AGE CONCERN VISITORS COME TO ST ANNE'S

At half past ten we walked over to the hall for a meeting with the Age Concern people. The Young Vinnies provided them with morning tea. First we sang a song to welcome them. Next we walked around and talked to them.

I met a lady named Lois. She is 80 years old and she was talking about how things were when she was my age. In those days children were strapped if they did wrong at school. We learned that exercise and healthy eating is important for a good long life.

After our mingling the elderly visitors had some biscuits some Young Vinnies had brought.
Amelia thanked them for coming and we sang another song at the end.
We look forward to another visit from them next term.                               

Joyce and R5 Young Vinnies.

WE HAVE BEEN WRITING EXPLANATIONS THIS TERM AND AMY AND EMA WERE KEEN TO PUBLISHH THEIRS ONLINE!

            DOES CHOCOLATE GROW ON TREES?

Believe it or not chocolate does grow on trees.

Chocolate grows on the cacao tree close to the equator. Cacao pods have a very sweet mush in them that is called the pulp. All the pulp is thrown away just the beans are kept. The beans get dried just in the sun.

The dried beans get sent to a factory. The beans are roasted in hot drums that make’s the taste and smell of the chocolate. The beans don’t burn because they spin really fast.

Next the beans are crushed into a gooey mess. After that the rest of the ingredients are added to make the chocolate.

White chocolate has more cocoa butter. Dark chocolate has more cocoa which makes it bitterer. Milk chocolate has both in it.

Last of all the chocolate gets wrapped and sent to shops to get sold People then  go to buy chocolate from different shops.      

By Amy.

CLEANING THE FRONT SHELVES                          

Every day five minutes   before the bell rings I go up to the front of the class and clean the front shelves

First Micayla and I put the rubbish in the bin.Then we put books and paper back in their places on the shelf. After that we find all whiteboard pens and put them back in the container.

Next we ask Mrs Reddy if it looks good enough. If she is not happy we do more work and if she is we sit down and wait for further instructions. It feels good to keep our room tidy.
Last of all I clean up around my group and sit down. Soon it’s time for prayers.
The bell rings and I am ready to go home -  happy to come back to a clean room the following day to learn in.

By Ema McLaughlin
 

FAREWELL MISS COLEMAN - THURSDAY 25 JUNE

Dear Diary,
It was Miss Coleman’s last assembly.Room One led it . We heard about Mary and  were shown symbols that can help us to think about Mary. Room 1 also acted out the story about when the angel went to Mary to tell her she was having a baby - Jesus. They said prayers of the faithful and the response was “Help us each day”.

 After the assembly some students from Room 5 and 6 said thank you to Miss Coleman. Miss French gave her a gift voucher. Room 5 gave Miss Colman a card and a piece of artwork.

We wish Miss Coleman all the very best!

By Samoaotearoa

Dear Diary,

This morning at 9:00 clock it was Room 1’s assembly about Mary. It was also Miss Coleman's  last assembly.
First there was a welcome .Next Room 1 said some prayers. Then they brought some items up and sang a song called” O Queen Of All”.

At the end, students from Room 5 and 6 said thank you to Miss Coleman. Our class gave her a card about all  the moments that we had spent time with her.
Miss Coleman said “This looks lovely, thanks”. May Miss Coleman have a wonderful future!                                      
 By Tina

   

 

Dear Dairy

This morning it was Room1’s assembly. First they started with the reading.  After thatthey sang a song and lastly they finished with the sign of the cross in English. It was all about MARY.

Laverton ,Elisah, Samoatearoa, Elizabeth and Ruby told  us about the wonderful work Miss Coleman did for us. ROOM 5 gave Miss Coleman a big pink card so she can remember us all .

Miss Coleman is leaving us and I will miss her.

BY TJ

 

 

THE SOLDIERS AND US!

RIFLES AND MACHINE GUNS EXPERIENCE!

By Anna,Chloe,Elizabeth,Kavalla and Micayla.

The rifles can shoot up to a distance of 300 metres. You use the rifle in a case of an ambush situation. To use the rifle correctly you rest it on your shoulder. You look through the telescope at your target and the red dot aims where you want to shoot. A safety rule is do not stand in front of a gun. The rifle folds up to a smaller size. The bullets are kept in a camouflaged coloured container.
The machine gun has a telescope to aim with, it can shoot up to 1000 metres in distance. Machine guns are heavier then rifles so you need to lie down to use them. Machine guns are more powerful than a rifle and depending on the situation are given out if they are needed.

Handling guns is a new experience for us and we realize that they need to be handled carefully and you need training to use them safely and effectively.     

Chainsaws, Axes and Equipment EXPERIENCE!

