Floating and Sinking

There is a lot of vocabulary that we take for granted when we talk about swimming. In New Zealand, we foster water safety by providing students with formal swimming lessons. Confidence in the water can save lives. This term the students have been experimenting to find out why some things float while others sink. They have been learning about the 3 States of Matter and how the properties of each impact on the ability to float. Experiments provided opportunities to introduce rich scientific language. Some of these words included: (heavier, flotation, lungs, submerge, volume, weight, atoms, solids, liquids, gases, density) Experiments enable the students to predict and question. Their first-hand experience will provide the language needed for writing. This vocabulary can be included in a written report or explanation. We will include some of the student's writing at a later stage.

Getting to Know our New Students

Moving to a new school is difficult at the best of times. Packing up and moving to a new country and culture is even more daunting. With such a diverse ESOL community at St Albans School, our new students enjoy the diversity and level of first language support. In this photo, a group of ESOL students are introduced to our new arrivals.

WELCOME to the 'St Albans ESOL Blog' for 2016

How wonderful it was to see so many ESOL families at school last week. It is always reassuring to meet with the teachers who work with your children during the school day, particularly for families who have recently immigrated to New Zealand. We welcome you all to our school community and look forward to working with you. These sites may provide you with helpful information and assistance should you need an interpreter. This is a general site designed to support migrant families. https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/living-in-nz/english-language/learning-english This site will provide you with support should you need an interpreter. http://ethniccommunities.govt.nz//story/how-language-line-works