Te Hiku Manaiakalani Outreach 2 First Movie Festival

This year has been our first Te Hiku Movie Festival, the movies have been played on the big screen at the Te Ahu Cinema in Kaitaia on Thursday 7 November. This is one of the lucky movies to be chosen from our school. Congratulations to everyone involved in the production of this movie. Please enjoy and feel free to leave a comment below for the students.

Amazing 🤗, Scary 😯 and Relaxing😴

Welcome to Term 4!

This morning I asked the Tui Team to share something amazing, something scary and something relaxing they did in their holiday.

This was a great way to recap our break with our class - I have to say there were some responses I did not expect! I actually thought some kids were playing a trick on me... bungy jumping and sky diving..really!? 

After thinking, then sharing, the children blogged about their responses.  Check out their individual blogs for some amazing holiday recaps😊

Tui have Green Fingers

A few terms ago the big trees at the front of our school had to be cut down to make way for a new bus area.  These trees were established and huge meaning they gave us shade on the field.
Mrs Cutler organised for some new plants to be purchased and on Marcellin Day - the day we give service to the parish and community - Tui class were set to get planting.
We were so excited! We had spades, gloves and buckets.  We were ready!
Then...... when Mrs Cutler dug the first hole, it was like she'd hit concrete.  Pan. A layer of solid soil! Even if she'd been able to dig a big enough hole the pan was so solid the plants roots would never have been able to get through it.
So, feeling a bit down, we had to come up with a Plan B.
After a while we had help from some Dad's who came to school over the weekend with an auger.  They dug the holes in the places Mrs Cutler had marked. 
Yesterday, we all went out again and this time we were successful in our service! The native plants, flaxes and trees are in the ground.  We took turns planting and delivering mulch. The Tui kids set up a human chain to pass buckets of mulch and plants along. 
We planted around 60 plants in about an hour. 
Once the plants grow we'll have shade, a place to build huts and flowers for the bees.

Fair and Equal

It is Social Justice Week this week and we have been learning about being FAIR and being EQUAL.
We discussed what we thought each of these words meant.  Tui thought that the words basically meant the same thing.

Each child was given an 'ailment'.  The ailments ranged from a ache, a cough or sore tummy to a broken leg or cut head.  The children had to discuss who was worse off.

After this discussion the children came to the 'Doctor' for treatment.  Each child was given a piece of paper that they were not allowed to look at until everyone had seen the 'Doctor'.  The treatments were revealed..... everyone received a band-aid!  There was much discussion about this!

"How will a band-aid fix my runny nose?"
"A band-aid isn't going to help my broken leg!"
"Yay! I need a band-aid for the cut on my hand!"

We discussed this further as a class.  Was receiving a band-aid fair? or equal?
The penny dropped and the difference between fair and equal was clear!

Fair is when everyone gets what they need or deserve
Equal is when everyone gets the same regardless of need.

Check out the Tui Class individual blogs to see more!

Lick, Lick, YUCK, YUCK!!

Today for Mahi Tahi the task was to collaborate and communicate .... while being blindfolded and tasting foods! The person blindfolded had to taste the food and describe what it was to their buddy.  
There were some interesting faces with some of the foods!
There was lime juice, golden syrup, baking soda, chilli sauce, icing sugar, rice bubbles, marmite, caper, salt, mustard and cocoa powder.  

Everyone had a turn at tasting and describing.  The children were pushed outside of their comfort zone! 
  

What would you have liked to have tasted??

🌏 Google Earth 🌏

Following on from our landmark learning - today Tui had a go on Google Earth!

It was so fun looking at the landmarks we have been learning about and seeing it in "real" life! 

We had great discussions and people shared information about the landmark they researched. While we were looking at the Eiffel Tower, Lily told us that there are two elevators in the 'legs' of the tower.  Raidon shared that the Taj Mahal is referred to as the worlds biggest onion.  Looking at the Pyramids of Giza started lots of chat around how the pyramids were built so large and accurately and without technology or machinery!  We talked about pharaohs, mummies and tomb raiders.  

After we looked at the landmarks we knew about we brainstormed other places in the world we might like to look at on Google Earth.  From here, Tui kids went and had a look at Google Earth themselves.  They had a play with the different tools and looked at other places like the Great Wall of China, Times Square, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

We are opening our eyes to the big wide world and thinking about the places we might like to see in person one day 😀

Check out the Tui kids individual blogs to read about the places they looked at on Google Earth.

What in the world would you like to see? 🌏

World Famous

This week one of the literacy contract activities was for the Tui kids to pick a world famous landmark and create an information poster. 

