Worser Bay Cross Country

We were all so proud of all of our students who ran the Worser Bay Cross Country. Lots of Perseverance, Resilience and Grit. Students set goals and experienced positive Accomplishment. 

Rézi: The year fours jogged down onto the beach, eager to start the race. I was watching from on top of the grass. ‘Go!’ shouted John as they set off running at full speed. I started to cheer, as they had just run past me and their first place, ran through the funnel winning the race. My stomach suddenly burst into butterflies as John called us down to the beach to line up, and start the race. ‘Ready, set….. Go!’ shouted John as I quickly thought over my plan. I was going to try jog at the start, and when everybody would be tired, I could try to sprint to the end. It backfired though because at the start I actually realised it wouldn’t work cause everybody sprinted and I knew I would end up last if I tried my plan, so I tried sprinting as well. BAD IDEA. I was exhausted by the time I got halfway through the 2nd lap, and from there I felt blood or something like that in my mouth, and my heart felt like it was going to burst. I overtook my friend, but then she overtook me and thats how it went for a little while. We finally arrived at the funnel, and in the end my friend was in front of me and as I crossed the finish, I counted what place I came and I was sixth girl in year five!

Jack: I was on the starting line “321 go!” I was off! we had to run to the big rock at the end of the beach and around a cone then run to the sand dunes. up and over I went. I was so excited I was in first place. I went for loads of high fives as I was going past. I was still in first. I was at least 5 meters away from the finish. My friend was catching up but I kept the lead yay! I came in first place. Next was the year 5's after that was done, I went to congratulate the winner…

Archie: YAAAAY!!! That was the sound of the year 4’s finishing their race. Next up was the year 5’s…I went over to congratulate the winner. Then we had to wait for the other year 4's to finish. The year 5 race is to the big rock at the end of the beach, and then start going back. When you get to the halfway point, you go up a pathway in the dune, then across the grass, then you do the same thing again.
“Can all the year 5’s come over here now?” yelled John.
This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for!
“Okay” said John, “line up on the starting line! On your marks, Get set, GO!
We were off! I was about fourth to last, but that was only because technically everyone was sprinting, well I was just setting a reasonably fast pace. We were nearly at the rock, (Jeffery). I sped around the cone next to Jeffrey in third place, (so far). Then we raced up the dunes, and sped across the grass. Then suddenly…We were on our second lap! We jogged down to Jeffery, and then I was in first place. We sped up the dune, (for the second time) raced across the grass (for the second time), then we were on the last stretch! Me and my friend were neck and neck, Then for the last 10 metres, gave it my best... I sprinted and won the race in first place!

Marcia: “Go!!!” John shouted. I ran as fast as I could then I paced myself, getting ready for the end….
Half way there I shout in my mind as I dodge the rocks racing towards me. I finally make it to Jeffry (The rock) then I run round the cone and turn back running closer and closer to the sand dunes. I get up the sand dunes onto the grass and down back on the sand. Yes! I’m on my 2nd lap but just as I get halfway, spit gets stuck in my throat I try to cough it out but I couldn't do it so I had to stop and walk the next few metres. I didn't get it out but I felt better. When I got back onto the grass, I knew I had to keep going then I made back onto the sand and once I did my friend sprinted and went all out. I did the same, but I did not go as fast as he did and then I made it to the end and I came 4TH GIRL IN YEAR 5!

Amelia: Cross country was really fun. On your marks, go! and we were off. "Come on Amelia, you can do it, run like the wind. Go Amelia." I said to myself "remember your goal. Go, go, go." I had just gone around the cone at the end of the beach. My friend passed me. 

"Come on, you can do this. Go, go, go." Screamed Nicola. My friend passed me. I sank back to 3. Boom! I was in 2nd again. We were  side by side. Everybody was rooting for us. I had just finished lap 1. In the end, I got second. 

Kōkōkaha – Powered by Wind

We have been grateful to be part of the "Have a go" sailing programme run by Worser Bay Boating Club. The sailing was facilitated by Yachting New Zealand qualified kaiako.

