Wellington is a...

 We've been playing with metaphor! Inspired by Denis Glover's Wellington Harbour is a Laundry, we've re-imagined our city in all different ways. We discussed the difference between simile and metaphor. We wondered how we could extend the metaphor, taking it even further to help describe the unique qualities of Wellington. 

By Billy & Fynn

By Will J

By Cleo

By Sabine

By Anneke

By Addison

By Olive

Kei te aha tōku whakapapa? Our Family Museum

On Friday, we shared artefacts from our family history. We asked what brought your family here? Were they ‘pulled’ to New Zealand by opportunities? or were they ‘pushed’ by something happening in their homeland? What events in New Zealand History was your ancestor around for? Did they contribute or participate in some way? Would their life have been affected or changed by war, natural disasters, or something else?

What a great hook to begin the next part of our History Inquiry. 

Lillian: I loved interacting with people and telling them about my artifact and its story. I loved seeing them interact with the artifact and hold it. I also loved looking at other people’s things and asking questions about them. Seeing where things come from gives me ideas of how things looked in the past.

Ella: Everyone loved my trunk. There was a lot of conversation about it. I learned a lot about my family when I did the research by asking dad. The museum exhibition was really cool. It was displayed well and so you could see everything. It was well organised with Matariki people going through to see the other classes work first and they came to us.

Some of our students shared their artefacts with students from across the school in their whānau groups. 

Matariki

 

Matariki signals the Māori New Year. It happens when the Matariki star cluster rises. In the past, Matariki was celebrated, following a harvest when the pātaka (storehouses) were full. This is a time to farewell the dead, honour ancestors and celebrate life. 

Matariki is a time for feasting. We celebrated this year by cooking a hāngī (a traditional Māori method of cooking). 

We helped to prepare the food:

Thank you to everyone for making this happen. It was great to see our whānau at our Matariki celebration!

We learnt more about Matariki in our Whānau groups.

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.

Celebrating Ngā Kōrero ō Mua - NZ History Inquiry

 This week we celebrated the end of the first part of our NZ History Inquiry, Ngā Kōrero ō Mua. Students have been investigating different topics within our rich national and local histories. Thinking hard about the cause and effect of certain events, they have produced detailed essays, beautiful works of art and entertaining films. We are really proud of the engagement and thinking that has taken place and are looking forward to connecting these national stories to those of our own families in Term 3. 

We celebrated this Inquiry with our friends from Tautoru. Our work will be on display next term and we also look forward to sharing it again during Student-led Conferences! 

Here are a few snippets of our mahi:

Will's Cause & Effect diagram about the Wairau Affray

There were misunderstandings in The Treaty between Pakeha and Maori which led to conflict, such as war and land confiscation. Although things are improving, we still see conflict today for example, Putiki Bay, Waiheke Island which is being developed into a shopping area/loading dock which is frustrating local iwi. I think that in the future the Treaty will be respected more. - Isabella W

Cause and Effect: Our History Inquiry

We have been exploring how events of the past, Ngā rā o mua, influence the present day. In order to do this we have been exploring cause and effect, observing and discussing events and noting the consequences. We have mapped our thinking using cause and effect charts and rippple effect diagrams and we are now, after sustained research, beginning to put this together as a report or essay. Many of the issues are complex. What are the effects, both positive and negative of the Treaty of Waitangi? How do Māori and Pākekā views of conversation differ? Are they becoming more alike? What were the causes and effects of the Smallpox epidemic? How did the events of the government raid on Parihaka affect the people living there? How have these events influenced people today? These are some of the pieces of writing, the introductions underway. Check out more on seesaw next week.

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New Zealand Garden Bird Survey

We joined together with Autahi this week to take part in the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey. We love being leaders and learning alongside each other. It's great to hear the wonderful ideas of our friends across the school

The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey takes place between 26 June and 4 July 2021. It’s a fantastic reason to spend time outdoors, and you’ll be doing your bit for science.

Healthy bird populations can indicate that the environment is healthy. We know lots about endangered native birds in the bush, but we don’t always know what’s happening in the populations of all the birds around us, particularly in urban and garden environments.

Find out more here