Wellington Camp #3 Cont - We made a TV Show and raced some cars

Mrs Taylor is here!!! We are all so happy to have her. It made the adults hearts sing to see the children fly across the square to give her a big hug. Nawwwwwww.

It was now time for Capital E. No one was quite sure what was going to happen but they trusted in Mrs Spragg's words that it would all be fine. Unfortunately, Mrs Spragg didn't take a photo of the class outside of Capital E, but it probably doesn't matter too much.

Our safety briefing was held and then we headed up the stairs to the OnTV space. Kirsten explained what was going to happen and despite the nerves and anxious looks, everyone was ready to get into it. Some of us were in front of the camera, some of us behind the camera and some were doing both. The mums took charge of the wardrobe room and soon everyone was learning about their roles and working out what systems they needed to do. We did have to make a slight adjustment as Mika had lost her voice and couldn't talk. No speaking roles for her. Bridget was a star and stepped up.

Everyone loved the process. It was so good to see everyone taking ownership of their roles and then doing them like a boss. Kirsten was impressed too because Taku Tohu is the hardest one to make.

We finished a bit early and then headed to McDonald's. It wasn't that far away so it was a short walk. This was a good thing because it turned out we didn't start at 7 pm, we started at 6:30 pm so we had to RUN back to Capital E.

We made it and we were only 20 minutes late. Sorry guys!!!

The media lab was open and ready for us to do some Multi-Player Gaming. Racing cars and then fighting each other. Sounds violent but it wasn't. The racing was harder than it looked but everyone, including the adults, gave it a go. Such fun!!!

We then made our way back to the YHA with a short play at the playground. Wrote in our diaries and had a snack. Then it was bedtime.

Another great day.

What a week ...

Last week, Rimu Class had a great time. Not only was it a short week but we also had two trips during the four days of school. Nothing like a short week to jam as much as possible in.

First, we had a whole class trip to town to see the CSO (Christchurch Symphony Orchestra) play. It was pretty great to have the whole school getting on four buses and heading into town. For many of the students, this was their first time in the Christchurch Town Hall. It is such a wonderful building and there a number of gasps as we headed up the stairs.

We had great seats, just to the side of the orchestra, which meant we could see what they were doing really clearly. The whole auditorium was filled with school students and everyone was really excited but also unsure of what they were going to experience. You can watch the video below to see what it was like.



Following the brilliant performance, we headed outside and down to the Margaret Mahy Playground. (This is a pretty great playground and for those that don't live in Christchurch, it is the top place to go on Trip Advisor.) Everyone was looking forward to eating and having a good play. It does take a little bit of time to walk a whole school across two roads but we managed it with the help of our wonderful parent helpers and teachers.

After our delicious lunches, we spent the next hour playing on all the equipment. Many of us enjoyed the big silver slide, in fact, Mrs Taylor even had a go. There were much bouncing and climbing and running. No one could believe how quickly the time went and before long everyone was back on the buses and heading back to school.

Our second trip was to the A&P Show. This was just for Rimu class and was on the final day of the school week. Everyone was excited and despite the suggestion of rain, there was an expectation that it was going to be a great day. 

We had some wonderful parents who gave up their day to come along. They drove a group of students to the show and then spent the day moving around the show. We saw many different things at the show; from yummy food stalls to Alpaca out for a walk, a sheep maternity ward, to the cutest puppies you ever did see. It was a truly amazing day. Many of the class have blogged about their day so you could check it out by heading to the individual blogs for more of an individual look at the day. 

Here are a few photos to show you what a great day it was.

Have you ever done a whole school trip or a class trip to a Show? If you have we'd love to hear about it. 

Kererū having BBQ and elderly snails ...

This morning we were very lucky at Yaldhurst to have a true, blue author come and visit us. Her name is Karyn and she has written a couple of stories that are based on NZ birds, bats and insects.

Her first book is called Kereru's BBQ. She wrote this after being inspired by her time at her bach in Le Bons Bay. She read her new book Peka and Koro, which is a story about a young bat who gets lost but she finds a friend in Koro, an elderly snail.

Karyn then spent some time sharing her writing process. She actually never thought she would be a writer but it was time spent in Le Bons Bay reading stories to her daughter that made her think that she could write her own story.

Here are a couple of facts that we learnt about her:

1. She went to South Hornby Primary School

2. She spent most of her childhood in Hornby

3. She has a daughter

4. She now lives in Tai Tapu

5. Her second book comes out next week.

6. Her great, great grandfather built the first-ever bach in Le Bons Bay.

7. She didn't enjoy English at high school but she still wrote a book!

We all found it really interesting learning about the writing process. It made us realise we don't have to think we are good at something when we are younger because we might realise we are good at it when we are adults. 

It was a great visit and we really enjoyed it. Maybe your class could have a visit from an author. If you could, who would you want to come?

We went to town ... and it was ...

FANTASTIC!

What a day! Mrs Taylor and Mrs Spragg are both tired out but happy with Rimu's trip to town. Everyone was excited and showing that they were YMS Heroes all day today. The whole class listened, watched, learnt, asked questions, walked, looked, walked, played, imagined, designed, worked, built and shared. In the words of Emmet ... It. Was. Awesome.

Here are some quick highlight photos. Keep an eye out on the individual blogs to read more about it.

A bionic hand

We had a very special guest on Tuesday afternoon. His name was Richard and he is actually Mrs Taylor's husband. 

He is special for another reason and that is because he is the first person to have this style of bionic hand in Christchurch. Isn't that incredible?! We had never met anyone with a bionic hand before.

Richard took time to explain to us how he had lost his hand in a horse feeder when he was 17 and since then has had a hook (His nickname is Hooky!). Some of us had seen that hand and we thought it was interesting but a bionic hand kinda blew our minds. He explained to us how it works, how it moves, the different settings, how it has bluetooth!, how it has to be charged at night and how he almost squashed Mrs Taylor's finger when he was first learning to use it. 

His thumb is like a joystick. He also showed us how it comes off from the arm part and we spent some time asking questions. We found out that it was designed by a New Zealander and it cost between $80,000 to $85,000 to make. This blew our minds. It is also waterproof so you can get it wet. And Richard is thrilled to be able to peel potatoes now. 

It was pretty cool. Everyone really wanted to have a go touching it (though some of us were a bit nervous and just watched). Check us out having a great time shaking Richard's hand. 

Caption this!

Thanks so much Richard for coming in. It was super awesome to check it out. 

Blogger world - We wonder what you would find the most difficult if you had a bionic hand?

Woodend Camp - Day Two

After a less than great sleep (The teachers only got 4 hours of interrupted sleep! Good thing they work 9-3 and only term time eh?!?), but a delicious breakfast, we headed off on the bus to the new Taiora:QEII facility. There was a lot of excitement ... eeeek a hydroslide and a lazy river!!!

Following our hamburger lunch we got ready for the afternoon's activities; aerojump, climbing wall, archery and rifle shooting.

After all that activity you'd think a rest was in order but no, free time was on offer and so basketball, trampolines, maypole swinging and playground was the order of the day. Luckily dinner was full of colourful veggies and some drumsticks (and a crumble dessert).

Refuelled we headed out into the dark for a game of spotlight and then inside for some of our 'Posted' shared story and then the newspaper challenge. There were many prizes with design awards, special mentions, teamwork awards and the overall winner.

Best Design.

Whew! What a day. The beds were finally calling to all and so everyone settled in for the night and as the Dream Fairy weaved her magic and a hush settled over the camp, the parents and teachers sighed in relief and went to bed.