Term 3 Week 2

Kiribati Language Week

This we have observed Kiribati Language week which was on the 12th to the 18th July. These celebrations have created wonderful opportunities for our Kindy community to expand their knowledge of the world through language, music, dance and food. 

A big thank you to Ben and his whanau for sharing their knowledge and expertise on the Kiribati language and culture!! We love seeing Ben's  proud face light up each time he shares to his peers and kaiako. Check out this waiata shared by Ben's Whanau .... I think you will find it is in a tune we all know well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzN-2-5NV9Q 

On Thursday we also investigated fresh coconuts. We listened, felt, and smelt this delicious fruit before opening and tasting the water, and flesh inside. Wow what a wonderful sensorial experience. To provoke our knowledge of coconuts further we watched some clips around planting coconuts and making coconut milk. . . We found out coconut milk does not come from a coconut cow 😄

   

We love having our families involved at Kindy, your knowledge, skills and expertise is always appreciated and loved by our tamariki!! 

Taiao Tuhura Discovering Nature Programme

This week we welcomed Charleen and Ben to the group - thank you Lizzie and Annabelle for sharing your kete of knowledge with them. Arlo was a wonderful Leader, sharing his skills with Maci as his Co-Leader. We ventured to the Wishing Rock, Dragon's Nest and Kindy Castle, Monster Truck Race Track and Takitimu Waka to find where each child was on the ripple carving. Thank you Ben for teaching us to count with you in Kiribati.

On Wednesday, Judy's sharp eye spotted a stick insect outside near her bike. "It's camouflage!" newbie Millie Hutton could share with us, noting how difficult it was to find in the habitat that was set up - "It means it looks like a stick," Michaela added. "That's why it's called a stick insect," Arlo explained. 

Buy A Brick Southland Charity Hospital Fundraiser

Wow what a wonderful turn out for this great cause!

Thank you to all of our Whanau who contributed to our ‘Buy a Brick for Blair’ cause! This money will go towards efforts to create a Charitable Hospital for cancer patients in the Southland area.

The Southland Charity Hospital Trust was established in 2019 following the epic fight of Winton man Blair Vining: Blair was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2018 and, after discovering the inequities within New Zealand’s healthcare system because of the ‘postcode lottery’, decided to do something about it. One of the greatest legacies Blair has left behind is the formation of the Southland Charity Hospital Trust.

Founded by the community, for the community, the Southland Charity Hospital will provide healthcare for those living in the Southern DHB Zone who would otherwise be unable to access treatment through the private or public systems.

The story is just beginning: but with your help, we can ensure our community receives the care they deserve.

https://www.southlandcharityhospital.org/

 We were lucky enough today to have Melissa Vining – the co-founder of the ‘Southland Charity Hospital’ and her media team come along to Kindy on Friday! Check out their visit here: https://www.facebook.com/southlandcharityhospital/videos/1137643659969428/

This video and other pictures are also available on our Facebook Page.

Takitimu Waka Journey

A Big congratulations to Kaiako Christina for speaking a a REANZ South Hui at Kindy last Saturday! Christina shared her personal and professional teaching and learning journey which resulted (along with the Winton Kindy Team) in the beautiful Takitimu Waka legend and carving in Ivy Russell Reserve. 

So many professionals and fellow kaiako left feeling inspired and up-lifted through Christina sharing her  journey. Ka mau te whehi Christina!!

Calling All Gatherers of Winton Kindy

We are in search of some stones from our local awa (rivers) for our ‘Sign In Book’.  So if you are venturing near your local awa (river) this weekend we would love you to think of us and borrow some rock treasures to share with you Kindy ehoa.

 

Nau Mihi Your Winton Kindy Teaching Team

Term 3 Week 1

Haere mai welcome to Term 3! 

The chilly weather has not deterred our families from exploring their own backyards this Term Break.  During our Monday morning hui, tamariki shared their adventurous holiday stories of; skiing, fishing in Stewart  Island, jumping on a plane to visit family, helping on the farm and relaxing at home - where it's choosy & warm!

Kiribati Language Week 12-18 July

Ben has been celebrating Kiribati Language Week with his family & friends.  Ben has been SO empowered in his family's native language that he has aspired teaching Kiribati at kindy too!  Ben has been challenging our learning throughout the week by asking, "Do you know 'Eng' means yes & 'Mauri' means hello?"  Ben has been such a PROUD teacher to us all and even shared "his song" with us too.  We've been swinging our hips to Kiribati dancing and look forward to learning a new Kiribati song next week - thanks to Ben's family!

Check out "Ben's Song" via Facebook Marewen Kiribati Cultural Youth Group

Our Sign-In Book is Back in Action

Tamariki have enjoyed settling back into familiar routines & rituals. They've loved finding their names written on smooth earthy stones - thanks Christina & Mac!

We encourage making "signing in" as part of your morning drop-off routine.  This helps create a reliable & predictable routine for your child before being brave & saying goodbye/ka kite to their loved one.

Taiao Tuhura - Nature Discovery Programme

We are SOOO excited to be back at Ivy Russell Reserve - welcome back to our Co-Leaders Michaela and Lexie, Annabelle, Arlo and Lizzie, and a big hello to new members Beau, Zkynt and Maci! 

The morning was spent re-familiarising ourselves, visiting our favourite spots, making new discoveries ("The Other World" as described by Annabelle), the Takitimu Waka, and spotting the Takitimu Mountains.

Thanks to our Forest Kindy Experts (Arlo, Annabelle and Lizzie) for supporting our new friends.

Ecological Reflections - Forest Kindy Journals

Back at Kindy the Taiao Tuhura Group have artistically represented their ecological discoveries and proudly shared their stories with friends, Kaiako AND whanau. When our Taiao Tuhura Group return back from Forest Kindy our the rest of the group are more than curious to learn about their adventures.  Capturing 'ecological reflections' through art becomes a powerful tool for everyone to have insight into what a day at Forest Kindy "looks like".  

Takitimu Waka - Connecting the Past, Present & Future

This Saturday our very own Christina Vaughan will be presenting our Takitimu Waka journey to kaiako from both Southland & Otago.  We thought what better way to practise than with our kindy audience!  Phoebe, Lexie & Ada were just about starstruck when they saw their Dads up on the big screen, helping carve the Takitimu Waka and hearing the Legend of the Takitimu Mountains being retold. We love that many of our tamariki are already familiar with the journey of our Takitimu Waka art instillation from their older siblings/cousins who've previously attended kindy.  We can see our "journey" is certainly becoming part of our kindy identity & whakapapa.

Good luck for Saturday, Christina!!

"That's all the kids!! - The ripples" Thanks Annabelle

Next Friday remember we're dressing up in RED, BLACK & WHITE to help fundraise for "Buy a Brick for Blair" - see Facebook Event.  Next week we plan to share more insight about "why" we will be dressing up to help fundraise for the new Southland Charity Hospital.

Nga mihi, 

The Teaching Team