Teach Me Tuesday's back again!

Today it was the first "Teach Me Tuesday" for Term 2. We had another amazing session with two very capable teachers.

Sam started by teaching us the basics of how to play tennis. We started by stretching and then he gave us a few tips about how to hold a tennis racquet and how to hit the tennis ball. It was a lot of fun-Thanks Sam! 

Next, Maci told us all about a day in the life in an American school. 
It was really interesting learning about the differences in the schooling systems and routines. We had heaps of questions for Maci. 

We're already looking forward to next Teach Me Tuesday!

Anzac Day service

 Today we had an School Anzac day service reflecting on the soldiers who fought and died during the First World War. 

Our service took place next to a display of white crosses and poppies. Each cross had the name of a man or woman that served and died in the war. 

As part of the service we listened to the reading of "the Ode" and also listened to the "Last Post" and "The Rouse'. We also observed a minute of silence and sung the National Anthem. 

Here are some photos from our UHPS Anzac service.

Anzac learning

It's great to back at school again. This term we have started our learning with a mini Anzac Study. So far we have read about the First World War and completed activities to develop our understanding about NZ's involvement in the war. 

Yesterday we read Peter Millett's book, "The Anzac Puppy" based on a true story about a puppy who went to the war with the NZ rifle brigade. 

Today we made Anzac biscuits. The Anzac biscuit was made by the families of the soldiers during WW1. It was a hard, long-keeping biscuit that could survive the journey by sea, and still remain edible. 

The anzac biscuits were delicious!

Here is some recounts about the experience:

Anzac Biscuits!!!

Today was the day when we were going to do baking! We baked Anzac biscuits because it was near Anzac day but we can talk about that later.

Mrs Millett told us to follow her up to the staff room. When we were up to a different step like putting ingredients in she would pick someone to help. I helped with unwrapping and putting the butter into the saucepan. The butter felt sticky and well buttery! As soon as it touched the saucepan, I let go and bolted straight back and the butter melted and sizzled. That gave me quite a shock but I went silently back to my spot again. Other ingredients were also added to the saucepan then it got stirred. It smelt irresistible.

I quietly watched everyone else help with the baking. Then finally we could mould the dough into a balls and place them on  the trays to put in the oven. Meanwhile Mrs Millett told us to start the writing I am doing right now! Everyone had a big cheesy smile on their face and we could smell the biscuits baking. They smelt delicious! I could have drooled as much water to fill a pool. Finally the time had come-the best part...eating!

My teeth took a tiny little bite then Bam! I was in Anzac Biscuit land. There  were Anzac biscuit trees, Anzac biscuit grass like Anzac biscuit everything! Suddenly I was back to my own world chomping angrily away on  the most wonderful,delicious and the most magnificent type of biscuit in the whole wide world!

By Feifei Sun

Anzac Cookies

It all started when Mrs Millett and Room 13 cooked Anzac cookies in the staff room.The class were pretty chilled laying on all the sofas, until Mrs Millett  abruptly gathered us all around the bench.

We quickly popped the butter in the pan to melt it. BOOM! A smell crashed with a smell of golden syrup and sugar filling my nostrils. BOOM! another smell blew up in in my nose. This time it was a unique smell. I was getting closer to tasting it, but no the cookie war was at a stand still.

Finally there was a breakthrough. A fantastic taste burst in my mouth. I can't explain it but it was good! All I could see was crumbs and oats and a tray full of cookies.

By Mitchell

Holiday learning

For those of you who are keen to keep learning over the holidays here are some suggestions.


Also, remember you can practise your Reading and Maths skills using the links on the blog too! Have a happy holiday!

Manaakitanga day - wth the Thunderbolt teachers

Mannaakitanga is a concept that we've been unpacking this term. 

Manakitanga:

Mana – Self worth

Aki – How self worth is generated

Tanga – Treat others as you would like to be treated, respect (creating self- worth in others), giving of yourself.

Each block choose a different Manaakitanga focus. 
The Thuderbolts teachers wanted to show manakitanga by caring for the environment.  Here's a movie about our day.