Ao Tawhiti Newsletter April 2025

Upcoming Events

Contents

IEMs – Friday 11th April – School Closed for Instruction
School Holidays – Saturday 12th April – 27th April
IEMs – Monday 28th April – School Closed for Instruction
First Day of Timetabled Classes Term 2 – Tuesday 29th April
Open Christchurch – Saturday 3rd May – School is open for tours to the Public
RAMs Training – Wednesday 14th May 2:30pm
Vision Screening – Thursday 15th May
Reading Co-requisite – Monday 19th May
Numeracy Co-requisite – Wednesday 21st May
Writing Co-requisite – Thursday 22nd May
Kings Birthday – Monday 2nd June – School Closed
RAMs Training – Friday 13th June 8:30am
Ao Tawhiti Matariki Celebration – Thursday 19th June
Matariki – Friday 20th June – School Closed
IEMs – Friday 27th June – School Closed for Instruction
School Holidays – Saturday 28th June – Sunday 13th July
IEMs – Monday 14th July – School Closed for Instruction
First Day of Timetabled Classes Term 3 – Tuesday 15th July

Message From Anita

Kia ora,

Ka pai and well done on the completion of a successful first term.

The Education Review Office / Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga has just completed a school wide evaluation of Ao Tawhiti. The evaluators spoke to staff, the Board, students and they observed classroom teaching and day to day life at our kura. They have analyzed achievement data, policies, attendance data and teaching and learning programs. The formal results of this evaluation will be shared with us and on the public website https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/home in a few months. However, the evaluators said that they were happy to share their informal observations with our wider community.

They are that:

· Students experience high quality teaching and learning and a wide range of meaningful and authentic learning opportunities in school, and within our Education Outside the Classroom programs, including off-site learning, PINs, the Climate Action Campus and Gateway Programs.

· Students express a strong sense of wellbeing and pride in their school that results in high levels of engagement and positive and respectful relationships with staff, with each other, and with external visitors.

· All staff work closely together, along with caregivers, to set goals, track progress, respond to the learning needs and interests of every student.

· Identified additional learning and wellbeing support is implemented promptly to support students to be successful.

· Caregivers are valued and central partners in their children’s learning goals, supporting reciprocal relationships of respect, trust and care with school staff; parents also contribute widely to a variety of rich learning opportunities for all students across the school.

· Arotahi enables effective and measurable individual education goals that are student led and allows them access to a rich and broad curriculum.

· Student feedback and ideas are gathered and specifically used to inform the learning context, experiences outside and inside the classroom and sustain a positive school culture.

This review affirms our Special Character. Every decision we make is informed by our Special Character that states that every child is central in directing their own learning, to retain a love and enthusiasm for learning. We aim to provide an environment where you and your child have ownership over your child’s learning program. We also understand that it can feel like you might be taking a risk with your child’s education when you choose to send them to a school that operates differently to mainstream schools, or your local school.

We are sharing these informal ERO observations with you because we are proud of our school and our students and the contribution made by our caregivers and wider community. We are also sharing these observations to give caregivers and students confidence that our school is operating an environment that will enable your child to achieve their educational goal and to appease any concern that might exist through your choice to bypass a more traditional school.

Finally, we are sharing these observations because they exemplify our aspirational goals. We want all our students to feel that they are supported to achieve their educational goals at Ao Tawhiti. We have a number of systems in place to identify students who are struggling, but it would be naïve to think that we are infallible. So, if your child is struggling, and you feel that we might not be aware of those struggles, then please reach out to your child’s Home Base Learning Advisor, Community Leader, Kaitiaki or you are welcome to contact me. I will put contact details for the Community Leaders and Kaitiaki below.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful term break.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone back at Ao Tawhiti for term two, with IEMs on Monday 28 May and normal timetable resuming on Tuesday 29 May.

