On the 28th March our Year 5 and 6s visited Goat Island to investigate a marine reserve. They had a fantastic time. This is part of the Mountain to Sea programme that highlights the uniqueness of our freshwater and marine biodiversity and provides an active focus on the conservation of these environments through education and action. The children were able to compare two marine habitats; Goat Island with the fresh water habitat from last weeks visit to Pourewa stream.
The Tread Lightly Caravan came to Mt Carmel last week, this is a mobile environmental classroom that visits primary and intermediate schools in the Auckland region.
Using fun interactive exhibits and activities, the programme teaches students what they buy and eat and how they travel and use energy has an impact on the environment. It integrates Western-science perspectives on environmental protection and restoration with Te Ao Māori customs and protocols. Students make pledges to reduce their environmental footprint and involve their families and friends in implementing them.
Jessika from College Rifles came to Mt Carmel again this year to organise some Rippa Rugby sessions for us. The children enjoyed practising their ball handling and running skills and it was a great chance to improve their hand- eye coordination and team building skills. It was fantastic to see the children having so much fun.
Last Monday Mt Carmel celebrated St. Patrick's day in style. The children came to school dressed in green. There was a gold coin donation in aid of Caritas.
Kakapo and Takahe set off for an exciting adventure to the Howick Historical Village. This trip was in connection to our topic theme this term; learning about how people interact with place and environment.
Students got to explore what life would have been like in the late 1800s by playing outdoor games, indoor games and going to school. Many of the students thoroughly enjoyed the indoor games, even stating they liked it more than the games they have at home!
We had the amazing opportunity to explore the whole village and see the different jobs, houses and technology people had during the time. The educators at the Village also shared specific experiences which allowed the students to understand what life would have been like.
Our Year 6's recently embarked on an unforgettable two-day, one-night adventure at MERC in Long Bay, and what a triumph it was! From the moment we arrived, our students displayed exceptional behavior and a positive attitude towards every challenge presented. It was wonderful to see them step outside their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and foster deeper friendships beyond the classroom walls. We saw incredible growth, bravery, and teamwork, making this camp a resounding success.
A Fun-Filled Afternoon with Watercare!
Ruru class had the incredible chance to explore the water cycle with Sarah from Auckland Watercare. We journeyed as water droplets, traveling through Auckland all the way to the Waikato River! Along the way, we learned about the water cycle and followed the path of water as it flowed through underground pipes to reach our taps at home. The students had a blast dramatizing the water cycle and imagining what they’d like to be used for if they were water droplets at home.
One of the highlights was creating their very own water cycle displays using ziplock bags, sharpies, and blue water – a favorite activity for many! The children enjoyed making connections between the stages of the water cycle and discovering ways we can all conserve water at home.
A huge thank you to Sarah from Watercare for providing such an enjoyable and educational experience!
Haere Mai- Welcome to Mt Carmel
Our Pukeko class, in their first eleven days at school, have had a strong focus on building relationships with each other and their teacher through strategically planned ‘learning through play ‘opportunities as well as structured learning.
One of the strands of the New Zealand Curriculum is oral language. The focus of this strand is on teaching students to speak and listen effectively. It acknowledges that strong oral language is the cornerstone of learning and is crucial for success across all learning areas.
At eth beginning of the term, we sent home “All about me ‘boxes giving each student a chance to speak in front of the class and share what was important about their family. It also gave the rest of the students a chance to listen to and share what they learnt about each other. A ‘wow ‘moment for any teacher😊
Enjoy the following photos taken this time and a big thank you for sharing your ‘treasures‘ with us and supporting your children’s transition to our school.
The Christmas festivities have continued with the Year 2 and 3’s putting on a special performance of the Christmas story, recounting the Birth of Jesus. The children joyfully sung Christmas Carols and and even had a visit from Santa Claus and Rudolph! Well done Yr 2 & 3!
Our Year 0 & 1 students put on a fabulous show telling the story of the Nativity and singing some festive songs to get us all in the Christmas spirit. Well done to our littlest students and their teachers for putting on such a heartwarming performance!