Interschool Swimming

Today Nicole, Laila and Callum, along with other Year 4 - 6 students, represented Trentham School in the Upper Hutt Interschool swimming competition.  We had a great day. Well done to you all.

Whole School Assembly

We had an exciting assembly today.  First Max was second in raising money for our school spellathon - just 50 cents behind Katelyn in first place. Then our class won the award for the most raised by a class. Over $900 from Room 3. Well done everyone.
Then Lucas won a new basketball and a huge basket of goodies for his family for being nominated by ymca after school care for being a great helper.
This term Mahoe Whanau is ahead in points.
We wish Max and his family all the very best as they head overseas for a few years. Enjoy your new adventure, Max. Have a great holiday everyone.

Billy Graham

This week is Leadership Week. On Friday our guest speaker was Billy Graham. He was interesting and entertaining. He told us that he has many heroes. Billy has helped many young people find their way to becoming great adults through his boxing academy, where he teaches young people to teach others. He found reading and writing difficult at school but he always tried his hardest and he made sure he listened to what others said and this is how he learned. His message to us was to never stop asking questions.

Mindlab and Dowse Trip

On Thursday we went on a trip to the Mindlab and Dowse Gallery. We found it fun and interesting. At the Dowse we worked together to build an imaginary playground and we designed and made our own hero badges.  At the Mindlab we made a circuit to power a small fan and we programmed some sounds into a makey makey and attached them to tinfoil pads on our belts.  It was a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

Gymnastics

This week we had our first gymnastics circuit.  We are lucky to have some expert gymnasts in Room 3 who can show us the correct techniques on the equipment.

Friday afternoon games

How to make your teacher really think...

Matariki

Every year at the beginning of June seven stars appear in the Eastern sky.  The new moon at this time means the Maori New Year has arrived.  We call this Matariki. 

While people waited for the celebration to start someone jumped out from the bushes and poked his tongue out in a pukana challenge and stared at them.  Then his friends joined him with weapons in their hands.  The weapons were taiaha, tomahawk and a musket.  They were wearing maro and their skin was smeared with orange clay.  One of the warriors welcomed them with a powhiri. 

On that day they planted trees and flew kites.  After speeches and waiata the warrior turned North and blew a horn that echoed out over the water.  Then some children did Kapa Haka and the celebrations began.  Some people got their faces painted and they played tug of war.

Pere showed people his carving skills after he dew a design on a piece of wood.  Some people made woven baskets.

Then they ate barbequed sausages and mussel fritters.  Some people took a ride on a steamship and some went on a horse and cart.  

I love hearing about Matariki and that is Matariki.                                                                   - Laila