Swimming Sports

Every year we go up to Pompallier Catholic College to run our SFX swimming sports.  Even though the weather was not that nice, we had a record turn out for the racing.  Although we are trying to find the fastest swimmers to represent SFX at the inter-schools championships, we also encourage everyone to have go and do their best.  And that is what lots of children did.  It was fantastic to see everyone trying their best.

Ash Wednesday and our Lenten Promises

Lent is part of our catholic story.  Lent starts with the Ash Wednesday mass.  This is when we gather as a community to begin our hikoi (journey) to Easter.  The teachers mark the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes to remind us to turn back to God by following Jesus.   To help us do this we also make lenten promises.  In Room 20 we made three specific promises based on our motto, To Love, To Learn, To Server - Kia Aroha, Kia Akona, Kia Aro Atu.

Portrait Art

Rosie Boom - Author

Rosie Boom came to speak to the whole school on Thursday.  She has written three books about her family and she told us how she came to write them.  Rosie also sang some cool songs that each told a story - a bit different to most pop songs you hear on the radio.  At the end, we had the opportunity to buy her books and she signed them.

Kowhai teachers telling their stories - Immersion

As one of our immersion activities, Mrs Douglas, Miss Smith, Mrs Hall and Mrs Hepi went to each of the whanau classes to share their stories.  We learned that Mrs Douglas came to New Zealand from England when she was a child.  We found out that Miss Smith is originally from Dunedin and that Mrs Hall and Mrs Hepi have Scottish ancestry.

Cultural Performances and Parade - Immersion

Karaka Whanau organised an awesome afternoon for us, with lots of performances and a parade.

Kowhai Whanau Leaders - 2015

Whanau Leader Speeches

Kowhai whanau meet to listen to all the children who applied for the Whanau Leader and Whanau Deputy Leader positions.  Each candidate had to complete an application form and present a speech.  As we have two senior classes, we had a excellent group of people applying for the positions.  They all did very well with their speeches and applications and 

all should be proud of their efforts.  

Below are some of Room 20 students presenting their speeches

Christian Meditation and Prayer

Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Powhiri

At the beginning of each term we have a powhiri for all our new students and staff.  This term we welcomed a huge group of new students.  Whaea Jacqui called the visitors (manuhiri) onto the school with a karanga.  Mr McKernan welcomed them with a speech (whaikorero) on behalf of the school (tangata whenua).  Mr Werder replied on behalf of the manuhiri.   Powhiri is an important part of Maori culture and it is now part of our school culture. What a great start to Term 1, 2015.

Our School Motto - To Love - To Learn - To Serve

Our motto is a very important part of our school story.  This term, we have looked closely at To Love .  Each of us has set a personal goal that with help us live this part of our motto in our daily lives.

Habits of Mind

To develop a great classroom culture, where everyone can participate and learn to their full potential, we set personal goals using Habits of Mind.  This term we are focusing on Work with Others,  Stop and Think,  Listen and Ask Questions.

Habits of Mind

Habits of Mind help us change our behaviour so that learning becomes easier.

We have to choose to behave as learners.  With practice these behaviours should become second nature.  

Once we develop as someone who wants to learn we will always be able to achieve to the best of our ability.

Art

We have been creating doodle name tags and comic faces for our room.  We have drawn things that are important to us or that reflect our story on our name tags.  Our names and faces are the first part of our personal story that people see and hear.

Welcome to Room 20 - Term 1, 2015

We have an exciting and busy term ahead, with the annual school Gala, swimming and preparation for our camp at Kawau Island.  We have lots of other events and activities planned to help us understand our learning concept this term which is My Story - My Culture.   Our enduring understandings are: 

Culture is kept alive in the traditions, beliefs and stories of a group of people.

The events, stories and teachings of Jesus are examples of how to live our lives.

There will be lots of newsletters and notices regarding the Gala (March 21), swimming (second half of the term) and camp (Week 1 of Term 2).  Please look out for notices which will be coming home on a regular basis.  

Candy Cane Doctor Spocks!

At the end of the year everyone gets heaps of candy canes.  Jayden decided to put his on his ears and it looked hilarious, so we all decided to do it.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Kassius' second visit.

We were lucky that Kassius (Mrs Hepi's nephew) has been well enough to visit us one more time.   One on the problems Kassius has is sleeping at night!  He just doesn't do it and then sleeps all day.  Last time he came to visit he managed to stay awake for about 1/2 an hour, today he just would not wake up.  It was great to see him again though and to know that he is well.

Tyson was protecting Kassius' head to stop him banging
it on the floor.  Normally, Kassius would be on a soft 
surface so when he moves he doesn't hurt himself.

Mrs Head's Farewell Liturgy

Mrs Head has been a member of our school family for a long time.   This year Mrs Head decided it was time for her retire from school and move onto new adventures.  To celebrate her contribution (huge) to our school a special liturgy was held.  Each whanau presented an item as a gift to her.  It was a lovely celebration.  We are going to miss Mrs Head.

End of Year Events

In Week 8 & 9, we had our Leavers Mass and Senior Prizegiving where the whole school family celebrates our Year 6 students time at St Francis Xavier.  Our PTFA presents each student with a beautiful cross.

Rimu Whacky and Wet Fun Day

Our whole whanau got together on the back field to have a whacky and wet time.  We had a slippery slide, dodge sponge ball and lots of other water based activities.  Mrs Hepi and Mr Thornton got a bit wet!  Well, thanks to Sean and co, a lot wet!  We had an awesome time which as finished off with an ice block.

Light Bot

Mrs Hepi challenged us to learn beginners coding by using an App called Light Bot.  It is a fun app to use which makes you think and problem solve.

The Big Shift

Every two years, every teacher moves to another classroom.  We moved from Room 16 to Room 20.  Moving all the furniture and Mrs Hepi's gear was easy because we all helped.  Sorting it all out in Room 20 was a bit more of a challenge.  Once we got sorted, we enjoyed the rest of our year in our lovely big room.

Sister Rachel Myriam's visit

Mrs Webber's sister, Sister Rachel Myriam came to talk to the whole school about her life and vocation in the Philippines.  She spoke about the challenges faced by the young people she and her order help.

Athletics

We are very lucky that we can use the athletics track at Kensington Park.   The whole senior syndicate went over together so we could participate in a rotation of different track and field activities.  A team of athletes was then chosen to represent the school at the WPSSA Athletics Championships.