Styx Mill Fresh Water Frolicking

Yesterday we went on an amazing trip to the Styx Mill reserve.
We were welcomed by Lou, Ruth and Kenny - the doc rangers.
First we walked along a walkway and learnt about the birds in the area, harakeke (flax) and some other important facts along the way.
We then stopped at the side of the water and began exploring the creatures that live in fresh water.  We were split into groups and used some technical devices to scoop interesting bugs and plants out and then investigated and identified what the water creatures were.  The most common were the water boatmen.  Boy do they swim around!
We then played some cool games and related them back to how we can help keep our waterways/rivers clean.
On the way back we stopped off at Grants Rd to look at how the community has beautified the stream and created fresh water.
Thank you so much to the amazing parent helpers - Lauren, Moreen, Yvonne, Andrea, Angela and Karen.  We couldn't go on these wonderful trips if it wasn't for your support and help.  Thanks!

Styx Mill trip!

Don't forget to pack your gumboots for our trip to Styx Mill tomorrow.  You will also need a warm raincoat/jacket.  Remember to check the blog if it looks like rain in the morning.
                                                                  

Water Inquiry

This week Rooms 20, 21 and 22 have started Inquiry projects related to Water.  First each child decided on a topic and then were put into groups of about 4 children who were also interested in the same topic.  We have been brainstorming, gathering and researching information and keywords.  Today we decided who was doing what and how we would present our information.  Some groups have chosen posters, some powerpoints, diaoramas and some groups think they may put the information into a song.  We are working on these as part of our writing and reading programme for the next week.  We will present these at the beginning of Term 3.  It has been fun working with friends from the other classrooms and also finding a space where we feel comfortable working.

Happy 8th Birthday Frankie!

Happy Birthday Frankie - we hope you have had a fabulous day.  Thanks for the delicious lollypops after school.  We loved your super cool running shoes. Enjoy your night tonight.  Room 20.

Year 3/4 Choir performance

Last night most of the Year 3/4 children performed the songs we have been learning at Choir to our families.  What a fabulous performance to a packed hall of families.  The orchestra also played a selection of songs - Millie is our orchestra star.  We have a few photos from the performance to share.

Book Week has been fantastic!

We have had an amazing Book Week.  The parade started the week off on such a high note.  Many children and their families visited the book fair in the hall and some were lucky enough to purchase a new book or two.  We had different teachers reading to different classrooms on Wednesday and Thursday.  The whole school had a book olympics (Mrs Allen was disappointed she missed out on this).  Our class was lucky enough to get a Roald Dahl book - Charlie and the great glass elevator.  Zac the Shirley librarian spoke and read some fantastic picture books to us.  We listened to Maggie from Room 21's Dad talk about being an author and he even read us his first picture book, even before it has hit the shops! We end Book week with a team Book Swap.  I wonder who has read the most this week in Room 20?

Book Week Begins with amazing characters at school!

Three Musketeers, Wendy, Mrs Twit, Hermione, Batman, Hawk-eye, Thimble tack, Mad Hatter to name a few!!! Today we began our school Book Week with a "Dress up as your favourite character" parade.  We all look amazing and are very proud of our costumes.  The whole school lined the courts and paraded around in Year groups showing off their amazing costumes.  Here are some photos of today.

Thimble-tack

Little Miss Bossy

Porthos

Athos

Aramis

The Three Musketeers

Hawk-Eye

Mrs Twit

Imelda 

Spiderman

Dan Carter

Greg 

Batman

Harry Potter

Hermione

Batman

Ella

Greg Inglis

Spiderman

Billie B Brown

Giant Skeleton

Hairy Maclary

Wendy

Jasmine

Mad-Hatter

All of us looking pretty amazing in our costumes. 

St Albans Teachers 

Class Winners - awesome job!!! 

Mrs Allen's children!!!