Room 1

Balmacewen Intermediate School

February 2nd 2010

Dear parents/caregivers of Room 1 students for 2010

As you will know by now your son/daughter is a member of Room 1 for this
year. My name is Sara Quelch, or Mrs Q as I am more commonly known. I
will be your child’s teacher for the year. This is my eighth year of
teaching and my sixth year at Balmacewen Intermediate, after a year off
to have my first child Otis. I am the year 7 Dean at Balmacewen
Intermediate this year and I will also be involved in hockey, and water
polo coaching and organizing at school. But my most important
responsibility is teaching the fabulous students of room 1.

I look forward to meeting most of you at the meet the teacher evening
which is on Wednesday 10th Feb from 7pm – 8pm. During this time I will
outline my classroom expectations and discuss programmes for the year.

This year promises to be another busy one, packed with learning as well as
sporting and cultural opportunities. In room 1 and all other classes at
Balmac, there is a strong focus on Inquiry learning and community
involvement. The Year 7’s will also be learning the ukulele as a music focus
this year.

There are a number of exciting events already planned for the year 7’s
this year. This term we will have a 3 day, 2 night camp so the students
can get to know each other and myself, we have swimming sessions and
swimming sports (Fri 19th March) and a trip to the Otago Early Settlers
Museum.

Room 1’s camp will take place in week 7 this term between Wednesday 10th
and Friday 12th of March. This is heaps of fun and we need lots of
energetic parent helpers so get in early and try and get time off work, we
need lots of parents and we’d love to have you there!

Daily fitness is an important component of room 1’s programme so it is

essential that all students bring their CORRECT PE gear EVERY day; this
includes the Balmacewen PE t.shirt, blue shorts or blue Canterbury pants,
sports socks and gym shoes. Mufti PE gear will be fine while the students
are waiting on their PE gear order.

Homework should generally take 30 mins a day, but this will change
depending on how much is going on at school, and home. It will be related
to the work that is going on within the classroom and may have online
components through email and a class blog page. I will give more details of
this at the meet the teacher evening.

The children can buy their stationery packs through school which are a
competitive price at $35 and contain everything the students need to
start the school year. I hope that all of the students will have their
stationery covered and labeled by next week. I have given your
son/daughter a list which shows which books are for which subjects. Also
attached is a canteen list for this year.

These next few weeks you will find yourself bombarded with newsletters
and information. Some of you will know the school very well by now, while
others of you may have your first child at Balmacewen Intermediate in
which case things may seem a bit full on. You will have the opportunity to
ask any questions at the meet the teacher evening, but feel free to come
in and chat before or after school or drop me an email.
My email address is squelch@balmacewen.school.nz

I am looking forward to a successful and eventful year with all of your

children in their first year at Balmacewen Intermediate and I look
forward to your ongoing support and interest in your child’s learning
throughout the year.

Yours sincerely
Sara Quelch 