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Photo by Leoni Combrink

Hagley Preschool news

Jocelyn Wright —

Tēnā koutou katoa. This term we have welcomed six tamariki (children) and families from Eritrea into the preschool.

The preschool teachers and children have enjoyed learning about Eritrea and some new words to say in Tigrinya, such as 'Selam' for hello and 'Merhaba' for welcome. There is always a hum of activity in the preschool playground during the day, even on the colder winter days. Recently we noticed birds coming into the playground looking for food so children have been busy making birdfeeders to hang in the trees. When we come inside we can stand by the windows to watch the birds eating. We have spotted different kinds of birds such as: piwakawaka (fantail), tauhou (wax eye), yellowhammer, sparrows, chaffinches, and blackbirds. Finding out about the natural world and taking part in caring for this place are important learning outcomes in our New Zealand early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki. Now we are looking forward to Spring when we can get busy in our vegetable garden again. We are beginning to write lists of the vegetables we want to plant and eat!