Visit from an Atmospheric Physicist!

We were very fortunate to have a visit from Dr Richard McKenzie. He has worked as a research scientist with the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and is based at Lauder in Central Otago. He visited Room 1 so that we could ask him some of our questions about the sun and ultraviolet rays.

 Richard’s research focuses on UV radiation. He is New Zealand’s foremost scientist in the study of UV and its effects. What a luck class we were to meet someone so famous and interesting!

 Maho came to take us for our second lesson on Japanese culture. Today she talked to us about origami. Maho and her friends made these for the people of Christchurch after the first earthquake to show people that they were thinking about them. 

Maho showed us some of the different creations that she can make out of paper.

 We had a go at making a Samurai helmet.

We thought this would be a great plan to follow if we ever forgot our sunhats!

 Thank you Maho!

 Congratulations to Liesl for getting player of the day at touch rugby for such great running and tackles.

Alan won player of the day for his team for his fabulous tries.

What an interesting week Room 1! 

Super Scientist Sheree

Sheree Brinch came to visit. She is a microbiologist with 'Plant and Food Research.' Sheree studies small, living things.

Sheree showed us the special gear that she wears at work to keep safe. It is important to protect your eyes and to keep your feet covered.

She talked to about good microbes which are our friends. They are in all things.

There are good microbes in all these foods.

Bad microbes sometimes give us a sore throat or a sore tummy.

Her work includes helping farmers with keeping their crops healthy, thinking of ways to sort out water shortages and keeping plants healthy.

Sheree and the other scientists at her work developed the Zespri.

She showed us a picture of roots and we talked about why these are so important.

Our experiment included wiping our finger onto a special jelly inside a petrie dish.

Oscar drew his initial onto the petrie dish.

Sheree then took the dishes away and put them in an incubator.

Here is Brendon's microbes which have grown over night.

For safety reasons we had to keep them in zipped plastic bags.

We shared our findings in groups.

The black paper made it easier for us to see our results.

We couldn't believe how quickly the microbes grew!

At the end of the session Sheree took away all the petrie dishes to dispose of them.

Thank you Sheree for talking to us about your work as a scientist and for helping us to carry out such an interesting experiment.
Caitlin was delighted to have her Aunty at school.
We are now enjoying writing about your interesting visit!

Science everywhere

This week Caitlin organised for her Aunty Sheree to come and visit Room 1. She is a Scientist with 'Plant and Food Research.'

 Sheree came to visit us on Monday and Tuesday to talk to us about micro biology.

 We are going to use our photos to make a special blog entry about Sheree's visit....so be on the look out!

 How cool is this....Mrs Black brought an electric car to school.

 Don't tell the other classes but we got to go for a ride in it!

 It was very quiet because it did not have an engine. It runs for 120km on electricity before it needs to be plugged back in.

 Monique one of our youth workers, brought her puppy Chester along. He gave us a all a big lick.

 Chester loved Jacob in his new snazzy glasses.

 We are writing about Chester and Monique at story writing time.

Thanks Sheree, Mrs Black and Monique for your kindness!

Term 4 Mihi Whakatau

On Friday 17 October we had our Mihi Whakatau to welcome new staff and children.

Hinewai gave a Karakia to open the Mihi Whakatau.

The Kapa Haha group welcomed everyone.

Ms DR gave a Mihi ki te kaikarakia to thank Hinewai for giving the karakia.

Ms DR shared her mihi with us.

Miss Patterson spoke on behalf of the visitors,Manuhiri.

The Manuhiri sang the waiata 'Te Aroha.'

The Year 5 and 5 children sang a song of welcome and thanks.

The staff and Kaeas joined to hongi manuhiri.

This was a very warm and special assembly for Merrin School.

Traditional Japanese Games

This morning Maho came to Room 1 to teach us some traditional Japanese games.

Maho is on teaching placement with our Senior Stars.

Maho showed us 5 different games that we could move around and try.

 Caitlin and Sophie put on a blindfold and tried to place eyes, eyebrows, a nose and a mouth on the face without looking!

 Here is Artu wearing a traditional mask.

 Doesn't Jacob look great. The mask is called fuku warai meaning 'happiness' and 'to laugh.'

 Tessa and Mia are playing a traditional game called daruma. You have to try and knock the blocks out without the top face block falling off.

Harrison is blowing up a paper ball called kami fuusen.

Harry did a great job of placing the mouth in the right place.

Seth laughed and laughed when he saw he had put the eyebrows on the nose!

Thank you very much for visiting us Maho! You are a great teacher.