Tui: Sailing is a fun activity that involves bravery, grit and most of all having fun. On our first turn we could only get about a metre from where we started and that was when I was controlling the rudder (The turny bit). But when I was the person doing the accelerating (by pulling a rope thingy), we went much further and had a great time. So after that we were really keen on sailing but we still were nervous about going far out. So that explains why you need bravery. Why you need grit is because it’s WAY harder than it looks, especially on your first try!!!

Soma: Sailing was so fun but when you come to big waves and big gusts of wind, it wasn't pleasant. I wish we could do it more, even though I thought it was scary enough to do it once. Thank you teachers for organising this wonderful experience for us.

Amber: I used lots of character strengths to even have the strength to get onto the boat. I was very nervous before but then it turned out that I didn't need to worry at all until we started spinning and almost capsized. But that ended up being fun. Me and my partner Greer did really well!

Samuel: I felt nervous before I went sailing. While sailing it got really rough. I still felt nervous. I used Grit to get through it. I even went again for the second time. It was fun!

Olive: Sailing was kind of fun. There was a lot of yelling on our boat. Mostly because when I accidentally steered us out to deep and then we got stuck in the swell. To make things worse, my partner got hit on the head by the swinging crossbar and couldn’t control our speed, which was terrible when we started to tip over. Basically, when you start to tip, you need your partner controlling the speed to be able to slow you down. Thankfully the wind holding us up dropped and we came crashing back into the water. One little thing. WE WERE STILL STUCK IN THE SWELL!!! I called the rescue/coaching boat over and they towed us back to shore. That was our second run. Our first run was pretty much the same, except I didn’t get struck in the head by the crossbar. And we didn’t get towed back to shore. Instead of getting towed, the coaches yelled at us and we eventually got back to shore using their advice. We had to use a lot of verbal connection and perseverance to stop us from capsizing. Thankfully my partner was OK and so was I. I think we were just a little shaken up, that’s all.

Charlie: Sailing was really fun because the waves were huge. Getting in was more dramatic than it should have been, mainly because me and Luca tried to take it in and it get on being swept out so we were holding onto it for dear life and then we got 2 more people to help us and it turned into a rescue. But apart from it was quite nice. we did 360's in 1 second flat and we nearly capsized about 6 times. But thats all the exciting stuff we did.

Getting into the Great Outdoors!

We had a fantastic couple of days in the great outdoors at the end of last week. We were getting out and exploring the peninsula. Ākonga presented their Magic Places to each other and in the process, learnt about some of the history and special features of the area. We did a solid amount of walking which was challenging for some; all part of our focus this year of building Grit!

On Thursday, we went around the Seatoun Peninsular, Oruaiti Reserve and over the Eastern Walkway to Tarakena Bay.

On Friday, we headed North, via Centennial Reserve and onward to Massey Memorial.

Grit in P.E.

We have been dialling up our Grit in our P.E. this week. We have been improving our core strength and coordination by doing an Obstacle Challenge.

We are learning the importance of a strong core! It will help us to sit up straight and breathe properly. Developing core strength is something we will work on our whole lives!

What is Grit?

 We continue to have a big focus on Grit in Māhutonga Matariki. But what is Grit? A student explains

GRIT

What is grit? Grit is a strength, it's something you use in tough times.

Grit is something you use in sport, (like me) trying something that's challenging and learning new things.

But how do you get grit? Grit is made out of two ingredients: persistence and resilience. Once you ace these skills you are officially GRITTY.

Jeremie's Visit: Grit, Perseverance and Resilience

Lisa: Today Jeremie came to school to tell us a bit about her story and what she has been through.

When Jeremie was in primary school she started biking and really enjoyed it as she grew up she started to do races for her school and she won lots of them. Jeremie started to train really hard and when she got into high school she was racing for New Zealand she did all types of biking; Mountain biking, Road cycling and Track cycling.

