New

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& Early Learning Centre

Kia ora koutou, Wow! What a jam packed start to 2021 we have had. We retained most of our students from 2020, as well as welcoming some new students and their tamariki during the first term. We began the year with a two night camp at

Pōhatu Marine Reserve in Flea Bay, Banks Peninsula. It was an exceptionally rewarding experience for all those involved. We were extremely lucky to be looked after by the

kind and caring staff at Pōhatu Tours. Cheyenne has written an article to give a student's perspective of the camp, so I won’t steal her thunder. But from a staff perspec-tive it was a fantastic way to begin the year and to develop the whakawhanaungatanga between students and staff. One of my highlights was listening to the students at night “sneaking” out of their tents to look at the stars together. It was so rewarding to hear them genuinely connecting with one another and nature. The

students did a superb job in organising their tamariki to stay with whānau for two nights and a big thank you goes out to all those who supported us to make the camp a success. I would

definitely recommend connecting with Pōhatu Tours if you are keen to explore and learn more about the marine reserve. More recently we have been participating in surfing lessons through Surfwise at Waikuku. Our instructor Tammi Martin has been doing a wonderful job with students around risk analysis management and supporting and developing their hauora. The ocean is often an undervalued resource for us, as a transformative tool to enhance our hauora and reconnect with na-ture. The students have been using this as an opportunity to bring their learning in the class-room to life through the NCEA Risk Analysis Management standard. It has been really reward-ing seeing how the students have pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and have developed their skills. Student quote, “it's so much fun. The instructor has this amazing energy about her. She just makes you feel so safe and confident in the water. I was always really nervous about swimming and was terrified of being in the sea. But with her, it's totally different. I have absolutely loved surfing and never even thought that I would be able to get on the board. You just have to be brave.” An official warm welcome to Nicola McKinlay-Clark who joined us late in 2020 to take on the

role as Kaiāwhina. Nic brings a broad range of skills to the position with her experience in counselling and background in the Early Learning sector of Education. She has been a welcomed addition to the staff and has started in the position full of positive energy and has already developed really strong relationships with both staff and students. Congratulations to Hikatia Watson who has recently achieved Level One NCEA. The students have been working really hard towards their NCEA and we look forward to celebrating many more successful achievements this year. Noho ora mai. Ruth

Kaiwhakahaere - Ruth Robertson

What’s been happening in Term 1 . . .

It has been a busy term for the Karanga Mai Scientists. The Level One students (Chey, Aleisha, Reign and Katelyn) have been investigating the Carbon Cycle, and in particular the way humans have been affecting this cycle. Chey and Aleisha have completed wonderful posters highlighting this. The Level 2 Biologists, Hikatia, Reign & Tasi (on her first day!), spent a day at Corsair Bay’s rocky shore clambering over rocks counting the marine animals. As well as finding lots of interesting creatures and collecting lots of data, we of course shared delicious kai and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. We also discussed how the tamariki would enjoy playing and learning with their Mamas here in the summer.

Level Three Biologist Nadia has spent 3 days at Orana Park studying the behaviour of kea. As well as collecting hours of data, she has got to know the 3 kea well. They have taken a liking to her shoes, head, hair, backpack ...

It has also been a privilege to hear from Nadia of the vet work her Grandfather, Lindsay Frazer, was part of the in early days of Orana Park.

Nadia points to the tree and plaque in memory of her Grandfather

Chey with her Carbon Cycle Poster

Karanga Mai Biologists Reign, Hikatia, & Tasi, data collecting at Corsair Bay with science teacher, Brigid Fyall

Surfwise Suring Lessons . . . During Term 1 the students and staff participated in surf lessons at Waikuku Beach. The wonderful Tammi Martin from Surfwise was our instructor for four sessions. Every-one thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, it gave us the chance to connect with the ocean as a transformative environment and to focus on enhancing our hauora. Back in the class-room the students were able to use the sessions as part of the Risk Analysis Management achievement standard. The Student voice from the sessions was overwhelmingly posi-tive: “AMAZING! Tammi was so full of energy and so much hap-piness. Such an awesome vibe to be around.” “She was awesome, shakka shakka.” “She was amazing and so helpful, she spoke clearly and taught me a lot that I didn't know. I would love to surf more.” This is just the beginning of the surfing experience for our students, we are looking forward to many more adventures in the ocean with Tammi.