Ngā mihi Nui

Anita

Floor One Community Leader Suze Keys suze.keys@aotawhiti.school.nz

Floor Two Community Leader Rob Miceli robert.miceli@aotawhiti.school.nz

Floor Three Community Leader Greg O’Neil gregory.oneill@aotawhiti.school.nz

Floor Four Community Leader Kay Hayes kay.hayes@aotawhiti.school.nz

Kaitiaki Years 7 – 10 Suze Lamont suze.lamont@aotawhiti.school.nz

Kaitiaki Years 10 – 13 Anne-Marie Hampton

anne-marie.hampton@aotawhiti.school.nz

If you are every in any doubt about whom to contact then office@aotawhiti.school.nz will redirect all queries to the correct person.

Messages from Senior Leaders

From Niki

PINs

Thank you everyone for the support you showed for our PINs workshops. The students had a great morning with lots of engagement. We hope those of you who ran a workshop also had a wonderful time, and might be inspired to offer again! Our students really appreciate all of the cool opportunities afforded to them by our amazing whānau community, so thank you!

While I’m on about our amazing community, I must also give a massive shout out to the whānau who come in week after week, day after day to help run workshops such as Code Club and Breakfast Club, tidy our community space, look after lost property, locate balls and other resources for the children to enjoy, support the fundraising for our playground and every other little thing. It all makes a massive difference and we appreciate every little thing you do for us!

And while I’m on that ~ we’d love some whānau members to offer lunchtime clubs next term and help with Winter Sports on Friday afternoons. If you feel you’d like to commit to running something/ helping once a week, or even once or twice a term, we would love to hear from you! Please email suze.keys@aotawhiti.school.nz if you’re up for something like this.

Playground update

Emma and Jared have come up with a cool new design after CCC said they did not want a sandpit for health & safety reasons. They were concerned about sand spilling onto Mollett St and causing slips for members of the public.

Working within such a small footprint and wanting the space to be flexible rather than static so children have opportunities to be creative have given Emma and Jared some interesting challenges. Here is what they are suggesting for Phases one and two (screenshot attached).

If you have any feedback on this new design, please get in touch with niki.stephenson@aotawhiti.school.nz

Our fundraising efforts are going gangbusters; with an $18,000 grant from the Christchurch City Council’s discretionary fund (with thanks to Nadia Maxwell for your mahi on that!), we are at around the $50,000 mark. Next term there is an adults only fundraising ball, organised by Jenny Ward, and there will be more raffles and maybe some frozen cookie dough.

Thank you for your continued support with this initiative, our aim to have a near-at-hand space for our tamariki to play in is ever closer!

Ngā mihi,

Niki

Music with Nikki

On Monday we farewelled Nikki Berry, who has been teaching music in Y1-6 for the past two terms. Some of the children have really enjoyed her classes, but with so much to cram into our school day, we have made the decision to suspend music classes for the time being. Please see this message from Nikki:

For those students wishing to continue their music journey with me, The Muse Community Music Trust offer after school classes. We fund raise to provide scholarships for families who can’t afford to pay, so these classes are inclusive for everyone.

Sing – Hear – Play – Music classes for children.

High quality, joyful, experiential music classes for children of all ages on Wednesdays during term time at the Beckenham Methodist Church Hall. 52 Martin Ave, Beckenham.
3.45pm – 4.30pm 5 – 7 year olds
Please enquire if you are looking for lessons for older children.
See themuse.org.nz/children

Niki Stephenson

News/Notices

Principals Today Feature

We were featured in the latest issue of Principals Today magazine. It was great to have the amazing leadership of Anita recognised by the wider community. Read the article here

The Retro 60s Surf and Cocktail Ball

Get ready to make a splash in Term 2!

Our Surf & Cocktail Ball is rolling in with all the retro kitsch, beachy vibes, and good times — all to help raise funds for our amazing new playground!

So dig out your bold prints, big sunnies, and vintage glam – it’s time to dress up, dance, and dive into the fun.

