Sea Life Interest

Over time, many of our tamariki have been interested in creatures of the sea...

Some recent experiences our teachers have provided include: a turtle visit (kindly arranged by teacher Pamella & her sister Rose), fish faces (face painting by teacher Faith), fish ornaments (baking soda dough), star fish cookies, shark masks...and many, many more...

In supporting this on-going interest in sea life...an excursion to Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium was planned for, and executed on Monday 21st August 2017

What a fantastic turnout we had...we are very grateful to our parents/whanau who got involved through fundraising & supporting with required adult to child ratios on the day. The day was only successful because of our awesome whanau!

Tamariki enjoyed their time through being curious, exploring, and asking questions. 

On return from Kelly Tarlton's, staff and whanau came together to evaluate the trip...well done everyone, great teamwork!

So...what's next?

A trip to the local fish shop saw Toko & Papa Apii return with three fresh fish. Papa Apii went on to demonstrate for tamariki, the procedure of scaling, gutting, and cleaning fresh fish. Tamariki had the opportunity to participate in the scaling process.

After cleaning our fish, Papa Apii made some ika mata (raw fish). Tamariki got to eat the ika mata during lunch, with some delicious taro cooked in the oven by Mama Tere.

Cook Island Language Week 2017

Kia Orana & welcome to our Cook Island Language Week for 2017. 
So many exciting things happened for us this week. We had parent involvement with our cooking & arts & crafts, and when we were invited to Panmure Library, Esther happily transported our little team of performers.

We are very grateful to have whanau support...Meitaki (thank you) to Mataora, Mama Tere, 

Mama Kau and Esther.

Our spontaneous Fashion/Talent show encouraged tamariki to get involved. Here, tamariki showed confidence, and flare as they walked the catwalk, posed, danced & sang proudly at the top of their lungs.

Some Cook Island inspired arts & crafts were a big hit as usual...Ei Katu (headbands) are always a favourite with our tamariki. 

Dress-Up Day was how we ended our Cook Island Language Week for this year, and of course we had to have our favourite Cook Island music beats playing throughout the day...

We hope you enjoyed our little snippet of one of our favourite weeks of the year...

Under 2's vegetable soup - whanaungatanga

...Winter Holiday Soup...

Continuing to celebrate Matariki, the under 2's cooked up a vegetable soup to have for lunch. During the process of cooking, our tamariki experienced hands on  with real food, real cooking tools (hot element) to prep a meal with the help of teachers. 

Whanaungatanga - relationship, kinship, sense of family connection - a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging. 

Ride in the Cardboard City

Our tamariki had so much fun at the 

RIDE IN THE CITY OF CARDBOARD event presented by The Panmure Community Hall.

Thank you!!! to Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board (Theresa & Mahana) & Tamaki Learning Champions (Sam & Philippa)

Happy birthday Cassius and Jerale

Happy Birthday Cassius!  You are now fully graduated into the Avaiki Nui room as a two year old. Cassius celebrated his birthday with us on Thursday the 18th May.  We all thank you for sharing your special day with us along with a piece of chocolate cake and pizza at lunch time.

Happy Birthday Jerale who also turned two on Friday the 19th May.  Unfortunately, Jerale has been away due to being unwell.  We wish him a quick recovery so we can play with Jerale this coming week.  Have a lovely birthday with your whanau Jerale and we hope to see you soon.

Our Contribution to our Community: Ruapotaka Marae

On Thursday 16th March 2017, our apii were invited to participate in a community art event held at Glen Innes Ruapotaka Marae. 

On arrival we were welcomed in by Whaea Ann and Nana Jenny. We were also greeted with these stunning art panels.

Nana Jenny kindly went on to explain the meaning and the history behind the creation of the 'contemporary korowai'.Whaea graciously Ann shared her knowledge about the materials used for making original korowai. Kristen's nana was interested in learning about the use of kiwi feathers, and other concepts of Maori culture.

Our tamariki and their parents/whanau got to choose their coloured whare (houses), and place them to be weaved onto the korowai.

 

After our whare were placed onto the panels, we went onto to interpret our experience onto paper. Here, our tamariki created their own pieces of artwork by drawing their thoughts and ideas.

Utukura with his mum Iva, and his sister

Hemi and his mum Esther

 Sinapasi and mum Kayla

Teacher Rosie, Norman and mum Mataora, Veronica, Leniah and aunty Ngame, Iris and cousin Tyra share an art moment on the mat.

Meitaki maata to our friends at Ruapotaka Marae, and our apii whanau for coming together to provide a rich and meaningful learning experience for all involved, particularly our tamariki.

Te Whariki: 'Family & Community' - The wider world of family & community is an integral part of the early childhood curriculum.

'Relationships' - Children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/Ruapotakamarae

Apii Potiki Invitation with Health Star Pacfic

Apii Potiki Superheroes Fighting Rheumatic Fever!

Thank you Health Star Pacific for inviting us to this community event in raising awareness on Rheumatic Fever (Wellbeing - Promoting children's health). We decided to take a few of our older tamariki as Apii Potiki's Superheroes. It was a fun fill day of activities for preschoolers. We took the bus ride to the event which was at Tamaki College Recreation Centre.

Our SUPERHEROES waiting for the bus.

A three-legged race. Lots of fun and laughs. One of many games on the day for our SUPERHEROES.

A team of teachers Pam, Papa Apii and May in the teachers race. A run and a shimmy.

To fight Rheumatic Fever: 

Every sore throat, you must run to the Doctors and have it checked out!!!

Have your medicine for 10 days (even if you feel better).

Having kaikai after the event before heading to the bus stop for our bus ride back to preschool.

Bus ride back to preschool was an enjoyable experience, and we nearly missed our stop. Can't let that happen! Meitaki maata to our parents and whanau who have supported your tamariki in coming along to this 'funtastic' event. We appreciate you all very much and we look forward to having you again next time.