On Thursday mornings, our Piwakawaka team have been trialing Outdoor Learning in the Enchanted Garden. This is a great opportunity to learn through play in the outdoors in our beautiful natural setting. First, we meet together on the steps to discuss some of the activities we might do. We also discuss boundaries and any agreements we have made. Then, we go off exploring the Enchanted Garden. We have been investigating insect habitats, collecting beautiful leaves and completing nature scavenger hunts. Sometimes we take books, paper and PE equipment outside with us. We love running, jumping, swinging, balancing, climbing and moving our bodies while we learn. We are so lucky to have our classroom right next door to the Enchanted Garden. Look at all our amazing finds!

Kiwi C kick-started their new Topic for the term of Bees with an art piece. Students learned, and followed a three- step process on how to draw a bee, flower, followed by hexagons for the beehive as a background (which is not as easy as you think when joining them together!). A draft of the designs was drawn in the students' Topic book, prior to starting their good copy. We used techniques learned from last term for the Art Show in using coloured pencils to add that pop of colour to each piece. Tino Pai Kiwi C, you worked hard on these, and the artwork looks wonderful! 

Tui Class are proud to share with you their Tui Birds!  The feathers for these beautiful birds have been created over the past couple of terms during our Mitey lessons, the mental wellness programme that we have been teaching at Mt Carmel.  The unit we have just completed focused on the students learning about their identity and each other's special qualities.  Throughout the unit, they examined feelings, thoughts and actions, and identified and developed ways to foster healthy friendships.  The feathers on the Tui birds are unique to each student.  They explain things that each student likes, their strengths, good friends, a time they have felt brave, and something special about their whanau.  Whilst each of these birds represents a special member of Tui class, they collectively show that they are a flock of amazing individuals who strive to help, support and protect each other. 

This term Kiwi G has started off the term learning all about the Olympics as we count down to the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Parlympics. We learnt all about the Olympic flag and what the Olympic rings symbolise. We know that the 5 rings represent the 5 inhabited continents and that the Americas count as one in the rings. We also learnt that with the Olympic flag the rings and the background make up the colours for every flag in the world.
We created art work based on the Olympic rings using water coloured pencils for the background and felt tips for the rings.
Go Aotearoa/New Zealand!!

Piwakawaka class: As part of a Māori Myths and Legends unit, Piwakawaka read “How Maui Slowed the Sun” by Peter Gossage. In Māori mythology, Māui, with the help of his brothers, harnessed the sun to slow it down so that the days would be longer and they would all have more time to find food.We looked at symmetry in maths and linked this to the intricate patterns on Maui’s face. Red, yellow and orange blended dye was used to create a glowing sun.
Photos of their Art Work in here:

In preparation for our upcoming art exhibition, our class has been immersed in hands-on art activities. Through sculpting, and crafting, Ruru has expressed their creativity and explored various techniques. This exhibition will showcase the vibrant and imaginative works produced by our busy hands, highlighting the enthusiasm and dedication of each young artist in our Ruru class.

Takahe kicked off Science Week with an amazing experiment conducted by Catherine Marusich from St Ignatius School. We were very grateful to have an expert to teach us about Science. 

Through this lesson, Takahe learnt one of the most important elements of being a scientist which is to gather and interpret data. 

The experiment that was conducted was a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, warm yeast, dishwashing liquid and food colouring. Takahe listened and watched carefully as Mrs Marusich conducted the experiment. Students then had to take down some key notes about the experiment just as any scientist would do. We had a fun, engaging and informative lesson and were excited to try to think like a scientist whenever and wherever we are.  

Here are some pictures of the experiment and impressive note-taking! 

Our Kea students have captured the events of Holy Week through drawings in this fun and creative Lenten art.  The students have been fully engaged in learning about Jesus' journey through Lent.  We looked at the main events that took place during Holy Week.  We thought of different images that we could use to illustrate each event.

The students are very proud of their artwork and what each image represents to them.

As we journey through Holy Week next week, we are reminded of God's infinite mercy for all of us, in which we grow closer to Him in love.

We hope you enjoy our art.

Kea Class