Ticket info and all the juicy details coming soon!

Want to ride the wave behind the scenes? Join the Surf & Cocktail Ball Committee or lend a hand in any way — we’d love to have you on board! Just email Jenny at jenny.ward@aotawhiti.school.nz.

This event is open to family of Ao Tawhiti and their friends – so spread the word!

Let’s make this the event of the year!

Student Volunteer Awards

This term we have had a number of students reach a service award level through their volunteering. A huge congratulations to the following, the world is a better place with you in it:

Bronze Level

Jia Lee

Jake M

Seth Knights

Jake David McClimont

Kay Hayes

Cultural Calendar

Get ready to celebrate creativity, connection, and culture in Term 2 and 3!

Ao Tawhiti will be hosting a range of Cultural Events that will bring together our ākonga, whānau, and wider community in the spirit of whanaungatanga, kaha, aroha and artistic expression.

Emotional Rollercoaster – A Wearable Art and Cosplay Event

Tūranga August 13th 5.30 – 7.00pm

There are two sections with various categories to enter for this event. The theme this year is “Emotional Rollercoaster” with the following categories;

Melancholy and Sadness

Joy and Happiness

Anger and Frustration

Calm and Content

These are of course open to artistic interpretation.

The Ao Tawhiti Film Festival is at Lumiere Theatre on October 20th at 5pm.

All types of genres are welcome. Please include titles and credits. This year, we potentially plan to have some prizes, guest speakers (film directors) and once again the post screening Q and A session.

Emotional Rollercoaster – Intention to Submit

The Ao Tawhiti Film Festival is at Lumiere Theatre on October 20th at 5pm.

Film Festival Submission Form

The Ao Tawhiti Choir will take place on Thursday from 2.15 to 3.00 with Jenny and Greg! All children are welcome. Talk to your LA.

Submission forms will be required for all entries and performances, so keep an eye out for sign-up info and deadlines.

Let’s make 2025 a vibrant year of culture, creativity, and connection at Ao Tawhiti!

Jenny Ward

Outdoor Education – Hope Kiwi Lodge Tramp

This year we have an Outdoor Education class. This program aims to be a comprehensive outdoor exploration designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in nature.

Last week we successfully completed the Hope Kiwi Lodge Tramp. Mental fortitude was the name of this tramp. We all had moments that pushed our limits. This tramp was not meant to be as long as it was, but when the rule is, we are only as fast as our slowest person, no matter the reason, that does make for some slower and longer hikes. We all have to wear it. We are a group that needs to work together to help each other and support those who need support. Some students needed that support, and others didn’t. Each walk is different. Some days we feel good, and others, it’s just not clicking.

We never know our limits until we are made to push them.

This tramp was that for our students. We had two days over 7 hours walking. That’s a tough ask for anyone. The mental toughness and determination shown by all the students was amazing. I only have high praise.

With an early start (thank you to all you parents for making it happen), we got on the road with some small delays, putting us behind by 30 minutes to start. The first section was in open low forest and uphill before hitting the bush an hour in. We had the bush for some hours, with a rest at Hope Halfway Hut. This was all undulating country. Up and down. The best part for me was the wonderful bird song in the bush. The next section was along a river edge and some swamping wetland, where all of us got wet feet. Open grassland followed. With everyone having different strengths and weaknesses, this was tough for some, as it was a little boring on the flat land. I enjoyed this area because you can see the hilltops around. It was this point I could see that some students had hit their personal limits or were close. This was a big day. We were 6 hours in on what should have been a 6-hour walk and still over an hour to go to the hut for the night. We came across our second swing bridge that slowed us all down, as it was a one-at-a-time bridge. Our strides were failing us as they got shorter, but we all made it to Hope Kiwi Lodge before it got dark.

