Special Visitors to ROPS

Today three very special visitors arrived at our School. They have come from the Education Review Office to see all the wonderful teaching and learning at Royal Oak Primary School. Our visitors are here with us for the week and we hope they have a wonderful time meeting and seeing all our clever children.

This morning the school welcomed them with a Powhiri:

RIPPA RUGBY

Rippa Rugby is the new game for primary schools. It is a very safe, non-contact, easy to play game for both boys and girls alike. Best of all it's fun and exciting for all involved.

While the rules are simple and the game easy to learn, Rippa Rugby will promote excellent ball handling and running skills, and give all kids a chance to participate in our national game.

The New Zealand Rugby Union is proud to recommend Rippa Rugby and we are sure it will give the kids in your school a fun safe and enjoyable sporting experience.

The above was taken directly from the following website: http://www.nzrugby.co.nz/small_blacks/rippa_rugby

All Year 1 and 2 classes have participated in two Rippa Rugby sessions this week. Ask them about it today!

FLYING AROUND THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

Today we participated in our 4th travel date for 'Flying around the Junior School'. Things can get quite busy with boarding the planes, air traffic control and passport checking! So today Mrs Tataurangi stopped by a few of the 'airports' and helped at immigration. She was certainly making sure the travellers had the correct details on their passports before allowing them through to that country! Here are photos of her stamping some passports. Next Thursday is our final planned day of travel, catch you then!

Year 6 Camp this week

Today the Year 6 students left for camp- we walked out to the front of the school to wave them off they all looked very excited!! We hope you have a wonderful time away Year 6!!!

Flying Around the Junior School

Year 1 & 2 children are currently learning about NZ, what it means to be a NZer and all the different cultures that make up a 'Kiwi' today. To do this we wanted to explore some of these NZ Cultures that make up our country and our school community. So each of the Year 1 & 2 teachers selected a country/ ethnicity reflected in our community to share with the children. The children then created their own 'passports' and prepared to 'fly around the junior school'.

Over four Thursday afternoons the children will visit 9 different destinations and receive a stamp in their passport for each one. As you can imagine this has been extremely exciting!! The children have already 'travelled' to 4 countries and participated in dance, song, art, learning greetings/counting etc and looking at native dress and artefact's.

Attached to this post is an example of children visiting one destination- China. Here they looked at dress, lanterns, books, posters, watched a traditional Chinese dance, learnt about the flag, capital city and greeting and attempted to use chopsticks!

Te Reo with Whaea Hardie Boys

Over the the next couple of terms all children at Royal Oak Primary School will be participating in a Te Reo programme with Mrs Hardie Boys and Miss Sowerby. This takes place in the 'Whare Kura' or School house. currently situated in Room 2.

The Year 1 & 2 classes have a session every second Wednesday with Whaea Hardie Boys and during this time they learn greetings and phrases, dances and songs, names of things and other classroom activities. We are so lucky to have these teachers- what a valuable resource!

Kia Ora!

Red and Black Day!

Today the whole school came dressed in Red and Black and brought along a gold coin donation. This was all to support the people (and schools) effected by the devastating earthquake in Christchurch on the 22nd of February. It was amazing to see everyone showing their love and support for Christchurch by wearing their red and black. Altogether we raised over $2,000 and our wonderful board matched our contribution taking us up to $4,584.60!!!!

Well done Royal Oak Primary- I am sure Christchurch will really appreciate your efforts!