Chemistry

CHEMISTRY

Over the past few days, Mr Shanahan’s literacy group have had an awesome time looking at chemistry. We tested different substances and tried to find what 5 mystery powders were, depending on their reaction with our base. The first day, we took the 5 powders and smelt, touched and even tasted them to see what they were. Then we mixed them with vinegar and tried to identify them.

The next day we did a cool experiment with red cabbage and mystery powders 1 and 4. First we put cabbage leaves in a ziplock bag and added water. We mixed them together until the water turned a lovely purple/blue colour. Then we poured the water into a clear cup and put spoonfuls of it into our powders. Powder 1 made the water turn blue and made it less transparent unless there was more water. Powder 2 turned pink and created lots of bubbles that fizzed up and overflowed out of the cup!

We all loved our chemistry experiments, here some photos of the wonderful outcomes.

Great job everyone. We all had a fantastic time learning about the world
of chemistry. 

Sculpture on the Shore is here!

The syndicates of Vauxhall school visited Fort Takapuna this week to look at all the amazing pieces of art that artists around New Zealand have created. I highly suggest visiting Fort Takapuna and seeing the artwork before it’s too late.

See those boxs above?

Thoose were made by the students at Vauxhall. 

Make sure to keep an eye out for them.          

By Alisa, Rose and Annabelle 

                                                                

           That beautiful buoy up above was created by a
woman called Ke'ala. Her daughter Tataiarangi
is a yr 6 student at Vauxhall School.

Spring

Spring

A young girl steps onto wet grass, flowers sprouting before her eyes. Trees blossom with ripe fruit and birds chatter away on the first day of Spring. Spring painted the sky blue, birds flying with happiness. Baby birds are born in their nests, rabbits jumping up and down with glee. The strong wind turns to a soft breeze, the seas waves lapping against the white sand. Spring climbs up a big oak, his arms holding her as she goes higher. Spring looked over the land, her smile widening. She spent days in happiness, exploring, and laughing.

Spring knew it was time to go back where she belonged, and it was her turn to go back. Spring said her last words to the land  and disappeared into the sun.

By Elka

Ode to a Cat

Ode To A Cat

The cat, she lazes and mews,

The cat, she laps and chews.

The cat relaxes on my bed,

Happy thoughts going around her head.

Oh, to be a cat.

The cat, she's soft

and her body is light,

The cat,she sleeps and

Purrs with delight,

Oh,to be a cat.

The cat, she awakes

so peacefully.

Goes out to hunt,

Comes back with tea.

A generous present her owners don’t care for…

Oh, to be a cat!

By Annabelle

Recipe for Christmas tree fruit biscuits

Christmas tree fruit biscuits

What you need:

a large bowl

1 cup of self raising flour

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of ginger

½ cup of assorted dried fruit eg. Raisins sultanas etc.

1 egg

1 cup brown sugar

⅓ teaspoon of salt

50 grams of soft unsalted butter (room temperature)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

a Christmas tree shaped cookie cutter

Method:

1. Whisk the flour and salt together in a bowl.
2. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
3. Place the butter into a large mixing bowl.
4. Beat the butter using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with a flat paddle attachment until the butter is creamy and smooth.
5. Add the sugar and continue beating the butter and sugar for about 2 mins or until the mix is yellow and pale.
6. Beat in the egg.
7. Add the vanilla extract and half a cup of dried fruit. beat the batter for another 2 mins.  
8. Add half cup of dry ingredients slowly. Stir until they are mixed well together.
9. Keep adding the dry ingredients in ½ cup intervals then mix well.
10. Turn the dough out onto a counter or cutting board dusted with flour.
11. Divide the dough evenly into small squares, roll it out and then with your Christmas tree shaped cookie cutter cut out your biscuits.
12. Put your Christmas cookies in the oven at 180 degrees keep them there for 20 - 25 mins.
13. You can decorate with any type of fruit and icing.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

By Abby & Jessie

Totara 2017 Information Evening Slideshow

Waterwise

Waterwise

It’s summer! (Well kind of). Even the cold hasn't stopped the year sixes jumping into the water for another exciting term of Waterwise.

Every year the Year 6 students go down to the beach in Term 1 and Term 4 and learn how to sail, on completely still days we get to go kayaking.

This is a great opportunity for the seniors of the school and an amazing life lesson.

Maybe you have even seen us down there one Tuesday morning.

By Alisa, Rose, Annabelle

Tennis

Last week we saw our Totara students take part in the peninsular tennis competition.
A great opportunity for our young athletes to get out and test their skills in a healthy and fun atmosphere.

The Totara students were joined by other Vauxhall students from the junior and senior syndicates.
Well done team!
 

Life Education Bus

Thanks to Life Ed!

Thanks so much to Life Ed and Harriet for coming to Vauxhall and teaching us all about leadership and being a good team member.

Flynn, Benjamin, Rose and Eden writing down the qualities of being a true team member.

By Annabelle, Alisa and Rose

Chilling in the library

On Tuesdays, each literacy group in the Totara syndicate get to use the school library.
A great part of the day to chill out and read.
 

 

Congratulations

Speech Finals

Hi my name is Joe Brownlie. On Tuesday 6th of September I was lucky enough to go to the Peninsula speech cluster finals at Saint Joseph's Primary school. This was the first time for me representing Vauxhall and I was excited to see what other people had chosen for their speech topics. Some of the other topics were: ‘why shopping should be considered a sport’, ‘hidden sugar' and the topic that took first, ‘pollution’. The winner of this final then went on to compete in the Auckland primary school final. While I was disappointed that I didn’t get a place, I was thrilled that I had the chance to overcome my nerves and stand up in front of an audience I did not know. Between you and me I was relieved not to have to say  my speech on ‘Why advertisers are taking over the world' again. I was getting very sick of my own jokes! Mind you I did get some ideas already for next year's competition…….

Great job Joe!

The Totara Syndicate are all so proud of you.

History Lesson

Thanks to Rowan's Grandma who sent us an article about the history of Vauxhall School. We were fascinated to discover that our olive trees are over 130 years old. We decided to explore the grounds in search of a few....

  

Sculpture On the Shore

Sculpture On the Shore

Totara students preparing their character art pieces for Sculpture On the Shore. 

Keep an eye on our class blog. We will be posting more pictures as we continue to work on our art.

Things we do

THINGS WE DO

Another fantastic day at Vauxhall School. Some of the Totara kids checking out the display of native NZ birds.

  

Installations

Sculpture On the Shore

This coming November Vauxhall School will be presenting our art installations for Sculpture On the Shore. The installations will be shown at Fort Takapuna.

As part of our preparation we decided to discuss the meaning of an installation, create our own and discuss ways that an installation can be presented.

We all had a blast.

Well done team!

Inspired by maths

Being the Teacher

(Just for a minute)

It was great to see Anibal showing the class a maths problem involving paddle pop sticks. 

Well done Anibal for bringing a great idea to our maths lesson. 

The children needed to arrange the paddle pop sticks to show a problem that would add or subtract.