Raroa @ NIWA Science Fair

Raroa was represented at the Wellington Regional NIWA Science Fair with 18 entries from 23 students.  

The projects' topics were varied: analysing carbon footprints using ages, political systems and satisfaction ratings, tasting without smell, DYI light meters, the persistence method for weather forecasting, growing vegetables from scraps, water use in aeroponics, the future of CRISPR, sustainability of a vulnerable native plant, the effect of sediment on a native macroinvertebrates, using NZ seashells to purify water, pneumatic vs hydraulic systems, natural oils vs mould, green tea as a plant supplement, colour and memory, the effect of bluelight on the eye, the analysis of the concept of beauty and how building shape effects its vulnerability to earthquakes.

Congratulations to all students on your learning and your achievements, and special congratulations to the following prizewinners:

Victoria University of Wellington School of Mathematics and Statistics Prize for the most imaginative and effective project using mathematics or statistics.   - John Hyatt    

Measurement Standards Laboratory; Callaghan Innovation Prize for the application of measurement   - Isla McKenzie 

ESR Prize for the best exhibit based on investigations that help people or the environment through science in such fields as microbiology, forensic, environmental, food and radiation.   - Daniel Soh  

eCubed Ltd Prize for displaying interaction of humans and their environment in an ethical and efficient manner   - Maya Hall  

4th in Year 7 - Isla McKenzie                 

Highly Commended: Arham Jain, Toby Shannon & Saad Malik, John Hyatt

Opportunity for students

This was just posted - let Mrs Dunn know if your family is interested.  

An exciting two-day event is coming your way. Designed for students, this special iNVENTIONATOR is supported by six online resources.

It’s free for gifted learners who want to PLAY. THINK. DESIGN. innovative solutions to real-life problems. Find out more. Powered by CORE, in partnership with Ministry of Education and supported by LIANZA.

Designed for students, this special iNVENTIONATOR is FREE for gifted learners who want to PLAY. THINK. DESIGN. innovative solutions to real-life problems that matter.

iNVENTIONATOR provides a platform to unleash young minds, with six weeks of online resources leading up to a face-to-face two-day event. Supported by schools and whānau, students work together, building design thinking and innovation processes, and developing creative and critical thinking skills.

Who’s it for?
Y6-9 gifted learners

What will you do?Bring an idea to pitch. Then you’ll form teams with other gifted learners to collaborate and think critically to solve an everyday problem. 

How long does it last?Six weeks of online resources lead up to an awesome two-day iNVENTIONATOR. Following the event, you’ll continue to have online support.

Where and when?

Taranaki 
30-31 October
9am - 4pm
Venue TBC

What next?

• Register student(s) via the online form 
• Supply email addresses for each student and the person registering them (each student must have a unique email address to ensure they receive the online resources)
• Students will receive a confirmation of registration email
• All supplied emails receive the six online resources (students, teachers and/or whānau)
• Support your students as they work through the resources and wero (challenges)
• Attend the face-to-face, two day event (at least one adult must attend with your registered student and/or group of students).

Mathletes: Manawanui and Motuhake

Finishing up Rates, Ratios and Proportions this week 

Statistics to come!

Ext(reme) Writing

Our focus for the rest of the term

Beginning with 'One Life, Six Words' 

... using our skill in creating six word stories, but now writing about ourselves. 

Followed by '55 Fiction'

...incorporating a setting (time/place), characters, a conflict, a resolution - all in 55 words!

Watch future posts for this writing!

Tournament of Minds - Celebrations

A great celebration yesterday for the 35 students who were involved in Tournament of Minds - every team exceeded their own expectations at the Wellington Regional Tournament Day on 31 August at Victoria University.  All teams competed against 38 other Wellington Regional Year 7/8 teams.

Special congratulations go to Raroa 3 and Raroa 4 for coming second in their division.

Raroa 4

Raroa 3

Raroa 5

Raroa 1

Raroa 2

Raroa 4

Raroa 3

Kapowai Update

Perfectionism was the focus today - starting with the statement...

Name something that is perfect.

Unable to do that, the next question posed was, 

Why do people aim for perfection if nothing can be considered perfect?

The group identified the challenges that went along with perfectionism and also the positive aspects. 

Positives of Perfectionism

Challenges of Perfectionism
 

An interesting discussion followed about whether aiming for excellence, not perfection would lessen the impact of the challenges, but keep the positives.

ICAS Science this Wednesday

- Whai Wahi, Mohio and Manawanui (9:00 am - 10:00 am)

- Motuhake and Whakaute (10:45 am - 11:45 am)

In the staffroom

Raroa Science Fair Exhibitors

We are so proud of all these AMAZING students!!!

