This week Te Rōpū Kura Pounamu, Te Rōpū Whakaute and Te Rōpū Wawata have become scientists exploring the important natural resources that we use on Earth. First we looked at rocks and came up with some awesome words to describe how the rocks felt like, smelt like, and looked like. Then we started investigating the different soil that we can find around the school. We used magnifying glasses to investigate. Check out the amazing scientists below!

Today we had a really special visitor., his name is Cooper. He looks really cute as you can tell by the photo. We would all love to have Cooper as a pet.  Mrs Ryan hopes he comes back soon:)

The students are enjoying using our new building table during play based learning time. There has been lots of sawing and hammering happening here as the students practise using the tools and materials that we have. It takes a lot of effort to saw through the wood so we all have to use lots of patience and concentration. Thanks Mark for getting the table ready for us, we are sure getting great use out of it! Here are a few photos of some students trying out the saws, you can sure see the concentration from Ashlyn, Dylan and Isabella as they work to cut through the wood!

This is our art which we have finished. It needed a bit more sparkle so we added glitter which we think looks like a starry night.  When we look at our art we feel happy and proud. We worked so hard and Mrs Ryan is super proud of us!

This week in Kura Pounamu we have been learning about Friendships.  We read the book about Rainbow Fish and created our own Rainbow Fish artwork. We also wrote stories about how we are good friends. Check out some of these below... " I am a good friend because I play nicely" By Angelo " I can be a friend by helping when someone is hurt. I am a good friend" By Dylan " I am a good friend because I share the toys" By Seulata

This week was pretty cold but we still had some brave explorers at PBL time. They went outside and found that the rain had meant that water was inside the tyres by the bike track. Then in the frosty weather the water froze and formed these amazing big pieces of ice. They tried different ways to get it out so that they could have the biggest pieces. Then they worked together to make an ice picture on the footpath! Check it out below!

James Rizzi was an American pop artist famous for his vibrant art. His art made us feel very happy. We made a city and made it look colourful. We think you should have a look at his art and tell us how it makes you feel. We will put a photo up of our art when it is finished. Watch this space!