SHAUN THE LAMB VISITS

22/7/09
We were so lucky today because Sophie and her mum Hannah brought their pet black lamb 'Shaun' along to Kindergarten for us to meet. We were able to feel his soft coat and some children were able to give him his bottle of milk - he was very hungry! After Shaun had finished his drink he went outside so we could see more of him. Sophie and Hannah kindly brought Shaun along to both sessions so all our children could meet him.
Thank you very much Sophie and Hannah.
Margaret

OUR NEW BIRD CINDY

We are so lucky because we have a very friendly cockatiel called 'Cindy' who loves to spend lots of her time with people. She sits on our shoulders as we walk around and loves to watch us doing our work.
Welcome to Greenhithe Kindergarten Cindy.
Margaret

MARKO DOES ANIMATION

Marko has made a really cool movie using the animation software called 'I Can Animate.' He placed a cut out of himself dressed in his Superman suit onto a large piece of blue paper - he chose it to be the sky. Each time he moved his figure on the paper, using blu tack, he took some photos. By the time he had finished his movie he had taken 126 photos. Marko chose the title for his movie, the music and the sound effect. At the end of session mat time he shared his movie with all the children and they really enjoyed watching it. Well done Marko what fantastic work!
Margaret

WE WENT TO KELLY TARLTONS

As an extension from the Red Sock Day the children were still really interested about sharks and sea life. So on the 15th May we decided to visit Kelly Tarlton’s. What a fantastic trip we had. We saw sharks,stingrays,fish and of course the cheeky penguins. After that we went to Bastion Point for lunch where some children rolled down the banks and climbed the fabulous trees that are situated there.
We were so lucky with the weather it was a glorious day. Lots of fun had by all.
Brenda

BUTTERFLY CREEK VISIT

Our children are currently very engaged in the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. We have been bringing caterpillars and swan plant branches for the caterpillars to eat inside every day and we are keeping them in our science area in a perspex animal house. We have also looked on You Tube to view the life cycle so we can see how the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis and how the butterfly comes out of the chrysalis because we can't always be there when it happens in real life. (Although some of us did get to see the caterpillar to chrysalis change on Monday afternoon. Weren't we lucky!)
Our morning children went to Butterfly Creek on Friday (20th February) to build on and extend this interest area. Unfortunately, it was a VERY wet day! The bus trip took a long time both ways because the traffic was very bad, but once we got there we had a great time. We went into the barn and saw and petted some of the animals and we saw fish in the aquarium area, spiders and other insects in an insect area and we just loved the butterflies. When we came out of the Butterfly House we were really lucky because the rain stopped long enough to go for a train ride before we had our lunch.

Christmas Party Fun!

Our year for the children ended with lots of fun at Wainoni Park, despite the weather! We walked in a group to the park and some helpful parents took the food and tables ahead so they were there ready for us. Everyone enjoying playing with the wonderful equipment and Sean Murgatroyd, the children's librarian formerly at Albany and now at Northcote Library, paid us a final visit. Sadly we said goodbye and Sean gave the children a gift - an air powered rocket which has already spent some time over the fence back at Kindergarten. After talking to Sean it was time to eat and have a picnic with our friends on the field. Luckily the rain waited until after everyone had eaten and was over in time for the show by 'Starfish'. The children enjoyed singing and dancing along. Then it was time to pack up and walk back to Kindergarten.
Thank you everyone for your support this year, have a wonderful holiday and we wish those children moving onto school all the very best for the future. We will miss you.
Margaret and Chris

Haka Challenge 2008!

What a fantastic day we had! We had morning tea when we arrived at Birkdale Intermediate before joining the nearly 2000 school children waiting to do the massed Haka. Some of the children performed for us and then it was time to practice a few times before the real thing. It was very moving and powerful for everyone to be part of something so big and so loud and we felt our children did really well as they joined in both the practices and the big event. We are very proud of them all! There are also some photos at - www. georgefm.co.nz/photos72157609235812687.html