Camp Taupo

We travelled down to Camp Taupo for the day yesterday to spend time with our Year Five and Six students. They were participating in a range of activities; the lake clean up, Kayaking, Swimming at the AC baths, Adventure World and Puzzle World. I joined the group who were given the responsibility of cleaning up 4 Mile Bay.

What a magic afternoon of wandering the shores of Lake Taupo in search of rubbish while at the same time skimming stones, wading in the shallows, cheering on school children who were participating in their triathlon, discussing the volcanic history of the area and understanding the science of pumice.

Returning to camp there were a range of activities the children spent their time doing. A favourite was the thermal pool. Although it was relatively small we managed to fit quite a few children into it. There was also some serious games of football and cricket going on. 

Dinner was delicious lasagne, made lovingly by parents and sent along to camp, so all we had to do was re-heat it. I have to share the dessert that came next! Deliciousness x Ten!!

Camp is such a great fun! 

Waikato/BOP Triathlon Champs!

Congratulations to Seana and Ashleigh for your outstanding achievement at the Waikato BOP Triathlon Champs at Karapiro. Seana came in second in her age group! 

Super Teachers at School Swimming Sports 2016

Ropu Puawai Super Teachers

I will probably get in a bit of trouble from my team for posting this photo of the day but I love it. It celebrates something that we value here at Puketaha School, to have fun. 

Our School Swimming Sports was a huge success. It was super well organised by our new leaders of sport - thank you Chloe and Deb, and our children took part in as many races as they could, they swam hard and were competitive - even though our Year 7 & 8 students had got back from camp the day before (we breed em tough out here in the country). 

Children who were confident swimmers got the chance to shine in the Fairfield College pool as well as those who were less confident participated in everything that they could. The next chance for our swimmers to showcase their skills will be the East Waikato Country School Swimming Sports on Tuesday 5th April. 

Eeling - 'Nature Is Cool'

I think one of the highlights from camp might just be the eeling? I really enjoyed hanging out down by the stream with a small group of boys, and a few girls, as they 'played' around coming up with strategies on how they were going to catch themselves a real live eel. 

When I first arrived at the stream the group of children checked the trap that they had set the night before, but to their disappointment they hadn't caught anything - or so they thought. I was pretty excited to see a little fat Koura snapping around in there. I hadn't seen one of them since visiting my brothers on Scout camp, years ago!!!! Quite a good indication of the water quality in this stream. But it wasn't an eel and this was the goal. So then the discussions began. There were a few 'experienced' eelers in the group who seemed to know what they were talking about and the others nodded in agreement at their plans. The trap was set near the murky depths where they knew the eels were hiding, and the waiting began as the group went off to complete the days activities. 

I didn't get to go back and check the trap again but I hear from a reliable source that one eel was caught (and returned) by the team and that one of the boys was keen to take the trap home and try his luck again. The story continues...
 

I'm On Top Of The World!

Summit of Mt Karioi, Raglan. The Maori legend knows her as The Sleeping Lady (Wahine Moe), jilted by her husband when he fell for  her sister Pirongia. 

Today my photo of the day was sent to me from the top of Mt Karioi (a 4.5 million year old extinct volcano) in Raglan from the gorgeous (and very fit) Miss Stantiall. Standing on the top are just some of our Year 7 & 8 students who raced to her summit on the first day of their three day camp. 

We were so excited back here at school when we received the phone call, 'we've reached the top', 750 metres! Sounds of excitement and accomplishment were obvious in the children's voices. 

Camps, and climbing maunga are such an important part of our Puketaha School Curriculum. They take a huge amount of organisation and they do come at a financial cost to our families, but they give so much to our children in return. 'Kiwi kids' have always gone to camp and at Puketaha School we will do everything we can to make sure we hold on tight to this tradition. 

More updates tomorrow......

Letting Kids Be Kids

Today's photo(s) of the day captures our children being children (there might be one of a cat being a cat). Climbing trees, playing in our Puriri Park and the flying fox are some of the ways we show that we are committed to providing an environment where 'kids can be kids' and have lots of fun as well as enjoying just being in nature.

Safety of our students is always at the forefront of our decision making, however with the increase of time our children are spending inside and in very controlled environments, we would like to think that we can also provide opportunities for them to explore their natural environment in authentic ways as well as learn essential skills around how to take safe risks. 

Climbing trees (we have a height restriction and rubber mats beneath our Magnolia) gives children the chance to get the 'birds eye view' of the world as well as the feeling of 'yes, I did it'. Swinging through the air on the flying fox gives them a safe 'thrill' without having to lose control, and the range of 'free play' games in our Puriri Park shows that our students are developing the 6 C skills of  thinking creativity, critically and in a caring way.

We really do live in a paradise and Puketaha School is no exception. We will always look for ways we can provide an environment where children are able to play freely, wonder about the world around them, run, jump, climb, crawl and explore as well as be imaginative and connect with nature in order to grow happy, healthy minds and bodies. 

A Picture Tells 1000 Words

This picture of Eva tells the Story of our Try-Challenge today. Her smile, give it a go attitude, sense of accomplishment, parental support and the fun she is having was shared by all our children. 

Aged 5 - 12 all of our students take part in our annual Try-Challenge event. They begin with a swim in our pool, followed by a ride around a 'fun' course designed by our past principal Bob Moffitt, and finish off with a run around the perimeter of our school. We even had a team entry this year by our teachers.

Some families bring a picnic or grab a Sausage sizzle, juicy or baking by our PTA which adds to the festive, family feel.

If you were able to come today, thank you, we loved seeing you supporting your children and joining in our fun. If you were unable to attend click on this link to see some photos of the day.

Wish you a safe and happy weekend.

Connecting Curriculum, Linking Learning

The above statement is a quote from Deborah Fraser from her book Connecting Curriculum, Linking Learning.

At Puketaha School our goal to to design curriculum that shows children the natural connections within and between subjects. Curriculum that has issues that our children care about will be at the centre and be based around their questions. Ultimately children will be in the drivers seat with their learning negotiating how and what they learn in their pursuit of knowing. Teachers will direct this learning using their knowledge of curriculum and of their learners. Our Puketaha 6 C's, Values and Learning Model are all an integral part of this. 

Discovery Time in Ropu Kakano 2

Discovery Time in Ropu Kakano 2 has become such a powerful way of designing a curriculum with an authentic context for learning. I spied children learning about 'under the sea' during their literacy and numeracy time! 

Curriculum integration supports our students to make connections between reading, writing and maths. 

Junior Swimmers

We had a great day at the pool this afternoon for Junior Swimming Sports. Well done all our courageous swimmers and thank you to all the parents who came along too. To see more pictures please check out our school flickr page.