Watching sparks ignite...

Today we started the second round of Syndicate Sparks. In ICT the students are learning how to make stop motion videos. We first watched Gulp (click here) and then we watched a selection of last rounds videos. (See below). We are now in the process of making our own stop motion stories using whiteboards, whiteboard markers and our creative talents.

How not to do it!

In order to produce a good speech you have to know what mistakes people can make when presenting it to other people. Today room 13 created a video that explored the common mistakes that are made when speaking.

See if you can spot all 15!

The sound that started it all...

This term we are inquiring into The Science of Sound. We explored what sound is, what it would look like and how the ear works.

Sound is...
...a sort of waves of air and a sort of vibration
...noises. All sounds are different. Sound is a vibration.
...something that comes from most things in the universe. It can be heard by most creatures in the animal kingdom.
Sound comes in sound waves. You make sound waves by playing instruments, tapping things with pencils and billions of other ways. Sound is a reaction.
Sound comes from sound waves which go into your ears and hit your ear drum that creates sound.

If sound was a picture it would look like...

This is what an ear looks like:

This week the spelling is also based around our inquiring into..

Spelling Words

science
sound waves
vibrate
pattern
hearing
auditory
pinna (pinnae is plural)
ear canal
ear drum
ossicles
cochlea

And lastly we watched these cool sound videos:

There's gold in them hills...

After a little bit of historical content regarding the early gold finds in the Otago region and discussion about the early mining techniques the students of Room 13 tried out their own prospecting skills. The students staked their claims and mined for the rich gold coloured resource.

The students endured the hard, physical labour that mining required, had to aggressively maintain their claims boundaries and punished those who encroached on their territory. After the dust settled the students then brought their "gold" back to class to claim their reward.

Touch

Congratulations to all those who played touch this term. 

Muritai United - The Champions

Muritai Glory and Wanderers in action

Syndicate Assembly Week 9

Peer Mediators

·      A following students have been selected to begin ‘Peer Mediator’ training:

Luca Campbell

Noah Stock

Theo Jones

Kai Ferrier

Abigail Brownsword

Charlotte McFarlane

Yasmin Kerr

Samantha Woolley

Georgia Alexander

Tessa Treadwell-Burke

Auriel Lewis

Georgie Allan

Tilly Potter

Katie Beevers

Evie Richardson

Mia Lowe

*More students will be added to the Peer Mediator programme throughout the year

“No news is good news”

·      Things have real y improved in the playground.  Keep up the good work!

Charity group

·      We are continuing to collect Jackets and shoes…more shoes needed.

Y5/6 Boys cricket

·      Trainings this week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and game against Our Lady of the Rosary on Thursday @ 9.30am @ Muritai School

Touch Rugby

·      Final games were played on Friday.  The results are as follows:

Muritai United won 22-0 (won the grade)…CONGRATS!!!

Muritai Glory lost 2-4

Muritai Wanderers lost 2-5

Living above the line.

Living below the line is when someone only thinks about themselves. When we think of our people first and/or go out of our way to do something for someone else then we are 'living above the line'. What are you going to do to show that you can 'Live Above the Line'?

Syndicate Assembly Week 8

Peer Mediators

·      Collect your Peer Mediator application form from Mr. McKay (Y6’s only)

Y5/6 Central Zone Swim team

·      Meeting in Room 16 on Tuesday at morning tea

·      Central Zone swimming competition is on Wednesday 26^th March

Cross Country

·      2013 CZ representatives to train with Mr. McKay. 

·      More students will be added to Mr. McKay’s training group

Road Patrollers

·      Make sure you are on time to your duty.  If you are not able to do your duty let Mr. McKay know OR find someone to cover your duty.

Art Mural

·      The art mural continues to be worked on

Football

·      Congratulations to the ‘Netherlands’ team for wining the recent football tournament.

·      The next football tournament is scheduled for next term.

