canterbury in the sprint event and 2nd in Canterbury in the Long Jump event with a jump of 4.47m. These are remarkable results for both boys as they were competing against students from schools from throughout Canterbury, from Hanmer Springs through to Timaru, and both the school and the boys are very proud of their achievements.

Wonderful Christmas Wonderland!!

West Melton School PTA held their very successful Christmas Wonderland House and Garden Tour on Sunday. The event, which included a self navigated tour of 8 homes and gardens in the West Melton area, generated interest from both locals and those from further afield, including some who had travelled from Banks Peninsula and Timaru to view the spectacular homes and gardens decorated with a Christmas Theme. Many of the home owners had spent hours preparing their homes for the event, enlisting the help of family and friends on the day to cater for the large numbers of people who meandered through the properties and admired the decorations, gardens and crafts on offer. No one left hungry, with plenty of food and drink on offer for purchase, most of which sold out by late afternoon due to the demand. The weather managed to stay fine for the majority of the day, and the event concluded with a gathering at Melton Estate Winery for raffle draws, auctioning of Christmas trees decorated by classes at WM School and a performance by the school Wonderland choir of a selection of Christmas carols. The event, which was organised by Donna Scarlett and her team of committee members, was a huge fundraising success for the PTA and proceeds from the tour, which are in excess of $10,000, will be used to purchase computers for student use at school. West Melton School PTA wishes to thank all community members who supported the tour through purchasing tickets and/or food, drink, crafts, plants, raffle tickets, ensuring the success of this wonderful celebration of homes, gardens and the magic of Christmas.

Walkathon results

The walkthon results have been tallied and Mrs Quinn announced the winners and the grand total of money raised at a special assembly held at the end of the day on Thursday. The children at school raised a staggering $10,000 in proceeds from walkathon sponsorship which is a phenomenal effort. Dalton Court and Georgia Shinn raised the most money in the Kiwi and Moa Teams and rode away on brand new bicycles!! Top effort!!

Pet Day masks

As part of Pet Day celebrations many of the classes at school made animal masks. Pictured are children, or should that be animals (!), from LC1 and LC2 in their animal creations!

Pet Day

We had our school pet day on Tuesday. Children from school brought their pets to school and answered questions from the judges. The Pet Day concluded with a Grand Parade of the pets around the showring on the school field. Thank you to the Young Farmers for providing a judge, and the parents for transporting the pets to and from school.

Walkathon around Westview Crescent

The whole school participated in a Walkathon event to raise money for sports equipment for school. Pictured are students from throughout the school stepping out during the afternoon event.

Year 4 camp at Living Springs

On the first day of camp we went to Clip 'n Climb. We all manged to climb up many challenging climbing walls and some children even managed to climb the wall "Steps to Heaven" blind folded!! We had lunch at Victoria Park and either played on the playground or participated in the cricket game on the field. When we arrived at Living Springs the activities manager and host, Grant, welcomed us to camp and then we unpacked our gear in our bunk rooms. We then worked in our groups to complete the orienteering course. Team King took out the award for the fastest time! Our tea was in the dining area and it was delicious! We completed our day with a Living Springs talk and a swim in the indoor heated pool!! After a good nights sleep we had breakfast and then headed out for a bush walk with a guide. We saw native trees and birds, including several wood pigeons! We then carried on to the Farm Park, where everyone got to have a pony ride and see a cow being milked. Sarah, Grayson, Danny, Grace, George B and Becky got to have a turn at milking the cow by hand! We had a BBQ lunch at lunchtime with ice-cream!! We then had a lesson about how to crack a whip, and Campbell, Ally, Paige and Ben had a turn. Zane, our Farm Park host, then gave a demonstration about how to use a lasso, and Jack, who attempted to be a raging bull, was lassoed in full flight! We also had a sheep shearing demonstration, and Jeremy and Elena had a turn at using the hand piece to shear the sheep. In the shearing shed we also had a sheep dog talk before heading out to cheer for our favourite sheep in the sheep race. We then headed back to camp on the long walk up the hill. In our recreation time we were able to go on the go-karts, the monorail, the flying fox and the mini golf. Mrs Jackson visited us and loved watching us on the waterside!! After tea many of the parents arrived to watch our Camp Idol concert in the auditorium. The camp helper parents did a funny show dressed in pyjamas, and Mrs Quinn and Mrs Haywood dressed up in school uniform with pigtails! On the last day we had to do some cleaning, before heading off to the Initiatives Course. We worked in groups to complete lots of challenging team building activities. After lunch and a final turn at some of the recreation activities we headed home in the bus, driven by Pania. We had some great parents helpers on our trip. "Mrs Bakker went fast on the flying fox!" "Mr Cullen looked a bit funny trying to ride a pony!" "Mrs Silva gave me confidence to do all the recreation activities" "Mr Spinks used the lasso but he couldn't quite do it!!" "Mrs Dachs helped all of the slow-coaches at the back to get up the hill!!" "Mr King looked funny in nappies in the Camp Idol concert!" "Mrs Holland ran fast with the monorail to get it back to the top." "Mrs McKay timed me eating my dinner and she gave me seconds!" "Mrs Austin, the girl's bunk room hairstylist, used her hairdryer to dry our hair after our swim before we went to bed." "Mrs Quinn was stretching chewing gum out of her mouth and then eating it again in the Camp Idol concert!" "Mrs Haywood used boy's deodorant for a microphone and sprayed it under her arms while singing!"