The students get on with it once at the hut. Set up their beds, make their dinner, sort out their entertainment for the night. An outside fire was lit, and spotlight rules were set. It’s here I would like to highlight Taison. He coordinated the spotlight game, to then be the first eliminated in the first game, but to win the second, I believe. Earlier that day at the second swing bridge, which had its trouble points due to stepping under wires and with a nasty drop below into the gorge, Taison helped everyone over with an encouraging and supportive role. The following day, when we split into two groups, he stayed back with the slower group as support. That was to start with, before he raced away in a personal goal to catch the front group. He is very speedy on any terrain. The leadership skills he showed made me very proud. Thinking of and supporting others comes with praise from all the adults involved. Well done, Taison.

Speaking of adults, I would love to thank Libby from school for joining, and also Creon and Ian. Having parents along is the only way these tramps can happen. I know you both enjoyed your time out there, and it is much appreciated.

The students did well to sleep early, but the morning was a little tricky for some. There is no sun at this point in time until 7:30 am. Hut life can only really start when the sun comes up. It’s a pretty simple life. Our body clocks speak differently. There was a bunk room with only boys. A few noisy ones at that. Learning to respect the others in a hut (shared space) is a learning for us all. They now know that a consequence for waking early will be longdrop cleaning duties. That will happen next time. Packing up and cleaning up is also part of the independence goals I want to keep pushing in this group. We have shared responsibilities, and making it out the door on time is one of those. They were better this tramp, but only time will improve that over the year.

The Wednesday start was in the drizzle. This lasted for some hours. This also meant limited stops until that rain stopped, or we found shelter. A different experience of constant walking, but it has to be done sometimes. My personal record is 8 hours without stopping due to rain and mud. Again, pushing through personal limits, and the students did this with no stopping for this long period of time.

Everyone’s bodies were giving up. It’s part of any tramp, but each step has to be made to reach the trailhead so we can all go back home safely. With four adults, we split into two groups, with the faster students moving ahead after Hope Halfway Hut. We all have our own natural gait, and some days are just better than others. Those personal limits were being pushed by those in the back, but the speed of those in the front is also exhausting. With tired feet, wet clothing, muddy boots, aching shoulders, and hips, we all found our way back to the vehicles to start the long drive back to Culverden for some ice creams.

From a personal development perspective, they all found something. They discovered their mental fortitude.

Dean Crawford

Change Maker Conference

This week, a few of our student leaders were invited to attend the 2025 Change Maker conference.

The aim of this day is to inspire leadership in girls and give them tools to develop these skills. A range of guest speakers also came to share their experiences of leadership, the challenges they have face and how they overcame these.

The students came away inspired and now have some new tools to add to their kete. Ka pai!

Jess Dewhurst

Sports on offer for terms 2&3

Years 5 – 6

Students in years 5 – 6 at Ao Tawhiti are encouraged to take part in a winter sport on Fridays during terms two and three. Winter sports will take place during school time and the students will be walking to and from school to Hagley Park. Teams will be leaving school at 12:20pm and returning to school at 2:30pm

Each term sport will have six playing days, starting on Friday 16th May, and ending on Friday 27th June, for term 2, and Friday 18th July, and ending on 22nd August, for term 3.

Sports on offer are:

Football

Hockey

Netball

Link to sign your student up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ2crC5esdDO4gaBnPbzVc2oYrAmsVVb17K55j-2Bz3FwxSg/viewform?usp=header

7 – 8 Community

Students in years 7–8 at Ao Tawhiti are encouraged to take part in a winter sport on Thursday during terms two and three. Winter sports will take place during school time and the students will be walking to and from school to Hagley Park. Teams will be leaving school at 12:20pm and returning to school at 2:30pm

Each term sport will have six playing days, starting on Thursday, May 22, 2025, and ending on Thursday, June 26, 2025, for term 2, and Thursday, July 17, 2025, and Thursday, August 21, 2025, for term 3.

