Pink Shirt Day

It was an interesting Day Dressing Up.  We even did Buddy Reading with our Juniors.

Coding - Through Writing

We had a great day creating a code to write secret messages.

After reading Stefania's Dancing Slippers the children had to leave a secret message for her Dad who had left for war.

After deciding which number to start the alphabet e.g.

A   B   C  D  E   F   G  H  I   J   K   L  M  N  O  P  Q  R...
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 1

or A=5 of A=26 (children were working in pairs who had the same code)

We wrote a message then change it into code (this is called encrypting).


It was tricky after we had worked out our message to write the number code making sure the numbers were readable and had space. - Marlie

Working out the secret message was hard to start with especially when number could be 1 and 9 or 19. - Dan

Once I knew half of the message the rest was easier to work out. Demitrious

Coding - Through Math

STEM - Catapults

Then the challenge was to modify the catapult to make it better. Aim straight instead of straight up. (Although this was handy so people didn't get pieces flying in their face)

One part I found tricky was adding the rubber band that twisted around all the craft sticks. - Malakai

was trying to get my catapult to aim straight, more horizontal than vertical so I tried lifting the base of the catapult so it was raised off the table. It still went high with a more horizontal momentum. - Akram

I wanted to aim more accurately so I added more sticks to increase the torque of the spring. It ended up with more power to fling in the object in a vertical direction. - Dante

Heating up the plastic spoon I was able to change the shape of the bucket. Now the object flies in a more horizontal arc. - Paul

We had a lot of fun making a catapult. It was even better when we could change it up I added two buckets. - Josh

Anti-Bullying Pohutukawa Whanau Meeting

(Chorus)
Don't be a bully when you walk through that door.
Don't be a bully…...we don't need that no more
DON’T BE A BULLY

(RAP)
Hey Bullies Listen Up.
Stop Walking Around Thinking Your So Tough.
Walking Around Slapping People On The Head,
It's Time To Make A Stand Yea You Know What I Said.
If You Wanna Stop The Bullying Then You Gotta Make A Change Doesn’t Matter If Your Different Cause We’re All The Same.

Mother's Day Cards

Creating Safe Passwords

We are learning to use trickier passwords so people can't work them out.

We had to pick a sentence like The roof of the class is white 19.
The pass word would now be Tr0tciW19.

We had fun coming up with sentences we could remember.

STEM - Straw Aeroplanes

Today our challenge was to make a straw plane. When we first heard this idea we thought we had to make a plane with wings and a tail and it was tricky to understand how it would fly. Then we watched the video.

I like that this strange shape truly flew. I thought it was completely made up and would fail. - Kingston

Making it from a picture was tricky because we had to guess the size of the two circles. I could see that one was smaller than the other, some people didn't notice this and their planes didn't like flying. - Tawhirimatea

Attaching the straws was easy, but making sure they were spread around the circle was tricky as I didn't want to bend the cardboard circles. - Puna

My plane didn't like flying it kept on breaking. I think my fingers ruined the cello-tape and stopped it sticking. - Iroam

New Toothbrushes

Thank you for my new toothbrush. I enjoy using it as it helps to keep my teeth clean. - Moala

It was neat to great a new brush, because my other one was all worn out. Thank you very much.  D

Writing - Keeping the story rolling.

Passage from a child who usually copies the teacher's example, this was done by herself. Way to go!

I looked out my window, I saw a hopping bunny in my backyard. She was putting eggs out. When the bunny left I walked outside and there was eggs everywhere.

We had just finished recapping beginning a story and how it briefly needs who (I and bunny), where (backyard) and what (putting out eggs).

Wonderings Term 2 - Coding/Electronics

We are asking lots of questions this term having been in the HTML of Blogger and on games we have started to why how it all works. Watch as we share on our blogs what we learn and discover.

Bikes Skills Day 2

Kiwican - Working Together

ANZAC Soldier Try Outs

I would not like to be a soldier it is hard work trying to keep up with everyone. - Anahera.

I had fun playing soldiers, but I wouldn't want to be one. It would be scary not knowing if you were going to make it home. - Janaya.

Duffy Role Model Assembly

Matua Denzel Thank you for coming to our school as our Duffy Role Model.

Term 1 Reflection - Milo and Bikkies

ANZAC

WAR

fearless, brave

digging, screaming, running

wounds, helmets, friends, family

forgiving, loving, celebrating

safe, food

HOME

We are learning about ANZAC and what the soldiers went through. After listening to a piece of war sounds we wrote a diamante poem then tried to use collage to depict our feelings of war. We used dye to create the background and newspaper to create a dark dreary foreground.

Bike Skills Day 1

This is our third year participating with Counties Manukau Bikes Programme.

We had a lot of fun and very absolutely knackered at the end of the half day.

