February, 2024

For the last 3 weeks, a lot of things have happened.

Week 2 we went down to the stream and tested our river water to see if it was clean. We went back to class and found some invertebrates in the water. We put them back after we had seen what they were.

Week 3 on Monday and Tuesday we went to visit Harold and learnt about making good decisions and 2 days later we got some books from the mobile library.

By Ngarimu Coleman

The holidays have flown by, first thing you know it’s Christmas and now school has come to say “HI!”

We have had lots of things going on already, like getting new chickens, water testing (and it turns out that our stream is very healthy), Harold came to teach us about making good decisions, mobile library, people coming and going - see you term 3 Kai. And now we have Banks Peninsula swimming sports.

So far things have been great and I bet things are going to get even better.

By Isla Simpson

March

Tōtara Challenge Term1 2024 accomplished! This term we set ourselves a challenge to cumulatively (and as a class) run from LRS to Invercargill by the end of the term through our 'Daily Km' running; a mission of 587km! This week we exceeded our goal, reaching the southernmost city of our planet and, as we discovered, the home of The World's Fastest Indian with 2.5 weeks up our sleeve! Along the way we've checked out a few highlights of the places we've ticked off along the east coast. Today, in Invercargill, we took a look at Southland's magnificent velodrome and the most beautiful water tower you can imagine. We often speak of the idea of 'walking over the highest mountain one step at a time' with reading, maths and writing. The same applies to our daily fitness. Roll on Queenstown!

May

Another busy term beckons - to be capped by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” our school's production this year.

Learning around this will include some design and technology for prop and scene making, literature and the arts development. Our Year 4’s will join Kānuka as Oompa Loopmas and the majority of the rest of the class will be children in the Candy Store and squirrels. 

Maths sees us learning to tell the time - analogue, digital, 24 hour clock, reading timetables. We are also tackling harder addition and subtraction using strategies to help us simplify. The eagerly contested Multiplication Mastery is in full swing with children wanting to be the first to master their times tables.

We have enjoyed learning about Microbes, utilising the House of Science resources. Building bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa with playdough. Using “Glitterbug potion” and UV lights to see how well we wash our hands and many other activities.

Our own cross country (since the BP one has been cancelled) is on Friday and for the keen runners the Lincoln Zone cross country is coming up on the 6 June.

July

It has been a very busy term, culminating in our fantastic performances of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tōtara class would like to thank Ms Pannett for all her dedicated hard work. It has been a great team effort and thank you to everyone who helped out. Helen Pickles for leading the hair and make-up team, Grace McFarlane and Miraim Appleby (and Lorna!) for helping to get the Oompa Loompas looking fabulous, Claire for her sewing skills (no animals were harmed in the production of squirrel costumes) and all the crew that worked on the props. Jax was great on the music too. We really liked going to The Gaiety and having a real theatre to perform in. 

The children loved meeting trampolinist, Maddie Davidson (part of the Olympic ambassador programme) when she came and spoke to the school. She was a very inspirational and entertaining speaker. We wish her all the best in Paris! 

Astronomy and Matariki has been a focus of our learning of late. We used Oreos to help us learn the phases of the moon (see photos).

We would also like to thank Edible Canterbury and The Richmond Community Garden for donating a fig tree which we have planted in the Domain in the Tōtara/ Community Orchard…Di Cameron and Anna Lopas

August

The recent spring weather has been enjoyed by all. Being able to get out and about has been wonderful. Tōtara  skipping challenges have spread through the school keeping everyone active and improving their skills.

In mathematics this term we have a focus on multiplication and division, learning times tables and using strategies to solve problems. We are also continuing our work in statistics, drawing and interpreting information from graphs.

Our recent science topic has been, “ Volcanos.” Starting with looking at the structure of the earth and tectonic plates, to naming parts of a volcano, different types of volcanos. 

(Did you know that Akaroa and Lyttleton are examples of shield volcanos). We have learnt new words such as magma and viscosity.

We have also been reading about volcanos from journal stories.

Last week we had a group of students representing Little River School at Lincoln Zone athletics, well done to these fabulous athletes, and a big thank you to parents and staff that helped out.

We are also reminding ourselves daily about how to show kindness by smiling at, congratulating, including and helping each other....Di Cameron