Pacifica

For many weeks, a group of learners from Nga Rakau Nui have been learning the sasa. A sasa is group dance that is performed by boys and girls. Dancers sit for most of the time and hand movements are used to communicate everyday activities. Timing is very important as everyone does the same move at the same time and parts of the dance are very fast! Everyone in the group showed perseverance and determination to be the best sasa dancers they could be.

Last week, the group performed in front of the school to share their learning and expertise under the guidance of the wonderful tutor, Louisa. 

Thank you Louisa for sharing your culture with us and teaching us new skills. We had so much fun learning how to communicate a story of our everyday activities through sasa dance movements.

Email from Pippa Hayward

Totara Whanau sent emails to athletes competing at the Olympics. We sent emails to send our support to athletes representing our country. 

Pippa received an email back from her chosen athlete Pippa Hayward from the Black Sticks.


 Hi Pippa,

Thank you very much for your lovely message that I received when I was in Rio for the Olympics. I am very happy that you enjoyed watching the Olympics and all of the different sports. There are so many different sports that compete in the Olympic Games as well as different cultures, religions and countries. I think that is what makes it so special - it doesn't matter where you come from or what you believe in we are all there for the same reasons. 

Thank you for your support and for yelling at the TV. Unfortunately we didn't achieve our goal of a medal, which was very disappointing. However it is always worth trying to achieve something and failing, than never trying in the first place. It put a huge smile on my face when I read that you were inspired to give hockey a go. You should be very proud of yourself for trying something that is outside of your comfort zone. Remember to have faith in yourself and give 100% in everything you do. 

All the best for what ever you put your mind to. Thank you once again for your lovely message. I read it to all the girls and they all loved it. 

Pippa (Hayward ) 

Thank you Pippa Hayward for your amazing email that has amazing advice and encouragement.  

Olympic Data

Olympic Data on PhotoPeach

In Totara Whanau we are learning to record data accurately and display data. 

We participated in some Olympic events and recorded data of the results. 

We used the data to create graphs to share our data.

We worked really well together to learn how to create graphs using google sheets. 

Olympic PE

Olympic PE

We are trying some different sports that are at the Rio Olympic Games. We know trying something different and new challenges us. We watched this inspirational Paralympic video Yes I can - video . This inspired us all. When we try something and and it is challenging us we remember "I can't do this YET". 

Here are Totara Whanau persevering at PE

We played table tennis. We improved at controlling the ball. We learnt to hit a forehand and a backhand. It is SO IMPORTANT to keep our eye on the ball in this sport.  

Doubles- great team work and fun

Kasaiyah using her skills to teach others

Lachlan and Kieron using their perseverance muscle

Yay- a really good rally

So many laughs at this table. Liam was sharing his knowledge

Hunta and Emma are really determined

Will Beau get the ball back? 

Getting so much better because they never gave up

Jada and Gemma never giving up

Fun game of double. Everyone is encouraging each other

Ellazay using her revising muscle. She found a space to practise by herself and
figure out our to hit the ball differently

Oh no, is Liam going to spin it? 

Annaliese and Kasaiyah working on controlling the ball.

CYCLING
In cycling we are learning to work as a team for lap races in teams of 5 or 6. We are also having a go at kierin racing. Kierin racing is when a pacer bike rides at the front for the first lap and then moves off the track. The pacer job is to set the pace for the first lap. Cyclists behind he pacer have to hold their place until it is time to sprint. Once the pacer bike leaves the track the other races sprint to the finish. At the Olympics there are usually 8 racers in a kierin race but we are practicing with a pacer and two racing cyclists.

Angus being the pacer - ready, set, go !

Ryan as the pacer with Jacob and Ezra ready to race

Ollie as the pacer with Zach and Te Au on the first lap before the sprint 

Niamh winning her race

Self Defence

Today, year four girls in Totara whanau attended a whole day self defence workshop.

They learnt how to to use their voice and body to keep themselves safe.

Everyone learnt all girls can learn to be BRAVE, CLEVER, STRONG.

Ashley learning how to give a STRONG punch

Aotea learning how to be BRAVE and CLEVER 

Ella being STRONG and fast

Issy being STRONG with Ash

Aotea and Cahlia learning to use their voice in a BRAVE and STRONG way

Gemma and Katie learning a stance to keep your balance and strand STRONG

Jada and Emily learning how to hold a stance, move quickly and in a STRONG, BRAVE and CLEVER way

Ash, Keiarliya and Nevaeh practicing their moves

Summer and Cahlia playing a game that helps you grow your ability to think quickly - being CLEVER

Summer being a BRAVE, STRONG, CLEVER warrior

Olivia demonstrating a stance to hold her balance

Aotea learning to do a STRONG kick

Self Defence from tracey hill on Vimeo.