Outdoor Classroom Day

Thursday was "Outdoor Classroom Day." 

Some ākonga started the day with a Character Strength hunt around the school. They worked with younger students to find posters placed around the school. It was wonderful to see the Curiosity, Leadership and Zest. 

Students have been using their creativity and imagination, channelling Andy Goldsworthy by creating environmental artwork. Students have been interacting meaningfully with their surroundings. They are developing the strength of Appreciating Beauty and Excellence.

Some students worked on their mapping skills and made treasure maps around the school.

Some students used the Te Reo for the gardening which we have been learning.

Students made fitness circuits for younger students with a goal to improve their Positive Health. 

There are so many benefits for children to play and learn outside. Research shows that it improves children's mental and physical health. Find out more: https://outdoorclassroomday.com/about/

Strengths

Research shows that character strengths can help children succeed at school and in life. Strengths are the positive qualities individuals have, as reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They promote the well-being of themselves and others. 

Have a watch of our latest little vignette - this time an introduction to Character Strengths 

Sarah Laing Visit

Our Inquiry is called ‘Words and Pictures, Igniting the imagination’.

This Inquiry links to our school-wide Writing and Inquiry focus, creating a Zine which we can share with the Worser Bay community and beyond! We are beginning to work on different form of Visual Literacy and are learning more about magazines in general to generate inspiration.

To give us some inspiration, Sarah Laing came to visit us. She is an author/ illustrator. 

Isabella: Sarah Laing came to school. She is an author and she does comic and non-fiction books and today she showed us how to be free in art, let it flow. She inspired me to do a comic myself.

Lachlan: we learnt to draw stuff like eyes for a human. It was very fun we made comics as well. We learnt how to draw a face.

Scarlett: Sarah asked us if we like comics. Lots of people liked Dog Man. She made me what to do more art than I do. I think she needs to use a lot of bravery, hope, teamwork and kindness in her job. We made a comic. Mine was about Tui's birthday. It was very cool that she came to our school.

Freddie: Sarah is an amazing artist and her style is like a dictionary comic. She is a very good drawer. She proved that simple can be better. Sarah uses perseverance, bravery and leadership. I think that she uses bravery because she has to show her work to people that she does not know.

Tommy: I liked when Sarah came to visit. I was inspired by her comics and novels. I am more inspired than ever before.

Monty: We learnt about distances/ perspective in drawing. Sarah drew emotions behind wearing a mask. I'm inspired by how she can draw like her style and how she is inspired by anything. The strengths I used was creativity because I am proud of the mini comic that I made.

Leo M: Sarah uses creativity in her work. We got to make our own comics. I loved it. It was so much fun!

Violet: Sarah is a great drawer she writes awesome comics. She is also very creative with her work. She likes telling people what she is up to and makes her self very clear. When she came to visit she helped us write a comic and it was very fun.

Lisa: Sarah Laing came to show us some of her work. She makes comics and illustrated some pictures in 'Go Girl'. One of her books was about lockdown. She said that her comics are like diaries. She uses a lot of creativity and perseverance to make her comics. We are inspired by her and we made our own comics.

Nikita: Sarah Laing is a very talented artist. She writes books and comics. She is inspired by all these different people with different talents. She shows lots of character strengths like creativity, bravery and humour. She also has grit. She inspires me because of all the cool books and comics she writes.

Nikita's comic, inspired by Sarah Laing

 

Grit- Strength Spotting

 

Strength Spotting- Celebrity, Powerful, Sporting Stars and Ordinary Grit 

What you pay attention to is what expands! We have been thinking about inspirational people that have shown perseverance, passion and a pursuit to meet long term goals. We are learning how to spot and appreciate the qualities that make this authentic Grit. 

We also thought of a time when we were at our best. People who identify top strengths in positive ways throughout the day are happier and more successful in pursuit of goals.

Ethan B: I'm at my best when I was doing Cross Country because it was really hard and I got so tired and my legs were really hurting. I had to show Bravery and Perseverance because I had to keep going and I couldn't stop, but I finished and I did my best. I was at my best when I was doing Maths because it gets me really confused and I start to struggle. I showed Zest and Perseverance because it can get me really confused.

Paris: I did my best when I was writing my essay. The strength I used was confidence because sometimes I get overwhelmed when things are challenging.

