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Congratulations to the 30 students who challenged themselves to swim 200 metres at the lake as part of the Swim for Life water safety challenge this year. The water was pleasantly warm but pretty choppy with a reasonably strong wind pushing the water into our faces as we ventured out to the buoys that were our distance markers. What a great achievement with everyone who started out getting home safely. Many many thanks to the parents who supported us by swimming or manning the kayaks or providing transport.

Superb effort! The weather on the day made it even more of a challenge, so I am very proud of the positive way that way you approached the swim.
Mrs Duffin

Our trip to Whangateau Harbour

On Wednesday 9th March rooms 1, 3, and 6 went on a trip to Whangateau harbour. We had a visit to a marine scientist, Roger Grace. He told us about the sea life in Whangateau harbour and some interesting things that most of us didn't know.
By Jamie & Kristian

Garden

This year our school has built a raised garden. It has been so succseful that each class has their own spot. In our garden we have lettuce, marigolds, beetroot, carrots and red onions. Thank you to those people who have helped out with the edible garden.

By Jamie & Kristian
You are creating an interesting record of the progress of the edible garden. It's looking so good in such a short time!
Mrs Duffin

Fun at Whangateau

SCREECH!!!
The bus slowed down as it came over the hill, before coming to a halt at the bottom. The children raced out the doors like a stampede of elephants, and headed towards the Whangateau estuary. I paused to look at the beautiful scene around me. I could smell the salty water even from a distance, and I could hear the whisper of the wind in the trees.

I made my way to where the other kids were gathered around Mr Grace, the marine biologist who would guide us around Horseshoe Island. We split into two groups, and our group made our way towards the little island in the distance. My feet sank into the mud, like little people slipping into quicksand.

We stopped to look at the holes made by eagle rays that had chosen to feed off the cockles. They were now full of water- and made perfect puddles for jumping in! The mangrove trees we saw, towered high over us, as the little oysters clung to their branches, like a baby monkey clinging to its mother. The plants had long, fragile branches, and leaves as green as grass.

I headed back to the mainland with the rest of my group, water dripping from my clothes like I was a tap. I had learnt so much today about water-life, I felt like a marine biology book! As I boarded the bus again, I took one last look at this beautiful place, before the bus started up, and crawled over the hill again.

By Aimee Stevens

Comment: Very well written, Aimee. I love your use of similes and adjectives.
Mrs Duffin

Our edible garden

We planted orange and green marigold that stand out in the sun.Our lettuce are green and some are red. We just planted them today. Our chives are long strips that are green. Hopefully we will be able to eat them when they mature.
By Eru