There was the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Leaning tower of Pisa, Statue of Liberty, Colosseum, Pyramids of Giza, Sydney Opera House and the Taj Mahal.  The children were challenged to pick a landmark that they didn't already know a lot about.

We needed to research our landmark, asking questions about it that start with Who? What? Why? Where? When? Which? and How?.
Together we created some success criteria for our posters. 
Tui decided that the posters needed:

• facts (not opinions) 
• history of the landmark 
• Picture/images
• Visually appealing to catch the readers interest

Everyone decided that they would like to create a digital poster, so we set up a shared slide doc.  Everyone took a slide for their poster.  Check out the individual blogs for more later in the week!

PCS Cross-Country 2019

Our cross-country is a REAL cross-country.

It is held on Mrs Cutler's farm.  There is grass, mud, streams to jump over, hills, gravel and cow poo!



This year was not as muddy as last year but it was still definitely there. 
There were only a few shoes lost in the mud 😁

Years 5-8 run 3 km
Years 3-4 run 1.8 km
Years 0-2 run 1 km


We have Zones next week so we are still training at school  three days a week.


It is so nice to go out as a whole school.  The day is about participating, trying your hardest, supporting and encouraging others and celebrating our talented runners. 

Take Note! 💰

Tui class have been learning about NOTEworthy people in NZ. We started with the people on our NZ money.  

Sir Edmund Hillary, Kate Sheppard, Queen Elizabeth, Apirana Ngata & Ernest Rutherford.

We read, researched and wrote autobiographies before looking at how the landmarks and birds on the notes also relate to the person.  Through our literacy contracts we got into groups and researched each note and created a wall display showing our learning, pictures and quotes.

We began to ask questions about other NOTEworthy New Zealanders.  We did a bus-stop activity with several other NZers - from Jean Batten to Whina Cooper.  We were brimming with knowledge and questions.

NOW Tui class are designing their own $200 note.  They are choosing their own NOTEworthy person, landmark and bird.  Once they have designed their note they are writing to explain the reason they chose who and what they chose. 

Keep an eye out on the individual blogs to see their amazing creative $200 note designs!

The Call of Abraham and Sarah

Today Tui class were learning about Abraham and Sarah from the book of Genesis. 

Abram and Sarai lived in Haran.  They had been married many years and had no children. One day God said he wanted them to move to a new land and that he would make their family a new nation of people.  Abram and Sarai trusted God.  After travelling for a long time with all of their belongings, their animals and servants they finally arrived in the new land of Canaan.  God said that he would give this land to them both and all of their descendants. Together, Abram and Sarai wondered how this promise would come true because without children there are no descendants!

Many years passed and still there were no children for Abram and Sarai.  Abram told God how disappointed he was.  God told him to go outside and look at the night sky.  God said "count the stars if you can, you will have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky".  He said that Sarai would give birth to a son whom they would name Isaac.  God also gave them new names - Abraham and Sarah. 

One day, three visitors arrived at Abraham and Sarah's tent.  The visitors were welcomed and given food and drink.  Afterwards the men talked to Abraham and said they would be back when Sarah had given birth to their son.  Sarah overhead this and was laughing.  The men asked Abraham why Sarah was laughing saying "is anything too hard for God?"  It was then that Abraham and Sarah realised their visitors were special messengers from God.  Nine months later God's promise was fulfilled when they became parents to Isaac. 

Tui class have retold this story through animation.  Look out for their creations on their individual blogs!  

Sandra Silberzweig Inspired Portraits

Sandra Silberzweig Inspired Portraits
Kaitaia, 2019
Indian Ink & Chalk Pastel on wet strength cartridge
laminated for preservation

Bright, bold colour broken up with pattern and negative spaces.  Learning included (but not limited to) researching the artist and her inspiration through literacy, investigating shape, pattern and lines through maths, delving into colour (primary, secondary, warm, cool & complimentary) and coping with temperamental indian ink and messy, smudgy, chalky pastels

Check out the Tui Teams individual blogs to learn more!

Our Place, Our Space...

We haven't re-introduced ourselves in a while so for those of you who are new to the Tui Blog... this is for you!

We live in Kaitaia.
We are at the top of the North Island of NZ.  We are never more than a half hour drive to each coast and there are lots of beautiful beaches all around us.

If you came to visit us these are the things that we think are absolute MUST-DO'S 

🌞 All the beautiful beaches! Ahipara, 90 Mile Beach, Matai Bay, Rarawa, Great Exhibition Bay..... there are too many to list.

