Belfast Seniors 2011

Final Farewell From Mrs Ridpath :)

2011-12-14T13:18:00.001-08:00

My Lovely Seniors,

Last week I accepted a new job working at South New Brighton School. I have wanted to work there since I started teaching 8 years ago. Many of you know that I grew up on that side of town and went to this school myself, and I am looking forward to being part of that community again.
Two weeks ago I had not even thought about leaving Belfast, I hadn’t applied for any other jobs, and seriously saw myself working here for a good number of years yet. I love this school and believe strongly in the quality education delivered here . But when I received a phone call that this job had come up, I knew I had to apply.
I am incredibly sad to be leaving Belfast, and I will always hold this school close to my heart. I have loved every minute, teaching you, working with such great staff and learning from the best (Mr Simpson, Mr Creba, Ms Phillips!). Belfast is a wonderful community and I know that it will continue to grow and lead the way in Education. Next year the senior team will continue to grow and build on a successful year with the introduction of 2 new experienced teachers. They are very looking forward to working in such a creative and hardworking team.
When I reflect on my time here at Belfast, 8 years has flown by. It has been a privilege to teach both at year 3/4 and up here in the senior team. Seeing many changes and developments within our school has helped me to grow and learn as a teacher, and now I know I can take those skills and use them in my new job too.
I want to say a huge thank you to the staff for all the many years of support through this period in my life, I have felt so at home here, respected, valued, and loved.
Thank you to the parents for being honest, for welcoming me into your community and for making me feel like part of an amazing team.
Thank you to all of you - the students. I cannot express how proud I am of you, to have taught you, and to have met you. You have enriched my life in many ways, and I know you have made me a better person because of who you are. Thank you for working hard for me, for supporting me when I have had tough days, and for laughing with me. I really do love you all!
Best Wishes to Sarah Walkinshaw as she moves up to lead the Senior Team.
Do come and give me a hug before Thursday is over! Thank you Belfast School - I will never forget you!
Love from Mrs Ridpath

Year 8 Graduation!

2011-12-14T13:11:00.000-08:00

Thank you to our darling Year 8's for an amazing Graduation last week. You all looked amazing and made the night one of the best yet. The Dances were fab, great speeches Loren and Gibby and the Evolution of Dance was brill. Well done - a night to remember!

MORE Ski Photos

2011-09-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Truly this was an amazing experience. For many it was a first on the slopes, but enthusiasm and energy ruled the day. After a pretty sound practise run - it was clear there wouldn't be too many hiccups (although a broken finger and a wee bit of vomit turned up on the day!).

A HUGE HUGE thank you to all our wonderful parent helpers, volunteers, nurses, photographers, instructors, encourages, cheerers, and support crew! Without you (twice!) this would not have been possible, and we are truly grateful.

We are so proud of you all - your organisation, and positivity helped to make such an enjoyable day. It wasn't easy to be told to turn around and go home - but you were patient, understanding and it paid off in the end. The weather we did have on the day was almost perfect, well done little darlings!

Love the Senior Team teachers :)

OUR AMAZING SKI DAY!

2011-09-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Ski Trip - 2nd Time Lucky!

2011-09-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Good morning Skiiers!

Yes the ski trip is on. Meet at the same time (at school by 7.15am).
Chains are not required today. It is a little bit windy but it is dying down, and it will be a great day!
Make sure you have more than enough warm clothes.
See you soon!

The senior Team

SKI TRIP IS ON!

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone - the ski trip is on today.
It is very cold up the mountain so make sure you have heaps and heaps of warm clothes! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO see you all soon :)

Remember to be at school by 7.15am at the latest

Senior Ski Trip this THURSDAY!

2011-09-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Senior Syndicate Ski Trip 2011

Dear Parents,

With the Ski Trip being only 2 days away, here are a few final reminders:

 Students need to be at school between 7am – 7.15am at the latest
 We will arrive back at school between 5.30pm - 5.45pm
 Check the gear list again, and ensure students have all required items, including a big packed lunch (students cannot purchase food from café) and sunscreen
 Cell Phones and cameras are allowed but are the students’ responsibility
 No Ipods, or MP3’s

If the weather is poor the trip will be postponed to Friday 16th September.

You can call the school cell phone on Thursday morning to know if it has been postponed. School Cell Number: 027 6364 254. Please do not call the school number. You can also check our blogspot for info:

Monday 15th August - SNOW DAY!

2011-08-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hello little darlings! We hope you are enjoying the snow and keeping warm.
I think we can safely say that the winter tournament will be cancelled tomorrow - so pass that on to those people that you know are involved.

If you need something to do visit www.studyladder.co.nz

Let's have a syndicate snow man competition. Take a photo of it (with you in the photo) and email it to me: amy.ridpath@belfast.school.nz
I'll post them during the day. It doesn't have to be a snowman either...

Keep warm, and enjoy it. Think of it as preparation for our Ski Trip.

Entry Number 1: Snowlady

Entry Number 2 By Jax Room 21

Welcome Back to Term 3!