Yoichi: I am at my best while writing my book because I can write whatever I want. And lots of ideas go through my head. But sometimes it is hard to write everything down and describe things. I am also very nervous when it comes to someone else reading my book. But it is very fun because I can write down my imagination. I always dream that someday I will publish my book and it will go in bookstores. I also love making up new characters and describing them and their personality. I am also at my best when I am playing video games because it is very entertaining. I especially love games where you can go wherever you want and adventure on the big map. Like a game called Sea of Thieves that I play where you have freedom. Also a game called Minecraft.

Sabine: I am at my best when I'm at drama class because I get to use my expression and my imagination. It's nice to interact with people you don't normally hang out with. It may be organised so it's a specific play but you can still have a play around with your characters emotions. (I especially feel at my best while doing Shakespeare plays). I use Character strengths like Zest, Perseverance, Bravery (For when I'm on stage) and also Creativity (When you have I chance to use your emotions and expressions, and play around with the characters).

Anastasiya: A time I was at my best would definitely be last term (Term 2) my artwork. I think I did pretty good, and I focused on detail and making it stand out but in a good way. I stuck to the theme of a beach or sea. I did get a little bit of help on ideas but I did the painting all by myself. I would love to take it home! I first made white figures but after that I sadly wasn’t able to finish it. I would have gradually started adding colour to my animal but to be honest I really like the way it is. The white figures actually give a unique feel about it. It’s mysterious as it has no details or special features, it's just the shape of a human. I used Perseverance when I made an ‘Ariel’ look alike, I kept going and didn’t give up!

Darragh: A time I was at my best was when I got up to the top of Makara mountain bike park and when I finished the welcome flat 2 day tramp in the West Coast. (At the end we got bitten by sand flies.) For both of these events I had to use Perseverance and Bravery.

Ella: I think one of the times I was at my best was when I was doing the Swim Sports. I got second and did all my races. That made me really happy. It was challenging to keep up with Lucy. I had to use strengths perseverance, zest... Another time I was at my best was at Eastern Zones XC in Year 4. I got to regionals but it was cancelled. Another time I was at my best was diving. I felt really good. I went up to the 7 metre. I learnt how to dive at Freyberg pool. I swim with a coach and other kids. I have been doing this for 2 terms. Another time I was at my best was learning how to do a front hand spring on the trampoline.

Liora: A time I am at my best is in my writing because it is when I can really be myself and do my best. The strengths that I used are Perseverance and belief because it makes me believe in myself. It is challenging for me because I might think I can't write a story or I can't think of something to write.

Soma: When I was at camp I felt scared. I was making a little fort. I never did it before. At the end I did it and I felt proud. This was a time that I was at my best. 

Oli: I'm at my best when I'm playing football. The character strengths that I use when playing football are Zest and Perseverance because I need to run and get the ball and to pass. I need to persevere to keep the ball so I can pass. I'm also at my best when I'm with my friends because I have a positive mindset.

Parent Workshop - Wholeperson Wellbeing / Positive Education - 

Thursday 5 August, 7pm to 8.30pm 

(Please be there around 6.50pm for a 7.00pm sharp start - lots to chat about!) 

This is our first 'in person' Parent Workshop since 2019, which is incredible to think about. All things going well (Levels-wise)..... it will happen. 

Come along and learn more about the foundations of the curriculum your children are experiencing. You will hear more about our WBS 'journey' to this place, the fundamentals of the programme and get to have a taste of the types of learning the teachers have done in order to teach the children. 

Added bonus - a good chance to meet other whānau too.

Art and Maths

'Many mathematicians draw upon Art and many artists draw upon Mathematics'.  says Jo Boaler (Maths Professor at Stanford University). We know that there is lots of beauty in Maths. 

We have been dialling up the Character Strength of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. 

VIA, Institute of Character: "Those who express an appreciation of beauty & excellence notice and appreciate beauty, excellence and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience".

Here are some examples of what we have been doing: 

The Numbers Give The Design

We wrote down a group numbers. Using squared paper, we started somewhere in the middle. We took each of the numbers in turn to tell us how long to draw the line and turn a right angle to the left after we drew each line.

Rotational Symmetry Art

The students created a simple drawing on 1/8 of their circle, then they transferred their drawing into all 8 parts of their circle. What a great way to learn about rotational symmetry, fractions and angles. 

Whānau Festival 2021

Something exciting and brand new for us at Worser Bay School... The Whānau Festival! What a great way to celebrate our student's talents. 

Our Performance Arts group at the festival

In Matariki Māhutonga, our Inquiry has focused on the Māori values of Kaitiakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Manaakitanga (and how we can uplift the Mana of others). Students joined either the Visual Arts or Performing Arts group to showcase and celebrate this learning. 

