Kia ora e te whānau,

Here is an update on what has been happening in the Kōwhai hub over the last 2 weeks.

Cyber Safety Learning This Week

This week in Cyber Safety, we explored the difference between personal information and private information. Students learned what information is safe to share and what information should be kept private, such as passwords, home addresses, and phone numbers. We also discussed who we can trust with our private information and why it is important to think carefully before sharing details online or in person.

Your child may come home with some sheets to do at home. These sheets correspond with discussions and activities we have done in class. We have looked at making safe choices and have learned how to protect ourselves and others when using digital technologies. These skills are an important part of being safe, responsible, and confident digital citizens. Thank you for supporting this at home.

Descriptive Writing 

Over the past few weeks, students have been developing their narrative writing skills by learning how to plan, structure, and write engaging stories. It has been wonderful to see their creativity shine as they have crafted characters, settings, problems, and solutions.

As we finish our narrative writing unit, we are excited to begin exploring descriptive writing with a focus on the art of writing. Students will learn how authors use carefully chosen words, vivid descriptions, and figurative language to create pictures in the reader's mind. They will experiment with using their senses, interesting vocabulary, and descriptive techniques to bring their ideas to life.

We are looking forward to seeing our students' imaginations at work and watching their amazing ideas come alive through their writing. 

PE Update

Recently in PE, we have been focusing on developing our small ball skills. Through a variety of fun drills, activities, and games, students have been exploring and improving their hand-eye coordination, as well as their throwing and catching abilities.

Students have been challenged to practice accuracy, control, and teamwork while participating in activities designed to build confidence and skill. These experiences help develop fundamental movement skills that can be applied across many different sports and physical activities.

It has been fantastic to see students showing perseverance, encouraging one another, and celebrating their progress as they continue to refine their skills. We look forward to seeing their confidence and coordination continue to grow throughout the rest of this unit!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

From the Kōwhai team

Kia ora e te whānau,

We can't believe we are nearly halfway through Term 2! There has been lots happening over the last few weeks, and our tamariki have been doing some pretty cool things in the hub. This blog post will cover a few notices, our writing focus, our te ao Māori focus, and what we have been learning about in cyber safety. 

Notices

School Closed: Please remember Friday 29th May (Week 6) is a Staff Only Day, and the following Monday 1st June (Week 7) is King's Birthday. School will be closed on these days. 

Nut Reminder: A reminder we are a Nut Free Hub. This includes anything containing any sort of nut (e.g. nut muesli bars, nuts in slices, peanut butter, nutella, scroggin mixes etc.) We thank you for your understanding and help with this. 

Welcome to Kathryn

As you may be aware, Georgia will be leaving soon to go on maternity leave. Her last day of teaching will be on Friday 12th June (Week 8). We are very excited for this new chapter ahead for Georgia. 

We are also excited to share that Kathryn Sutherland will be taking over Georgia's homegroup, and will begin with the class on Monday 15th June. Kathryn is an experienced teacher, having taught both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and has recently been working at Oaklands School. 

Kathryn will be coming in on Wednesday 27th May (Week 6) to spend the day with Georgia's homegroup as well as with everyone in the hub. We are looking forward to having Kathryn join the Kōwhai team!

Narrative Writing

This term, we have been working on writing narratives. Our tamariki are developing their skills in planning, organising, and editing their own narratives, while also using descriptive language to make their writing more detailed and engaging for their readers. It has been awesome to see our tamariki showing our school kete values 'We Love Challenge' and 'We Love Learning' in the hard work and effort they have put into their writing.

Te Ao Māori

Recently, we have been focusing on kōwhaiwhai patterns. We have learnt what different patterns there are, the colours of these patterns, where we might find these patterns, and we have also been having a go at drawing the kōwhaiwhai patterns. Below is some information about our kōwhaiwhai patterns:

• Kōwhaiwhai patterns contain Māori history and can be used to tell stories. 
• The patterns differ between tribes as they are derived from the environment where the tribe exists.
• The kōwhaiwhai patterns are most often found on the tāhū (ridgepoles) and the heke (rafters), in a wharenui (meeting house).
• The colours used are red, black and white, and each colour has a different mearning. Red represents warmth, blood, and life. Black represents the earth. White represents purity and promise for the future. 
• Each symbol within a pattern has a different meaning, and each one is very special to Māori culture. 

