Wednesday 27 July 2016

Aere ra Faith

This afternoon we farewelled our long time friend/teacher Faith Akaroa. 
Faith will continue her career as a training manager at Choice Kids Manurewa. We wish Faith the very best of luck and success in her new ventures. 
Arohanui Faith xoxox 

Friday 8 July 2016

Matariki & Maori Language Week

Although we believe in acknowledging Te Tiriti o Waitangi & Tangata Whenua on a daily basis through implementing Tikanga Maori within our teaching practices, we certainly amped up daily experiences for our tamariki during Matariki & Maori Language Week. Here's just a few snippets of what we've been up to over the last month...
Weaving - Tuakana/Teina approach teaching & learning (Willingness to share knowledge & being open to learning - Participation)
Performances (The Arts- building self confidence, having a go & participation)

Cooking & Food Preparation 
Planet Cookies
Rock Corn (pop corn)
Scones
Star Bread (fairy bread)

Visual Art
Sand from Tangaroa
Poi making & performances - poi, Haka, pukana (Strengthening the fine motor skills, group participation)
Stick Stars
Group korero about Matariki concepts

Shared Matariki Celebrations with Glen Innes Primary...
Story Time with Mr Sean
So much learning through fun for our tamariki and staff! Meitaki maata to everyone for participating and making the last month another great learning experience!

Tuesday 5 July 2016

Under 2s trip to Chipmunks



As part of our children's interest on physical development and physical skills, we planned a small excursion to Pakuranga Chipmunks for our children to explore the environment. Children were very excited to start their day off extending on their physical development.


We were lucky enough to have the Chipmunks to ourselves during the morning :) 


Links to Te Whariki: Exploration, Goal 2:
"Children experience an environment where they gain confidence in and control of their bodies"
Learning Outcome: Children develop strategies for actively exploring and making sense of the world by using their bodies, including active exploration with all the senses, and the use of tools, materials and equipment to extend skills.


Exploration links with Essential Skills:
Physical Skills - in exploring the physical environment, children gain increasing motor and manipulative control and skill in using tools and materials safely.




Children got to freely explore their environment alongside their peers and adults. The ratio was met as it was one adult to one child which allowed positive and responsive interactions.


A big meitaki maata to our parents Sara (Elijah's mum), Alyssa (Gabriel's mum), Yasoder (Asher's mum) & Maggie (Meiyana's mum) who took the time in their busy lives to participate in this excursion for our babies. It was such a good day for our tamariki as well as building strong relationships with our parents.

Sunday 3 July 2016

PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

Last week our good friends from Playscape started on constructing the upgrade phase of our playground.

STAGE ONE



STAGE TWO

The playground ties in with the existing elements together with a consistent natural theme.

STAGE THREE

The raised hill and slide introduce a sense of height to an otherwise flat area providing many opportunities for imaginative play and physical challenges.




Come and check out the playground upgrade that is sure to test our tamariki's cognitive skills