Science

As part of our Science/Art/Health interchange, many students in the Pōhutukawa Team have been identifying and learning about organs and systems of the human body. As part of this topic, the children have been dissecting hearts, eyes, kidneys and other organs to find out about their structure. The children have also been involved in a research project on the system or organ that they were most interested in.

Rhythm Interactive

Recently, we were visited by Rhythm Interactive - a special drumming group that tours New Zealand. As part of the show, each student was given their own drum to play. The students had lots of fun learning to keep in time with the beat. Here's a video of the drumming in action:

Hockey

As part of our winter sports programme, we have had guest teachers from Small Stix Hockey come to school every week. During each session, the students have been learning about and practising lots of different hockey skills such as; passing, trapping, dribbling and tackling.

Dance

Next week, the children will start to learn a new dance routine as part of our dance/fitness programme. We will be showing off our dances as part of the Year 5 - 8 Showcase on the evening of Thursday, 6 July. More information to follow. We look forward to seeing you there!

Home Learning

For part of their home learning this week, the students will be completing a special one-off activity where they will create a diagram of their family tree. As part of this, please talk to your children about any interesting events in your family's history or about any interesting relatives/ancestors.

In the coming weeks, the children will be using the information they learn about their family as a starting point for a personal inquiry into a topic related to their family's history (e.g. early settlers, a famous relative, life in New Zealand in the 1990s etc.).

Paint Shirts

For art, the children will soon be working on creating and painting clay models. We ask that all children bring a large, old shirt to protect their uniform from any accidental paint splashes. We also have a small selection of shirts for any children that are unable to bring a paint shirt.

Word Art

As part of our identity inquiry, the children have been enthusiastically creating word clouds to express the personal qualities that make them special. Check out some of our work:

Baby Photos

Thanks for sending in all of the baby photos. The children have been having a lot of fun looking at them and trying to guess who is who!

As you may be aware, the Pōhutukawa children are currently involved in some water-themed team challenges as part of our end of year activities. Our final challenge will be a water fight on Wednesday, 14 December. The children will need to bring a water pistol (or a drink bottle) along with their togs and towel.

Any children who do not want to participate will be able to do alternative activities with Susan.

Also, a reminder that we will be walking to the Margaret Mahy Playground on Tuesday, 13 December, leaving Champion Street at 12pm and returning by 2.30pm. Thank you to all the parents who have offered to help on this trip. If you are able to help please contact your child’s home group teacher.

Please also remember that camp is strictly peanut free.

Planning is well underway for the Year 5 and 6 camp at Living Springs. As you already know, we will be leaving from Beckenham School on November 23. The children need to meet us in the school hall at 9:00am on this day. After the camp, we will return to Beckenham School between 2:30 and 3:00pm on November 25. We will wait in the hall for you to pick your child up.

The children will be sleeping in carpeted bunk rooms, which can be heated if required. As well as regular meals, there are three snack times during the day.

The programme is challenging, stimulating and safe. The activities include: swimming (heated pool), farm park visit, group initiative challenges, orienteering, walking and recreational activities.

All children will be well supervised and all risks well managed in accordance with our Camp Safety Action Plan and the Living Springs Risk Management Strategies. It will be an exciting learning opportunity for your child.

Thank you very much for the many offers of parental assistance. We were overwhelmed and we’re sorry that we can’t take everyone who volunteered. These are the parents who will accompany us:

• Chris Flynn
• Matt Cowie
• Phill Coxon
• Matthew Reid
• Brent Craig
• Corey Archer
• Rod Gray
• Ashley Tough
• Matthew Cornfoot
• Simon Kingham
• Nicole Haines
• George York
• Sarah Freeman
• Jane Brittenden
• Jane Parrett
• Brett Sutherland

The list of gear the children will need to bring can be found here. It is not necessary to buy the items listed. For such a short time, it is better to borrow.

Please contact your child’s home group teacher if you have any questions.