29.7.16
We were very excited to have post!
A package arrived from our penpals in America.
The children were very pleased to receive a letter and bookmark each!
We decided to save the stickers for a special occasion - like when we have finished our 'passports'.

Here is a little of the class letter.
We really enjoyed looking at you class blog and seeing that you featured us on your page about the Heritage Festival we had at our school.
We all enjoyed learning about New Zealand and we wish it was closer so we could come and visit.
We would like that too.
.... We have quite a long summer break and return to school on August 24. A lot of kids go to enjoy the North and South Carolina beaches, which are about 4 hours away from us. ....
We were amazed that the beaches were so far away!

It is interesting to find out about what kids do in other countries.
Thanks Mrs Gunby and the 3rd Grade class at Woodlawn School.

Discovery time

Artemis and Ella worked on their passport.

Jasmine and Taylor worked on new creations.

Lincoln, Caezar, Eileen and Tolson sharing, taking turns and having fun!

Our topic is 'Your neck of the woods'. As part of this topic we are going to find out more about the cultures of the children in our class and in Year 2 & 3.
So we started today when we had a visit from Kaaren, a teacher for deaf children. She talked to us about hearing and the best ways to communicate with someone who is deaf.
Sign language is one of the official languages in New Zealand - so we had a 'go' at saying hello, asking a question and signing a song!

Leo and Sophie came too.
Leo had hearing aids and Sophie had a cochlear implant.

A Mihi Whakatau was held this morning to welcome new children and their families to school.
Beau and Ella were going to support Taylor, but unfortunately she wasn't at school today.

Thanks for being prepared for the Mihi Whakatau.

Cesar is having some interesting experiences. But I think Kevin's experiences are 'right out there'.
They visited the Dino Park Transylvania. It is the biggest outdoor dinosaur park in the European Union.

That dinosaur is tall

I hope that dinosaur isn't like the fox in 'The Gingerbread Man'.

Wow Cesar!

Take care Kevin

That could hurt.

Hang on Kevin!

Congratulations Kadin   - 'Player of the Day' for his rugby team.

School has begun for Term 3!
Congratulations to Flinn, Cesar and Ashveer who completed 10 Home Learning activities, and Archie who completed 9. Ka pai!

Cesar has sent us some more photos from his trip.
The weather looks great!

Cesar is enjoying a Romanian BBQ

I wonder if Kevin likes the sausages....

Kevin can see Dracula's Castle.

I think Kevin may be checkng out the souvenirs.

Cesar and Kevin at a World War 1 Mausoleum

Hello families.
I hope you have had an enjoyable break.
I have been at school for a few days sorting things out for a busy term ahead.
Our swimming lessons start at Pioneer Pool in week 2. We will be swimming every school day from 1st - 12th August so the children will need to bring their togs and towel,( goggles if they have some) in a bag. It is so helpful if everything is named.
Our topic is Social Studies based  -  'Your neck of the woods'. As part of our learning we will be talking about the different cultures of children in our class, and within our learning team.
We will also be talking about the Olympic Games. We are collecting newspaper clippings about our athletes to make a scrapbook. Please send along anything of interest.
Later in the term, our Junior Kapahaka children will be performing at the Art Gallery, as part of the Kids in Town programme. (Only the children in Kapahaka will be going to the Art Gallery.)

Cesar and Kevin Kiwi at Kavalas Port in Greece.

Cesar and Kevin Kiwi are at Ofrynio Beach, 50km west of Kavala in the north of Greece.
It looks warm there!

                                            Happy Holidays.

Remember to check our blog during the holidays to see what Cesar is up to.

We had our last Discovery time for the term yesterday.

Beau, Lincoln and Joahne worked as a team to complete this puzzle.

Old phones can still be fun - Ashveer, Eileen and Tolson.

Creative designs with the dough by Phoebe and Lucia.

More amazing creations from Archie and Flynn.

Artemis and Ella playing 'helicopters'

Paige is skipping so quickly we can't see the rope!

Timara enjoys skipping too.

Great team work guys!

Happy 8th Birthday to Phoebe  for Sunday. We know you will have a great day. 

Cesar and Kevin Kiwi are at Dubai Airport.
During the holidays I will update our blog with Cesar's photos so keep checking to see what he is up to.

Some of the competitors at Hillview School

Jeanette and I accompanied 24 children to the Junior Cross Country at Hillview School on Tuesday.

The Opawa children represented us well.

It was great to see  families during learning conferences!
Thank you for taking the time to come - every family came. Ka pai!

Today we had a very small and special feathered friend  to visit us.
Beau brought his canary, Chirpy, to visit. Chirpy was well behaved and showed off a little - climbing the cage, sharpening her beak, nibbling on her apple, sipping water and crunching her seeds. She even managed to have a swing and rattle her toy. Beau was very proud to tell us about Chirpy. She was a present for his 6th birthday.

Beau and Chirpy.

 Cesar and Kevin Kiwi left yesterday for Romania.

Bon Voyage from Room 8.

On Tuesday, Anna and Lincoln are off to Hillview School, as part of the team representing our school in  Cross Country.
We wish them good luck and know they will be  great ambassadors for us. We are proud of them!

Here we are ready for the last week of term!
We have Learning Conferences on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Remember school finishes at 2pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thank you to families who have already booked a time for a conference.
Don't forget to bring your child and their portfolio. :)