What Was Camp Like?

What has Amie found?

The river pool was my biggest challenge because all us were struggling and fighting over our ideas in our group. It was really fun and hard. Van

The river walk was my favourite activity because it was a big challenge. I am so glad that we didn't have to walk the other way because there were rapids and if we went the other way we would of got swept away. Jessica

My biggest challenge on camp was making my desert because all of the ingredients kept on slipping out. Isaiah 

The biggest challenge on camp for me was when I had to go across the hanging bridge. Amie

I met my goal because I was a leader even though I didn't have a badge and I showed PRIDE. Cameron

When I put my foot on the bridge I started to shake because I was VERY scared. But when I went further I wasn't scared anymore. I kept on saying to myself, “Don’t Look Down Khushi!”
When I finally made it, I said……….. “I WANNA DO IT AGAIN!!” Khushi

Khushi, Sienna and Mac building their pool.

Spotlight was my favourite because I didn't get found by the adults and I got found once by the kids. It was amazing. Benjamin

My favourite part of camp was making the banana boat because it was fun preparing it and we got to eat some leftover chocolate chips! Sienna

My biggest challenge was doing try to dodge all the cow poo at Weka. Jacob

My favourite part about camp is going in the river because it was also really scary in some parts because it was really deep and I thought that I would slip through the tube. Mya Wan

My favourite part of camp was roasting marshmallows at Weka. I like making the skin black then the inside is soft and squishy. The best part would probably putting the marshmallow in the biscuits. Mmmmm, Yummy. Julius

My car ride was the best ever because we got to have lots of singing competitions and gobbled through five bags of lollies. Not to mention the awesome driver Jono who is the best at singing. Liske

Mya getting her hands stuck into the 3D Word Find.

The paper planes was my favourite activity because you got to make an aeroplane and you got to have a race as well. Maia

My favourite part of camp was the river walk because I have never gone on a tube for that long. Toby

My favourite part of camp was having the dog follow us because I like dogs. Nixie

My favourite part was Onekawa pools because I really enjoyed the hydro slides. Connor 

It was super fun! When I first saw it I thought “I going to die” but when we got to the end I wanted to do even more times. Also in the middle I started to bounce a bit but then I stopped. It is the best bridge ever! Ruby

Nikita, Bella-Marie and Nixie have their swimming pool sussed. 

I would rate camp 10/10 because the river walk was fun and I liked all the activities as well. Camp was fun. Ella

My favourite part on camp was our first free time because I had tons of fun playing tag with Deegan and invading the cool little hut. Oscar E

I liked the Riverwalk the most because the tube popped on me, Cameron and Mitch. Tyla

My biggest achievement was going on the Swing Bridge because I have never been on it and I can get nervous easily. At first I was a bit nervous but when I saw everyone else doing it I knew that I could do it. At the start I was nervous and in the middle I was a little nervous and at the end I was proud of myself :) Rory

My wire bridge experience was cool because I was the last person to go across and I wasn't even scared a bit. I was behind Brayden on the wire bridge and I had to go slow because Brayden had a sore foot. I looked down and saw a beautiful view of the river. It was amazing. Keighan

Which word is Rory showing?

The funniest part was at Weka. We were on the task after the boat task. When it was my turn to pull out the ring in the river, I walked out to Jono, I jumped in the hoop and...SPLASH!!! I fell right through the hoop because it was so big! I was soaking wet everyone laughed,even me! Naomi

The wire bridge experience was the best thing I've ever been on because James was jumping and we were going flying. Oscar J

I would rate camp 10\10 because it was set up great and very fun. Mya Wall

My favourite part of camp was doing activities because we all worked like a team. Kahn

I liked the river walk because it was fun and challenging. One challenge was trying not to fall over on rocky bit and fast rapids. One fun bit was at the camp fire at Weka, when we had our desserts. Victoria

Mya is in control.

The funniest part of camp was when Karamea tripped over and her hand landed in a cow paddy. Alize

In our car ride we listened to music all the way. All the dubstep music. George

My favourite part of camp was doing the pool construction by the river because it was really fun trying to get the water flowing into the pool with Skyla and Julius. Kaydence

I rate camp 9.9999 because I had so much fun and also I liked all the activities. My favourite part was doing all the games on the last day of Omatua. I am sad because I can’t do this again because it is my last year at Parkvale. Brayden

At first I was fine. The view was beautiful, the sky was a misty pink sunset colour, the clouds weekend drifting away from me, like the steam from boiling soup. Then I hit me I was so high up. My head was saying I can’t do this but I said I could. I walked across and went down the steps, finally I made it, and I said “I WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN!, IT’S SO FUN!” Jodi

Jodi, ready to fly to Omatua.

