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.