Manaakitanga – Kindness
He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai
If kindness is shown, then kindness is what you shall receive.
Ngā kaiako (teachers) and ngā ākonga (learners) have been focusing on the above whakatauki (way of being). It is part of our daily rituals and the way that we interact with each other, especially with the current red setting in schools. We have missed having our community in the hub so we have written a brief overview of what we have covered this term.
Communication Arts
Ngā ākonga have developed the skills to become historians over the last 8 weeks. We have enjoyed learning about Aotearoa pre-colonisation, including Kupe, Māori migrating and settling in Aotearoa, the places they explored and named, as well as native plants and animals within Aotearoa. We are now beginning to explore the arrival of Abel Tasman and Captain Cook to Aotearoa and their impacts, which include He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence) and Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi).
Maths
We have been developing our number sense by representing numbers in various ways using different resources as well as thinking about the place values of tens and ones. As we learn more about what a number is and how we can show that number through writing, drawing and materials, we have also been expressing our ideas through number talk as we share and listen to others explain what a number means. In addition to this, we have been looking at orientation and how to use everyday positional and directional language. We also looked at measurement, where we have been thinking about when, why and how we use non-standard measurements for measuring, including what makes a good measuring tool.
Physical Education, Hauora and Health
Ngā ākonga have two PE sessions every week. Our physical education sessions start with a warm-up, a new skill, then applying that skill through a game. Ngā ākonga have learnt new games, like rob the nest and have worked on our throwing and catching, as well as practising our running for cross country next term.
During our Hauora sessions, we have spent time focussing on a range of different topics that further develop ngā ākonga understanding of their own identity and the world around them. We have become more familiar with the map of Aotearoa and finding where we have been and where different towns or cities are. We have spent some time creating a hub treaty that links to our Inquiry.
During our Health sessions, we have spent time focusing on the theme of Who am I? Ko wai au? Exploring who we are helps to strengthen our sense of identity. By supporting ākonga to describe themselves in terms of their whakapapa (where they belong), we have aimed to help them understand themselves, their ancestry, and the concept of whānau (family). A recent session was about the responsibilities your child has at home. Ngā ākonga shared what they can do before school, after school and at the weekends to help their whānau.
Te Reo Māori
We have focused on developing our repertoire of karakia (blessing), whakatauki (proverb) and waiata (song) across the school. Ngā ākonga enjoy learning through song and dance. This term has meant we were not able to sing out loud due to the red level setting. Nora Rose Kirikiri has produced many videos to help ngā kura (schools) and ākonga learn how to communicate through sign language.
Electives
This term was very different to last year when we got to mix with ngā ākonga across the school. However, ngā kaiako were able to offer a range of experiences within a shared team.
The kōwhai team offered activities that required ākonga to safely climb up and over obstacles. A range of art was offered, specifically, self-portraits. The karaka and kākāriki teams offered construction (making things out of recycled materials or using lego to make something of their choice), woodwork table, sports, technology and a number of art mediums too.
Ngā mihi for your continued support. Here are some photos from this term's learning.
Kia kaha, Kia māia, Kia manawanui
Be strong, be brave, be steadfast
