Kia ora whānau,

We are very excited about our upcoming trip to Ferrymead Heritage Park on the 23rd and 24th of March. This trip links strongly to our theme of ‘Change’ and the main focus will be on heritage life and development/change over time. 

The following homegroups will be visiting on these days:

Tuesday 23rd March - Nick and Meagan’s homegroups

Wednesday 24th March - Laura, Rowe and Quynh’s homegroups

On each trip, our tamariki will be divided into four groups and participate in the following workshops:

• Heritage school
• Picnic games 
• Bakery
• Heritage accommodation 

We will also go on the tram, have a tour around the village and dress up in old fashioned clothing.

On the day of the trip, your child/children will need to:

• Be at school by 8:45am
• Bring a filling morning tea and lunch in their lunchbox
• Bring a full water bottle
• Have sunblock applied before arriving
• Ensure their sunhat is at school (if unsure, send a spare)
• Bring a light waterproof layer if it appears overcast
• Wear comfortable shoes

We will need approximately 2-3 whānau helpers for each homegroup. This will involve helping to oversee small groups of learners, supporting food breaks and joining in with activities. 

Please make contact asap with your child’s home group teacher if you are able to help us on the day. 

Unfortunately, there are limited numbers of helpers, so if you miss out this time there will be more opportunities later in the year to help. For health and safety reasons we are unable to accommodate siblings/preschoolers. We do have some room for whānau who need to come with us on the bus, otherwise there is ample parking at Ferrymead. 

We will be in contact with those parents who will be coming along next week. 

The cost of this trip is covered by your school contribution. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Team Kōwhai

laura.williamson@beckenham.school.nz

rowena.barker@beckenham.school.nz

nick.brice@beckenham.school.nz

quynh.nyugen@beckenham.school.nz

meagan.mathers@beckenham.school.nz

Kia ora Kōwhai whānau, 

We have had a great Week 3 in the Kōwhai Hub - our first full five day week! The students have been enjoying continuing with the water play (when the weather has allowed!) and the students who chose not to participate in water play have had a fun time enjoying various art activities. 

Today was the last day of water play as we start our new inquiry unit topic next week. Our inquiry focus this year is Change and we are starting explore this by looking at historical changes around Canterbury - from the first waka to our shores, to today. 

To start off our inquiry learning journey about historical Canterbury… Next Thursday, Kōwhai children will be boarding the Kōwhai Hub Ship, recreating the 1800’s immigration from Europe to Aotearoa New Zealand. Please bring any blankets, pillows, pegs, and ropes that you have to help build the ship’s cabins. Please make sure everything is named. 

We have started our Kapa Haka lessons for the year with Whaea Cath. We have also been learning about rakau (stick) games in the hub. The students will be creating their own rakau over the coming weeks. We are still looking for newspapers and magazines to help create these - so if you have any spare at home, please send them in with your child. 

We have added a doll house into our learning through play activity. If you have any spare toys at home that you no longer use and that would suit imagination play in a doll house, please send them in with your child. 

Here are some pictures of our learning though play activities this week. 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Ngā mihi, 

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

Kia ora whānau, 

Please fill in the survey below if your child is interested in playing Miniball this term. If you put your name down at learning conferences you will still need to fill this form in. 

https://forms.gle/z9HK4LEjV7GSzhw18

As the games start soon please fill this in by end of Thursday the 11th of January. 

Nga mihi, 

Jenny and Laura 

 Kia ora whānau, 

This term during kapa haka we will be making rākau (sticks) in preparation for playing rākau (stick) games. To make these we are going to need magazines and newspapers. 

If you have any spare magazines or newspapers at home can you please send them in with your child - we will be using them throughout the year, so the more the merrier. 

Thank you in advance, 

Kōwhai Team 

Kia ora Kōwhai whānau, 

Welcome to the 2021 school year. It was so lovely to touch base with most of you at our learning conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

We have had a great first two days settling into our routines and getting to know each other. 

We are making sure we sanitise and wash our hands throughout the day, so if your child has sensitive skin, please give them their own sanitiser to use. 

We will definitely be continuing water play next week, so please remember to bring your togs on Tuesday - it's looking like it will be a hot day! 

We can't wait to continue to get to know the tamariki next week and start an exciting year ahead. 

Here are a few pictures of some of the fun we have had over the past few days. 

Have a lovely long Waitangi weekend. 

Nga mihi, 

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