Term 1 Week 10

The Sword in the Stone

On Monday the children arrived at Kindy to find a REAL SWORD wedged between two rocks...At Morning Meeting Judy told the story of how Prince Freddie had placed the sword there before his death and that only the chosen one would be able to remove it. The intrigue, excitement, curiosity, and determination to get the sword drew everyone's attention. Tom Collie was the chosen one on Monday, giving him the prestige and title of the most responsible and strongest of all the land. Wow, the sword did not leave his side at all that day.

The Dragon master piece currently "Under Construction" in the Project Room

Forest Kindy

We had a great morning at Ivy Russell Reserve. Welcome to the group Alex Kincaid. And a big thank you to our Parent Helpers Rachel Dolan and Cath Ankerson. Hugo Dolan and Sienna Breen found the Dragon's Egg when we checked on the nest - wow, if you get a chance head down to the Reserve and check it out! Also, we took Milly Watkinson's banner that she made in the Project Room: "Here is the Dragons Nest - please feed the Dragons" down to let the community know about our fiery fabulous friends that reside at the Reserve.

"WE LOVE MUD!!" Alex Kincaid, Milly Watkinson, Hugo Dolan and Sienna Breen exploring with ALL the senses!!

Emma Cubitt, Sienna Breen, Hugo Dolan and Paige Ankerson having a rest at Forest Kindy

Paige Ankerson holding the Dragons Egg for Mum Cath to look inside - I wonder what she saw?!?!

Kapa Haka

After Forest Kindy the group headed down to Central Southland College to watch performances by the CSC Kapa Haka group, Limehills School, Winton School, and Weka Preschool before enjoying a biscuit and juice and heading back to Kindy.

The Central Southland College Kapa Haka group performing for us on Tuesday

Welcome Laura Thorburn!

Welcome Zia Williams and family

Term 1 Week 9

St Patricks Day Monday the 17th March

Wow, what fun we had on Monday celebrating all things Irish! The face paint was out, tap shoes on - and lots of green children trying out their Irish dancing skills!

Imitating the River Dance on St Patricks Day!

Alex, Ayden and Casey with their Swords - they are NOT sticks!!

Welcome Addison Campbell

Welcome Thea Barnes

Welcome Maddison Dodds - giving Rupert a gentle pat - thank you!

Forest Kindy
This week we had a visit from Pam Wilson, our Senior Teacher from Head Office and a surprise visit from the Southland Times! We couldn't have asked for a better day after hearing the heavy rain that fell through the night then been greeted by a beautiful sunny morning - perfect! A BIG thank you to our Parent Helpers Tracey Adendorff and Alice Menzies. We also had our new whistles handed out this week. The children have these attached to their zippers and we discussed using these for emergencies only. Coincidentally Milly and myself managed to "get lost" shortly after introducing the whistles! The group noticed we weren't there and set off around the reserve in search for us! Thankfully once they got in closer proximity they could hear Milly blowing her whistle and eventfully we were found! It was a timely reminder to reiterate the importance of staying with the group, communication, and what we do if we are lost.

"Not a Stick" by Antoinette Portis
Today at end of day Mat Time Judy read the story "Not a Stick". You may have noticed LOTS of "non-stick" imaginary play this week, stemming from the Forest Kindy Kids making swords to fend off Dragons a couple of weeks back. The TF Group have had a great time fighting dragons and using their "non-sticks" in many many role play experiences this week. We also have a mai mai under construction under the bridge where these "non-sticks" have been used as fishing rods and duck shooting - yes that time is almost upon us once again!

Discovery Time/Polyfest
Our Dragon/Taniwha is at the design stage - take a look in the Project Room and share any thoughts you may have with us!

Happy School Days to Cohen Davis off to Winton School. Welcome to new children: Maddison Dodds, Addison Campbell and Thea Barnes who have joined our TF Group this week, and Zia Williams who started today.

Term 1 Week 8

This week we farewelled Jacqlynn Logan off to Winton School and Mackenzie Vaughan who heads to Limehills School on Monday - Happy School Days girls.

Mackenzie giving her Granny a big cuddle after Mac's Kindy Birthday this week

Programme Planning:
At Monday Morning Meeting we introduced our statement "I wonder" to the group. We went around the circle welcoming each child and asking "I wonder what you did in the weekend?" Our "I wonder" statement has been heard throughout the kindergarten, inviting curiosity, intrigue, further questioning, and eagerness to "seek out" information and ideas.

Nurtured by Nature Programme:
A big thank you to John Young and Grace Vaughan our Helpers on Tuesday. Welcome to Sienna Breen who joined the Forest Kindy kids this week. Elena found The Dragon's Nest a couple of weeks ago; with all the excitement bubbling back to Kindy as well - you may have noticed dragon creations and art works, as well as swords to fend off dragons being constructed! This week we went and sat by the nest for Christina's birthday cake and to hear a story "I don't believe in Dragons" by Anna Walker. We are pondering the idea of incorporating this new-found dragon interest into our Polyfest vision, perhaps making our own dragon/taniwha - we would love some Parent input with this, see Christina if you have some ideas or able to help out, thanks!

The Forest Kindy kids eating cake and listening to Sally read them a Dragon story!

St Patricks Day - Monday the 17th: Please feel free to come along dressed in your greenest gears, Christina will have the face paint out and we will make some shamrocks and listen to Irish Music - a bit of fun to start the week off!

Term 1 Week 7

Southland A&P Show: Well done Winton Kindergarten - we must give our talented and creative children a big pat on the back for their efforts at the Southland A&P Show held over the weekend. We received 1st Place for our Model from Recyclable Materials, with our "up-cycled" Tree made from egg cartons; as well as individual children being awarded places in various Art Sections - great work!

Hug a Bear Week - Plunket Appeal
This week we celebrated Plunket's "Hug a Bear" Campaign by holding our very own Teddy Bears Picnics on Wednesday and Thursday. Kindy was transformed into an enchanted forest complete with a real Bear Cave and Teepe. A big thank you to Rachel Reed for creating such an opened-ended resource for our children to utilised in their imaginary play - fabulous! Our shared morning teas were more like a feast for Goldilocks and the Three Bears - thank you to everyone for bringing along their best loved soft toys and contributing to the cause. Our Programme Planning focusing on virtues of 'Pono' - trust, faith, friendship and kindness have been articulated this week through our participation in such a worthy Appeal - thanks again!

Hugo hiding in the Bear Cave with the Toys on Wednesday

A warm welcome to Matthew Cairns and family

Kia Ora to Tiara Jade Ramage and whanau

Welcome back Rye family - great to have Alex joining the group!

The TF Group watching the Teddy Bears Picnic before shared kai

We welcome new faces this week to the TF Group: Tiara Jade Ramage, Alex Rye and Matthew Cairns. On Monday we fare-welled Logan Wallace and family - Happy School Days Logan!

Happy School Days Logan!!