What a busy time we've had lately. Apologies for not blogging about it all - hopefully you have been keeping an eye on your child's blog to keep up to date with what has been going on.
This week we finished presenting our speeches, in preparation for the team speech competition. What a lot of talented speakers and writers we have in our class. I really enjoyed listening to the variety of speeches, from why we should travel more, to not eating vegetables, to why we should be allowed to swear, and even about whether playing online games is good for us. All sorts.
We have also had a huge variety of mini-performances explaining different issues around the world. Some were based on racism, same-sex marriage, and deforestation. It was great to see the class looking into issues (both positive and negative) and sharing their findings with the class. Very entertaining and informative.
Thursday, 16 November 2017
Thursday, 8 June 2017
Week 6 term 2
A short week this week so everything had to be squished into four days.
Tuesday we had some fun games of handball with Theresa. Our skills are really starting to come together now. I also got to do some Netball skills with Room 5 this week. We worked on not stepping with the ball, chest passes and passing in front of the person we were throwing to so they had to run onto the ball instead of twisting back to catch it. I had lots of fun watching them progress.
Our reading group Literature Circles are also improving hugely. Everyone is starting to show a much deeper level of thinking, considering other's points of view and questioning what the author may have been trying to tell us. We are also getting alot better at finding evidence to support our thoughts. Great job!!!!
Finding the area of the big fort provided some interesting mathematical challenges. We had a bit of a look at Pythagoras' theorem to work out the long sides of triangles (a2 + b2 = c2) and see whether we could use this to help us. That led to a discussion on what the a, b, x etc meant in maths. A bit of a deviation from our ongoing maths but fun to find out something different.
I'm also lucky enough to be reading lots of camp recounts at the moment. They are beautifully written with lots of reflection and descriptive language. Hopefully, you will find them posted on the individual's blogs, but I will try and get permission to publish some here as well.
Tuesday we had some fun games of handball with Theresa. Our skills are really starting to come together now. I also got to do some Netball skills with Room 5 this week. We worked on not stepping with the ball, chest passes and passing in front of the person we were throwing to so they had to run onto the ball instead of twisting back to catch it. I had lots of fun watching them progress.
Our reading group Literature Circles are also improving hugely. Everyone is starting to show a much deeper level of thinking, considering other's points of view and questioning what the author may have been trying to tell us. We are also getting alot better at finding evidence to support our thoughts. Great job!!!!
Finding the area of the big fort provided some interesting mathematical challenges. We had a bit of a look at Pythagoras' theorem to work out the long sides of triangles (a2 + b2 = c2) and see whether we could use this to help us. That led to a discussion on what the a, b, x etc meant in maths. A bit of a deviation from our ongoing maths but fun to find out something different.
I'm also lucky enough to be reading lots of camp recounts at the moment. They are beautifully written with lots of reflection and descriptive language. Hopefully, you will find them posted on the individual's blogs, but I will try and get permission to publish some here as well.
Thursday, 1 June 2017
Week five term 2
Tuesday we got to do some more handball with Theresa which was fun. After that, we spent the day catching up on work. This meant that I finally got to read everyone's camp recounts - very cool. Check out some of the student blogs to see their recounts.
Wednesday was the school cross country. It was impressive to see how fast everyone zoomed around the course and I enjoyed hearing the cheering from the crowd, even though I was all the way over at the Train Station.
Wednesday was the school cross country. It was impressive to see how fast everyone zoomed around the course and I enjoyed hearing the cheering from the crowd, even though I was all the way over at the Train Station.
Week four term 2
This week we had a reliever while I recovered from the worst cold I've had in years.
The class had the opportunity to do lots of Asttle testing so we could show off how clever we are. The results are coming in and we have all done pretty well. Bonus!!!!
The class had the opportunity to do lots of Asttle testing so we could show off how clever we are. The results are coming in and we have all done pretty well. Bonus!!!!
Thursday, 25 May 2017
Week three term two
This week we got to start learning handball skills with Theresa. It's nice to get a chance to work with someone else and to develop our skills in a game we don't usually play.
We also had a reliever in on Thursday which meant the class got to learn another new game :)
Friday was second languages - a little shorter than usual because of School Assembly. We had fun in Arabic, reviewing how to say hello and reminding ourselves what the letters looked like and how to say them. We also started to research some countries where Arabic is spoken.
We also had a reliever in on Thursday which meant the class got to learn another new game :)
Friday was second languages - a little shorter than usual because of School Assembly. We had fun in Arabic, reviewing how to say hello and reminding ourselves what the letters looked like and how to say them. We also started to research some countries where Arabic is spoken.