Rms 1, 3, 4, and 5 visit the Waimakariri River

Rms 1, 3, 4, and 5 visited the Waimakariri River on Tuesday to view the landscapes

and glean motivation and inspiration for their art unit.

Old Boy visits West Melton School - Head Boy at Riccarton High School 2009

Head boy from Riccarton High School visits his old primary school

Jeremy Wilson, Head Boy at Riccarton High School, visited West Melton School and spoke to the Year 4-8 pupils about how his primary schooling had prepared him for his years at secondary school. The pupils were able to ask Jeremy questions related to starting high school, and the most memorable times he had at West Melton School. “My best memories are definitely the great teachers, making so many friends, and enjoying the fabulous playing areas and the big swimming pool!”
Jeremy was a pupil at West Melton School from Year 0-8 and believes that the best years of his schooling were definitely the Year 7-8 years, when he could participate in all the leadership activities, such as being a house team leader, and fostering close friendships with his peers. “Being involved in leadership activities definitely prepared me for my leadership roles at Riccarton High School as Head Boy.”
Jeremy was accompanied on his visit to West Melton by the Principal at Riccarton High School, Phil Holstein.

School Walkathon

The school walkathon was held on Tuesday on a sunny, windy West Melton afternoon. All the childrenenjoyed walking around Westview Cres. with their friends and challenging each other to see how many laps they could complete.There were some sensational walkers who zoomed around the crescent at phenomenal speeds - George Watson, Tom Darry and Dylan Simpson-Maybe clocked up some 17-19 laps each (that is nearly equivalent to a half marathon!!). Awesome effort everyone!!Sponsors money now needs to be collected and returned to school - the most money raised from both the Kiwi Team and The Moa team by an individual child will win an brand new bike, kindly donated by Papanui Cycles (these bikes are currently on display in the office foyer). Thanks to Mrs Quinn for organising this event - money raised will be used to purchase new sports equipment for our school.

Jump Jam Sessions for everyone at school!

This term we start the day with a Jump Jam session every morning. Mrs Moore leads us in an energising workout, moving and grooving to the beat of songs such as "We Like to Move It, Move It" and "The Coconut Song". A great way to start the day!

New Computers!!

Wow - George and Max try out the new computers in the library that have been purchased by the school PTA. We are so lucky to have a great PTA who have donated money to our school to purchase computers for students use - thank you very much!!

Music Festival Magic!!

The West Melton School Year 5-8 choir, led by Moira McKendry and Amanda Haywood, performed at the Christchurch Music Festival last Thursday 15 October in the Town Hall Auditiorium, as part of a large massed school choir. The students sang from the repertoire of songs they have been learning throughout the year, which included When Tomorrow Comes, Kuna Karamu, E Papa Waiari and The Earth We Share. The choir had to learn the lyrics to all the songs, and many of the songs had very challenging rhythms and 'high-eyebrow' notes! Well done to all the students who volunteered to be part of the choir and represent our school at this wonderful music festival. You are great examples of the West Melton Way!

