Panui
Term 3 2015
Homai Campus School and Residential Services
Rāranga ai te tuakiri o te tāngata kea whatu i ngā koingo o te iwi hei taupe kit e korowai o
te ngākau.
Weave the identity of the people, sow the desires of a nation, thus to be adorned by the
cloak of the heart
Kia Ora, Ni Hau, Talofa Lava, Kia Orana, Malo e lelei, Salam Alaikum, Namaste, Ni Sa
Bula, Fakalofa Lahi Atu and Greetings.
Term 3 has been incredibly busy with our teachers providing our children with a wide raft
of experiences, both in and out of the classrooms. The subsequent learning has been
significant and many of those experiences outlined in the following stories. We are
extremely proud of our students’ achievements this term.
On the 26th August families were invited to the campus to help provide information to
shape the future of BLENNZ. We are always looking to improve and hear the thoughts of
family and whanau. The following questions guided the discussion:
1. What is BLENNZ doing well for you and your child?
2. If you could change one thing about BLENNZ to improve learning for your child,
what would that be?
3. Think of BLENNZ in the future…what would you like to think we were doing that we
aren’t now?
This input will help us to shape the future of BLENNZ and to improve services for children.
Students have also been asked the same questions. The results have been provided to
the Board of Trustees to help develop the BLENNZ strategic direction.
Barbara Whitley
Senior Manager
School and Residential Services
HOMAI CAMPUS
t. 09 266 7109 / f. 09 267 4496 / w. www.blennz.school.nz
2 McVilly Road, Manurewa / Private Bag 801, Manurewa / Auckland 2243
Tui Class
Over the last year Tui students have participated in the Nga Kupu o te Wiki programme.
This involved them in learning a word a week for the past year. Every Wednesday the
class had a Te reo lesson with Matua Becker where the word for the week was introduced.
During the rest of the week this has been reinforced most days. All of the students have
learnt many of the 50 words and are retaining them. On many days the students would
spontaneously test each other’s knowledge and pronunciation of the words. They are
proud of their achievements.
Here they are with their certificates for participation
Pukeko Class
This term our theme was Growing and Changing. As part of the theme we:
 Measured the height of each other and showed the results by ordering them from
shortest to tallest in a photo and stick format.
 Drew around the right shoe sole of each student, cut them out and placed them in
order from longest to shortest.
 Recorded the age of each student and showed it in a linear graph format.
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Drew around our hands and found objects which would fit into the palm and objects
which were too big to fit in the palm.
Created play dough birthday cakes and counted out the correct number of candles
to put in.
Used playdough to roll balls for eggs to put in a nest and rolled long caterpillars to
place on a leaf.
Made butterflies with teaspoons of paint on a paper which we folded and cut into a
butterfly shape.
Explored daisy plants and created our own flower with leaves, a stem and a flower.
Explored how water changes when it is put into the freezer.
Looked at the new leaves on the trees in the playground.
Had a lot of fun.
Takahe host Manuhiri
This term Takahe students have been preparing to host a small number of Manuhiri
(visitors) from the Auckland BLENNZ roll. The visiting students were aged between 5 and
10yrs. The Takahe students learnt different parts which they performed at the Pōwhiri
(welcome ceremony). They made polymer clay Tikis (neck ornament) as taonga (precious
gifts) for the Manuhiri.
The visitors, staff and Takahe students had an interesting day of learning and sharing
which was led by Matua Becker. Tamati from James cook assisted the students in the
preparation and coached them in the different roles that they would play on the day.
Natalie from Kickstart assisted with coaching Adrea in Karanga (to call) and instructed the
visitors on waiata (singing) on the day.
The students were given a tour of the school building focusing on the carving and the
murals outside the classrooms. They got an opportunity to feel and look at patu (club), poi
(a light ball on a string of varying length which is swung or twirled rhythmically to sung
accompaniment) and woven harakeke (flax) putiputi (flowers).
At the end of the day the students were welcomed at a Powhiri by Amandeep reciting his
mihi whakatau (speech of greeting) and the remaining students performed the haka
pōwhiri (ceremonial dance performed to welcome visitors). The afternoon session took the
form of a traditional Pōwhiri with a response by the Manuhiri and waitata. The Manuhiri
were then given their Taonga to remind them of the significance of the day.
Logan supports his group of Manuhiri at they explore the carvings and he demonstrates
using the poi.
The Manuhiri enter the room and Amandeep delivers the mihi whakatau.
Nuku and Adrea making the Tikis.
Kiwi Class
This term, students in Kiwi class have been learning about growing and changing. We
have had discussions about things that grow, like plants and flowers. We talked about how
we all grow and change.
Students have enjoyed listening to stories and poems relating to the theme. The story
about the Very Hungry Caterpillar was a favourite for this term. We read a tactile book
from the library.
Students explored tactile pictures, real objects and models of the caterpillar, the cocoon
and the food that the caterpillar ate while listening to the story about how the caterpillar
grew and changed. All the students took turns to participate in telling the story. They
used switches to fill in the words from the story.
