Peka Peka was a hive of activity for week 1. Developing an understanding of our learning areas and our physical environment has been our main focus.

On Terei (Tuesday) we observed with pride our Year 0's from 2022 step up to Year 1's as they became our new tuakana (leaders) within our space. They demonstrated how to be 'learning friends' as our new tamariki accepted the challenge to be ACT-ive learners in their new environment. We warmly welcome Xavier Hickman, Lulu Bowler, Finn Jones, Everly Shiefer, Landon Potter, Ezra McNally-Davis, Athena Birch, Theodore Zelinskii, Ada Trethowen, and Moby Bray who have been busy transitioning this week. We are excited to have you and your whānau join our Peka Peka team! 

MNP: We started the first week as we intend to go on, by tackling our first 2 lessons of Maths No Problem. We are matching objects, determining similarities and differences, and function. Ask your child to match 5 objects at home that match by function. Eg: knife and fork or helmet and bike. See if they can be creators and think of some interesting pairs!

Structured Literacy: We finished the week by testing all of our new tamariki. This has allowed us to accurately group them into ability groups in preparation for kick-off next week. We are planning on running rotations from the beginning of Term 1 in order to really extend the tamariki concentration and literacy knowledge. We are really excited to be setting up high expectations. 

INQUIRY: We have been busy getting to know each other, making connections, and learning about what Waitangi day is and how it is significant to us. We delve deeper into New Zealand history throughout the term, complemented by developing an understanding of who we are, and where we come from, tapping into SDG 10: reducing inequality. 

PE: We are starting off the year really challenging our physical abilities by running a Perceptual Motor Programme. This will focus on upper body strength, balance, cross-patterning, and locomotor skills. Research proves that these physical skills are a prerequisite for teaching your child how to learn and understanding how to be the best learner they can be. 

We returned to find our butterfly garden bursting with flowers and our Budlias in desperate need of deadheading. Fred, Isla, Aiden, Hugo B, and Frankie took on this role as Kaitiaki to ensure our butterflies could find the new flowers with ease. We have also noticed our Swan plants have been demolished by our very hungry caterpillars. We would be grateful for some new plants to continue this learning for Term 1.

On a Friday we will have a VIP from each homeroom who the kaiako will choose. The VIP will take home a team mascot which will go on adventures which will be documented with photos. These will be shared on Monday and as a group we will carry out a shared writing experience, demonstrating foundational writing skills.

Please remember:

-2.45pm pick up on a Friday

-Drink bottles every day

-Hats are compulsary; you can buy these at the office

-Please ensure all items are named so we can rehome these

-Sunblock to be put on in the morning at home, we encourage the children to apply sunblock at lunch time

-Shoes that the children can take on and off themselves to develop independance

-We have a no toy policy here at Pegasus Bay

We are looking forward to another week of learning! Enjoy the long weekend and we will see you on Tuesday.

Arohanui,

Juanita, Penny, Ella, Alison, and Sally