What a Lovely Way to Start the Holiday

There's nothing like a new born babe to remind you how amazing people are.  My boys and I went and visited Ms Douglas and her new baby Harry at Christchurch Womens' after school today. He's lovely! Welcome to the world Harry.

I hope you all have a happy holiday. It's been quite a historic term hasn't it? Not one we'll soon forget.

Wacky Hair Day

Hmmm. I wonder what Friday will bring...













Crazy curls
Funky fringes
Perky plaits
Dyed dreadlocks
Spooky spikes
Creative colours
Perfect perms???????

Watch this space!

Did anyone else realise that Friday is the LAST DAY OF TERM? Hazaar!

The St Albans Commonwealth Games

These were fun weren't they? It's so great when we can meet together as a whole school.
I haven't managed to find the time to upload any photos yet, but they will be posted soon. Please keep looking.

I'm so pleased I can do the Ka mate haka properly. I think that will be something I'm pleased I've learned for the rest of my life - how about you? What did you like? Please leave a comment.

A Powhiri for Wairakei Students.

Today we hosted a powhiri for a group of children from Wairakei School. Isabel and Samantha did the karanga to call them towards the classroom.

As they replied and approached, Michael, Zachary and Flynn began the Haka Powhiri and we all joined in with this rousing welcome. Once they had come in and taken their seats Michael said his whaikorero. To support him we sang the school action song Anei Ra te Kura Hato Opani. Zachary was next with his whaikorero which we supported with the waiata Ehara i te mea.

It was now Wairakei's turn to respond with whaikorero and waiata.  Everybody joined in the line to hongi our guests and make them part of us for the rest of the gathering.

We were fortunate to have some of the Kapa Haka group perform some of their items.
We had all worked up an appetite by now so we went back to Room 16 for some kai. There was a wonderful range of food for all. As the rain and sleet had now ended, all the tamariki were able to go out into the playground for a quick play and look around before the Wairakei group went back to their school.
Room 16 feel very lucky that we have such a supportive buddy class in Room 11, nga mihi nui ki a koutou. We would also like to thank e Pa for helping us prepare for this experience.

El Gregoe the Magician

On Monday the Year Three classes went to a special magic show in the hall. We were celebrating the good learning and behaviour we have been doing this term. Soon we will post some writing about and photos of this great show. Our own Morgan was one of the stars of the show.
As well as some excellent tricks El Gregoe had some fine messages relating to the values to share with us.

People in Pukekohe are Thinking of Us

Look at this beautiful card we got from a child at Valley School in Pukekohe. We felt touched that people as far away as Pukekohe were thinking of us.

Manaakitanga from the Wider St Albans Community

What a lovely treat all the children at St Albans got from the team at Brumby Bakers at Edgeware!

Thank you for your generosity!

Another Sign Summer's On the Way

Today we went cricketing. Two people from Cricket Canterbury came to enthuse us about cricket. 

After tuning up our throwing and catching skills we split into two teams for a game of Speed Cricket. One team was batting and when the ball connected with the bat it sounded like a bomb! The bat made a hard jolt like an earthquake on your hands. Once you’d hit the ball you had to run around a cone and back to your team, running behind the wickets (except that most people forgot the BEHIND bit!). Next you had to pass the bat to the next player in the line. If the batter missed the ball then that team had to give up one bat. There were three bats altogether. Everyone had a turn at batting.

Meanwhile the other team were fielding. When the batters hit the ball the fielders had to catch the ball and send it back to the bowler. Everybody chased the ball. We looked like a swarm of bees in pursuit of a honey thief. Once the successful bee had thrown the ball back to the bowler the other bees spread out again.

We all had great fun batting, bowling and fielding. Each of us got given a bag of goodies about cricket. We wish the guys from Canterbury Cricket would come back!

Welcome Back

It was lovely to be together again today. We heard lots of stories about people's experiences during and after the earthquake.
This afternoon we talked about the good things that happened and how they fit in with the things we value at St Albans.
We'll be busy this week making posters about the author or illustrator we are most interested in.

Have you seen the cellos and guitars we made using vivids, dye and observational drawing skills? 

