Weeks 1 and 2, Term 2 in Pōhutukawa

Fear Factor

Last Wednesday, our team participated in a writing motivation called Fear Factor. The whole team was outside on the basketball court, ready to participate in some challenges. Names were drawn out of a hat, and there was the opportunity to agree to participation or not, before knowing what the challenge was going to be. It was a bit scary!

The activities were:

Egg Smash - smash an egg on your head. Did you get a hard boiled egg, or was it raw?

Frozen toes - who could get the most marbles out of a container of ice with just their toes?

Eat an eyeball - who was brave enough to eat an eyeball? (lychee, strawberry jam and blueberry!)

Fly fishing - how many flies could be picked off a pile of worms? (currants and Spaghetti)

Pick 2 - pick 2 cards to see which combinations of the following foods you have to eat - chocolate sauce, mustard, 100s and 100s, sardines and hot Japanese peas.

Much fun was had. Many emotions were felt - anticipation, nervousness, disgust, fear, excitement, glee, shock. This was the idea! The piece of writing the students are currently working on is all about an emotion. They are to write about an experience, event or idea, through the lens of an emotion. When the reader reads the piece of writing, they should be able to pick which emotion the writer is experiencing due to the vocabulary, build up and phrasing. If you would like to read what your child has written so far, they have been writing on Google Docs, which means you can view the writing at home.

Bright colourful balloons were dotted around the garden. A  beautiful unicorn pinata was hanging on the small oak tree, a metal baseball bat was lying on the lush green grass beside it. As my friends started strolling through the gate, their heads cocked to the side while they admired my party layout, I felt myself jumping up and down, itching to start the party. 

Introduction by Grace Howard

I felt like wearing black. In the morning, everything had seemed cloudy, and dismal. Under my crusty uniform I wore black. Everything seemed to irritate me. The day just didn’t feel 100%. Why did we have to go to school? Then I probably could have spent more time with my beloved. 

Introduction by Ava Howard

I sat on the grassy field trying to hide the fear that was quickly building up inside me, as I thought about the horrendous cross country. My whole body was shaking vigorously as I waited for the first race to begin, which would remind me how terrifying my race would be. The butterflies in my stomach were  bigger than ever and I started to freak out. Soon my race was called out and I reluctantly stood up and shakily walked onto the school park. I was wishing this horrible day would end so I could go home and relax, but sadly that was not the reality I was facing. Adelene and I  began to slowly walk onto the field, savouring every moment of not running. 

By Vida Gerard

Cross country

What a beautiful day it was on Monday for our school cross country. We felt confident that the students had completed a lot of training, as well as had a walk through of the course, so were well prepared for the race. The teachers were very impressed with the participation level and were so proud of all of the students for trying their hardest and giving it a go. 

Congratulations to those students who finished in the top 6 for their year level, and have qualified for the Zones cross country. Good luck!

CCC (Cool Curriculum Classes)

This term we have changed our CCC topics. The students (in their home group) have a 30 minute lesson each week with each teacher:

Katie - Library

Tracy - Culture (NZ culture and then on to other cultures)

Gayle - Well being/mindfulness

Steve - Music

Rae - Coding

Passions

This term we have offered for passions: sewing, art (collage), sports/games, techy stuff (enhancing Google Slides and adding voice overs) and Japanese.

Winter sport

Winter Sport starts on Friday 17th of May and continues each Friday until mid-August. Winter Sport is an optional event. While there is a competitive element to Winter Sport, the primary focus is on fun and participation. Many thanks to the parents who are volunteering their time to coach and manage teams; we couldn’t offer this opportunity without your support. 

Children who are not participating in Winter Sport will participate in an alternative sports programme at school. 

Football, hockey and netball games will be held at Hagley Park while hockey will be at Nunweek Park. The children will travel to their games by bus and a request for a donation to cover this cost will be added to your child’s account. 

Children will be provided with a polo shirt, football shirt or netball dress to wear for their games. Hockey players will be provided with a stick if they need one. On Winter Sport days, children may come to school in their sports uniform provided that they also have a red fleece or senior jacket that they can wear over the top whilst at assembly. Netball players should come to school in their school uniform and get changed at morning tea. 

On occasion, winter sport may be cancelled due to bad weather. This call is not usually made until 10:30 and so children should come to school with their gear even on days when the weather looks dubious. 

Gear List

The following gear list has essential items that your child will need every Friday. It is a part of their commitment to their team that they come prepared each week. Failure to bring items may result in your child being unable to play. 

All children

A warm layer to put on after their game

Drink bottle

Personal medication (such as inhalers)

No jewellery should be worn

Football 

Football boots (not compulsory)

Shin guards

Hockey

Shin Guards

Mouth Guard

Netball

Hair must be tied back and nails kept short

The children will return to school in time for the end of the school day. 

Staff Only Day on Monday 20 May

A reminder that the school is closed on Monday 20 May, week 4, due to a Staff Only Day.