Sports on offer are:

Football

Hockey

Netball

Link to sign your student up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSch_H6Hp_2RLau6pQt-TTROXMPmzXmUe30J4KPsFNriA-r7Ug/viewform?usp=header

9 – 13 Community

Please find attached a copy of the after school winter sports for years 9-13 in term 2&3. Sports will be played on a Wednesday after school except for basketball which is played on a Friday after school. The dates for games are starting on Wednesday 14th May (Term 2) and finishing on Wednesday 13th August (term 3) There will be no games in the school holidays.

The sports on offer as as follows:

-Badminton

– Football

– Netball

– 6 aside Hockey

– Basketball ( Played on Friday nights)

– Table Tennis

– Squash

Link to sign your student up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSep3XJc2pmqxp56oQffo5FErCW99fZHWVCyUXQRNh_Exl0g1A/viewform?usp=header

Megan Gould

ProActive Physio at Ao Tawhiti

From term 2 we will have a physiotherapist on-site at kura every Thursday morning. Not only convenient; appointments with him will save each student/staff member $43.00 at the initial assessment and $35.50 per follow up visit.

Our physiotherapist is Kash, here’s a little about him from the team at ProActive:

Kashif is a wonderful Physiotherapist with expertise in musculoskeletal and sports therapy. He recently moved from Timaru to the “big smoke” and is loving exploring a new city.
Before he trained as a physio therapist Kash was a teacher in Pakistan and enjoys being in the education setting just as much as working in the clinic. His was one of the first of his friends to move to NZ-which was a brave and courageous step. Kash is the middle child, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. He talks to his family almost daily on what’s app. Outside of work, he is an avid cricketer, previously playing for Temuka Cricket Club and now looking to join a new team in Christchurch. (We hear he is a great bowler).
Kash will be at Ao Tawhiti every Thursday morning from 8am to 10:30am. Come say hi and
get to know him.

Woodwork Workshops at the CAC

First of all my koro and Titan’s dad Dan came in but before we had to draw in the Project Book.

We made a chicken hut and a chick-nick table. We made it out of wood and a bit of metal and we needed Dan the man who has a Van to help us with it and Koro. We had to wear glasses and earmuffs so the sawdust didn’t get in our eyes and so we didn’t get deaf. It took 4 hours to make the chicken hut and we used hammers and nails and screws and power tools.

We think we did well and we checked every day to see if chickens were in there and wrote it down in our maths books and today there were zero in the chick-nick table. The most we have seen using it is FIVE!

Next, we are going to make baseball bat and paint the chicken hut and make a walnut cracker.

Thank you koro and thanks Dan the man with a van for helping us make the stuff. 🙂

Alex

Exciting news! French afterschool classes at Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery !

We’re delighted to announce the possibility of a French afterschool programme at Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery, in partnership with the Alliance Française: the French cultural centre in Christchurch.

The programme would take place every Wednesday, from 3-4:30 pm, right here at the school, giving children the opportunity to learn another language. The teachers of Alliance Française are native French speakers and certified teachers of French as a foreign language; they will make language learning a fun and accessible experience in your child’s extra-curricular routine.

Should there be sufficient interest, the programme could start from Wednesday 30 April. Classes will include speaking, reading and writing in French, and use games, songs and crafts. All in French, of course!

Programme details

Day: Wednesday

Time: 3pm to 4:30 pm

Start date: 30 April (for a 9-week term)

Cost: $200 per child for the term – 10% discount for the second child

How do I register?

To register your child, or for more information, please email school@afchristchurch.org.nz

Places are limited, so don’t wait too long to reserve your place!

Stick Sports

This week my PE class is finishing up our unit on stick sports. We have tried out Lacrosse with a coach from Seattle, Croquet with the United Croquet Club, Cricket with Canterbury cricket, Pool with Pool Canterbury and Squash with squash Canterbury. This is a lot of new sports to be trying out in one term but all the students had a fun time exploring new sports and venues. Here are some pictures of us playing pool which was a highlight.