🌞 Cape Reinga.  Where two seas meet.  A beautiful spot where you can really feel the wairua. 

🌞 The giant Te Paki Sand Dunes. It looks like a desert next to the ocean.  You can ride down these on boogie boards - SO MUCH FUN!

There are so many things to do and see here.  We have a rich history with Kauri and gum digging.  We have beautiful forests, farms and lakes. 

We love to get outdoors - camping, hiking, swimming, surfing, motorbike and horse riding.......

Where do you live? What would be a must-see in your place? 

Monsters vs Aliens

This morning Tui class had a mystery activity to complete.

1. Children were put into pairs

2. Pairs were split, one person to one side of the room, the second  person to the other.

3. The class were told their activity was a surprise so they had to stay on their side of the room and ensure their backs were to their buddies and their work was hidden.

Have I given you a hint about what the lesson is about?  The children were a little scared as to what was going on but excited too!

4. I took each group outside separately and gave instructions.  They were designing a creature however they liked, using whatever colours, shapes and sizes they wanted.  They had to think about what features they would want included.  One group was told to draw an alien, the other told to draw a monster.

5. The groups went and created their assigned creature.

Then.... 

6. Once the pictures were finished, children were told they had to write a title "How to draw my..." 

7. Children then had to write instructions on how to draw their creature.  They had to think about how they drew it.  Instructions would need to be clear and detailed.  

How would we know we had been successful? 

8. After we had completed our instructions, the pairs were reunited and swapped books.  Each person was given a new piece of paper.  Following their buddies instructions they drew the creature.

9. Once completed, the buddies presented their pictures.  Did they look the same as the original creation? 

Why? Why Not? 

10. Reflection time! Were we successful? Why? Why not? What would we change? What might have worked better if we were to do it again? Are instructions important? Why? 

This was a fun activity with some awesome learning.  Check out some of our examples below!

   

🏃 Beep Test Fitness 🏃

We have started cross-country training!

On Mondays and Tuesdays we do a run (either in school or a loop out of school around the road) and on Thursdays we do the beep test.  The aim is to personally improve our fitness. This is a time-lapse Mrs Cutler took this morning 😁

Human Digger Track

Today's Mahi Tahi task (where the Year 5 - 8s come together each Tuesday to work as one) was to create a human digger track.  All of the team had to be on the inside.  The track needed to be strong and the team had to communicate effectively to ensure the track moved them from one end of the court to the other. This task required critical thinking, communication and collaboration.

We saw the tracks being strengthened by folding paper, adding extra layers, laying paper over top of the joins in a brick like fashion. 

When everyone had finished we had groups test their tracks in our Mahi Tahi Space - Piwakawaka.  Then those that were successful went out to the court to race! It was great fun to make these and work together - we were really successful! 

Reflecting... 💭

We are always reflecting on our learning in Tui class. At the end of each day we chat about something we found interesting, something new we discovered, something we found challenging or an act of kindness we saw.... Last week we stepped this up by creating our own digital weekly review ..."A Peek at the Week". The prompts for the week go up on Monday so that the children have these in mind as the week goes by.

Tui kids are able to get creative on Google Draw with their weekly review. We then share these reflections to our blogs.

Reflection is important, it helps us to set new goals and think about ourselves, our progress, and challenges in our learning. It also really helps us when our big people ask how our day was!! We can share more than just... "gooooooooooooood"

G.R.E.A.T

Today is Marcellin Day.  Marcellin is the name of one of our whanau groups and he is also a saint.
We celebrate Marcellin Day by giving service.
This morning at Mass, Father discussed what it means to give service and be 'great'.
He gave us an acronym to help us to remember how to be great.

G - Generous.
Be generous with your time, be generous with your words, be generous with your kindness and service.

R - Reliable.
Be the kind of person people can rely upon.  When you say or offer something, follow through.  Keep your word. Make sure people can trust that you will be there for them.

E - Encourage.
Encourage others, be supportive, be kind, give put ups and affirmation.

A - Accepting.
Accept others without judgement.  Be respectful of differences. Understand that we all have different opinions and ideas, we all are individual and unique and that's OK!

T - Thankful.
Be grateful for all that you have.  Acknowledge what you have and thank all who have contributed to it.

We had some amazing discussion in class after Mass about how to be GREAT.  Tui kids completed an activity in their Faith Journals to remind them 😇

It's that time of year again...

Speeches!

