Kia ora reader,
This is Team Kereru- Room 3’s film that we proudly submitted for the Film Festival. The students came up with the plan, and linked it into our current learning of the Olympics, MITEY and Mana Potential. It is a movie about never giving up and having faith!
We hope you enjoy it
Last week Room 3 started their HALS (Healthy Active Learning) Module on Jump.
Mrs Diamond from Sports Auckland set up some really fun and engaging rotations in the hall that allowed for our students to practise their jumping ability, while using the running skills they learnt in their last module to propel themselves forward.
It was so much fun. Are you confident in high jump and long jump? Also, do you own a trampoline? We are curious to find out. 
Kia ora reader,
Last Tuesday, Glen Taylor School begun their Culture Festival dance practices. We have a huge festival that coincides with our prize giving on Thursday 12th December. It is a huge event not to be missed!
This year we have Tonga, Samoa, Cook Island, Niue, Fiji, Zumba and the Kapa Haka groups performing this year.
Do you have a similar end of year celebration at your school too? We would love to find out.
Kia ora reader,
This year we have been implementing HALS (Healthy Active Learning) with the students to encourage skills around being healthy and what that currently looks like. We encourage the students to reflect on the different skills such as the “through” skills which is centered around team work.
Here we are starting our Run, Jump Throw Module- that links into Athletics. We focussed on our posture for running. 
Kia ora reader, welcome back to Term 4. We hope you had an amazing holiday and feeling refreshed, revitalised and ready for the final term of awesome learning.
On the last day of school Glen Taylor celebrated by having a Wheels Day. The purpose was to promote road safety, especially before we started our two week break. One of the ways we can keep safe is by wearing a helmet when using our wheels. Can you think of other ways we can keep safe on the roads?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Celebrating Our Akonga Tapoi (Open Evening): Exploring the Mana Potential Programme
This week, we hosted an incredible Akonga Tapoi, or open evening, where our school community came together to celebrate the success and progress of our tamariki. The event offered parents, caregivers, and whānau a chance to gain insight into the rich learning experiences their tamariki are engaging in daily.
Mana Potential, A Team Kereru initiative introduced to us by our RTLB, is designed to empower students by fostering their potential across a range of areas – academic achievement, personal growth, leadership skills, and cultural pride. This programme is deeply rooted in the values of manaakitanga (respect and care), whanaungatanga (relationships), and kotahitanga (unity).
Welcoming Our Whānau: The open evening began with a warm welcome. The energy was contagious, setting the tone for an evening focused on celebration and shared learning.
Learning in Action: Throughout the evening, our classrooms were alive with examples of how Mana Potential comes to life. Students proudly showcased their projects, from digital portfolios highlighting academic progress to leadership tasks that demonstrated how they are taking charge of their own learning journey.
Whānau Engagement: A core element of the Mana Potential programme is ensuring that whānau are active participants in their child’s learning. During Akonga Tapoi, we invited parents to engage in some of the activities their tamariki have been exploring – from interactive digital tools to hands-on tasks.
Celebrating Success: The evening concluded with a celebration of student success. We highlighted stories of individual growth, sharing how the Mana Potential programme is making a meaningful impact on the lives of our students. Whether it’s improved confidence, academic milestones, or increased engagement in school life, our tamariki are thriving.
Akonga Tapoi was not just an opportunity to showcase our Mana Potential programme but a celebration of our school community. It reminded us that learning is a collective journey, with students, teachers, and whānau walking side by side. The evening strengthened the bond between home and school, reinforcing the importance of whānau involvement in unlocking the full potential of our tamariki.
We want to thank everyone who attended and made the evening such a success. Your support and commitment are vital to our journey of empowering every student to realise their full mana and step confidently into the future. We look forward to continuing this journey together!
Ngā mihi nui to all the parents and caregivers for being part of this special occasion!
At Glen Taylor School, House Day isn’t just about competition—it’s a celebration of fun, participation, and coming together as a community. This year’s House Day was no different, with students, staff, and families embracing the spirit of inclusion and enjoyment. From the youngest juniors to the eldest seniors, everyone was encouraged to get involved and have a go, reinforcing the school’s values of participation over winning and trying your best.
