Tuhuatahi, 2025 Term Two
Classroom Learning
The first inquiry will be focusing on the chemical reactions that occur within the food making process. Students will be following the scientific process to compare and contrast reactions using household cooking items, specifically yeast, baking powder and baking soda. Students will be following the scientific process to compare, contrast and learn about the importance of fair testing.
From Week 6, all classes will be exploring the origins of Matariki within a localised context. As a team we will be focusing our learning around the stars Waitī and Waitā, which represent the connections between people and resources from fresh and saltwater. As your child explores this topic, they will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of Matariki in a modern Aotearoa. This topic will conclude with a Matariki celebration alongside whānau.
We will be incorporating our inquiry learning into our literacy as we seek to develop your child’s ability to write to inform and comprehend non-fiction texts. Literacy learning will focus on the skills of understanding and writing poetry. During our mathematics lessons, we will be developing your child’s knowledge and understanding of multiplication and measurement. We will also be recapping and reinforcing the learning that took place in Term 1.
Kapa Haka
Kapa Haka in Term 2 will be optional for those students who want to perform at the Tūwharetoa Taiopenga. Those students who choose to not participate in the school’s Kapa Haka performance group will instead be engaging in Te Reo Māori and tikanga lessons.
Coding/Technology
The Tuhuatahi team is excited to be hosting the Ministry of Inspiration during Week 2 (the week beginning 5 May). Each class will be completing an hour-long coding session with an expert facilitator that specialises in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Students will then be completing a weekly session using code.org throughout Term 2. As well as developing their ability to code, these sessions will seek to improve students' digital literacy, problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.
St John Ambulance
Students will be participating in a first aid rotation that includes how to respond appropriately in an emergency situation, how to make a 111 call, how to help someone who isn’t breathing, and how to help people who are struggling with severe bleeding. They will also be learning about the importance of appropriate clothing (especially when undertaking outdoor activities) and how to prevent trips and falls at home.
Jumping June
Throughout the month of June, students will be asked to bring a skipping rope into school. We will be incorporating daily skipping-based fitness to develop their skills, whilst also improving general fitness and hand-eye coordination. On the final day of term (Friday, June 27), there will be a whole-school Jumping June celebration to showcase their amazing skipping skills.
Inter School Sport/Swimming
Winter sports will be beginning at the start of this term. Hockey fixtures will be taking place on a Friday after school, whilst netball fixtures will be played on Saturday mornings. If your child would like to take part in rugby or football, please get in touch with one of our great local clubs.
Please keep an eye out for our school swimming sports form, which will enable your child to enter swimming events to gain qualification for interschool swimming. This will be for Year 4 students and above.
Structured literacy
Teachers will be taking part in professional development to further strengthen their understanding and implementation of BSLA (Better Start Literacy Approach). From Term 3, BSLA will be replacing The Code in order to provide a more well-rounded approach to structured literacy, as opposed to the spelling focus that has been previously taught.