One day Jeremie was track cycling when she crashed and hit her head badly she lost her memory and found it hard to move her arms and legs, lucky she was wearing a helmet otherwise she would have died. She couldn’t go to school for a year and had to relearn everything. Ever since this happened she has had a constant headache for TWELVE YEARS.

Jeremie has leant how to be positive although her favourite thing was taken from her. She has had to take new paths. Now she does cycling at the gym on the bikes there because they don’t move. If she ever hits her head really hard there is a possibility that she could die. She is not to be on a screen for to long so she needed to find a job that doesn't include a screen and is now doing something that she loves as a gym teacher.

Charlie: Today we had a visitor. Her name is Jeremie and she taught us a story about a Growth Mindset and her story about how she represented New Zealand in cycling. She taught us about how a Growth Mindset can help us get through things. In her story she told us about her head injury and the struggle she went through for the last 12 years. She also teaches Nicola on one of those stationary bikes (RPM) you go on at Gyms. I found her story very interesting and I thought she was very brave. She also has some very good strategies that she used at times she needed them.

Marlon: Today Jeremie came over to the school. She came over to tell us her story. Her story was about a big brain injury that had happened to her because she fell off her bike. You have to remember that someone has something that you can’t see from the outside but it is still has on the inside. She started biking from college to the club then she got to race for New Zealand. Jeremie used grit, resilience and perseverance and took another path for 12 years but when she got better she started getting back on her bike. Amazingly she cycled the whole length of the South Island recently. 

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.

Cross Country 2021

Our goal last week was to show Grit. This connects with our bigger goal to ‘raise the bar’. We are learning that it is through our hard work that we succeed. We had to show this at our Worser Bay XC and we challenged ourselves and did our best. We are nurturing our Positive Health. 

Positive Health from the Institute of Positive Education (Geelong Grammar School): 

"The Positive Health domain focuses on supporting students and staff to develop sustainable habits for optimal physical and psychological health. With the inextricable link between physical and psychological health, we know that practising mindfulness and resilience techniques will promote greater health outcomes. Mindfulness and resilience are also supported by the quest to help students to develop broader healthy behaviours in terms of exercise, nutrition, and sleep."

Yoichi: I think cross country was good because it encouraged me to push my limits and pushes me to raise the bar. When I was running I almost gave up on my second lap but then my friends cheered and said I could do it, so I naturally ran to the finish line.

Eddie: A star for me was doing Cross Country, I showed grit when I was going to Jeffery (the rock), the wind was in your face when you were heading to it.

Olive: I pushed it to the limits in cross country, I raised the bar when I was close to the finish and I was really tired. I ran really fast and at the end I could barely breathe.

Mae: A star for me was Cross Country because I made it into Eastern Zones, but it was also fun having that feeling of Positive Accomplishment after you finish it.

Rani: Cross Country was a star for me because I got 2nd place. I am thankful to my friends because they pushed me to my limits and they made sure that I had a reason to do my best.

Grit

Using Grit in our XC training!

Our goal this week is to show Grit in our mahi which connects with our greater goal of 'raising the bar'. We are learning that it is through hard work that we succeed not our 'innate intelligence'. 

You may have already seen Nic's Seesaw post about our Inquiry chat for this week but in case you missed it, here is a great video explaining what Grit is.

If you want to learn more about Grit you can google 'Angela Duckworth' who has researched and written a lot on the subject.

To Build Perseverance you can:

• Hang out with Gritty people
• Act like a Gritty person
• Listen, watch hear stories about people overcoming hardship
• Every day think of 3 hard things you overcame that day.

Emelie
What is Grit?
Grit is when you persevere even when things are at their hardest and and super challenging, an example of grit is like maybe you had to cross a river to get somewhere but you didn’t want to cross it and get your clothes wet but you crossed anyway and stuck to it, that would of been showing grit!
To get more gritty you can pretend to be really gritty and tough like the saying ‘fake it till you make it!’ You can also hang out with gritty people and see how they react to things and take on them. Like once at rock climbing I was trying to get to the middle of a REALLY hard course, I kept trying and failing (trial and error) it was really tiring but I didn’t want to give up and my friends encouraged me. I watched them do it to see which holds were good and stuff! In the end I made it (with really tired arms!)

