Te Tiriti o Waitangi

As part of our Inquiry 'Pūmanawatanga' we have been learning more about New Zealand's history. We have revisited our learning around Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We read a comic about Te Tiriti (read it here), we learnt about the different perspectives held by Māori, The Crown and others in New Zealand at the time. Our complex history is very interesting and things are beginning to click for the students. We are learning about the various 'characters' involved, among whom are James Busby, Edward Gibbon Wakefield and Tāmati Waka Nene.

We had discussions around the 'pros and cons' of Te Tiriti. As we discussed the different view points, we also went back to previous discussions around who writes history, and what is the truth?

We encourage discussions of this at home - there is a lot to learn, and it's great to be learning alongside students!

Our Own Artist in School Series

As part of our aim to raise the profile of The Arts this year we have kicked off our own Artist in School series. The first cab of the rank, Belinda Griffiths. We were able to watch as Belinda painted in our library space over a few hours and saw the blank canvas transform, the images begin to take shape.

Watch this space as we invite other artists, including musicians to come in and share their work with us. Cloe is going to be painting in the Library space next Monday. Very Inspiring! Beautiful work Belinda. Thanks so much!

Parihaka and Te Raukura

It is said that an Albatross landed at the Marae while Te Whiti o Rongomai and Toho Kākahi were speaking, then left a single feather behind it as it flew away. This feather has become the symbol for the people of Parihaka, a symbol of Peace.

We have been learning about Parihaka, Ngā Kōrero o Mua, the inspiring stories of the past which tell of the passive resistance used by Te Whiti and his people to protest against the loss of their land to settlers. It is a great model for us to explore and understand. Maybe we can apply some of this philosophy in our own lives?

We think these images are beautiful representations of the meaning of Te Raukura, adapted by our own artists. Sketching practice has really paid off!

Sports at the ASB

On Tuesday, we went to the ASB to learn some new skills. This time, we took part in Gymnastics, Pickleball, Korfball and Floorball. 

This term, we have been talking about "raising the bar" and challenging ourselves to try new things. We have been doing this in our Writing, Maths, Inquiry and in other curriculum areas. We have been applying this to our physical activities too. Trying new sports is beneficial for our bodies and minds! When you learn new things, your brain grows. When you process a positive experience it enhances Positive Emotions too!

Ngā Kōrero ō Mua - Stories of the Past

Motukairangi History Walk

This term we have been getting stuck into a new Inquiry, Ngā Kōrero ō Mua / Stories of the Past. While a new NZ History curriculum is being implemented across the motu, we are really proud of the learning we had already been doing, especially around the Treaty of Waitangi, Polynesian Navigation and the rich history of our places - Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Whetūkairangi. 

We started off by thinking about what history is and how it's recorded. How much of it is just plain wrong?

We're really lucky to have an excellent vantage point up here on Seatoun Heights Road, for imagining the past. Te Whanganui-a-Tara, the Great Harbour of Tara. How would it have looked 800 years ago?

Our peninsula history walk has become an annual experience. Each time we build a little further on our knowledge of Māori history through stories such as Ngake & Whataitai and Kupe & the Giant Wheke. This time we added the story of Hutia Kākāriki Pā at the bottom of Awa Road. Ask us what we learnt! Our scavenger hunt also encouraged us to look a little closer at post-contact history including the Wahine Memorial and Fort Dorset.

Thinking about the strategic placement of Fort Dorset and Ōruaiti Pā

We are also exploring history through our reading programme. Take a look at this term's Literacy Links document which is full of useful and interesting sources.

Reading about the New Zealand gold rush in Bright Fine Gold.

We'll continue covering the stories of our past through Literacy and Inquiry learning. We're also very excited to head over to Wellington Museum next month to take part in the Te Upoko o Te Ika programme. Ko Te Upoko o Te Ika e tangi nei, ko Whetūkairangi e tangi nei!

Lala Rolls' Visit

On Tuesday, Lala Rolls came to visit. She talked to us about the films that she has been making.  She makes short films, documentaries and music videos. These are mostly about Māori or Polynesian culture. Find out more: https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/lala-rolls We are very grateful that Lala was able to spend time with us. We are inspired by her work! 

Cleo: When Lala visited I was really amazed at how she did things for the green screen and stuff and I am really excited for when we are going to see the new movie.

Yoichi: Lala rolls was interesting of how she made the film, "The Navigators". Though they are still working on it. I can't wait to see it.

Will: I really enjoyed when the movie maker, Lala Rolls came on Tuesday to show us the animated movie she was working on, and about animating and the history of the Māori travellers and navigators.

Sabine: A plus of my week was Lala Rolls coming to visit. I thought what she did was really inspiring because she did it about History and It was New Zealand history in the Māori perspective, not the European perspective. Also it was cool to hear about what they do behind the scenes when their making movies and how much they have to go through to get the whole movie finished.

Mae: I liked having Lala Rolls come over to show us all of the behind the scenes things and how they animated the movie. I liked watching the clips of the un-released movie.

Charlotte: I find it interesting that sometimes writers have to write a draft about 30 times to get it perfect so that it can be turned into a movie.

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.