Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

Manaakitanga Matters

2 May 2019 · by Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

Term 2 May 2019

GREETINGS TO ALL PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Welcome to our second term for 2019.

Thank you for all the parent support we received during Term 1!

This term is another busy one with our winter sport exchanges and field days with our neighbouring Papatoetoe schools in rugby, netball and soccer.

The following is an overview of the topics we will be covering this term;

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Traditional and Devotional Prayers
Ascension
Pentecost
Jesus Module
Holy Spirit Module

WRITTEN LANGUAGE

Transactional Writing:

Narratives
Arguments
Explanations

HANDWRITING

Letter Formation and Developing the Cursive Style.

SPELLING

You Can Spell Programme.

MATHEMATICS

Numeracy
Algebra.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:

Auckland – Tamaki Makaurau

HEALTH

Healthy Environments: Class and school environments

SCIENCE

Physical World: Electricity

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Gymnastics

Sports: Netball, Soccer, Rugby, League.

ARTS

Painting: Techniques

Drama

MUSIC

Singing

SPECIAL EVENTS

Thu 2^nd May Sports Exchange vs Puhinui
Fri 3^rd May Full School Mass
Tue 9^th May Sports Exchange vs Central
Sun 12^th May Barbarians Rugby Tournament
Wed 15^th May Music Festival practice at Puhinui School.
Thu 16^th May Sports Exchange vs Kingsford
Fri 17^th May Manaakitanga Mass
Tue 21^st May Papatoetoe Zone League Tournament
Thu 23^rd May Sports Exchange vs SDA.
Fri 24^th May Papatoetoe Zone League Tournament saving day
Mon 27^th May Samoan Language Week
Thu 30^th May Sports Exchange vs North
Thu 6^th June Sports Exchange vs East
Mon 11^th June Room 17’s assembly
Thu 13^th June Sports Exchange vs Puhinui
Sun 16^th June First Holy Communion A-M
Tue 18^th June Rugby, Soccer and Netball field days for Papatoetoe Primary Schools’ Zone at (saving day 21^st June)
Thu 20^th June Open Rugby Tournament at Puhinui School.
Mon 24^th June Room 18’s Assembly
Mon 24^th June Duffy Theatre
Sun 23^rd June First Holy Communion N-Z.
Fri 28^th June Reports sent home.
Mon 1^st July Parent Interviews
Wed 3^rd July Parent Interviews
Thu 4^th July Reading Degree Graduation.
Fri 5^th July Full School Mass.

HOMEWORK:

This is an extension of the school day and all children will be expected to complete reading, spelling, basic facts and specific activities each night as directed by their class teacher. Please ensure all tasks are attempted to a good standard and that all books and work are returned to school each day as they are needed for class lessons.

UNIFORM:

The winter uniform will need to be worn for all students at the start of the third week of Term 2. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform and has their P.E. uniform at school everyday. Children need plain black shorts (no stripes or monograms). Remember we do not allow any nail polish or jewellery apart from a pair of stud earrings and a watch. Hair should be tied up in the school colours.

Could you also please check to see that all clothing and footwear is clearly named as this enables us to return any articles of clothing that may be misplaced. All children must bring a note if they are not wearing the correct uniform.

SPORTS EXCHANGES:

The following has been scheduled for our sports exchanges. Only children chosen for these teams will be involved. A note will be given out to those who have been selected. Most exchanges will start around 1.15p.m. and around at 2.20 p.m.

Week 1 vs Puhinui start 1.15pm

At Holy Cross: A (draw 6-6) & B (win 9-1) netball, Girls’ soccer (loss 2-4)

At Puhinui: C (loss 2-3) ,D (loss 0-6) ,E (win 16-7) & F (win 4-0) netball, U40kg & U 50kg (Lost 30-45) rugby, Boys’ soccer A (draw 0-0) B (loss 1-0)

Children will eat lunch at 12.30pm and walk to Puhinui at 12.40pm

Week 2 vs Central start 1.30pm

At Holy Cross: A&B netball

At Pap rec Ground: Girls’ soccer, Boys’ Soccer A &B

At Central: C,D,E & F netball, U40kg & U 50kg rugby,

Children will eat lunch at 1.00pm and walk to Central at 1.10pm

Week 3 vs Kingsford start 1.15pm

At Holy Cross: A&B netball, Boys’ Soccer A &B

At Kingsford: C&D netball, U40kg & U 50kg rugby, Girls’ soccer,

Children will eat lunch at 12.50pm and catch the bus to Kingsford at 1.00pm

Week 4 vs SDA start 1.20pm

At Holy Cross: Girls soccer team

At SDA: boys A&B soccer teams, Netball F Team

Rest of teams training

(League tournament Week 4 Tuesday (21st May)saving day Friday(24th May)

Week 5 vs North start 1.15pm

At Holy Cross: A &B netball, Boys’ Soccer A&B

At North: C,D,E & F netball, Girls’ soccer

At De La Salle: U40kg & U 50kg rugby

Children will eat lunch at 12.50pm and catch the bus to North at 1.00pm

Week 6 vs East start 1.30pm

At Holy Cross: A & B netball, Boys’ Soccer A&B

At East: C,D,E & F netball, U 40kg rugby, Girls’ soccer,

Children will eat lunch at 1.00pm and catch the bus to East at 1.10pm

Week 7 vs Puhinui start 1.15pm

At Holy Cross: A & B netball, Girls’ soccer

At Puhinui: C,D, E & F netball, U40kg & U 50kg rugby, Boys’ soccer A&B

Children will eat lunch at 12.30pm and walk to Puhinui at 12.40pm

Games vs North, Kingsford and East require $1 from all teams to assist with transport costs.

