Tawhai School

In Room 2 we have often have students bringing in optional homework (extra homework – CRAZY I know!!!) and over the last few weeks we have had students bringing in information about famous relatives. Neve started this interest when she brought in information about her distant relative, Alexander Bain, who invented the telegraph. Alysha is related to Lord Ernest Rutherford who split the atom. Lord Rutherford is also on the New Zealand $100 note. This week Danielle brought in a wonderful display of her great great uncle, Merv Jensen. Merv was a famous wood chopper who travelled to Australia and America to compete in sawing events. He held 38 of 39 single sawing records. After Merv’s death in 1983 a silver urn was made to honour his memory. The urn was mounted on a piece of native timber from the farm where Merv was born and raised. Room 2 was fascinated with Danielle’s project and it was evident the effort she had put in to be able to present this to us. Well done Dani!!!
Below are some pictures of a very proud Dani with her work.

Tawhai School had their end of term assembly today.
Co-hosted by:

Jacob

And Lydia

Room 14 showed their topic work on the Solar System:

A representative from each sporting code gave a report on their teams progress:

The Mini Ball team won their tournament. Here is Joshua with the trophy:

The Choir sang their two songs beautifully:

And at the end of Assembly,Room 4 waved their wonderful marracas:

Room 7 has been learning all about simple machines. Simple machines don’t have an engine or a motor and they don’t need electricity to make them work. We found out that simple machines just need our muscles. Simple machines help us every day to move, cut, lift and join things. We discovered lots of them in our classroom and around Tawhai School. When we made Teddy Town, we actually used one thing lots and lots. Can you guess what it was? We also made things to lift and move the teddies around. Please come and look at what we have made……….

This term the Middle Syndicate have been learning about the many different ways people communicate with each other. We have learnt about how communication has changed over time from using smoke signals  and pigeon post through to the use of computers and mobile phones. Our Member of Parliament, Chris Hipkins, talked to us about he communicates with people. he uses emails, TV, and radio, and has lots of meetings with different people. Steve Joll, Host of The Breakfast Show on The Breeze Radio Station, told us about his job as a radio presenter. We found out that the most important thing to know when we are communicating is: who are we communicating with. That way we know how to communicate with them.

Wendy Nelson  Room 3

Below is clip of Steve Jolly talking to the Middle Syndicate about communication..

As we have had such a grand mixture of weather lately, we decided to create some simile poems about a storm. Below are some examples of work describing each student’s vision.

To read each piece of writing just click on them to enlarge it….

This term we have been studying the Solar System with a focus on researching information for mini projects. The students have read and found facts using a variety of sources, highlighted main points of interest and then written them in their own words. As well as the research aspect, focus was put on presenting the work to an audience. We looked at layout, use of pictures, diagrams and headings to highlight different parts of the posters and overall neatness. The students have thoroughly enjoyed the topic, learning a lot about the  research process and building up their knowledge of the Solar System and it’s components.

Here are some examples of our projects.

      There are at present, 2 Mobile Examination Vehicles travelling to Schools across the Greater Wellington Region, so many children and adolescents will be able to have their teeth looked at without having to travel. By about July 2011, there will be a total of 11 vans.

This week, Tawhai School is the first primary school in Lower Hutt to receive a visit from one of these vehicles. AnneMarie Tagg and Debbie Foley will be here Monday-Thursday this week and Monday-Thursday at the beginning of the next term to examine a good portion of the students at Tawhai School. If a student needs follow-up treatment, it will be done at Koraunui Dental Hub. There is a free phone number to call if a parent has any queries or their child needs to be seen urgently. 0800 825 583

Today the staff came together at morning tea to celebrate the birthday of Graham Smith. A “young” 84 years of age, Graham has over the years been of immense help to the staff at Tawhai School. His grandaugter Kristle was a former student here, but when she moved onto Intermediate over a year ago, Graham  still continues to  make the trek to school several times a week.  Apart from his road patrol duties, Graham does parent tutor reading,  and also spends a good proportion of his time filing readers back in the bookroom for the teachers. He also organises cricket tournaments between Tawhai and Koraunui. He is also planning a swimathon later on the year to assist those children who are raising funds to pay their camp fees.  Graham’s efforts are greatly appreciated by all at Tawhai and we wish him a very happy birthday!

Here are a couple more examples of some excellent writing from Room 9.

Junior Neighbourhood Support is a programme that aims to promote a sense of pride, safety and community spirit in children and the wider school community, The programme awards and recognises primary and Intermediate students who have assisted others or have done something that demonstrates community spirit and pride, or supports community safety.The Programme which has sponsers such as Rotary and Service club, works in partnership with Police, the Fire Service, Civil Defence and Emergency management.  On Friday 1st July, two students were given these awards.

Blair, year 5 from Room 15, received his award for being able to assist his Grandmother when she  became  unwell.

Riley, Year 6, Room 14, received his award for his great support and mentoring of a child in one of the junior classes, with minimal guidance from teaching staff. Both the boys received a basket of goodies, a certificate and a voucher.  Well done, Blair and Riley!