It has been so nice to finally see some sunny weather coming our way.  The field has  dried up and the creek is back to its low level.  The council has been busy this week with large machinery removing all of the debris so we hopefully won't continue to have our fields flooded.  

The next planned hui for our whole school is fast approaching.  It is on Thursday 30th March starting at 3pm.  We hope this is a good time for parents to come along to school at pick up time and see what is happening in classes.   The idea is, you visit as many classes as possible to gather up resources as you go.  Even if your child is in the Seniors, pop over to the middle and junior school.  On the way out, Whaea Christina is prepping some kai in takeaway containers for you to take home with you on the way out.  I will be sharing a map with you so you'll know exactly what you will find in each area.  I look forward to seeing you there.  We will be open between 3 - 5 pm.

The Birdwood School students continue to impress me with the way that they look after each other.  You would be so proud of the kindness that your children show not only to the peers in their class, but also to the youngest and newest students in our school.  Each day I see examples of manaakitanga - it warms my heart and makes me so proud!

I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday 30th March between 3 -5pm.
More information to come!


Whaea Vikki
Tumuaki

Our whānau unit has been a hive of activity this last week.  There has been lots of practising of our vowel sounds and new kupu.  Each morning our whānau starts with karakia and whakawhanaungatanga.  All whānau is welcome to come along and join in on the learning.  We have been learning about our local land - our whenua.  We are making connections with our maunga, Pukematekeo, our awa, Waiwhauwhaupaku and our iwi, Kawerau a Maki.  In the future we hope to visit our local marae at Te Henga (still in development).  
Here are some photos from all of our mahi; Kiwi Can, Skateboarding, Gymnastics, and Library.  

We have an assembly every Friday.  This is a chance for us to come together as one big whānau.  Everyone is welcome to join us.  This term, the assembly starts at 9.15 but from next term our assemblies will be starting at 2pm.  We are hoping that families that are coming in early to pick up their children will come in and join us.  What a great way to end the week!

Congratulations to ...

Selecting the Principal's Pic is a pleasure.  Walking around Birdwood and seeing so many students making good choices.  Parents and caregivers should be very proud!

"The Library Club has been really busy over the last couple of weeks during Tuesday lunchtimes.
It's been lovely to see students of all ages playing together! In Week 6, we had an epic giant chess battle between our Junior and Intermediate students."

The Seniors are always busy reading our class novels. This term, students could choose between two of Roald Dahl’s books: Esio Trot or Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

We play “Champion Listener” while we read. Whoever has been listening best and can answer a question gets to sit on the beanbag. They can get “knocked off” the beanbag if they can’t answer the next question.

After we’ve finished our novel, we get to watch the movie of the book! Whoever is our final champion gets to watch the movie on the beanbag. Well done to Anthony and Sharaya who were our “ultimate champions” for Esio Trot and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Astroturf plans have gone from paper to pen.....to computer graphics. Colours have been selected by the focus group.
These two designs will be shared with all classes for feedback.

 

Mountain Trouble 

Marveling at the magnificent Mildew Mountains, Martha gasped as the metal bridge beneath her feet started moving. Everything stood still. Martha froze. Infront of her, stood a humungous bird. It has four colourful wings, two skinny long legs and big eyes like the size of a netball. Suddenly, she heard a snap. Martha ran to the end, but it broke. Luckily, she landed on a piece of mountain. Scared, she screamed for help.  

By: Anawhata growing writers 

With the rise in Covid cases in the community we still have plenty of hand sanitiser, adult and kids masks to give away.
Give us a call or come in and see us at the Office to get some. 

Junky Monkeys came to our school and they brought a van full of loose parts junk for our students to use. We had so much fun exploring, creating and making things using all the loose parts we could get our hands on. Our students spent time problem solving, managing ourselves, co-operating, showing respect to ourselves, respect to others, respect to the equipment and, most of all, having fun. Junky Monkey's Rule number 1 is #Have Fun.

Our classes enjoyed their visit from Junky monkey.
Students enjoyed building and playing with loose parts and bits of rubbish saved from the Devonport Recycling Centre. Students created swings, slides, marble runs, dressed up, made houses, and role played with all the incredible items. 

Under the oak trees on the field last week, we found a whole lot of junk. Don’t worry, it wasn’t rubbish! The ropes, plastic balls, and other things were for us to play with. Junky Monkeys,  which is a creative play programme, came to our school to help us think outside the box. Edward, who was laying in a purple tarp, was so comfortable! 
Amazingly, we made the world’s longest marble run. Realistically, it probably wasn’t the longest marble run.

By Luci Ngan-Woo, ft. Edward Stowers, Seniors

Our Junior students are learning to balance on the beam, swing on the bars, flip on the mats, and land safely on the trampolines. 
So far the Juniors have mastered the front roll, back roll and different jumps. We are still learning to land in our motorcycle stance. Students are excited to learn to do handstands this term. 

This week, the Seniors went to gymnastics! We were taught by a Mexican lady. She is a professional. We learnt our Star Jump, Backroll, and Motorbike landing position. The Seniors learnt a hand position called the “pizza hands”. To do the pizza hands, you must: straighten your hands, keep your fingers apart, and face them up. After we learnt our gymnastics skills, our teacher gave us freetime to use the equipment. Happily, we all played. Everyone was having so much fun! The Seniors took turns on every piece of equipment in the hall.
By Luci Ngan-Woo, Seniors

Come and find out how to help your childrens learning at home.
learn how they learn.