Tom R

Ali P

Arham J

Jessie S

Saad M

Scarlett S

Toby S

Charlie W

John H

Thomas N

Finja S

Lochlan C-J

Michael L

Morag M

Trijal P

Daniel S

Maya H

Stephanie N

Tom R

Jakob B

Isla M

Gabby D 

Gabby J-D

Raroa: Science Fair Prizewinners

Congratulations to these students:

Special Prizes:

• Victoria University of Wellington School of Mathematics and Statistics Prize - John Hyatt   
• Measurement Standards Laboratory; Callaghan Innovation Prize - Isla McKenzie 
• ESR Prize - Daniel Soh  
• eCubed Ltd Prize - Maya Hall  
• 4th in Year 7 - Isla McKenzie                 

Highly Commended Yr 7/8

• Arham Jain                         
• Toby Shannon & Saad Malik  
• John Hyatt

Third at Mathswell Competition!

Huge congratulations to Trijal Pednekar, Michael Ling, Scarlett Stallworthy, Harry Chan, Daniel Soh and Toby Shannon for placing 3rd at the Wellington Mathswell.  This Yr 7/8 competition, run by the Wellington Maths Association, was held last night at Newlands Intermediate.  

Between them, the students had 50 complex maths problems to solve in 40 mins - no easy feat.  We are so proud of the way they used their skills and knowledge to solve the problems, but their teamwork was also outstanding and a huge part of their success.  Congratulations to you all!

Tournament of Minds: Wellington Regionals

We'd like to wish the 35 students competing at the Wellington Regional 'Tournament of Minds' ALL THE BEST!!! Tournament Day is next Saturday at Victoria University.

The five teams have been working on a very complex challenge for the last 6 weeks. They have had restrictions on materials and budget, as well as the challenges of working in a group of 7 to problem-solve a challenge according to a complex criteria, create a script, costumes, props and scenery and complete paperwork requirements. The BIGGEST challenge is that they have not been allowed any input, feedback, advice from anyone, including teachers, parents and friends. It is all the students' work.

We wish them all the best for Saturday 31 August!

'Hamlet' Came to Life with Pop-up Globe Theatre

Students in the Ext(reme) Reading and Ext(reme) Writing programmes were fortunate to experience Shakespeare's enduring play 'Hamlet', as performed by the Pop-Up Globe Theatre company on their nationwide tour.

The State Opera house was filled with two hours of wonderful language, an exhilarating plot, incredible staging, lighting and acting, all of which had the students intrigued. This experience was the final activity after classwork discoveries into the language, plot line and character developments seen in the play.

On their return, the students created 'Six Word Memoirs' of the live performance; some are shared below:

• Watching action-filled play. Totally absorbed. (Ashleigh)
• An amazing play. Speechless in awe. (Ashleigh)
• Curiosity, thoughts, emotions. Watching in wonder. (Ashleigh)
• Actor crumples. Everyone gasps. I cheer (Jessie)
• Immerse yourself with tragic death. Alas. (John)
• Odd Language. Understood Language. Intriguing story. (Nathan)
• Words, words, words. And more words. (Scarlett) 
• Watching, looking. Excitement, Death. It’s over. (Scarlett)
• Armoured ghost. Favourite character. Great effects. (Tom)

The students also stepped into a character's shoes and created some Six Word Memoirs, some of which we have shared  here.

Author coming to Raroa

We are lucky enough to have NZ author - Gareth Ward who wrote The Traitor and the Thief and it's newly out sequel, The Clockill and the Thief coming to Raroa on Friday 6 September (Week 7). 

     

Gareth is a magician and a hypnotist so is greatly entertaining and well worth taking time out to come and see.  Ask your teacher if you can attend.

Busy times so far this term!

This term is flying by - the students are just outstanding as they make the most of opportunities offered to them at Raroa.  Our School Bands have been hard at work (thanks to Eddie Martin and Clemmie Westlake our amazing staff who guide the students with such skill and knowledge)!

Tournament of Minds is front of mind for 35 students - they are in the midst of the 6 week challenge leading up to Tournament Day.  The challenge of not being able to have nay feedback or advice from anyone is exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time.  We wish the 5 teams all the best at Tournament Day on 31 August at Victoria University.  Thanks to staff member Jimmy Steele - out additional staff member this year.

