Term 2 Week 8

Polyfest T-Shirt Design Competition
Thank you for all your creative designs and illustrations - good luck! The winning entry will be incorporated into the offical uniform for all Polyfest organisers and volunteers - tu meke!



Tane Mahuta's sons - as described by Charles
Thank you Minnie for sharing with us the Kauri Tree display...subtle reminders of our eco-logical sensory awareness and intrigue.



Mediator/Problem Solver
This week Ashton & Taylor shared their expertise with our new Mediator - Alessa & Problem Solver - Charles.  We love how these roles are empowering our tamariki to help their peers, resolve problems collectively and kindness.



Forest Kindy
We continued to collect seeds from Kowhai Corner for our special Matariki Family Night next week, brought Leighton's pet Dragon to the Dragon's Nest, visited Conrad's farm, and made the most of our second last week in the bush for the Term! Noticing how the fallen leaves have opened up hidden spaces, letting the cold wind in as it blows against the walls of our Kindy Castle - some timely repairs were needed this week!



Matariki
Preparations for celebrating Matariki are underway! Big thanks to our fabulous Parent Group of Volunteers for coming in to work with the children.  Anna Howard, Tahna Aimers, Nyssah Hunt, Kaite Pasini, & Sheryll Tabor - you all rock!!


Visiting our friends at St Thomas Aquinas School
St Thomas Aquinas School Students shared their Mihi with us upon our arrival.  This was a perfect opportunity for nga tamariki to retell the Legend of the Takitimu, sharing our kete of knowledge with our St Thomas friends to further enhance the meaning behind their mini! This was followed by a race around their Cross Country Track with a St Thomas Buddy for support!


Waiata Time!
Big thanks to Skyla's māmā, Jasmine, & kōkā, Elysia, for teaching us new wait - Te Taukaea Aroha...and more!


The Teaching Team

Term 2 Week 7

Our Polyfest Journey Continues

Off to speak at the Winton Community Board Public Forum on Tuesday night.

Jack, Tamiah, Shahn, Charles and Electra presented the Legend of the Takitimu on behalf of Kindy, to the Winton Community Board as we continue on our journey of creating an installation to represent the Legend.  The Board were blown away by their efforts and comfortable competence at speaking to such  large group of unfamiliar people - ka kai to mani tamariki ma!  

We continue to explore Maori kowhaiwhai patterns as an art medium for retelling our Legend.  Thanks to Oti's clips online, we've discovered what tools and techniques are used for carving wood...even exploring kindy in search of what wood may have been carved too.

Matariki

With Matariki coming up, Linda has been busy working alongside the children, constructing a huge star with our bamboo poles. Next week the Parent Group have volunteered to come into Kindy to create beautiful glass jar lanterns with the group. Please send along a named clean glass jar for your child to use.

Problem Solver / Mediator

This week Ashton and Taylor have taken on the role of Problem Solver and Mediator on behalf of their peers. This entails supporting the group with any issues - and for the group to seek these two out for their problem solving capabilities. Empowering the children to take ownership of caring for others and to consicously seek out opportunities to do so, only further instills a sense of social competency and confidence - how fab is that!

Pink Day
We had a fantastic pink-a-licious Day on Friday.  Big thanks to our whanau for joining us for shared morning kai!  Remember you can make your donation to the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation by clicking on the shared link:  https://www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/donate



See you all next week, enjoy the weekend!

The Teaching Team