"Exploring your local area" - THE WINNERS!

Our March community week finished on Friday, which celebrated "exploring your local area". We received loads of submissions, from visiting local landmarks to nature reserves and much more. It was hard to choose, but we finally narrowed it down to our top 3!

Te Kura o Tihiōtonga visit Mokoia Island

- Submitted by Amy Garrood

The tamariki at Te Kura o Tihiōtonga have been really busy exploring our own backyard and supporting our environment at the same time. We have been going out to Mokoia Island on Lake Rotorua and helping clear and maintain trap lines by re-baiting them with peanut butter. It is one of many spectacular locations here in Rotorua!

Mokoia Island is predator-free and is home to many native birds, brown robin, saddleback and kiwi just to name a few so while we were out on the island we have been listening to and learning about how important these native birds are, and what we need to do to ensure their safety. Mokoia Island is also a very special part of Rotorua and we also have been learning about Hinemoa and Tutanekai, a local Māori legend.

We walk around the whole island which is an adventure, and a workout, clearing the track and traps on our way.

It is a really magical place and we feel very lucky to have this opportunity. Please watch the clip we have created which showcases us exploring our outdoors.

Te Kura o Tihiōtonga wins a Staff Share Hamper fit for a picnic!

Rotherham School has been exploring the local history of their community

- Submitted by Cheryl Barbra

Students from Rotherham School visit Cobb cottage

Rotherham School has been exploring the local history of their community for their big inquiry this year on 'Our Place, Our People'. Students walked down to the Cobb cottage which is not far from the school and learnt about its history of it. It was built in 1885. They looked inside at all the olden days' things and saw photos of the family that lived in it.

They had a picnic lunch then sketched the building and finished by playing some fun old fashioned games like quoits. Students are having fun learning about the history of their school and our local Rotherham community.

Rotherham School wins a Garden Jenga set

St Ann's Catholic School has been exploring the Woolston Village

- Submitted by Shelley Nicolson

Students from room 4 visited the Woolston village. The children enjoyed seeing and learning the meaning of the new Pou installed recently at each end of the Woolston Village and learning about the markings depicting some of the Mahinga kai of the local area (Waitbait).

They also visited and learned the backstories of the artwork produced by their students and chosen to be put on display around the village.

Tamariki are proud of the work that their school, along with other schools in the area have put into caring for their local environment.

St Ann's School wins a Skittles set