School at the beach!

BritMumInNZ

A week ago Charli’s entire school ditched the books and headed to the beach on foot for the day – how cool is that!

They had a splash of a time, with classes taking it in turns to swim in the sea, whilst the rest of the children delighted in building amazing sandcastles, drawing in the sand and burying each other! Whanau were welcome and so Sophie and I joined in the fun. I didn’t see much of Sophie (well, I had an overseeing eye on her!) as she was so happy playing with the older children.

Charli is LOVING school this term and is really stepping up to the challenges in her new class. Sophie and I went in on Friday afternoon to watch assembly and were treated to Charli reading out a piece from her publishing book. The assembly was full of laughter and the children are so lucky to be part of a fabulous school with inspirational teachers. I’m so relieved Charli has now completely settled in and really ‘gets’ how fun school life can be. The school is currently running a ‘reward’ scheme to celebrate excellence in behaviour and personal characteristics that make a good citizen (so to speak – my words, not the schools!). Anyway, if a child has received a reward card their name goes in a draw. If they are selected (to much jubilation from their class-mates) they get to choose one of four rewards….

1. A ride around the school field on the back of the Headmaster’s motorbike (with parental permission)!

2. A ride around the entire school perimeter in a wheel barrow (pushed by the Headmaster)!

3. 20 minutes free time for their class

4. Choose a prize from the lucky dip box

It was very touching to see that the majority of children chose the third option – to much applause from their class mates!

We also had Charli’s parent/teacher interview this week and were delighted to hear how she’s settled in socially and enjoying the academics too. She’s enjoying play-time with games of soccer, skipping, running on the field and finding a group of friend’s that share her love of Star Wars! But she’s also developing friendships with peers that have different interests (Princesses) and understanding that it’s okay for people to like different things – in fact they often make wonderful friends as they broaden our perspective and teach us to find common ground.

Yee ha! May the happy days loooooonnng continue! Goooo Charli! WE LOVE YOU!

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4 thoughts on “School at the beach!”

  1. Whow Charlotte…..what a fantastic school you belong to and you are shining like a star. The day at the beach looks fantastic and great fun. How lovely to read out aloud in assembly….we are very proud of you. Big hugs from us and also big hugs to Sophie who is a shining star too. We love you very much our darlings.So pleased you are enjoying the books we sent you both…Grandma read them ALL before I sent them up,up and away to you on an aeroplane.

    Thank you so much Grandma for the books! They are such a delight and the girls are so lucky. We talk of you and all the family all the time. You are always in our conversations, our thoughts and our every move. Thank you so much xxxx

  2. This sounds like a wonderful school, I wouldn’t mind working there. We have taken all the school to the beach for a couple of hours but “health and safety” rules meant that not one child could set a toe in the water. We have to write up a risk assessment sheet even if we are just crossing the road to a neighbouring school! As for a ride on the headteacher’s motorbike! Well done to Charli for reading out loud in assembly and I’m so pleased to hear how she is enjoying school.

    Hi Ruta, Oh I know – we’re so lucky here and I have everything crossed for your plans to NZ. The school organised the trip brilliantly. There were life-guard and parent helpers forming a ‘perimeter’ in the water to ensure safety and everyone so enjoyed it. Charli was so proud of herself reading in assembly, bless and is really blossoming. She’s loving reading and writing (organised a treasure hunt for Sophie and I after school on Friday!) and her teacher is good at keeping her challenged – but obviously not pushing her too far, to the point of frustration. A fine balancing act indeed and I have such admiration for teachers). Best wishes, Sarah

  3. Hi loves….just had to write another quick message after Ruta M’s lovely comment….it indeed crossed my mind as I read your lovely blog all about the excessive health and safety rules here…as Ruta says every time we take the children off the premises we used to have to visit the site and write yet another bit of paper recognising every hazard down to the last kerb stone that may be wonky in case they tripped up…..never mind taking them to the beach!!….the form would be a mile long!!
    Just wonderful for the children and all sounded so well planned. Excellent !!

  4. Sounds like Charli’s found her scholastic feet and is at peace with what school can bring to her life. I’m amazed at the beach trip – I am so jealous!

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