Rimu took second place in Jump Jam!

They looked amazing and they performed fantastically! Whaea Karyn and her squad can feel really proud of themselves. Totara won and Kahikatea were third, but any of these teams would have made worthy winners! Hopefully there will be some pictures which I can put on here. Sadly I didn't take any :(.

First night of conferences

Thanks so much to the families who came along to conferences. I hope to see more families on Thursday.  Remember it's Jump Jam tomorrow. Students - you need to wear your uniform to school, but bring orange gear to put on to support your team!

Conferences

This is the last week of term. Reports went home on Friday and goal setting conferences start tomorrow. Students go home at 1.25 pm tomorrow and conferences start at 2 pm. On Thursday, students leave at the normal time. Your child does not have to be in their uniform for the conference.

The following are the times I have booked for you. If you can't make your time, come at a different time, but please make it before 5.45pm on Tuesday or between 4.45 pm and 6.45pm on Thursday. See the timetable below for free times. 

If you come at a time that is not free, there may be others in the class. This is fine. Your student can lead the conference and I will be available for discussion - you will just have to share my attention with others! If we stick to the timetable below, you can talk to me as much as you like during your time, however, your child must set their own goal.

Please talk to them about something exact that they need to work on, not just something general like 'Try harder' or 'Have a positive attitude.' Describe exactly what they need to do e.g. learn 9 x tables, bring PE gear each day, wear correct shoes, do homework each week, raising hand rather than yelling out etc.

Technology teachers will also be available at school during conference times. Check out the Art room for the arts team. Mrs Harper, Mr Nixon and  Mrs J will probably be in their rooms. (You'll have to check up on that!)

Tuesday 9th July
2 pm Monet                                       2.15 pm Amanda       
2.30 pm  was Alexus is now free         2.45 pm Daniel      
3.00 pm  Zinzan                                  3.15 pm Ranui           
3.30 pm was Kaitlin now free              3.45 pm  Chloe
4.00 pm Brydie and Alexus                 4.15 pm  Devontae             
4.30 pm Josh                                      4.45 pm free         
5.00 pm was Aliyah now free              5.15 pm Titan
5.30 pm Tallis                                     5.45 pm Rhylee (final conference)


Thursday 11th July
3 pm Jessika      (After this I am going home to let my dogs out of their runs and  won't be back until 4.45 pm)            
4.45 pm   Danny       5.00 pm free              
5.15 pm Patricia        5.30 pm Summer
5.45 pm Devon         6.00 pm free              
6.15 pm Seth            6.30 pm Brontzin
6.45 pm Emily   (final conference)

Wasting food

This makes interesting reading  Waste not, want not.

It amazes me how much perfectly good food gets tossed in our classroom bins, so I wasn't surprised to read:

*At least a third of the food produced in the world is wasted.

*About a quarter of the water people use, goes on food nobody eats.

We can all make a difference and change our buying and eating habits.

Save the bees

"25,000 bumblebees were found dead in a Target parking lot in Oregon this week. The culprit was pesticide.

Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/16U9yPL

Bees are critical pollinators of fruits and vegetables, yet year after year their numbers are declining. That's why the Center and our allies are suing the EPA to force the agency to do its job and protect wildlife and human health from pesticides. Read about our suit here: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2013/pesticides-06-06-2013.html  "

This info came from the  Center for Biological Diversity  .

Enrichment idea for children

Hey there, you Critical Explorers...how does this change how you feel about where you live? What sort of things do you think you could use to make instruments?

Parrot enrichment ideas

It's time to be planning and making the model of your idea for the enrichment activity for the zoo animals.

BP Enrichment challenge

"Remember, these are animals that would spend hours every day in the wild searching for food, flying, raising young, or watching out for predators. " says the author of  Enrichment activities . You can find more ideas in the  Activity book

Many of these links are for pet birds. You can still use ideas to make bigger, stronger toys for the bigger Australian parrots.

Parrot enrichment blog

Parrot enrichment blog 2

Unlikely objects

Toys for sale

Here is the link for this photo  Hot day activity
 
You could also do a web search of images or websites which show enrichment activities.

Tiger enrichment ideas

It's time to be planning and making the model of your idea for the enrichment activity for the zoo animals.

BP Enrichment challenge

Your aim is to think about the animal's natural behaviours and do something to encourage them to behave in a way they might in the wild. You could  use unusual, but safe items of food, or present food in different ways. You could use different objects and scents (smells).


















Bubbles for cubs  (not really suitable enrichment for an adult, but cute!)

Check out these links for ideas.

You can't directly copy them - but see if you can modify (change) the idea a bit to make it work for you.

See  Big Cat Rescue .  Scroll down the page using the headings to find topics.

Tiger ball

Iceberg

Tug toy

Problem solving

Birthday sack

You could also do a web search for images or web pages with tiger enrichment ideas.

Amazing Honey and Bees

 If you belong to Facebook, check this out -  Amazing Honey .

Drowning doesn't look like drowning

"There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the No. 2 cause of accidental death in children, ages 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents)-of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult.

In some of those drownings, the adult will actually watch the child do it, having no idea it is happening. Drowning does not look like drowning" 

Please read this and learn the signs to watch for when someone is drowning .

It may save someone's life!