2011-08-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome back! This term our topic is called :
“It’s Playtime”. We will be looking at the history of games, how they have changed, been impacted by technology, and link this in with the Rugby World Cup. We will also be working through the following; Information reports, problem solving, fractions, Speeches, puberty, and students will complete an individual inquiry this term. We are very excited about all of these possibilities! A highlight of this term will of course be the Ski Trip in week 6. There will be some work around this also - what a great opportunity. We are looking forward to seeing out students step up this term, and work very hard!

Important dates this term:
Wednesday 10th August Sausage Sizzle
Tuesday 16th August Winter Tournament
Week 4 August 22 - 26th Book week
Thursday 8th September SKI TRIP @ Porters
Thursday 15th September Family Day
Friday 16th September DISCO
Thursday 29th September School Open Night
Thursday 6th October Celebration Assembly

Home Learning
Home learning is given out on Mondays and is due in on Fridays. It is compulsory for students to read every night and record what they read on the reading log. There is also compulsory maths and spelling work. Students will then be given a list of extra activities of which they must complete 2. On the back is a section called: Extra for Experts, and this part is optional. 

Winter Tournament is on Tuesday 16th August @ Hagley Park 10am - 1pm

Year 7 Self Defence

2011-06-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Over the next few weeks, all of our lucky girls get to have self defence training with Lynda Maindonald. They have thoroughly enjoyed the training, and have learned some very important skills. Check these photos out!

Cross Country Zone Team

2011-06-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

A huge WELL DONE to our super athletes who competed at the Zones cross country last Wednesday:
Jensen Early
Shyla Alsford
Hannah Aldersley
ToniMarie Phillips
You did us proud!

Check out our Prezi's!

2011-06-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

As part of our inquiry learning this term, students have learned how to create a PREZI. It is a presentation tool similar to powerpoint, but we think it's way cooler! Check some of these out by copying the link and pasting it into your browser bar.

http://prezi.com/tnlh9kh7tpqd/apple-and-kiwifruit-crumble/

http://prezi.com/pg_ygbl1r20l/ginger-bread-boom-box-fail/

http://prezi.com/7oq1exudgscn/meg-n-leish-kiwi-desserts-rainbow-pavlova/

http://prezi.com/uyidjxej-9a9/jack-christophers-recipe-inquiry-2011/

More Hangi Photos!

2011-06-13T17:58:00.001-07:00

More Hangi Photos!

2011-06-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday 9th June : The Day of the Hangi!

2011-06-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Arriving at school at 7.15am the students were more than ready for the big burn off. They came equipped with blankets, milo, marshmellows, gumboots and a great attitude. The fire took about 2 hours to burn down. Then it was all go to get the hot ash out and out the stones back in. It was sweltering! In the meantime the girls peeled the potatoes and other veges as well as stuffed the chickens. Although we were officially only feeding Room 21 we ended up feeding about half the school thanks to kind donations of veges from Dave Pilkington, Beef and muslin cloth from Silver Fern Farms and yummy stuffing from Lynda at the Belfast Community Network. Simon came down to help too - and brought some tasty peanut slabs to finish the day. Jacqui (Mike's Mum) helped out heaps, and showed us how to weave flax as well. Such an awesome day. We want to say a huge thank you to Bill Bush for the hours that he spent in helping to organise this EPIC event. For many of us it was our first hangi - and I suspect it won't be the last. Everyone was raving about the food - absolutely delicious!

The Hangi - Digging the Hole!

2011-06-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday 8th June students from Room 21 Belfast School were joined by living All Black Legend Bill Bush. Bill explained how a traditional Hangi was cooked, traditional methods and then the team got digging! After 2 hours the Hangi Hole was loaded with wood, pellets, stone and iron - ready for the big burn down! Well done.

Room 21 Hangi!

2011-06-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

More photos to come - so proud of you all, and thank you to everyone for their support. Bill Bush - you are a legend! Simon and Lynda thanks for your support, sweat and stuffing. Jackie, it's a treat having you on board. Thanks to dave Pilkington for the veges, and silver fern farms for the beef!

The Steak and Cheese Pie!

2011-06-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Room 21 Cooking!

2011-06-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

This week has been another busy week, but our students have risen to the challenge and truly been amazing this week. One of their key tasks was to modify a recipe to improve it in some way.

We had a wonderful time sampling their recipes - a few I might try at home. Dishes ranged from modified mince meat balls, swirly pavalova, seasoned wedges to marshmellow, chocolate brownie and kiwifruit crumble! Here are a few photos. Well done Room 21.

Honestly - the dishes tasted amazing, even if they didn't look 100% edible!!! Delicious.

Welcome Senior Students!

2011-05-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a quick few notices:
1. Disco this Friday Night 7.15 - 8.30pm
2. Mufti Day Tomorrow - Thursday 12th May
3. Sports teams trials are happening this week!
4. Chocolate money can be returned in the mornings between 8.30 - 9am to the school hall.

Keep watching this space for notices, updates, photos and comments!
Mrs Ridpath