Kāhikatea 2025

February

We've plunged straight into the chilly climate of Antarctica this term, with much of our learning centred around the icy continent. We've written an imaginative description of being caught in a blizzard, and read about penguins and what glaciologists do. We've compared the Arctic to Antarctica, learned about food chains, and conducted some experiments with ice. Even our read-aloud novel is  based in Antarctica! We are looking forward to the visit to the Antarctic Centre later in the term.

This week we've also leapt into our new maths programme, Pr1me. The children have enjoyed mastering the website activities and particularly like having their own workbook - that they're allowed to write in!

It's hard to believe it's only Week 4 - we seem to have packed a lot of learning in already!

May

There's a big focus on literacy in Kahikatea this term. We have a class goal to collectively read 100 books by the end of the term. We've set reward milestones along the way, and there's a real buzz each time a new book cover is added to our display. The children have also started writing their own book! We're writing survival stories, and the kids are full of imaginative ideas and descriptive language. Stay tuned for the book launch!

June

With one week of term to go, we've reached our big reading goal - to collectively read 100 books! Some children have really taken this challenge to heart and have significantly upped their home reading habits this term. Long may this continue! Another challenge for the children this term was learning the capital cities of up to 40 countries. Again, some children went above and beyond and were really committed to mastering these. We spent a lot of time poring over old-fashioned atlases, and even I learnt a thing or two! Our school has been well-represented by Kahikatea members at inter-school events this term: Callum and Nova did a great job at the Lincoln Rotary Primary School Quiz, and just this week, Sean, Isla, and Niamh ran impressively at the Canterbury Zone Cross-Country champs. Tū toa! ...Ruth Pannett