Healthy Munchie

Did you know Ardgowan School promotes a healthy lifestyle in many ways? We study Keeping it Green weekly, which is about sustainability, growing produce and eating a well balanced diet, we also fund Activator session where professionals come in to school and supplement our Physical Education programme. But one of the children's favourite times of the day, is Fitness and Healthy Munchie. Each day at 10am children head out onto the playground to get a quick 10 mins of exercise. It provides an excellent brain break and we come back into class ready and refreshed. After Fitness we have Healthy Munchie, this is a calming time when children select a fruit or vegetable from their lunch box to eat while they enjoy a story.

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Easter Treats

We made chocolate Easter nests.

You will need:

• Melting chocolate
• Cornflakes
• Golden Syrup
• Mini eggs
• Muffin cases

First squeeze the golden syrup into the bowl

Next spoon in the cornflakes

Add in the melted chocolate and mix to combine

Spoon into the muffin cases and top with some mini eggs

Chill in the fridge and enjoy! 

Taha Whanau

Our Maori Topic this term is Hauora. This is the Maori Philospohy of health and well- being. There are 4 dimensions of Hauora; Taha Tinana, Taha Hinengaro, Taha, Whanau and Taha Wairua.

Taha tinana - Physical well-being

the physical body, its growth, development, and ability to move, and ways of caring for it

Taha hinengaro - Mental and emotional well-being

coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings and responding constructively

Taha whanau - Social well-being

family relationships, friendships, and other interpersonal relationships; feelings of belonging, compassion, and caring; and social support

Taha wairua - Spiritual well-being

the values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals and communities, spiritual well- being is linked to a particular religion; for others, it is not.)

Each of the four dimensions supports each other. 

As part of Exploring Taha Tinana we looked at the people who celebrate and support us. Using natural materials we create some unique family tree portraits. 

Activator

We love having Youth Town come in on Fridays to do Activator. Our sessions are always energetic and fun. We have been developing skills in co-ordination, cooperation, balance, flexibility, agility and sportsmanship. 

Youth Town Values

Belonging (Turungawaewae)

They build positive relationships that includes and respects others.

Mastery (Tohungatanga) They are motivated to develop their abilities through learning, sharing and refining skills. 

Independence (Mana Motuhake)

They take responsibility for their choices, behaviour and the consequences these generate.

Generosity (Manaakitanga)

They show kindness, caring and compassion to others, and are willing to share and contribute.

Harold and the Life Education Trust

We were super lucky to have Harold and the Life Education Trust visit us this week. For all of us this was our first ever time in the bus and meeting Harold the Giraffe. We had 3 sessions that were based around how to be a good friend and recognising and responding to our emotions.

Life Education is a charity that educates and empowers children to make healthy choices so they can live full and healthy lives.

Junior Swimming Sports

Last week we had our Junior Swimming Sports. The children participated in a rotation of activities that practiced new skills learnt at our lessons all the while having fun in the water with our friends.

Junior Assembly

Last Friday was junior assembly. It is an opportunity for the children to share some of their best work with parents and the rest of the school. It is also an opportunity to celebrate our stars of the week and any other achievements worthy of a certificate. Our room 6 children decided to share their little versions of themselves that we made during our pre-school transition programme and also the goals they have set for themselves this year as part of our 'Best the best you can be' topic.

Goal setting for children is important because it gives them a sense of purpose that can improve their confidence and build their self-esteem. It also helps them to focus and make better decisions.

Swimming Term 1

During the first 2 weeks of school this term, all the children traveled down to the Oamaru Aquatic centre to participate in swimming lessons. Each child was placed in a group and over the hour session that had a half hour lesson and an opportunity to practice their skills through play.

Swimming is part of the curriculum and is another way we can be active whilst learning about water safety

The skills we developed were:

• Water confidence
• Swimming technique
• Water safety
• Endurance and fitness

Here is a video about swim safety in the pool and ocean.

Enjoying practicing our skills

Learning safe water entry

Swimming lessons

Pancake Day

We started our day today learning all about why we have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, how people use up ingredients in their cupboards ready for Lent. Then we sang our pancake song to remind us what ingredients we needed to make the pancake batter. We also learnt about how different countries eat their pancakes. 

Following the recipe, we worked together to make the batter ready to cook. We were very skillful (and careful) at flipping our pancakes.We had some very full bellies and some very jealous children from other classes that had caught a whiff.

Ardgowan School, where learners grow!

Welcome back to those who have rejoined from last year and a big welcome to those who are new this year. Some of you may have noticed a few changes from last year, the main one being the addition of a new wall to divide the year 1 classrooms. It is going to be great for the children to have their own space as well as the quiet that comes with it. This year we have started with a lovely class size of 7 and expect to only grow to 14 between now and July.

This term we have lots of fun things to look forward to and lots of opportunities to share our learning with families. The best part about this age group is the growth you can expect to see in your child's abilities. Each day they'll learn and develop and will be reading and writing in no time. I look forward to supporting your child in their learning journeys this year.

Tracking our growth.