Exploring cause and effect, catapult launches, and rising volleyball stars!

What a week it’s been! We’ve launched into our new reading focus: Cause and Effect. The students have been fantastic at identifying how one event can lead to another, both in our texts and in real life – and what better way to explore this than through hands-on learning?

Our catapult challenge was a definite highlight! After building their own catapults, students put them to the test in a friendly competition. There were moments of great strategy, impressive launches, and a lot of excitement as we tested for both distance and accuracy. It was a fun and practical way to see cause and effect in action!

In science, we wrapped up our unit on the Earth’s surface and soil types. The students showed excellent understanding of the differences between soil types and how they impact plant growth and landscapes. With that complete, we’re ready to move into some engaging practical science investigations next week.

We also brought creativity into the classroom through our Matariki star art. Each student decorated a star in their own unique way, contributing to a colourful and meaningful celebration of the Māori New Year.

In Prime Maths, we’ve made steady progress. It’s been great to see students becoming more confident with problem-solving strategies and showing persistence even when faced with tricky tasks.

We’ve also been diving into diary writing, discussing the power of personal voice and reflection. Students are learning how to express thoughts, feelings, and key events in a way that is both clear and heartfelt.

Our class reading of Raider’s Peril continues to keep everyone hooked. The vocab bingo has been a fun addition that helps strengthen understanding while keeping things playful. The students are getting very competitive—and their vocab is improving too!

Finally, our Volleyball Championship has reached Week 7. The girls have truly shone this week, displaying fantastic teamwork and noticeable improvements in skill. The boys bring intensity and raw talent to the court, and with the games becoming more competitive, it's anyone’s championship to win!

As we look ahead, we’re excited for more experiments, more reading adventures, and more learning milestones. Ka pai, Kereru– you’re smashing it!