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!

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!  

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 😇