On the 16th March Year 7 students from Water Whanau set off on an exciting camp with twenty Year 10 leaders. Day one started with a splash as students participated in a day of water safety fun at the Massey Park Pools, Papakura. Students capsized out of boats, learned life-saving and floatation techniques and experienced the currents of the lazy river. At the end of the rotation cycle students particularly enjoyed some free time in the wave pool.

Campers then jumped back on the bus and continued the long journey to Piha. After many sing-alongs students finally arrived at Piha Mill Camp and were placed into ‘tribes’ for the next three days. The competition between the six tribes was evident from the beginning. After a fun afternoon participating in different activities at Piha Beach students returned to camp for some dinner.

Thursday saw an early rise followed by a quick breakfast before heading off for an action-packed day of camp activities. Students all participated in archery (“Mockingjay”), camp cooking (“MasterChef”), problem solving, the Amazing Race and hiking to the beautiful Kitekite Falls. Throughout these activities students had the chance to earn points for their tribe, as well as earning “camp money” from the Year 10 leaders.

The camp show was next on the list. Students all showcased a variety of talents, including magic card tricks, singing, extreme make-overs and  even a performance by the teachers! It was a fun-filled night, during which the “winning tribe” was announced. Congratulations to the Green Tribe who took out Water Camp 2016. It was fantastic to see such strong relationships grow between Year 7 and Year 10 students throughout the camp.

Thank you to Mr Field-Mitchell and Miss Young for organising the camp and to all students who made Water’s Camp 2016 such an awesome and memorable experience!

Four students attended the annual Travelwise Student Workshop to plan their communication plan for the year. Wasan Abu Nada (8M2), Victoria Kree (8M1), Leon Lei (7C1) and Aliza Azba (7W2) participated in activities to identify how to advertise, develop key messages and tag lines, and also had the opportunity to use a speed gun on local traffic.

The photograph (below) shows the girls participating in a ‘Road Safety’ relay race. Stay tuned for further information from the team, who have decided to focus their efforts on reducing the speed of drivers around the school this year.

Year 7 students from Water Whanau have been engaging in hands-on learning about the plight of the Long Fin Eel and their habitats. Long Fin Eels are endemic to New Zealand and are considered to be an endangered species.

As a part of their Term 1 ‘Camp’ context, students were fortunate to work with Kate Loman from WaiCare to conduct a series of water quality tests for the streams behind MHJC and in the Tane Forest. Students tested for water quality parameters such as Ph, water temperature, clarity and dissolved oxygen.  Students also enjoyed some close encounters with macro invertebrates in the streams (pictured below).

As a part of their camp experience this week, students will be hiking to the beautiful Kitekite Falls in Piha in the hope to see larger Long Fin Eels that are 20-80 years old.   As the eels only spawn at the end of their life cycle in trenches near Tonga, any eels that are caught within New Zealand’s waterways are prevented from reproducing.  Students are completing first hand research and social action to protect New Zealand’s Long Fin Eel and it’s habitat.

In preparation for camp 7M1 and 7M2 focused their learning on fire prevention and treatment of burns around the home and outdoors.  Students completed a First Aid course with the NZ Red Cross and invited guest speakers from NZ Fire Service (pictured below is Matt Evans, a
Fire Risk Management Officer) Fire Wise and the Middlemore Hospital Burns Unit to school.

 
Pictured below are Isha Rah'mani, Devanshi Mani and Avishna Sharma with Marta I. (a burns survivor) and Michele Henry (Middlemore Hospital Burns Unit) after an inspiring and informative session.

Students would like to remind families to have an escape plan to evacuate your home if there is a fire, instead of trying to put it out yourself.  It is also recommended that smoke detectors be present in each bedroom.

To plan your family's escape plan, please visit...

http://www.fire.org.nz/fire-safety/escape-plans/pages/draw-your-own-escape-plan-online.html

10F1 and 10F2 are learning about the Syrian Refugee Crisis and participating in social action to support refugees in New Zealand . The  photo below shows students forming doves with their hands, as a displaying of their support of Syrian Civilians.

Students will be forming a Youth Group with the support of Amnesty International NZ, to support Refugees in New Zealand.

Year 9 students from Water Whanau have enjoyed integrated learning around their Term 1 context,  “Fight for Life”.  Recently, students took the plunge to participate in  a wonderful day of aquatics and snorkelling at the Totara Pools.

Students and teachers are looking forward to Week 8’s EOTC trip to the Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre and Marine Reserve, where they will be able to view the sea life under the care and supervision of PADI Divemasters and observing the various species in a tidal touch tank at the discovery centre.