First Ever Puketaha Basketball Team

We have a basketball team for the first time at Puketaha School instigated by a parent at our school who offered to be the coach. The team play at the YMCA on Tuesday nights and even though they have only played two games to date, the consensus is that the students love it. We are looking forward to our basketball hoops with backboards arriving so we can practice our shooting, especially our 3 pointers!!

Puketaha Basketball Team

Where would we be without our parent helpers? The Puketaha basketball team are getting ready for next term!! 

Student Led Conferences - Children In The Drivers Seat

Student Led Conferences are a special time in our calendar when our children get to talk about what they are learning and how they learn with their parents and caregivers. 

When children lead a conference about their learning they see it as something that they are very much a part of and can take responsibility for. They are in the driving seat. 

Parents, caregivers and teachers learn a lot from observing and being part of these conversations. If children can talk about what they are learning and why this shows how engaged they are in the learning process and how aware they are of themselves as learners. 

I was lucky enough to attend one of these conferences with my son last night. I was very proud of the way that he could talk (for nearly 45 minutes) about his learning, and the insight I gained into his knowledge of himself as a learner. 

I am very grateful for the enormous energy that his teachers, throughout his time at Puketaha School, have put into him and his learning. Last night has given me a quiet confidence that the skills he demonstrated as being a learner has set him up for success and happiness in this complicated world that we live in. 

Sharing Success

It's always exciting to hear a knock at the door from children who want to share their success with Mr Booth. Today we listened to Nick share his story about his cat. There were some great discussions about cats and the things they get up to. Knowing that their stories are important and interesting for others to read and or hear creates the motivation for our young writers to want to keep sharing what they observe and what matters to them. 

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.