Rugby – need a moulded mouthguard, plain black shorts.

Soccer – need plain black shorts.

Netball – girls wear their uniforms and netball footwear.

READING DEGREE

The Reading Degree is designed to encourage your child to read a lot more, and to hopefully, get enjoyment out of reading. This will kick off in Week 1. All children should have a booklet explaining how to achieve the different degrees offered. A graduation ceremony will be held in Week 10.

Yours Sincerely,The Manaakitanga Syndicate.

Sherwin Stowers (Room 17), Kenneth Wilson (Room 19) & Bryan ‘Ofamo’oni (Room 18 and Senior Teacher).

Friday 15 March 2019 – New Zealand’s Darkest Day.

25 March 2019 · by Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

By Eden Iona (Room 18)

50 innocent people lost their lives including 2 kids and many more injured for no reason, by someone with a lot of hate in their heart for muslims.

On the day I found out when watching the news, I felt like my heart broke into a million pieces because I felt so sad for those families that lost their loved ones while praying in their mosque. I felt really scared because i have family and friends that are Muslim and this could’ve happened to them. I also felt scared because it happened in New Zealand and it could’ve happened at my school while attending mass.

I hope that the people in hospital survive and I pray for all the souls that died. I hope that one day the whole world can learn how to be loving and caring for one another so people shouldn’t be scared to pray in their mosque or church. All I wish is that I could live in a world that can be more merciful and that people could accept other people that look different, speak different, pray different and love different.

May God look after us all and God bless.

The Estuary

5 March 2019 · by Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

By Ohea Huni

The day had come. The bell had just rang for Holy Cross’ awesome day to start and we the Manaakitanga syndicate were all pumped with excitement. We were going on a trip to visit two Estuaries. The first Estuary we were visiting was Seaside in Otahuhu, and the second one was in Glendowie. We were going there to observe the different organisms that live in an estuary, and to see what us humans are doing to estuaries, when we throw waste and rubbish into the estuary.

We were all split into groups with parent helpers and teachers. I was in my mums group, with Julia, Sheldon, Sapphire, George, Laila, Benjamin and me. When we arrived my mum told us some rules that we all had to follow for the whole trip. We then all decided to come up with a group name, so we had a vote, and the name with the most votes was ‘Scientists’. We explored the deep and muddy surface to find different types of organisms that live under and on top of it. We found many organisms, however the organisms that we mostly found was a lot of plants, shells and baby mangroves. We also found a lot of moss stuck in between cracks in the shoreline barrier. There also a lot of human impact that we found. We discovered man made pipes sticking out of the shoreline barrier that were leaking out greasy, shiny oil. I saw a large building and suspected that it might be coming from there. We also realized that the further you went from the shore the mud would be more smooth and easy for you to get stuck.

We had just arrived at the second estuary. We split up into two groups, room 18 and 17 went one way and room 19 went another. We first sat down on a large patch of grass, and then we made a move. When we were walking the scientists my group noticed that while we were walking the grass was wet and kept getting soft, so that our feet would just slightly sink. This estuary was definitely larger than the first. We walked all around it. My group also noticed that this estuary was rocky and the last one was muddy. We continued to carry on our journey. Curiously we all looked around to see what types of things we could find in the estuary. We saw little barriers that the rocks, sand and water had formed and we predicted that the the barrier acted like a wall to guide the sea water to the creek which we saw behind us in the distance. We carried on searching. We found dark and smelly mud in the deep part of the estuary, and also found grey clay deep down under the surface. Laila found a ?crab,We found bristle worms, and around it were different trails that looked like spirals, we scientist decided that the bristle worms were making these trails, however when we carried on, we observed that it was actually welks making the trails. Baby fishes and a type of seaweed that changes colour when its the Sun and when it in the shade. There wasn’t that much human impact at this estuary. We saw birds on one side of the estuary but none on the other side, my group curiously wondered why. We also saw dead mangroves that had half opened oyster shells on it.

I think that learning and going to these estuaries made me curious to find out how different organisms adapt to the changing environment. I was also sad to see at both estuaries the negative effects that us humans are doing to these organisms home. I also learnt that we have local estuaries near us, that I did not know of. I am able to share my knowledge with different people about an estuary and to make them aware of the human impact, so they won’t do it.

Writing Piece of the Week

13 February 2019 · by Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

Patou, Pontoon

By Merryn Raukura

I was still standing there, chilled to my bones. Staring into the mystifying depths. The wind was howling eagerly, and darkness filled the sky, as the rain swept down onto the creaky wooden platform.

