What an incredible day we had yesterday at the pool! We had a slightly chilly start to the day but luckily the sun came out and everyone had a really great time. The children all did an excellent job at upholding our school values 'we get there together'. My personal favourite moment from the trip was seeing dozens of children deciding to demonstrate how they 'love challenge' by jumping off the highest diving board! I was so impressed that I too decided to join in the fun (which I later regretted once I had climbed to the top of the ladder!). It was a fantastic day! A HUGE thank you to all the parents who supported us on the day. Without your help trips like this wouldn't be possible.

Caitlyn

In Team Pōhutukawa we are learning about refugees. We have been simulating the refugee experience in our hubs through a series of games.

The children have been sorted into families and each family has their own refugee story.

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 We have had to find our family while blindfolded (simulating the experience of being in a bombed city)

In both hubs we set up a refugee camp for a day.

Not a very comfortable place to work and sleep!

 

Waiting for the daily allowance of rice.

The next part of our learning is for the children to work together in groups to research a group of refugees. We will encourage them to think critically and empathetically when they ask questions and research their chosen group. We would love you to talk about their research and support them in their inquiry.

Team building challenges teach us to work together and help us to learn more about ourselves and each other. They have also been amazing at helping us to deal with the HEAT! In the afternoons, when our rooms get hot and stuffy, what could be nicer that team building challenges with WATER?

Water Balloon relays!

Slip and Slide!

Have you ever wondered which coloured jelly bean is easiest to identify by taste alone? How about which one is the most difficult to identify? This question formed the basis of a statistical investigation in both hubs in Team Pōhutukawa. 

What a wonderful time we had on this trip! Our children sang beautifully at the cathedral. Their behaviour as we walked through the city was exemplary and our time at the Botanic Gardens was a welcome respite from the heat of the day.

As we walked to the Gardens, the children worked in teams to take photographs of items on a scavenger hunt. We were all amazed by the huge number of artworks and sculptures on display in our changing city.

We even had a student's aunty come down to the square to sing for us!

It was a great experience.