Sophie: 

What is GRIT? 

GRIT is a combination of persistence (which means to stay focused on what you’re doing) and resilience (which means to bounce back and keep going even when the going gets tough) when you have GRIT most things are easier.
How can you get GRITTIER? 

You can get GRITTIER by challenging yourself and trying to get better at things then that's how you get GRITTIER.

Cleo:
Grit is when you have to show resilience and persistence. When things get hard or challenging, then you have to show grit and just push right through it. Here is an example:
Imagine you are doing Maths and you are going really well, and then, when you are just about to finish, you have to face the HARDEST question. That is when you have to show Grit.

I can be ‘grittier’ by:

• Trying to challenge myself.
• Making myself feel more confident in things.
• Thinking of other ‘gritty’ people and trying to be like them.

Konrad
To be 'gritter' I need to practice my football skills better every day at school and at home and also practice my fishing skills so I can catch a Kingfish.

Nikita

I can get more 'gritter' by not giving up like when I do the Weet-bix Triathlon next year I will have to use a lot of Grit.

Sabine

I can build perseverance by hanging out with people who push me hard but not to hard I can also encourage myself by challenging myself in learning and pushing myself far in learning as well instead of doing really easy stuff because I won't learn from that.

Peninsula Walk

We had a wonderful day exploring the peninsula. We explored rock pools, had a long lunch at Breaker Bay, made artworks inspired by Andy Goldsworthy and visited O-rua-iti Pā. We had to use Grit for our long walk. 

I am Powerful: Why is Grit so Important?

 

Grit at Bootcamp

This term our learner attribute focus is "I am Powerful." We have been unpacking what it means to be powerful. Grit is a huge part of this. Psychologist and researcher, Angela Duckworth defines Grit as "passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals." It is the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about and persevere when you face obstacles. It is about being able to stick with something even when things get challenging!

Grit is a combination of Persistence and Resilience. Persistence means you keep going, even when the going gets tough. Resilience is toughness. When you get knocked down, you get back up and carry on.

Molly: A time that I used Grit was when I was learning how to do netball. Every Monday for practise I was scared that I was going to get hurt by the ball. I did got hit 3 or maybe 5 times but I always got back up. I then helped my team score a goal and we won the games.

Leo: If learning is too easy then you won't learn. This is because if it is much too easy then what is the point of trying again. You need to toughen up and persevere.

Chris: The time I used Grit was when I doing my StepsWeb and I was on drop. I had finished it three times but there was a glitch in it so it kept logging me out every time I finished. So I used Grit to do it. The glitch stopped and I finish drop.

James: Persistence is when things get tough and and you keep going. An example is video games. When you are stuck on a level you might be on it for hours. It might be hard for a bit but over time you get better and better and better.

Olive: I used Grit when I was first learning to ride a bike without training wheels. I had keep on trying. It wasn't until the last home stretch that I plucked up my courage and gave it another try and I did it.

Nye: Persistence is showing the need to do. You don't get distracted, you focus on your task, and you stay all round stubborn. This is vital, as otherwise you'll never get anything done! Resilience is to jump back up when you get pushed down. You learn from your mistakes, and decide what you can do differently and how you can fix them.

Ocean: A time that I used grit was when I rode my bike for the first time. I was so scared but I got on my bike and my dad pushed me. I pushed the pedals and then dad let go. I was riding my bike but then I fell off and got a big cut. Then I got back on and tried again and that's how I used GRIT!!

Zac: I have picked myself off the ground when generating ideas which was really hard but with the help of Grit I managed to persevere and carry on with my day.

Grit at Kapa Haka

Grit at Athletics

Our learner attribute this term is "I am Powerful." Part of being powerful is about Grit. We showed Grit today in Athletics. Grit is about using persistence and resilience to overcome challenges.