The day kicked off with a welcoming address from Miss Hazleman and Matua Atama, who reminded everyone that the aim of Sports Day is to enjoy the moment, support one another, and have fun. It was a refreshing reminder that sport isn’t always about the final score, but the joy of being active, laughing with friends, and pushing yourself in a positive way.
A Variety of Fun-Filled Activities
The activities were designed to cater to all interests and skill levels. From traditional events like sprints and long jump to more unconventional and creative challenges, there was something for everyone. A highlight for many students was the team-based relay race. It was wonderful to see students of all ages working together, showing that when it comes to teamwork, everyone can contribute, no matter their ability.
There were also novelty events such as the sack race, egg-and-spoon race, and tug-of-war, which brought plenty of laughter to both participants and spectators. The joy of seeing students cheering each other on, no matter who was in the lead, made the day even more special. It wasn’t about who came first, but the shared experience of being part of something bigger.
The Power of Participation
One of the key goals of Glen Taylor School House Day was to ensure that every student felt included and had the opportunity to participate in an event they enjoyed. No one sat on the sidelines. For many students, this inclusive environment helped boost their confidence, especially those who might not typically excel in sports. The emphasis was always on participation—students were cheered on for trying their best, and success was measured by effort rather than outcome.
The sense of camaraderie on the day was palpable. Whanau, teachers, and peers encouraged everyone to take part, showing that sports can be a powerful tool for building relationships and strengthening school spirit. It was heartening to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, giving their all, and celebrating each other’s achievements, no matter how small.
A Day to Remember
As the day drew to a close, it was clear that this House Day had achieved its purpose: fun and participation. The beaming smiles on students’ faces were a testament to the positive energy that filled the school grounds. Whether they were running their hardest in a race, balancing an egg on a spoon, or pulling their weight in a tug-of-war, every student left feeling proud of what they had accomplished.
At Glen Taylor School, House Day isn’t just about physical fitness—it’s about fostering a love for being active, embracing new challenges, and supporting one another as a team.
What’s your favorite Sports Day memory? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Kia ora readers,
One of the things we have loved this term, is the new addition of the basketball hoops installed by Mr Raj! Today we ended our morning with fractions and worked hard to earn 10 minutes making the most of the basketball hoops. Having brain breaks, helps with our hauora and we feel refreshed for the rest of our learning day.
Do you get brain breaks? How often do your teachers let you go out for brain breaks?
Look forward to hearing your response.
Team Kereru are exploring how to share their opinions and being persuasive. Every day this week we will give Team Kereru a topic. Today’s topic was a personal one for us teachers; is it better being tall or short?
Matua Atama thinks it’s better being short because being tall you are basically used; for your height! I am FOREVER being a “top shelf picker”, I can’t hide when I am feeling sad because I stand out and my muscles hurt being tall. I heard it is growing pains.
Ms Karl thinks it’s great being tall; she doesn’t like being called “cute” because of her height, she wishes she could look over crowds and not be mistaken for a child.
In the end Team Kereru felt Ms Karl was most convincing.
We are now going to get Team Kereru to share their thoughts! We are looking forward to hearing them. Check out their blog posts for their reasons.!
Malo e lelei readers,
Last week Ms Karl and I challenged our awesome Team Kereru students to work collaboratively with a buddy and make their own Olympics torches. They had to research three facts to stick onto the flames, and use cultural designs from our chosen countries (Jamaica & Philippines) to adorn the outside of their torches. They only had 40 minutes!!
Creating our own Olympic torches is an exciting way to bring creativity into the classroom! This hands-on activity not only ties into the spirit of the Olympics but also encourages collaboration and imaginative thinking. Using simple materials like paper, glue, and markers, Team Kereru could design and craft their unique torches. This project allows them to explore different cultures by incorporating designs inspired by past Olympic Games. It’s a fun, educational way to celebrate the values of the Olympics while showcasing our kids’ artistic talents. Let’s light up the classroom with creativity!
Thank you Miss Minna and Miss Gillian for your support too.
