Tawhai School

On Wednesday 28th March, the Interzone Swimming Champs took place at Naene Pool. 8 students were selected to be part of the Northern Zone Squad along with students from Koraunui School and St Michael’s School: Cooper P, Neve T, Bre L, Hamish T, Alysha B, Nikita O, Mary M and Lydia S. The competition was extremely fierce, especially from Central Zone who took out overall first place in the points ratings, but the Northern Zone came a very pleasing second place. Well done to the students for their fantastic efforts. Many thanks to Greg More for running several training sessions before the event & to Nancy Staples for transporting & care of the students.

Interzone Swmming Champs

Thank you to everyone who has so far returned the money from the Chocolate fundraising draw. All those were eligible to go into a draw for prizes which took place during the week. There are still a large number outstanding to come back so could the money be returned in a named envelope with the student’s full name and room number and any chocolates that couldn’t be sold at the beginning of next term. This is a great fundraiser and when the PTSG will let you know via newsletter and the website the final amount raised.

Draw Results

10 trip pass to Stokes Valley Pool             Faitele Family

10 trip pass to Stokes Valley Pool             Norton Family

Soccer ball                                                     Carlton Family

Soccer ball                                                     Braxton B-K

Soccer ball                                                     Hunter B

Rugby ball                                                      Taylor H

Rugby ball                                                      Brierley M

Basketball                                                     Adam G

Thursday 29th March saw all 4 touch teams play their last game of touch for the season. Each team had to play a double header as a catch up. The Tawhai AB’s lost both their games, the second one a very hard fought battle1-2 against Belmont Broncos. The Turtles, Taniwhas and the Black Ferns all won their games, the Black Ferns running in an impressive 11 tries against The Belmont Tigers.
There was a prize giving after the games and it was very pleasing to see how well supported by family & friends the 4 Tawhai Teams were! It was noted that when the children weren’t playing their games, they were on the side lines cheering for the other Tawhai teams.A big thank you to the people who have given up their time to  coach the teams:
Kim Kiri, Junior Bates, Janette Page, Sharon Gilmour, and Hayden Wyllie.

Results of the Prize Giving

The Tawhai Turtles
MI Phoenix H
MVP Connor T

The Tawhai Taniwhas
MI Cassidy F
MVP Tianna M

The Tawhai Black Ferns
MI Emily R
MVP Kayla F

The Tawhai All Blacks
MI Logan F
MVP Cooper P

Year 3/4 Best and Fairest team: Tawhai Turtles
Year 5/6 Best and Fairest team: Tawhai Black Ferns
Best overall touch teams: Tawhai School
Undefeated: Tawhai Taniwhas

Highlights from all 4 Teams

Touch Prize-giving.

We have enjoyed a busy, active “Movin March” week at Tawhai School.
On Monday, Room 9 decorated the school gate and we hosted the “Movin March” Mascot for our “Fancy Feet” parade. Many children decorated their feet in bright, colourful and in some cases creative ways.
On Tuesday the Wagon Road walking school bus was busy as more children joined in on walking to school.
On Wednesday many brought their scooters to school and it was a huge success. The playground was bursting with children trying different tricks and turns. We may even have designated scooter days again next term.
Well done for a successful “movin March” week!

Fancy Feet.

Scooter Day

The touch games on Thursday were still played despite the adverse conditions. The Taniwhas and the AB’s won their games, the turtles lost to Avalon and the Black Ferns won by default. (but had some game time with a friendly) The children seemed to thoroughly enjoy the wet conditions!

All the teams in action.

On Tuesday 20th March, Jane Lloyd, an artist from the Graham Braddock Workshop, came to Tawhai School to spend some time with each of the syndicates in the hall. The Junior syndicate were shown how to draw faces, the middle syndicate had the opportunity of drawing the Hurricanes/all black No 13, Ma’a Nonu and the Senior Syndicate were instructed on how to draw 3D objects. The efforts across the 3 syndicates were very pleasing to see.

Graham Braddock Workshop

Last week, Blair and Brad ( who were worthy recipients of Neighbourhood Community Support Awards ) were fortunate enough to be selected, along with Children from other schools, to have a Big Day Out, which included a helicopter ride, curtesy of Hutt Safe City Group Inc. Photos by Paula ( Blair’s Mum) Thank you.

Here is a recount by Blair about his great day out!

My Trip on the Helicopter
On Wednesday me and the other people from other schools went on a trip. We left in a paddy wagon and I thought we were going in a police car. The Policeman got a call from the police station. After we went to the wharf and we waited for the boat for about 15 minutes. Then the boat was coming. There were quite a lot of people on top of the ferry. When we got called to go on board, we hopped over the side and up on top. On the way we pulled into Sommes Island to drop off the annoying girls! Then we went around the Island to Wellington. When we got to Wellington we went over to the helicopter and I got to sit in the front of the helicopter. Later we went to MacDonalds and I had a big Mac, fanta, chocolate sundae and fries. Then we got back on the ferry and rode back to Eastbourne. Then we rode back in the paddy wagon. I had a great time on my trip.

The End.

Blair & Brad's Big Day Out.

Last week the Junior Syndicate have been learning all about healthy eating and every day last week, each class shared daily fruit brought in by the children. Yesterday, they all enjoyed a healthy shared lunch brought in by parents. Thank you all for the food contributions and an extra thank you to all those adults who helped set up and clear away in the hall.

Learning about Healthy Eating.

This took place at Taita college on Thursday 15th March. 30 students from the senior school who had been receiving coaching in the basics of rugby league, played in a fun tournament against other schools in the Northern Zone cluster. This event was run very successfully by the year 12 P.E students from Taita College and supported by Wellington Rugby League.
It was fantastic to see so many students taking part, displaying amazing talent with their ball skills and speed with their running. Tawhai had two teams at the event and players of the day were Cooper P and Kerenza M. An outstanding effort!
I would like to make mention of the excellent behaviour and attitude shown by our students throughout the day. Well done to all who took part.

Janette Page.

Flag League Tournament.

What great weather for the opening day on Sunday 18 March of The Horoeka Street Reserve. I think we all came away with some more knowledge about this unique piece of bush which is so close to our school. By reading the displays, we became more aware of what can damage this special place.
Many local people took the opportunity of hearing the opening ceremony and walking the loop track before indulging in the free sausage sizzle and browsing at the interesting displays. The possum in the cage caused a lot of interest especially with the children as did the viewing of the variety of traps used to trap the pests of the bush.
Many thanks to the children that fronted the barbecue and the selling of the drinks; Braxton, Josh, Hunter, Sam, Hamish, Kerenza, Lydia, Tessa and ex pupils Sarah and Becky. You looked great in the Tawhai Tshirts and you did a superb job. A bonus was that some of you got your photo taken with the mayor! A big thankyou must go to Junior Bates (Hunter’s Dad) who manned the barbecue for the duration of the event. Your help was much appreciated.
For those of you who missed the event, do take time to walk the track at some stage as it is well worth the walk.

Jill Finlayson.

Opening of the Hoereka street Reserve