 

By Samoa,Tina,Ruby,Joyce,Ema  and Noella

 

There was a big storm in the West Coast and the soldiers needed to clear the trees that had fallen down. They told us that they used chainsaws to cut down trees to use for building houses and bridges. The axes were used to cut off the branches. They showed us a heavy jackhammer that they used to cut concrete. They used telescoped ladders to climb up really high. They used a battering ram to get into the houses so they could see how much damage was in there.

METAL DETECTORS EXPERIENCE

 The metal detector activity and the four soldiers told us that they use metal detectors to search for land mines. When they find land mines the safely set off the mines from a far distance so nobody get hurt. Our challenge was to find bolts that were attached to ration food using a metal detector and all of us found a prize whether we found one or not.. I learned that metal detector can save lives.

BY Marquees, Charlie, Tj, Braydon, Salu, Benjamin

 

TENT / BACKPACKS EXPERIENCE!

By WhunnDaa, James, Leroy, Chris, Ben, Macarius, Levi

Our group had to go to the Tents / Backpacks area where a soldier named “Matt” was waiting for us. First he told us everything about what they used the Tents and backpacks for. Their backpacks were very heavy about 50kgs.They had tents that were 2m long and 50cm wide.They also they had night sticks that they keep on at night so they know if danger is near.

 

 

BURNHAM MILITARY SOLDIERS AT SHOOL-HOW EXCITING!

Renato Gimeno on the left and Matt

Four young soldiers ,Renato,Matt,Blair and Phillip arrived just after 9am and set up base in our playground and Mission Centre. We had an amazing day with a variety of exercises from a classroom lesson to handling firearms.

After lunch we engaged in physical activities to find out who was fitter - the soldiers or the students.

Have a guess!

 

I just want to thank the NZ Army for the opportunity of an experience the students will remember forever!

We are so blessed to have such great soldiers looking after the people of New Zealand.

 

Last but not least one, of the soldiers Renato Gimeno, is an ex-student of St Anne's who  I taught in Room 5 and through whom this experience was arranged- So many thanks Renato - we are so proud of you.



The students will tell you more by the end of the week of what exactly they did and how they felt.

Grace

SOLDIERS FROM BURNHAM MILITARY CAMP VISIT ROOM!

Tomorrow we have some soldiers coming to talk to us and so we got into groups to write the following questions and will let you know how we get on with the answers.
We thank Anna -Naina for her quick typing skills.

Soldiers’  Interview Questions

·       What type of training do you do and how often –Ema

·       Why did you want to become a soldier? –Ruby

·       What t over-seas travel can a  soldier do? –Ruby

·       How old were you when you joined? –Ruby

·       Who  inspired you  to join? –Ruby

·       What is the most tragic scene you have experienced? – Ruby

·       Have you fought any country and why ? –Brayden

·       What do you have to do to become a soldier? –Samoa

·       How do you train to fight your enemies? –Mrs.Reddy

·       What is the hardest weapon to use and why? –Elizabeth

·       What is in your ration pack and what is  favourite food in the rations pack? – Joyce

·       Where do you sign up? – Macarius

·       What is your reaction about fighting? – Elizabeth

·       Why did you become a soldier? – Anna

·       What is the hardest thing you have  faced? – Salu

·       What is your rank? – Benjamin

·       Is it a Job?Please explain  – Charlie

·       How do you serve overseas? – Benjamin

·       What sort of equipment do you use? – Tina

 

REMEMBRANCE PRESENTATIONS

One of the tasks we had to complete was to find out about the different aspects of war which was mostly related to ANZAC. Here are some.
In these videos to follow we are learning to present our work and it has been a very nervous time for all of us. However we  hope to improve on this.
Although everyone was involved in these presentations, only some uploaded due to technical difficulties.

We hope you learn something new from our presentations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

R5 KIDS2TOWN 30 JUNE

St Anne’s School                                                                                                        
739 Ferry Road   
Woolston                              
Christchurch

Sunday 30 June

Dear Parents/Caregivers of Room 5

To  conclude our REMEMBRANCE  study this term  ‘Learning from our past to shape our Future" we shall be visiting the Canterbury Museum on Tuesday 30 June. 
Fortunately transport has been funded by the ‘Kids2Town’ Programme set up by the  Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Community Trust, amid concerns some young people have not stepped foot in the area since the earthquakes. However each student is requested to contribute $2 to cover the cost for the educational programme. Students may hand the money to me by the end of this week.
The outline of the day is:

 9:30am- Bus to Museum.

10amEarly Canterbury/Clothing

11.00 am Morning Tea

11:30am-12:30pm

 Our Mummy

12:30- 1:30 pm Depending on the weather, we will have lunch in the Botanical Gardens, play in the playground and return or explore the Museum.

