Kia ora Kōwhai whānau, 

We have had a great Week 3 in the Kōwhai Hub - our first full five-day week! We have been very busy establishing routines, engaging in learning activities and having lots of fun along the way. We have also started going to kapa haka with whaea Cath. Every homegroup will be given the opportunity to try kapa haka this term. Anna R, Rowe and Nick's homegroups are going to kapa haka from weeks 2-5 and Charlotte and Anna M's homegroups are going in weeks 6-9.

Home Learning

Our literacy groups are well under way. We will be sending a letter home soon informing you of how our home learning programme works. It is separated into two parts, depending on whether or not your child takes home a structured literacy reading book.

1. Once your child has completed the Structured Literacy programme, home learning will consist of reading a chapter book or non-fiction book of their own choice each night. Some students will bring home a journal story or article that they have read in class. All students visit the library once a week.
2. Optional spelling activities are also outlined.

Library days are as follows:

• Rowe and Nick's literacy groups on Mondays
• Anna M and Anna R's literacy groups on Tuesdays
• Charlotte's literacy group on Wednesdays

Geometry

Currently, our students are enjoying lessons and activities based on the geometry strand of mathematics. These activities are based on learning 2D and 3D shapes and their properties. The students are being introduced to vocabulary associated with these properties, e.g., faces, edges and vertices.

There is a Geometry section in Mathematics Games on the intranet which they can use as well. Try getting the children to identify the names of common household shapes or send them on a scavenger hunt to locate shapes. 

Butterflies

We were very fortunate last week when we were given 2 monarch chrysalises for us to observe. The students were spellbound, waiting and watching as the monarchs emerged from their chrysalises. Many rich discussions about the process of metamorphosis took place. The children also discussed the process of monarch butterflies drying off their wings before they could fly. 

Art

The focus this week for Art has been creating a self-portrait. The children have been following the rules of facial proportion and have achieved some outstanding results.

Have a lovely weekend. 

Ngā mihi, 

The Kōwhai Team - Anna R, Anna M, Nick, Charlotte, Rowe and Megan.

Kia ora tātou,

It has been another busy fortnight, and our students have continued to amaze us with their passion and energy for learning. Well done to all our tamariki! Thanks again to all whānau for your ongoing support. We wish you a relaxing, healthy and fun holiday period. 

Discovery Fun

We continue to provide a range of options on a weekly basis that engage and challenge students. Below are some examples of these.

Sphero Bolt Programming

We have had the privilege of learning how to use a Sphero Bolt - a ball-like robot. These are on loan to us for two weeks. Sphero BOLT is a coding robot that lets kids learn coding through hands-on play and STEAM activities. It is a perfect entry into robotics.

Lego Challenge

Each day, the students are set a new challenge. We have some real experts in our midst. Maybe one day you will see them as contestants on Lego Masters.

Mū Tōrere

Some of our students chose to make the traditional Māori board game called Mū Tōrere. It is said to be the only native board game of the Māori. It is played on the points and centre of an 8-pointed star, by two players with four pieces each. The object of the game is to block your opponent so they cannot move. If your child has made one of these, look forward to it coming home just in time for some holiday fun. It is perfect for a wet day. The instructions will be glued to the back of the board. To play it, you will need two different coloured counters. Have fun!

 Kia ora whānau, 

Here's out final update for the term. We have had a fantastic and busy term with our tamariki. The students have been so engaged in our coding and chemistry lessons this term. 

Four Square Festival 

This week some of our students planned and organised a Four Square Festival.  Well done to Eadie, Isla, Toby and Nikoda for their amazing leadership and enthusiasm. A huge thank you to Sue and Jo for helping facilitate this. 

Here are some photos of the festival. 

Pokemon Cards

Please keep Pokemon cards at home. The students are not allowed to play with these during school time. Students have been trading these cards, and can become upset when they realise they may not get that card back. Thank you for your help. 

Next Term 

We are changing out home group spaces next term. We moved to these spaces on Friday. 

Here is where the new homegroup spaces are in our hub:

Nick - Pathway

Meagan - Atrium

Quynh - Nook 

Rowe - Breakout space

Laura - Theatre

Gymnastics 

Kōwhai will be starting a Gymnastics unit and we will be visiting the Christchurch school of Gymnastics in Week 5 and 6. More information about this will come out at the start of Term 3.

We hope you have a lovely holiday and come back to school well rested on Monday the 26th of July. 

Ngā mihi, 

The Kōwhai Team - Laura, Rowe, Nick, Meagan and Quynh 

Kia ora whānau,

 As part of our science inquiry we have been investigating chemical changes. Below are some photos of our " Moving Milk " experiment and the reactions of our little scientists in action.  The children were asked to predict what they thought would happen. They conducted the experiment and made ongoing observations. 

Another investigation we conducted was mixing oil and water. We found out they did not mix! However, when dish soap was added it changed the molecules so oil and water did combine. 

Hi everyone

This is the calendar art for Rowe's home group. Some children painted an autumnal scene based on an impressionist style, some used pastels to draw Wassily Kandinsky circles and a couple of children were keen to choose their own design.  Feel free to come in and check it out! We have worked so hard and are very proud of our creations.