Blog Archives

Sefton Riding Centre Primary Schools Show Jumping Competition

9/22/2019

This year we had our biggest number of riders this year. The competition was postponed a week because of the weather, this meant that Millie was not available to ride. Team One consisted of Darcy and Billie Ramsay, Caitlyn and Angus Ferguson. This was the first competition for these riders, they all did really well and came away with big smiles. Grace McKnight rode in the afternoon competition with a team from Sefton. This was her second year at the competition and she rode with confidence and had a good afternoon. Well done to all these riders, it is great seeing them all enjoy themselves and the dedication they all have towards their ponies.

Sticks 'n Stones Activator Training

9/17/2019

On Tuesday 17 September Miss McQuillan accompanied 6 keen students to Sticks 'n Stones Activator training in Christchurch. Sticks 'n Stones is an award winning student led anti bullying programme that began in Central Otago 10 years ago. Our team consisted of Abigail Merry, Bradley White, Beau McKay, Hannah Evans, Maddie Brinsdon and Abbie Baguley. They were all excellent ambassadors for our school and we are looking forward to seeing this amazing programme implemented at our school.

Exploring R.I.S.E. Time

9/13/2019

Every Friday, Exploring students participate in R.I.S.E. Time. This is a time to celebrate achieving our goals for the week and completing our work. Students get to choose from three options for activities run by Exploring teachers, and sometimes other teachers, learning assistants or parents. We even have an option to help with the younger students at Discovery Time. Some examples of activities so far this year are baking, drama, art, hair and nails, outside games, fort making, farmyard fun, science experiments and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities - to name a few. Here's what some of our students think:
"You earn RISE Time by being responsible and kind to others. We get to play and choose what we want to do, and we learn new things." Hamish Thompson
"We get RISE Time because we do all our work. I like that we get to join in and have fun with our friends. My favourite RISE activity is Knex and hot wheels." Angus Dench
"I like how people join in together and how we get to do things we wouldn't normally do with people from other classes. My favourite RISE activities are Just Dance and Hair and Nails." Nicola Upritchard
"It's a good reward for if you do good work and it's really fun way to finish the week. I like Ninja Warrior the best." Bailey Cattermole
"I think it encourages people to do better work to earn RISE Time. My favourite activity is the outside games." Shea Kelly
"RISE Time makes you feel like you have achieved something. You can do fun games with friends and people from other classes." Riley Abbott

Kakariki's Vikings

9/13/2019

In Term 3 Kakariki Class studied the Viking Communities. We learnt lots of new facts about the Vikings. But our favourite thing was making shields and axes. Then we pretended to be Vikings going into battle.
Here are some of Kakariki Class's thoughts on Vikings: One thing I learnt about vikings was that only boys wore makeup and that it was made out of berries. - Jens
Vikings howl like howling animals and chew on their shields before going into battle. Patrick I think I would have been a girl viking because I like gardening. - Katie
I liked making shields. - Stanley
I learnt that animals live in the houses. - Mason
Vikings have Dragon boats and are scary. - Pippa
One thing I learned about Vikings was that they killed a lot of people. - Nico
Vikings are brave and go hunting. - Frank
I think I would have been the best viking because I can swim. - Kyana

Ancient Egyptians

9/13/2019

Kikorangi learnt about the amazing and ancient Egyptians. First we discovered what religion and beliefs they believe in. One belief that they strongly believe in were lots of Gods that had bird faces and maybe even lion or horse faces. We learnt about their civilization and irrigation. They used the Nile river a lot to get water, travel, and keep crops healthy. Then we see how they are mummified. They go through a long cleaning process. Egyptians believe that if they aren’t Mummified they won’t get through to the afterlife. A story is told that Howard Carter found Tutankamun’s sarcophagus and opened it. He was cursed. Some think it was a germ but others say it was magic. We drew ourselves as Pharaohs and wrote our own cartouches in hieroglyphics. We even made our own death masks for the after life.

Blake Young Leader Award

9/13/2019

Sophie Thompson received the Blake Young Leader Award this term for her excellent leadership and always trying to make a positive change in our community. The award was presented by Emma from Westpac and Sophie received a medal, framed certificate and a bag full of goodies. Sophie is an excellent role model to her peers and always challenges herself to be the best. She sits on the student council representing Kikorangi class, organises and run fun sporting clubs for her peers and younger students and is always positive and happy to help. The award is for Y5-8, so Sophie is one of the younger ones to receive this awesome prize. We hope it continues to inspire her and others to keep taking on more roles and opportunities and making our school and community a better place.

NZ Barbarians Area School XV 2019

9/9/2019

From the 10th to the 14th of September two of our students attended the NZ Barbarians Area School Rugby Camp at the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) in Palmerston North. Luke Stern and Jacob Patron were selected to be part of the squad after their performance at the National Area Schools Sports Tournament in Rotorua during the July school holidays. The boys spent the week living and breathing rugby, with two to three coaching and training sessions a day, support by specialist resource coaches and the NZ Barbarians Area School coaching team. This included mental skills, position-specific and team structure coaching and training. The team played two games, a warm-up on Wednesday night against Whanganui and the main fixture on the Saturday morning against Manawatu. The team trained and performed exceptionally well during the week and game away with two wins. It was a great week and we trust that the boys will have got a lot out of the experience. Congratulations to both Luke and Jacob for being selected in the team and for their performance during the two games.

CASA Combined Formal

9/7/2019

It was that time of the year again when Hurunui College, Akaroa and Cheviot Area schools came together to hold their annual formal. We had a very successful night at Addington Raceway with students enjoying the opportunity to dress formally and experience a more traditional evening out.

Bullying Workshops for Parents

9/4/2019

On Wednesday 4 September Hurunui College held two Bullying and How to Support your Child workshops for parents in conjunction with a Mana Ake leader Sandra Keenan, and Constable Ken Terry. Both workshops were very informative and well attended by parents. Thanks to all who came. Jenni McQuillan has a copy of the resources shared if anyone would like copies. Special thanks to Anna Sidey and PTA members for the delicious scones.

School Examinations

9/2/2019

Weeks 7 & 8 this term saw our senior students sitting school examinations. The exams took place in the Hawarden Rugby Club Rooms under the supervision of the NZQA exam centre manager. Other exams happened within classes, all under NZQA conditions. These exams are vital for our pupils to hone their skills and to obtain derived grades if necessary.