Making Christmas Cards

Room 16 have been busy making a Christmas card for a special helper in our class.  They all did a great job of very carefully colouring in, cutting out and assembling a Christmas elf on the front of the card and then wrote their message inside the card.

Alexandra busy assembling her Christmas elf on a card

Mariposa carefully cutting out.

Completing the colouring in.

Outstanding Attendance Awards

Four children from Room 16 received Outstanding Attendance Certificates at our last Team Assembly.  Alexandra, Anne Marie, Feiloaki and Samson came to school more than 90% of the days that school was open and their learning benefited from such regular attendance.

Alexandra's Christmas Story

Alexandra's Hungry Duck Story

"I saw lots of ducks and they were looking for food.  Me and Tupou were looking at the ducks and there were lots of ducks."  Story and picture by Alexandra

Getting Taller

We have been learning about measurement in maths so Mariposa and Alexandra were able to use their new skills to measure the corn as it gets taller.

Watching Our Corn Growing

Last week at Makerspace the children planted corn seeds.  They have been anxiously watching to see if the seeds have germinated and begun to grow.  On Thursday when they arrived at school and checked the containers they found three tiny shoots then on Friday there was one more shoot.  It is exciting watching the tiny plants getting bigger.

Alexandra has been keeping an eye on the corn seedlings

The seedlings are beginning to grow.

A Fonterra Treat!

A big thank you to Fonterra for the treats they gave the whole school yesterday.  Here are some of the children's story which show how much they appreciated their treat.

"I was waiting for the ice block and I liked the kiwi fruit and strawberry bit too.  I collected the rubbish in the rubbish bin."  Story and picture by Samson

"The ice block we had yesterday was yummy.  I liked the strawberry part and the kiwi part.  It was nice.  Thank you Fonterra."  Told to the teacher by Siulua

"We all got an ice block from Fonterra.  It was yummy strawberry and kiwi fruit.  We are lucky because Fonterra also give us milk.  We like the milk too."  Told to the teacher by Tupou

"Yesterday we got a kiwi and strawberry ice block from Fonterra.  It was really yummy and delicious.  We are lucky.'' Told to the teacher by Mariposa

Samson and Anne Marie.

Alexandra.

Anne Marie, Pene and Siulua.

Room 16 and 17 enjoy their ice blocks under the tree.

Maggie says, "Its yum!"

Tupou and Feiloaki say "Thanks Fonterra!"

Maria thinks strawberry and kiwi fruit ice blocks are yummy.

Young Ocean Explorers at Pt England

Steve from the Young Ocean Explorers came to talk to the children and show some footage that he had shot of marine animals.  Steve is an underwater cameraman and he had some amazing photos of whales, sharks, turtles and other fish close up in their environment.  His talk was a great motivation for our writing as these stories and pictures show just how engaged the children were.

"At school I saw Steve and then we saw some little fish.  Steve went diving in the water."  By Alexandra

"I went to assembly and I saw Steve.  I like the sea animals and he talked about the animals and he took a photo of an octopus."  By Samson

"I went to see the sea.  I was looking at Marlin and turtles and I saw Steve.  Me and Steve went to see the animals."  By Nate

Steve is a camera man.  He goes under the water.  He took photos of a marlin.  It came up close.  Sharks, seals and turtles have sharp teeth."  By Tupou

Biking Again!

There was much excitement when it was announced that all the muddy puddles on the bike track have been fixed and the children can now use it again. 

Alexandra on a small bike

Samson on a bigger bike joining his friends on a bike ride.

Netball Prize Giving

At the Netball Prizing Giving all the Sparkles received a certificate for their participation over the season but Alexandra got a surprise when she was awarded a well deserved certificate for the most improved player.  Well done, Alexandra.  You practised all the skills and really got into the game, helping you team mates get the ball down the court by finding a gap and getting free from the other team's defence.  I hope you are going to play netball next year.

Our "Duck Says Don't " Stories.

Room 16 enjoyed reading the story "Duck Says Don't" by Alison Ritchie.

Goose goes away on holiday and gives Duck the job of looking after the pond while she is away.  Unfortunately Duck is a bit too enthusiastic and signs soon appear everywhere and his friends decide they don't like being bossed around and they leave.  I will let some of our writers share their stories of how Duck solved this problem.

