We Can Animate

Here is the poem we were learning last week. Rachael taught us how to use the app 'I Can Animate' and then we practised making an animation using cars. Rachael talked to us about how we could improve our animation and then asked us to animate the following poem. Louie helped us as well.

By Jacob and Morgan

Matariki Night

Our Matariki night was fun. We came to school in the dark and saw lots of our lanterns lighting up the path to our class. Lots of our parents came and we sang them some songs and then showed them our slideshow about Matariki.

We then made some biscuits and a star and had some hot chocolate with marshmallows in. We also played some string games. Matariki night was fun, I wish I could go back to school in the dark.

This photo collage created with Smilebox

What is Matariki?

Here is a short movie we made to explain our learning around Matariki.

Moutere Hills Junior Cross Country

Today we had the Junior Cross Country at Dovedale School. We have been practising our running at school by going out for a run every day. I felt so nervous when I lined up for my race there were butterflies in my tummy. I started jogging for a wee bit so I could save my energy for the last lap. It was fun jumping over the hay bales and hurdles. I sprinted to the finish line and I was so proud that I came 3rd in my race.

The photo above shows everyone who either came 1st 2nd or 3rd in their race, including Sophie (Emma's sister) who came 1st in the preschooler's race.

By Billie

I was excited because I knew I was going to win my race. I got a fast start and I was running out in front of everyone for most of the race. I felt good when I heard Dean, Andy, my Mum and Miss Whalley cheering for me when I ran past. I am so proud that I tried my best.

By Morgan

Well done to everyone for a fantastic effort at the Junior Cross Country run today. You gave it your all - Rachael and Jaki are so proud of you!

Congratulations to our place getters on the day:

5yr old girls
1st Sophia
3rd Emma H

5yr old boys
1st Morgan

6yr old girls
1st Fianna
3rd Billie

6yr old boys
1st Isaiah
3rd Finyas

7yr old girls
1st Harriet

7yr old boys
1st Alfie
2nd Aiden

Preschooler's race
1st Sophie H

Star Writers

We have a bunch of creative writers in Marama. One of our writing groups was given the following image to write about.

Here are the beginnings of a story from some of our budding authors:

Bruno

One day I went diving with my cousin Mathew. I swam ahead and as I turned back and I heard a little yell, "Bruno!"

I saw a whale shark. "Am I seeing things?" I wiped my eyes. "No I am not seeing things!"

I swam to an island..........

Moutere Hills Swim Fun Day

Well done to Jack and Brooke for representing Upper Moutere School in the fastest girl and fastest boy freestyle and backstroke races.

Congratulations to Brooke who was placed within the top 3 in her freestyle race and Jack who placed in the top 3 within both his freestyle and backstroke races. You made us all so proud. What little champions you both are!

Making Connections with our Buddies

We had a pool party on Monday to make connections with our buddies in Ramaroa 6. Here are some of our Comic Life posters we made about the afternoon.

Making Connections at Ruby Bay

A great day was had by all as we explored the many and varied sea life in the rock pools at Ruby Bay. This day would not have been possible without the help of our incredible parents. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Watch this space for further postings from the children.

Triathlon

Our triathlon was a huge success. Radiant smiles beamed just as bright as the sun's rays that day.
The children participated enthusiastically, showed endurance and pushed their boundaries, completing the course to the applause of the awaiting crowd. What a great event!

Congratulations to everyone, especially our place getters listed below:

5 year old girls
1st  Mazzy
2nd Emma H
3rd  Jess P
5 year old boys
1st Morgan
2nd Jacob
3rd Mosty
6 year old girls
1st  Evie L
2nd Amelia
6 year old boys
1st  Finyas
2nd Isaiah
3rd  Costa
7 year old boys
1st  Alex
2nd Aiden

Triathlon Reminder

A reminder that the Upper Moutere Triathlon is tomorrow. Don't forget to bring your togs, goggles, helmet, bike and closed toe shoes to school tomorrow. It is going to be lots of fun!

By Caleb

Our Sunflowers

We read the book Camille and the Sunflowers. It was a story about Camille meeting a man called Vincent Van Gogh.

We learned how Vincent van Gogh was a famous artist who painted sunflowers.

Jaki brought some real sunflowers for us to look at and Grant showed us how to draw a sunflower using vivid pen, dye and tea leaves.

Here we painting the dye on our pictures.

Swimming

I love our school pool because we get to go swimming every day. I am learning how to do backstroke. I have to keep my head back and my body straight and be careful not to bump my head when I get to the end. When I get good at this then I will learn how to use my arms in backstroke.

By Fianna

It's really tricky to put my head under water without holding my nose. When we play ring-a-ring-a-rosie I try to duck under the water without holding my nose. I am also learning to open my eyes under water.

By Emma A

Ollie's Beetle

I found this beetle in the bathroom. It was lying on its back. It probably flew in the door last night. I brought it to school to show my friends and my teachers. It looks cute. Some people may be scared of it so I put some plastic over the top of the bowl.

Here are some photos of my beetle. Some people call it a haircutter beetle but it is a huhu beetle.

By Ollie

Summer is Discovery

We have some swan plants in Marama. We are looking closely to see how the monarch caterpillars turn into Monarch butterflies. So far we have seen the caterpillars chomping all the leaves off our plants and some have made a chrysalis.

We are trying to keep quiet so we don't disturb the caterpillars sleeping. We can't wait until they turn into butterflies.

We also have a tank in our class that has tadpoles in it. Some of our tadpoles are starting to grow legs. It won't be long until they turn into frogs. We are going to have to put a big stone in the tank for the frogs to sit on.

By Holly and Lily

Hello everyone!

Hello our good friends

We are so glad you received our letter and have come to look up the blog. Rachael and Jaki have been busy getting Marama ready for your return on Tuesday. We were so excited about your new learning space we thought we would give you a sneak peek at what it looks like!

Here we are up in the new tree reading some of your lovely books!

This is a great space to climb into.

A cosy little nook has been built under the old window that used to be in the cloakroom.

We love snuggling up here to read our favourite books.

Hurry up and come back because we miss you.

Your good friends



Alf and Gerald (Number 2)