TE RĀ NUI KI WAHO - THE BIG DAY OUT

Students from St Brigid's and St Joseph's Port Chalmers visited Kavanagh College yesterday to experience Te rā nui ki waho (The big day out). This on-site, hands-on programme is a new initiative which involves Year 5 and 6 students from our Catholic primary schools visiting the college for the day and learning Digital Technology, Te reo Māori, Physical Education and Science. 

Mahimania (Minecraft) is a wonderful example of digital technology that encourages creativity and collaboration. Students were challenged to explore a virtual indigenous Māori world in Minecraft called Ngā Motu The Islands then create a portfolio that captured their adventure. After completing their portfolios, the next part of the task was to create a wharenui or meeting house. I was impressed by the intricate designs and effort that went into this part of the digital challenge. In creative mode, students have unlimited resources and many students made use of the coloured and patterned blocks that Minecraft has to offer in creating beautiful kōwhaiwhai, tuktuku panels and carvings inside the wharenui.

After a hearty pizza lunch, the students spent the afternoon with super Science teacher, Mrs Kerron Thomson, where they conducted a variety of hands-on experiments.

A big thank you to St Joseph's principal Tom Woodhouse and St Brigid's teachers Debs Whitty and Emily Gillan and students from both schools for another memorable occasion. St Bernadette's is our next school to visit in week three.