Term Two EOTC

On the 21st June, the students in Takitimu had a fantastic opportunity to go eeling and fishing with Glenn Beach of Kahikatea Outdoor Education Academy.

This trip enabled the students to draw on all of their learning about Wairarapa Moana, as they discussed the flow of the Ruamahanga River, the different aspects of human impact, and Mr Beach's plans to restore his section of the river bank and wetland.  We discussed the impact flood prevention methods have had on the speed and temperature of the river, resulting in fast flowing water with few of the riffles and pools needed for aquatic insect diversity.  We hunted for macro-invertebrates, finding only a few water snails and something that resembled a small leech.

We had a go at enticing some eels onto our hooks in Mr Beach's pond, using a very smelly bait.  Unfortunately they were not biting for us.

We then went further down the Ruamahunga River (just past the Gladstone Inn) to see if we would have better luck catching fish.  Here, we made our own lures out of two coins, a swivel, and a hook, then set about casting our lines out.

Brian was the lucky one who caught a rainbow trout with his lure - although others came close.  As the fish was bleeding heavily, the humane thing to do was to kill it.  Through our learning, we also know that trout are not native to New Zealand, so were content with not releasing it.

 

To top it all off, the next day Mrs Muth helped us cook Brian's catch so we could eat it.  YUM!!

For more photos of our day (and to see us proving the one-foot + one-hand = no shock electric fence trick) check out the video...

Term Two Tuakana Teina

The students of Takitimu had the opportunity to read their published eel stories to the junior students in Wairarapa and Waiorongomai.  They then listened to the junior students read to them.

This exchange was beneficial for all of the students in many ways;  It helped strengthen the relationships between the groups of students, as well as giving Takitimu a real purpose and audience for their writing, and giving them the opportunity to be storytellers as the author of the story.

The students in Takitimu all said they enjoyed this experience and would like to do it again.  They have also had the opportunity to reciprocate and listen to a group of students from the two junior classes, read stories they have written.  Because of the great benefits exchanges like these provide, we will endeavour to do this again later in the year.

Rippa Rugby skils with Doug Bracewell

National Young Leaders Day

The Year 8's had the fantastic opportunity of going to the National Young Leaders Day in Term Two.  They hear from inspirational speakers, such as Brylee Mills, Petra Bagust, Billy Graham, and James Beck, who spoke about their own experiences, and some of the tough decisions they have had to make.  They spoke about what it is to be a leader, and how leadership can look different in each situation.

James Beck spoke about how being a leader sometimes means that you won't always be the most popular person, but it is important to do what your know is right.  He says that to be a leader, you have to be committed to doing the right thing, even when the wrong thing is the easier option.

Brylee shared her incredible story of how she overcame tremendous physical challenges to achieve her dream of becoming a dancer.  Her message was: If you are strong, strength comes to you; if you are brave. bravery comes to you; and if you are courageous, courage comes to you.  No one needs a badge to say they are a leader, they just need to do the right thing and believe.

We had an awesome day, and I know everyone was able to take a message of leadership away with them.

(We are in the middle of the tiered seating which enabled us to have a great view and an awesome advantage to watch the effectiveness of the numerous Mexican waves!)