Mathletes continue to welcome challenge after challenge as they further develop their mathematician's skills.  Supporting their development in problem-solving is the use of the Otago Maths Problem Solving Competition.  Only one more opportunity this coming week with Set 5 on its way. Wellington Mathswell Competition this week - all the best to our 6 member team.

Our Ext(reme) Writers have been exploring Shakespeare's use of language and plot devices in "Hamlet".  The highlight of this learning was attending Pop-Up Globe's performance of Hamlet at the State Opera House. 

NIWA Wellington Regional Science Fair is NEXT WEEK!  We have 23 students putting their final touches to the presentation boards.  We also wish them all the best in this competition!

Kapowai students have been focusing on knowing how the brain and body link up in times of challenge (see video).  Also, celebrating our strengths, and others' strengths using  24 character attributes.  

 

Raroa Showcase!

What an evening - what a group of amazing students!

Here is the link to the video of the event - congrats to all!

Term 3 Timetable has been added to the calendar

Updates will be added as we go :-)

Writing opportunity in the holidays

Raroa Chess Teams

Congratulations on such an awesome day at the Inter-school Chess Tournament today!  The students I saw at 3pm had had such a great day and were full of the news from the day.

Thanks to Ian, Toby's Dad, for transport and supervising the students today, and also to Adesh, Trijal's Dad for the return transport.  

Ian kindly took some photos and below is his 'match report'!!!

Both teams played well and enjoyed the day.  They finished 5th and 7th out of 16 teams but both were near the top of the table for alot of the day.  After 4 of the 6 rounds, they were 3rd and 4th respectively which meant they were then matched against strong opposition and you'll see the points table is quite tight.  

Opportunities...

As part of the package of support for gifted learners the Ministry of Education is supporting a range of events and opportunities  for gifted learners across the country.

Here's a couple that may interest you...

Forensics@Kristin (Albany, Auckland)

• July 8 - 13
• Forensics non- residential camp for Y7-10
• Located at Kristin school
• Detectives solve the murder mysteries.
• Use forensic testing equipment, such as DNA testing patches and fingerprint dust.
• Write up warrants and trial the suspects in a “Kristin Court” in front of real lawyers.

For more information and to register e-mail: kgibbes@kristin.school.nz

Gamelab – Te Hiko Tākaro

Available for gifted learners in: Kapiti/Porirua, Lower Hutt/Wainuiomata, Wairarapa, Wellington City.

This opportunity is for 13 – 18 year old boys and girls who are tomorrow’s game-makers. If you’ve got an interest in computer programming or making video games, and want to “level up” your skills, get involved at one of Gamefroot’s boot-camps or after school programmes. Think creatively, critically and make sense of code and the game development processes. You’ll be pushed to solve problems, ask questions and reflect. It’ll also open up the possibility of making connections with industry experts in the field.

What you’ll be doing: You’ll be working collaboratively in teams to discuss local stories and brainstorm ideas for your game. Then you get to collaborate with professionals to develop your Aotearoa themed video game. This is an opportunity to tell and share your stories in a way that mixes culture and writing code.

By the end of your Gamefroot boot-camp or after school programme, you’ll have learnt how to design and develop a game. Skills include writing an instruction manual, in game text, in-story instructions as well as coding your own characters.

How long it lasts: Gamefroot will run a tailored workshop between 3-5 days long in each of the 4 regions or a ‘game dev club’ after school programme. Starts in the July school holidays (dates and venues to be confirmed).

Gamefroot is working with schools in the area to identify gifted learners.

To apply: Contact: dan@gamefroot.com or to find out more information about Gamefroot visit www.gamefroot.com

Book Review Competition

Paperplus Competition -Closes 31 July

Details here or see Mrs Dunn

The half-term that was...

Parents/Caregivers: Keep an eye out for an update email from Lynne and Angela

Think Kind Student Competition: Closes 12 August

Students to show being kind to animals through dietary or lifestyle choices by:

Writing something (like a poem)
Drawing something (like a poster)
Creating something (like a short film)
Starting something (like a petition)

Competition rules here or see Mrs Dunn

Toitoi magazine submissions due July 5

ToiToi (a journal for young writers and artists) 

Submissions for ToiToi 17 are due July 5th

Enter the 'Foyle Young Poet of the Year Award 2019'

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is now open! This year's judges Raymond Antrobus and Jackie Kay cannot wait to read your poems. It is free to enter to anyone in the world aged 11-17 years old! 
Deadline 31 July 2019

Find the rules here...

Gifted Awareness Week coming up!

Click here to see 11 common myths around Giftedness explained. 

Teacher Only Day with Nathan Wallis

What a day the staff at Raroa have just had with Nathan Wallis, 

neuroscience educator and child development expert!

