The Kahu Elections!

Last week, we went through the process of running an Election in our class.  The girls all received special 'Kids Voting' papers (they looked EXACTLY like the real thing) and got to cast their party vote and their candidate vote.  Some were on the Maori roll and some were on the General roll, so there were a few options to choose from.

Our issuing officers (Eva and Tamara) had a class list and crossed people's names off as they came up and collected their voting papers.  The girls had to fill out their voting paper in a private polling booth and then put their vote into the ballot box (where Tiara was on hand to help anyone who experienced any difficulty).  Once the voting process was complete, our returning officers (Jordan and Myra) tallied the party votes and the electorate votes for us.  Mr Dawson then put the results into an Excel spreadsheet, so we could see the percentages for each party and candidate.

It was a very worthwhile experience, especially as we had one voter who voted incorrectly (two party votes instead of one), and a couple of voters who wasted their voting power by voting for one of the extremely minor parties.  We had some very robust follow-up discussion around these issues.

Here are a few photos of the event, as well as the final results.  Looks like we're a left-leaning classroom!

Prepping for the Home School Partnership Expo

Next Wednesday (27 August) sees the return of the annual Home School Partnership Expo.  This will take place in the hall and will run from 9am until 6pm (though I advise you to get there well before 6pm, as teachers start packing up around 5.45pm).

Kahu has been very busy over the last few days getting artwork and displays ready.  Our focus will be on two of the values from the Marautanga, related to our current careers topic.

We are very excited about being able to display our work for you all and hope to see as many whanau there as possible!

Day 5 of Electives

So we've now finished our fifth session of Electives - only three more sessions left until we have to present our performance at the Year 7-8 Arts Festival in Week 9.  The 'Kiwi Classic Hits' Elective has learned NZ music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.  We hope to finish our song next week and spend the last two sessions frantically learning all the words!

Have a listen to our latest rehearsal and let us know what you think.

Day 1 of Electives

Today heralded the first day of Electives this term.  In 'Kiwi Classic Hits', we are learning about some of the history of NZ music, as well as some of the classic tunes from over the years.  Today, we learned Ray Colombus' 'She's a Mod', from way back in 1964!

Over the coming weeks, we will be learning snippets of other great NZ songs and we will end up with a (hopefully) fantastic medley to perform at the end of the term.

Here's one of our practices (remember, this is not the finished product).

Tai Aroha

At kapa haka this afternoon, Matua Richard taught us a new waiata tautoko - 'Tai Aroha'.  We were very focussed and learnt the entire thing in just one session!  Here is our final run through - let us know what you think.

Year 7-8 Leadership Day

Today, all of our Year 7-8 students ventured to Finlayson Park for a fabulous leadership day.  The event was superbly organised by Matua Des and brilliantly run by MAIA, with the help of a number of wonderful Te Wānanga o Aotearoa students.  Here is a selection of photos from the day.

Fiafia Night Performance

Earlier tonight, our TWA Seniors opened our Fiafia fundraiser in spectacular fashion.  Check out their performance below - and please leave us a comment!

Totara Park

So, Totara Park was a bit of a fizzer on Friday, as the pool had been double-booked.  Never mind, I got some good photos. Some very unimpressed girls in the last shot....

Te Reo Maori

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, the Te Whanau Awhina teachers swap classes for half an hour and teach Te Reo Maori to a different ruma. Here are some photos from our very enthusiastic sessions today!

Kapa Haka

Exciting - today was our first kapa haka session of the year with Koka Kylie!  Here is a selection of TWA's performances.  Let us know what you think by leaving a comment!

Tenei Matou

Me Whakaiti

Haka Powhiri