In maths at the moment students are learning to describe position on a graph using coordinate pairs.

Here are a couple of activities they can do to practise this skill.
https://www.transum.org/Maths/Activity/Coordinates/
https://www.transum.org/Maths/Activity/Coordinates/Picture.asp

Next week we will be looking at transformations. Which includes: rotation, reflection, translation and enlargement (dilations).

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https://www.exploremathindemand.com/transformations.html

On Wednesday this week we visited the Alexander Library, to learn more about mana and how it related to our learning in reading.

The students got to see a newspaper article from the day Rutherford Intermediate opened. Quite a number of the students were fascinated by the drawers containg the Dewey decimal cards.

We were invited into the backroom that is humidity and temperature controlled and students were allowed to see what sort of books, both old and new are stored in that area.

After a talk about what mana is, and that mana is an undefined concept, we looked at some photos and some musical instruments. The instruments were Tonga puuoro, and were mostly made from gourds.

Athletics Day is Approaching

Athletics Day is coming up this term, and we’ve been preparing during our Taha Tinana sessions.

Our students have been practising key athletics skills including shotput, discus, and high jump. It’s been encouraging to see those who are participating putting in solid effort and building their confidence as they practice these techniques.

We’re looking forward to seeing our tamariki give it their best on the day.

Highest award.

At this afternoon’s assembly I was very proud of one of Aronui’s students who recieved her Distinction Wetiweti Ana award.  In order to recieve this award Izzy had already earned at Bonze, Silver and Gold award.  The distinction award requires students to carry out community service. Congratuations on your efforts Izzy! Ka mutu pea.

EPro8 Competition Report

Our students did their best at the EPro8 competition. Teams had to choose between building a barrier arm, a foosball table, a target practice setup, or a racing shopping trolley. The electronic components were a big step up from what we had practised with at school, but the students started strongly and showed great resilience and respect throughout the competition.

It’s always challenging to be a spectator at these events, as we can only offer general encouragement and not specific ideas. I was very proud of the way all the students behaved and gave the competition their full effort.

One of our teams earned a place in the finals the following afternoon. With one student unavailable, another kindly stepped in to take his place. The final round was an even greater challenge — teams were not allowed to change their task without permission from the organisers.

The project was movie-themed, and our students chose to recreate the Indiana Jones Minecart scene. They built the minecart, the base and sleeper, and the train tracks. Next, they created a winch system, used a balloon to simulate the famous boulder chase, and added snakes on a hinged platform to drop onto the minecart.

It was a complex and demanding task, but our students rose to the challenge. They finished even on points with the team that had beaten them in the semi-final — a result they can be truly proud of.

I am very proud to say that four students from Aronui were selected to have their work displayed as part of a student Puanga exhibition displayed at the Space studio and gallery.  The opening was well attended and the work from a number of students around Wanganui are on display until the 21st June.  Well done ladies for your fantastic efforts!

Earlier this term, a group of students from Room 4 went to Masonic Court Rest home.  The goal was to give an act of service by spending time with the residents.  The idea came about as a way to honor Nelson Mandela Day, as this day is of particular importance to one of the students.  Although the day is not until the 18 July we visited the rest home earlier so we can generate a video to present in assembly closer to the actual date. 

The students were given a sheet of questions which helped them break the ice. They asked residents questions about when they were at school.  One resident had grown up in Holland and talked about how he did not go to school much as the Germans had taken over the school building.  He said all the food was sent on a train back to Germany or to the front line and they were left hungry.  Pamphlets were given out to the population telling them what weeds from the side road were edible.  It sounded like a really challenging time.

The students got to play a game of skittles with the residents and were fantastic about supporting the residents and encouraging them when it was their turn.

Feedback from the rest home was very positive.  The residents really enjoyed the visit and chatted about it for the rest of the day.  We were asked to go back if possible.  Students also asked to stay longer or if we could return another day.

I was sad to miss the fun, we had a shared kai arrangaed and the students got to decorate and construct some gingerbread house.

I understand a boys team took out the winning house. Well done it looked like there was a lot of concentration happening.