Saturday 27 February 2016

Two Point Perspective Drawing

Ruma Kokako has been learning to draw in 3D using two perspective points. This is a challenging skill to learn but the students picked up the techniques well and most of them are now applying their skills to drawing city-scapes using the 2 perspective points. The students have been learning about accuracy, layout balance and line quality when doing technical drawing. It was a challenge ensuring the lines were not too dark but everyone has made significant improvement in this. Well done guys!

Camp


Ruma Kokako had an awesome overnight camp last week in our local environment. They built and slept in bivouacs with all the bugs and possums for company. We walked most of the way to the tallest native tree in NZ. However, we unfortunately came across a wasp nest and the wasps were not very happy and stung our group 38 times. The students were amazing though and so supportive of each other. The next morning the students explored the depths of Karamu caves and the heights of cliffs while abseiling and rock climbing. It was so good to see the children face their fears and grow in courage. Ask them about their experiences as there were some significant moments for all of them.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is inspiring others to move beyond it (Nelson Mandela).

You inspired us guys!

Wednesday 17 February 2016

People savers - First aid course

The students had a great day today learning about first aid and how to deal with emergencies. They looked at all sorts of things, such as, dealing with poisons, burns, choking, broken bones, shock and dressing wounds.

They are going to be put through some scenarios on camp as well to help put their learning into practice.


PhotoPeach

Monday 15 February 2016

I made tea

We have been learning to add detail to our writing so that the readers get a clear picture in their head and can imagine being there. We used an excellent website which shows it so well. Have a look at it here (I Made Tea). We have been trying a few sentences and it has been great seeing some of the detail students have added. This is one from Nicholas.

I made tea sentence:  The sun came up
Sentence with detail:  The morning mist hung low to the silent valley. Everything was a stone cold colour, robbed of its light by the night. Glowing shafts of gold could be seen piercing their way through the mist. Then as if someone had struck a match in the sky a golden fiery ball started to burn its way through the vale of mist. 

Leadership 2016

Great leaders change the world around them for the better. I think we have a great set of leaders this year who are going to make Te Pahu School a better place to be. Congratulations to everyone on their leadership positions. Although these are important positions it is important to remember that we are leaders all the time. You are constantly being watched by others.

New Year New Name

2016 is here and we have had a great start. It has been a busy start to the year. In starting the new year each class has been given a new name. Room 7 is now called Ruma (Room) Kokako. The school has selected birds from our local mountain. The Kokako is not on Mt Pirongia but there are plans to release some in the next while. Hopefully we will get to help with this project. Room 7 helped with the releasing of Robins back onto the mountain a few years ago which was a significant project for all involved. Our talented local artist Nicola Ahlers has done artworks of many of our class names and has given permission for the classrooms to use them. Here is her awesome picture of the Kokako.