Year 5 + 6 Camp - 9 -11 March 2022 (Year 4 - day at camp 10 March)
Aims of Camp
Managing self
Participating and contributing
Relating to others
Thinking (particularly goal setting and reflection)
It is a great opportunity for our kids to develop Resilience and amazing to see them overcoming their fears and achieving success. We need to plan carefully prior to camp to ensure that this is a positive experience for all.
Health and Safety
All activities are well planned for and managed by YMCA staff. Safety guidelines and procedures are highlighted before all activities. Camp documentation is up to date with current practice in the sector.
Staying overnight
One of the greatest challenges of Camp is of course, simply staying away from home overnight. If your child has never stayed away from home before - practise! Those who are nervous can choose (to a degree) who they share a cabin with, so they have the support of their close friends. Teachers encourage those who are homesick to hang on and overcome. They are really proud of themselves when they manage this. Students are expected to pack their own bags so that they are able to keep an eye on their own belongings, a practical side of managing themselves.
Top Tips - from a parent
DO NOT pack their camp bags for them! Despite how much easier it would be. If they physically choose and put the items in their bag they are building vital life skills in self-care, and setting themselves up for success at camp where they are responsible for finding what they need.
Discuss with them why each item might be important as they pack. Maybe hold the checklist and help check off the items as they pack - this also keeps your hands busy so you can’t help!!
If they don’t usually use a sleeping bag, practice taking it out of the bag and repacking it. If they want to let them sleep in it before camp at home so it feels more familiar.
Get them to name their belongings themselves. Lots of kids have similar clothing or sleeping bags – pack up and cabin clean up time on the last day is CHAOS! Named items are much easier to find and if they have written their own name they know what to look for.
Help them choose to pack snacks that will give them a longer energy boost, in case they don’t like the food.
Last reminder, because this is perhaps the hardest! Do not pack for them :-)
Transition
Base Groups
Each child will be assigned to a Base Group made up of students in years 4-6. The teacher assigned to this group is your first point of contact ( pastoral care) and coordinates the pulling together of assessment and reporting and also conversations with yourselves.
Your child has spent time in their new space over the last term. This is an opportunity to get a feel of the sorts of learning they will be involved in, as well as getting to know the new learning spaces and teachers that will be part of their learning journey next year.
Learning groups
As well as spending time learning in their base group, your child might have a different group of peers for Reading, Writing and Maths. This teacher may or may not be the Base Group teacher. These groups are organised according to need and can change over time. The Base Group teacher will still be the first point of contact in regards to learning.
Learning
We run an exciting programme based around big themes and questions connected to Inquiry. There is a focus on Positive Education, The Arts and Te Ao Māori running alongside and integrated with our Literacy and Numeracy programmes. We support the learning needs of our students and offer many opportunities for students to work to their strengths. Learners in the Māhutonga Matariki Whānau are exposed to authentic and stimulating learning experiences and are given the opportunity to express themselves via their work. Creativity is at the forefront of our approach to learning. We communicate learning and notices through Seesaw, this is a great place to see what’s going on in the classroom.
What about devices?
In the Seniors, children can bring in their own specified device, if they wish to, but it is in no way compulsory at all. Technology is great if it can add value. We are trying hard to limit screen time across the school and ensure there is a good balance of physical, academic, social, emotional, relational activities happening that do not require a rectangle box. It’s a balancing act! You will already be familiar with the Technology Agreement. Any inappropriate use is taken very seriously and you will know about it.
Our Teachers
Our teaching team is one fewer next year. John will be in the Matariki space and Nic and Jenny in the Māhutonga space. Please introduce yourself to us if your child is new to the spaces. Cloe is a Learning Assistant spending some time in Māhutonga Matariki. We are already excited about 2022!
Ngā mihi nui,
John, Nic, Jenny and Cloe
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