It has been a big year in Team Kea! 2021 saw the combination of two classes, being taught collaboratively by two teachers.

The focus in Team Kea this year was on working together and building relationships with peers and staff. Being part of a large group meant students developed personal skills in empathy, understanding, cooperation, belonging and tolerance.

In the first half of the year we enjoyed exploring walking tracks around Christchurch, earning our Kiwi Guardians medals by finding code words at special Department Of Conservation sites.

We continued developing literacy and numeracy through classroom programmes that focused on building real life skills such as reading social sight words, time, money, form filling, following recipes, measurement and being able to make choices. 

A focus has also been on developing independence and living skills. Students have learnt how to work in the kitchen and clean up after themselves.

Team Kea were faced with the unexpected challenge of having to move to a new classroom site in Term 3. Students have embraced their new location and are enjoying the space and environment that they have made their own.

Team Kea students have reflected on their year and their thoughts are below:

I love the hedgehog toy in Team Kea. I enjoyed lots of birthdays and making spaghetti and cheese toasties. I liked the outings to the playground and the park. Hugo

My favourite things to do with my friends is chatting with them and checking if they are ok or not. The two amazing teachers in Team Kea are the best teachers I could ever have. I like everything in Team Kea. Levi

Team Kea is a good place to be because if we get lucky it's quiet. I remember going to sleep in the beanbags. I liked going for a drive in Level 2 because I got to sleep. Abbie-Rose 

I like lego and van. Zoe

The year in Team Kea has been good because I get to play with lego every day and build stuff. I get to do writing and drawing and lots of fun art and craft every day. I like playing outside on the trampoline and the swing. I like hanging out with the lego and having lunch too. Pamoana

I have enjoyed doing exercise and running. Team Kea was excellent and I like being part of our English group. I like doing maths and I like bouncing on the trampoline. I like going to the playground because the playground is my favourite place to go. We do some work in Team Kea and fold the paper. Solomon

I enjoyed going on drives and sharing my speech. I enjoyed going to the playground and talking to people. My favourite memory is celebrating birthdays. This year I have learnt to be nice. I enjoyed riding the bikes on the bike track, doing ceroc and doing sport. Adi

This year we have had quite a bit of an adventure in Team Kea. I've enjoyed the staff who are here to keep us safe and healthy and I'm excited for a new chapter. I enjoyed the trip to McDonald's because I enjoyed being able to order what I want at the counter. I have also enjoyed work skills so that I am able to become a bit more independent for when I am able to go to TEC.  Rohan

I like scooter and lego. I like going to McDonald's. I like the race and the swimming. I help my friends. George

Team Kea is fun because of the toys in the trough. My favourite thing is the swing. I am sad the swing is broken.  I feel happy when we go to the park. Olivia

I like the slime in Team Kea. We go to the playground and I like the seesaw. Nicole

Team Kea is pretty great because I love lego hero factory. I enjoyed the playgrounds. The Groynes was my favourite because of the spinning thing. When covid ends I want to go there again. I like being in Team Kea because it's pretty good. The end. Joshua

I will always remember Levi and my friend Lockie. I enjoyed Chromebooks and learning how to be in society. I have just been enjoying life and I like being here at Kendal. Also, my favourite part was jumping in the sand. Sometimes I be mischief and skip school. I want to stay with my family. Kingston

I like walks and playdough. I like Olivia and movies. Charlotte

We would like to thank our Teacher Assistants (Megan, Wayne, Shaye and Aaron) for their dedication to Team Kea and their support in the classroom with our teaching programmes. We know that this year had many challenges for everyone and we appreciate all that you do for our students! For those students and staff who are moving on to new classrooms in 2022, we wish you all the best for the new year ahead and hope that you will approach it with the same enthusiasm you showed in Team Kea.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. We look forward to new adventures in 2022.

Caryn Marnewick and Megan Poultney