Ngā Mihi o te Tau Hou! Matariki in Ōtaki.

We completed our module of Kapa Haka with Kia Manawanui by performing in the Ōtaki main street for Matariki. It was a very exciting night for all of us. I felt very proud of our tamariki. There was a large crowd waiting for us on the night. When we first walked out onto the staging area all I could see was a sea of faces. If anyone was nervous, you wouldn't have guessed they were. I couldn't have been more proud of them, for their hard work during the term, and the amazing performance they gave. Ka nui te pai ō mahi tamariki mā!

We are ready and waiting to go out to perform.

Wacky Hair Day

Last term we do a spot of fundraising for the Cancer Foundation by holding a "Wacky Hair Day" assembly. It was a wonderful opportunity to be really creative with our hair. Some amazing hair styles for almost all os the children in Tupu-a-rangi.

Kiana was one of the prize winners on the day! 

Friday Afternoon.....

Apparently Jayden is dressed as someone who is friends with Super Nacho Taco man - Kerby Buckets is the show he is from. Awesome creativity from some awesome boys!

Cross Country for Ōtaki Kura

We are READY!! Today is the full school cross country at Haruatai park! 

Tupu-ā-rangi Netballers

Winter sport started this week, here is the Year 5 and 6 team playing Te Horo. Tau ke!

Dane Coles visits Ōtaki School

It was a big day at Ōtaki School - Cassius came first in the senior syndicate cross country practice -  rawe! Also, Roger Booth from the Kapiti Motivation Trust visited with local boy, Dane Coles. Dane Coles is the Hurricanes captain, as well as an All Blacks player. He shared with us his story from a young boy playing rugby, through to the hard work it takes to play rugby as a professional. Dane spoke about his love of the game of rugby, and despite it being hard work, how much he enjoyed playing rugby professionally. Living his dream!

Mothers Day Assembly

Today we joined together as a school to honour our wonderful mums as a school. Te Korowai Whakamana kaiako presented a play and many classes shared the mahi they have been doing during class time. Almost everybody dressed up as their favourite book character as it was a Duffy books assembly also. Tau kē tamariki mā!

Mother's Day

A big mihi out there to all our fabulous mothers! And a special mihi to those of you who are doing a double duty as Nanas or Dads. All the the students out a lot of effort into the cards for you on your special day!

Dinosaurs

This term our topic focus is Dinosaurs. We began working on this topic last week, talking about what we know and what we would like to know. On Friday during our topic time we did observational drawing of dinosaurs. Ngā tamariki were very focused on their task, and paid a lot of attention to the details.

Cross Country Training

Cross country training began in earnest today with all students in the senior school running around the block in order to prepare for the Cross Country race in week 5. Tupu-a-rangi all ran well! Keep moving everyone!

Bread making

During our Topic time on a Friday morning we tried making bread for the first time. Earlier this week we had read a book about different breads. There has been alot of discusssion about the different types of breads we eat - we will continue to practice our bread making skills next week.

Helping Hands at Ōtaki School

On Thursday 4th May Ōtaki School had a visit from a group of volunteers from Fonterra, who came to do some jobs around the kura. They spread bark, they refilled the sandpit, they weeded the gardens, they even fixed our netball posts! Wow what busy people! But best of all they brought us some snacks! Yum!

Bugs Bugs Bugs

Our Topic focus for the last few weeks of Term 1 has been insects - we are looking forward to our Te Papa trip to the Bugs Lab on Friday!!! During our session last Friday all the tamariki did observational drawings of insects. I was really impressed with the ammount of focus the children demonstrated - their dedication was reflected in the quality of their drawings. Tu meke!

Measurement

On Friday we ran a technology challenge to see who could build the biggest tower in our class. The tower had to have an appendage or part of it sticking out from the main tower. Then students measured their towers....todays winner was - Orlando! His tower measured 45cm.

Click on this link to watch their creating.....

Technology Challenge

Athletics

For the second part of Term 1 - our Physical Education focus has been Athletics. All the tamariki in Room 12 have enjoyed the variety of activities on offer throughout our afternoon sessions. It was wonderful to see everyone participating in all the events.

PB4L - Safe - Te noho haumaru

Our Positive Behaviour for Learning focus for Term 1 is Safe - Te noho haumaru. Room 12 has been discussing different ways to keep ourselves Safe at school.

Kaitiaki is putting her rubbish in the bin.

Not throwing it.

So we don’t trip over it.

Safe - PB4L

Noa is wearing his hat so he won’t get sunburnt.

Noa is being SAFE.

PB4L - Safe - Te noho haumaru

Room 12 is eating

respectfully on the stairs.

If you were running with your food you might choke.