Wow the wire bridge was so fun and scary at the same time. It was exciting to be on the wire bridge and see all the wonderful things from up high. Rain

I felt excited to go to camp because I like the outdoors and experiencing things I have not done before. Mitch

My wire bridge experience was freaky at first, but when I got on it, it was not so bad. Sage

I rate camp 10 out of 10 because it’s great to get out to the great outdoors. You just can’t stop having so much fun. Camden

I liked the river walk because it was a great experience and I didn’t want it to finish. The view we had was awesome. Bella C

Mitch, Maia and Daniel being collaborative.

My favourite part will have to be when we cooked the toasties on the big fire pit.They were yummy… Holly

My favourite part of camp was the riverwalk because I like going in the deep bits. Aston

David, Tylah and Aston enjoying their construction.

My favourite part of camp was playing in the bamboo forest because you can climb so many awesome things. Jordan B

I think that I met my goal because my goal was trying to do stuff with my group and to not give up. Monica

My favourite part is the river walk because we got a flutter board and got to float on them and my friends Jessica and Naomi sent out an adult for us and he gave us a BIG flutter board. Taylah M

My favourite part of camp was the river walk because I liked to go tubing and swimming in the deep parts of the river. Bella-Marie

I felt pretty excited and happy about camp. Reese

Look at all that collaboration!

Coming soon: THE WIRE BRIDGE video!

Rimu Puzzle

We created a Rimu puzzle to begin the year. It reflects our unity together as well as us as individuals. It is an artwork that communicates ideas about us.

"I think the idea is great! This as a puzzle would be good. It shows each of our fav things and joins it together as one good work." Camden

For each of our puzzle pieces, the success criteria was:

• Some green for Rimu (but not all green)
• Represents you in some way (about you)
• Number is on the back, on the bottom (so our puzzle fitted together)
• You have to be careful - you only have one piece of the puzzle!
• Materials - only from the art trolley, plus sharpies for outline only

Can you tell who made each piece?

Camp Tomorrow!

We're heading to Camp Omatua and Weka Point tomorrow. We are very excited!

The Wire Bridge

At the end of the day the students asked questions they had about camp. I thought I would share them as they may be very helpful for others. See you all tomorrow!

Questions for Camp

What will we put in our daypack?

Lunch (lots of food), drink bottle (water), sun hat, jacket. You should already have your own sunblock on.

What time are we coming back?

Regular time on Friday afternoon (before school ends).

If you’re sleeping in a dorm, do you need to bring a mattress?

If you’re in a dorm both nights, you don’t need to bring a sleeping mat.

Do we need to bring baking?

Yes please, or a packet of Farmbake biscuits.

Will there be any lights when we go to sleep?

Yes.

What time will we go to bed?

Aiming for a 9 o’clock bedtime. If you start getting too tired, you can go to bed earlier.

What if we don’t have a torch?

We will try and get a spare one for you.

What time do we have to be at school?

8.30, no earlier than 8.15 please. If your parent is coming, you can be here at 8.00. If you’re a little later than 8.30 that is okay. If you have to be here early, you will need to go and play.

Meet the Hub

Thank you to all the whanau who came to our information meeting. It was nice to see you and be able to communicate our messages about our learning environment. The PTA picnic afterwards had a really lovely community feel. I liked how all the children were showing Parkvale PRIDE outside school hours. A special thank you to the students in the video below who contributed their thoughts on our hub so far this year. We were very proud of your contributions and so happy to share them with the parents at our meeting.

Here is the slideshow that we shared. It includes the video. We will be making many more of these videos over the year.

Buddy Reading

We have started Buddy Reading with our Learning Buddies. Each buddy picks a book from their leveled box to read to each other. For the first two sessions we have been lucky enough to read outside under the trees. The students have taken it very seriously and been excellent readers and listeners.


Below the video you read what some of the students have to say about our buddy reading so far.

Buddy Reading from Kieren Moriarty on Vimeo.

I like spending time with my buddy I'm on level 26. I'm really good at listening at buddy reading  and my buddy is always listening to. I love buddy reading because it always gives me air and refreshes my brain and I get to spend time with my buddy. Van

I like about buddy reading is that we get better at reading together and we learn hard words together. My buddy's reading is good because he reads at a good past. I have been very very good at listening to my buddy read his book. My buddy have been a fantastic listener when I'm reading. Mitch 

So far this year I have really enjoyed reading together with my learning buddy. I love how we both get to share and that the other person listens to you. My favorite things to read are the plays in the journals. They are very interesting and are always fun to read. My buddy is really good at listening cause at the end she always gives me a compliment and is very nice. I think that I am pretty good at listening too. I can't wait to do more reading with my buddy. It is so much fun! Liske

I like buddy reading because it is fun to do and I like to read! I have a school journal right now and it has a great story in it, it is: The McGoodys. My buddy has been great at listening and I have been great too. Taylor C