WBS Interzone Cross Country Representatives

We are so proud of our WBS Interzone Cross Country Representatives!!

Theo
I was not too nervous in the car going but when we got to the track I was so nervous I felt sick. I started to warm up and got more nervous by the second. I was using courage to do the race. We lined up at the start. I was at the front of our line. The horn went and we were off sprinting down the track. It was a fast race and I was in 7th place for most of the race. I was pacing myself and using perseverance. We were coming down to the last 150 meters and started sprinting, I got into 6th place in the sprint and finished in 6th. I was stoked with the result. I had mud everywhere though, it was a good race and I was very tired. I could hardly walk. I really enjoyed running the race and it was a great opportunity.

Pyrenees
I was very cold and nervous at the lineup for the beginning of the race, while they sorted out the rest of people's places I chatted a bit to the person in front of me then I got ready to run, the person hooted the horn (the gun still wasn’t working). I sprinted up the grassy field and around the corner there was a muddy area you could hear everyone's feet pattering against the muddy ground. I ran the best I could. The course was spread out between 3 fields; there were uphills and downhills along the way. At the finishing stretch I sprinted through the finish I used perseverance and I came 14. I was proud of myself. It was amazing!!!

Ella
I was nervous at the start and then the horn went toot. I was at the back of the pack when I rounded the corner. I somehow got to the front. I was using perseverance to stay up there at the front then 2 people passed me. The most annoying part was the concrete hill that you had to run up. Then we were on the home straight. I ran through the finish line in 5th place. I was happy!!!

Navigating the Journey; MAKING A TREATY

 Today we began our Navigating the Journey, Sexuality Education.  Really important at the foundation of this learning is that all of our students feel safe, that they will be listened to and treated with kindness and respect.  

These are the main ideas captured here.  

We will be putting the ideas together as a document and having all students sign it.  It is fair to say that, while there is some nervousness, students are fascinated and looking forward to a lot of new learning.

We will be exploring ideas which reinforce messages central to Positive Education, developing strong, respectful relationships with each other, communication skills as well as learning connected to growing and changing.  We will keep you all updated as we progress through this learning. 

Kawakawa Writing

For us here at WBS, cultural and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. This week we have been learning more about kawakawa - the endemic plant species well-known for its use in rongoā, traditional Māori medicine. Some students have been writing comprehensive explanations, others have been getting out into the ngahere/forest to learn how to forage and make kawakawa tea. 

                                                                                                           - Nye W

                                                                                                                         - Charlotte C

                                                                                                                                   - Ella M

We say this karakia before collecting kawakawa leaves, to show respect to the domain of Tāne Māhuta and Papatuānuku. 

You can read more about kawakawa and rongoā here. 

Growing Shapes

4 Boosting Message by Jo Boaler and her students

We have been looking a number of tasks that involve "Growing Shapes." Students are learning to take risks with the challenges, make mistakes, fix their mistakes and understand that this helps the brain to grow!

We have started with the question, "how do you see the pattern growing?" It is fascinating to see all of the different ways that students see the growth. 

We have been making tables, exploring patterns and even thinking about rules for the sequence. 

Positivity: Training our Brains

 

This week we have been learning more about optimism and the role our brains work to process emotions.

We learnt about Negativity Bias, that our brains are programmed to focus on negatives (it's what helped our ancestors survive!). We have to train our brains to focus on positives or silver linings. 

Good news! Thanks to neuroplasticity we can practice positive thinking to get better at it - like working out a muscle!

 

We created our own positive messages for our fridges at home. A reminder that we can focus on positives and our brains just need to practice!

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.

Murals: One Week On!

 

Just one week and the murals, documenting our rich history are nearing completion.  Cloe, Madi and Teuila have orchestrated this amazing adventure in The Arts, taking us on a journey through time.  They have used all sorts of materials, found objects, leaves, nik naks, treasures and junk.  One man's trash is another's....... 

The work was to be viewed as part of our Arts Celebration.  It will be available on the blog, on seesaw and on the classroom walls.  You are invited to come and see it, look and learn about our amazing past.

We would like to do this again as an outside mural.  Let us know if you would like to help out!