Man & Kids vs Pole

EOTC Te Papa

 WEEK 10 Te Mata O Rongokako

On Friday the Mighty Oaks overcame the challenge that is Te Mata O Rongokako. We set off from the Tauroa Road carpark and hiked through the Little Redwoods and over to the Redwoods where we had morning tea. While there, it was obvious that the long-drop was a major attraction for a number of the children!!

After morning tea, it was a small walk around the back of the peak to the start of the newly constructed Zig Zag track. As we looked up from the bottom it could be seen winding its way up the sheer side of the peak. Hearts in our hand, we trudged up the path, and after avoiding falling rocks and rampaging sheep, we made it to the top. While the day was drab and overcast, there were still amazing views to be had over the Heretaunga plains and out to sea (from Waimarama to Mahia).

We ate our lunch, rehydrated, and caught our breath before completing three activities. One was a sketch of the landscape below, one a geography task using the mosaic map on the trig station, and the other a video interview/reflection of our EPIC journey to date (we will try and upload some of these clips in the near future).

The trip down was certainly faster, and before we knew it, we were safely back at the buses ready to return to school. We all had an awesome day and left with a sense of achievement and pride, but it wouldn't have been possible without our awesome parent help. A big thanks to Kylie, Jason, Jo, Wendy, Charmaine, and Kim from all of us in Ruma Whitu :)

Neri, Shilaya, and Daniel rest on a giant Redwood.

Neri, Shilaya, Daniel, and Jordan.

Matiu and Taylin carbo loading?

Neshan sees the light

Jesharun smizing for the camera

Desrae, Shilaya, Sarag, Jesharun, and Calena with Sarah's nan Charmaine.

Desrae, Sarah, and Calena

Erika enjoying herself in the Redwoods

Azariyah and Chance happy to have made it to the top!

Karsha finding the breeze a bit cold at the top

One of the many fossils we saw - who would have thought 

Coming over the top from the Zig Zag

Lunch!!

The little Redwoods

Jordan earned his kai today

Week 11 Paddle Pedal Puddle

On Thursday the 11th of April, the Mighty Oaks traveled to Clive to undertake three separate challenges. First up for Ruma Whitu was a low key free time swim in the Clive Swimming Pools. This was followed by a challenging cycle ride along the limestone cycle ways from Clive to the Black Bridge (near Haumoana) and back with Mr, Crawford. There were a number of red faces and sweaty brows on return.

After lunch it was out turn to learn about the waka Nga Tukemata O Kahungunu - The Eyebrows of Kahungunu- from Taylin's koro Matua Jim Edwards who is the kaitiaki for the waka. Matua Jim told us all about the waka and the significance of the carvings that make up the waka. He also demonstrated how a number of traditional Maori weapons could be used in battle. When we got on the water it took some paddling to move the waka which weighs six tonne (unloaded)!! However, we worked hard as a team and in no time at all we were flying through the water. A highlight for many of us was the 'salute' with our hoe and a pukana to bystanders.

Again this activity could not have happened without the help of our awesome Mayfair whanau. We would like to thank those parents that gave up their time Kylie, Wendy, Jodi, and Jo. Also a big ups yo Mrs Renton who had to fill in for Mr Pratt in the morning while he was a way on a course. Luckily she had Kelli with her to organise a coffee from Mrs Edmonds to keep her going!!

Where has the time gone?

Wow it is 'week 7' already and we are fully into parent interviews. It has been fantastic to be able to meet whanau and talk about the learning that is happening in Ruma Whitu. It has been hugely encouraging to see the support out there for the children, the school and for me.

Currently we have been reading 'The legend of Te Mata O Rongokako - The Sleeping Giant' re-told by Annelisa Ferguson with fantastic illustrations by Sophie Blokker as part of our terms learning on Te Papa (Our Place). Groups will be putting together a small drama to retell the story which we will record and place on the blog (stay tuned!!).

Mrs Renton has linked her awesome art activities to this as well by the way of a 'contour lines' project and a layered view of 'the sleeping giant.' She has also worked with the kids on some amazing alliteration analogies!

 

 

In week 9 we will be taking the challenge of walking up the peak to get a different perspective on Heretaunga and Ahuriri. I can't wait!

In maths we have been looking at tessellations (or tiling) and exploring the patterns that can be created. For more see the Escher gallery .

There have been some fantastic recounts written about when the vintage cars, and I believe we are well on the way to being a classroom of authors in Ruma Whitu. Soon our spelling lists will be added to the blog by linking to spellingcity.com and you will be able to complete a wide range of fun spelling related activities.

Ka kite ano

Visualising

Room 7 has been learning that good readers use visualising as a strategy to help them read. By painting a picture in their head, the text comes alive for the reader. One activity we did was the Nogard activity; students were encouraged to listen to the description of the Nogard and visualise what it looked like (some quickly worked out that a Nogard is Dragon spelt backwards!). They then highlighted in the text words that described the Nogard before drawing one themselves.