This year we learnt the Bike alphabet
       A for Checking air in your tyres.
       B for Checking your brakes front and back.
       C for Checking your chain - is it on properly (visual check) and is it looked after, touch what               colour is your finger black good, brown means it is rusty.
       D for Checking your direction, stand with your legs either side of your front tyre and check handlebars move in the same direction as the front tyre.

I liked riding the different bikes (BMX and mountain). I learnt how to pedal tap which helps me go slow and control the bike. - Dan

I like playing games of the bikes because we could race and practise breaking and indicating with our hands. - Marlie



We didn't forget the helmet check
1. Check for the safety sticker
2. Check for cracks in the outer and inner shell

Place helmet of if these two are good.

3. Check 2 fingers only from brow to helmet

4. Check 4 fingers (shape of straps around ears so not too loose

5. Check 2 fingers under chin when bottom strap is done up so helmet is not too loose or too tight.

I like the bikes program because we get lots of time to practise what we learnt. The helmet and bike checks are great, I use them at home too. - Chad

It was great because I learnt how to check my helmet and bike at home. - Ja Seng

We practised using our arms to signal when turning left and right, looking over our shoulders to check it is safe before we move further into traffic or turn a corner.

Always stand on the left of your bike before getting on, we would hate for you to be in the wrong place and get hurt. 

We played lots of games to practise these skills. We can wait for Jessie and Kyle to come back next week.

I have now done this program for 3 years. Each year I have gotten better and I now know how to check my bike at home. I enjoy practising the skills like gliding and riding with one hand in games, it makes learning new skills fun. - Kingston

I liked this bikes program it was fun. I learnt new tricks like back pedalling, pedal tap and looking behind us to check for danger. - Moala

Train Thank you cards

We had a great time at Glenbrook Railways and wanted to share our thanks to everyone who help to get us there.

Glenbrook Railway School Trip - Term 1 2019

What a neat day we all had from the youngest to the oldest.

Sorry for all the photos.

Cricket Skills Day 4

It was fun playing boys against girls. We were lucky today we had the same number of girls and boys, this doesn't happen very often.

Pasifika Nations Netball.

In support of Highwire and the Netballers we were invited to watch the opening ceremony and a few games. We went back the second day to watch Tonga play against Aotearoa Maori. Wow they are all good. I hope we can watch another game, maybe the Cook Island, the NZ Defence Force or Stars from The Southern Cross.

Half a Self Portrait

The children had fun doing a portrait this way and they took their time measuring with fingers to create an outline (dot to dot style). Giving their final copy a very life like look.

Cricket Skills Day 3

Today we were learning how to bat using a cricket bat. We found out there is a flat side for hitting the bat and the back of the bat. To hold it correctly you have to pick the bat using your strong hand and your other hand at the top. You must stand sideways, this helps to direct the ball.
 

Final Day of Swimming

It was sad to think it was our last day of Water Safety and Swimming. We were remind that if we are going to jump into a body of water we need to check it first. Do you know how to check it?

1. Check how deep it is, ask an adult to walk in or use a stick to see if it is deep enough to jump.
2. Check is there is anything sharp under the water like coral, rocks, glass...
3. If it is a river or a lake check there are no logs floating by, even if you see a small stick it could be larger log under the water (like an iceberg).

H - Heat
E - Escape
L - Listening
P - Position

If a group of people fall in the water huddle together to help keep you bodies warm. It will also be easier to see a group from the sky (a helicopter), than one person.

When you see a helicopter coming roll onto your backs and hold hands (legs out this time) and kick for 3 seconds (prevent attracting sharks and to draw the attention of the searchers). They will see the big white circle of splashing water.

If you are by yourself cuddle up into the help position with you hands across your heart and hold onto the life jacket, curl your knees up to help keep your body warm. When you hear a helicopter wave an arm. Can you see us in this position?



If someone needs help in the water there are lots of ways to help but remember you need to survive too. So jumping in to help them isn't always best. Instead you should...

Find something that will float and throw it too them. Or even better find a rope or long stick (we used noodles) and hold one end and get them to reach for the other end. Brace yourself then pull you don't want to go into!

Special Assembly

Today we farewelled the Pacific Nation Netballers who have been a wonderful help to our school. As they leave a part of themselves with us they take a part of us with them.

Thank you ladies for you help with our trips, teaching us netball skills and playing games with us.

As a farewell today our Seniors did a little dance and taught them the milk shake. They also shared dances from their Islands with us.
 

The part they leave with us is the memory of their community work and a beautiful set of murals around the back fence. That previous looked boring. Not any more, We can mow remember which Island they are from and when they came to visit.

Poly Festival Thursday

Today we took a break from swimming and went o Manukau Veledrome to Polyfest. It was a hot day, but we found plenty of shade. The Maori Stage had performances we managed to watch and listen too. The big highlight was getting our ngā tāmoko. We had four groups with different teachers and we still managed to all do different things. Escape Room, Visual Reality, EAT KAI, sit in the shade, play frisbee... The list goes on.

The main thing was we had a lot of fun! Thank you Teachers!

