From the Head of Primary 25.02.2023
I am astounded by how quickly this term is passing by. With just four weeks to go and so many exciting things planned, it is going to be a fabulous few weeks. Coming up in these next few weeks there will be more trips, more showcases and assemblies, Arts Day, Maths Day and Sports Day! Make sure you keep an eye out on Class Dojo or in the weekly newsletters to ensure you don’t miss out on anything.
Year 1 Kiulu Valley Trip Report
On Wednesday, Year 1 had a fantastic day at the Field Skills centre at Kiulu Valley. The day started off with learning how to forage for materials to make shelters. The children all worked very well together, they used vines to tie the branches and leaves for the roof. They also got the opportunity to decorate their shelters, which the children loved! They then went around and looked at each other’s shelters and talked about the process of making them.
They also got the chance to learn about how to filter water using leaves, coconut husk and small stones. The children were fascinated by this process and asked the guides many questions and were very keen to learn. The instructors at the centre showed them how to prepare and make a fire before taking them on a short hike across a suspension bridge. They were all very brave and crossed the river with ease.
Before the day ended the children split off into small groups to learn about different plants. Some of the plants they found were good for medicine and one plant could even be used like a soap! They then presented their findings and discussed all the useful properties of the plants they had found.
I was very proud of Year 1. Everyone was engaged and focused all day. They were fantastic role models and represented KIS beautifully. It was a very successful day enjoyed by all!
Miss Siddall
Enjoy this video!
The spotlight is on Year 2!
This term the Year 2s have been learning about different habitats from across the globe. This week the Year 2s have been learning about Microhabitats, with the help and expertise of Ms Antoni and Guunsing Aquascapes, the Year 2s have been able to make their own Miniature Terrariums.
The children constructed an enclosed, self-watering terrarium using moss, canyon rocks, pebbles rocks and soil to create their own microhabitat. Microhabitats are often overlooked due to their size, however, they help to encourage biodiversity in the plant and animal kingdom, by creating a great number of habitats in which animals can adapt and thrive.
Mrs Adams
Special Assembly
On Tuesday, Dr. Gross led our 50th anniversary assembly for KS2 students. This was a wonderful way to begin our 50th celebrations. We heard messages from ex-principals and future principals as well as James Wong, an ex-student, who gave an inspiring speech about how everyone’s future is an open book.
This week, in our celebration assembly, we discussed positive and negative relationships. Building positive relationships at a young age is crucial for a child’s emotional and social development. Positive relationships help children develop a sense of security, trust, and empathy, which are essential qualities for healthy relationships in the future. Children who have positive relationships with their parents, caregivers, and peers are more likely to have higher self-esteem, better communication skills, and a stronger sense of belonging. It is important for parents and caregivers to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to build positive relationships. This can be done by encouraging children to express themselves, listening to them, and modelling positive behaviour. Children who learn how to build positive relationships at a young age are more likely to develop healthy relationships in adulthood. At KIS it is important to us to provide that nurturing environment and show children what positive relationships look like so that they can work and play together with all. As always, we celebrated the Stars of the Week and gave out Bronze and Silver awards!
Next week, on Wednesday at 8am, there will be a New Families Coffee Morning in the MPR and Year 4 will be hosting a Showcase of their term’s work on Friday. You can find out more information about the latter on Class Dojo.
Next Sunday (5th March) KIS are hosting a beach clean at Langkah Syabas. Holding beach cleans is incredibly important for several reasons. Firstly, beaches are home to a wide variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife, and litter can be incredibly harmful to them. Plastic waste, in particular, can be ingested by marine animals, causing them to suffocate or starve to death. Secondly, beaches are important recreational areas for people, and nobody wants to visit a beach that is littered with trash. Cleaning up the beach ensures that it remains a beautiful and enjoyable destination for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, the act of doing a beach clean can help raise awareness about the environmental issues facing our planet, and encourage others to take action to protect our oceans and beaches. By working together to keep our beaches clean, we can help protect the health of our planet and the creatures that call it home.
Finally a couple of Save the Dates: Family Fun Day on the 18th March and Primary Sports Day on the 20th March.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Take care.
Karen Hitchen
Head of Primary
