Rangi and Papa

We have been listening to and exploring the legend of Rangi and Papa.  Through this legend we have been learning about the kaitiaki of our environment and exploring Maori perspectives on the Environment.

The children in Room 3 listened to the story of Rangi and Papa and were then challenged to summarise the main ideas of the story in their own words.

Here is Luca Vita's and Amy's stories....

Rangi and Papa loved each other so much that they wouldn't let go of each other.  When they had children they complained that it was too dark and cramped and scary.  So they tried to push them apart.  All the kids tried to push but only Tane Mahuta could.  They were all excited and blissful but Tawhirimatea liked his father better so he decided to live with Ranginui.  Tane Mahuta wanted to make Papa more beautiful and Tawhirimatea wanted to make Rangi more beautiful.  Tane Mahuta planted lots of native trees and Tawhirimatea made clouds and at night he made a cloak for him that was the sunset.

By Amy Thomas

In the beginning there was nothing but Rangi and Papa and their 6 children.  The children were cramped and decided to move Rangi and Papa apart.  It was impossible, each tried and tried, but it did not work.  Finally Tane Mahuta pushed and pushed and then they were free!  The god Tawhirimatea said, "I will live with Rangi." So he did to keep him happy.  And Tane Mahuta and Tangaroa lived with Papa and decided to make Papa beautiful with lots of trees and birds.

By Luca Vita

The children from Room 3 did a great job of summarising the story of Rangi and Papa...stay tuned for some more of their retellings soon!

Five our our Envirogroup members recently braved some very cold weather and got out and about around Gisborne to find out where our storm and waste water goes.  It was a really fun day full of new information and learning!  We have made a short movie showing our photos from the day and tracking the journey of our water.  Our movie is called Follow the Flow - you can find it on You Tube or by clicking on this link - FOLLOW THE FLOW.

We hope you enjoy finding out about Gisborne's water works as much as we did!

Our Amazing Avocado Tree

On Thursday the  2nd of July, Room 4 went to Room 3 and Mr Thorpe and Mrs Thorpe came and talked to us about an avocado tree. They were going to give us a grape vine, but unfortunately they had wine grapes not table grapes.

We all listened carefully and some people asked some interesting questions and made valuable comments. Carlos and Amy gave Mr and Mrs Thorpe a tour around our school and  had a look where to plant the avo tree.

Finally  they came back with a plan. Room 3 and 4 had a run around the field and went to see where we were going to plant the avocado tree.

We all crowded around Mr Thorpe as he dug the hole.  He put some blood and bone fertiliser in the hole to help feed the tree as it grows.  He put the tree in carefully being careful not to disturb the roots then he scooped the dirt back in and gently firmed the dirt around the trunk with his hand.  He said that at this stage some people often stamp the dirt in with their foot, but this is not a good idea because it can damage the roots.  we then watered the avocado tree and Mr Thorpe put a bed of straw mulch on top to keep the moisture in and to help keep the roots of the avocado snug while they were getting used to their new home.

We love our avocado tree!  Mr Thorpe told us that avocados are a super food and contain loads of really important vitamins and oils we need to keep healthy!  He also gave us some really valuable advice when planting trees and looking after plants....he said....to think like a plant!  This is really good advice if we think about how we like to be treated...shelter, water, food, warmth, kindness...and then we treat our plants the same that they will thrive and be healthy plants.

Thank you Mr and Mrs Thorpe!

Written by Teifi Clarke and Mrs Saunders