A Field of Particularly Beautiful Daffodils!

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Treasure at the Park

Take a look at this seed case I found at the park today. Isn't nature amazing? I also found a chestnut that had sprouted, I've never seen that before. Unfortunately the shoot got knocked off before I got a photo.

Earthquake Information

This New Zealand based website will give you clear information about what to do in an earthquake.
The clear message seems to be
Drop, Cover and Hold.

This is an  American Website with some information about Earthquakes. It might help you to understand what is happening to us at the moment.

Some Games about Writing and Reading

Click here to try out some games that will give you an opportunity to practise your spelling and punctuation.

What About Some Maths?

Here is a site with some different Maths Games to help you brush up on your basic facts. There are some you can play with a partner.

Some more author websites

Roald Dahl's website has loads of information and things to do on it.

I always enjoy reading Mem Fox's website. I love most of her books and my claim to fame is that I have spoken to her. She is funny.

I know we already have a link to Dr Seuss's website on the blog, but here's a reminder that it is worth looking at.

Beatrix Potter is a very famous author and illustrator all over the world. Peter Rabbit is even more famous which is probably why Beatrix's website is called Peter Rabbit!

Fruit Break

Jack and I had a fruit break with a difference last night. What do you think?

I used the Alpha masking tool like you used on your daffodil photos. 

A Letter from Ms Ashby to the Room 16 Kids

Hello everyone,

I hope you are well and safe. I am safe and well and so are all my family. My house is fine too so I feel very lucky. I hope your houses and whanau are safe too.

School is closed until at least Thursday. I am putting some new things on the Blog for you to look at. I have found some author / illustrator websites you might like. I'll keep popping more things on the Blog from time to time.

Isn't it lovely to see the signs of Spring still appearing? My favourite thing is the pretty pink blossom. I also find it surprising how many different types of daffodil there are too. If you are allowed, you could take some photos that you could enter in Ms Lythgoe's photo competition.

Dave and I are going for walks when the weather is clear. Are you able to set up a fitness circuit at home for your family and friends? I think it helps you to sleep at night if you've done a bit of exercise during the day.

Keep safe and happy and remember those St Albans Values; Creativity, Initiative, Manaakitanga, Respect, Excellence, Community and Fun. It is especially important to show these when times are tough as they are just now.

Remember, worry is the misuse of imagination.

Love from Ms Ashby :0)

http://room162010.blogspot.com/ 

Let's see if we can get our visitor numbers over 900 by the time we're together at school again. I see our Blog super star Isabel has been visiting and leaving messages - thanks Isabel!

Some Author Websites to Look At

This is Carin Berger's beautiful website. She wrote the book OK GO! that we used for ideas for our  art work earlier this year.

This is Eric Carle's website that has lots of interesting information about how he creates his illustrations. You probably know his story The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

For all you Captain Underpants fans out there, here's the link to Dav Pilkey's website. It has lots of fun things to while away some time.

Remember Ramona the Pest? Well this website tells you more about her and her friends. Beverly Cleary is an old woman now, but Ramona is as young and frisky as ever!

This website is about the chapter books written by Emily Rodda .
 You may have heard of the Deltora Quest series.

Things Look Fine in Room Sixteen.

I've been into school today and seen our classroom. It looks fine, there were just a few books and crayons on the floor. Our computer got a broken screen, but otherwise it's the same old Room 16.
Over the next few days you could do some writing about your Earthquake experience. I can imagine some interesting articles, exciting stories and short, sharp and punchy poems. I'm sure you could think of some interesting similes to describe your experiences. Don't forget to use all your senses when you're gathering your ideas.
Keep busy and safe and don't forget to write, read and do some maths to keep those brains ticking over! Perhaps you have something interesting you could make an observational drawing of.
See you soon
Ms Ashby

Did anyone else notice...

Someone knew something we didn't

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Hi,
I hope you're all safe and well. Take care
love Anna

Working Bee

Many thanks to the parents who came to help with the interior decorating this evening. It was another working example of the St Albans values. - It meant the world to me and will do to the children in the morning as well!

Good luck to Rooms 1,2,3 and 4 as you move into your new classrooms over the weekend.