Emily Marck

A Community Learning Story

Kay Hayes

Project playground

Project playground is ready for orders.

This is how it works:

1. You will have to fill out a form saying what you want.

2. We will get back to you confirming the order and saying how much money you will need to pay.

3. Once you pay we will make your Items.

4. Then we get back to you when it’s ready.

Project Playground Orders

Project Playground Website

Thanks

Kay’s HB Project Playground

Tramping reflection – Riley Sheppard

I got the idea that tramping was gonna be fun because when I hiked over to the Climate Action Campus that this is gonna be fun. I started learning when we went into class with Suze and emailed Dean, I told him what to bring for the next, hike or tramp and he taught me not to carry too much weight because it’s harder to walk and that’s not good because it makes me slower and takes more energy. I also liked hiking up Witch Hat Hill because we had a beautiful view of Quail Island and later on we went up another hill and got a perfect view of Christchurch and we could see all the hills surrounding Quail Island. We recently went on a tramp up to Kiwi Lodge near Hanmer Springs and it was beautiful cause I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings because of the rivers and hills and the forest and mountains. It was a overnight tramp and I liked that because it gave me the reset I needed. My skill along the way improved because if you asked me tips when I first started I wouldn’t have anything to say but now I can give you a lot of tips about tramping.

Riley Sheppard

New Brighton Beach, Taylor’s Mistake Rock Pools and Travis Wetlands in three weeks

HB Mokomoko (Melva) experienced three important Canterbury environments in three weeks at the end of this term.

As part of the brainstorming we did in the HB, tamariki identified that they wanted to care about our beaches and the animals that live in them. To learn more about them we embarked on a different experiences with the Christchurch City Council Learning in Action Team programs.

Our wonderful parent community helped us get there and made sure we had enough adults on site to make these great opportunities possible.

Here are some excerpts from the persuasive writing and reports we wrote about our experiences.

We should care about the sea because if the sea is toxic, you will have no more sushi, kimbab, and seafood. Besides, imagine having a world where trash is all around you. That’s what the fish feel right now because of us polluting the ocean so much. Trash can also destroy the sea creature’s habitat. Aaron

Some of the drains go into the ocean and some of them go to the Waste Water Treatment plant. We don’t want too much water going into the drains or it will flood. Our rubbish goes into the drains and blocks the drain. If we leave our rubbish anywhere it gets in the ocean and sea animals get stuck in it or eat it. If you wash your car please do it on the grass and not the driveway or the oil, paint and grease will go into the drains and go to the ocean/rivers/creaks. Hayley

Sometimes it’s not about people, sometimes it’s about animals, if we don’t care about the sea they will die because of us. Their habitat will also be destroyed. If we don’t care for the sea we will all die because the sea provides lots of oxygen, if it’s gone there will be little oxygen. When the ocean goes, we go, there will not be much water and the little left will quickly disappear. We like the beach, no ocean, no beach, no swimming at the beach, simple. Ayla

Instead of washing your cars on the driveway wash your cars on the lawn because if you wash it on the road then all the dirty water goes into the stormwater drains. If you wash it on the lawn then the soil soaks up the dirty water. The dirty water has stuff like mud oil and paint. This makes the water toxic and not safe for animals to live in. Moses

I am persuading people who litter and pollute the ocean, beaches and rivers to make them stop littering. The ocean/sea is a great habitat for creatures that help make 50% of our planet’s oxygen. All of our drains go directly to the ocean rivers and wetlands that hold birds like the kingfisher. Use the right type of rubbish bin for your type of trash so that we don’t hurt the environment. Rohan

Sand dunes are important because they keep tsunamis from flooding houses and streets. The sand dunes are home to animals and protect them from extinction. Sand dunes stop big waves from going over the streets. Penelope