Pictured: The choir outside the Town hall after the day practise last Thursday; Eating McDonalds or Subway for lunch after the rehearsal; the school choirs on stage.

Kapa Haka Starts at school!!

West Melton School now has a Kapa Haka group, led by tutors Matua Travis, Matua Norman and Whaea Brooke. The first Kapa Haka teaching session was held on Friday afternoon in the school library. Keen students from Year 0-8 involved themselves in the hour long teaching sessions and the students have already learnt several routines and waiata. Thanks to the school PTA for funding the tutors for this term, and special thanks to Maree O-Boyle for her determination to provide this opportunity for our students.

Up, Up and Not Away!!

Mr D organised a vist from Up, Up and Away Hot Air Balloon adventure tours to kickstart the term. The crew demonstrated how the hot air balloon is filled with hot air from the gas burner, while the whole school viewed from the perimeter of the field. Unfortunately the West Melton wind was not cooperative and the balloon was not able to be flown - however several students were able to experience standing in the the basket and using the gas burner. Even though it didn't fly, it was still a great experience for all children to view the sheer size of a hot air balloon!!

Wonderland Mufti Day

On the last day of term 3 the PTA held a mufti day to raise money to buy lollies for lolly trees that will be on sale during the Christmas Wonderland. Thank you to all the children who dressed up in red and green or in fancy Christmas costume. Santa would be proud!! Pictured: Grace and Ally get into the mufti day spirit.

Kiwi Team Antarctic Display

The Kiwi Team opened their classroom doors to show us their amazing Antarctic work!!

ICE EXPO!!

The Moa team showcased their Antarctic learning at the West Melton Community Centre on Tuesday with an extravaganza of art work, computer demonstrations and dramatic performances. Congratulations to all the students and staff involved for organising a fabulous celebration of learning.

Dylan comes up trumps at horse competitions

Dylan from Learning Community 5 brought his trophies and ribbons he has accumulated over the past year at horse events to share as part of his homework challenge awards.

Wow Dylan - your horse riding achievements are amazing!! What a collection of accolades you have amassed!!

Enviro Schools to start up again!!

Exciting news!! Our West Melton School Enviro Group is set to start up at the beginning of next term. Applications to be a member are currently open and expressions of interest can be forwarded to Mrs McHarg. Last Friday Toni Watson, a representative from Enviro Schools, talked to both the Kiwi and Moa teams about school gardens and ways that our students can get involved in looking after our school and community environment.
The Enviro Schools group will be another great opportunity to be involved in an extra-curricula activity at West Melton School. If this interests you , see Mrs McHarg for an application form!!

At the beginning of Term 4 group members will meet along with a team of Enviroschools facilitators, parents and teachers, to begin the next stage of the group's development.

Athletics practices

The Moa team have started athletics day practises on Friday afternoons - pictured is Toni jumping over the high jump bar and LC4 fine tuning their shot put skills.

ICAS Exam results

Wow - we have some clever cookies at West Melton School!! The first results for the Australisian Competitions have arrived at school and certificates have been presented at assembly.

COMPUTER:

High Distinction: George Watson

Distinction: Nicole Cochrane

Credit: Kirsty Cochrane

Steven McKay

Zachary Rumble

Matthew Blain

Ally Taylor

SCIENCE:

Distinction: George Watson

Credit: Zachary Rumble

George Brown

Pictured: George with his certificates

Ice Expo - put it in your calendar now!!

All classes in the school have been working hard on their Antarctic inquiry study. On Tuesday 22 September the Moa Team will be holding an Ice Expo at the Community Centre, in conjunction with the speech competition. More details to follow. Pictured: Penguin collages under construction in Learning Community 1.

Fathers Day Raffle

Congratulations to Jack Caunter from Learning Community 2. Jack was the winner of the PTA Father's Day Raffle - we are sure your Dad wold have loved all the goodies in the hamper that you won Jack!! Thanks to all the parents who purchased tickets for the raffle, the PTA for donating the prizes and Viv Titmus and Janet Bryant for organising the raffle.