Picture perfect

Over the last few weeks Room 21 and their buddy class (Room 9) have been getting to know each other much better and have been practicing their art skills at the same time. Check out the amazing results:

Will you be my PAL?

Becoming good role models, fair play and active, responsible students. This is what the physical activity leaders (PALs) are.

On Thursday and Friday a large group of enthusiastic year 7/8
students explored the concepts associated with being positive leaders in physical activity.


With guidance from Georgina from Sports Wellington, students were involved in a range of activities designed to develop:

• Leadership skills

• Good role modeling

• Skills needed to run physical activity sessions with younger students

• And to encourage fair play and build confidence

Strike makes a lot of noise!

What a wicked show!!

Today we got the opportunity to see the awesome and famous percussion group STRIKE
They were fantastic! The sound rocked the hall, the thumping beats and catchy rhythm kept everyone spellbound.

Blogs Away!

Today in Room 21 we updated our learning logs/blogs with our four goals for Term 1. Our goals had to be SMART goals which means they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and have a Timeframe.

We wrote our draft goals straight onto our learning logs/blogs and then working in groups we had to comment on other students goals giving feedforward to help them have four quality SMART goals. We then re-Published our final goals for all to see. ------>

Inquiring about Parihaka

"Parihaka? Whats that?" and "What happened there?" were a couple of the questions that the students of room 21 tackled while they were creating a timeline of the events that occurred before, during and after the worlds first recorded campaign of passive resistance took place at Parihaka.



Over the coming weeks, the students will be exploring many of the different aspects surrounding what happened at Parihaka and exploring how it fits into our Big Idea; Standing up for what you believe in through integrity and empathy.

Little People Ahoy!

On Friday Room 21 went and met their buddy class for the first time this year. Room 9 was really keen to show us their monsters that they had created. Then they shared their favourite book. We hope to do lots of fantastic things with our buddies and show them some of the things we get up to on the senior side of the school as the year goes on.

First day back!

Today was a day packed full of exciting opportunities and activities. We held a powhiri to welcome the new staff and board of trustees members to the school and the year 7/8 students led the way. It was great to see the Kapa Haka students being able to perform to a high standard after having had only one practice earlier today.

We also explored what the students wanted to get out of 2010. We started with a big discussion and brainstorm about what opportunities for achieving would be available. The students then had to work in a group to create statements Here are some of their responses:

In 2010 we want to learn to try new things and make good decisions. We want to be able to try a whole lot of new sports and other activities. We will do this by not being afraid to take risks.

In order to make the most of 2010 we are going to try new things like sports, music and art. We will do this by accepting new challenges.

In order to make the most of this year we are going to try our best in EVERYTHING. We will try new things, aim to not give up and take new opportunities when given.

2010 is going to be our best year ever because we will join groups such as Enviroschools, participate in sports etc, and aim for year 8 leadership roles. In order to make the most of 2010 we are going to learn and have fun.

Ko te Raapa 9, o Mahuru

Today 40 senior school students spent a highly enjoyable day at Walter Nash Stadium participating in a basketball blitz competition with Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Whanui. It was an awesome opportunity for the students involved to be active and to get to know students from another school. It was a big learning curve for many of the students with some never having played basketball before. The improvement in skills and the ability to work in a team was clearly visible as the day progressed. I look forward to further events where the senior school students can participate with such a positive attitude.

~ Mr Chadwick

Ko te Rahina 24, o Here-turi-koka

One day down, another one and a half to go. Today we had our first of our finishing days in which the students of the senior school worked on their costumes for the upcoming Wearable Arts show. It was great to see all the students being as creative and inventive as possible. There are many fantastic art works being created and I can't wait to see the finished products being displayed on the cat walk.

Ko te Raapa 12, o Here-turi-koka

Today the Year 7/8 Muritai waterpolo team had their last game of the season. It has been difficult, but enjoyable, playing against some very strong teams in the hardest grade. Despite this the students have continued to persevere and have been constantly improving individually and as a team. Thank you for all your help and support and I look forward to next season.
~ Raihania Chadwick

Ko te Ramere 7, o Here-turi-koka

Today we had a fantastic morning at the action indoor sports centre. The students were split into teams and then competed against the other teams in a range of different sporting activities. The drawn winners of the day were teams 1 and 9 however everyone should be pleased with the commitment that was shown by all. It was also great to see the positive support and good will of all the students who competed in this event. Some of the photos taken today can be found below.

Ko te Rapare, 30 o Hongongoi

On Tuesday as part of our inquiry unit about 'what contributes to making us into who we are today' the teachers each created a speech/presentation depicting a small part of their lives. Each class spent 10-15 minutes with the teachers and were able to ask questions relating to the content and discuss the different approaches to writing speeches. We were all amazed at how engaged the children were and how much there is to talk about when you are sharing what makes you 'you'.