2pm Bus back to school.

Here is some background information about the educational programmes.
Early Canterbury – European Settlement/ Clothing and Textiles
In this lesson students will step back in time to learn about the Canterbury Association settlers.
Using the Studding Sail Hall and the Christchurch Street students will observe, discuss and think critically about the settlers and the settlement of Canterbury.
students will examine the lengths people have gone to in the name of fashion
from the mid-1800s to today. Students will also have the opportunity to handle some of the Museum’s extensive collection of replica clothing.

 

The Museum Mummy – Tash pen Khonsu
Why did the Egyptians mummify their dead? Using the research
Canterbury Museum has undertaken on the mummy Tash pen
Khonsu, students will uncover some of the mysteries surrounding
Egyptian mummification, including hieroglyphics, shabti (funerary
figurines) and mummification of animals.

 If you are able to help on this day please fill out the form below. A hard copy of this letter has been sent home via the students.

Thank you
Grace Reddy

­­­­­­­­
ROOM 5 MUSEUM TRIP TUESDAY 30 JUNE    

I ____________________________am able to help on Tuesday 30 June from

9:30am- 2:30pm

____________________________(Signature)

 

 

CATHOLIC TEACHERS'CONVENTION

My turn on the blog again. Well you are probably wondering where I was last week .I was fortunate to go to a very important convention held every 3 years to find out what has been happening and where we are heading in Catholic Education.
I would like to share my report with you.

GRACE REDDY’S REPORT ON THE CATHOLIC CONVENTION  10-12 JUNE 2015
HORIZONS OF HOPE
The keynote speakers including the Minister of Education were very inspiring. As DRS of St Anne’s, it was a very enriching experience for me to attend the talks and seminars.

I will briefly describe below the messages and information I acquired.
The convention was very well attended with over 1000 educators and clergy from New Zealand and neighbouring Pacific islands.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER; PROFESSOR THERESE D’ORSA “MISSION AND CULTURE”

D’Orsa’s message was that Catholic Education is a principle by which means the Catholic community builds the kingdom of God on earth, a mission shaped by context in every era.

Pope Francis’ mission is being at the heart of the people- “I am a mission on this earth”.
The word educate means to lead, a call through our Baptism. Everybody has the responsibility for leadership, parents, students, teachers, bishops..all are leaders of Catholic education.
Mission frames everything we do. A leader today helps to bring culture and their faith together.
Our Catholic curriculum connects faith and culture to live life issues. We need to rebuild our Catholic Education Community, building faith and culture together. The Catholic school is a community for the Kingdom, forming the intellect and heart. In Matt 13: 24-30 we are reminded to cultivate the wheat not the weeds.

By bringing our faith and culture together, we can create a more human world fit to live in because we and the earth are God’s creation.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  PROFESSOR GEMMA SIMMONDS

Gemma’s  talk was awe-inspiring , motivational and easy to listen to.I Her wicked sense of humour added value ande reality to what she had to say.
She was all about how we transform education by the power of tenderness. She talked about the process of how we are “being made God.” God grows us. He sees what He has made and finds it very good.

We are the Church and we feel it when bad things happen but we can’t just leave the Church- We have to find answers to our problems. The signs we give are all out ward signs of  grace operating in us, signifying God in us, in our homes, schools and every other place. We are to receive hope and live Christ. Catholic Schools exist because of their  cultural significance and following Christ. As Catholic educators we need to have a longing for God, desiring for ultimate values and virtues in which the living God can enter and live with intimacy with us, be “Good News” for mankind, love and cherish every student.
Our deepest longing and happiness lies in being the Gospel. Truth and love cannot be produced but can only be received and all we can do is to encourage children to receive these gifts. A spirit-filled life is living and coping with our failures-stop scutinising , cope with good Catholic leadership. We are a church of sinners, led by sinners trying to be less sinful.
God lives in relationships-where there is love God abides there.
We must be evangelized not sacramentalised.  We must uncover the sacredness of human life through pastoral care, helping to nurture the sacredness of life not only through the number of times we go to Sunday Mass.
Hope in the fact that our students may one day bear fruit- the fruits of the Holy Spirit, not the fruits of the church.
We can be God makers if we allow the Holy Spirit to do so.

 HEKIA PARATA- MINISTER OF EDUCATION

The honourable Hekia Parata emphasized that education is a passport for a successful life. We must lift this through general celebrations of education in the community, excellence in governance, engaging parental community, leadership in teaching and learning. She is passionate about the achievement of Maori and Samoan students, including those 16/17 year olds who have left school.
She wants us to take opportunities of online learning and grow the digital fluency of teachers and students in a school that advances educational progress.

