This is the story of Annaliese, Fletcher, Sam, Qwade, and Lachlan (Year 2/3)
Inspired by korowai in class we wondered about the act of gift-giving. After lots of discussion and research we wanted to make our own korowai to gift to the staff at RSS. It was important to us to use recycled materials for our cloak so that we are being responsible at looking after our earth. We had some older students from Kapahaka come in and help us with our korowai.
We wanted to show our ideas in the story of our cloak. The green represents the harakeke and maoritanga of our school. The harakeke is a peaceful space in our school. We wanted the black and white ‘steps to success’ to be the centre of our story becuase they represent excellence and accuracy. This is what we do to aim high. It is also in the shape of a whare which is Russell Street School; our house of learning. Inside our whare is whanaungatanga: our buddy classes and the older children helping the younger ones to learn. This is outlined in sequins to look like paua, which is precious.
The light, medium and dark brown are like rafters (ribs) in the whare nui. They represent the teachers and staff who much have courage to teach us. The top of our cloak has a pattern of red and blue like an hour glass. This represents the time it takes to learn. The feathers have been designed by all the children in the school and each feather has a special message on the back about how RSS helps us to be the best learners we can be.
Congratulations RSS for your participation in this record breaking event. Not only were we part of the record attempt but we managed to support the very worthy KidsCan charity.
Throughout history, the apple has been a symbol of health, power and knowledge. They were first introduced to NZ by Samuel Marsden, who planted the first apple tree in 1819 at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. The tree is still there today! The Maori name for apple is aporo. New Zealand has a proud history of developing new and interesting apple varieties. Two of the most popular types of apple bred and grown here (and now grown all over the world) are Royal Gala and Braeburn apples. These two were used to make what we know as delicious, crunchy jazz apples. It takes a lot of time to create a new type of apple, lots and lots of work -and lots of patience! Work first began to create Jazz apples way back in 1984, but it wasn’t until 1991 that the first trees were planted.
There are some really important apples. See if you can find out something about: ‘the big apple’; ‘Newton’s apple’; and William Tell’s apple’.
Congratulations to all RSS students that participated in the Palmerston North Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon recently. It was great seeing so many of you giving it a go (many of you trying something new), doing your best and most importantly having fun!
WE ARE DELIGHTED to advise that Creative Minds After School Art Classes are coming to our school for Term 2! Art classes run after school once per week for ages 5-12 years, with creative and knowledgeable art tutors. (Actual day to be advised very shortly) Registration is required.
For more information and to register, please go to www.creativeminds.co.nz
Look at the creativity in Cameron Brown’s reading game. Cam’s Marae game took him a whole lot of ‘sweat, blood and tears’ but he just got so into it that he couldn’t stop until it was finished to his satisfaction. You can see it up close when visiting room 12. Check out some of his original planning as well. (This changed)
Rosie has kickstarted this year’s learning with an animation supporting our learning in te reo. You can join us too and participate by visiting R12′s class blog regularly. Check this one out!
Pictured below is the team that went on retreat prior to the start of the school year to experience life/protocol on a marae, further strengthen the staff culture and prepare/plan for the 2013 year. Our learning included the male staff learning the school haka and the female staff learning poi and a new waiata. RSS has assembled a formidable team, committed to providing the best learning opportunities that meet our vision of “Inspiring creativity and excellence …within and beyond the four walls of the classroom”.
Later this term, all students will participate in a Marae visit, with senior students staying overnight. It is likely that this trip will also include (for the senior students) walking the Gorge loop. More information about this is being prepared right now, with the costs being met from activity fee.
Nothing can be achieved without a plan. The 2013 elections are being run by the NZ School Trustees Association in partnership with the Ministry of Education. We need to prepare!
Triennial elections for school boards of trustees are an opportunity for the community to reflect on the skills and knowledge the board needs and the values it wants represented. This is the time to consider who would make an ideal trustee for the benefit of all students over the next three years.
Our timeline for the 2013 elections is:
April 15- Call for nominations.
April 30 noon -(Main) Electoral roll closes.
May 14 noon -Supplementary roll closes.
May 16 noon -Nominations close
Voting closes- May 30 noon
More detail, once available, will be communicated to you all, once the Returning Officer Guidelines are available and training for this person is complete. In the meantime, give some thought as to whether you might be one of the next trustees, or if you know someone else, that would represent this community well.
This is the story of Annaliese, Fletcher, Sam, Qwade, and Lachlan (Year 2/3)
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