This is what we've been doing this term.

We're not quite sure how much info comes home. Perhaps you could test your tamariki on what they've done this term.

We have had a positive start to 2026 in Pōhutukawa Hub. It has been wonderful to observe the new ākonga settle in and get used to how things are run differently from Koru Hub. Our returning ākonga have been fabulous in supporting them. We focused on whanaungatanga (building relationships) while cementing routines and expectations. The hope is that in Term 2, ākonga feel like they belong in this hub and are more comfortable with what’s expected of them for their learning.

Our Inquiry focus this term has been on forces in the world, including Sir Isaac Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion. Through several short experiments, ākonga found out about inertia, acceleration, reaction, gravity, and friction. For example, making ramps and observing how fast and how far objects move has been fun and thought-provoking for the ākonga. The highlight would have to be the balloon car challenge, which many of you would have experienced at home.

Alongside this, we have explored how scientists follow a particular process to build their knowledge. Perhaps ask your tamariki about the parts of the Amesbury Scientific Method that they did in each experiment. This inquiry continues into the first half of Term 2, and ākonga will have the opportunity to create something that demonstrates their understanding of Newton’s Laws. Get your thinking caps on over the holidays.

In Maths, kaiako have been attending training sessions on the new maths curriculum while teaching this in class. In addition to number knowledge, strategies, and rich problem solving, ākonga have been learning how to measure many things in different ways, such as length, duration, mass, volume, and capacity.

In Literacy, we started reading and writing about ourselves and others. Later on, we learnt how to write persuasively. The dog walking machine was a particular favourite for ākonga. It was a joy to listen to ākonga in the hub give their speeches to their kaiako and peers, and some did this for the speech competition too.

Our new Garden to Table Badge Awards have been enthusiastically taken up by ākonga and kaiako alike. Herbs and veggies are growing around the school, artwork is developing, and ākonga have been learning about foods from different cultures. We love receiving photos and descriptions of what ākonga have been doing at home to earn the points. Please note that we have extended the Term 1 badge deadline until the end of Week 3 of next term.

While the weather hasn’t been the best, from the start of the year, ākonga have been out and about on their bikes, thanks in part to the Pedal Ready programme for the Year 5s & 6s. There have been cricket and football games going on, along with various made-up play. Our ākonga have loved using the sandpit and enjoy helping out the Year 0s and 1s when it’s wet outside. Further afield, ākonga have taken part in Northern Zone cricket and football festivals. (The school cross-country is coming up early in Term 2, and we will have swimming lessons too.) Inside, the co-curricular lessons have continued. It is awesome to see so many ākonga enjoying their music, dance, drama, and gymnastics, etc.

We hope that you and your whānau have a lovely long Easter weekend, and that the tamariki get a good break. We look forward to seeing them refreshed and ready to go on the first day back, when we are off to a science roadshow.

The Pōhutukawa Team