The Visual Arts Group imagined what the outdoor space could look like. They designed bunting, flags and banners. 

These students are developing skills in sewing and creating with fabric. 

 

Here are our performances: 

The Whānau Festival has been a great way for us to connect with each other and improve our well-being. The Flourish Model is something we want for our students, our staff and our community: good health, frequent positive emotions, supportive relationships, a sense of purpose and meaning, the accomplishment of worthwhile goals, and moments of complete immersion and absorption—a life where a person uses their Character Strengths in ways that support the self and others, and that has flourishing at the heart.

Character Strengths in Action!

Welcome back to 2021! We are excited to share our beautiful new school. Now that we have access to most areas in the school, we thought it was time for a Character Strengths treasure hunt. 

The 24 strengths have been placed as plaques in different places in our outdoor environment. 

We have been appreciating that everyone is different. Everyone has these strengths in different degrees. We reflected on what strengths we use well, which strengths we need to dial up and which strengths would we like to know more about. 

Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence- Art Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy

We have been inspired by the artwork of Andy Goldsworthy and have created our own environmental art. We have been thinking about the Character Strength of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence.

By Marnie and Cleo

The Character Strength of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence is about an emotional experience, and appreciating beauty around us and in other people's skills and talents.

We have been doing close observations of precious things in nature, looking at all of the wonderful colours, shades, shapes and uniqueness of the objects. 

By Sam, Finn and Alex

This is our child developed Character Strengths poster:

Character Strengths and the Arts Celebration

At Worser Bay School, we believe in a strengths based approach to learning. Character Strengths are the positive human qualities that serve as pathways for living a good life. Knowing and applying your Character Strengths is the key to you being your best self. 

In some of our reflections last week, we spoke about the Character Strengths that we needed to dial up to perform at the Arts Celebration...

Jack M: I used Bravery because I was very shy. I heard a little stage fright. It was so so so so so so fun! I did a funny script. The light colour was yellow. I was trying my best in the play.

Beatrix: I had to use humor to make my audience laugh more than me. I used creativity for my poem. I used leadership and helped my team practice and get up on stage. I am grateful that Elliot's mum took time out of her day to record us. I had to use bravery when I got on stage & I got a little stage fright.

Billy: 

Leadership: By rounding up my group members for the final practices. 

Bravery: By going up on the big stage and performing our mostly improvised play. 

Gratefulness: By being grateful for the panda costume mum made. 

Teamwork: Me and Nicolas worked together to produce a magic box poem. 

Zest: I used zest in the play by being energetic. 

Perspective: I considered the advice of others and tried to incorporate it into the play.

Kura: I used justise, making sure everyone had the amount of lines that they wanted we worked together to learn the lines off by heart. I used Social intelligence and creativity to make a play.

Yoichi: I used bravery when I was on the recording. I used creativity for the lines in my play with Luca. I used Fairness for having the same amount of lines in the play

Tigerlily: I had to dial up bravery because when we had to get it filmed it was a bit scary. I had to used leadership when I was practising our play when it got a bit confusing. I used teamwork and social intelligence when it got super hard and when my friend got nervous. I used creativity when writing my play and adding extra parts. I was grateful for Scott who set up the stage. Im grateful for everyone who helped with the art celebration. The play went really well it was super fun and quiet funny my play was called "Big Sister."

William: I used bravery, by not getting stage fright when sharing my play and my poem. I also used creativity when making my poem and composing music for numberfrog! I used teamwork when making my play and numberfrog music. I used appreciation of beauty and excellence by appreciating all the excellent plays there were! I was grateful for ethan for volunteering to be part of my play.

Whānau Day Term 4 - Character Strengths (Nik & Carl)

On our Term 4 Whānau Day each group came together to look at character strengths.

Nik & Carl's group thought about perspective. How can we use our Character Strengths to show empathy to others? We think that this is made easier by putting ourselves in other people's shoes.

First, we watched the The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Hearing this famous story from the wolf's perspective got us thinking! Maybe people who we think are 'bad' could just be misunderstood?

We discussed how we could use the Character Strength of Hope to help someone feeling down on themselves - as the wolf had been when everyone painted him as the bad guy. 

Then we did a bus-stop style activity where we did the same with the strengths of Gratitude, Bravery, Humour and Kindness.


This was a great chance for our seniors to show some leadership, helping their Tautoru and Autahi whānau to share their thoughts.

To finish off, we completed our own hope jar inspired by the BFG. In this we put some of our hopes for the future.