Due to the weather, Nathan was unable to make it into Wellington last night for his public presentation last night, but we were lucky he still made it in time for our Teacher Only Day today.   

Fortunately, a new date has been set for the postponement. Details from Nathan:

Apologies again for the postponement of last night's event at Raroa Normal Intermediate. We can't control the weather unfortunately!

A new date has been locked in for the Teen Brain talk. It will now be:

Wednesday June 12th. 7.00-8.30pm.

A reminder that if you purchased a ticket to last night's event, this will still be valid on the 12th and you will just need to present it at the door. This event was sold out, so at this stage there are no new tickets available to the public.

If you purchased tickets for the 30th May and cannot make this new date, please contact Sharon to organise a refund at: xfactoreducation@gmail.com

I definitely recommend this evening to you!

Enjoy our videos about our AMAZING students and school!

Writings from Ext(reme) Writers

Roxy5 Film Screenings tonight!

Congrats to our 2 teams who entered the Roxy5 Film Competition.  The films were screened tonight at Victoria University, along with all the other schools who have entered.  Thanks to the families who could join us for the celebration.  Photos to follow.

Finalists will be announced tomorrow.

Scott is back with Chess Classes at Raroa

 Chess class with former NZ Chess Champion.

After-school classes on Fridays during school term from 3pm to 4pm at Raroa. The cost is $90 per school term.

Please contact Scott Wastney kiwichess@xtra.co.nz or 021 1557403 for enrolments or further information.

Big ups to student leadership!

The leadership skills being developed and put into action 

are such a pleasure to see!

I would like to acknowledge the students who are running the Dungeons and Dragons groups and the Warhammer Club.  These lunchtime activities were instigated by students and continue to be able lead by them.

In addition, 👍 to those students who represent us all as Student Leaders and Student Ambassadors.  You make us proud!

Term 2 update

Three weeks have gone by already!  The students have hit the ground running and it is exciting to see their enthusiasm as they continue to challenge themselves.  

It has been great to welcome new students to the Mathletes programme.  Alongside the continued development of the skills that mathematicians use, new learning is in the following areas:
         
         Geometry & Measurement:  Teams 1, 2 & 4 
         Algebra: Teams 3 & 4

These topics align with those being explored in each team. 

Ext(reme) Writers have also welcomed new students.  The term's focus is on discovering ways that authors show character,and putting those skills and techniques into their own writing.  A highlight so far was having Neal Shusterman visit Raroa and share his inspirations for character and plot, and outline his writing process.

Tournament of Minds trials have been taking place over the last couple of weeks.  This year has been the most challenging selection process for staff.  The high level of creative and critical thinking skills seen in trialists has been exceptional. The squad for this programme will be named today.

The Kapowai group has also welcomed new students - we have been focusing on problems/worries/concerns that seem to grow in size - identifying them,  unpacking them and finding opportunities within them.

A call-out has been made for students interesting in trialling for Raroa's Chess Teams.  They will be participating in the Inter-School competition on 17 June, and represent the school at the exchange with Hutt Intermediate the following day.

I have been so impressed with the commitment to learning from the Science Fair students - what a wide range of investigations being explored!  Many new skills are being developed, especially in research and the planning of a fair test.

Ext(reme) Readers are loving the challenges of learning with Angela Stanley.  Welcome to the new students in those groups.

It has been so great to see the students take up the many opportunities offered by all the staff across the school.  Whether it is in their team, enrichments, sports, DPE or lunchtime activities.  Raroa students are lucky to have such a wealth of passionate staff to learn with.

Where did Term 1 go?

Hope you are all enjoying a relaxing holiday.  The last part of Term 1 flew by - Roxy5 Film groups completed their filming for the competition, and are well on the way with the editing.  What an enriching learning experience this has been!  Ext(reme) Writers took a trip to the Wellington Waterfront to use as inspiration for their poetry writing - a cold southerly day didn't seem to freeze their creativity! The first Springfire block course is finished and students are completing a reflection of their learning on Seesaw. Philosophy has one more session to complete next term due to a postponed one in Term 1.

Two new programmes starting up this term - Science Fair and Tournament of Minds.  Interest has already been sought from the students so we will be underway in Week 1 with those.  

      

Great to see so may parents and caregivers at the Student-Led Conferences and to hear your children speak with such confidence and detail.  Do feel free to get in touch if you weren't able to make an appointment time.

The calendar on the right has been updated with some of the Term 2 events, and the classes will be added shortly.


Cheers

Lynne
l.dunn@raroa.school.nz