In Term 1 & 2, our focus in Health and Physical Education has been on helping ākonga (learners) understand their tinana (body), stay safe and build physical skills. Here’s a peek into what Koru Hub has been up to.

This learning area focuses on four main ideas:

• Hauora is a Māori concept of well-being that includes Taha wairua (spiritual well-being), Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional well-being), Taha Tinana (physical well-being) and Taha Whānau (family and social well-being). Each part supports the others.  

• Attitudes and values means having a positive attitude towards your own health, caring for others and the environment, and understanding fairness. 

• The socio-ecological perspective helps us see how individuals, communities, and society are connected. 

• Health promotion is about creating healthy environments and encouraging people to take action for their well-being.

Health: Understanding Ourselves and Staying Safe

Our Year 0-2 ākonga have learnt that they are the boss of their bodies. They’ve learnt important strategies like saying no, moving away, and talking to a trusted adult. They’ve also explored what makes them unique, how they are similar to and different from others, and how families can be different. We’ve started talking about gender roles, helping them understand that roles aren’t tied to gender.

One of the highlights was listening to a story about Elmer. He is a multicoloured elephant who lives happily among a grey herd, and after he tries and fails to hide his true self, he learns that his friends love him for his uniqueness. Our ākonga drew their own Elmer and wrote a short sentence about what made them unique.

Our Year 3 ākonga have gone deeper into understanding unwanted behaviours. They’ve learnt about consent and how to keep themselves and others safe. They’ve also learnt how to stay safe online by creating strong passwords, understanding digital footprints, and knowing what information to keep private. Discussions on gender identity, stereotypes, and roles have helped them understand and respect diversity.

Physical Education: Active Bodies, Active Minds

In Physical Education, our ākonga have had a blast mastering the skills of Ki-o-Rahi, a traditional Māori team game. They’ve honed their basic movement, throwing, and catching skills, while enjoying the cultural richness this game offers.  Our ākonga also trained diligently for the school Cross Country event. Many laps were run, and countless breaths were heard as they aimed to beat their times each week. The determination to spend less time walking (and sometimes talking) and more time running was noticeable.  Then we moved on to hockey, where the students learnt various skills. They practiced holding their sticks correctly and safely while dribbling, pushing and trapping the ball, striking and aiming at a target, and playing as a team.   

Most ākonga participated in swimming lessons this term, and it has been a highlight for many.  Swimming is great for ākonga because it helps them get fit, improve coordination, and build strength. It also boosts their confidence and teaches water safety. Plus, it is a fun way for ākonga to stay active and happy.

Our Health and Physical Education curriculum has helped our students learn about personal safety, consent, and physical skills. Our ākonga are gaining a well-rounded education that supports their physical and emotional well-being.

We’re so proud of their progress and excited to continue this journey of growth and learning!

We’re excited to welcome everyone back, refreshed and ready for the exciting learning adventures in Term 3!

Please click on this link to see photos of Koru being active.