People Places and Things

Kia Ora everyone. Just a little note to say that our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the Christchurch Earthquake. We wish all our families well and we hope your friends, families or loved ones are all safe in that region. Just for your information, we have conducted our own earthquake drill at kindergarten this week too. It has been a wonderful busy learning time at kindergarten. We have been actively involved and exploring about our environment especially butterflies, canaries, nature and even special visitors.We have enjoyed lots of music activities, drama, literacy and numeracy too. Active Movement promoting balance, turn-taking , hand eye co-ordination & using our muscles , big & small continues to be an exciting focus in our programme too.We hope you enjoy a wee snippet of kindergarten life as told in pictures. Kia Kaha.

Fly, fly...butterfly

On Thursday our numbers trebled with the arrival of Concord School children, staff and helpers for morning tea and to spend some time with us as part of their 'Big Day Out!' After feeling a little apprehensive as to how it would go, we were delighted with the outcome as children mingled together, chatted, showed each other around, shared activities and learning experiences and all in all had a fun time. In fact some of our children with older siblings visiting were reluctant to say 'Goodbye.' We hope to foster this relationship further with senior school children visiting us on a regular basis to share further learning. There is great excitement this week as the first 3 butterflies (kahuku)hatch from their cocoons/chrysalis....what a fascinating experience for us all as they emerge, stretch and slowly pump up their wings eventually building enough strength to make those first tentative attempts to fly. Eventually they are off, fluttering over the bushes to explore their new world. What a fabulous learning opportunity - witnessing the complete life cycle of the monarch.. .....egg > caterpillar > cocoon > butterfly!

Wind Beneath Our Wings

Hi again everyone. Wow! We are well into week 2 of our new term. What a fantastic time we have been having at kindergarten. This week's blog is dedicated to all the wonderful creatures great and small like butterflies, canaries and super heroes. We now two canaries at kindergarten. Thanks to Shiloh's family for our new beautiful feathered friend. We have had more caterpillars turning into cocoons this past week so now we are eagerly awaiting the monarch butterflies to emerge. Congratulations to everyone at Concord Kindergarten as we are featured in SPORT OTAGO - Activate magazine (Summer 2011). News and pictures about our Gold Award are in page 5. The online article can also be accessed at http://www.sportotago.co.nz/

Watch this space for more exciting happenings...

From The Teaching Team- Helen, Jude, Donna & Gerry