Kaikoura Suburban School

The holiday stories that we’ve so energetically been told and involved this week has just been truly delightful. Listening to the rain pounding on the roof I believe we were indeed fortunate with the weather we had during the break. 

The Board meet just before the holidays to confirm the School Charter.  This is can be viewed by our school community.  After this consultation the Charter is then sent to the Ministry of Education for final confirmation.  We hope to send this away by Friday 8 May.

Thank you.

Our immersion stage is now complete with the 5 different cultural groups identified.  Today we were immersed with our Maori culture. This was a huge success thanks to our supportive Maori families and staff.
The children participated with weaving, performing a haka and te rakau (stick games).
This was topped off by sampling some fried bread, made by Jackie, sweetened with the green tomato jam made by the Maori students of the senior class.   
Ka pai everyone.

Marzanne and Ilsa came to our school to share their experiences with us about life in South Africa.  We began our experience by eating bovers (sausage) and koester (plaited deep fried dough in a sweet syrup). The food was tasty and delicious.
 Following this we listened to a South African fable about a wild dog, a man and a jackal.  The moral of the fable was how a dog became a man’s best friend.
Dirk then showed us the souvenirs his family has brought from South Africa – bush men, Springbok hide and  a Garfield comic (in Africaans).  We learnt a song and watched a powerpoint of different images from South Africa.
We learnt lots about the South African culture and dankie (thank you) to Marzanne, Ilsa and our friend Dirk.

The sausage and the plaited dough with the sweet syrup.

Sharing the souvenirs - bush men.

Powerpoint of different South Africa images. This is the South African flag.

Today we were spoilt as Jenny, Ruby and Evelyn came and entertained us. Jenny kindly brought the ink stone the Korean people use to write with.  You rub the black ink stone on to a another black stone with a touch of water and this produces ink.  The students then use a fine paintbrush and painted their names. Ruby taught everyone a song and dressed in costume along with little sister Evelyn.  As the session came to an end Jenny kindly cooked some vension in a special marinade accompanied with rice, Korean nori and a spicy cabbage dish. 
Once again we were truly spoilt to a very special experience.  

The students using the ink to create their names.

Learning a Korean song.

Our Korean experiences completed with a Korean dish.

First met, already laughing.
Crazy, wild, untamed children laughing until their tummies hurt.
All eyes given to the special guest.
Suddenly balls flying everywhere.
Quick fast hand movements.
Laughter continues louder and louder.
The special guest concentrates trying not to make a mistake.
Left with strange but fascinating thoughts.

It is all go again this week at Kaikoura Suburban School.
Constable Frost has been terrific with building the confidence of all of our students.  It is really exciting seeing the students progress so quickly with the level of skill and the confidence.  Some of the students are applying 100% during a lesson and then in their own time during lunch and playtimes.
I have included some of the senior students from today as we were involved with lots of cool things.

Practicing riding in a straight line and looking behind before signalling.

Anxiously awaiting the next instructions.

 To follow the biking we had a special  visit from Mica the clown.  He had us all giggling and certainly showing how to have FUN.  He performed magic, juggling, making balloon animals, tricks with his dog and magic chewing gum.  Thank you Mica for a whole hour of FUN.
What a wonderful day at Kaikoura Suburban School. 

Mica juggling not one but many little orange balls.

Making a balloon poodle

His own little poodle who could perform many tricks.