Project Inquiries Around the School

Classes have been wondering about a variety of different subjects at the start of this term. In Nikau the children have already had a visit from Mrs Young’s son and her husband to help them in their ‘forces’ inquiries. They have been gauging the different friction that comes with different surfaces. Also they took the opportunity to test how much power they could create when pedaling. When he rode, Hunter was able to make the equivalent of 3 light bulbs worth of power!

The children loved trying to estimate which position on Dreh’s toy rocket launcher would take the rocket the furthest. There was a lot of discussion about this in class and great excitement to see if their hypothesis was correct.

Kowhai children are still following up leads and wondering about the ocean and the creatures that live there. And in Manuka a child’s questions about the sun led to lots of other questions about the planets and how to get into space. The class is now looking into all things to do with space.

As one of the children’s play based activities linked to this Leo made a rocket.

Harley was very interested to know the names and positions of the planets.

Philip has drawn some amazing meteors hurtling down to earth as part of his illustrations for the class poem.

In both Rimu and Karaka inquiries from last term have led onto wondering about animals. Rimu children started discussing what other creatures there are in the world, besides those that live in the sea. This has led to them looking at classifications of different creatures. From birds, mammals, invertebrates, fish, amphibians to reptiles. They are currently researching what distinctive characteristics make a creature fall into one of these groups.

Karaka children started asking questions about animals after they researched all the different animals that had been to space. This started a journey of studying weird and wild animals and mythological creatures. They have been doing a file of facts about dragons, minibeasts and combining different species to make their own mythological creatures. Here is Skyla’s combination of a rat and bat.

And in Pohutukawa there are the beginnings of high finance skills being developed. The children are trying to make money to fundraise to buy some more ride-on toys for use at playtimes. They are enjoying sorting coins and using them in play and also in class games.

Heading Into Winter With the Usual Illnesses

With Term 2 underway, we’re looking ahead to what might come next – not just from COVID-19 but the upcoming winter season and illnesses that may come with it.

With New Zealanders mostly sheltered from exposure to flu in the last two years, health experts are concerned about our lower immunity to flu. This winter there is the very real possibility of getting the flu and COVID-19 within a short space of time.

As noted on the Ministry of Health website:

• we've had very little influenza circulating in our communities since the pandemic began. This means our community immunity is lower than usual.

• if you or a member of your family do catch flu, it’s important that you stay away from work or keep your child at home if unwell. Look after yourself and your family – rest and fluids are especially important.

• the symptoms of influenza can be the same or similar to the symptoms of COVID-19.

• it’s also important to seek medical advice early if you are concerned, and especially if there are any danger signs, even if you have been seen before. Other serious conditions can also look like the flu, including meningococcal disease.

The Ministry of Health are advising that if you are normally someone who doesn’t bother with the flu vaccine, they strongly encourage you to get your flu vaccination this year and get your whānau up to date with any other vaccinations (for example, measles, whooping cough).

In 2022, flu vaccinations are free for:

· pregnant people

· people aged 65 years and over

· Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and over

· people who have a long-term medical condition like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition (ages 6 months+)

· children under the age of four who have been in hospital with respiratory illness such as asthma.

If you’re not eligible for a free flu jab, and not covered by an employer-funded programme, it costs between $25 and $45 depending on the vaccine and provider.

There is further information about the symptoms and danger signs for flu on the Ministry of Health website. Flu symptoms – Ministry of Health

As always, we want to keep our children here at school as safe as possible from the harms from illness and to have as many learning on site as we can. All those good actions we already have in place to reduce the risk of harm from COVID-19 will also help to prevent seasonal illnesses including:

· staying away if unwell and seeking advice about getting tested

· regularly washing hands

· using well-ventilated spaces

· cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces regularly

· covering coughs and sneezes

Hopefully together, we will keep our community healthy this winter.

Rippa Rugby Tournament

Well done to Phelise, Maurissa, Zoe M, Sophie M, Ashlee, Jack N, Jake M, Rylan, Laitia and Liam for the great skills and sportspersonship they demonstrated on Wednesday at the Year 5 and 6 interschool Rippa Rugby tournament. 

The children participated in 5 games in their group and came away with 3 wins and 2 losses. All their matches were against teams with very similar skill levels so the games were close in scores and took extra effort to push through to a win.

We're proud of their performance.

Ngā mihi,

Tre

If you have any concerns or complaints please click on the link below for the correct procedure to follow:

https://hail.to/winchester-rural-school/article/h5FFK78