Room 7 Ako Hiko Film Festival Entries

 Welcome to Room 7 Ako Hiko Film Festival entries.

So proud as a classroom teacher to have 4 entries entered from Room 7.

The school had their very own Film Festival on the last day of last Term. We had 17 entries and the students enjoyed and voted for their favorite films.

Students and teaching staff nominated 4 entries for the up-coming Ako Hiko Film Festival at St Lukes.

Hope you enjoy the films from Room 7!

The films from Room 7 are:-

Dont Be a Bully

Spread Kindness

The Water Thief

The Movie

 

Wesley Primary School - Community Day

 Here is information and details of the Wesley Primary School Community day.

Lock-down Paradise

Today we are learning about inserting images into a Google slide.



What I enjoyed today was learning how to add the slide into blogger. What was difficult was adding images to the background in front and behind each other. My next steps to try and make my avatar more included into the background.

A famous person once said 'people like paradise'. 

What is your paradise in lock-down?

My Hero is …

In New Zealand during the 8 week lock-down, my hero was an inspiring and motivating person. This person was able to keep me happy and safe. I struggled being away from school, friends and family. I would cry and get upset even when the days were beautiful and the birds were singing.

During the first few weeks of the lock-down I kept myself busy around the house. I was also starting to work on my fitness with the goal of losing weight. My hero continued to support me and reminded me of what was important. Around the world people were dying and I was still able to enjoy life and be safe and healthy.

Weeks 3 to 5 under Alert level 4, I was starting to feel sad, angry and losing my drive and motivation. My hero continued to provide support, love and hope. My hero was able to sprinkle her passion and love of life on me. She reminded me what was important and someday we would all return to some normality. The 5 million New Zealanders would be able to see their family and friends.

This week we have been able to return to work. I have been able to see my students and find out about their journeys and adventures. And yet having returned to some normality, my hero continues to support me.

My hero is my beautiful and wonderful wife. She has been the lighthouse during the storm and rough seas. Her light continues to shine and be a beacon for me and many others. I love her very much!

Here is my story about my hero during lock-down!

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events
LOCK-DOWN - Day 41 to 42 Saturday 2nd May to Sunday 3rd May
Weather ... wet, cold and windy
Indoor and trying to reflect and relax and ponder the many weeks of staying in my bubble and social distancing.
Watch the following montage of the many weeks of lock down in Covid 19 Alert Level 4 and 3. 
Waiting for Alert Level 2!

LOCK-DOWN - Day 40 Friday 1st May
Home!
Working from home and performing online learning with the students also at home.

Check out the Mr Vega Online Hub
https://sites.google.com/wesleyprimary.school.nz/room-7/distance-learning/term-2

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events
LOCK-DOWN - Day 37 to 39 Tuesday 28th April to Thursday 30th April
Back to School!
Tuesday was spent organising and planning with other teaching staff for students returning to school under Alert level 3.
Wednesday & Thursday at school with some staff and a small number of students at school. The seven students and two teachers are in one small bubble. The remaining number of our students are at home, learning on line.
School and teaching has not been the same for many weeks and have enjoyed connecting with the students from my class online. Going to enjoy returning to school under Alert level 2 and seeing all the students from Wesley and hearing their stories during lockdown.

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events
LOCK-DOWN - Day 34 Saturday 25th April
Anzac Day!
Stand at dawn ... a different feeling as I stood at the top of my driveway this morning to commemorate Anzac Day.
Apart, but together as one!

View of the Sky tower from the top of the driveway

Sunrise - Anzac Day - Alert Level 4 Lockdown

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events
LOCK-DOWN - Day 29 to Day 33 Tuesday 21st April to Friday 24th April
Week 2 of Home Learning
Enjoying catching up with the students from the class using Google Meet daily. Students are engaged and participating in the home learning tasks. 
Still maintaining my daily routines in and around the house and ensuring my daily fitness of riding the bike and running.
I have also enjoyed catching up with other staff members of school and making contact with them using technology under these difficult times in lock down. 
Trying to relax! See the photo below ...

Enjoying downtime and relaxing!

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events
LOCK-DOWN - Day 28 Monday 20th April
Celebrating my 50th birthday TODAY!
It feels awkward celebrating my birthday in lock down. It is times like this to appreciate and understand what is important. Gifts, money is not important, friends and family are the biggest gift you can receive at times like this.
The neighbours surprised me this morning when they gave me the best gift you can receive in lock down the celebrate my 50th!

Sign from the neighbours - Happy Birthday

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events


LOCK-DOWN - Day 24 to Day 26 Wednesday 15th April to Friday 17th April
The start of distance learning. Check out the website!

https://sites.google.com/wesleyprimary.school.nz/room-7/distance-learning/term-2

Thank You - Video
Thursday 23rd April
Watch the video from two students from Wesley Primary School saying Thank you and a message to everyone in New Zealand.

