Budding artists trip to Tauranga Art Gallery

What a fantastic experience to be able to take children to the art gallery. We chose most of our children due to their enduring interest in art but this trip really would have been an inspiration to all children. Our first stop was at Lightwave gallery which is predominantly a gallery of sculpture using recycled metal at Mount Maunganui.

The mermaid sculpture captured everyone's attention due to her size and the magnificent waka filled with shells that she was displayed on. Children were surprised to learn that all those scales were made from spoons.

Lunch was a quick affair as the wonderful park at Mt Drury beckoned. Then it was off to the Tauranga Art Gallery.

 

  We were met by Melissa who took us on a guided tour of some exhibits that were of particular interest to children. 

Melissa then took us to the purpose-built art room for an art lesson using some tricky techniques of a real art teacher.

 

Wow! What an experience for our tamariki!

Giving back to our wonderful community

This week with the kindergarten van at our place we decided to conduct some visits into our local community as part of this term's focus. High on the list was a trip to Maureen Oliver's to help rake the leaves of the lovely space we utilize every year for our Christmas party and other social occasions.

Our new wheelbarrows and rakes were put to work at Mrs Oliver's Croeso I Hafod gardens.

The children worked very hard and loved the experience of helping out.

Our little wheelbarrows were dwarfed by Mrs Oliver's trailer which transported many more leaves to her huge compost. Here we are on the ride-on which towed the trailer.

Mrs Oliver had a special treat for the children after their hard work. Planting some daffodil bulbs for us to enjoy in the coming springtime.

A Trip to Royden Downs.

A Trip out Shopping

Check out our shoppers already to go!

 We have booked the van for the next two weeks so that we can take small groups of children out on trips within and beyond our community. Today we had to go and pick up hardware so off we went to Farmlands, Bunnings (Mount Maunganui), and Mitre 10.  Not only did we get rakes from Farmlands but they also shared out some lollies.  Thank you

Peter working at his desk.

Then it was to off to Bunnings....we need nails, a bolt, a spade, a outdoor broom and wheelbarrows. Alas they did not have children size wheelbarrows.
Peter came over to us and showed us how to draw Mickey Mouse.  As we went through check out they treated us to a lollipop and a Balloon!!  Thank you to Bunnings for making us feel so welcome.

Getting our Balloons

Show us your Balloons!

Shopping is very exhausting

We called into Mitre 10 on the way home to see if they had the wheelbarrows we needed.  We now have three new wheelbarrows.

Recent ERO Report

This is now available online.  Please see the link below.
These are some of the quotes from the findings;

"Teachers work alongside children, holding extended conversations that introduce problem solving, add depth of understanding, and promote and sustain play......."
"Portfolios provide a continuing record of children’s participation in the programme and ongoing learning. Aspects of literacy, mathematics and sustainable use of the environment are integrated meaningfully into the programme. Increased application of these ideas is evident in children’s play. Children with additional learning needs are included as valuable members of the kindergarten community, and their learning is well supported..."
"Children are highly engaged in exploring the well-presented learning areas. The playground is spacious and reflects the New Zealand natural world. Children have participated alongside adults in constructing key features using local rocks and plants. The indoor area has been refurbished, is resourced with high-quality materials and equipment, and includes the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Teachers ensure that the learning areas invite parents to sit alongside their children to observe and participate in their play and learning..."

Winter has arrived, well nearly

The temperature plummeted this week at kindergarten and children and staff arrived dressed for winter warmth. Outdoors Debbie, Wayne and Melinda constructed a brazier using recycled wheel hubs and it wasn't long before we were all buzzing around the fire. A thoughtful Mum, Aneta returned with marshmallows and the rest of the week, after kai time became time for roasting marshmallows. Ah the joys of winter. Does anyone have other ideas for winter fires? We have had the suggestion of making soup, damper and sausages on a stick. Yum, not winter blues here!

 If anyone out there has got firewood to spare to keep the kindergarten  home fires burning we would love you to drop off a trailer load to us.
For the next two weeks we will have the Kindergarten van.  So we will be taking small groups of children out to lend a hand to rake up leaves and do some gardening at Mrs Oliver's on Wilson Road. 

What's Happening!

The river has been a huge success!  It has demonstrated how the environment becomes the third teacher.
Instant Effects, Papamoa, have kindly donated their time to come in and consult with us on appropriate planting that looks good but can survive the Children's robust play

Have you checked out the cool reusable lunch wrappers that the children have been making with Julie!  We are working towards litter less lunchboxes to cut down on the amount of  non recyclable items of rubbish that processed food is packaged into.

Children have also been exploring the maori lengends that have been retold by author Peter Gossage. These have included "How Maui slowed the Sun",  "Pania of the Reef", "In the Beginning", Maui and the Magic Jawbone" and "Te Ika a Maui".  Watch  the display on wall develop as children study the style of the illustrations in these stories.

Boot Camp has Started!  Every Second day the children are training for the Paengaroa School Cross Country.  Our children are amazing with their confidence and stamina in being able to run this track!
It would not surprise me if we had a couple of future Olympians amongst them.  Keep up the great work and perseverance!

Then to add to all this excitement.  Wayne (who is on teacher placement from Waikato University) built a flying fox .....This has been a huge hit!

Term Two Begins.

Wow back to Play tomorrow.  What an amazing term break.  Thank you to Melinda Williamson, Jenni Cox and Missy Drabble for the commitment and hard work that they have put in over the last week or so.  These three ladies were determined to make the Children's dream of having a river at our kindergarten come true.
Also a huge thank you for those who managed to make it to the working Bee on Saturday.  We forgot it was the first weekend of duck shooting season so please forgive us  for expecting you to pick up a shovel instead of a shotgun!
The river is looking fantastic.  Of course there is still much to do and its left a bit of a muddy garden but I am sure the children will just love being out there and part of the process.  Make sure you send them with plenty of spare clothes.
We also thank you for placing your votes in the Think Water competition.  We have noticed that we received the most votes for this area which is hopeful that we will be in the running for one of the smaller prizes and will go into the draw for the larger grant.  We will find out the results at the end of the month. - Debbie