That sand dunes are actually very important for multiple reasons.They are the habitat of many species including katipo spiders which is the only venomous spider that is endemic to NZ venomous meaning it has pain through biting or stinging you where poisonous is through injecting you. The sand dunes are generally important and can help in a tidal wave but will probably go over it still protects you. Alex

Sand dunes are important because sand dunes stop waves. Tsunami are a super big wave from an earthquake in the sea and sand dunes protect us from tsunamis.Floods are lots of water that goes over land and can go in houses so dunes are super because sand dunes stop floods. Mack

Melva Gill

Gaga Pit at the Climate Action Campus

Over this term we have had a group of students building a Gaga Pit at the Climate Action Campus each Monday.

The project has included….

Lots of initial planning discussions.
Sourcing and locating the resources.
Talking to building experts.
Designing the final product.
Digging a concreting
Lots of measuring…distances and angles.

We’ve still got to stain it and then create the rules.

It’s been a great project to be involved in and I hope all of the students who have been involved across the term, will be really proud of what they managed to achieve each time they walk past it at the campus.

Big thanks to Carl for all of his building advice and Clint for all of his advice and practical building help.

Ian Hayes

Congratulations Mary, Evan and Grace!

Beloved Learning Advisors Mary, Evan and Grace all graduated yesterday!

From the Year 1-6 Community

A massive thanks for everything this term, e te whānau, it has been a really successful term with everyone settling into the new HBs and routines. It would not have been as awesome without your support, we have had a massive 50 plus out-and-abouts this term – including trips to Willowbank, Halswell Quarry, Teece Museum, Ferrymead, Travis Wetlands, COCA, Imagination Station, New Brighton beach, Taylor’s Mistake, the Botanic Gardens, CAC, Tūranga, Margaret Mahy playground and the rest. Thank you from all of us.

Suze Keys

Yuri’s Night

Are you Space mad? or perhaps you have aspirations to be a pilot or aerospace engineer?

The Christchurch Rocketeers presents our annual Yuri’s Night Aeronautical Expo at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Saturday 12th April from 9.30am to 4pm!

Come along and check out our awesome exhibitors, speakers, and activities:

Ao Tawhiti’s own – Athrun Willoughby-Martin – Student Mentor – General Exec CHC Rocketeers

Athrun holds the record as the youngest male in the world to hold his Level 1 & Level 2 high-Power Rocketry certifications, having gained them at Age 11 with the New Zealand Rocketry Association. He also acts as a student mentor for children and students interested in taking part in Hobby/Amateur rocketry.

– Explore a Planetarium with Spaceward Bound!

– Control an RC Mars Rover

– Build and launch a Hobby Rocket (spaces limited)

– Check out the international Competition winning rocket and other projects from UC Aerospace

– Find out how you can get involved in Hobby or Amateur Rocketry with the Christchurch Rocketeers and their massive display of rockets!

– Test your skills on Air New Zealand Training Academy’s Avionics board

– See how local and national groups like Aerospace NZ and the Aotearoa Aerospace Academy support the Aerospace industry and education in New Zealand

– Take a look at the Sun through a telescope with the Canterbury Astronomical Society (weather permitting) or grab some of their awesome Space/Astronomy Swag.

– Learn how missile are controlled in flight with the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Canterbury branch.

– Find out how balloons help us understand the weather and gain better vantage points with Oasis Aero

The event is entirely FREE!

https://www.christchurchrocketeers.space/yurisnight

https://www.facebook.com/share/15HuG6uT3r/

Apple and Weetbix Crumble at the CAC

Ākonga got creative in the kitchen, turning a generous donation of apples into a delicious apple and Weetbix crumble. They worked together to peel, slice, and cook the apples to perfection, then topped them with a crunchy Weetbix crumble. The result was a warm, delicious dessert that everyone enjoyed. It was a fantastic way to make the most of fresh produce while building confidence in the kitchen!

