Hi Room 15, hope you are all having a good week and working hard for Mrs Henare. Thank you for having me in your class I really enjoyed meeting you all and being part of your class.

See you soon!!!
Mrs Winnie

Listening to or Giving Instructions

Last week we started learning what we need to do to give good instructions and how important it is to listen to instructions and to follow them correctly.

We practiced with play doh.  We took turns at giving instructions telling the other person what to make with their play doh.  We then compared our two pieces of play doh to see if the instructions we had given were easy to follow.

Some of them turned out better than others.

Procedural Writing

We have been learning about procedural writing.  We have learnt that a good procedure has a Title, Goal, Materials/Ingredients, Steps/Method.

My procedure is "The King's Breakfast". Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make "The King's Breakfast"!

Written by Kings.

Maths in Room 15

This week we have been learning about greater than, less than, equal to.  Jayden and Cameron enjoyed playing Shoot the Hoop which is a maths game, where we  practiced finding the right symbol to make the equation true.  From Jayden

In Room 15 this week, we have been learning about 'PLANTS'.  Before we planted our seed we needed to find out what it needed to survive and grow.

Anahera with the help of Ella drew this diagram to show what they thought their seed would need to grow.

We have been doing science experiments in class this week.  Jayden had lots of wonderings about the experiments we tried.  He went home and looked on the www.sciencekids.co.nz website and chose one of the experiments to try at home.

He got two glasses of water and added 6 tablespoons of salt to one of them.  He then got two eggs and and placed one in each glass.  Jayden discovered that the egg floated in the glass of salt water and sunk to the bottom of the glass  of plain water.  Jayden took photos of his experiment and presented it to the class the next day.

Very impressive Jayden!!

Dre Rogan has started in Rm 15 this week.  He has come from Gisborne.  We have been working on fractions in maths and have spent lots of time writing equations that include our fractions in the answer.

This week we started using the AVAILLL reading programme.  The movie we are watching is 'Meet The Robinsons' each day we have a different activity to practice our reading skills.  We use the subtitles in the movie to create word lists and find synonyms.

In the afternoon we have been experimenting with science.  We have done 3 different experiments from the website www.sciencekids.co.nz.  My favourite experiment was the lemon fizzy one, it was amazing to see the baking soda react when we added it to the lemon juice and water, it fizzed all the way out of the glass and onto the plates.  I think that was because we added too much baking soda.  It didn't taste very nice.

Room 15 being randomly kind to their classmates...

Two weeks ago we had heaps of random acts of kindness to parents. I hope these random acts have continued...

Now it's time for us to show random acts of kindness to our classmates, or other people around the school.

Let's see if we can beat 28 comments...

Art Exhibition

If you haven't been to Porritt School's stunning Art Exhibition, hurry up! You have two and a bit days to view all the beautiful creations, before the displays will be dismantled.

Room 15 children are very proud of their corner.

Animations

Congratulations to those children who persevered with their animations. What a challenge! Thanks, Mr Parker, for your patience and assistance. Brilliant images, Ella and Brodie.

Art Exhibition

Next Friday, all the teachers (and helpers), will be hard at work setting up the Porritt Art Exhibition, ready for the official opening the following Monday. We have been very busy creating a range of art works, with some very exciting pieces developing. 

Here we are, working together, or on our own, trying hard to produce our best work.

Random Act

MUM AND DAD

When you are near me I have a feeling inside,

You give me cuddles when I am sad,

 and don't forget that time when you gave me kisses inside. 

Sometimes you are mean,

 but I don't mind because you are always mine. 

But on the other hand,

you shine because you protect me. 

You're fine.

 And I don't mind. 

So come on down and shine on me

because I have a feeling you are beside me all the time.

 And I... LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Random Acts of Kindness Day

I have just read in the paper that Monday 1st September is Random Acts of Kindness Day. I challenge you to record your random act of kindness for this week, under 'comments'. There is going to be a school-wide focus later in the term; this will be good practice! Hopefully random acts of kindness will be a habit, NOT something you just do on one day (or week). Start with doing something for those people who do so much for you... your parents! :) 

Fun with Books

Paris and Astin were the senior syndicate winners of the book character dress-up competition on the final day of Book Week.  Astin wasn't sure what his character was but he certainly looked like someone straight from a traditional tale! Paris, the witch, looks like she has come straight from Hansel and Gretel. What a wonderful week it has been.

