Year Six Collect Data on our Biodiversity - Annual Bird Survey

 Today Year Six took part in the Landcare Bird Survey.  Every year we record all the species of birds at our school.  Did you know birds are a bio indicator species?  More birds means a healthier environment.  

When we analysed the results, we were excited to see that we had recorded 16 different species of birds.   That's great news, as last year we only recorded 12.  Here's our year on year data:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PjnmDwG-9r-ua6NTvOoFGKhvQWn8tjTHF1DGLZrYGmI/edit?usp=sharing 

Afterwards we created fact files to research how we might further improve our school environment for the birds.  Some ideas included bird feeders, more native trees and a bird bath. Check out our fact files in the school library.

Year Four Take Action

 On a very wet and rainy day Year Four began their letters to the Prime Minister to make a call to action for our Moana. We were inspired by our visit from the Young Ocean Explorers. What persuasive writers Year Four are! Next term, we’re looking forward to writing and decorating our good copies.

Year Five Know How to Stay Alive

 

Today, it was the turn on Year 5 to work on their readiness for Natural Disasters. We're hoping to be one of the lucky schools selected for a special assembly and ipad prize draw. We took part in Civil Defense's Get Ready School Challenge: Look out for more information coming home with your tamariiki. Does your family have a fire evacuation plan? Do your tamariki know one parent's phone number and their address?

https://getready.govt.nz/involved/schools-challenge Get Ready School Competition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv5IxXf91uE

Pakuranga Bike Hub and the Sunnyhills Bikie Gang

 This morning, before school an excited group of tamariki met with Kelvin from the Pakuranga Bike Hub.  We were so lucky to have an expert along to teach us how to maintain our kura's collection of bikes.  Soon our newly formed "Bikie Gang" will be able to keep our fleet up to spec and ready to go for class fitness on the bike track. 

If you have bikes at home that need work or want advice on riding in our area visit Kelvin at the Pakuranga Bike Hub. 

Thanks again to Kelvin for taking the time to share your knowledge.  We look forward to seeing you next week!

Howick Local Board Gather our Student's Voices

 

Kai, Damian and Brandii visited our Eco Group today to describe what they do and gather our feedback on what we'd like to see in our community.

Kai explained that the local board is in charge of libraries, parks, playgrounds, pools, transport,  walkways and activities like weed busting competitions, pest control initiatives, career expos and the Bike Hub.

Did you know there are 70 playgrounds in our area?

Kai asked for our feedback on the local playgrounds and parks. 

Here's what our Eco Group thought:

Matting on the playgrounds not bark please.

Traps on the drains to catch the rubbish

A merry go round on the playground that spins.

Can we get the trampolines that are in the ground?

Covers for the rubbish bins

Drawings in the parks to show how to take care of the environment.

Less concrete paths and more grass patches in the paths so the water drains away.

Paint murals with rubbish on the blank walls

3D pictures along the walkway like in Rotorua 

Visual displays telling people about the local birds.

A dog park with different areas for different sized dogs near the beach. Add toys, a stick library and lights.

More copies of popular books in the libraries

Tic, tac toe games in the playgrounds

More climbing walls please

Paintings around the Farm Cove Shops and walkways.  

Clear broken glass from the walkways.

Make the alleyways safer.

Lights at Sunnyhills Tennis Club

More gardens for the new builds

More hotels near Pakuranga for family to stay in

Exercise equipment that generates power. 

Solar powered / movement activated lighting

String telephone in the playground.

Shorter monkey bars for short people please

Damian told the group about the Youth Council they can join when they're aged 15 -24 years. Everyone has bright ideas so let's make sure young people's voices are represented.

Kai reminded us that just like with our own pocket money, the local board has to make choices about how to spend limited money, so we need to make careful choices.  We need to find balance with time, money, resources and what we value.

Thanks so much to Damian, Kai and Brandii for visiting today!

Year Three Sorting Out Healthy Kai

  Today, Year Three were thinking about how eating a wide variety of food helps our bodies grow and learn.  We began by talking about our favourite meals. Then we got into groups to sort picture cards into protein, grains, milk and milk products and fruit and vegetables. 

Different kai is good for different parts of our body.  We had a magnetic board and labels to help us sort this idea out. 

Lastly we completed a cut and paste activity and fill in the blanks sheet to consolidate our learning.

Next time you have a meal, can you check if it contains different food groups?

Our Medicinal Mushroom Mara

 

Last weekend Ms Daniel went on a foraging expedition in Murphy's Bush.  She learnt about edible and medicinal plants and fungus.  

Ms Daniel was able to bring back a log covered in medicinal turkey tail fungus.  Today the Eco Group looked at the fungi and wetted down the pile of rotting wood that it has been placed on.

Turkey Tail is a woody funghi and when it's boiled for an hour creates an immune boosting tea.