Kia ora whānau,

We are now well settled into the school routine again and we are so impressed by the way everyone has been wearing their masks. Ka pai, everyone!

Over the last 2 weeks, we have gradually started getting into our regular learning, delving into geometry for maths, focussing particularly on 2D and 3D shapes, and introducing free writing and reading groups. 

Have a look at some of the shape patterns some of the children have been making in maths:

For art, we are creating collage self-portraits and to begin with, we have been practising drawing ourselves. We are going to be using scrap material, magazines, patterned paper, ribbons, crepe paper straws and many more materials to create these masterpieces which we are calling, "Sustainable Me!" Here is an example from one of our practice sessions:

Every Friday this term, the children will be going to Kapa Haka with Whaea Cath and they will get the opportunity to learn a special karakia and the Kōwhai haka. At the end of Term 1, they will then have the option of continuing in the Kapa Haka group for the rest of the year if they want to. We have been going in our homegroups for 20 minutes at a time and while a homegroup is at Kapa Haka, the remainder of us have been focussing on circle time and wellbeing. We are currently looking at Te Whare Tapa Whā and getting the children to think about how they, for example, look after their physical wellbeing, their spiritual wellbeing and their emotional wellbeing.

As we are unable to have full school assemblies, we have decided to have a weekly team hui in the hall instead. At these hui, we are celebrating birthdays, learning clapping songs and handing out Kete Certificates. This gives the children a chance to get together and celebrate in a setting where there's plenty of room to space out! This week's Kete Certificate recipients were Lilly, Levi, Jaxon, Ben, Paige, Tom B, Julia, Adele, Nelly and Arlo. Congratulations!

Yesterday, during Discovery, we were lucky to be given a concert by Erina on her cello. She had quite a captivated audience. Thank you for your beautiful playing, Erina!

We have also been having a bit of a tower building competition during Discovery. Here are a couple of

photos of a wooden block tower versus a plastic cup tower.

Our apple trees behind Tahaki have been thriving this year and producing a lot of apples so some of the

children had the privilege of stewing some apples with Sonya, out wonderful teacher aide. You can see

that they were delighted with the experience!

Finally, just a few reminders:

• Could you please make sure your child brings a polar fleece to school every day as it can be quite cold at times. Thank you!
• Home group library days are as follows: 
• Monday = Nick and Rowe
• Tuesday = Anna
• Wednesday = Charlotte and Quynh
• Laura is in for Rowe every Friday so if you have something you need to share on this day then please communicate directly with Laura.