Tuhuatahi, 2025 Term Four

Making a Mark Inquiry

In line with the New Zealand Arts Curriculum, students will explore elements and principles of the Visual Arts by learning about different techniques, tools, materials, processes and procedures. 

Students will explore expression through tukutuku panels, wood carving, print-making and harakeke weaving. They will learn about the historical context of each technique in Aotearoa and gain a deeper understanding of why famous New Zealand artists use these media. Students will then select a medium on which to base their visual art project.

Students will create a piece that relates to the historical settlement of Aotearoa or how any diverse population makes its mark. In following the ‘plan, do, review’ cycle, students will work towards becoming reflective and purposeful in their artistic design and development.

Making a Mark will be literacy-integrated to develop skills and strategies within the context of ‘writing to inform’. This will culminate in students producing a ‘catalogue style’ information report that explains the story behind their art project, the selection of their specific medium and the challenges they overcame.

BSLA (Better Start Literacy Approach)

The BSLA programme is continuing in Term 4 with the priorities of supporting children’s reading and oral language success. Through ongoing assessment within classrooms, Tuhuatahi teachers are using Term 4 to target areas of need. Targeting these areas of need is evident through the systematic teaching of explicit listening and reading comprehension skills, and repeated practice.

Mathematics

Tuhuatahi will be focused on developing knowledge and understanding in the areas of algebra, statistics and probability throughout Term 4.

Trip - MiCamp Whakamaru, November 21, 2025

Following the Term 3 Making a Mark inquiry, where students learned about early Māori navigators travelling on waka hourua, students will participate in kayaking and raft-building. 

This will expose students to this form of travel, whilst also developing motor skills and motor concepts in line with the New Zealand Health and Physical Education Curriculum. During the day, students will complete a confidence course to develop their resilience and ability to communicate with others, and a sketching-based activity to develop observational drawing skills. A letter will be sent to parents on the @School app with further details.   

To support funding this trip, Tuhuatahi will hold a Sausage Sizzle and Ice Block fundraiser with the Karapiti team.

Celebration of Learning

During this time, students will present their final art pieces and share their writing to explain the story and design process.