Hōpara 2021

  Kia ora Te Whānau! This week our focus has been Science and Digital Technology! Our Core Learning maths and Literacy honed in on Basic Facts, Place value, and practicing simple, compound and complex sentences. In Science we have explored how to carry out an investigation as a fair test by answering the question “Who has the most powerful projectile?”  The children had amazing ideas for how to measure this, and the ones we used were how far a projectile could push back a mini skateboard and increasing the weight of a cup using water. The students, as investigators, needed careful measuring and attention to the method so each test followed the same conditions. We analysed the data and graphed the results. The great thing about Science is that it also addresses maths and literacy because we needed to learn how to write a method, measure with care, and graph data. We also had our first Scratch coding sessions for 2021. All students now have their own Scratch accounts using their...

Kia ora e te Whānau!  Firstly, thank you to all of the parents who helped with the Triathlon, we couldn't have done it without you! It was so pleasing to see all Hōpara students getting out there and giving it their best shot! Below I have attached some photos of the day!  In P4C thi s week we watched a video about  Isle de jean Charles - This short documentary profiles residents of the Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana, as they confront a future threatened by sinking shorelines and rising seas (we have attached the video for you to watch at home). Whilst watching the children had to note down as many "themes or concepts" and any initial questions they may have had. From here we will explore one of these questions further. Here are some of the questions the children came up with.... Is our future determined by environmental change?  Can environmental change cause loss of culture?  How is a home without culture?  Is loss just fear of change? How does enviro...

Kia ora Parents/Caregivers  Please see attached a table indicating whether your child will be entering the Triathlon as an individual or in a team. Nick will be available from 8.30am Wednesday morning to check bikes to ensure they are safe/road worthy.  The new day for Triathlon is this FRIDAY 26TH MARCH Thanks Ashley and Nick 

 Kia ora e te Whānau Week 7 has been very settled in Hōpara and we have all thoroughly enjoyed getting back into "normal" routine! Core-learning has been full steam ahead this week and all students have been trying exceptionally hard to get their weekly tasks completed to their best ability. This week we began our inquiry, our main goal at the moment is developing quality philosophical questions based on a text or stimulus. Below I have shared some of the questions shared in connection to "The Giving Tree". We have also been training hard for our school triathlon next week, students can either enter individually or on their own.  Wonderings from the Giving Tree Why was the boy rude to the tree? Why do you think the tree was kind of happy? Why did the boy stop coming to the tree? Why did the tree like the boy so much? Closed What is the criteria for being happy? Why is the tree always wanting to give himself to the boy?  Can the boy give something back to the tree?  ...

Kia ora e te whānau!  Wow what another massive week in Hōpara! On Tuesday we visited Baynons Brake to assist Ecan in replanting a bare piece of land and learn about some local birds and seeds. We were lucky that they cooked up some yummy sausages...this went down a treat! On Thursday we visited Tuahiwi Marae, we got formally welcomed onto the Marae with a Porwhiri, we shared our mihi mihi and learnt about the Kaiapoi Pa and its significance. We also had our inquiry launch day, the students got to be creative in small groups whilst completing a marshmallow challenge. I have added our pondering/wondering questions after the experience.  Hōpara Wonderings..... How many resources do I need to be creative?  Does creativity have a limit?  Can something inspirational be small? Can you be wrong and still be creating?  How far do creators go? How do the most famous creators get their inspiration?  Does my creativity influence others' creativity?  Do you need in...

Week 5 On Tuesday we had Clarkville senior swimming sports, We were impressed with the level of participation and positive attitudes in Hopara. This week Hopara has been practising for our Marea visit by learning our Mihi's and working on our Waiata.  If you have the opportunity It would be wonderful for your child to show you their progress with their mihi and waiata. The children will need to bring along a gold coin koha for the Marae trip. Waiata to practice for marae We have also been working on our Gala stalls. The groups have taken time to develop a better understanding of how each stall is going to run and making signs. Week 6  Trips Next week Hōpara will be attending two class trips.  Baynon's Brake is on Tuesday which is in  support of our work in the local community as an Enviroschool.  The second trip is to Tuahiwi Marae.on Thursday.  Both trips will last all day so your child will need a good lunch and a water bottle. Gala The Gala is next ...