Tapuaetahi Sandspit Restoration

The student team travelled to the sandspit today to begin work on weed removal, and to gather seeds for raising. This long term project is a special one for our school and we are proud to be kaitiaki of this precious environmental gem.

Excitement and anticipation as the team gather in front of the sandspit with Teresa, Emily and Romy to begin the task of weed removal.

Mahi and Isaac removing plenty of Iceplant from the sandspit area. Those bags get very heavy boys.

Well done Neva and Emily. Digging up those larger plants is not the easiest of jobs in this heat.

Nice work Soraya, the weed pile is just about taller than you.

Teresa taking the tamariki over the sand dunes to collect seeds from the pingao.

Year 8 Exhibition Project - Shaun

 Year 8 students in their graduating year complete an Exhibition project, reflecting a culmination of their learning and skill development in the IB Primary Years Programme. This is generally a fully student motivated passion project and may take a big portion of the latter part of the final year at the Bay Academy to complete.

Shaun has just begun to bring an action to his project, sending out messages seeking support with students across all of our classes. His kaupapa is shared in the image below.

Trapping team

The trapping team have been continuing their good work around the school to assist with pest control in our region. Zane from Kiwi Coast has been visiting regularly to support the team and has added some of our traps to the network of traps being monitored.

Currently 2 traps have been GPS'ed and are visible towards the back of the school grounds. These are significant traps with stoats as the possible prey, although they will also eliminate rats.

We will continue to develop our recording of pests trapped. The team will be looking to expand their reach in the community as time goes on with the hope that they can encourage others to keep and maintain traps in the neighbourhood.

The trapping team are currently Phoenix, Oakley (Room 5), Louie, Ethan, Mahi (Room 4). We will expand the group based on interest and the group will also help to train younger students in Room 3 with an eye to the future.

Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying

Every year we take the time to acknowledge https://bullyingfree.nz/ week in conjunction with https://www.pinkshirtday.org.nz/ on Friday. This is an opportunity to bring into our regular conversations and inquiry into the impact of bullying on individuals and in society.

As always our children are responsive and supportive to the messages discussed and shared across the school.

Whaea Sharon Day

On Monday, the 5th of July, we celebrated our first Whaea Sharon Day.

As part of learning in the current Unit of Inquiry some children from Room 3 (Boston, Zane and Laychn) came up with the idea of celebrating Whaea Sharon’s birthday as a way for us as a school to remember her. They planned the ceremony as part of their inquiry into traditions around the world.

Together, they found out everything that was special about Whaea Sharon and created a poster to tell others about their idea and the event planned on her birthday.

On Monday 5th July the whole school assembled around the Pohutukawa tree in front of the office.

Our school’s enviro-team worked hard to prepare a new garden bed to be filled with beautiful flowers and decorations. Parents and whānau bought in flowering plants to be added to the garden. We sang Sharon’s favourite waiata and the Happy Birthday song and shared stories about her.

We ended the celebration with a sweet treat (Sharon loved chocolate!) that the Room 5 school leaders had prepared the day before. This special day and celebration will be marked in our calendar each year!

Student action in Room 2 and 3

“Access to equal opportunities shapes communities and makes a difference in the world”

This was the central idea for the 'Sharing the Planet' inquiry conducted in Rooms 2 and 3. 

Children looked into equal opportunities for natural resources and for education. Soon, it became clear that some children don’t have the same access to water, food and toys like others. 

Aliyah, Anaia and Flynn decided to write letters to the students and their parents asking them for donations of toys and food to help families in need. 

It didn’t take long, and the first toy donations came in, the team was overjoyed! A big thank you to all children and families who donated toys. Now, we will be looking for the right charity to donate these toys to.

Northland Pest Control Wānanga/Meeting

Last Sunday saw the running of the latest pest control meeting for interested groups around Northland. The Bay of Islands International Academy took along members of the trapping group to present to the meeting about what they have been doing to manage the population of pests in the school grounds.

Details and a video of their presentation is below.

We are excited to be involved early in an initiative to rid the Purerua Peninsula of all pests in an effort to protect and grow the kiwi and native bird communities living here.

Room 5 - Stories of the Month

 Students in Room 5 have created and shared their recent learning in the class newsletter. Enjoy.

