Kauri Team News: Data, Discovery, and Deep Thinking 🧠
It has been a whirlwind of activity in the Kauri team! As we move through the term, we are incredibly proud of how our Year 7 and 8 students are stepping up as leaders and creative thinkers. Here is a look at what’s been happening in our space.
Mathematics: Data Scientists in the Making🖩🖩🖩
Our statisticians have been busy investigating the world around them. From favorite foods and sports to more complex variables like allergies and interests, students have been uncovering the "story" behind our class data.
Many students are now using CODAP (Common Online Data Analysis Platform) to visualize their findings. It’s been impressive to see them move beyond simple graphs to truly extracting and interpreting information like professional data scientists!
Literature & Perspective: Trash by Andy Mulligan📗📖📕
As we wrap up Week 4, we are nearing the end of our class novel, Trash. This story has been a powerful catalyst for deep classroom discussions around heavy real-world themes: poverty, corruption, and homelessness.
To wrap up this unit, students are now creating static images- a visual representation designed to illustrate their unique perspective on one of these themes. The level of empathy and critical thinking shown by the students has been insightful.
Reading- reading is a daily habit in Kauri. Check out a couple of titles.
Science Badges: Curiosity at Home❓❔❓
We love seeing our students' "inner scientists" come to life! Many have expressed interest in earning Science Badges.
The Details: This is primarily an at-home learning initiative, though "fast finishers" may sometimes have opportunities to plan or work on tasks during school hours.
Action: If your child is interested, badges are $6 payable to the office.
Friday Passions: Exploring Our Interests 😄😄😄
We were so excited to launch our Passions Program this week! This is a highlight of our week, allowing students to explore areas they are truly curious about. This term, our kete is full of variety: Coding, Dungeons & Dragons, Sports, Mural Painting, Cooking, and Buddy Time. It’s a joy to see the buzz of excitement every Friday afternoon and the happy, smiling, faces.
Portrait Art
Kauri have looked at symbols that represent things we identify with and love.
Identity Images
We have also looked at who we are and what we identify with.
Our classrooms are looking much better with some art representing our students. Thanks team Kauri. Kauri Writing: The Power of the Pen✍✍✍
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been sharpening our tools as writers. We’ve focused on the "Big Six": Tone, Hooks, Sentence Length, Language Features, Vivid Descriptions, and the golden rule of "Show, Don’t Tell."
The results have been breathtaking. Here are a few "golden lines" from our Kauri writers that stopped us in our tracks:
"The wind was squealing, as if the fire had scared it..." CG
"There were mountains of puppies..." HV
"I could already hear shouting, roaring, laughing; it got louder the closer I got." ML
"I turned around and saw that figure staring into my soul; he had bloody, stained teeth..." SL
"As I'm gliding my hands across the wall, I feel an indentation..." TB
Ask your child to share their writing with you, though they might complain their hands are "falling off" from so much handwriting!
Whare Kotahitanga: Connection & Unity😊👍👍
On Wednesday, we held our first Whare Kotahitanga afternoon. This refreshed house programme isn't about the scoreboard; it’s about Kotahitanga (unity), Manaakitanga (kindness), and Whanaungatanga (relationships).
It was a fantastic afternoon of Year 1–8 students connecting. A massive "shout out" to our House Captains, Deputies, Sports Leaders, and the Media Team. You organized equipment, led chants, and managed activities with such professionalism. Thanks, team!
Upcoming Events 📅📅📅
| Week | Date | Event |
| Week 5 | Wed / Thu | House Games (Wed) / SZ Swimming Sports (Thu) |
| Week 6 | All Week | Leadership Week (Kauri Day Out & Guest Speakers) |
| Wed / Fri | School Photos (Wed) / Learning Celebration (Fri) |
| Week 8 | Thu / Fri | PSC Swimming Sports (Thu) / Learning Celebration (Fri) |
| Week 9 | Wed / Thu | Huxster Mountain Biking (Wed) / Last Day of Term (Thu) |
