Term 2 Week 8

We seize the opportunity Matariki brings us as we move closer to the 9 cluster stars of Matariki re-appearing in the dawn sky, signalling the start of the Maori New Year (12-20 July).  With what we hope is the worst of Covid-19 behind us, we hold high aspirations for a positive new beginning. Nga tamariki took time to pause, close their eyes and imagine their "hopes & wishes" for the future.  We hope these desires for the future flourish, just like the like seedlings individually planted by nga tamariki. With an array of vegetable, flower & herb seedlings sown, with 'aroha' their growth will be plentiful and help serve as kai for your whanau, nectar for our bees and leafy greens for our caterpillars! Enjoy.

With the crisp weather outside nga tamariki have been taking the opportunity to rest, relax and warm up while listening to Spotify - Matariki stories. Each audio story captivated our listeners' imagination, as they closed their eyes and were taken on a journey hearing the significance of each whetu/star. 

Have you seen our very own kindy star constellation? 

Make sure to check out our beautiful clay sculpted and eco designed stars hanging outside, under the veranda.

Below is Michaela Argyle's "Shining Heart Star".  Similar to the stars of Matariki, Michaela's star also holds a special significance too - "sharing it's kindness power with everyone".  Thanks for sharing your beautiful representation with us, Michaela.

What is Matariki? How do you celebrate Matariki!? 

To answer these questions click on the link to view a favourite Matariki story, always a great conversation starter at kindy!  Matariki

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Albatross Web Cam Update
We've noticed the albatross chick is growing SO big AND we even managed to capture the moment s/he was getting weighed!  Click on the link below to view @ home!

DOC Royal Albatross Live Web Cam

Welcome back to our Limehills School SVA Group

Rafferty Cowie, Kadin Telke and Lucas Gill have returned back to kindy, visiting us once again every Thursday afternoon.  Check out their fan club!

Thanks Niall Bridson & whanau for continuing our bread tag collection!

Keep warm over the weekend and we'll see you back Monday.  Only two more weeks to go until Term Break! 

Nga mihi

Your Teaching Team

Term 2 Week 7

Winton Kindergarten Art Panel - Invercargill CBD Rebuild Art Trail

This week we completed our collective mural, depicting the many cultures and special people that make up the Winton Kindy whanau. Our art piece tells a story, one of identity, of inclusion, of culture and of community. "We are individuals within a group, not a group of individuals". Our Curriculum Design for 2020 is artistically represented in our creation, and builds our knowledge and appreciation for each other, coming together in unity as a group of learners. We invite you to visit the Art Trail around the Invercargill CBD rebuild and delight in our story...look and look again - the more you look the more you will see...

Canadian influence...

The wheat fields that sit below the Takitimu Mountain range were inspired by Lenora Palmer and her family. Wheat is symbolic of Lenora's Mum's home province Saskatchewan in Canada, and is depicted on their provincial flag. This connects to the wheat fields beside Ivy Russell Reserve, where we watch as the seasons change and the crops are harvested by hand. In the centre of the wheat field is the Prairie Lily, and above is the green representing the forest.

Kiribati influence

Thank you to Ben and family for sharing with us about the special rere sword. We researched the symbolism of the sword and are learning that the sword, which is made from the skin of puffer fish and the sharp teeth of the shark, dipict the strong connection to the sea, a symbolic of strength and a reminder of home.

Filipino influnce

Thank you to Jomae and Zkynt's families for adding our beautiful panel down one side of the mural and the Filipino flag, sharing with us the significance of these designs. The flag, with the blue hand on top, represents peace and unity - coming together as one - much like our Curriculum Design aspires to. 

Fijian influence

Thank you to Pheobe's parents for sharing the beautiful legend of the Tagimoucia flower, and how special that it only grows on Taveuni - the island where Pheobe's Dad Will grew up. This flower sits in the top left corner by a special Fijian tapa cloth art pattern (which hangs in the Koro's home) Pheobe's family also shared.   

Indian influence

Thank you to Charleen's family for painting the beautiful lotus flower above our mountains - sharing the symbol of the Prime Minister's political party

English influence

Thank you for Niall's family for adding the English rose to our mural (Sue also thought a cup of tea would be quite symbolic!).

Maori influence

Our Taka Waka continues to be a catalyst for Winton Kindy. We often talk about and share the Takitimu Waka legend at Kindy and at Taiao Tuhura. Our Taiao Tuhura tamariki love sharing the legend with their peers back at Kindy! This legend is artistically shared in our art mural along with a circle of hand painted portraits - representing all of the tamariki at Winton Kindy.  Have a look out your back door for the majestic Taki Mountains!

And of-course the added addition of Aotearoa's native fern, a great use of symbolism of  growth, knowledge and Kiwiness!

Phillippines Independence Day 

Araw ng Kasarinlan Araw ng Kalayann

“Philippines Independence Day, Day of Freedom”

Today (Friday 12th) we commemorated the declaration of the Philippine’s from Spain in 1868. To celebrate we shared in music, dance, language and food.

A special thank you goes out to Jucel and Marlene for sharing the Philippine National Anthem, showing us how to ‘tinkle’ and for making delicious baked banana lumpia for us! And thank you for sharing the significance of the colour blue being a symbol of peace. Didn't Zyknt and his Mum look amazing in their traditional celebratory clothes!!

We also had a chance to sing an old favourite of ours ‘Tong, tong, tong’ a Filipino song about a crab.

The immersion of Philippino Culture today - is so significant in acknowledging our multicultural community!  It has provided a wonderful opportunity for our tamariki to be involved in a culture rich environment - learning more about others and the wider world. If you have a special date to share around your culture please let us know we would love to commemorate/celebrate it!

Nau Mihi Whanau

The Teaching Team