Inventions: Weird and Wonderful

Our Inquiry this term is called “Business Time.” We will be designing and making products to be sold at our Market Day. Students will be going through the full design process to design a product (or service) which meets a need or responds to an opportunity.The profits from Market Day will be used to host another school or class for a day during Beach Week.

Our Learner Attribute this term is “I am Powerful.” We will be focusing on:

• demonstrating hard work, grit, resilience, perseverance to achieve goals
• thinking originally and outside of the box and come up with an idea that is unique
• think fluently and generate at least 5- 10 ideas and explain them.

We have begun an Inquiry looking at how people respond to needs and opportunities to create inventions. We have been wondering about the design process; how did the inventor come up with the idea?

We made a Backwards Map, starting with the invention and working back to the beginning, the need and the ideas, the failed prototypes and finally the successful one.

Next week we will begin thinking about problems and designing things to meet that need. Watch this space for exciting developments!

We invite you to continue the conversations at home. 

Positive Accomplishment through Cross Country

Last Wednesday our students ran our annual Cross Country on Worser Bay Beach. Positive Accomplishment focuses on enabling individual growth through achieving meaningful outcomes. 

Students have been striving for goals. Achieving these goals has been highly rewarding. Our students have been embracing the Cross Country challenge with grit and determination. 

Sophie: This week my goal was to try my best at Cross Country, and I achieved this goal. The character strength I used was Perseverance as I had to keep running.

Ella: My cross country goal was to try my best. I did try my best. 

Nela: I showed good sportsmanship and paced myself so I did achieve my goals.

Solly: The Character Strengths I used was Bravery and Perseverance in Cross Country. I needed to use my Growth Mindset because I needed to change some of my tactics to move to a higher place. My goals went quite well because I did what I wanted to.

Nell: My goal was to try my hardest in cross country. I tried my hardest and completed it, not dragging behind. I had to walk some of it but tried to run and jog most. I almost gave up on the last half but I kept going and I made it! I am really proud. I loved clapping people on.

Octavia: I achieved my goal. My goal was to not stop and walk at any point in the race. I had to use Perseverance because I really wanted to stop and walk but I didn’t.

Rhosyn: I did use my Growth Mindset in Cross Country this week. I persevered and I am proud of myself!

Archie: I used the character strength of bravery because I kind of didn't want to do it. I felt happy at the end. I felt like I did a good job.

Talia: My goal was to persevere and support other people in cross country. I did good and I persevered and supported a lot of people. I persevered a lot while I was running and tried not to give up even though I was in a lot of pain.

Beatrix: I am grateful to have ran the course.

Evie: At Cross Country I achieved my goal by using my Growth Mindset and not giving up. The Character Strength that I used was Perseverance because I keep going. Cross Country was fun but also hard because about two times I got a stitch. I liked it because me and Cleo ran together. As soon as me and Cleo came up to the grass we heard everybody shouting "Go Evie and Cleo!" Everyone was so encouraging. As soon as I passed the end my throat was cracking. I ran up and grabbed my water bottle. "Good job" my mum said to me. She also gave me a big hug and then me and my friends made a city out of sand.

Chris: I did well in Cross County. I think I did well on my goals. I kept on going. I tried my hardest.

Will: I used Perseverance, Bravery, Zest, Growth Mindset, and a bit of Prudence and Humility. I came about 21st, 20th, 19th, 18th, or 17th. We went around the rock (Jeffery/Bob/Spiny Norman) then through the dunes and on to the grass and back through the grass and onto the sand, back up the dunes and onto the grass then back through the grass and onto the sand and finish where we started.

Pippa: I did achieve my goal by pacing myself so I wouldn't get tired 😴 and I am so proud of myself for not racing against anyone but myself I used Perseverance and Zest.

Anastasiya: Cross Country was great but hard. I really enjoyed it, especially the part were I helped Autahi. I think I have achieved my goals and I am looking forward to the next Cross Country.