Room 8 and 9 children have been to visit Tauranga Port. What a huge busy place. A passenger cruise ship was in port. Loaders were loading logs onto a log ship. Container ships were coming into the port. We were amazed at how many people were working at the port. Truck and trailer units were being unloaded and  then loaded together before going on the road again. We saw the huge tanks for cement, the pipes that carry oil and fuel, the huge sheds that hold cheese, butter and milk powder.

We travelled by bus down the road to visit Kingfisher boats where we saw some beautiful boats being built. We even got onboard one and saw the flash inside of the boat.

On the way home, we stopped at a playground reserve in Bethlehem for lunch and a fun time playing on the playground equipment. Then it was back to school for the afternoon followup activities.

Early Friday morning we met the ferry at Omokoroa Point ready to travel to Matakana Island. The big trucks went on first, then all Room 6, 7, 8 and 9 passengers climbed on board.  The children were all very excited as it was the first time most of them had been to Matakana Island. It was a brilliantly clear calm day. Some children had life jackets on. We had lots of parents helping us.

After about twenty minutes we reached the jetty at Matakana island. We sat on the wharf in the sunshine and had morning tea before playing on the little beach. There was lots of driftwood around and we climbed over the rocks. It was a neat place to explore.

We watched the return ferry come back to drop off another truck and cars. It collected us and took us on to Matuhoa Island where we collected a ute. The sea was now getting a bit choppy as a breeze was blowing.

When we got back into Omokoroa Point we all had a chance to play on the playground together, before going back to school for the afternoon. It was a really lovely school trip. Thanks to all the good children and wonderful parent helps.

The Tauranga Girls College Big Band performed for the whole school on Friday afternoon. Everyone clapped and cheered as the girls played. We think they should be winners at the Easter Jazz festival.

The whole school spent the afternoon doing crazy, exciting water activities. Lots of people loved the mud water slide. You can see others enjoying skipping under the sprinkler hose. Look who had the wet sponges thrown in their faces. Everyone looks forward to the next wild and wacky water day. Children were challenged and very proud of what they achieved.

All the Year 2 children have loved their Kaimai overnight camp experience at ‘THE LAZY TRAMPER’. This included two whole days of learning outside the classroom.

On Thursday, it was our chance to travel to the lodge, which is set in bush in the lower Kaimais. The children were able to ride their bikes, build boats, sketch bush pictures, go on a scavenger hunt, and enjoy loads of fun, games and sport. They even experienced the challenge of sliding down the cold slippery waterfall.

We had a crowd for the yummy barbeque tea and sang songs with all the parents all joining in. Many thanks to our food organisers, Mrs Harris and Mrs Muir. When it got dark, we all dressed up warm and went for a walk in the bush to see some amazing glowworms. Staying overnight in bunkrooms was great fun. A few people even stayed in tents.

After breakfast, we headed down the Kaimais to McLaren Falls Lake, where we all put life jackets on and had turns in the kayaks. We kayaked around a small island. Blair Anderson showed us how to use the paddles correctly. It was time to head to Fernland Spa for lunch and a warm relaxing swim before heading back to school.

It was great to mix with all the Year 2 children and have plenty of fun learning together and getting to know each other better.

A HUGE thanks to all the wonderful parents who helped make the Room 8 and 9 camp such a success.

We started the year with twenty two year 2 children, twelve being boys and ten girls. We are a happy group who are keen to learn. Keep reading our website updates regularly and you’ll see that we are a clever group.

All the students have been presenting poems to the classes in Room 6, 7 and 8. The children had some funny poems to present which entertained the big crowd. It was amazing to see how everyone remembered their poems and put so much expression into the presentations. Mr Broadhurst and Mrs O’Hara how a difficult job doing the judging. The photos below show the winners from the Year 1 and 2 groups.

Omokoroa No 1 School showed support for our All Blacks and the Rugby World Cup on Friday. Everyone dressed in black and got very excited about the upcoming opening of the games.
We were even welcomed into school by our caretaker playing the bagpipes and children performing a haka.
Go the All Blacks.

Room 6, 7, 8 and 12 pupils had a wonderful experience going to the Tutureinga Marae at Te Puna. They were welcomed at the gate and had a powhiri. The hongi was special too. Harold spoke to the children and they learnt so much about the wharenui. They were given a lovely morning tea in the wharekai.
Everyone learnt waiata and performed action songs in the sunshine outside the meeting house. They were glad plenty of Mums, Dads and grandparents were able to come along and help out with this very worthwhile learning experience.

Room 8 represented England in our “World-Wind Rugby World Cup Tour”. Everyone danced, sang, acted and smiled as they performed on stage at the Performing Arts Centre at Bethlehem College. The crowds cheered and clapped. What an amazing whole school performance with many countries being represented.
England Swings on PhotoPeach