Distance Learning
e-learning Wednesday 15th April 2020
T'was the night before distance learning when all through New Zealand schools, not student's were singing, not even a teacher(s). The Chromebooks were charging overnight, in hopes that classroom teachers soon would be there.
On the morning of the 15th April at 9:30 the students of room 7 will have their first Google Hangout. Students of Room 7 will find their distance learning 'gift' on the distance learning site. Follow the instructions on the site or alternatively watch the video for instructions on accessing the Google Hangout. Our reindeer's and Teacher Nik are ready for this online learning at home.
The site for distance learning is below:-
https://sites.google.com/wesleyprimary.school.nz/room-7/distance-learning/term-2
Watch the short little video of your teacher welcoming you to this new learning opportunity.
 

COVID19 - Lock-down Diary of Events
LOCK-DOWN - Day 23 Tuesday 14th April 2020

Getting ready for the online learning on Wednesday. Spent the first part of the morning having a long 2 hours and 30 minutes with other colleagues. Really enjoyed the meeting and catch-up and was very productive. The afternoon was spent meeting with another colleague to prepare for our very first online lesson with our students. This is history in the making, not only with the pandemic but more importantly the first online learning at home with the students from school. Looking forward the journey and learning experience. I'm excited and watch this space for more details.
So exhausted ` from the long day, I did not complete my scheduled daily fitness routine since my cold ... 'man flu' some weeks ago.   
LOCK-DOWN - Day 22 Monday 13th April 2020
Easter Monday!
The weather still not good and spent most of the morning indoors. Took Lola for a drive around the neighborhood, trying to make sure both vehicles do not cease up! Another day spent moping around the house and enjoyed looking forward to my daily scheduled fitness in the afternoon.

LOCK-DOWN - Day 21 Sunday 12th April 2020
Easter Sunday!
Trying to stay warm and dry ... weather has turned nasty and the first real sign of Autumn. Still trained in the afternoon and did my 20-minute bike ride and 20-minute run up and down the drive way.

COVID19 - Lockdown Diary of Events
LOCKDOWN - Day 20 Saturday 13th April 2020
Easter Sunday!
The Easter Bunny made a hop and a jump at the house delivering some yummy chocolate.
The rest of the day was spent playing computer games and watching some movies. 
Still trying to remain positive and looking forward to resuming some normality! 
LOCKDOWN - Day 19 Saturday 11th April 2020
Easter Saturday!
Running out of jobs to do around the house.
The morning began with taking the family for a drive in the car and talking our Lola for a walk. She was very excited and we all maintained the 2 metre distance with other walkers and animals. 
Returned home from a 60 minute walk and mowed the lawns.

LOCKDOWN - Day 18 Friday 10th April 2020
Good Friday!
Relaxing at home and only completing my daily exercise routine of a 20 minute bike ride and a 20 minute run with the confines of property.

COVID19 - Lockdown Diary of Events
LOCKDOWN - Day 17 Thursday 9th April 2020
Weather continues to be terrible and indoors catching up on school stuff.
I had a Google hangout with a colleague of mine this morning, joining into 2 hangout sessions and enjoying having a chat with him.
The rest of the day was spent organising and preparing for next week's 'Online Distance Learning'  (ODL) with the students of Room 7. I have really enjoyed learning new skills and knowledge about e-learning and what that means for students, parents and teachers. Watch this space for further news and developments of ODL, DOL and any other acronym you wish to use! 

LOCKDOWN - Day 16 Wednesday 8th April 2020
Weather terrible today and indoors.
Today we went to do the supermarket shopping early in the morning. We pack the family (my wife and our dog Lola for the trip). The plan was for the wife to go shopping while Lola and I went for a walk near the shopping centre at Westgate. Upon arriving just after 8:00 a.m. and driving into the underground car-park our dog barked loudly to inform us that the queue into the supermarket was about 1 kilometer long with each person keeping to the social distancing rule of 2 metres. The family decided to return home and come back later that afternoon.
NEWSFLASH! ... returning in the afternoon the queue was not as long, although with current rules and restrictions regarding shopping I waited for 1 hour until the wife returned with the groceries.
I have always hated shopping and today reinforced my values around shopping not being a enjoyable leisure activity. Under the current circumstances and the virus pandemic, I fully understand and appreciate the shopping in today's environment. 

LOCKDOWN - Day 15 Tuseday 7th April 2020
Water blasting the property fence!
Today was spent water blasting the fence and finishing what was started some days ago. I have enjoyed doing this job around the property. The neighbours have commented on how well the fence looks now. Thanks to the neighbour we have borrowed their water blaster for over a week now. very happy and pleased at the time and energy spent cleaning and doing jobs around the house.

Distance Learning
e-learning Wednesday 15th April 2020
This is an invitation for the students of Room 7 for the upcoming distance learning opportunities that will commence next Wednesday.

Distance Learning - click the link for access

Distance Learning

COVID19 - Lockdown Diary of Events
LOCKDOWN - Day 14 Monday 6th April 2020
2nd week of the school holidays.
Starting to use this time to prepare for the upcoming distance learning commencing next Wednesday 15th April. Feeling comfortable and ready to work with the students from WPS for what will be a first in teaching and education. The experience and journey will be new and exciting for everyone and looking forward to the opportunity of e-learning. Watch this space for more information and details.

