Hihi class have been having lots of fun exploring the world of science.  Last week they made a Lemon Volcano!

This involved students getting the citric acid in the lemon to react with a tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate to create a foaming chemical reaction that was cool to watch. Firstly, they cut a V in the top of the lemon. Then the students created more citric acid by using a stick to mush the centre of the lemon.

Next, they added a few drops of food colouring and a squirt of dishwashing liquid to the centre of the lemon. Finally, the good bit!  They added 1 tablespoon of sodium bicarbonate and watched what happened!

They discovered the more they mushed the lemon and mixed in the sodium bicarbonate, the more the volcano foamed! And because of the food colouring it was a foaming rainbow extravaganza!

As part of this term’s topic ‘Trash to Treasure’, Pukeko class have been learning how important it is to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle by learning how to make their own recycled paper. The class had fun ripping old newspaper and old photocopy paper into small pieces.  After leaving the pieces of paper to soak in water, everyone had a turn at using the blender to turn the old paper into pulp. The pulp was then put into a large tub and a fine mesh screen placed into the pulp. It was left to settle, and then carefully lifted out.  After leaving the excess water to drain off for a while, the pulp was flipped onto a towel and left to dry overnight. Once the paper was nice and dry, the children used it to make their own bookmarks ready to use during Book Week. They were very proud of their efforts.

Mt Carmel turned into a sea of green on Tuesday for Mt Carmel’s Nude Food Day.

You are no doubt aware that this term’s topic, throughout the school, is Trash to Treasure/Sustainability (We use the Earth’s resources with respect).

Nude Food Day seemed to be the perfect way to kick things off, showing how easy it is to reduce and reuse when we try.  It was great to see 245 Mt Carmel kids with reusable containers, sturdy drink bottles and we also spotted a few beeswax wrapped sandwiches and snacks. Since we began our WasteWise journey in 2012 we have seen a steady decline in the amount of litter brought to school each day but there are still several chip packets, biscuit wrappers, drink cartons with straws and Glad Wrap snacks/sandwiches which make their way into some lunch boxes on a regular basis. Maybe the fantastic achievement of today could become a regular routine for all our Mt Carmel families.

Our winning beeswax wrap designs are selling fast but there are still some left (on sale in our online shop) so why not ditch the plastic wrap for good and invest in an earth friendly alternative!

Our Mt Carmel students have had lots of fun getting familiar with control technology with the use of Bee-Bots and Sphero. It is a great way to encourage students to use directional language and to introduce simple programming. Thanks to the PTA for funding the purchase of these floor robots.

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

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

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!

At the end of Term 2 our Room 3 and 4 children enjoyed making Poi with the help of Mrs Mary Lo and Parent Helper, Mrs Vicki Rutter.  Once the Poi were made the children had great fun trying them out - check out our little videos below.

Mrs Masters and Room Two have been busy making Ti Rakau Sticks as part of their study into Maori Culture.  The children had lots of fun designing their sticks, making them and using them!

The process - Designing, Creating the Art, Making the stick, Putting it Altogether.

Miss Rojos and Room 7 have produced some beautiful Stained Glass Window Art for their Classroom using black card, cellophane and tissue paper with the finished 'windows' encapsulated in laminate.  These stunning images of Our Lord were created as part of Room 7's RE study into the Ascension.  We are all very impressed with how effective your 'windows' have turned out and we thank you for brightening up our winter days with your creations.