Students enjoyed listening to poems and songs while exploring tactile pictures of
butterflies and caterpillars.
We also made grass caterpillars. We planted grass seeds in the egg cartons. Students
took turns to water them regularly and it was interesting to watch them grow and to feel the
‘fuzzy hair’
Salvie Naidoo and Ernestine Muller
James Cook High School Satellite Class
Elizabeth and Joseph have been busy with a SPEC module planning their edible summer
garden and have planted out some early varieties in time for an early summer harvest.
Carlton and Amitoj’s SPEC unit is Personal Finance while Tamati and Paige are busy
completing a Te Reo unit of work.
The students started two new business enterprises this term: Big Biscuits and Rubba Dub
Dub. They are learning the many skills needed to run a small business and at the same
time the money they raise goes towards EOTC expenses.
Elizabeth, Joseph, Paige and Amitoj started Big Biscuits; they specialise in Afghans and
Melting Moments. Tamati and Carlton started up a second car wash business specialising
in top quality results.
Everyday a student takes on a key leadership role. As Rangatira for the day they are
responsible for announcing the programme and leading the class throughout the day. We
have challenged ourselves to learn new kupu and short phrases when we are giving
instructions or beginning and ending a lesson. Whaia Marie’s favourite phrase is “ Mahia te
mahi” “Do the work”.
Kickstart
Auckland War Memorial Museum
On Friday we went to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. There was an interactive
table where a torch was used to find treasure - such a great use of an interactive
surface in my opinion! At the Cook Island Maori drumming workshop we learnt that the
cell phone was invented years ago – they used drums to communicate from village to
village. We also had an opportunity to play the drums. It was a really cool experience
and certainly entertaining! We had lunch in the Atrium. Seeing all the old things was
so cool! I showed the others my relative Frank's name on the wall. He went missing in
Gallipoli 100 years ago…… Emile Secker
Butterfly Creek
Kia ora all. This term the Kickstart group went to Butterfly Creek for one of our
outings. While there, we came across a variety of different animals from deadly
crocodiles all the way through to the beautiful butterflies. All in all we really enjoyed it.
Ngarangi Burton
Friday outing was so fun! To be honest, I didn’t think it would be as fun as it was. The
Butterfly House was hot but it was so beautiful. I was holding a butterfly that stayed
with me for most of the time I was in there. It was so amazing I just wanted to bring it
home with me! Then we went to see the crocodiles and man they were ugly. There
wasn’t much to look at. All they did was turn from side to side. The bugs were ugly
too. I couldn’t stand looking at them even through the glass. I felt squeamish. We
watched the crocodile get fed, that was cool as it made the weirdest noises and
jumped high to get food.
Seirosa Akeimo
Nikau Hostel
Our big adventure for this term was the recent trip to Rangitoto Island. It was an extra early
start to the day with students getting up at 5am, breakfast, organised and out the door by
6am ready to catch the train into the city. From there we caught the early bird ferry for the
30 minute trip across the Waitamata Harbour to Rangitoto. Then the long climb and the
many steps to the top!
Students enjoyed the sound of the native birdsong, the peace and quiet. After having
morning tea at the top we then started the descent, a lot easier than the climb up. We had
lunch and had time to explore around the jetty area while we waited for the 2.30pm ferry to
take us back to the city. There were some tired people on the train trip back to Homai.
Below are the students’ reviews of their Rangitoto experience.
Michael Going up Rangitoto, I never expected it to be as hard as it was. It was a long and
hard climb but I really enjoyed it. I was glad I made it to the top, I never thought I could really
do it.
James It was hard getting up at 5am but really good to see the sunrise when we were on
the train. We got a good view of Rangitoto from the ferry. I didn’t realise how huge Rangitoto
was until we landed there. I had flown over Rangitoto in a helicopter earlier this year and it
had looked a lot smaller then. Overall it was a good use of a day
Ko Paige toku ingoa ahau. This term, Nikau students went out to Rangitoto Island. We had
to get up at 5am. I was happy that I was going to Rangitoto for my very first time. I remember
when I got onto the ferry Nichole said to me, that if she needed to be sick, she would spew
in my hat!! I said back to Nichole, keep dreaming! When we eventually got climbing up
Rangitoto, I did not believe how far it would be until I saw the top of Rangitoto from the
bottom. I was so excited that I was going up Rangitoto, no matter what! Not even half way
up, I kept moaning and moaning, when are we ever going to get there?! I kept sitting down,
moaning that I don't want to go any further. Chris said we can turn around if you want, I said
no; I'll keep going. Eventually when I got up to the top, I was exhausted. It looked so beautiful
up the top. On the way down I did the same thing that I did on the way up - moaned and
moaned and moaned! That day it honestly felt like summer was finally here. I'm so happy
about my achievement.
Carlton It was awesome as. The boat trip was my least favourite part – I hate boats but I
loved the challenge of the walk up to the top of Rangitoto. I really enjoyed it. I would love to
go back. I would definitely go back.