We are a Travelwise School.

The Mayor Len Brown recently awarded us our Travelwise Board at a special assembly. Everyone enjoys his visits very much. Our kapahaka did a magnificent job and even had an article in the local newspaper complete with a gorgeous close up photo.
Keep up the walking, biking and scootering to school - even it is just from being dropped of at the corner of the street or about ten houses away.
Thanks must go to Tara, a school Mum, for sending me these photos.

Please send any photos to louise@bbps.school.nz
I would also appreciate any sports or trip photos but must have a sentence or paragraph to go with them - something easy for me to cut and paste into the blog would be great.

Blake makes us proud at the LeslieRugby Coaching Clinic

Congratulations to Bucklands Beach Primary School student Blake for being selected to receive a CrestClean Principal's Sponsorship for the LeslieRugby Coaching Clinics held on 22^nd April at St Peter’s College, Auckland.

Blake had a great day, and he participated very well, learning new skills from a team of experienced trainers.

Over the last couple of months CrestClean has sent more than 60 ‘rugby mad’ kids along to LeslieRugby Coaching Clinics that were held around New Zealand. As well as sponsoring the whole series, CrestClean provided scholarships for deserving junior rugby players to attend.

LeslieRugby coaching clinics focus on teaching core rugby skills and techniques to junior rugby players. The goal of the coaching clinics is to learn new and improve existing skills; and to see how to correctly practice skills and drills until they are mastered. Participants enjoy a fun and safe day of rugby action, and are each presented with a certificate, a T-Shirt, a ball and a photo of themselves in action on the day.

We think its great to encourage Kiwi kids to excel in sport, and so far the coaching clinics have attracted rave reviews from the kids and parents. Participating schools have also been very pleased to award the sponsorships to their keenest young rugby players.

You can view the latest photos and stories from the 2013 clinics at LeslieRugby’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LeslieRugbyCoaching. ‘Like’ this page to be kept informed of future LeslieRugby events.

Photo Caption: Here are great photos of Blake in action at the LeslieRugby Coaching Clinic day.

Dance lessons today.

Each class had a dance lesson with an instructor from 'Foot Steps Dance Company' - as you can see it was a big hit with Years 1 and 2 this morning. LJ.

Inquiry Hall Display

Ever wonder what each team is inquiring about?
Go check out the hall display by the stage each term to stay up-to-date. LJ.

Junior School Inquiry Community Action

Today the entire Junior Team walked to Bucklands Beach and Little Bucks Beach to pick up litter as a part of their Community Awareness Inquiry Unit.
It was a super day with lots of parental support and a picnic at the park to finish off.

Music at BBPS

The students enjoyed having an assembly demonstration of some of the instruments that tuition can be taken in.  Demonstrated instruments included trumpet, percussion/drums, guitar, trombone, saxophone, flute, clarinet and possibly more I missed!
Ask at the school office for an enrolment form if your child would like to be part of this programme, and the band associated with it.
Scroll down to the bottom of this entry to see my favourite photo so far this year - perfect children!!
LJ.

James Russell reads to Room 7.

The author of 'The Dragon Hunters' has been interviewed on so many TV chat shows lately and his book is in hot demand this Christmas however....
Room 7 were lucky enough to have an up close and personal meeting with him, complete with their own private book reading!!
Anna won a competition, outside of school, winning a book for herself and one for the school.
It is a great story and we all enjoyed hearing the author read it himself and answer questions that students had thought of in advance.
We learned all about the blend dr- last week and made dragon puppets as well. 
We sang him our favourite song 'Dragons Under Our Bed', which he had never heard before.
We sat down by the Christmas tree in the foyer and it felt very special.
Thank you Mr Russell.

Travelwise and Bikes

Travelwise and The Council have funded a safe biking programme in the senior team.
There have been theory lessons and today I came across this scene as I walked back to class.
Mrs Riach said, "Wow, Mrs Johnson, this is fantastic, I have never given sooo much thought about my helmet before. These people are great and the kids are getting so much out of it!"
Thanks to all those involved.

Pet Day 2012

The Junior Team had a wonderful pet day a week or so ago as a part of their Inquiry Topic on Pet Care and Animal Lifecycles.
Pets ranged from stuffed animal 'pets' to live roosters, guinea pigs, rabbits, tadpoles, cats, dogs etc. 
Prizes were given out for fun categories. Cookie won the Longest Tail award!  . . . and Nana's gorgeous 'Miss America' Bichon won the 'glamour' award and well deserved it, as you can see below!
We finished the afternoon with a grand parade.
Four teachers had their lovely placid dogs at school all day which was great for timid children.
It was fabulous to see once-shy students work their way up from a 'tentative pat' to a full-blown leash leading session alone on the field.  That was actually quite a highlight for me especially. LJ.