Waka Pūhara ... in the making

Waka Pūhara ...

So ... our space is not quite ready for learning in yet, but it was SUPER exciting to have the chance to take a wee stroll through our new spaces last week.  

We can't wait to move in!

Standing in the middle of our shared space.  This space used to be the corridor outside Toetoe and also what used to be the old outside courtyard. The wooden frames behind Ms Steans are part of two glass 'break out' spaces - like the 'Fish Bowl' in Waka Hourua.

The view looking into what used to be Room 8 (the old Pāua) in the far corner ... the main space in the front is the new 'wet floor' area - where there will be benches and sinks etc.  This space used to be the store rooms that were between the old Pāua and Toetoe classrooms.

The girls couldn't resist a selfie!  Pretty chuffed with the special 'Pink Lady' high visibility hats and vests that were available for us to wear during our visit.  We are standing outside the front of the building.  Over Miss Steans' shoulder (on the left edge of the photo) is the old entrance way to our space.  This will not exist soon as it is going to be closed in and another special teacher space is being put here.   

Patter Tennis

Perfecting our Patter Tennis Skills!

(Year 3 ... Zooming around the courts and increasing their skills with a bat and ball!)

For the past two weeks, while the Year 4 and Year 5 children have been at swimming, Year 3 children have been working on their Patter Tennis skills.  It has been fun for everyone, and very challenging for some.  What an outstanding display of 'Persistence' and 'Have a Go' we have been seeing, everyday, from the children. 

This week we have even been down to the Opawa Tennis Club to use the tennis courts.  What a fantastic opportunity to put our skills in to action on a real court.  

I think it is fair to say that playing Patter Tennis has been a highlight of the school day for many of the children recently.  With luck, we will be able to get in a couple more sessions down at the tennis courts, before the week is over.

ALL children in Year 3 can be exceptionally proud of the effort they have put in.  Some fantastic progress has been made by many children. 

Getting in some basic Patter Tennis skills last week at school.

We were lucky to have a special visitor join us for the morning ... can you spot her?  Her name is Vanja.  Vanja's father was in Christchurch for the unveiling of the Earthquake Memorial Wall - which he designed.  Vanja visited school with her mother, little sister and little brother.  They were spending the day with Mrs Pascoe. 

Ahh ... the wonderful space at the Opawa Tennis Club.

Brushing up on our skills of getting the ball to the net ... and then over it too!

Ruby gets in some batting practice.

Isla has a fantastic serve!

Mannix, aiming for the ball as it starts falling back down toward him.

Shrove Tuesday

Pikelets and Pancake Racing

Today in Kōtuku we learnt about the history of Shrove Tuesday.  We thought it was a great idea to follow the tradition, established many years ago, of cooking up some pikelets to help us remember what the day was all about.  We enjoyed eating them too.

Mōkihi invited Waka Pūhara to join with them in doing some pancake racing ... it was lots of fun, and we discovered that there was a lot of pancake flipping talent out there!

Our expert crew of measuring and mixing ... Sandy, Isla, Meg, Rosa ...

Some of the team get stuck in to cooking up a storm ... Sandy, Isla, Chelsea, Ella and Liam.

Dustin shows off his flipping skills.

The race is on ...

Nevaeh and Ayrton ...

Neck and neck ...

Nevaeh's serious flipping talent.

Technology

Year 3 & 4 Technology

Technology on Thursday was amazing! Some students were busy creating letterboxes using boxes, some used the woodwork bench with saws, drills, nails and some created using the blocks.

We will be continuing this on Thursday afternoon. Come and join us if you have time.

Year 3 & 4 technology

Year 3 & 4 Technology

On Thursday afternoon this week, we will be making a letter box for our technology unit. We will be making and then modifying if it does not work the way we want it to.  Discuss with your family what materials you might need. At this stage it is only a model so you do not need to make it big enough to hold a parcel.

Life Cycles

Life Cycles of Other Creatures

Challenge:  Find out about the life cycle of an insect you are interested in ... research about it and present your findings in an interesting way.

Cicada

Thanks to Jack for our reading, listening and writing inspiration today!



Amazing Cicada life cycle - Sir David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth - BBC wildlife

The History of Valentine's Day

The History of Valentine's Day

Read and listen all about the history of Valentine's Day.

Challenge:  Do you do anything special to celebrate Valentine's Day?  If so, mention it in the comments below.

E Toru Nga Mea

E Toru Nga Mea

We are going to be learning this beautiful waiata at our team Hui tomorrow.  It would be great if you could have a listen and a sing ... become an expert!

The translation for this song is:

E toru nga mea - There are three things
Nga mea nui nui - very important things
E ki ana - as stated in
Te pai-pera - the Bible
Whaka-pono - Faith
Tumana-ko - Hope
Ko te mea nui - and the greatest thing
Ko te aroha - Love

Habits of Mind - Stop and Think!

Stop and Think!

We watched this video clip in class.  It's a super example of something that can often happen in the classroom.  It makes us 'Stop and Think' about the things we do and say.  Sometimes we really need to take time to think about what words come out of our mouth.

Challenge:
Can you think of another example of a time when you might need to 'Stop and Think' during the school day?  Record it in the comments section below. (Remember to write you name first so we know who has commented ... but not your last name.)