8 in 8

Week 8 in Room 8 saw us involved in lots of different activities, as usual.

We began a new maths unit about geometry where we are learning the attributes of shapes and angles. 

Every Friday we are privileged to have Holly Landreth, a year 12 student from South Otago High School, join us in Room 8. Holly is an ex Rosebank student who is keen to pursue a career in teaching, so she is a great help to us while she is here.

Also last Friday we were joined by Mike Fitzsimmons, a teachers college student who has just begun a graduate teaching course. He enjoyed his day with us, and is definitely convinced that he has chosen the right career! 

It was sad to Farewell Hamish Johnston, as he left us on Thursday to return to Japan. We look forward to seeing Hamish again later in the year. 

It was quiet with the year 7 & 8 students away on camp at Borland Lodge last week. Several Room 8 children said they missed the buzz and interest, not to mention the help, from their older school mates. It is nice to have them back.

On Tuesday 3 of our students performed really well at the Year 6 triathlon. Well done, Lulu, James and Ashley. 

Friday afternoon was a chance for us to show our support for Christchurch and the suffering they have endured. We dressed in colours, then assembled on the field for a circle of solidarity, which was photographed by Jason Palmer with his drone. 

Week 6 in Room 8

This week saw us return to the high school for our third and then final sessions of PE with the Year 13 students. We learned a lot of skills - and the rules of Turbo Touch. This is a very fast game where after the first pass you can pass forwards, and there are only two touches before a hand over. We finished with a mini tournament. It was great to see how hard the year 13 students worked to be encouraging and to build relationships of trust with our students, who loved it. 

It always amazes me, the creative ways children can find to use equipment - like maths linking cubes. 

In maths we are continuing with our addition and subtraction unit. We are learning strategies for adding and subtracting, and also that the = sign means a balance. Then we can answer questions like 12 + 9 = 25 - ? 

Everyone has individual writing goals now, homework in being completed and coming back each Friday, and our reading groups are still delving into fascinating information about Quarantine Island. 

Camp

Camp was great! We had a wonderful time on Quarantine Island in the Otago Harbour, and even though it was a camp of only two days, we managed to pack a lot of activities into it. A huge thanks to our parents - Ms Kreft, Mrs Swallow, Mr Nicole, Mr Arthur and Mr Broderick, and our extra drivers - Mr White, Mrs Ross and Mr Knowles.

 Arriving on the Island

Room 8 is great!

Keeper Dries giving us a history lesson, in the original Married Quarters building. 

Touch pools at the Portobello Marine Observatory. \

Dissecting a spiny dogfish.  What fun!

For more photos about camp, follow the link in the email.