Thursday, 11 May 2017
Week two term two
We started this week with a meeting of Te Runanga o Paremata. It was really interesting to see what the students thought we needed in order to improve the school. Some things related to adding to the playground, but there were also things to make teaching and learning easier - A very interesting meeting.
We also started a few literature circles this week and Creamy Lemons reading group had some truly interesting information to share. They had asked a few science questions and then searched for the answer - making sure to verify the information through using as least three sources. We found out about how Black Holes form, why people dream, why people 'pass wind', and how birds fly. We had some fun conversations and learned a lot from each others' research.
We also started a few literature circles this week and Creamy Lemons reading group had some truly interesting information to share. They had asked a few science questions and then searched for the answer - making sure to verify the information through using as least three sources. We found out about how Black Holes form, why people dream, why people 'pass wind', and how birds fly. We had some fun conversations and learned a lot from each others' research.
Week one term two
Still catching up from term one
In the last week of term one, we had book week. This was a fun time to read some different books, be inspired by an author (Gillian Candler), and dress up for our book character parade. We also spent a bit of time 'hanging out' with Katie, who had to leave our lovely class to go and live in Australia. It was nice to use our technology to have a real time chat and make sure Katie was coping all right without us.
Later in the week, we set aside some time to brainstorm some projects for our learning in term two. There were some really interesting ideas and it was quite exciting to think about the topics we could learn through. The class also starting creating some activities that would tie our topics in with maths, language, and science.
Finally, we got to listen to the school band performing - so talented, and had our end of term Assembly. Well done to Solomona who received the Kirsty Gunston Star Award from Kahikatea team, for showing the values of our school so beautifully and consistently.
Later in the week, we set aside some time to brainstorm some projects for our learning in term two. There were some really interesting ideas and it was quite exciting to think about the topics we could learn through. The class also starting creating some activities that would tie our topics in with maths, language, and science.
Finally, we got to listen to the school band performing - so talented, and had our end of term Assembly. Well done to Solomona who received the Kirsty Gunston Star Award from Kahikatea team, for showing the values of our school so beautifully and consistently.
Thursday, 4 May 2017
Camp 2017
Wow - we got so busy at the end of last term, I forgot to post about camp. What a great week. I was amazed at the resilience and positive spirit shown by our team when it rained and rained and rained some more - ALL WEEK. Never mind, we didn't let us stop us. Thanks to some wonderful parent helpers who kept the dryer going non-stop and even took some clothes into the laundromat in Upper Hutt to help keep up with demand. The luxury of putting on a dry coat - even if it only stayed that way for a few minutes - was delicious.
Rain wasn't the only thing to remember about camp though. There were lots of fun activities and I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of having a go on the giant swing. I haven't screamed like that for a long time!
All in all, we had a great time, and although it would have been nice to have a bit more sunshine, I think it will be a camp we will remember fondly for years.
Rain wasn't the only thing to remember about camp though. There were lots of fun activities and I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of having a go on the giant swing. I haven't screamed like that for a long time!
All in all, we had a great time, and although it would have been nice to have a bit more sunshine, I think it will be a camp we will remember fondly for years.
Thursday, 30 March 2017
Week 9 term 1 2017
Another busy week which started with the Parumoana Athletics competition. Ruma Pukeko did well and a few placed in their various events. Everyone had lots of fun so a great day all in all. We also had our first Runanga o Paremata meeting with some interesting ideas and insights into the proposed changes by the Ministry of Education.
Here are some photos from our Jump Jam session on Thursday when it was too wet to go for a run.
Our lovely caretaker Eli is retiring this week so we decided to put together a page to remember his contributions to our school. We were quite pleased with the way it turned out.
Mostly we have been busy finalising details for our camp next week. Very exciting!!!!!
Here are some photos from our Jump Jam session on Thursday when it was too wet to go for a run.
Our lovely caretaker Eli is retiring this week so we decided to put together a page to remember his contributions to our school. We were quite pleased with the way it turned out.
Mostly we have been busy finalising details for our camp next week. Very exciting!!!!!
Thursday, 23 March 2017
Week 8 term one 2017
What a busy week! On Monday the senior council were busy getting ready for crazy hair day - our day to promote awareness of Epilepsy.
Tuesday we went to Wellington for the Capital E Festival of the Arts. It was a wonderful day out with three great 'shows' to see. We started at the St James Theatre watching Un Roi Arthur - an opera about King Arthur. This was a bit hard to follow sometimes because it was a mixture of French and English, but they had some really interesting techniques to tell their story. Overall quite entertaining.
After this show, we went to the City Art Gallery to watch the Young and Cinematic films. These films were made by students and were really interesting. Probably our favourite film was Emiline, about a girl who couldn't put her arms down. It was very cute and show empathy and resilience. The final show we saw was Mata and the Mysterious Musical Maunga which was at the Marae in Te Papa. This was a story about a boy who wanted to be famous and the journey he went through as he gain insight and understanding about himself and what was really important to him. It was a wonderful story and very well told.
