Haerenga ki Ōtaki

 You will have all heard by now I'm sure - about our haerenga around Ōtaki to visit everyone's house to stand by the letterbox. Not only did we get to see where everyone lived we saw the sea, schools, marae, the police, doctors and other important places around Ōtaki. The kaupapa for this term has centred around Ōtaki, our town, and this was a lovely way to talk about all the important places to all the tamariki in the class.

We have created a wall display of Ōtaki that shows our journey and the places we visited. Please come in with your tamaiti and look at where we travelled.

In the following days we created a book out of the images we took as we drove around the town.

Here a few of the pages from the book..

Waitī Whetu!

 We celebrate two remarkable students each assembly. They are the 'stand-out' tamariki for the past two weeks that shine in different aspects of out STAR values. They are Safe! They are Totally Responsible! They are Awesome Learners! They are Respectful!

STAR

At the last assembly we celebrated Sonny - for making great progress in his reading! Tau kē! And Hinerangi - for consistently showing leadership! He rangatira o āpōpō hoki!!

Soup!

 Tamariki are often asking to do different activities in class. Rather than say 'no' or forget (!!) I have made a space where they can write their ideas. The first suggestion - making soup - I wrote - then quickly another two suggestions popped up. This gives an authentic use for writing in the class - as well as an opportunity to look at how we spell. Well... we've made soup! Next it's looks like 'duck, duck, goose' and  bread making!

Reading

 This is the expression of the pure joy of reading. Confident readers learning about animals. Talking and discussing the book together. Awesome learners in action!

Kapa Haka

Yesterday we had our first first kapa haka practise with Kia Manawanui. The kaupapa for the year is demonstrated through the whakatauki - He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in this world? It is people, it is people, it is people. There is nothing more important than how we treat each other.

The whānaungatanga was in full force for this - our very first practise together - we are a family, we all have a role to play, we are kind to each other. Tau kē! Waiata mai e te whānau!

Hutia te rito

Hutia te rito o te harakeke

Kei hea te kōmako e kō?

Kī mai ki ahau

He aha te mea nui?

Te mea nui o tēnei ao?

Māku e kī atu.

He tangata, he tangata.

Friday lunchtime...

The Play Pod is open every Friday at lunch time. The Play Pod holds a large variety of materials for tamariki to take and and create with.

It is great to see that even in play that safety is thought about. Ka rawe Kere! Great to see you wearing a seatbelt in your car!

Assembly - Waitī whetu!

 At the first assembly of the year two of the tamariki of Waitī were honoured for their outstanding mahi.

Tipene - for giving swimming his best shot - even though he was worried about going swimming with the class.

Maverick - for settling in to school quickly and learning the new routines quickly. 

Ngā mihi ki a kōrua!

Assembly - Introducing...

 At the first assembly of the year Waitī shared their self portraits they had created. The self portraits also had a number of statements about each tamaiti. A lovely way to get to know everyone!