Swimming sports

Last Friday the Year 4-8 swimming sports were held on a

gorgeous sunny Friday, after being postponed because of

bad weather the previous day. The width and non-competitive

events were held before lunch, with the competitive two-length and

relay events held in the afternoon. The new

sunshade over the terraced seating at the shallow pool end of the

complex was put to good use, providing much needed shade for both

the parent and student spectators.

The standout swimming performances of the day were recorded by

Toni McKee in the 11+ age group events. She won all her events

in super quick time, qualifying easily for the zone

swimming sports next week.

Pictured: A start of a race, Grace Manera, Katy Silva and Ally Taylor, 1st, 2nd

and 3rd respectively in 2 length Freestyle 9 year olds event, Toni Mckee at

end of her backstroke 2 length race.

More George adventures................

George Watson won a national television competition through the Erin Simpson Show in conjunction with Deep South Icecream. George thought of the new brand of icecream entitled Peppermint Chilli Chocolate. As he was the winner of the competiton, on Monday morning he toured the Deep South Icecream factory with his sister Harriet,and observed his brand of ice-cream being made. He then brought some tubs to school to share with his class for lunch. The icecream is a limited edition and will only be made for George and his family to eat. George has a years supply of the icecream supplied to him as part of his prize for winning the competition. His tour around the factory and an interview with George will be televised on the Erin Simpson Show in April. In the meantime the Senior Class at West Melton School enjoyed tasting the Peppermint Chocolate Chip icecream. Classmate Matthew Hadler thought the icecream was delicious, Toni McKee wasn't so sure about the chilli flavour but enjoyed the peppermint, and Harriet Watson enjoyed the experience of wearing the hairnet hat whilst serving up icecream so much, that she wore it into the playground as well!! Photo left to right, Xica-Rae Andrews, Matthew Hadler, Sheree Tomlinson, George the ice-cream flavour inventor Watson, Harriet Watson and Toni McKee

L.C.3's Latest Trend

Learning Community 3 has acquired a new, painful, trend. There are now four of us THIS YEAR already who have their wrists enclosed in a Plaster, or Fibreglass cast. I am one of them. Matthew Hadler fell off his Skateboard, Henrietta Haskell fell over Ice Skating, Joseph Manifold fell off a bench and I fell off a bike at Zone triathlon transition training (which I can't go to anymore!) The worst thing for our classmates is the suspense. Who will be next?? Which clumsy soul will fall off their bike, fall off a bench, fall over Ice Skating or fall off their Skateboard?? Mrs Busch has officially stated that 'no more broken bones' will be allowed. Will L.C.3 take heed of her words, or will we, forever in 2010, be hoping that we are not the next in line...

by George Watson

Moa Team Parent Meeting

The Moa Team teachers held a parent information evening in the school library

for all parents of children in LC1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. All of the teachers presented various

parts of the Moa and School programme, which included class organisation, the new

KC kids, homework challenges, Maths assessments, new spelling programmes and

upcoming camps. Parents were then able to go to their child's respective classroom

to hear about individual class programmes from class teachers. The meeting was well

attended by parents and was an opportunity for parents to clarify any questions they

may have had about Moa Team expectations and programmes of work.

Kiwi Swimming Display

Learning Commmunity 8 and 9 shared their swimming skills during their class

swimming display on Wednesday 17 February. Both classes showcased their

swimming through a class swimming lesson that utilised the shallow end of

the pool alongside a variety of floatboards and noodles to use as flotation aides.

Unfortunately the weather became too cold for Learning Community 6,7 & 10 to

continue the display after Long Play. Hopefully the weather will begin to be

more cooperative so more fun swimming lessons can be had by all in our

cool school pool!!

New School librarians

Our new school librarians have been appointed and presented with

their badges during our school assembly.

Our librarians for 2010 are as pictured:

Tom Gullery, Shane Stewart, Matthew Blain, Joe Manifold, Matthew Halder,

Xica-Rae Anderson, George Watson, Elena Bakker, Shannon Griffiths,

Nicky Dachs, Esther Blain, Gemma Waters and Henrietta Haskell (absent).

'

School Triathlon

Last Thursday we held our school triathlon. The Kiwi team raced before lunch and the Moa team in the afternoon
events.
During the morning triathlon, all of the Kiwi children competed in the swimming, biking and running individual
events. The senior class and parents assisted with guiding the children to the various disciplines and it was great to
hear the Moa Team children encouraging the children around the course.
After lunch the individual events were held, with students completing a set number of lengths of the pool, circuits
of Westview Crescent on bikes and running laps of the field depending on the age of the competitor. It was fantastic
to see the determination of the students to complete the activities in the quickest time possible. The team events
followed, with some great collaborative efforts amongst the students. Finally, selected staff competed against the
11 year old + competitors and this proved a novel way to end the day's proceedings.
A big thank you to parents who assisted on the course, and a special thank you to Miss Kate Meyer who organised
the course and competitors, and ensured the event ran smoothly.

KC Kids and School Bus Logo Launch

Week One of Term 1 was dedicated to launching our brand new school logo KC (Key Characteristic) Kids. At the first assembly for the year, held at 930am on day one of the school year, the whole school were introduced to the new KC Kids. Designated teachers spoke about the key attributes of each of the KC Kids and how we all can foster these key characteristics and be a West Melton KC Kid too. Our six attributes are Thinker, Self Manager, Team Player, Respectful Citizen, Effective Communicator and Self Believer. Each of the KC Kids represents one of these key characteristics. Our other major launch was the School Bus Logo. In celebration of adopting the bus as our school logo, representing our journey as learners at school and beyond, the whole school were treated to a bus ride around West Melton which included having morning tea at the Waimakariri River. For many students at our school this was the first time they had been around West Melton on a bus, as we have an increasing number of students that travel to and from school in cars, walking or by bike. The primary goal of the trip was to celebrate the launch of our own school bus logo and make this experience authentic for our students.