Water blasting with a helper ... social distancing between me the fence and more importantly our dog!

LOCKDOWN - Day 13 Sunday 5th April 2020
Water blasting our fence ... weather hot, sunny and enjoying what seems to be summer! 
Enjoying the day, getting some work done around the house. Using the time available to give the house and the surrounding environment a makeover.  So much energy was able to complete my daily exercise routine of a 20-minute bike ride in the garage and then a 201minute run-up and down the driveway.
LOCKDOWN - Day 12 Saturday 4th April 2020
Fully recovered from the common cold.
I was able to remove my self from the last two days on the couch and resume my daily exercise routine. Feeling like myself again and full of energy. A day of doing small jobs around the house. A very productive day and not being a couch potato. Trying to enjoy the lockdown, isolation and uniting against COVID10 by staying at home. New Zealand we can do this!

COVID19 - Lockdown Diary of Events
LOCKDOWN - Day 10 & 11 Thursday to Friday
Lockdown with the common cold!
Don't worry ... I have been relaxing and sitting on the couch thinking about life and how quickly the 1st week of the lockdown has passed. The symptoms of a running nose and the 'man flu' is nothing like or near the pandemic being faced by New Zealanders and those around the world with this terrible virus. 
I am grateful and fully acknowledge life is pretty good at the moment able to spend time with my wonderful and supportive wife and our beautiful dog who has no idea why we are home so much at the moment.
Using the time to reflect and ponder is a valuable commodity and one we often take for granted when we are fully immersed in our busy working lives. The time in lockdown has allowed me to value the importance of being kind and truly placing the importance of relationships with those who we care and love.
Looking forward to Week 2 of the lockdown!
Keep safe and unite with your family.

COVID19 - Lockdown Diary of Events
LOCKDOWN - Day 9 - Wednesday 1st April
April Fools Day!
No it is really me camping at home during the lockdown and trying to keep myself entertained by pitching the tent outside the backyard and ready for a sleep out under the stars tonight.
Today is a relaxing day and trying to enjoy the good weather and sun under these difficult times not only in New Zealand but also around the world.
Keep safe and unite with your family!.

LOCKDOWN - Day 8 - Tuesday 31st March
Last day of March and trying to catch up on last-minute summer clean-up jobs around the house.
Firstly mowed the lawns in the morning. I really enjoy mowing the lawns and it takes me away from all the other stuff going around us at the moment.
Secondly completed washing the back of the house and finishing of waster blasting the decks around the house. The water blasting was interrupted with a shower of rain lasting 1 hour ... a good chance to have a break and resume after the rain passed away.
LOCKDOWN - Day 7 - Monday 30th March
Today started water blasting the front of the house ... washing the house down and cleaning the windows.
Our neighbours have been very supportive during the lockdown, and we are all looking after each and more importantly, we have time to speak to each other every day. 
Our neighbour kindly offered his water blaster and worked most of the day cleaning and washing and giving our home a facelift. It looks like a million dollars! It is amazing what a bit of a haircut and some lipstick does to the look of the house.

COVID19 - Lockdown Diary of Events

LOCKDOWN - Day 6 - Sunday 29th March 
Today another day to keeping to a daily schedule recording of 30minutes of exercise, read a book, laugh, game, hobby, 2litres of water.The game today was pentague and finishing the day with a 20minute cycle in the garage and a 20-minute running circuit around the backyard. Still working and updating and completing the Distance Learning for the students of my class. Very happy with the effort and work undertaken to complete the teaching and learning resource when the students return to Distance Learning on Wednesday 15th April.

LOCKDOWN - Day 5 - Saturday 28th March
Today our dog was stung by a wasp in the morning. After making the sure dog had recovered ... 30 minutes later I was stung also by a wasp, prior to the truck transporting 2 cubic meters of firewood. Exercise today was transporting the firewood into the garage. Further progress is being made on the Distance Learning resource. Will update and place a link of the resource after the break!
LOCKDOWN - Day 4 - Friday 27th March
Today was the first day of the official lockdown at home. Started the exercise of the 20-minute bike ride and 15-minute run-up and down the drive following the rules of social distancing. This was after spending the entire day preparing for Distance Learning in 2 weeks' time after our rescheduled school holidays starting on Monday.
LOCKDOWN - Day 3 - Thursday 26th March
Today was another day at school to help and support those community members who are classified as 'essential workers'. Happy to help and support and do my bit under these unprecedented and difficult times in New Zealand and globally.
LOCKDOWN - Day 2 - Wednesday 25th March
Today at the request of the Prime Minister we were asked to go to school to help and support those 'essential workers' who had children and go to school, although we did not have many and or any students at school. We have two days to prepare before the official isolation and family members to be in their bubble.
LOCKDOWN - Day 1 - Tuesday 24th March
Today our school community feeling anxious, with 1 third of the students attending school today. Late in the afternoon, New Zealand received the news from the Prime Minister about schools that will be closing in the next two days and as per midnight on Wednesday New Zealand would be in lockdown.