A spotlight on Poūtahi and Te Whare Putake

​In Ruru Pod we use tuakana/teina, where the tamariki are the experts(tuakana) and they help their younger or less able (teina) peers.

​Showing ERICs values

This week during our swimming session, the tamariki of Poutahi had a game of Water Polo.  First Thomas explained the rules and then the tamariki were put into teams.  Thomas was the referee.  Most of the tamariki had not played before but they tried hard.  Their skills improved as the game progressed and they included their team-mates when they could.  

Miles was not swimming so he was a spectator.  He was impressed with how hard the tamariki were working.  He was particularly impressed with how determined Terri (the only Year 4 in the pool at the time) was working to get the ball from the other team and the persistence she showed.  It reminded him of a video clip he had seen called The Humming bird and the Forest Fire.  He sent a clip through to show the class the next day.  

​The mantra of our whānau is that WE ARE ALL ON THE WAKA TOGETHER (HE WAKA E KE NOA) and that all of our students have their important strengths to contribute to the classroom. Where ever the Waka goes, they will always have a support network behind them.