Robert :)

Lucky Robert has returned to some normality in the last few days since the earthquake. He, his siblings and Mum have gone to stay in Timaru with family. Roberts auntie works at Waimataitai School in Timaru, so Robert has been going to school. He even has a uniform!

Good on you, Robert! I am looking forward to hearing all about your temporary enrolment at Waimataitai School.

Rosie's earthquake story

http://whenmyhomeshook.co.nz/category/wairakei-school/

Above is a link to Rosie's story.

Sorry about the photo Rosie. It was the only one I could find at this stage. Love the garden chair that you made at Discovery Time though!

Happy Birthday Sophie!

Yesterday it was Sophie's 6th birthday. I wish we were at school to sing 'happy birthday' to you Sophie. Perhaps we can have a special birthday treat when school starts back (it is Miss O'Neill's birthday on Monday).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE! I hope the earthquake didn't stop you from having a little fun yesterday. :)

Day Five

I hope all of the Room 10 families (and those from other classrooms) are okay and safe.

Children will be feeling nervous, anxious and scared, especially with the aftershocks we are getting. Parents need to remember to stay calm, as children often model their own reactions from the people around them.

One healthy way to help children to heal (and for adults to heal too) is to talk about what has happened and talk about our feelings. Face to face talk is brilliant, but if you would like to share your story, you could try www.whenmyhomeshook.co.nz/ which is a website especially for children to share their earthquake stories.

Look after yourselves and kia kaha!

Christchurch Earthquake 22 February 2011

This is exactly what the children from Room 10 were yesterday during the big earthquakes. They were SUPERKIDS! The first earthquake occured during the lunchbreak, while they were all outside playing. As soon as these superkids felt the earthquake they went straight to the field area (like we have practised). I was inside the classroom (which was really scary!) and immediately went out to the field, where I found my classroom all congregated together. They were amazing!

It was a little chilly, so we snuggled in close together to keep warm until parents came to fetch their children.

I hope all children and families are safe. School is closed for the rest of the week (at least). Keep watching the news or listening to the radio to hear when school will start back.

I'm thinking of you all, and hope you are staying safe.

Hugs from Miss O'Neill

Otakaro Discovery Time

Discovery Time
Last Friday we had our first Otakaro Discovery Time. During this time, all of the classrooms in Otakaro have various activities which the children can choose to participate in. Activities ranged from drawing, computers, sandpit, soccer, construction and water play. i would have to say that most popular was the pancake making! Thank you to Mr Lee, who came in and cooked pancakes with the children. He even brought chocolate sauce and berries!! Yum Yum!

If you click on the "Discovery Time" heading above, you will see our video.

Today Phoebe volunteered to read one of her reading books to the class - great reading, Phoebe!

Happy Valentines Day!

What a sweetheart! Cody spent the weekend making special cupcakes with his Mum. Today he came into class with 29 little cupcakes, all iced with pink icing and decorated with a heart shaped lolly. Yum! Yum! Thank you, Cody.
Cody with his gorgeous cupcakes.

Warren, Amelia and Cody enjoying their special morning tea treat.

More news...last week Miss O'Neill brought her fish tank to school. It is a big fish tank, with 7 fish and 6 water snails.
They are really interesting to watch!