My sister and cousin, Emily and Livia, were shivering all over. Our teeth rattled in tune, as if we were a dull orchestra. The misty aroma of sea sat flooded through our bodies.

We had bravely swam out to the pontoon, but would return as chickens if we did not jump soon. I huddled near the girls’ and proposed we all jump of together, and swim back to shore. We gathered back onto our feet, the waves hurling towards the platform causing it to shake and move violently.

Taking hold of the rope, we started the countdown “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9” everyone stopped, I opened my mouth and shouted “10” and everyone leapt into the currents. Water pushed me down and and the darkness surged around me. I broke through to the surface and eventually my sister and cousins head popped up buoyantly.

We swam underneath the gloomy and strangely luminous platform, holding onto the ropes, then out the other side. Finally, back to shore. Our parents, who were sitting under the tree for shelter started to become clearer and clearer. We stood up and ran through the water until our feet touched the wet mushy sand.

Manaakitanga Matters

10 February 2019 · by Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

Term 1 July 2019

GREETINGS TO ALL PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Welcome to all our new parents for 2019.

We hope that you had a wonderful New Year!

We have started the year well with a lot of things happening. We hope that we will have a successful first term and appreciate all the love and support that you give to your children.

The following is an overview of the topics we will be covering this term;

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Created in the Image of God
Prayers
God Strand
Lent Module
Holy Week

WRITTEN LANGUAGE

Recounts
Information Reports
Descriptions
Narratives

HANDWRITING

Letter Formation and Developing the Cursive Style.

SPELLING

You Can Spell Programme.

MATHEMATICS

Number
Statistics and Probability.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Korero Tuku Iho : how the past is remembered in different ways

HEALTH

Team Building and Hauora

SCIENCE

Living World: The Estuary

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Large Ball Skills

Sports: Swimming, Rippa, Cricket, Playball, Rugby, Netball, Soccer

ARTS

Sketching: Techniques
SPECIAL EVENTS

Mon 4^th February School Starts
Fri 15^th Feb Full School Mass
Mon 18^th Feb Meet the Teacher evening
Fri 22^nd Feb Syndicate Mass
Fri 1^st March Estuary Trip
Mon 4^th-8^th March Testing Week
Tues 5^th March Zone Swimming Competition
Wed 6^th March Ash Wednesday
Wed 6^th March Southern Zone Rippa Championship
Thur 7^th March Rippa saving day
Thur 14^th March Whaiora Marae Trip
Tues 19^th March Cricket and Playball Zone Tournaments
Thurs 21^st March Cricket and Playball saving day
Fri 12^th April Full School Mass.

HOMEWORK:

This is an extension of the school day and all children will be expected to complete reading, spelling, basic facts and specific activities each night as directed by their class teacher. Please ensure all tasks are attempted to a good standard and that all books and work are returned to school each day as they are needed for class lessons.

UNIFORM:

Please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform and has their P.E. uniform at school everyday. Children need plain black shorts (no stripes or monograms). Remember we do not allow any nail polish or jewellery apart from a pair of stud earrings and a watch. Hair should be tied up in the school colours.

Could you also please check to see that all clothing and footwear is clearly named as this enables us to return any articles of clothing that may be misplaced. All children must bring a note if they are not wearing the correct uniform.

Nga manaakitanga

The Manaakitanga Syndicate.

Sherwin Stowers (Room 17), Kenneth Wilson (Room 19) & Bryan ‘Ofamo’oni (Room 18 and Senior Teacher).

Auckland Rugby Champs by Riley Parker

25 September 2018 · by Mr. 'Ofamo'oni

It was one crisp morning on the day of Auckland Champs for Rugby. The teams that went were Girls Open,Boys open and U50 boys. The event was held at Marist Old Boys Club in Panmure. We arrived at the grounds with excitement! Teams were scattered everywhere! Getting ready to face each other with rage and excitement.

We all hopped out the bus and headed towards the place where we were going to set up our gazebo. Once everything was finished the teachers had to head to meeting. They came back about 15 mins later.

We all got ready to warm up and head towards our field. Our coach was Mr ‘Ofamo’oni. Up first we had a challenging team that went by the name of Fairburn Road School in Otahuhu. They were a pretty good sized team which meant hardcore tackles and nice hard running.

Our next game was one that made all of us panic. Last year one of the hardest teams we played was Sir Edmund Hillary but guess what? They lost in the final against Bairds Mainfreight which meant they were twice as better!

The other teams we played was Panama Road, St John’s Otara and in the Finals we played Point England which was a very good team.

When it came to the finals that’s when we knew we had to play harder and better than usual.

Our running with the ball was on point and our tackling! Oh, our tackling was professional! It came to the last 10 seconds we were all running to get ready for the kick! We already knew that we were winning until. Wooh! The final hooter went off! Yay! We all began jumping with joy and happiness but at the same time we were humble!

The final score was 6 to 2. We couldn’t believe it! We had won Auckland Champs 2 times in a row! I wonder if the Year 5 girls this year could win next year?