The photo above shows Centennial children ice skating at Tekapo. The whole school hopped on buses at the end of August and spent the day ice skating and soaking in the hot pools at Tekapo. We were joined by quite a number of parents and everyone had a real fun day, one of the highlights of 2009 so far.

It's been a while since my last "post" - which isn't very good. However we are just coming to the end of one of my favourite weeks in the school year, Book Week, and I thought that this would be a good time to up-date my blog.
The photo above shows one of our Book week visitors, Jacqui Dean, the Member of Parliament for Waitaki. Jacqui came to Centennial and both talked to the children and read a book to them. She was very relaxed and she read and spoke really well - it was a pleasure to have her in our school.

School Fair

I had quite a scary experience at our School Fair. I was put in a car wreck & was then cut out of it by the fire brigade using the "jaws of life", before being carried away into the ambulance.
The good thing about it was the efficient way both services went about their work - I felt that if I was ever in a real accident, I would certainly have confidence in these people to look after me.

Duffy Role Model Assembly

We are a "Duffy Books in Homes" school and one of the special events that happens because of that is we get to meet some really interesting people at our Role Model assemblies.
This term we were visited by Anna Richards, a member of the Black Ferns, the NZ Womens Rugby team. Anna talked to us about her life, especially her involvement in various sports and how she got to where she is today. She stressed the importance of books and reading, and of giving everything a try. The photo shows some children trying on rugby jerseys from around the world.

Camp Week Challenges

Camp Week 2009 went really well. The abseiling photo epitomises what the week was all about - children gaining confidence in attempting new personal challenges, whether they be physical, social or emotional. The Year 6 children had a wonderful time at Arthur's Pass, while the rest of the school worked alongside Outdoor Rec students from Aoraki Polytech for the week. Children visited Kelcey's Bush, the White Horse, went abseiling at Arno and kayaking on the Waihao River, as well as undertaking a variety of activities run by Aoraki that encouraged team work, co-operation and creativity.
A big "WELL DONE" to children, teachers, students and parents for what they achieved!

Welcome to 2009

We are all back at school for 2009. Staff and children are well rested and we are looking forward to another positive year of learning.
If the weather is kind to us we will get plenty of swimming during February. In March we have Camp Week - the Year 6 children go to Arthur's Pass for the week, while all other children work with the Outdoor Rec students from Aoraki Polytech on learning experiences outside the classroom. It is a fun time!
Near the end of March the school has it's major fundraiser for the year, the School Fair to be held on Saturday 21st March.

End of 2008

We farewelled our 2008 Year 6 children with a formal dinner involving staff and pupils, followed by speeches and presentations, including parents.
They are a fine group and we are very confident that they will go on to greater things at their next level of schooling.