Exploring Art

We had been creating boxes displaying New Zealand nocturnal creatures both natives and predators, and inspired by the Brook Sanctuary's conservation efforts to protect native species. The boxes were created to be a part of a community project for the upcoming "Light Nelson", an outdoor light installation exhibition.

With the boxesit was time to deliver them to Office Max, and see how they looked in the room they had setup with UV light.  Our boxes with their glowing fluro paint looked fantastic!

Making the most of the opportunity to explore our wider community, we then went to visit the Refinery Artspace.  There were many different art mediums being exhibited for us to view; wooden and bronze sculptures, paintings, drawings, and even a taxidermy rabbit.  Surrounded with all this artwork, we then spent time sketching or photographing, the art which inspired us.   

Out and About in our Neighbourhood

At kindergarten we are always keen to head out the gate and explore our local community. With Ava's suggestion of a walk to Isel Park and a visit the cafe she had been to with Mum, and Hunter's suggestion of a visit to the library, we set off on a sunny Friday morning.

Ava lead the way, and it was a beautiful walk through Isel Park.

After morning tea, we explored the Cafe garden and play area.

Then we headed back to kindergarten, with a visit to Stoke Library along the way.  This was an opportunity to find some books to take back to kindergarten with us, and enjoy some stories, before walking the rest of the way back to kindergarten.

Kid Power Workshops.

We recently took part in the Kid Power programme.  We held a Parent Education night at kindergarten and then three sessions with the tamariki.  Kate Canton (Kid Power) did a great job of reinforcing  to the children the important messages of how to keep yourself safe from mental and physical harm .  Children learned how to use Body, Voice and Brain Power and what to do if they feel unsafe.  After the third session Kate was impressed with what the children had to say when recalling the information she shared.  Thanks so much to our family Liaison group for funding this programme and to COGS for subsidising the cost.

Fancy Nancy is a popular story we love to share at Kindergarten, so it seemed like a fun idea to have a "Fancy Nancy" party so we would all have the opportunity to dress up and share "fancy" food.

The girls were busy, getting ready for the big day.... jewellery to make,

                 clothes to sew,

          and food to prepare.

This all came culminated in a wonderful morning of celebration.  It was great to have family dress-up and come and join us for morning tea.

Off to Damin's house.

At Nayland Kindergarten we value the way that many whanau open up their homes for us to come enjoy and explore. These visits support children to make connections between home and kindergarten, the opportunity to practice respecting and caring for others treasures and a way to deepen the friendships that are happening at kindergarten.  Of course there is the added addition of parents having the opportunity to get to know other parents and caregivers too, which helps build a sense of community and whakawhanaungatanga.
This week Damin and his whanau invited us to their place.  Thanks so much Mikayla and Damin for the invitation.  We all had a great time exploring your whare and sharing yummy food and wonderful toys too.

"Lets bike to the park"

There had been lots of bike ridingg happening at kindergarten, so when Hadrian suggested "Let's bike to the Park", I thought what a great idea!

When the day arrived, with great excitement everyone got ready; backpacks, shoes and helmet.  Then off we set, past Broadgreen Intermediate, turning down and onto the Railway Reserve, we peddled for several blocks until we reached the Park.  After all that exercise we were hungry and thirsty, so sat together and had our morning kai.

Then it was time to explore! There was a fun dirt track that wound around the park, and up and down the hills.  Everyone did a great job of going in the same direction, and waiting at the top of the hill for their turn to go down.  There was so much energy amongst the group, the boys just kept on riding..... although some tried running it too!  

The morning flew by, and all too soon it was time to head back to kindergarten.

At kindergarten we love the opportunity to head out and explore our wider community, and supporting the children"s interests and passions.  On the bike ride back, there was talk of where  we could ride to next, with the BMX track was a popular choice... we will have to see what we can organise!

It's a nice day for a white wedding.

On of our student teachers got married at Easter Weekend and because we love any opportunity to celebrate here at Nayland Kindergarten we held a celebration morning tea for her.  The girls particularly liked being able to dress up in fancy dresses and have glitter sprinkled though their hair and they also loved the opportunity to escort Abby up the make shift aisle.  Congratulations Abby and John.  We wish you all the best for your future together .

Super Hero Saturday.

SuperHero Saturday.

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No it’ s a bunch of  Super heroes. 

Kindergarten was transformed on Saturday morning when it was taken over by a group of super heroes.  It was wonderful to watch the children show their special heroes around kindergarten, and  be able to  have plenty of  time to enjoy playing together.  We were delighted that so many children and their special heroes could make it to kindergarten.  We trust you all enjoyed yourselves and we look forward to sharing more times like this together.  We know the boys were very excited to be planning this morning and equally excited to be sharing their favourite kindergarten spaces and places with their important people. Tino pai koutou mahi - great work everyone.  

Nā ngā kaiako - from the teachers.

Inspiration for Sculpture

With the completion of our newly landscaped garden area, we have decided to create a sculpture to place n the corner of the stoned area.  With this in mind, we went out into our local community to inspire us, and learn more about sculpture.

We found sculptures made of wood, bronze, metal, ceramic and stone.  Through observation and talking to people in the community who knew about the sculptural artworks, we learnt that the sculptures often told a stories of people, places, and time.

Our next step, is for kaiako, tamariki and whanau, to work together and decide on the story of 'our place' and how we will re-create this within our sculpture.

Our Garden Makeover

Over the last several months we have talked with the children and whanau about what we could do in  the grass area, where the grass just won't grow!

A plan was formed, we wanted water and mud, and the teachers wanted the area to be natural and easily maintained.  With the support of local businesses, Fulton Hogan, Hirepool, and Delta, the materials for the makeover were sourced.

On Saturday a group of willing helpers spent the morning rotary hoeing, digging, carting and creating, and our beautiful new area emerged.

Thanks to everyone who helped on this project.  Already the space is being enjoyed and explored by the children.