"I saw Goose and he is going on holiday.  Duck is in charge of the pond.  He put up some signs like "No swimming", "No fishing".  At the end of the story he was kind and everyone played with him."  Story by Samson

"Duck said, "No splashing Dragonflies and Frogs."  Duck said, "No swimming, no racing, no jumping."  He was bossy.  Everyone is sad when Duck is in charge of the pond.  He was being mean."  Story dictated by Tupou

"Duck is so not being kind.  Duck was so not being kind when he put up the signs.  Then Duck put a new sign up.  Because Duck was mean to his friends they went away."  Story by Alexandra

Joshua's first two page story about Duck.  A great recount Joshua.

"I like the Duck because he was kind at the end.  Duck was not kind at the beginning and the frogs went away and the frogs found somewhere else to play.  The frogs met some new friends and the Duck said I am sorry frogs."  By Joshua

Feeding Time for the Eels

Off to fed the eels - Tupou, Alexandra and Anne Marie

The children fed the eels this morning and they were rather hungry.  They jumped up to eat the crab meat, splashing some of the children.  The children came back to class very excited that they were able to see the eels moving around their tank and splashing.

"I like touching the eels and I saw the eels.  The eel saw the crab meat on the lid (of the tank) and he splashed my face."  Picture and story by Samson

Picture and story by Alexandra

"I touched the eel five times."  Story and picture by Fateh

"I touched the eels back and he ate the crab meat." Story and picture by Mariposa 

"I touched the eel.  It was slimy.  It was slimy and fun."  Story and picture Kura

"I fed the eels and I had some eel food.  We fed the eels and they were happy.  We had fun and so did the eels."  By Anne Marie

End of the Netball Season

The "Sparkles" Year 1 Netball team have come a long way from their first game earlier this year.  They have learnt new skills and how to work together as a team to get the ball down the court.  They have turned up for practises and games and they have been well supported by parents who have come each week to cheer on the team. 

Alexandra in her netball uniform

Alexandra with the "Sparkles" team 2018

A Hedgehog On The Computer?

A picture of a hedgehog on a computer keyboard provided motivation for our writing today.  The children had some great ideas as to what he was up to and here is Alexandra's story.

"Hedgehog likes to work on the computer.  He likes to type.  He typed a notice for Room 16.  Hedgehog writes, "I like to blog."  Story and picture by Alexandra

Alexandra's Weekend Story

"Me and my brother went on the trampoline to play with our friends.  We played with our friends."  Story and picture by Alexandra

Alexandra's Very Hungry Bear Story

"Brown Bear went to look for some fish.  Polar Bear had all the fish but Polar Bear shared the fish,  Brown Bear took Polar Bear to his home."  Story and picture by Alexandra

Alexandra's Story About Harold

Alexandra likes to write stories.  She wrote a great story about meeting Harold and how he "likes to do some teaching".  I am sure Harold enjoyed meeting everyone from Pt England and teaching them about healthy eating.  We will look forward to Harold's visit next year and learning more from him.

Our Last Netball Game For 2018

Tonight was our last game of netball for the 2018 season.  The Sparkles have remembered what Mrs Lal has taught them.  They can move around the court to get free, pass the ball then run down towards the goal, and they all try hard to shoot a goal.  Well done Sparkles, you have all worked hard as a team and learnt new skills.  Thank you parents for your help and support.

The Sparkles - Aliana, Alexandra,OiOi, Ponyamon, Elijah and Maung Maung (Absent Diamond)

"Put Your Rubbish In The Right Bin."

At Team Assembly we have been talking about the need to "put your rubbish in the right bin" and the consequences to our environment if we just let our rubbish blow into the creek or down to the beach.  This was motivation for Samson, Maggie and Alexandra to write about why we need to put our rubbish in the right bin.

"I had to sweep the bay.  My brother had to help me.  My Mum came to look at the rubbish and she saw it was cleaned."
Picture and story by Alexandra

"The rubbish goes to the sea and to the fish.  The fish eat the rubbish.  The fish get sick."
Picture and story by Samson

Alexandra's Home Learning

Alexandra likes to practise her writing and she enjoys doing detailed pictures to illustrate her stories.  She has been writing and drawing at home and here she proudly shows the work she has done at home.  Keep practising Alexandra as I enjoy reading your work and talking with you about your drawings.