Camp 2016 - Marae photo

Before we left the Marae each child had to select a Whakairo or a Tukutuku panel that they really liked to stand next to for their camp photo.

Camp 2016 - Sleeping in the Wharenui

After supper it was time to clean our teeth and snuggle into our sleeping bags in the Wharenui. Mrs May turned off the light, read us a quick story and we all went off to sleep.

Camp 2016 - Birthday Campers

This year we had not one, but two birthday campers in our class! It was super special that they would spend their birthday with us, so we all celebrated at supper time with a birthday cake.

Happy Birthday to Kade and Madison, who both turned 9 on camp! We hope it's a birthday you will remember forever!

Camp 2016 - Splash Palace Pool Party

After a delicious tea at the Marae it was time to burn off some energy, so we headed out to Splash Palace for a Pool Party. It was awesome shooting down the hydro-slide, although some bits we very dark so that was a bit scary. There was also lots fo fun to be had with the parents in the pool.
A special highlight at the pool was seeing Shannon, who had driven an hour to hang out with her friends.


Splash Palace Pool Party on PhotoPeach

Camp 2016 - Tour of the velodrome with Bruce

We were lucky enough to have Bruce (CEO of Cycling Southland) give us an amazing tour of the Veldrome. He told us the history of the velodrome and showed us all of the cool memorabilia.

While we we visiting  we were able to watch Bradley Jenner training. Bradley is a 16 year old cyclist who is training for the Junior World Champs. He has a real chance of winning the world champs. His goals are to get to the Commonwealth Games and then the Olympics in 2020. He has been riding since he was 12 and he is an asthmatic. He can reach top speeds of about 75kmph. It was awesome to see him fly around the track as he trained.

Some kids also got to try out the track bikes, and then Grace and Logan had some fun trying out the recumbent bike.

It was a fascinating tour, enjoyed by all.


A tour of the velodrome at Southland Stadium on PhotoPeach

Camp 2016 - Powhiri

After the museum it was time to head to the Marae, where we were welcomed on by a Powhiri. We have been learning a lot about the rules and protocols of visiting a marae, so it was great to finally be able to experience a Powhiri in its true context.

Camp 2016 - Southland Museum

We had a quick bite to eat and then headed off on a scavenger hunt around the Southland Museum. It was really great as many of the class had never been there before.


Looking around the Southland Museum on PhotoPeach

Camp 2016 - Tuatara visit

In room 4 we have been studying the 'Living Taonga' of New Zealand, so camp was the perfect opportunity to visit and touch a real life Tuatara. We saw Henry the Tuatara eating a cricket. Henry is the oldest Tuatara in New Zealand, and could be as old as 150 years old. Lindsay was fascinating to listen to and all of the children and adults had plenty of questions. It was a fascinating visit, and a truly memorable occasion.


Tuatara Visit at the Southland Museum on PhotoPeach

Student of the Week - Emily

In Room 4 we have been working really hard on our skimming and scanning skills at Reading time. We have been searching facts about our Living Taonga and Emily has been doing an excellent job of skimming or scanning the text to find answers to the questions. 

Keep up the terrific work Emily - these are great skills to have!!!

Koru family art - With Mrs O

Last week we had Mrs O for a day and we spent the day creating Koru family art.

We began by creating colour wheels using chalk pastels. We learned about cool and warm colours and which ones should co together. Then we designed a piece of art using Korus to represent the members of our family. We had to think about who was in it and what the relationship was between the korus and why. Then we used the chalk pastels to colour the korus in. These are our finished pieces. 

 Dad is on the left and Mum is on the right.  Jenaya and I are in the middle of them because we are smaller.

 Dad is on the right.  He is taller than everyone.  Emily and I are next to Dad.  Anna, Toby and Mum are on the left. 

 On the bottom is Mum, Dad then me.  Up the top is my brother and my step-brothers and step-sisters.  They are up the top because they live in Australia.

 Mum is on the left.  Anna and I are with Mum.  Dad is on the right with Toby and Katie.  Katie and I are not together because we don’t usually play together.

 Mum is on the left.  I’m beside Dad because I like to go on the farm with him and I do a lot of things like him.  Annabelle is with Mum because they are both tidy.

 Mum is on the left with Josie because Josie likes to hang out with Mum.  They always go together. Harvey and I are with Dad on the right because we like to go farming. 

 Mum is on the left and she is closest to me because I spend most of my time with her.  My dad has nobody because I only stay with him sometimes.

 Dad is the big one in the middle because he’s the biggest.  Mum is on the right.  Lochie is between Mum and Dad.  I am the smallest one beside Dad.

 Mum and Dad are surrounding Harmony and I.  They are protecting us.  Harmony is near Dad because she always goes with him.  I hang out with Mum.

 Dad is the biggest and Mum hangs out with us the most.  I am bigger than Heath and Ramona so I am looking after them.

 Mum is on the left and Dad is on the right.  I’m next to Dad because I go on the farm with him, but Lanie doesn’t.  Lanie and I are touching because we are sisters.

 Dad is on the right and he is by himself because he goes on the farm a lot.  Mum is on the left.  She stays at home and looks after me, Sam, Matty and Leilani.

 Dad is on the left because he likes going farming with Sadie, Billie and Lola.  Mum is on the right with Eve and me because we like hanging out with her.

 Dad is on the right by himself because he’s on the farm.  Jess and I are with Mum more often so we are beside her.

 Mum is on the right.  I spend more time with Mum because I don’t like farming so I am next to Mum.  Ned is beside me and Tilda is beside Dad, even though she hates being with Dad.

 Mum and Dad are the biggest.  Lucie, Rubie and I are in the middle because Mum and Dad love us.

 My picture shows Mum and me together. 

Dad is on the left and Mum is on the right.  I am between Rylee and Alyssa because I am the smallest. They are looking after me.