Wednesday we were expecting to have Run Jump Throw day. Unfortunately it was postponed until next term.
Thursday we had our Crazy Hair day and everyone looked amazing with their different hairstyles. The senior council ran a catwalk and played music for people to prance about to. They also had a face painting station where people could add colour to their faces to match their amazing hair.
It has been a great week and we've had lots of fun. The council will put together a video to show all the crazy hair pictures so none to show here - sorry.
Tuesday we went to Wellington for the Capital E Festival of the Arts. It was a wonderful day out with three great 'shows' to see. We started at the St James Theatre watching Un Roi Arthur - an opera about King Arthur. This was a bit hard to follow sometimes because it was a mixture of French and English, but they had some really interesting techniques to tell their story. Overall quite entertaining.
After this show, we went to the City Art Gallery to watch the Young and Cinematic films. These films were made by students and were really interesting. Probably our favourite film was Emiline, about a girl who couldn't put her arms down. It was very cute and show empathy and resilience. The final show we saw was Mata and the Mysterious Musical Maunga which was at the Marae in Te Papa. This was a story about a boy who wanted to be famous and the journey he went through as he gain insight and understanding about himself and what was really important to him. It was a wonderful story and very well told.
Wednesday we were expecting to have Run Jump Throw day. Unfortunately it was postponed until next term.
Thursday we had our Crazy Hair day and everyone looked amazing with their different hairstyles. The senior council ran a catwalk and played music for people to prance about to. They also had a face painting station where people could add colour to their faces to match their amazing hair.
It has been a great week and we've had lots of fun. The council will put together a video to show all the crazy hair pictures so none to show here - sorry.
Thursday, 16 March 2017
Collaboration
Over the last couple of weeks, we have been looking at collaboration. We looked at a rubric provided by New Pedagogies for Deeper Learning (NPDL) program - it's three pages long!!!!! We decided to simplify it and put it in our words. In doing so, we realised we weren't that great at collaborating ... YET!
Once we had managed to write our own version of the rubric, we decided to share Room 7's idea and create a visual representation of our ideas. We've all got different ideas of how to present the rubrics, but they are all pretty amazing.
Throughout this process, we have already developed our collaboration skills - so it has already been a worthwhile exercise.
Once we had managed to write our own version of the rubric, we decided to share Room 7's idea and create a visual representation of our ideas. We've all got different ideas of how to present the rubrics, but they are all pretty amazing.
Throughout this process, we have already developed our collaboration skills - so it has already been a worthwhile exercise.
Three legged races
During team sport, we have been practising a range of Athletics skills, such as shot put, high jump and long jump. We have had a go at three-legged races - just for fun. These races require team-work and communication skills, as well as consideration for our team-mates.
Co-operative games
For P.E we had a go at untangling the knot. The boys were in one group and the girls in the other. We all put our right hands in and grabbed someone else's hand, then put our left hands in and did the same. Then we had to work out how to get untangled.
The girls managed to do it faster than the boys, but the boys showed amazing persistence and kept going into morning tea to make sure they finished the task. Very impressive!
The girls managed to do it faster than the boys, but the boys showed amazing persistence and kept going into morning tea to make sure they finished the task. Very impressive!
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Week 6 Term one
Monday Sally got to work with the new senior council. They had lots of fun storyboarding and filming their introduction movie. She then spent some time editing until they were all happy to share it with the rest of the school.
Wednesday we had Athletics trials and were particularly impressed with how well the students in room 8 did. We had lots of firsts, seconds, and thirds, and everyone came back buzzing from a great day out.
We also worked really well on our collaboration activity. Having worked out some pretty detailed rubrics, we are now starting on developing some visual representations to show where we are at with our collaboration. The great thing about this is that we will be able to assess our collaborative skills alongside our academic brilliance.
On Thursday we had a lovely run along the Camborne Walkway. It is such a peaceful and beautiful place to run, but Sally's favourite part was seeing the teams looking after each other and supporting one another during their run.
Wednesday we had Athletics trials and were particularly impressed with how well the students in room 8 did. We had lots of firsts, seconds, and thirds, and everyone came back buzzing from a great day out.
We also worked really well on our collaboration activity. Having worked out some pretty detailed rubrics, we are now starting on developing some visual representations to show where we are at with our collaboration. The great thing about this is that we will be able to assess our collaborative skills alongside our academic brilliance.
On Thursday we had a lovely run along the Camborne Walkway. It is such a peaceful and beautiful place to run, but Sally's favourite part was seeing the teams looking after each other and supporting one another during their run.
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