Eastbourne Games and Weetbix Tri

·      Congratulations to everyone who competed in the Eastbourne Games and Weetbix Triathlon over the weekend

Cricket

·      Boys (2^nd IX) cricket team practice today.  The game is scheduled for Thursday at Te Whiti Park.

Charity

·      The ‘Jacket and Shoe’ drive has begun.  Check to see what you have at home, ask your parents if you can donate and then bring those things in.  Take all items to Room 14.

Library Awards

·      Congratulations to Georgie Allan (who won the silver library award) and Samantha Woolley (who won the bronze library award).

·      Y5’s will be able to do the library awards from next week.

Behaviour

It is time to step up and make some improvements.  The ‘Muritai School Values’ illustrate what it means to be a FANTASTIC Muritai School student.  These values include: Respect, Curiosity, Integrity, Self-confidence, Kindness, Excellence, Commitment and Resilience.    The two values that need some work through the next few weeks are Kindness and Respect.      

So far this week...

Having had an amazing camp experience the students have been back in the class for 2 days and so far they have:

1. Researched more information about 3 explorers that all "discovered" NZ; Kupe, Abel Tasman and Captain Cook.
2. Pretended to be a crew member on board one of the explorers boats/waka and written a letter to loved ones back home.
3. Explored what it means to be a New Zealander.
4. Started streamed Maths classes.
5. Replied to another students letter to a loved one.
6. And finally waded into the "NZ flag debate" by reading the following links and then designed our own flag to represent our country. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_flag_debate, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11193964)

Whew!!! It's been a busy week so far with more planned to come!

Syndicate Assembly Week 6

Maths classes

·      Maths cross grouping classes will begin on Tuesday

FRIDAY’s

·      Kapa Haka for all classes

·      Extension Kapa Haka group for those who are interested in performance

·      Syndicate SPARKS – these include: Sport, Visual Art, Drama, Science and Technology and ICT

Y4-8 Swimming Sports

·      This is to be held on Thursday at Huia Pool from 12pm – 2.30pm

 

FY5/6 Football Tournament

·      This will now go ahead next Wednesday.  There will be 3 teams representing Muritai School: Y6 Boys, Y6 Girls and Y5 boys team.  The Y5 boys will need to trial at lunchtime today

Boys Cricket

·      Training sessions to resume this week.  Keep an eye on the notices each morning for training days and times

Charity

·      The Y5 & 6’s will be organizing the ‘Jacket Drive’ again this year.  If you have any jackets, sweatshirts (including hoodies) and shoes that you no longer need, they would be greatly appreciated.

Ball games

·      Ball games that involve kicking need to be played on the field and NOT on the court areas.

Art Mural

·      Ms. Berry will be selecting a small team (6 students) to work on a ‘Mural’. If interested see Ms. Berry today.

Lost Property from camp

·      There is a lot of lost property from camp.  This will be brought around to each class today. 

Kid Principal

A wee while ago we watched a very clever and funny video by Kid President. It was called "20 things we should say more often".

The students then decided that they would like to create their own videos. They faced the challenges of thinking of ideas, scripting, videoing and editing. Here are some of the results:

Syndicate Assembly Week 1

Camp preparation

·      Camp preparation will begin this week.  Notices will start to go home and cabin groups will be sorted.

Milo Cricket

·      Y5/6 boy’s trial is on Tuesday, if fine.  Meet outside the library at 12.30pm.

Football

·      There is a football tournament on the 14^th March.  We will be sending 2 teams, a Year 5 mixed team and a Year 6 mixed team.  See Mr. McMillan today if you are interested.  Spaces are limited!

Touch Rugby

·      If you are interested in playing touch rugby this term (afterschool competition) make sure you get a notice from Mr. Chadwick.  Notices need to be returned to the office by Wednesday.

Values certificates

·      Congratulations to the following students who received the ‘Kindness’ value certificate today:

Room 16 – Shannyn Thompson,

Room 15 – Georgie Allan,

Room 14 – Jake Inskeep,

Room 13 – Samantha Woolley