It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of another busy term! Term 2 has been filled with rich learning, strong connections, and plenty of moments where our ākonga have shown curiosity, resilience, and kindness.

Below is a snapshot of some of our learning and experiences this term.

🌱 Garden to Table – Tuakana/Teina

Our Friday afternoons continue to be a special time as our ākonga come together in their tuakana/teina groups. Our buddy whānau groups are: Aleesha & Gar Kee, Angela & Brydon, Hannah & Kate, Lauren & Charlotte, Sophia & Sarah, and Wee Ai & Rupert.

These sessions are all about building strong relationships while working together through our Garden to Table programme.

Throughout the year, they will continue to explore a range of areas including growing and harvesting, preparing and sharing food, caring for the environment, community involvement, artistic expression, science, technology, and cultural diversity. So far, each group has completed one area of interest and are now well underway with their second.

Our goal is to encourage tamariki to play an active role in their communities, at home, and at school. It has been wonderful to see the way they support one another, share ideas, and celebrate each other’s successes along the way.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the take-home challenges and sent in photos of learning at home. If you haven’t had a chance yet, there is still plenty of time. Every completed challenge earns points towards your child’s Garden to Table badge, so keep them coming.

🎉 Share & Celebrate – Tuakana/Teina

Another exciting highlight this term has been our fortnightly Share & Celebrate assemblies.

Working alongside their tuakana/teina groups, our ākonga have been planning and presenting these assemblies from start to finish. We have seen tamariki stepping into roles they might not usually choose like creating slides, writing scripts, speaking in front of the whole school, sharing their learning, and leading waiata and dance.

It has been fantastic to see their confidence grow as they take ownership of these experiences and support one another along the way.

🏊 Swimming

Swimming has once again been a highlight this term, with ākonga making fantastic progress across all levels.

Our hub had swimmers ranging from Starfish (building confidence in the water and becoming comfortable with putting their heads under the water) through to Whales (developing breathing techniques and swimming longer distances with skill and confidence).

A real highlight was our final lesson, focused on water safety. Our ākonga learnt about the importance of life vests and experienced how they help us float safely in the water. Many had to trust their life vest to keep them afloat while floating in the pool. We finished with a boat activity where ākonga climbed aboard and practised what to do if they unexpectedly fell into the water. It was a fun, memorable session with an important safety message.

We hope you enjoy these pictures.

🌟 Final thoughts

We are so proud of the way our ākonga continue to grow, not just academically, but as kind, confident, and connected members of our Koru Hub whānau.

With Matariki approaching, we also hope you take time to reflect on the three important principles:

Matariki Hunga Nui - Remembrance

Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.

Matariki Ahunga Nui -Celebrating the Present

Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.

Matariki Manako Nui - Looking to the Future

Looking forward to the promise of a new year.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

Team Koru