Pōkanikani

 Some highlights of the night...

He mihi tēnei ki a Whaea Bex! Thank you for the wonderful photo's!!

"Kei runga noa atu koutou!!!" said Whaea Nicky

Pōkanikani 2022 Tonight's going to be a good night!!

On Friday night we came together as a school to celebrate our amazing tamariki. Over Term 3 each class had learnt a dance of their own choosing to present to whānau and the school community at Ngā Purapura. 

I was particularly proud of the akonga hou ki Kono. They had only been with us for two weeks and not only learnt the dance in that time, but gave it a really good shot! Special mention should also be made of the little brother that joined us on stage and did not seem out of place at all amongst all the big school kids!! 

Kei runga noa atu koutou!!!!

Kei whea te hipi kākāriki??

 Please enjoy the kiriata Kono made to celebrate Mahuru Māori 2022!

Weaving (From the end of term one!)

 Mō taku hē e te whānau! I neglected to click the 'publish' button for this post. Please enjoy your tamaiti's mahi - even if a little late!

As we near the end of the term we have been working on different weaving skills - as they relate to Matariki. Ngā tamariki created a sea side themed piece of the constellation. Showing the graduation from the sea to the night sky. 

Seed sowing...

 We started preparing for our maara kai this week. Sowing seeds for tomatoes, capsicum, pumpkin, and cucumber. First tamariki rehydrated the little soil tablets. It was a greta opportunity to kōrero about what we noticed was happening as the tablet absorbed the water. Then they scooped the soil into the little seed cups and placed a seed of their choice into the cup. These will stay inside to germinate. We will plant them out once we have a sturdy seedling and the days are warmer. 

Kei hea te hipi kaakaariki?

 We are working on creating a kiriata based on the book "Kei hea te hipi kaakaariki?" Today we made a start on making some hipi masks in different colours for each tamaiti.

We are excited to start filming...

Rippa Rugby

 We were very lucky this week to have Sinead visit us to help us learn some rippa rugby skills. We learnt to hold our hands up like we were eating a burger to catch the ball. We learnt to swing our arms like an elephant to pass the ball.

Beautiful butterflies

We talked at little about symmetry on Friday - demonstrated through the painting of butterflies. Tamariki painted their patterns on one wing only. Then folded the butterfly in half, smoothed the pages together, and opened them to reveal the mirror image. It was VERY satisfying to hear the "ohhhhsss!" as they opened them up. A lovely surprise!

 

Bowling!!!

 Some of the best learning happens in between what is planned. While I was working with some children on their paintings a bowling game unfolded. Karaitiana had found a ball in the class and was showing me his bowling technique. It is a very fine technique where he goes down on one knee to bowl.

I found some bottles to use as skittles...

Kauri joined Karaitiana. It was hard to wait and take turns so he found a chair to sit on while he waited.

The skittles fell down! We talked about what would be a fair turn. The boys agreed on three bowls each for a fair turn - resetting the skittles each time - while the other person waited for their turn on a chair.

Soon some others came to join the game...

And then some more... sitting waiting on a chair for their turn. This was a great opportunity to reinforce kind ways to include others in our play, how to join in when others are already playing, and how to negotiate turns or rules of a game. All important skills for tamariki to learn. Koia kei a koutou!

Korean War Vets

 Every year we have the Korean War Vets visit. This morning veterans, families, officials of the Embassy of South Korea, NZ Army Field Regiment at Linton, and Otaki RSA Executive attended the annual memorial service at our school. The manuhiri started with with a service by the memorials located at the front of the school. Then they were welcomed in to the Whare Manaaki with a powhiri.