Photos Credit: Michelle Marsden

Last week our Junior School children enjoyed a visit from Surf Lifesaving who ran a session for each classroom about staying safe in water.  The children were shown how to dress for the good weather - slip, slop, slap and wrap, how to recognise dangerous water situations and what to do around the water.  As well as the educational element, the children took part in a 'flags' game which is a Surf Lifesaving competitive sport.  Our thanks to the visiting Surf Lifesaving educators for providing these fun sessions.

On the first day of Term 1 we welcomed 29 new children to Mt Carmel School - we managed to catch a photo of most of them as they turned up with their families to wish them well on their first day here.

Rooms 1 - 7 enjoyed a Peter Pan Dress up Day this week after their special trip to the Aotea Centre to watch the theatre production.  Many Tinkerbells, Peters, Pirates and a few Crocodiles and Captain Hooks took over the playground and sang Pirate songs in the hall.  Thankfully - no-one was made to walk the plank!

The Room 8 children used their Yearbook page as an opportunity to do good.  The children thought about good deeds that they could do for others and talked them over with Miss Prendergast.  Each child chose a 'Random Act of Kindness' and then set about making it happen.  Every 'RAK' was different and the children were able to choose a deed that meant something to them.  Below is the photo evidence with a little reflection from each child.  We're proud of you Room 8 - well done for thinking of others.

Charlotte: I felt good when I donated my toy.

William It was challenging for me to think of reasons why my friend was special. I felt good afterwards.

Christopher: I chose to play with someone new

Adam: I enjoyed baking the Banana Cake

As part of R8 - R12's Ancient civilization inquiry work they had a celebration of Ancient civilizations by dressing up as the one they had been researching.  The children have been learning about Ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece and have enjoyed learning about these different people and their cultures and beliefs.  They have been working collaboratively in class to come up with a design of an ancient monument that they could build together out of recyclable materials.  They worked hard throughout the day to create their creative designs.

The teachers were all very proud of the effort they have put into their work throughout the term and into their costumes.

Election Frenzy at Mt Carmel School!

Seven top 'parties' made up of Room 12 children battled it out to see who would earn the popular vote of Room 11 & 12! 

The Freedom Party promised 'less fossil fuels'.  The Future Party said they would tackle the housing crisis.  The NZ Ferns promised to look after the teachers, doctor and nurses.  The Party Rockers were focussed on providing more jobs.  The Achilles Party featured transport issues in their manifesto.  The Honesty Party said 'Education' was a big issue to be tackled. The Policy Party featured heavily on looking after the poor and disadvantaged.

After presenting their manifestos and arguments about why their constituents should vote for them, the children of Room 11 & 12 went off to place their vote in the very secret voting booth on official voting slips.  Once the votes had been cast they were locked up securely overnight to be counted the next day.  Although it was a close run race, fortunately no recount was necessary - the winners were The NZ Ferns Party!  Congratulations to Charlotte, Rianna, Angelin, Georgia, Quyn and Jessica.

To read all of the party manifestos click on the links below 

NZ FERNS PARTY

WINNERS OF THE 2017 ROOM 11 & 12 ELECTION

FREEDOM PARTY

FUTURE PARTY

THE POLICY PARTY

THE HONESTY PARTY

THE ACHILLES PARTY

PARTY ROCKERS

What a wonderful show!  Our whole school production of 'Dancing Through the Decades' was an excellent showcase for our talented dancers and the enthusiasm on the children's faces was clear for all to see.  A DVD of the show is available for sale - click here to order.  To view our photos click on the images below (you will have to click on each of the three galleries to see all the photos).

Last Friday we had a beautiful day for our whole school Cross Country Competition - all of the children took part in this challenging event and we saw great effort (and emotion!) from our participants.  The winning house was St Francis and the individual winners were:

Year 6: Grace Greaney & Eamon Deevy
Year 5: Emilia Goldsmith & Calvin Quinn
Year 4: Jasmine Summerville & Joe Gregory / Ollie Norden
Year 3: Amy Towers & Micah Cocker
Year 2: Elsa Cooper & Ollie McLauchlan
Year 1:Harriet Florence & Reuben Rutter
Year 0/1: Juliette Goldsmith & Tate McKeown

As part of our study into Maori Culture,  Room Five and Miss Massey have been busy making Taonga.  Firstly they decided whether to make a Necklace or an Ornament, then they formed their treasure in air drying clay.  Once the children's work had hardened they painted them, and after the paint dried the taonga were finished off, either with a necklace string or a wooden plinth.  Good job Room 5!