 A huge THANK YOU to Miss Fesili for organising all those fun activities during the lunch hours.

Spooner Shield 2014

On Friday the 22nd of August  some of Porritt seniors competed in the Spooner Shield tournament, which involves schools from Tamatea, Greenmeadows, Taradale and Puketapu. The sports for the Spooner Shield were: boys and girls Soccer, Rugby, Netball and Hockey. The rugby boys won 3 games out of 7. The soccer boys won no games but played well. The Hockey players won 2, lost 2 and drew 2, coming second overall. The soccer girls also came second. The year five and 6 netball teams won 5 games and drew two. 

Thank you, Jake for being the official photographer. Hopefully the photos will be shown on the office tv.

Our year 5 netball team (with  help from Erika, Jada amd Sarah!)

Big Book Brain Off

Several room 15 children attended this annual event, last night. It was a very enjoyable evening, with special guest, Clifford the Dog, providing entertainment and giving out prizes. Emily's team came second, so she was able to choose a book as a prize. Thanks to Jordan, the photographer, we have some photos to share - even though he needed Clifford to accompany him to the dark and spooky classroom, to collect the camera...

The Bogan Besties - The champion... THIRD placegetters - minus one.

The markers - stay focussed, Mrs Groome. 

GORGEOUS!!

Emily and the Crazy Cops - second place getters

String Games and Knuckle Bones

Concentration!

Ella can do the four of diamonds with her eyes shut!

I think Sharnteigh might win the knucklebones championship...

Now that the Spooner Shield tournament has taken place, it is time to focus on other skills. As part of our physical education programme we are experiencing the traditional activities of string games and knucklebones. This is a great opportunity to learn about PERSEVERENCE, particularly with knuckle bones. We have some very skilful string gamers but knucklebones is proving to be quite a challenge. Parents and grandparents, show off your skills to the younger generation!

Great Websites

I hope children have been making good use of the www.ziptales.com website that I introduced them to last week. See Weekly News for username and password. We only have free access to this site for a limited length of time, so make the most of it.

Another site I have been meaning to introduce for ages is www.kiwikidsnews.co.nz - a brilliant site to help children keep up-to-date with current events, with easy-to-read text and great follow up activities.

Cheers!

Safe Cycling

For the first three weeks of term 3, Mr Marshall and Constable Chris have been teaching the senior syndicate how to ride their bikes safely. In this photo room 15 children are biking as slowly as possible.

        Kings
                     The highest score was 17 seconds: Courtney, Kings and Angus all had the same score.                                                                     By Courtney

           Courtney

Safe Cycling

Room 15 has been learning how to do safe cycling. Mr Marshall has been teaching us. We have been riding our bikes around some cones on the front court and the field.  Sometimes it is tricky riding the big bikes because the seats are high. I like the seat low.  I love safe cycling.

Cameron is practising riding through the cones.

 

By Brett 

Litterless Lunchboxes

The 'litterless lunch' wardens have been on the job, giving out vouchers to children whose lunch boxes contain no waste other than food scraps(organic waste) or paper. Reusable containers or bags are fine too. I have been wrapping my sandwiches in paper towels instead of gladwrap :). What are YOU doing to cut down on the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill??


By Mrs Henare

Safe Cycling

Room 15 is doing safe cycling. We have been learning how to be safe on the road. I am dodging through the slalom course.

By Mitchell

Tamatea Intermediate Radio Station By Brodie

On Tuesday, last term,  Te Anahera,  Angus and I went to Tamatea Intermediate to read our stories on the radio. It was weird hearing our voices through  the headphones. I went first, then Te Anahera, then Angus. When we finished we all said, "Hooray, it's finally over!" Before we left, Mrs Grant realised she forgot to take pictures of us, while we were recording and reading our stories, so we sneakily went back into the recording station and Mrs Grant took some photos. Te Anahera didn't want to sit in the chair and have her photo taken, so Angus and I only had our photos taken.

