St patrick's Day

Today is St Patricks Day. It is March 17.

This is what we know, or think we know about St Patrick's Day

+ The leprechaun slides down the rainbow
+ It is Ireland's Nation Day
+ It is said that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
+ It is the day of the little gnombs
+ They are known for the three leaf clover
+ They dance an Irish jig
+ St Patrick's Day was the day there was peace between the British and the Irish
+ The thing on the rainbow is a myth
+ I think the leprechaun has a gold tooth
+ Leprechauns wear a green suit
+ Leprechauns have special hats, boots and belt


Then we watched a video

And now we know ...

+ It is a myth that if you don't wear green on St Patrick's Day a leprechaun will pinch you
+ Everyone should wear green on St Patrick's Day
+ St Patrick was actually British, rather than Irish
+ They have parades to celebrate St Patrick's Day - the largest one is in New York
+ St Patrick was kidnapped by the British and kept in captivity for 6 years.
+ When he dies people forgot about him and then they started celebrating on the day he died
+ He dies 1600 years ago, exactly.

Flag Referendum

Today we had the chance to experience what it feels like to participate in New Zealand's democratic process. We have been learning about the flag referendum and today we got the opportunity to vote for either keeping the current flag or changing to the Kyle Lockwood alternative.

All Kauri students went to the hall throughout the day to make their vote. Room 24's returning officer - the person who asked us our name, ruled a line through it and directed us to the voting booths - was Daniel B, and he did a great job.

One by one we came up, gave our name and then were given a pen and off we went to a voting booth to fill out a voting paper. We then folded it up and placed it inside one of the post boxes.

Tomorrow a group of students will count the votes and they will announce the results of the Kauri Flag Referendum. We will let you know the result.

Here are some photos of students in action.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the awesome Daniel, Jack, Tanika and Ella on receiving certificates at yesterday's whole school assembly.

Swim success

Congratulations to the amazing Ella who today received her certificates for 1st place in the 9yrs 50metre freestyle and backstroke at the recent Kauri team swim trials.

Ella will next be in action at the SW Zones swim champs in a couple of weeks. If she places 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the finals of her events she will be eligible to attend the Primary Schools Swim Championships.

Well done, Ella

Leap Year 2016 - Leap Day - February 29th

What we know, or think we know.

- There is a Leap Year every four years
- People born on this day have a birthday every 4 years but they also celebrate their birthday on February 28th
- There is an extra day in February
- It happens in February
- The next leap year will be in 2020
- It is the Southern hemisphere's end of summer and the Northern hemisphere's end of winter


Then we watched a video and looked at two awesome websites

Playground CARE values

Today we went outside to look at the playground CARE values.  We chose the Active Thinking - Follow the rules and play fairly.

Bad example:

We played a game of football. Mr Forman was one captain and Sam I was the other. Mr Forman cheated in the paper, scissors, rock; Mr Forman chose 5 people at once and only gave Sam one pick.

THIS WAS NOT FAIR - Rm 24 students

A good model:

1. Match up with a player of similar ability
2. Do paper, scissor, rock
3. The winner went on one side, the person who lost went on the other side
4. Clarified the rules - we all agreed
5. When rule is broken - free kick
6. Sorry, are you OK? then he helped him up.


Our BIG learning was that if you accidentally hit or hurt someone during a game, you should go over to them and say 'Sorry, are you OK? It was an accident' - then help them up.

Week 5 and 6, term 1 - C.A.R.E for playground / break times

The CARE values that we will be focusing on, as a school, for the next two weeks are as follows:

Community

Get involved and take turns.

Share and use equipment fairly.

Active Thinking

Agree on game rules and play fairly.

Be a caring friend.

Respect

Return gear to appropriate place.

Use appropriate language.

Hands and feet to yourself.

Listen, speak and show respect to others in the playground.

Excellence

Try your best.

Play safely.