Mr Eames shared an old intermediate photo and talked with the children about how small he was and yet what a positive experience he had during those years. Ms Berry shared a series of incidences in her life that effected her and explored the many roles and jobs she has experienced which lead her to teaching today. I shared family photos, a personal mihi and talked about the importance of family in my life. You can see the family photos below.

In all presentations there was reference to the importance of having a supportive family, being allowed to be who you are and explore the different aspects of your passions. This was a hugely positive experience for the staff and children and was an excellent was to model how to create a worthwhile and meaningful presentation that has the ability to make others feel good about themselves too.

We look forward to hearing the children's presentations which are due in week4.

Tuesday 21st of July

Today we explored some of the key inquiry questions:

• How do others influence who we are?
• How do we influence others?
• How are we perceived?
• Do we make a conscious choice about who we are?
• Is our image who we really are?
• Can we really be ourselves? Be the best we can be?
• How do we have different roles?
  
• Are we always true to ourselves? (Integrity)
• How do we stay true to ourselves in different situations?

We had a big discussion and then wrote down our thoughts on these questions. What are your thoughts?

Monday 20th July

Big Idea: Who am I and what do I want to be seen as?
Mana Tangata - The power of the person.

Key Concept:
• Making a difference by being ourselves (positive influence) and letting others be themselves.
• Making sure people view us in a positive light.
• Mana Tangata – is the power acquired by an individual according to his or her ability and effort to develop skills and to gain knowledge in particular areas (Self Pride)

Other Focus Areas
Literacy: Narrative and Speeches
Maths: Fractions, decimals and percentages
PE: Gymnastics and Jump Rope
Art: Masks and Wearable Arts
Te Reo: Mihi & Mana Tangata

As well as developing essential skills in handwriting, basic facts, accuracy for writing (spelling, grammar and punctuation).

Also there will be a range of other sporting and academic opportunities including: Otago Problem Solving, ICAS tests, netball, rugby, basketball and indoor sports events.

Friday 3rd July

Miss Postma's leaving video

Monday 20th June

Today the year 7 and 8's went to Wellesley School to view an opera produced by Class Act. The opera had the usual tragic love story where boy longs for girl and is rejected. Girl then meets other boy who doesn't work out being such a great match. Only for the girl to realise in the end that the original boy is the one for her...(I hope that made sense :) ) The opera was enjoyed by all especially when Mrs Mills-Smith was serranaded by one of the singers (as seen below).

Monday 8th June

Today room 21 went on its Take Action for Water explore day. We spent our day testing two very different streams and exploring what creates a healthy stream. Catchpool Stream in the Rimutaka Park was very healthy with lots of mayflies and stoneflies to be found. It also had lots of big rocks in the stream bed and trees to provide bank stability, shelter and food for the aquatic animals. Black Creek in the middle of Wainuiomata was very different with lots of human impacts to be seen.

Tuesday 2nd June

Today the class had to plan an explanation on a wacky machine from a book (Castles by Colin Thompson.) We got into groups and then came up with our own ideas for what the machine was for. Then we split up individually and wrote what we thought it was and how we thought it worked and so on.

Thursday 28th May

Today was for many students a very tiring day. Firstly we started with the school cross-country in which the year 7/8's ran around twice around the Williams Park track. Then a group of year 7 and 8's left to compete in another cross-country. This time we were competing against a number of other schools in the interzone cross-country competition at Trentham Memorial Park. It was amazing to see that although many of the students were already tired they were able to dig deep and compete to the best of their abilities. Congratulations to all the students who competed especially Lucy, Kenzy, Georgia and Natalie who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 8th in their respective races.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing

Tuesday 5th May

Today we did a tsunami drill. We did this in case a tsunami hit the Wellington area. After we lined up on the courts and took the roll we all made our way up the Mackenzie track where we were 20 metres above sea level . We now know where we need to meet should a tsunami come.

Thursday 30th April

This Thursday was the start of the Arts Rotation in which the students of room 21 were learning about movies and movie making. The students are off to a great start with scripting and concept boarding their movie ideas. And in a couple of weeks they will be able to start filming and then editing their short movies.

Monday 27th April

On Saturday 25th April, ANZAC day, many people from the Eastbourne community turned up to support and remember those who had died. This year was especially important as a number of people from Eastbourne who paid the supreme sacrifice were finally honoured with an update to the memorial.



Some of the year 7/8 students from the schools Kapa Haka group were asked to show their support by performing a stirring opening haka and closing waiata. This is a fantastic achievement for the group and continues the trend of consistently successful performances. Keep it up guys.

Monday 6th April

Today some of the year 7/8 students competed in the Hutt Regional Swimming Sports Competition. It was a great day and some of the students had highly successful results.

The below video shows the year 7 and 8 girls racing towards their fantastic second placing.


The photo evidence: