Welcome to week 4! The term is zipping by and there is incredible learning happening across the team!
Junior School Athletics Day
We are currently working on developing the athletic skills of the children in Kōwhai team. At our level, the focus of our teaching is centred on teaching the children the correct techniques for discus, shot put, long jump, high jump and sprints. Although we do not hold competitive events, the children are encouraged to improve their personal skills over the weeks that we are practising. This development of correct techniques is important for when they compete in Year 5-8 as the equipment that is used are official athletics items and to prevent injury, children need to use these correctly. We have been really impressed with the improvement of the children this term.
Junior School Athletics Day is on Wednesday 21st November, 12pm-3pm.
You are most welcome to come and support your child on this day and to see the skills your child have been developing. 
Kapa Haka
Congratulation to the children in the Kōwhai Kapa Haka group who performed admirably on Wednesday night. we are so proud of all the mahi (work) that they have out into their kapa haka learning. This coming Thursday at 2pm, the Kapa Haka group will perform to the Kōwhai team. You are most welcome to come along to see them in action and any grandparents or whanau are welcome to attend.
Firewise
To conclude our Firewise learning we had the Sydenham Fire Service come to school to reinforce the key learning from the unit. The children all had the opportunity to go through the escape tunnel to practice, 'Get, down, get low and GET OUT!" We also talked about the importance of having working smoke alarms in all main areas of our homes and for these to be tested to ensure they are working correctly along with having a safe meeting place in the event of an emergency. We hope that you have checked your alarms at home and have discussed how to exit your home in the event of a fire.
Maths
In our mathematics inquiry groups, we are developing the skills we need to be self-improvers in maths. Our most recent focus has been on communication skills - asking questions to clarify our understanding. We all agree that everyone needs to take responsibility for their own learning and that in our groups there should be no passengers.
Here is a recent question that many of the children have been working on recently:
On our trip to the gardens, everyone was spotting insects and birds. Louie and Liam decided to count all the legs they saw in the morning. They counted 264 legs altogether. Then they realised that they saw exactly three times as many birds as insects. How many birds did they see? How many insects did they see?
Literacy
In our literacy groups, we have been reading and writing narratives. The children have focused on using 'wow' words, using detail to extend their ideas and using similes and metaphors to help, 'Paint a picture' in the reader's mind. I
Mike's group decided that since they had been looking at fire safety, they would have fire as a central theme in their narratives. Here is an example of their writing.
Mike's group decided that since they had been looking at fire safety, they would have fire as a central theme in their narratives. Here is an example of their writing.
Fire safety at camping by Aaria
I raced inside to grab Buddy, my puppy and his travelling cage. I ran out, hopped into the car, put on my seatbelt and off we were, camping. After at least an hour, there we were, Akaroa. I jumped out of the Jeep, followed by Marama, my big sister and Amya, my little sister. Marama was 14 when she actually liked going camping but now she was 18 she hated camping because there was no wifi in the country and Marama is like, addicted to the internet. As mum set up the campfire I ran inside the tent to get marshmallows. Marama groaned and said, "Do we have to roast stupid marshmallows?". "Marama Rose Tyler!" mum shouted before quietly, but firmly adding "please speak nicely". Marama kicked a stone and didn't realise the stone had knocked over the campfire. Bright orange flames danced across the grass, reaching our tent. Then it hit me. Amya was sound asleep in the tent! I sprinted into the camp office as fast as I could. I needed a fire extinguisher. My eyes darted everywhere, finally, I saw it. I raced outside and put out the fire. Amya came out of the tent sobbing. She had a burn on her arm, it looked like a red, wide, inflamed snake going up her arm.
Kowhai's Trip to the Gardens and Museum
On the 25th and 26th of October, the children in the Kōwhai team went to the Canterbury Museum and the Botanic Gardens. The children had a great time learning about the key roles of birds, insects and trees in a balanced ecosystem. Thank you to all our adult helpers that made the trip possible. It was a huge success and we could not have done it without you.
Year 4-8 Athletics Day
Last Friday, the Year 4s joined in with the Year 5-8 Athletics Day, taking part competitively in four disciplines: shot put, discus, high jump and sprints. We had a fantastic day tagging along with the Year 8s and the children put every effort into doing their absolute best and also cheering each other on. The placings will be announced at a future assembly.
Here are some photos from our exciting day:
Have a great weekend ahead!
Kōwhai teaching team