Exciting new building happening at HNP

The last few weeks have seen lots of exciting happenings outside the back of the hall at Havelock North Primary.

There have been lots of trucks and workmen moving around.There has even been an enormous crane.We have been able to go and view some of the site preparation and then watch as parts of the new classrooms were put in to place.We have used this event in our oral language and story writing.Presently there are two classrooms being assembled and there will be another two rooms later on in term 4.

                                           Large piles waiting to be craned in to place.

                                        Crane about to shift parts of the new classrooms.

                                   The view from the field towards the new classrooms.

Room 18 make bridges!

On Friday Room 18 did STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). The children had to make a plan in their small group. They had to think about how they could make a bridge strong enough and big enough to hold our class toy, Harry Hugsalot.

I was impressed with how they tested their designs and made changes to improve their bridge. Great thinking Room 18!

Junior Cross Country Race

On Tuesday we had our Junior Cross County race. The weather was perfect, families came to watch the children running and the children were dressed in their house colours ready to run their best. The races were very competitive and there was great cheering from the children who were watching.
Well done to all the runners for having 'can do' attitudes and supporting each other.
Congratulations to the children who gained 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in their age groups.

Thank you for joining us to celebrate a wonderful day.

The Forest

This term all classes in Te Kakano will be visiting the Forest School in Poraiti. It is an absolutely amazing natural learning environment for the children to practise our four important school values:
                  RESILIENCE ~ RESPECT ~ RESPONSIBILITY                                                 ~RELATIONSHIPS~
The children had time to explore the Forest. As we are very good at playing and working together the children very quickly settled into some solid exploratory and creative play. Both types of play encourage high-order thinking. Science was very obvious throughout the morning. Movement and forces, natural habitats and much much more. All Key Competencies were being used, trialed and pracitsed during our time at the Forest. WE CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK!!

warming to see. We look forward to sustaining our relationship and understanding with The Forest.

Play based learning in Room 23

The children have been busy with play, climbing, building, transporting, gathering, ordering, rotating, pulling, pouring, tipping, turning, jumping, digging, running, playing with water and sand, making potions and imagining among other things.  

It is amazing to see all the children so engaged and having so much fun in their learning. Kids are being kids. We are so lucky to be able to play both inside and out of the classroom throughout the day.   

The children are following their own interests and wonderings and showing wonderful initiative and resilience. Oral language is rich and social skills are being built on every day.  

The students are listening to others, establishing respectful rules and manners and negotiating with each other.  These skills that are developing through play are the foundation skills needed for our tamariki to become confident and independent life-long learners.

"Our vision is for young people who will be creative, energetic and enterprising.  To be confident, connected, actively involved and lifelong learners." (The New Zealand Curriculum Framework Vision, 2007).

Te Kakano were very busy celebrating Matariki at the end of Term 2 with a Shared Lunch and a visit to the HN Park.

Poi making in Room 18

We are learning to plait wool as part of making poi. Creating things together is part of celebrating matariki.

Rm 23 Nearly Complete!!

Room 23 have had their school visits from the very last few students due to join us! We have a really nice group of children who are all settling into school life very well. I have attached some photos and Learning Stories so you can see the fabulous learning we get up to while at school.

Te Kakano Teachers CRT Day

On Wednesday 31st May the Te Kakano teachers visited  the Forest School during part of their CRT Day.What an amazing environment children had to explore.We observed collaboration everywhere. ALL children were busy and engaged in exploratory play.Boundaries were clearly defined and respected.Running and still water was accessible for all children if desired.Provocations were set out among the trees and all the children we saw were having fun playing and exploring.It was a wonderful stimulating environment we would love to visit again !!

Learning stories from Te Kakano

Take a look at the learning stories the Te Kakano teachers put together in their meeting this week. Learning stories show just some of the areas of the curriculum the children learn about in their play. Learning stories are a way to celebrate children's learning, to learn about the importance of play as adults and a place to share the children's voice. 

Enjoy seeing and reading below about the children learning through play!