ADVERTORIAL
During term two, Pārāwai School’s big unit of learning covered Planet Earth & Beyond integrated with Matariki.
Our ākonga/learners developed their literacy, science, arts, maths and matauranga Māori through these varied and wonderful units of learning.
Budding scientists developed critical understandings of our solar system and the many aspects of space, planets, asteroids and everything in between.With the guidance of Dr Korohere Ngāpō, our teachers integrated the kaupapa of Matariki (as it pertains to our Hauraki area) within their teaching and our ākonga/learners shared this with whānau through both their shared digital learning and through the amazing art displays we had in our hall.
Whānau feedback was incredibly positive towards the high standard of work our students displayed for them.
For many of our visitors, the Kapa Haka was a highlight as they showcased Hauraki waiata they have been learning and performing. All of the learning was celebrated with our annual Matariki week at the end of term two.
We had many whānau members attend our final celebration of Matariki to see the awesome art work and enjoy the community hāngi. The hāngi was only possible through the amazing donations of both food and time and the combined efforts of our school community. This highlights our values of Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga and will have a lasting impact on our students showing what can be possible when we come together as a team.
It was a delicious, colourful event.
Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa.
Digital art for community
With Apple resources at our fingertips, we were able to captivate our students’ imagination and knowledge with this hologram activity.
The tamariki, enabled with their own allocated ipad, were able to research, design, measure, develop their geometry skills, animate and produce their own story of the star they had chosen.
All this resulted in an outcome to be proud of – a hologram depicting their interpretation of a Matariki star.
One celebration from our Matariki learning was to present an art piece for the community to admire during our Matariki hākari.
The children were challenged to extend their knowledge and using technology were able to present their work in a new and unique way which encompassed their creativity and knowledge. The everyday access to their ipads enables the learning and integration of key curriculum areas while inclluding the key school values.
Each child has the opportunity to learn and discover components of ipad apps like Keynote and Sketches School while using literacy, maths, colours, patterns, design and animation, to present their individual work.
The options can be limitless.
Matariki – a time to come together to honour the past, but also to embrace the future.
Tino pai Room Pīwaiwaka.
Thanks to Gateway Glass who supplied the perspex for our giant hologram catcher.
“The best part was making my designs and then putting them into my star. It was cool to see it floating. I didn’t think it was going to be that easy!” – Olivia, 9
“I like how realistic it looked and seeing all the people’s faces when they saw them.” – Vaylen, 10
“I think they are really cool because I could use my colours and it was fun doing a new way to make a picture.” – Micah, 8
“Mine was so cool how it changed using the animation from the kauri into a whale and then I got them to go together to make a star.” – Rylee, 9
“My best bit was when the hologram catcher made my star float.” – Jordan, 10
“I was proud [of] how I worked out how to use the keynote animation and was the class expert to help others” – Jett, 9
– By Pīwaiwaka Class
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT PĀRĀWAI SCHOOL?
Kororā class created a mural based around our local Taniwha Ureia. After research and based on stories from our kaumatua, we learnt that Ureia lived in and around Tīkapa Moana (Hauraki Gulf). He is known to have been a shape-shifting taniwha. This is our interpretation of our local taniwha Ureia, a mōkai/pet and beloved guardian of the Hauraki people.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
2024 has seen a substantial increase in International students to Pārāwai School. We love to welcome all of the new students and their whānau into our learning community and it is always fantastic when there are opportunities to share aspects of different cultures and languages with one another. All classrooms at our school have hosted International students this year and it allows our students to experience a whole new culture and practice our school values, especially whānaungatanga and manaakitanga. We have many short stay students and whānau who stay between three and four weeks as well as longer term students who stay for a term or even a year.
STUDENT VOICE
“Hello my name is Ellee and I have been part of the TCDC youth voice for the past 11 months. Every month we have a meeting and talk about what could be better in our town and what can be changed. There are around nine kids that go and they are from three different schools Pārāwai, Matatoki and Pūriri. This program goes onto high school as well. So far we have been brainstorming ideas, walking around the town looking at different art pieces/murals, shops etc, and how we should have a cute space for youth to go and study, eat, listen to music, or just hang out. A place where anyone can come and feel welcome and safe and much more. I’m also excited to continue my journey with youth voice.”
– Ellee Blank, 13
“At Pārāwai School, we have a great programme known to students and teachers as Breakfast Club. Breakfast Club runs on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, and offers free breakfast to all students.
We are lucky to have volunteer parent helpers who do run this for us.
They provide a range of cereals and tinned fruit each day while on the third day, the menu consists mainly of toast, generously offering a variety of toppings.
Every day that Breakfast Club is open, they provide free Milo’s for all the students to enjoy, warming up their throats between mouthfuls of cereal and fruit, and helping wash down their toast.
Pārāwai School Breakfast Club is a wonderful community, great for making sure no students miss their brekkie, and purely making someone’s day with a radiatingly kind smile.”
– Sophia Haakma, 13
“Another amazing activity at Pārāwai School is Epro8.
Epro8 is a competition where groups of four students from across the country compete against each other in engineering challenges including: a toaster that can launch toast more than 2.5 metres into the air, a fully functioning scale, a scaled up version of an old toy and a working air duct.
This year’s Pārāwai team managed to make it all the way to the grand finals doing the challenges mentioned above and managed to place fifth in the whole North Island.
Epro8 is an incredibly entertaining activity for participants and spectators alike.
Epro8 runs once per year from Year 5 all the way up to Year 13.
Along with Epro8 there are still many more activities to do at Pārāwai School, so keep on reading.”
-Alex Atrill, 12
