Trip to Tiritiri Matangi

Tiritiri Matangi island (off the coast of Auckland) is a wildlife sanctuary, home to a variety of native and endemic animals. As part of our inquiry, we visited the island to see the great work that continues to go on there. We had fantastic weather and were privileged to have excellent volunteer guides to take us around the island and talk to us about the birds we could see and hear. 

The senior syndicate eager and ready to leave school

We took the ferry from Auckland city across to Tiritiri Matangi

On the island we split into groups and were led by a volunteer guide around the island

Looking at a friendly piwakawaka (fantail) that followed us around

A bird feeder in the forest

We saw many birds (most were camera shy)

Sculpture of a weta

At the summit of the island we had lunch and explored the information centre, lighthouse and other buildings

Bird feeder at the information centre

The lighthouse (over 100 years old)

To finish up we had a question and answer time, then made our way along the beach to catch the ferry back to Auckland city.

Pink Shirt Day

On Friday 18th May we encouraged students to wear pink to raise awareness, support and money for Pink Shirt Day.

From the Pink Shirt Day website (here's the link) they state that the day is about "working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting positive social relationships" and "creating an environment where people feel safe, valued and respected".

Waikowhai Primary School students did us proud, displaying their support for such a worthy cause. Check out our pinkness...

Visiting Author

From the beginning of Term 2 Waitemata have been enjoying the book 'The Tooth'. This week we had the pleasure of a visit from the author of this book, Des Hunt. He had a captive audience as he shared about his life, his work as a teacher (in chemistry and physics), and how he got into writing children's books. He brought along some props to use to explain his development as an author. 

Using a burner to illustrate his curiosity for how things work
(and linking this to his first novel)

Showing the internal workings of the burner to show how he wanted to understand it and improve it
(just like he wanted to improve his first novel)

With an assistant to demonstrate how a story should hook a reader
and keep them interested through to the end

A few lucky students also were lucky to be included in a workshop later in the day run by Des Hunt.

Ki-O-Rahi

We have been learning a new game (thanks to Peuti, our Sport Auckland coordinator) called Ki-o-rahi. So far we've had two sessions (with four more to come over the next few weeks). Ki-o-rahi is a traditional Maori game based on the legend of Rahitutakahina and the rescue of his wife Tiarakurapakewai. It was played as a way to settle arguments...whoever won the game, won the argument.

Here are a few photos of Waitemata enjoying the game...

Setting up the equipment

Learning the different areas and what they represent from the story

Gathering to practise 

Making a circle

Taking aim at the target

Sorting the teams

Ready to begin

We are looking forward to playing on the field in the next few weeks and learning more strategies to help improve our game.