Congratulations!

Three people passed the test... Angus, Kendyl and Emily have completed the holiday homework so they have earned their first sticker on their new PRIDE card - a great start to the term. Apparently Emily has already started working on her animation, at home. Super attitude, Emily.

Best in Australia AND New Zealand

What a star, Brodie!!

Dear Jan Henare

Just for your information your student Brodie Newsome was the top student in Australia and New Zealand in the Quick Quizzes associated with the Asia Wise program for the week ended 13/07/2014.

Could you pass on our congratulations to Brodie.

Regards,

David Reid
Director
Asia Wise Education

For Brodie

I know you visit the blog regularly, Brodie... Well done!


Dear Jan Henare

Just for your information your student Brodie Newsome was the top student in your school in the Quick Quizzes associated with the Asia Wise program for the week ended 6/07/2014.

Could you pass on our congratulations to Brodie.

Regards,

David Reid
Director
Asia Wise Education.

Thankyou, Room 15!

Thank you, Room 15, for another amazing term. Your superb assembly, this morning, reflected what  a wonderful attitude you have to learning, supporting each other and striving for excellence. Your assembly was EXCELLENT. Jacque and Karlie, who inspired me to become involved in the Waste Awareness Programme, thought your presentation was one of the best they have ever seen. Now the challenge is to follow through with what you and the GEMs have started, to see if we really can reduce the amount of rubbish that Porritt School sends to the landfill.

I forgot to tell you what your holiday homework is. (This is actually a test to see if you read our Blog... :)). Next term we will be starting animations and graphic designs (Yes, I know some people have already started). See if you can create two characters for your animation which will be connected to 'How Wildlife is Affected by Waste'. Remember the Beached Az youtube clip I showed you?? You can draw your characters (and name them) OR create them on the computer. 

Happy holidays! Be kind to your parents.

Mrs Henare

Radio Station

On Tuesday Brodie, Angus and I went to Tamatea intermediate and read our stories.

 At first it felt like my stomach wanted to get out of my body and run away, but after we got it over and done with,  the others and I, were happily relieved. Before we went live we had to do a practice. Brodie went first reading live and then it was me then Angus 

Angus and Brodie wanted to have a photo taken but I didn't.

By Te Anahera

Radio Station

On Tuesday  Te Anahera, Brodie and I went with Mrs Grant to Tamatea Intermediate to read our stories into the  school radio. We were extremely nervous. When it was our turn we tentatively sat on the edge of the chair waiting for the recording to start. Much to my surprise, it was fun. Afterwards we sighed with relief because it was over.

By Angus

Reminders

Some last-week-of-term reminders:

• Kiwi Sport Field Day tomorrow (Tuesday). Room 15 parents have again been wonderful with offers of transport and supervision. Many thanks.
• Any post-conference surveys filled in and returned to me would be greatly appreciated
• Our Assembly is on Friday.The children are working very hard to deliver a clear message to the children AND adults. Please come, if you can.
• Fun Day - Thursday.Most room 15 children have already achieved the goal of ten stickers - and some have more. 1:30-2:30 - Disco in the hall. Gold coin donation. Food for sale.

Sponsorship

Keep that sponsorship money for the Spellathon rolling in. All money, small amounts or large, will be used to buy new sports equipment for all children to enjoy.

Spellathon Results

Congratulations to all those children who persevered with the challenging spelling lists used for the Spellathon. Special congratulations to the following children for their stunning results: 50/50 - Ben and Angus; 49/50 - Kendyl and Paris; 48/50 - Jake (top Y5), Brodie, Paige and Te Anahera; 46/50 - Brooklyn, Anahera and Astin (top of second list). I hope all you parents can now spell 'onomatopoeia' AND know what it means... :) 

Omarunui Landfill

The other day we went to the Omarunui Landfill.We travelled there by bus. First we had to put on yellow fluro vests and the adults had to put on orange fluro vests so then if we got lost then we could be found. We were looking at the storm water pond and Jacque was telling us that there used to be eels and frogs but there's no more frogs now because the eels ATE THEM! Then we got back on the bus and travelled to valley A and we were looking down at valley D.   Jacque was telling us how a rubbish pie is made. This is how to make a rubbish pie...First you need a valley then some clay, fluff, plastic, rubbish more clay, top soil and last of all grass. Then on vally D we were looking at the pile of rubbish WOW! That's a lot of rubbish. It was a huge mountain of rubbish and those seagulls are really really really loud. I couldn't even hear myself talk. We could also see the methane gas burning.

