We're back!

We had a fabulous three days. It was cold and challenging for the students. They had to mix with people they didn't necessarily know very well and work together as a team. We had fun times and fearful times. Everyone took some risks and put aside some fears. Without doubt, the more people put into this experience, the more they will have got out of it.

When all the photos are on the school website I will post more here, but here are a few for now.
(Click on a picture to enlarge it.)

The view from the start of the luge.

Let the fun begin!

Brontzin and Cruz (in a gondola) reflect on their day so far.

Warming up after the mud run.

The view from the base of the abseiling cliff.

Rimu camp 2013 on PhotoPeach

No more sleeps!

We're off to camp tomorrow. Please make sure you have lots of warm clothes, including nylon jackets which will break the wind and keep you just a wee bit warmer. The forecast is for fine but very cold weather and we want you all to stay warm and dry. Please remember to bring goodies for our morning and afternoon teas; cakes, biccies, fruit etc (bought or homemade) will be great. Tomorrow you will need to bring your own morning and afternoon teas,lunch and a drink, in a day pack. See you in the gym at school at 8.15 am, for an 8.45 am getaway! To those of you staying behind - enjoy your classes and please shine as representatives of our class!

Incredible artistry

We're going to camp this week!

I hope you're all getting your gear organised. At this time of year anything could happen with the weather, but hopefully it won't be too cold. Here is a link to Lake's Ranch where we will be staying. We are also going to go to Fairy Springs, or is that Rainbow Springs on Fairy Springs Road? The luge will also be fun and a challenge.

The students who sadly cannot come with us, will be hosted in other classrooms around the school while we are away.

Three more sleeps to go!

Are you an organised learner?

Camp: 29 - 31 May (That's NEXT week!)

Have you: given ALL the camp forms (last term and this term) to your caregivers?
Have you returned any paperwork you needed to return to school?
Have you asked your caregivers to organise payment of as much as possible before we go?
Have you begun organising your gear so you will be ready next week?

In class
Do you have all your stationery? 
Do you have (and wear) the correct uniform, including shoes and socks?
Do you bring your PE uniform on PE days?
Do you organise yourself to do your homework?
Do you return your homework on a Friday?

Remember the behaviours you practise now are the ones you will get really good at doing, so good, that they will become automatic. If you are to grow up to become a reliable staff member or respected boss running your own business; organisational skills will be extremely valuable.

Swim safe babies

If you have a little one, it would be worth investigating this method of swim safe training.

Swim safe babies

Social Intelligence

In his book  'Social Intelligence', Daniel Goleman writes that when we are focused on technology and interacting (meeting and chatting) with people in a virtual world (online), we are not learning to get on with real people, face to face.

Research shows that relating to other people well is good for our health (it lowers heart rates and blood pressure and boosts our immune systems). It's also good for our learning.  People who feel connected and secure are healthier and able to learn more effectively.

What do you think about that?

Marketing - what do you think?

I found it hard to believe this could be true. If it is, what do you think of this company's approach? Fair/ unfair? Would you support them and buy their clothes?

Huffington post article

and here is Ellen de Generes' response to it
 
Ellen responds 

Why do zoo animals need enrichment?

Today the students tried out life as zoo animals, then we discussed how they felt and what they did to entertain themselves. 

Many years ago zoo animals were kept in small concrete pens with nothing to do. In many places zoos have improved a lot, but sadly, for some animals, lives of boredom and stress continue.

Check out these links.
Canadian roadside zoos
Zoo in Riyadh 
6 of the saddest zoos in the world 

On the Circuswatch site is a list of common stereotypical behaviours shown by captive animals.


Why do animals show stereotypies?
"Stereotypic behaviour is defined as a repetitive, invariant (unchanging) behaviour pattern with no obvious goal or function."
Several animals with stereotypies 
Polar bear 
Elephants 

Even our pets can develop stereotypies if we don't give them enough interest and variety in their lives.
Dog 
Dog 2 
Horses 



What is enrichment?

"Ever see a tiger bat a boomer ball? Or an octopus play with a rubber toy? Enrichment - providing stimulating and challenging environments, objects, and activities for animals in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums is as critical to an animal's well-being as having the right food and medical care

Sand, mud, rotting logs, and leaf litter might not seem very exciting to you and me, but for some animals that's the perfect playground! Providing the right environment for animals is crucial. Animals need opportunities to run, jump, pounce, climb, burrow, dive, hunt for food, and explore; to do all of the things that come naturally. Enrichment keeps animals mentally and physically fit."

I hope the students will take the challenge to create an enrichment toy really seriously now and think hard about what they will plan and make for the tiger or parrot at Hamilton Zoo.

Think about this...