Waitā

Our Learning Goals

At the beginning of the term, we spent time discussing what goals are, why they are important, and how they help us to grow and improve as learners and individuals. We talked about how setting clear goals gives us direction and motivation and how they can support us in developing both academically and personally. Students then created three personal, achievable goals based around our school values, ensuring they were realistic and something they could work towards over the course of Term One.

Throughout the term, we regularly revisited our goals to reflect on our progress and celebrate small wins along the way. We discussed what strategies were helping us succeed, what challenges we were facing, and what we could do differently to support ourselves in achieving our goals. This ongoing reflection helped students stay focused and take ownership of their learning. I am incredibly proud of the effort, resilience, and growth shown by all students throughout this process.

Our Cubism Art Inspired By Pablo Picasso

Our class has been exploring art inspired by Pablo Picasso, using geometric shapes to create unique Cubism-style portraits. We learned how Cubism breaks images into different angles and shapes, allowing us to see a face from multiple perspectives at once. Through this creative process, students experimented with lines, shapes, and colour to express individuality in bold and imaginative ways.

Our Learning Around Our School Houses

Our class has been learning about our school houses — Whakapunake, Takitimu, Rongomaiwahine, and Kahungunu — and their importance in our local history. We are exploring the stories, ancestry, and cultural significance behind each name, helping us understand where we come from. Through this learning, students are also making personal connections to these histories and reflecting on their own identity and place within our school community.

Takitimu

Takitimu connects our students to their whakapapa, helping them understand their heritage and build a stronger sense of identity and belonging within our school community.

Whakapunake

Whakapunake is a special maunga that connects our students to the land, reminding them of their place in our local area and the stories and history that shape who they are.

Rongomaiwahine

Rongomaiwahine is an important tūpuna for our students to learn about, as she represents strength, leadership, and connection to the people and whenua of our region.

Kahungunu

Kahungunu is a significant ancestor for our students to learn about, helping them understand the rich history, whakapapa, and connections that shape our local community and identity.

Our Overnight Camp

This term we went on an overnight camp at Miss Colleen’s house, supported by Miss Grant, Caroline, Miss June, and Aunty Eliza. When we arrived, we set up our camping area on the lawn in three tents and got ourselves organised for the night ahead. Once everything was set up, we enjoyed playing ripper rugby and tag on the lawn and spent time exploring the trees and natural spaces around the property.

That night we had an exciting adventure going eeling, which was a real highlight of the camp. We travelled on motorbikes and trucks out to the back of the farm with Boo and Paula from Tara Station, then walked along the creek to try our luck at catching eels. We were thrilled to catch three eels before heading back to camp, where we warmed up around the fire, roasted marshmallows, and played games of tag and spotlight under the stars.

The next morning we woke up early, had breakfast, and got ready for a full day at the woolshed for crutching. We had the opportunity to help chase sheep, draft them into different mobs, sweep wool, and assist with getting sheep ready for the crutchers. It was a busy and hands-on experience that gave us a real taste of farm life. By the end of the day we were tired but full of excitement and didn’t want to go home — it was an amazing camp that we will always remember.

Term 2