Evan Kiddey

Givealittle page for Team Maverik is now live

This givealittle page is to support Rhys and Alex who are representing Ao Tawhiti Unlimited in the VEX Robotics World Championship competition in Texas in 2025. Winning a place in the World Championships is an amazing achievement, so if you are able then please support the students. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/support-team-maverick

Otautahi Sunrise Watermelon

This unique watermelon is the result of Sandy carefully breeding two varieties — one cold-tolerant and one fast-maturing — to create a melon well-suited to Christchurch’s climate. Now in its fifth summer of growing, last year’s crop was a bumper harvest, and this season’s first melon is already promising.

As part of the process, ākonga learned how to tell when the watermelons were ready to harvest by observing changes in the tendril nearest the fruit — once it dries out, the melon is ripe. Seeds are being saved to ensure this special watermelon continues to thrive for years to come. Truly one of a kind!

Evan Kiddey

Music Performance Night at Ao Tawhiti

On the evening of Friday 4th April, 11 outstanding Ao Tawhiti musical acts performed to an audience of friends and whānau. This performance evening was organised by Ethan Knights and it was a hugely successful event.

Performances included the talented junior kapa haka group, solo singers, pianists guitarists, and a couple of songs from the rock band F.R.C.

All students put on a great show for the audience and are to be commended on their confidence and talent. Special thanks to the teachers and tech crew for their help on the night.

Ethan Knights

CAC HB Report

This term has been great. We have had so much fun finally being able to touch grass. We like the fact we can go outside most of the time to play even when it’s raining. It’s awesome having lots of room to run around and our home base is so much bigger. Making new friends was terrific and we got to go to the red zone for lunch lots!

We also liked the awa day run by Te Tuna Taone. People liked the art. We spray painted with Sue. Writing plays was fun. So was acting in them.

Arotahi is very different with less devices. Workshops were great! We did lots of baking and cooking. Some of us made a chicken hut and a chick-nick table. Sewing with Heather was amazing. We even sewed our own bunting banner. We foraged with Sandi and then made quince jelly and quince paste.

Term 1 was amazing!!!

Written by: Milo luckman and Maz O’Loughlin

School Holiday and Term 2 Art Classes – AT Parent

Where’s Matt P?

Last year Matt was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Science Teaching Leadership Programme, managed by The Royal Society Te Apārangi, funded by MBIE. This is a two year programme which aims to support schools to develop and strengthen their science teaching. As part of the programme Matt is spending the first two terms of this year based at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Canterbury, also spending time with other departments, to investigate how Earth and Space Science concepts and research can be applied within the school curriculum. Working primarily with volcanologist Ben Kennedy and geologist Kate Pedley, he will delve into various geological research topics, including volcanic hazards and how they can be monitored and predicted, and also exploring learning opportunities that can support students to grow their love of learning in Science.

Matt will explore how the Nature of Science applies to real world contexts such as hazard mapping from volcanic ballistics using drones and cannons, and making lava flows in the lab. This will involve local and regional field trips, and laboratory experiments. In addition to gaining expertise in field and laboratory techniques to effectively guide student learning, he aims to design and implement innovative, place-based Earth Science activities that demonstrate how the Nature of Science can be used to develop understanding of the world. Matt also intends to make connections with the University of Canterbury and other organisations that can be developed during phase 2 of the programme and beyond, in order to create new learning opportunities for students.

As well as his time at the University of Canterbury, Matt will also attend block Professional Learning and Development courses at the Royal Society Te Apārangi in Wellington, the University of Dunedin and in Rotorua. Matt will be returning to Ao Tawhiti in term 3.

PINs

Thank you all for an amazing PINs!!!!

Red 5SOC

This is a picture of the Red 5SOC class at the Bridge of Remembrance at the end of our “Conflict Course.” TJ and Kate have really enjoyed working with the students in this class. We traversed the NZ Wars, the First World War and the Vietnam War, looking at the different reasons we engage in conflicts, and how we remember them, or don’t remember them.