We have had a fantastic term where ākonga (students) have showcased their talents, whether this be through dance, music, sport, speeches, or other areas. Here are some of our highlights from Term 3 including quotes from ākonga.
“This term was amazing, I really enjoyed it! There were lots of trips including the Wellington Museum. We also did lots of projects like the swimming pool project. We even did some HERO posting! So I actually did lots of things that I enjoyed.”
Inquiry
Ākonga loved exploring the Pacific Islands in their inquiry and reading lessons. They have learnt about the individual and shared cultural traditions, and can locate countries within the Pacific Ocean. Later in the term, they have continued their geographical exploration in finding out the continents of the world.
Ākonga have said:
“I liked picking my research question. It was super fun researching and finding out new interesting facts.”
“We learned about open research questions. The thing that I enjoyed is that it takes time to get a good research question that isn't just one answer.”
“I love inquiry! I have enjoyed inquiry this term. I liked learning about history, continents and islands. I am looking forward to doing it next term.”
Pasifika Dance
This term we have had an Amesbury first! We had the amazing Inano dance studio come in to teach our students Cook Island dancing. Every second Monday Pōhutukawa heads to the hall to learn and practice different dance speeds, actions, songs, and rhythms. Stay tuned for our performance in Term 4 (cultural festival).
“I enjoyed that we get to learn more about the Pacific and the Cook Island culture, you can tell there are stories in the dance moves we do”
Kapa Haka and Festival
On the 13th of September our Kapa Haka group set off to Newlands College for the St Brigid’s Kapa Haka festival. They had been practicing all term with our tutor Hemi and really made Amesbury school proud out on that stage.
Here's what some of our ākonga said about the Kapa Haka Festival:
“I really liked the presenting of Māori culture from Amesbury”
“I loved getting ready on the day with our moko, lipstick, and belts”
Co-curricular highlights
Lots of Pōhutukawa students attend co-curricular lessons. They enjoy themselves and learn valuable skills. Here’s what ākonga have said:
“I do singing lessons in co-curricular. I enjoy doing it because I let my voice free, also we get to do fun performances and get solo's.”
“I do drums and I enjoy it because I can make some very cool music that sounds awesome.
I enjoy violin because I play some challenging pieces and I like to challenge myself.
I like speech and drama because we do miming and facial expressions which is very fun.”
“I loved co-curricular because I get a break from learning and we still learn but more fun stuff like speech and drama. Its fun when we do stuff and my competitive nature comes out.”
“I enjoy Gymnastics because it gets you more active and Speech and Drama because you do acting.”
“I really liked doing keyboard with Ben he helped me understand the pieces I was working on.”
“I did keyboard and I overall just enjoy learning new songs because it give a feeling of victory and it was overall also satisfying listening to beautiful music.”
“I loved doing gymnastics this term. I enjoyed it because you get challenged to do many hard tricks, turns, and poses, and if you fall down you just get right back up.”
“In co-curricular I do singing, choir, violin and keyboard and I enjoy doing violin, because It's a challenge.”
Swimming / P.E.
Some ākonga have participated in and enjoyed swimming lessons where they've built their confidence and skills in the water. On top of swimming, everyone also takes part in another PE lesson each week to work on skills needed for Athletics: Throwing, jumping, and running. For those children who haven't been swimming, they've had two dedicated PE lessons a week, giving them extra time to develop their movement and also their ball skills.
Swimming Sports
When the swimming lessons finished, we held our senior swimming sports in Tawa pool with both competitive and non competitive options. All ākonga did amazing and really gave it their all!
Here's what some of our ākonga said about the swimming sports event:
“I really enjoyed it because I like swimming”
“I liked how everyone gave it their best go”
Cricket Wellington Smash Play Sessions
Our ākonga were lucky enough to have Cricket Wellington come in and take groups for 40min sessions throughout a day. They were able to learn and practice some cricket skills alongside a coach.
“I was not really confident in doing a challenge but the practice is very fun after I practice, I will be very confident because I was practicing a lot.”
“I loved that the Welling cricket coaches always had fun games, always gave us courage, and gave us cool cricket cards!”
“I liked bowling and catching because I need to work on my catching skills and I like trying to hit the wickets when we were practising bowling.”
“I enjoyed everything because I love cricket as it is my favourite sport, but also because I love bowling, batting, fielding, and wicket keeping !!!”
Indoor football competition
Four teams took part in eight weeks of a football competition. The standard of play got better each week, with the students working out their preferred attacking and defensive strategies.
“We had so much fun at football we came 4th.”
“I LOVED IT WAS AMAZING I enjoyed because its my favourite sport.”
“I did play in that indoor football competition, and I loved it because it's different to outdoor football and I loved it.”
“I competed in the indoor football it was fun I enjoyed kicking the ball and scoring and defending the ball from the other team.”
It has been a busy but wonderful term
Term 3 has been a huge one, with lots to look back on. Term 4 will be just as packed with ‘Garden to Table’, the cultural festival, Education Outside the Classroom (E.O.T.C) week and more events coming up.