My favourite part of polyfest was the escape room because we had really think hard. - Susana

I enjoyed getting a half face tamoko a polyfest. - Kingston

I like we could win prizes by talking about our future I was glad I won some sunglasses. - Mythiah

Polyfest was fun because there was a lot of cool things to do and a lot of them were free. - Dan

Cricket Skills Day 2

It is Wednesday again, and today is a busy one, we had Cricket skills, Kiwican and swimming later today.

In cricket this week we learnt how to bowl. It is tricky trying to keep our elbow straight. It was fun trying to aim and Lucas and Reid. But when we missed we had to run to the end of the rugby field and back.


 In todays game we had to hit the wickets again. As bowlers like to do this as it means the runner (bats man) is out. How's THAT!

Swimming Day 3 - Papakura Pools

Today we were learning about sculling. It was strange we had to clap our hands together then turn them over and clap our palm to the person next to us, to practise. If in a river we have to make sure we move feet first to protect our heads, sculling can help us steer away from danger.

Swimming Day 2 - Papakura Pools

Once again we had to parts to our lesson. Girls started in the shallow lesson pool and Boys in the deep end of the big pool. For some of us (who had never been in the deep end it was a bit scary), but they had these special platforms for us to stand on to help us.

Swimming Day 1 - Papakura Pools

We spend 30 minutes doing the two activities. Girls started with the instructors practising their floating and swimming skills and then moving into freestyle and backstroke.



The boys started with water safety. What can you see the boys using to help them float? They had to be able to float for 10 seconds on their front and backs.

Cricket Skills

Wednesday's we have Counties Manukau Sports coming in to help use learn Cricket Skills for the next 3 weeks. See how we progress and the skills we learn. This week our focus was on throwing and catching. We learn the difference between throwing over arm and under arm. Over arm makes the throw faster and we can aim better. We need to stand side on so we can use all our body to make the throw more powerful. When catching we remembered to use our nest with little fingers together when the ball is coming in low, but when it is higher we need to put our thumbs together. No crocodile catches we could break a finger. OUCH!
 

 

Thank you Lucas for coming to visit us.

Sharing with the Whanau 2019

I enjoyed eating and learning how to play non stop cricket. - Anahera

It was fun being out on the field with the whole school playing different games. - Janaya

Mum and Dad came to watch all of us playing different sports and they enjoyed the kai. They even had an ice cream helping to raise money for our Island Dancers. - Demitrious

Dealing with Feelings and Decision Making

WALHT share our feelings and why sometimes we don't make the best decisions. I learnt sometimes I can be a teddy bear wanting everyone to be happy, and sometimes I can be as sly as a fox to make sure I get things down the way I want. I really want to be wise like an owl!

Writing interesting Stories

WALHT use a range of interesting sentence starters.

We are looking at using different catchy sentence beginnings to start each paragraph.

I can't wait to see the next part to our stories.

Where is Waitangi?

WALHT find places in google maps. We did a quiz on Waitangi and found not many people knew where it was.

 
I learnt how to make my own map with places I added. I found it interesting importing information from sheets. Next time I would like to do a map about places I have been.

Hobby Graph for Whanākitanga

WALHT gather information and make a graph. I learnt how to make a graph using excel. It was easy to make pie graphs perfectly. Next time I would like to make a more detailed graph and write some sentences explaining what I found out.

About Us - Whanākitanga

We are learning how to share our learning through blog posts. It was tricky because some people knew more than others and wanted to race through the process. This caused some confusion to those new to posting.

 

This was  different way to do our rules, but we all agreed and had to sign copy that is on display in class.

Writing Blog Comments

We are getting ready to be part of Tuhi Mai Tuhi Atu.

We are trying to write positive, thoughtful and helpful comments. To us this means...

Start with a Greeting
                                   Hi Mrs Mundy, I am Fred from Red Hill School.
Or you could use Kia ora, Talofa, Hello... and their name.
Tell them who you are.

Positive
             I like the way you have included a picture with your story.
             I can see you have done a lot of research and found interesting facts.
Tell them what you like about their post, what made it interesting for you.

Thoughtful
                  I learnt what the word habitat means.
                  I enjoyed reading your slide (or post) about elephants I didn't know they had toe nails.
Tell them something you learnt. Or shared something that relates to the post.

Helpful
            Next time you might like to check your spelling.
            Remember i needs to be a capital I when talking about yourself.
            What did you learn.
Be kind, think about what you know or ask a question?

Welcome to 2019

Well, the time is coming when we all return refreshed, smiling and looking forward to the next year with a lovely new bundle of students eager and willing to learn. We have a new space this year upon the deck where our Year 5s were last year as Year 4s. Hopefully come Term 2 we will have our final home in the new school, which is moving along in leaps and bounds.

Here is a link to our Whanākitanga Website where we can find our learning. We have a new look this year which incorporates the Tui, who loves to mimic and learn dipping its beak all over the place.