St Leonards School Dunedin

What’s Happening in the Learning Space?

Topic: Diving Deeper into the Toitū Stream
Over the last couple of weeks, we've been investigating all we can about the Toitū Stream to help answer the many questions we have. The seniors have been reading articles and watching helpful videos, and of course, we have all been to the Toitū Museum, where we learned about how the stream was used by early Māori and early European Settlers. We still have some questions, though, particularly about how changes over the years have affected the environment along the stream. Just as well we have a meeting with Janice from the ORC lined up for next week! Once we've walked the path of the Toitū Stream, we'll be able to put all our knowledge together to create a presentation for the "Portside Council" in the imagined world.

Maths: Statisticians in the making 🔢
We are flexing our mathematical muscles in a few different ways at the moment:

PR1ME Groups: Our PR1ME groups are about to dive into all things multiplication - skip counting, making equal groups, times tables and more!

The Number Squad: The Number Squad are about to discover that there is a group of birds from Aotearoa, New Zealand, who have emigrated to the Poly Plains (and are now enjoying the surf and warmer climate). These birds are planning to celebrate Matariki together, but are arguing about how to fairly share their kai for their hākari. The Squad will need to investigate mass and equal sharing, then send them some advice.

Writing Corner 📚
Over the next two weeks, we will gather writing samples to help us with report writing.

Narrative - our tamariki will spend this week writing stories
Information reports - next week, they will compile their knowledge of the Toitū Stream into reports that will help us advise the Portside Council in the imagined world on their important decision.

What's your favourite toastie filling? Don't forget, Toastie Tuesday happens again tomorrow!

You may remember that we recently conducted a Screen Time Survey, where your tamariki recorded how much time they spent on a device each learning block for the week. Since then, we have used our statistics skills to create graphs and analyse the data.

On average, your tamariki spent 25 minutes per day on a device for their learning at school. This would likely be slightly higher for seniors and lower for juniors. This may also be different on Fridays, especially during Tech Free Fridays.

For detailed analysis, read the description for each image.

We had a blast yesterday learning more about the Toitū Stream. After visiting the site of the Toitū tauraka waka and landing place of the John Wickliffe ship, we followed the original shoreline to meet our friend Danny at the Toitū Early Settlers Museum. We’re looking forward to our next trip where we’ll be following the path of the buried stream.

We’re packing so much goodness into the last day of term! 🌟 As part of our Matariki celebrations, we’ll be reflecting on our mahi and journey as an Enviroschool. School families, we’d love for you to join us for our first event of the day: a Matariki breakfast! 🥞✨ Check the image below for all the details.

(Porridge and cereal will be provided)

Kia ora e te whānau, just a reminder that we have one of our legendary working bee's coming up this Sunday. Kicking off at 11am, we'll stop for shared kai at 12:30.

Our senior students are nearing the end of their class novel - Children of the Rush. Yesterday afternoon they were absorbed in making dioramas of the setting.

Just a quick reminder that we have our Toitū Museum visit tomorrow. Details will be in your email.

Exciting news: our photos are ready to be viewed and ordered! You will find a flyer with details in your child's bag today.