🎶 A Symphony of Learning: Our EOTC Trip to the Manukau Symphony Orchestra 🎻

This year, we went on a very special EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) trip to visit the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. It was an amazing experience for all of us!

When we arrived, we saw lots of different musical instruments on stage—violins, flutes, drums, and many more. The musicians were getting ready, and we could feel the excitement in the air.

One of the best parts of the day was when Suzie Duffy read storybooks out loud, and the orchestra played music to match the stories. As she read, the music helped us feel the emotions and imagine what was happening. When the story was exciting, the music was loud and fast. When the story was calm, the music was soft and gentle. It was mesmerising to watch how the orchestra brought the story to life with sound. It felt like we were inside the story!

The musicians also showed us their instruments and explained how they make different sounds. The children loved learning how each instrument works and how they all play together as a team to make beautiful music.

After we came back to school, the tamariki were full of excitement! They talked about their favourite instruments, the stories, and how cool it was to hear music and reading come together. Some even tried making music of their own in class!

We are so thankful to the Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Suzie Duffy for such a fun and inspiring day. It was a wonderful way to learn about music, storytelling, and working together.

What a magical trip it was—one we will always remember!

A Heartwarming Eid Celebration with Taha’s Whānau

On the 1st of April, Mrs. virk had the special privilege of being invited by Taha and his family to celebrate Eid together. Alongside Whaea Anne and Whaea Pooja, we visited their home. From the moment we arrived, the welcome and hospitality shown by the family were beyond words.

I genuinely felt a deep sense of whānau – like being part of their extended family. It was heartwarming to connect with Taha’s family in such a meaningful way, sharing stories, laughter, and delicious food. Taha was absolutely thrilled to have his teachers visit his home. The joy on his face was unforgettable, and it reminded me of the strong bonds we build with our learners and their families.

It was a beautiful reminder of how powerful community and cultural connections can be in shaping a child’s sense of belonging.

Amazing Enthusiasm!

 Room 6 showed that learning doesn’t stop on Fridays! Instead of relaxing, they came to class excited and ready to learn. They showed great enthusiasm, which means having a lot of interest and energy for what you’re doing.  They kept up the energy and worked hard all week. Well done, Room 6 – I’m so proud of how eager you were to learn, even on a Friday! Keep it up! 🌟

Maths Wizard Compettition

Get ready to showcase your math skills! The Maths Wizard Competition is just around the corner, and we encourage you to participate. To help you prepare, we’ve provided a Maths Practice Sheet. Make sure to practice and get comfortable with the questions before the big day!

All the important details about the competition, including the date and the rules, can be found in the brochure. Take a moment to read through it with your parents or guardians to make sure you’re all set.

We believe in you, and your hard work will help you perform your best. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask – we’re here to help!

Good luck, and may the best mathematician win!

https://sites.google.com/homai.school.nz/room6/maths

Celebrating Te Pou Tuarongo’s First Birthday

Today, we celebrated the first birthday of Te Pou Tuarongo, the new building that opened last year. As Matua  Awa said, it’s more than just a building – it’s a space for collaborative learning and innovation, where all students are welcomed to grow and learn together.

After the event, each class enjoyed cake, and in Room 6, the students sang the Happy Birthday song to honor the building. It was a fun and joyful way to wrap up the celebration.

We are reminded of the whakatauki:
“E tupu te rongo, e rongo te tupu.”
(As the knowledge grows, so does the world.)

Te Pou Torongo continues to be a space where knowledge and creativity flourish, and we look forward to many more years of learning and growth in this special space. Happy birthday, Te Pou Tuarongo!

“Room 6’s Swimming Safety: Making a Splash with Confidence!” 🏊‍♀️💦

This Friday, Room 6 had an exciting second swimming session of the term, where we focused on learning how to enter and exit the water safely. With the guidance of Mrs. Virk, we practiced sitting on the poolside, placing one hand on the edge, jumping in with a quarter turn, and bending our knees when our feet touched the pool floor. This method ensures a safe, controlled entry and reduces the chance of slipping. It also helps us handle the depth of the water more confidently. This lesson tied into our Personal Health and Physical Development strand, promoting body care and physical safety while participating in outdoor activities. Room 6 is growing more confident in the water and ready for more swimming fun! 🏊‍♂️💦

Cybersmart Learning with Whaea Maria: Exploring Apps and Tools” 📱📸

 

On Friday, during our second session with Whaea Maria, we learned how to be cybersmart in Room 6. We explored different apps and tools on our iPads 📱. Whaea Maria showed us how to use the Camera app to take photos 📸, and we practiced by clicking pictures of different geometric shapes 🔺🔵. We also learned how to crop the photos to adjust their size ✂️.

Afterward, Whaea Maria taught us how to find the photos in the Photos app 🖼️, which was really helpful. Mrs. Virk and Whaea Maria also assisted us in scanning a QR code, which allowed us to download our class site 📚. Once we had the class site, Whaea Maria showed us how to add it to the home screen of our iPads, so we could easily access it in the future 🏠.

It was a really good learning experience, and the teachers—both Whaea Maria and Mrs. Virk—reminded us throughout the session to always hold our iPads safely with both hands 🤲, which was a key point from last week’s lesson.

 

“Exploring 2D Shapes: Geometry Kickoff in Room 6!”

Today, Room 6 kicked off the new term’s math strand with an   exciting dive into Geometry! The focus of the lesson was on 2D shapes. Everyone in class had the chance to draw different shapes and explore their properties. The students also practiced using rulers to ensure their shapes were accurate and precise. It was a great opportunity to develop their skills in measurement and geometry, while also learning how to use tools like rulers to incorporate straight lines into their drawings. The class was really engaged and had fun while sharpening their math skills!     

Ahuru’s Prize Giving Celebration

Ahuru’s Prize Giving was a joyous occasion, filled with pride and excitement. The event began with a warm Hello Song performed by the teachers, who proudly welcomed students, parents, and special guests.

This year, the theme I Am a Taonga focused on celebrating what makes each student unique. Room 12 embraced this theme by learning about Japan and sharing their knowledge through a lively cultural performance, which was a highlight of the ceremony.

The prize recipients were recognized for their outstanding achievements:

  • Silas: Outstanding Efforts in Learning
  • Shifa: Excellence in Attitude
  • Ashita: Academic Excellence
  • Prashita: GIVES Award (Guardianship, Integrity, Vigilance, Empathy, and Success)
  • Anay: 100% Attendance for the Year

Each awardee was celebrated for their hard work, dedication, and positive contributions. The Prize Giving was a beautiful reminder of the values that make each student a true taonga, a treasure in their own right.

 

 

 

 

 

We are a Year 3 class at Homai School in Auckland, New Zealand and our teacher is Mrs. Virk.

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