Three went to town (on behalf of Rimu)

Three of our School Council members took our class responses into the Botanic Gardens today to lay at the wall where all the flowers have been placed. 

The girls looked and read all that they could in the time that they were there.

They also took a few moments to lie our class items down. They felt very proud that we were able to contribute something that will be shared with the Muslim community. 

Mika, Mia and Julia found the experience very moving saying that they were amazed at how much was there and how fantastic it is that so many people are showing Aroha to the Muslim community. 

Responding and Remembering - Rimu Coloured Friday

On Wednesday in Rimu we took some time to look at and discuss the different positive responses that have been happening around Christchurch and New Zealand in response to the tragedy that happened last Friday. 

We watched footage of high school students lighting candles, singing, doing haka. We saw people laying flowers. We talked about the words we saw on signs and cards, words like Aroha, kindness and unity. 

We then decided what we wanted to do in response. Each student wrote their idea/s on to a post it and put it on the board. And then it was action stations. Here are some photos of what the students produced.

As a whole school, we had Colour Our Day Mufti Day to raise funds for the victim's families. We dressed up in colourful clothing and took some time to write messages of hope and love around our coin trial. 

Mia popped in with her creation before school to leave it with us. She was sick so came in wearing a mask. We thought she showed real commitment to do this while sick. 

Our senior leaders Julia, Parwin and Jedi counted up the money once everyone in the school had put their coins down. 

The YMS community raised a whopping $454.00, the most we've ever raised in the past few years as a school community. We were all very moved by this. 

At 1:20pm the school bell was rung and the whole school headed outside to the court for the 2-minute silence. Rimu class brought out their creations with them and were able to show these to the school. 

We were so impressed at how still and respectful all our students were as we listened to the call to prayer and then stood for 2 minutes. One of our classmates was excited to hear the call because this is what she hears at her own mosque. What a privilege to be able to show our Muslim friends that we care and love them. 

So blogging world: Did you Colour Your Day? Did your school do anything to participate in the movement of Aroha and Unity that happened around the country? Did you create something to share with others?

We can't wait to read your responses.

With Aroha - Rimu @ Yaldhurst

Tuhi Mai Tuhi Atu Love

We received a beautiful surprise yesterday.

Thank you to Ms Stone and Room 4 of Point England School for this lovely gift. It has meant so much to our children and it has helped them to realise that others are thinking of them and that we are all united in the aftermath of the events in Christchurch last Friday.

We in Rimu have spent time this week talking not only about what happened on Friday but about how others have responded to the tragedy. We discussed words like unity, bonds, aroha, kindness, community, support and caring for others. Our children have come up with ways that they can show these things and are now going to take the time to  create their ideas. The main message that they children want all to remember is one of kindness to all. Look after each other.

Kia kaha x

Enthusiastic Readers!!!

Hi everyone,

In the last blog post we talked about how enthusiastic we are about our learning. We also take time in our day to read books. We love the fact that we have a classroom that opens out onto our little field as it means that with the fabulous weather we have been having that we can sit outside to read. We love having this space.

Where is your favourite place to read?

Breaking News: Rimu students want to learn!

Oh my, today in Rimu there was an air excitement. 

We were given the challenge to go and find out about one of three parts of the Human Body; the Skeleton-Muscular System, the Digestive System & the Circulatory System. 

We had 5 minutes and our challenge was to use the books, information or online research to find a minimum of one fact about one of the areas. 

Gosh, the room was electric. People were frantically reading, googling and getting post-its. Sam was on a mission to have at least five post-its up and his friends weren't far behind. The teachers were passing out post-its like they were the latest iPhones. Students were running left, right and centre ... sticking the post-its onto the board. You could cut the excitement with a knife. 

Pretty soon the board looked like this. (Both colours are information we have learnt).

Once we had shared some of the things we learnt about we started to think about what some questions were that we would want to ask about each area. Hands went up like fireworks on Guy Fawkes night. They were given a few minutes to write down some questions they had. Soon the board was lighting up with green post its.

Can you see all our questions? We have so many. 

What kind of questions do you think you would ask?

We are really excited to be learning about the Human Body. We are now writing some questions for ourselves so we can begin our own personal inquiries. We are so looking forward to finding out more about our chosen area. 

Alberto Who?

As part of our Super Hero Project, Year 5 and 6 are sculpting their own Super Heroes in the style of Alberto Giacometti. Now I know you are thinking, "Who is this Alberto person?"

Alberto Giacometti was a Swiss sculptor who was born in 1901. He has a very distinctive style. Have a look at some of his sculptures on this slide and see if you can identify what things his sculptures have in common.



To make our Super Heroes we are using pipe cleaners and tin foil. We are using videos to help us remember how to make the different parts. We have only just started but we are enjoying what we are doing. Most of us hope to finish next week. Here we are at work:

We can't wait to show you are finished pieces.

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?