Protecting Marine Environments

I was lucky enough to experience the beauty of our marine environments first hand in the recent term break. What an amazing experience.

Students in Room 5 have also inquired into what it means to protect our marine environment and have written individual submissions to the Department of Conservation. You can read their submissions here https://drive.google.com/.../1DKb5fNVkRAdKpVs...

If this inspires you to want to add your voice to the marine mammals sanctuary proposal in Te Pēwhairangi, The Bay of Islands, then follow this link https://survey.publicvoice.co.nz/s3/boimms

Student Volunteer Army

Rooms 3,4 and 5 signed up for a Student Volunteer Army project supplied by the School Kit programme in schools. The students came up with great ideas how to make a difference to the world around us. The students in Room 3 went down to Te Tii and helped gardening around the marae, Room 4 got involved in Marine Reserve activities, and Room 5 painted drains to raise awareness about pollution. Each class selected a student who stood out with ideas and taking action. Congratulations to Winter, Mika and Eva. 

Homes Reflect Lifestyle Influences

Room 3 Action takers: Phoenix RT, Patrick, Arran, Oakley, Titan, Elijah

As part of their current unit of inquiry into Where we are in place and time with the Central Idea of: Homes reflect lifestyle influences and change over time, these students have initiated a project: Building a teepee at school.

Action: The boys watched a video about making a simple teepee with plants growing up on the side. They discussed where they could find a good spot for this at school and went to find the site. They also brainstormed which plants would work best at this time of the year. After that they made a list of materials they needed. They asked Matua Chris for permission to build it.

Phoenix then asked his mum Liz for help and sent her an email with the list. Liz came in and built the teepee with the boys.

Success: The team built a great teepee with peas and beans which will grow up on the side over the summer! It is fenced off at the moment to protect the plants in the growing stage.

Evangeline - Healthy Food Initiative

Evangeline in Room 5 is currently involved with her IB Exhibition project, the culmination of her learning in the IB primary years programme. Students in their final year of the PYP conduct an Exhibition project as part of their graduation.

As part of her project she is running a healthy food week at school, promoting increased awareness of healthy food options and acknowledging students who are making an effort with their lunchbox contents.

We are impressed with her planning and delivery.

School Camp 2020

 

Our school gardens

 The children were very keen to help Matua Danny today in the school marae, Te Wao Nui a Tane. As we approach spring time we are looking to beautify the school grounds, and a working bee is on the cards. We will send out information soon about how you might be able to help.

Worm Farms

 As part of Room 3's “Sharing the Planet” theme, Phoenix looked at the use and reuse of natural resources during lockdown at home. He shared a video he made when he was building a worm farm with his mum.

Looking at the use of his food scraps, he came up with the idea of building worm farms at school where many students have fruit and vegetables scraps at morning tea and lunchtime.  Phoenix asked his mum and organised a team of interested students to join into his action plan and help with the building. 

There are lots of other photos of the days activities. Please follow this link https://photos.app.goo.gl/SNQHbBUA9QwckRgU6

Thinking about protecting our environment - Room 5

Springbank School - Fundraising Gala

2020 and beyond. How do we continue to improve outcomes for our children?

We are currently reviewing our strategic plan and initiatives for 2020. 


A significant focus for 2020 will be the positive behaviour initiative that we have been working hard to set up in 2019. We are committed to strengthening a culture of kindness at our school based around our core values - Ko Wai Au? Who am I?.

Academically we will seek to build improved learning opportunities for our children with international students and international issues. The goal here is to continue to build the characteristics of global citizenship encompassed in the Learner Profile.

I'll continue to provide updates as we progress our current review. 

Our ongoing goals and initiatives are shared below.

Garden Club

Our next garden produce sale will be held: 

• 12th June

There will be silverbeet, broccoli, kale and cabbages for sale. 

Please support our Garden Club.

Wigs day and mufti for a great cause.

We are very excited to be taking part in ‘Wig Wednesday’ on Wednesday 19th June to raise funds for Kiwi kids with cancer. It’s easy to take part – just wear a wig on the day and bring a donation for Child Cancer Foundation.  All funds raised will help support kids with cancer and their families across New Zealand. Prefer not to buy a wig? You can make a wig or make a headpiece of your own. Create wacky hair using ribbons, clips, temporary colouring or old-fashioned back-combing! Please note this will also be a mufti day.