Pīwakawaka Hapori News

Our Space Adventures

We had an incredible time exploring space this term! Our hapori investigated what makes up our solar system, and how the Earth, the Sun and the Moon all work together. We learnt about rockets, space suits, satellites, and space travel, and space technology. We explored how navigators use the stars to travel, and we created many great works of art to show our learning.

Throughout our investigation into space we have been developing our PBL (Project based Learning) skills, such as working collaboratively and thinking creatively. We can take turns, work together, share ideas, include others, and ask and answer thoughtful questions to discover new information.

Matariki

We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our buddy classes yesterday as we celebrated Matariki together and created a range of arts and crafts activities. It was wonderful to see our tamariki learning, creating, and connecting across year levels.

A big thank you to the whānau who joined us to celebrate, and also for your generous donations. Your support helped make the day extra special, and we are so grateful to have such a wonderful school community.

Welcome to Miss Dunn

The Pīwakawaka Hapori are excited to welcome Miss Dunn back to their team, as she returns to teach in our new Room 14 learning space. The children are looking forward to seeing you everyday again, and we are looking forward to having your smiley face back on our team!

Whānau Teacher Learning Conversations

Thank you for taking the time to meet with us about your childs learning and progress. We value the opportunity to hear from you about your child, and appreciate your support as we work together on your childs learning journey.

ENGAGE

We have begun teaching the ENGAGE programme across all of our Pīwakawaka classes. ENGAGE helps children develop self-regulation skills through fun, purposeful games and play-based learning. Through these activities, children are strengthening important skills such as memory, turn-taking, sharing, following rules, and managing their emotions, particularly when things don't go their way.

Over the holidays, you might like to play a variety of board games and card games with your child to continue developing these skills at home. While it can be tempting to let children win, allowing them to lose occasionally provides valuable opportunities to practise resilience, perseverance, and managing disappointment in a safe and supportive environment.

What did our Pīwakawaka children enjoy most this term?

Alex, R13: I like printing because I am getting better at forming my letters.

Rosa, R13: I like PMP because it helps my legs grow stronger and faster.

Sullivan, R12: I liked making all the art. We do lots of cool art.

Gretel, R12: I like reading by myself now.

Theo C, R11: I liked doing cool space art.

Imogen, R11: I like maths because I am getting faster.

Alice, R10: I liked making our 3D double-hulled waka because we used lots of materials and we could add lots of detail.

Stewie, R10: I liked painting our Earths with blue and green paint. I liked the look of them when they were put on our art wall.

Pippa, R9: I liked learning about Matariki.

Ibrar, R9: I like writing long stories.

We wish you a safe and happy holidays, and look forward to seeing everyone back for Term 3.

Kā mihi nui,

Emily Armstrong

Nicole Wilson

Imogen Youngs

Paula Fisher

Sam Baker