Book Day!

Last Thursday was a wonderful way to celebrate the joys of reading. We sure had an interesting and diverse range of book characters and some very creative students and families! Reading stories to your child (no matter their age) promotes reading and learning, imagination and increases their ability to concentrate for sustained periods. 

 I have fond memories of my grandfather reading snippets of Alice in Wonderland to me as a teenager. He would promote my engagement by asking me to recall what happened last time he read or to guess what will happen next. 

In today's fast-paced, over stimulated lifestyle sitting down and reading from an actual book is such a special way to connect with those we love. Make the time, enjoy the moments. 

 Stuck on ideas for books? Our local librarians have a wealth of knowledge of great read alouds. This term Duffy books also went home. Lastly, if your child says they don't have reading homework - reply with, "Oh really, I will ask your teacher about that." 

Rolling Hills and Breathtaking Bays - imagine it bushclad, a fortified paa, gardens and whare scattered along the hillside with a vibrant birdlife.

 As I drove a vanload of my students out towards Oihi Bay last Thursday afternoon, I couldn't help but wonder what the first missionaries and settlers may have felt arriving on these shores - excitement, trepidation or hope?

We all have our own whakapapa and our own histories. They make us who we are. We are also, all connected. As this school our vision and purpose is to follow the way of Christ, seek his Truth and Excel in life. Throughout this term our primary school have been learning that history is important, fascinating and complex; the same experience can be expressed and interpreted differently. Some topics include the retelling of Kupe's journey, t\ the Battle of Kororareka, Pompelliar House and the establishment early Christian missions. 

Last week we went to Ranihoua, the first Christian mission in New Zealand. At the top of the hill the class was put into groups of five. All groups were tasked with finding out certain information.  For the next hour we worked together to find information and form our responses as we walked down towards Marsden Cross. 

After dinner the groups shared the historical information they found out. We could get a sense of what the area was like in 1815 and who was there. As the sun sank behind the hills Komene led the class in a haka on the shoreline and explained its significance and meaning. 

The moon was so bright coming up behind the hill, almost like a floodlight. Most of us prayed, thanking God for this whenua and the Good News that was brought here. During prayer time the kiwi started their calls. We were lucky to hear them so close!

It's safe to say, once the class took off  to see the kiwi the kiwi all scarpered! Although kiwi are practically blind, their super keen sense of hearing meant most of the class did not get to see them. Good lesson in knowing when to shut your mouths, class. 

 We thank God for sending Jesus to earth to die for our sins so we can be made right with him. We thank him for the people of faith who brought the good news of Jesus to New Zealand.  We hope everyone has an amazing Easter holiday with their family and friends. 

Camp 2021

 What a wonderful week last week was. Here is a combination of photos and clips to tell a visual story of camp.

Welcome Back!

Kia Ora whanau, 

 It’s great to be back at school. This year is going to be one of the best yet. So far it has been great getting to know our new Year 7s and hearing the holiday adventures of near and far. A huge thank you to all the students who travelled to Matawaia Marae to express their aroha to the Nordstrand whanau on Thursday.

 Thank you also to the whanau who have already purchased stationery packs. Packs can be paid online or at the school office. See reverse for details. Homework expectations are: reading for enjoyment daily (all children should have a chapter book or a school journal coming home daily), practicing their weekly spelling words and basic facts. 

 This term our devotional focus is on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. We are exploring wisdom, what is it and why we should seek God’s wisdom. Key aspects of Numeracy we endeavour to cover are extending number problem solving strategies, financial literacy and Geometry. Please ask your child to explain what ‘brick’ they are working on. KCS Brick Wall is our school-wide basic facts progressions. Science this term is taught by Mrs. Van Windergen on Tuesday mornings. Swimming lessons are on Thursdays - please remind your child to pack togs! Athletics is on Fridays - please remind your child to pack running shoes, shorts and tee shirt.

 Our Literacy context is ‘Explorers of the past’. Learning about our local histories, the people who pushed through boundaries and stepped into the unknown is an exciting theme! It will include guest visits and field trips. Te Reo Maori is linked nicely through learning of pepeha and whakapapa. We warmly welcome your input into this topic and the sharing of stories passed down. Our primary classes will be sharing what they are learning during Friday assemblies.

 Important dates: 17th Feb Manea Footprints of Kupe museum field trip 

 Tuesday 2nd - Thursday 4th March school camp (field trip to Pompallier House and marae visit)

 25th March Marsden Cross field trip 

 Teacher Meet and Greet Day

 15th April Athletics Whanau Every 

Wednesday & Friday 6am - 8am Sports Academy (breakfast club running these days)

Survivor 2020

 This year the Year 7 & 8 class went into the wild for their Survivor Night.  I am proud of the way they gave a 100% to all of the tasks and how they awhi each other through challenges. They, for the most part, stuck together and came out of challenges stronger than before. 

My class really enjoyed the challenge of hiking, bush crashing following a compass bearing, navigating and topo 50 map reading lessons, flint fire starting lessons, teamwork night time ninja course, bivvy and shelter making, waterhole finding and working together to plan and pack ALL the gear they needed for two days out in the wilderness. 

As for myself, I  have ideas forming  to improve the learning outcomes for next year's Survivor Night. It is my hope that everyone learned some valuable skills about the outdoors and have a new confidence to push their boundaries and make the most of all opportunities presented. 

Survivor Night 2020

Blast from the past

 

Keep safe you young guys!

Our Strep A nurses have not been at school since COVID. We know how serious Strep A is and how often children at KCS have been picked up as being positive for Strep A in the past.  It is very important to take sore throats seriously as it can lead to rheumatic fever.  Did you let your mum know you had a sore throat? Your aunty? You don't need to go to the doctors. You can get your throat checked in  Kaikohe.  

Meri & Shariah

Rheumatic Fever Team

Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi

P: 0800 367 942 press 2 

M: 021 245 2960

E: rfteam@ngapuhi.org

W: http://tehauoraongapuhi.org

A: 113 Broadway Street Kaikohe, PO Box 733, Kaikohe 0405