Cyber Safety

Staying Safe Online: Bullying

One in five young people in New Zealand have been the target of online bullying – it can happen to anyone, and it can be hard for parents and whānau to deal with. Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto takes online bullying seriously and would encourage you to chat to your tamariki’s teacher if you have any concerns about online bullying.

Visit Netsafe’s Online Bullying Advice for Parents to read more.

Kia ora e te whānau,

Welcome back to Term 2! 

We have an action-packed term ahead, starting with our whole school Cross Country event next Friday and our annual Readathon fundraiser. The Kōwhai children have settled in really quickly to the new term with our well-established routines, enabling a smooth start.

Cross Country

Next Friday, we will be holding our whole-school cross country event, which students have been preparing for since the end of last term. Please ensure your child comes dressed in suitable clothing and footwear for the day. Thank you!

Schedule:

• Year 4 Boys – 11:00am
• Year 4 Girls – 11:07am
• Ferndale – 11:14am
• Year 3 Boys – 11:21am
• Year 3 Girls – 11:28am

We look forward to seeing you there to support and cheer on the children!

Readathon

Nut Free Zone

Hand Washing

Fleeces

Team Hui

Every Friday at the end of the day in the Kōwhai hub, we come together for a celebratory Team Hui. During this time, we recognise our learning and achievements, present certificates, share any important notices, and enjoy singing together. It’s a wonderful way to wrap up the week, and the children have really loved gathering and singing as a group.

Cyber Safety

Random Chat Online

Have a great ANZAC holiday weekend!

From the Kōwhai team

Kia ora e te whānau,

We are now approaching the end of Term 1 and what a busy term it has been! We spent the first three weeks in our homegroups building relationships and getting to know one another, before moving into our maths and literacy groups, which are now well established. The tamariki have settled confidently into their routines and are thriving in their learning, which is great to see.

Scooter Skills 

In Week 7, we had a fantastic time taking part in our Scooter Skills sessions. During the sessions, we learnt a range of important skills to help us stay safe while riding our scooters. We practiced how to balance properly, control our speed and stop safely. 

Another key part of our learning was developing an awareness of our surroundings. We talked about watching where we are going and making smart choices while riding, especially when crossing roads. These are all valuable skills that will help keep us safe not only at school, but also when we are out and about in our community.

We would like to say a big thank you to all the parents and whānau who allowed us to borrow scooters for these sessions. Your support made it possible for us to take part in this awesome learning experience.

Living Our Values During Discovery

Throughout Term 1, we have been placing a special focus on noticing and celebrating students who are “living our values” during Discovery time, particularly through their social skills.

Discovery is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore, create, and collaborate. During this time, we have been looking closely at how students interact with one another showing kindness, including others, sharing resources, using positive communication, and working together as a team.

It has been fantastic to see so many students demonstrating these values in action. Whether it’s inviting someone new to join a game, taking turns, helping a friend, or solving problems respectfully, these moments all contribute to building a caring and supportive classroom environment.

At the end of each Discovery session, we take time to acknowledge the students we have noticed displaying our values. These students are celebrated and receive a certificate, which they proudly add to our “Living Our Values” wall. This wall is quickly filling up with examples of the positive choices and behaviours.

We are incredibly proud of the way students are supporting one another and showing what it means to live our values. Keep up the amazing work!

Pepeha 

Term 1 Overview 

As Term 1 comes to an end, we can all look back and feel proud of what has been a fantastic start to the year.

It has been wonderful seeing positive relationships build throughout the hub. Throughout the term, we have worked hard across all areas. From developing new skills to challenging ourselves with new ideas, it has been great to see everyone showing enthusiasm and a willingness to give things a go. We have also focused on working together, showing respect, and supporting one another, which has helped make the Kōwhai hub a positive place to be.

Thank you to everyone for your effort and positive attitudes, and to our whānau for their ongoing support. It truly makes a difference.

We are looking forward to another exciting term ahead. We wish everyone a safe and happy break!