By Paige

Omaranui Landfill

On Tuesday room 15 and GEMs met Jackie at the Omaranui landfill.
First she came out of a small room, with a box. In the box were yellow fluro vests. We all had to wear one so we could be seen.
We travelled by bus to the top of valley A. When we rushed out of the bus there was a fence and if you looked over it you could see huge piles of rubbish far below, in Valley D and lots of trucks dumping rubbish. Lots of squawking seagulls were flying around. 
Then we toddled over the wet grass and saw where electricity will be made, by burning methane gas that is created under the ground, from all the rubbish.
When we went back we saw a truck in the truck wash. This is how it works. First the truck drives down then the water splashes over it to wash away all the dirt so the dirt doesn't drop all over the roads when it leaves.
Lastly we returned  to school.

by Brooklyn                 At the Omaranui landfill the builders are working on the electricity  plant                                            

Waste Awareness Programme

Room 15 and the GEMs went to the Omaranui landfill for our Waste Awareness Programme. In this photo you can see most of the rubbish that has been thrown out, if you have good eye sight.

 It will take eight years for Valley D to be filled with rubbish. The refuse compactor compacts the rubbish so more will fit into the landfill.

By Emily 

     

Spellathon

Room 15 children will be tested on their Spellathon words on Tuesday, so only tomorrow night left to practise those lists. I know some children have done heaps of practice and others... NONE! If each child in the school could raise $10 in sponsorship, there would be well over $2000 to spend on sports equipment. :)

3 Way Conferences

Parents, if you haven't been given your time for this week's 3-way conference, ask your child to dig deep into their school bag and give it to you! Because I am unable to schedule appointments for Wednesday, Monday and Tuesday are full on. If the time you have been given is inconvenient, please phone the office and leave a message. I will try to work out another time to meet with you. REMEMBER: Bring your child with you!! :) 

Aquarium Trip

We visited the aquarium because we are learning about the rubbish that gets chucked on the ground or in the sea and how it affects the environment. There were two groups - half the class was in Waste Weka Warriors and the other half was in the Pollution Busting Penguins. 

The Waste Weka Warriors went into a room with a lady called Karlie.

Two groups were given a challenge. Each group had one bucket  containing nets, plastic, smokes, nappies, gumboots, cans and other waste. They had to put each piece of waste on how many years they thought it would take for the objects to rot and disappear.

BY ELLEN AND PARIS

Young Leaders' Conference, Rotorua

On Sunday 22 Y6s travelled to Rotorua for a young leaders' conference. The speakers who talked were Alison Mooney, Tamati Coffey, Paula Fakalata, Alison Shanks, Nakita Turner and Cam Calkoen. Alison Mooney told us that no one is better, they are just all different. Cam Calkoen said, "Dream big. Achieve more." Tamati Coffey  said, "Do what makes you happy. "Paula Fakalata said "  1.Have great friends 2. Have positive thoughts 3. Have a go". Alison Shanks said "  Set goals, Aim high, Dream big".  Nakita Turner said " Forgiveness is major ".

The Porritt children sat in the Unison Events Centre, writing notes about what the speakers are saying.

  

The Centre is filled with children from primary, intermediate and high schools around the North Island

By Brodie and Kendyl

Weekly News

 Unfortunately the third trip of the Waste Awareness Programme has been cancelled because the recycling plant is closed to visitors at present. Karlie plans to visit us at school, on Thursday 26 June at 9:45am, to explain the recycling process. I have a basic plan for our assembly, on the last day of school. We will work out what EVERYONE has to do to prepare for this, today.

