Softball

Today we had some softball coaching with Ian. We did some catching and throwing.
The tips we learned were that if you're catching a ball above your waist you hold your hands in a W, but if you're catching a ball below your waist you hands should be in a V shape.

We found that doing shot put is very different from THROWING a ball.

Last of all everyone tried on a softball glove. They feel very different from a woollen glove.

We are looking forward to our next session on the 25th of November, and have plenty to practise before then.

That reminds me... how's the fireman's pole practice coming along? It's only two weeks till our next video session.

A Wonderful Time Was Had By All...

The Athletics Sports were held today. At lunch time I was told by many teachers how well the seven and eight year olds behaved and performed. The two Room 16 relay teams ran well, the girls even won the Year Three Girls race. Great job everyone, sleep well tonight! 

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.

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!

Reading and all that Jazz

We had new National Library books in the library corner today. That always makes us all happy.


These children taught us a game they had learned about in their reading book called "Hit the Kangaroo". It is a traditional Aboriginal game which provided spear throwing practice for children. We made a kangaroo out of a cardboard box and some spears from newspaper.
We have some keen warriors in Room 16, pity help any stray kangaroos they come across. Here are some action shots of the hunt.

Fitness Fun

In Room 16 at St Albans School for fitness, the children are in groups and do different activities. Each group wrote some goals for each activity. The activities are; monkey bars to increase upper body strength, running and skipping for making hearts beat faster and crazy catch for hand-eye coordination. Monkey bars are the most popular and running is not very popular.

by Kayla

Skipping

I have resisted an alliterative title for this post, but please feel free to send any scintillating skipping suggestions this way!
The children approach skipping with such enthusiasm and excitement. Imagine begging someone to let you go out and do high intensity cardiovascular exercise every day!
The video below captures just a taste of the range of skills and talents evident in the class.

The Cross Country

These are the poems the children wrote about their Cross Country experiences. They are published in a virtual book. You can access this by clicking on the words Our Cross Country Poetry Book below. When you have finished looking at it you can click the go back button to return to our blog.

Our Cross Country Poetry Book

Heart Jam

Hooray! The sun came out for Heart Jam on Friday.
What a fun way to raise money for children with heart disease.

Cycling Pursuit Races

This was a fun-tastic new event at St Albans this year. Lots of Room 16 children entered the event, and three children made it into the Year Three finals.
We were proud of Kezia who came fourth after a final with Marit in the girls' event. Zachary won in the battle for first and Flynn came a flying second in the boys' event.
Here is a photo of the class with our champions.

The Mighty Cross Country

Another FANTASTIC effort by the Room Sixteen Superstars today!
I hope you enjoy these before and after photos.

NB I note after this was posted that they are, in fact, after and before photos - you probably could tell!

Swimming Sports

Thanks to Heathcliff for his sketch!
The Swimming Sports

It was a sunny morning in St Albans. The Year Three and Four classes were buzzing with excitement and nervous energy. Today was the day of the Swimming Sports! We boarded the busses and were off to Jellie Park.

Like a swarm of bees heading for the hive, the children went to change in the changing rooms. School uniforms, socks and shoes flew everywhere as the children readied themselves for the big event. They headed out into the pool area and settled by the pool.

Across the rippling waters the parents were beginning to gather. The excitement rose and so did the noise level. The width races were first.

PEEEP  “On your marks...” CRACK

The water was cold, and rippling from the other swimmers. Arms and legs powered through the water leaving a wake behind them. The crowd cheered and went wild. The swimmers were pushed on by their encouragement. Some people were first, some came second, third or fourth. Everyone tried their best.

If we thought the crowd had been loud up till now, we sure got a surprise when it came to the class relays! Room 16 was represented by Zachary, Kezia, Grace and Flynn in the water, and everyone else in the stands.  We were all proud when Room 16 won!

The length races were next and we all watched those swimmers with amazement and admiration as they tried their hardest to be the best. All the while the non-swimmers were having their own experience of being better than before in the shallow pool.

The Swimming Sports finished on a high note as Kakariki won the house relay. Whero came a close second followed by Kowhai and Kahurangi. St Albans Middle School was the ultimate winner on the day. The children displayed the values of Respect, Excellence, Community, Fun, Manaakitanga and Initiative. 

The Tryathlon

What a proud teacher I am this afternoon! Well done Room 16. You biked, ran and swam like champions. Actually, I only saw the swimming but if that's what you did when you were tired out, the rest must have been spectacular.
If any parents got photos of the event I'd love you to send them to me.

Here is a list of things we were feeling this morning before the Tryathlon.

fantastically fit

impatient to get started

nervous

wondering and waiting

happy

bursting with excitement

happy

ready to run

freaked out

determined

excited

anticipating enjoyment

I hope you all feeling a glow of satisfaction now!