Singing on the Bus

On the way to swimming today our bus driver, Kini encouraged us to sing a song. Kini LOVED this. Music and singing enhances Positive Emotions.

When we connect with music it has an impact on our emotions, and is an activity where we can connect with others, revive our energy, and experience greater joy. Music can lift our moods when we are down.

When we want to share good times and celebrate, music is often involved. Music helps people come together and embrace the moment by rejoicing and having fun. When we see other people having a good time it can be contagious and provide a shared emotional experience.

Apirana Taylor

We had a special visitor at school on Wednesday. Apirana Taylor is a storyteller, an artist, a musician and even a magician! He entertained us with stories and shared many of his instruments that he uses to help tell his stories.

We helped Apirana to recite his poem: 

Eastern Zones Cross Country

Eastern Zones Reflection by Pyrenees

The Eastern Zones course for year fives was three laps of the Scots College field. As we began to run I realised that I had a stitch. During the second lap someone came in front of me and then I went in front of them then we were next to each other. Near the end of the third lap the person in front of me started to slow down so I took this chance to run in front of them so I came 10th. I used perseverance.

Eastern Zones Cross Country (EZCC) by Angus

The starter gun fired and we all started to run. We were bunched up and at the beginning no one could over take each other because there was always a whole group of people in front of us. Then we got to a hill area and a gap opened up in the line. I ran as hard as I could, and managed to get through the gap and move into 17th place. Some kids tried to run past me, but whenever that happened I ran faster and overtook about 5 people. Next there were some bumps in the grass (mini hills, basically) that we had to run over. Then there was a straight area about 30 metres long, and then that was a lap. Loads of people were yelling and cheering as I ran past them as fast as I could. My heart started pounding in my chest, and my legs started getting weary after the second lap. Sweat ran down my neck and my arms pumped through the air. I was in 11th place by then. My sprint slowed down to a jog and 3 people overtook me. My chest started hurting as I ran up a hill, and then my head started hurting. I got up into the bumpy hills area, and by then I felt like I was gonna throw up. I kept jogging until the very end, when 1 more person overtook me and I started sprinting as fast as my tired legs could carry me, but the person going got through into the finish, ending with me in 15th place. I had to use a lot of bravery in the race and afterward I felt proud and sick...

Eastern zones reflection by Zoe
We had to do three laps around the field. The gun went and we started running. I was in the top ten but then I fell back. In both of the first laps I managed to go past at least ten people, but this girl in front of me I just couldn’t get in front of her. On the last lap and last moment I used all my speed and caught up to her. And I came 25 out of more then 40! I used perseverance, zest, and courage to be able to compete in Eastern zones. I was feeling pretty nervous but also extremely exciting.

City Gallery Visit: Eva Rothschild Inspired Works

Listening to information, thinking about ideas and responding to Eva Rothschild's artworks.



We were lucky enough to go to the City Gallery on Tuesday followed by an afternoon at Te Papa.  Claire, the educator at the gallery took us through the exhibition by Eva Rothschild, titled Kosmos.
She told us the the artist was inspired for one of the pieces by images from the Hubble Telescope.  The colour palette is that of outer space, changing depending on the angle from which we view it.  We loved walking through it. We were able to make all kinds of connections; to our work in Geometry, as with the Tangrams shown and to our new Inquiry looking into outer space, the Cosmos.

For the workshop we made sculptures which resembled her work, using the techniques of 'stacking' and similar colours (all done with tape) and, our own focused creativity.  Amazing work everybody! And, thanks to the City Gallery for another great experience!

Making Modelling

A Travelling Tale: Kirill and the Dragon

This is a Travelling Tale: Kirill and the Dragon. It was created by 5 schools from around the world.

Beginning: Grade 2 EAL students: The American International School of Vilnius, Lithuania 

Build Up: Students at Worser Bay School, Wellington, New Zealand 

Problem: Grade 3 The International School Tangankiya, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa 

Solution: 2nd grade students Cottonwood Elementary, Andover, Kansas, USA Ending: Grade 5/6: JJ O'Neill Catholic School, Napanee, Ontario, Canada

Amazing global collaboration and story telling!

We used the Story Mountain as a model to our tale. It helps students to brainstorm ideas about characters, setting and key vocabulary. 

As part of our 4 learner attributes we aim to develop connectedness. Travelling tales is a great way for us to connect with our peers and also with students globally.

Dragon by James 

Te Papa & City Gallery Trip (Māhutonga)

Māhutonga had a great day out in the big city this week. Matariki will follow on Tuesday.

At Te Papa we visited the Mana Whenua and Toi Art Exhibitions.

"I liked the whare, just to sit down and respect our history and ancestors." - Gina 

At the City Gallery, we saw exhibitions of Eva Rothschild and Semiconductor. Afterwards we made some Art with science, as Semiconductor do!

"We started off at the art gallery with a huge structure that you could walk through!" - Solly

Claire from City Gallery introducing us to Eva Rothschild's work.

"It will blow your mind when you see her sculptures. And guess what? The one at the end is an actual curtain! Who knows what is behind it…" Mae S & Sabine

Getting right in to the art of Semiconductor!

"Semiconductor is about sound waves shown in the art of vibrations. The sound waves are caused mostly from eruptions, earthquakes." - Leo

Making art pieces with magnets and UV light

This trip was a fantastic way to not only explore our Inquiry, but also get inspiration for our Arts Celebration, all in one hit. Ka mau te wehi!

Designing Pou

Who are the ancestors of Whetūkairangi Pā?  How can we represent them?

We have been looking for inspiration to the stories surrounding us.  Nga Atua Māori, Tane Mahuta. Tangaroa, Tūmatauenga and then those who are partly mythical like Kupe the great navigator and explorer.

Traditionally the Wharenui would be adorned with carvings all around the walls, the Poupou, each representing an important figure to the Iwi.  For our designs we are looking to the carvings of old but also to the new representations like Arnold Manaaki Wilson's work, seen here below.
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Here are some of the drawings we are making of Tane and Tūmatauenga.