MATARIKI DANCE

We have been learning about the Matariki Stars and how Maori celebrate Matariki.
Matariki is the celebration of the Maori New Year. People celebrate by eating Maori Kai (food)

They also celebrate with dance.

Team 8 made up Maori actions to a Matariki song.

The song was about the seven Matariki stars. Very creative Team 8.

Zoe was so creative and clever at home. She worked with her mum to put together this amazing Matariki piece of art.  Here she is talking about her Art piece.

Life Education

We have had such an exciting week at school this week. 

We got to visit Harold the Giraffe as part of Life Education.  Pamela (Harolds helper) talked to us about what makes a good friend.  Team 8 are experts at this and helped Harold to be a good friend.

The Caravan is a pretty cool place to be. The lights make you change colour and we learnt lots about being kind, caring, sharing and helpful friends.

Pamela telling us to sit on our biggest muscle ( our gluteus maximus)

Blueberries

Strawberries

Harold and Pamela

Team 8 are so amazing, Harold can't believe it!

Andy and Gabriella put a puzzle together about what a great friend does.

Our wonderful ast that we did after our visit.

PLEASE COME IN AND SEE OUR AMAZING ART AND SPEECH BUBBLES ABOUT OUR LEARNING!

The Amazing Buddhist Temple

What an amazing place to visit. 

 The Buddhist Temple is an amazing, peaceful and colourful Temple..oh and as Alex said...it smells so nice!

Team 8 and the rest of Year 1 and 2 had a great trip there on Tuesday with the help of our amazing parent helpers.  

We made wishes, we made wonderful lotus flowers, we ate cookies, learnt lots about giving and don't for get the '3Gs.'

• Do Good Deeds
• Say Good Words
• Think Good Thoughts

This of course fits perfectly into our Manaakitanga of "Kindness."

Here are some photos of all the exciting things we got to see and do.

Thank You to all the parent helpers that came to help.

Thank you to the fabulous Buddhist Temple for having us.

Thank you to Team 8 for being on your best behaviour.

Lion Dancing

To round off our Chinese New Year celebrations, this afternoon Team 8 had a turn at being Lion Dancers. We read a book about Ernie Wan and his first time being a lion dancer. We watched some videos of lion dancers and clapped to the beat. Some of us had a turn at being the lion head and the lions bottom! It was fun! 

To finish, we made some Chinese lanterns. Are any of you going to the lantern festival this weekend?

A very special thanks to Mrs Turners friend Susan Cho, who very kindly lent us her Chinese Lion Costume. Kiss kiss Mrs Cho! xx

The Friendship Seat

We have new friendship seats at school!

They have been beautifully painted by some senior children.

Team 8 went and had a look at them today and they are amazing!

If Team 8 see someone sitting on them, we are going to be great friends and ask them if they are ok and if they would like to play. Also if one of Team 8 can't find their friends they are going to go sit there and fingers crossed someone will help them.

Here we are sitting and looking at the seats.

Pretty cool seats!

More of Team 8's Special Treasures

In Team 8 we have been sharing our special treasures. Last week Benjamin, Samuel and Theo shared their special treasures.

Benjamin shared his little men. One of his friends gave one to him and then his mum bought him one. They are pretty cool as their heads lift up.

 Theo shared his special motorbike. He showed us how it goes fast.

Samuel and his Dad are Warriors fans. A friend of Samuel's family gave him a cool bag that had a Warriors ball in it too.  (Watch out Samuel Mrs Turner is a huge Warriors fan!)

Thank you to all the parents that have let their children bring in their special treasures to share... we are still waiting for Mrs Driver's special Treasure!

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!

We hope you're having a fantastic one! 

On Friday Team 8 was lucky enough to have Jeremy's parents share with us some of the traditions they celebrate in their family during this special time. First they showed us a powerpoint and talked about the special things they do. 

Team 8. Can you remember any of the things Chinese people like to do on New Years Eve or New Years day? (comment below with the things you can remember to move your peg!)

After that, Yvonne (Jeremy's Mummy) surprised us with some traditional Chinese food! Most of us gave it a try. Mrs Turner thought it was delicious. Mmmmmmmmmm! Thank you Yvonne!

Mrs Turner (on the behalf of Mrs Grant and herself) also gave out some red envelopes to wish everyone health, wealth and happiness for the New Year.

A very special thanks to Yvonne and Austin for the powerpoint and food, and also to Bingqing (Paul's Mummy) for supporting and helping make this day happen! Team 8 is very lucky to have parents like you as part of our learning community.  

Kia ora rawa atu! x