Full School Waiata

 We came together as a full school this week to practice different aspects for school pōwhiri.

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Hutia Te Rito

Haka pōwhiri

Manaakitanga at Ōtaki School

At Ōtaki School we are guided by the mātāpono of Ngāti Raukawa. 

This term our mātāpono focus is on manaakitanga. I was hanging up the self-portraits of ngā tamariki this afternoon in the cloakbay, and I noticed have the principle of manaakitanga is very strong amongst all the tamariki of Rourou.

When asked what they would like to be when they grow up here are some of their answers.

"When I'm an adult I'd like to be a mum".

"Someday I want to be a daddy".

"When I'm an adult I'd like to be Spiderman". (There's no denying it! He helps people)

"When I'm an adult I'd like to do babysitting".

"When I'm as adult I'd like to work in a hospital. I'd like to help people".

"When I'm an adult I wanna be a lifeguard at the swimming pool".

"When I'm an adult I'd like to be a doctor".

There is NO doubt that we have a very caring group in Rourou. I feel we are in very safe hands with these taonga, ngā rangatira mō āpōpō.

Marvelous Monarch Butterfly

 In Rourou our science focus is on the taiao - the natural world this term. This week we have been reading about the life cycle of butterflies. We have had some swan plants in the akomanga and tamariki have enjoyed finding a little caterpillar nestled in the leaves.

We have planted out the swan plants in the maara in front of the classroom and then worked very hard in the hot sun to water them. It was SO exciting!! A monarch butterfly flitted amongst the plants as we watered them!

Wonderful Waikanae

 It has long been an Ōtaki School tradition to start the year with a full-school trip to Waikanae Pools. It is a very exciting bus trip down to the pool.

It is great fun! The pool is as warm as a bath and tamariki are able to swim for hours!

 (We did stop for lunch!)

Some brave tamariki went down the slide.

It was a huge day for all of us and just about every tamati from Rourou fell asleep on the way home. A sweet finish to an awesome day. 

New beginnings...

 Nau mai haere mai ki te tau hou pakeha! Ko te tau hou o te kura hoki!

We have had a wonderful start to the year. There is so much to learn when we come to school. New routines and experiences. New friends and spaces. It's only been a two day week - but we're all really tired by the end of the two days!

Whānaungatanga has been front and centre over these two days. From the pōwhiri on Tuesday, where we welcomed so many tamariki and whānau hou to Rourou and the wider kura, to our amazing full school watery fun day on Tuesday. We have all enjoyed reacquainting with each other and getting to know the new faces at the same time.

Slip sliding away...

School pool party...

Chalk painting..

Apple bobbing...

Rapidly reducing ice...

Peaceful painting...

Playshed...

Fun on the field...

Taniwha tag...