On Thursday, several of our children will be participating in the annual HOPS Shield rugby/netball tournament at Onekawa School. The netballers from R15 are: Brodie, Kendyl and Te Anahera and the rugby representatives are Kings, Adam and Ellen. Congratulations to these children, but remember: Absolutely top behaviour is expected from all children representing Porritt, especially NO SWEARING or you run the risk of being dropped from the team.

About seven children have not yet returned 3-Way Conference notes. The teachers will be organising their appointment timetables on Wednesday, after school. PLEASE return your form by then or you run the risk of being allocated a time that doesn't suit you.

Thank you

Thank you to Kim, Nianna, Bill, Tracey, Wayne, Allan and Theresa (and Mrs McGrath, of course!) for helping transport the children to and from the aquarium, this morning. I was amazed at the response to my request for help. I am still waiting for confirmation of the date for the third field trip, to Green Sky Recycling and Hawk Packaging but have decided to book a bus. The cost for the bus will be $6 per child. More information to follow.

Sorry!!

My apologies to Angus, Brodie, Kendyl, Te Anahera, Ellen, Paris, Paige and Liam. These children were selected to attend a children's leadership conference, in Rotorua, on Monday and I forgot to say a special goodbye to them. I know you will have an awesome time and that you will be great ambassadors for Porritt School. See you on Tuesday. :) 

Waste Survey

 This is the seniors' morning tea and lunch waste collected in  just one day:

104 chippy and bar packets.
140 pieces of glad wrap and yoghurt boxes  and lids and 1 plastic spoon.
 41 pieces of paper/cardboard.
1 piece  aluminium.
1 tin can.
44 pieces of organic materials

TOTAL: 320 pieces of rubbish in ONE DAY from the senior syndicate!!!
WEIGHT: 2kgs of rubbish.
We average 2240 pieces of rubbish a week.
In a month I calculate we would create approximately 67 200 pieces of rubbish.
In a year we would produce 24 528 000 pieces of rubbish.

This is NOT helping our environment. What can we do about it??    

Can you see that beautiful pear that was thrown out?

Look at these jam sandwiches thrown out - AND they hadn't even been unwrapped!  

All this wonderful organic materials Thank goodness most of it is just skins and apple cores. 

Survey carried out by Cameron, Jayden, Jordan and Liam

Presented by Liam

Tamatea Intermediate Radio Station

Did you know that Tamatea Intermediate has its own radio station? I didn't, until Mrs Grant told me she had organised for three of our authors to broadcast their spectacular writing. So tune in tomorrow to 106.9fm, at 9:00am,  to listen to Brodie, Angus and Te Anahera reading their work. I am not sure how they are feeling but I'm sure they will add a post after this experience. :) 

Reminders

It was great to know THREE people saw the last reminder... Hopefully, checking the blog will become a habit for families. Today, the notice about next Tuesday's (sorry, I forgot to put the day...) field trip to the aquarium, was sent home. I hope children return the permission slip by Friday, as requested, NOT like the last one when EIGHT people did not return the slip by the Friday, as requested. For the aquarium trip, transport is required but I am investigating the cost of a bus for the final trip, to Green Sky Recycling and Hawk Packaging, probably on Monday 16 June.

A special 'thank you' to Kim, Michelle and Bill who helped with supervision. Bill took 105 photographs,  some of which will appear on our blog before too long, I'm sure.

Important Reminder

On Tuesday Room 15 children and some of the GEM's group are going on a bus trip to the Omarunui Landfill, as part of their Waste Awareness Programme. I hope the children remember to bring a warm jacket and closed shoes - having a holiday on Monday means I can not give a reminder the day before... Some children need to bring back the permission slip. Thank you to the parents who have offered to help with supervision. Tuesday June 10: Aquarium visit - FREE but we need transport. A note will go home on Tuesday 3.

Waste Awareness

This week Room 15 started learning about waste awareness.We went into our buddy class to do a survey to find out what they know about waste. We asked  them some questions like what happens to the waste after it goes in the school bin and why is recycling so important. Some answers were funny, some were interesting and some children didn't know anything at all. 

      

By Paris and Brodie