Waitemata @ Waikowhai Primary School

Wow our new playground is here and its AWESOME!!!! We had an official opening today, the Kapahaka group sang a welcoming waiata, then Mr Craig (Board of Trustees chairman) officially opened it, by cutting the ribbon. The seniors took a buddy junior over first. Each class had a turn for half an hour, we went today and it was FUN. We have also had two new basketball hoops installed. We have 6 skateboards and 10 helmets that the school has purchased to use on our NEW RAMPS! So much fun to be had at school.

In Te Ana Ako we have  begun the Hells Pizza Reading Challenge. This involves students reading challenging books (preferably chapter books) in their own time. Once they have read a book they must give Miss Daly or Mrs Jones a VERY detailed description of the book. If either teacher is satisfied they have indeed read the book they get a clip off their pizza wheel. Once they have 7 completed clicks....they get a free pizza (healthy one of course!) Everyone is getting on board, food seems to be a great incentive! Here are some pictures of our readers during SSR time.

For Kiwisport this term we have been learning how to play Ki-O-Rahi. This fantastic game is based on the legend Purakau of Rahitutakahina and the rescue of his wife Tiarakurapakewai. A large team game played between 2 teams, kioma and taniwha on a large circular field. Played for 4 quarters or 2 halves of a set time, teams alternate roles of Kīoma and Taniwha at half or quarter time. Kīoma score by touching Pou/s with the Kī (for potential points) then running the Kī through Te Roto and placing it down in Pawero to convert pou touches into points. Kīoma stop the other team, Taniwha. Taniwha score by hitting the Tupu with the Kī. Kīoma will have Kaitiaki (guardians) around the Tupu to stop Taniwha from hitting the Tupu. Depending on which variation is being played, Taniwha must stop Kīoma from scoring by either touching, 2 handed touch, ripping the tag or tackling them in the appropriate area. We had a lot of fun learning how to play this game. here are some pictures. ...

Little Jack came to visit (Mrs Simpson’s new baby). Mrs Jones had a cuddle. He is very chubby and very very cute!

Wow we were so lucky to have New Zealand author Des Hunt come to visit us at Waikowhai! He was a very entertaining speaker. Did you know that he was a Science, Physiscs and Computer 101 teacher before he became an author? He applied his scientists brain to determine why his first book kept getting rejected. Who knew Science could help you become a better fictional writer! He showed us how he took an ordinary kitchen gas lighter and turned it into a missile launcher. Then he showed us how to build a story by adding conflict...more conflict and then an exciting ending. He modelled this by using a ramp and magnets. Then he showed us how to build tension. Tension can be where you know something bad is going o happen...but you cant look away (or stop reading). He demonstrated tension with a balloon. Des Hunt also told us about an author who got rejected 27 times. This author had a German surname and wrote stories that were a little bit different to other...

In Inquiry we are looking at 'Responsible Pet Ownership' as a focus for our Animal Inquiry. Whaea Anita had her friend come an visit us with her pet bird Sammy. He is a very special parrot who could talk! He wasn't very keen at first but after a while he got used to us all and started to repeat what his owner said. Eventually he got down on the floor and even jumped up on Joshua's arm!! We learned all about what it takes to be a good owner of a bird. Its a very big responsibility as Sam needs a lot of things to make sure he is happy. he can only eat certain foods, even though he will try to eat things that aren't good for him, like processed cheese. Thank you for coming to visit us Sammy.