In Tui class we have been busy integrating oral language and persuasive writing into our literacy contracts.  We have had chatting cards, using drama with our shared reading, using expression and projection.... 
There were 37 English topics and 18 Te Reo topics to choose from.  
This week Mrs Cutler is listening to speeches in class.  Everyone has made her judging job hard! The speech topics were varied and props were used appropriately.  Tui class were supportive and encouraging of everyone.  Speeches are not a favourite for everyone but each and every student still stood up and gave it a good go!
Three finalists get chosen to go through to the PCS Speech Competition.  It was a super hard choice, but everyone can be super proud of themselves for the hard work and effort they put in to their presentations. 

🌟Matariki 🌟

Matariki is a cluster of seven stars within the Taurus constellation (it is really made up of several hundred stars but we can only see seven with the naked eye). In New Zealand it is also known as the Maori New Year.  The word Matariki translates as 'little eyes' (mata riki) or 'eyes of God' (Mata ariki).

We have speeches coming up so we have been learning about persuasive writing.  We decided a great topic would be "Matariki should have its on public holiday". Once we decided our position we started brainstorming.  Everyone had the same opinon that we SHOULD have a public holiday for Matariki.  We feel that Matariki is an important celebration that is unique to NZ.  We thought that people should have the time to get up to view Matariki, share stories and food, dance and celebrate together. We celebrate many holidays that are not as relevant to NZ like Guy Fawkes so why not have another day for Matariki.

We have published our letters and are sending them on to try and persuade the government to our way of thinking! Watch this space 😋

Bottle Car Challenge 🚙

Our Mahi Tahi (working as one) challenge this week was to build a bottle car that could be propelled for a minimum distance of 1m.

Children were grouped before they knew what the challenge was so they could think about what a propeller is and what 'propel' means.  Once the challenge was presented, groups were given a few minutes to discuss, plan and decide what materials they would need.

This task requires all of the 4 Cs (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking & Communication).

This challenge was so fun to watch and be a part of.  The room was buzzing with different ideas.  As well as the design, critical thinking was required when it came to the car axle (and making sure the wheels moved), attaching the propulsion device (most groups used balloons, but some used rubber bands) and how to get maximum propulsion.  The groups that attached balloons with tape quickly learned that they only get one go at testing!

When we tested, most of the cars didn't move too far - one group's car spun in circles 😂 but upon discussion and reflection afterwards we now know how we would refine and improve the car designs.  This is exactly what Mahi Tahi is about!! 

Mahi Tahi x School Beautification

We combined Mahi Tahi and School beautification this week by decorating out ugly boring wire fence with wool hearts.
As always in Mahi Tahi we had to remember the 4 C's (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity & Critical Thinking) We had to think creatively with how we wove the wool, the colours we used and making sure the hearts were neat and nice to look at.  We had to think critically because the hearts were like tessellations and we were also working on enlargement.  Collaboration and communication were cruical as we had to work within our own groups but also our neighbouring groups to ensure the hearts 'flowed' nicely along the fence.

Name Symmetry

We have been learning about symmetry.  In our maths contracts this week we had an arty task of creating our own names symmetrically.  This was a tricky task for some of us - but once we remembered the line of symmetry, to cut out carefully and to keep our name letters big and bold we were more successful.
Check out our name symmetry display!

40 Days of Kindness, Service & Charity

Lent is a time of preparation before Easter when we fast and pray as we remember Jesus and the sacrifices He made for us.  There are three main aspects to focus on during Lent.  GIVE. PRAY. FAST.  

In Tui class we are spending the 40 days of Lent by showing kindness, service and charity through different activities or actions.

Mahi Tahi Paper Chain Challenge

This year the three senior classes -Years 5 - 8  are collaborating every Tuesday and Thursday morning for a Mahi Tahi (Working as One) session.  The children are put into groups randomly using ice block sticks. They have been learning about the Four C's - Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication & Creativity.  Challenges and activities range from STEM to logic puzzles to art.... it has been AMAZING!

Today, children were issued with what SEEMED like a simple challenge - to make the longest paper chain out using only two pieces of A4 paper.

The room was buzzing with collaboration and thinking.  Children had to consider the length of the chain with its stability - if the chain broke we would only measure the longest piece.  
We teachers could see the groups thinking change as the chain progressed..some links were short then long and thin.  This was such a fun challenge!

We RISE...

This year our school whakatauki is RISE.  Respect. Inspire. Service. Excellence.
We created art to represent us rising to challenges, rising to expectations, rising up and achieving all of our goals 🌞

We worked with dye and indian ink.  We had to include sea, hills and the sun rising.  We learned about hot and cold colours and how using the indian ink created detail in our picture.  

Welcome to Tui 2019!