Ethnic diversity is part and parcel of who we are as New Zealanders. The challenge is how we respond to this.
Collaboration? Release? Relief? Inquiry?These are great but …we also need to think about what we can give to our community.
We have a reciprocal obligation of getting and giving.

 

SIR BROTHER PAT LYNCH….
It has been 40 years since Integration  (1975) and we have a very good relationship with the government.
Sir Brother Pat Lynch outlined a few very important facts.
Governance is the most important aspect of Catholic school education and this lies in the hands of the Board of Trustees.
 ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE 1975
Our schools are great both primary and secondary, with good NCEA results-thanks to our educators.
We have continued to keep a good relationship with the government over the years.
Our Catholic Schools Portal will enable all our Catholic institutions to better share our ideas and resources and we must register for this.
We must focus more on the Gospels-NT, Acts of the Apostles. “Shine a light on Jesus in the eyes  of the people.”  ( Pope Francis)
Globalisation__-- Technological Revolution e.g Google is a huge resource in our world today. Catholic Resources (USA) is an excellent site for delivering resources for RE liturgies, prayer and other aspects of special character.
Diversity - We are statistically more ethnically diverse in our schools. ..45% Pakeha.
Engagement of immigrant families in meaningful ways is vital so they feel that they belong.
We at St Anne’s have a growing Filipino community.

Hope. “It is in Hope that we are saved”.. (St Paul)

We have to be witness to hope as educators. The great leadership of our Catholic Bishops to support our Catholic schools is extraordinary. We are to stay united despite our differences. “One of us is never as strong as all of us.”
Evangelisation- There is a lot of innovation in our schools in this area. As Catholics we need to be unabashedly Catholic in all we do. Our education philosophy “Minds Under Construction” should reflect what we believe in.
The BOT are advised to read the Integration Agreement on a regular basis. Our commitment is to the person of Jesus otherwise our ID is suspect. Our mission is to be a focus in action. We have an enterprise which is the product of faith, leadership, hard work and collaboration. “Be enthusiastic, be joyful and bring good news to everyone we serve. As Pope Francis says, “ We are called to wear God’s smile”.
Parihaka Launch
Last but not least, Turei Thompson enlightened us on this most valuable resource which has been reorganized by Caritas as a resource of opportunity to study as a legacy in the principles of self-sufficiency, community development etc. No matter who the person is , these principles are valuable today. We are encouraged to visit Parihaka as a celebration of past and present.

A hard copy of this resource is available for school use.

 The last spotlight  seminar I took part in  was on UDL (Universal Design for Learning) which I found rather useful as it is all about grouping students according to how they learn using differentiated instruction.

Apart from the  listening to the key note speakers I also attended four seminars on the Modern Learning Environment, Meditation, Integrating RE in our curriculum planning and assessment and reporting to parents. These were much thought provoking and interesting. I hope to share the ideas and resources with my colleagues during the term.

I was captivated from the moment the convention opened until it concluded and would like to see more teachers from St Anne’s be given the opportunity to attend in the next three years, which would require putting it in our long term strategic goals.

On a personal level the experience of this convention has deeply touched my heart and I will endeavor that TENDERNESS is the overall arch that guides all my teaching and learning  at school, at home, and in the community at large believe I am a mission guided by the Holy Spirit.

 

Peace and hope be with you
Grace Reddy (DRS)

 

 

 

ROOM 5 ASSEMBLY

This morning just before the bell went we got changed into our drama costume, because it was our assembly .We got changed for our dramatization called The Wedding with No Wine. The problem was that the wine was going to run out  but Jesus did  his first miracle by changing the  water into wine .First we had three gifts for Mary. Then we had a dramatization and finished with a song - Ave Maria . Afterwards we had the prayers of the faithful .Finally the last song “Oh Mary, We Ask You”was sung by the whole school.” I thought our assembly was great and I learnt that I too must say “Yes” to God just like Mary did.     By Amy

 As soon as the bell rang every one rushed to get changed into their costume for our assembly. First we did a dramatization of the first miracle of Jesus. The play was called The Wedding With no Wine. Sarah and Jake were the bride and groom. Second we had the prayers of the faithful. Our assembly ended with a song called Ave Maria and we had actions to go with it. I thought it was fun and exciting and I liked acting in the play.                                                 By ASHLYN.

Before the bell rang we got dressed for our assembly in class. Next we got all the things we needed for our assembly. First for our assembly, Anna, our leader , did a welcome to all the people who were there. After that we brought up gifts-a photo of Mary, a Bible and a rose. This was followed by  our drama about The First Miracleof Jesus. Then we did our prayers of the faithful. Last of all we sang  our two songs about Mary. I enjoyed our play.                                         

By  SALU