Pōhatu School Camp 2021 . . .

Pōhatu Camp - Cheyenne Boyd Camp was at Pōhatu Marine Reserve in Flea Bay in February for three days. We drove an hour out of Christ-church to get to Akaroa, where we had lunch. We transferred vans to Pōhatu Tours who drove us the last 30 minutes to Flea Bay. We camped in tents surrounded by natural bush in the valley. Some teachers slept in the cottage which was built by Shireen Helps who owns the farmland with her husband. The Helps Family run Pōhatu Tours, which is the largest Australasian Little Penguin Colony. There were six of us students and five teachers and our activities were run by the Pōhatu staff. Halfway to Pōhatu we got out and walked the rest of the way to the campsite. Then we set up the camp site. We put the tents up and we had a gazebo, so we put that up for shelter. We cooked our dinner on the gas cookers, one team had nachos then the other had pasta and mince. On day two we built predator traps to catch stoats, ferrets, rats, and feral cats. The most challenging thing was cutting the wire and making sure it was the right size. I felt pretty proud of myself for achieving something I thought I couldn’t do. Later in the morning, we walked up the hill and changed some nesting boxes and moved some from where the penguins did not nest. In the afternoon we went kayaking out on the beautiful blue ocean. We saw white flippered penguins, seals and a pod of hector dolphins. It was very beautiful kayaking out on the bay. The highlight was seeing the yellow eyed penguin, there are only seven in the Banks Peninsula. They are about to go extinct, as they are the world's most endangered species. On the last morning we got up, packed up our tents and belongings. Then we went into the valley and planted some trees. All up, we planted twenty six trees which was the most they have ever had planted in one go! We all had an amazing time but we were missing our babies at the end of it. Thank you to all the staff at Pōhatu tours for teaching us about their important work and showing us the beautiful white flippered little penguins. Thank you as well to the staff who organized this camp trip for all of the students, it was awesome to get away and into the natural world.

… News from the ELC

Important Dates in Term 2:

Week 2: Friday 14 May - Careers Expo

Week 7: Mates & Dates workshops commence

Need to contact the school? Here are our details:

Karanga Mai Young Parents’ College & Early Learning Centre, Robert Coup Road, Kaiapoi 7630

Admin E: ypc@kaiapoi.school.nz Ruth Robertson E: r.robertson@kaiapoi.school.nz Phone: 03-3278386

Meet our new Kaiāwhina - Nicola Mckinlay-Clark . . .

Term 1 Achivements: congratulations to the following students: Hikatia Watson: Gained NCEA L1 Brianan Thomsen: Excellence in L3 Statistics Aleisha Te Kapa: Excellence in L1 Science Brianan Thomsen: Excellence in L2 PE Risk analasis management Aleisha Te Kapa & Hikatia Watson: Merit in L2PE Risk analysis management Nadia Frazer-Holland: Best attendance Term 1

Tēnā koutou katoa Ko Maukatere te maunga Ko Rakahuri te awa No Rangiora ahau Kei Swannanoa tōku kāinga ināianei Ko Nicola tōku ingoa, Hi there! I’m Nic and I am taking this moment to introduce myself as the new Kaiāwhina here at Karanga Mai Young Parents College. I’m very happy to be here and have felt completely welcomed by the staff and stu-dents so a big thank you guys for helping to make my start here so enjoyable.

I have had a soft spot for Karanga Mai ever since I completed a teacher placement in the Early Childhood Centre in 2014. I loved the sense of community and the focus on whānaungtanga that is very evident here. Some years may have passed, and my career moved to counselling, but to get the chance to work in this special environment again is awesome and I feel very at home.

I have lived in North Canterbury pretty much my whole life, and have spent the last 18 years in Swannanoa with my husband raising our two girls Zoe and Neve who are 15 and 14. We are big animal lovers and have a menagerie of sheep, dogs, cats, bees, pukekos, running around our two acres, we even have my Mother living in the back paddock (unlike the animals though, she has a house!).

I see my role as Kaiāwhina as a mixture of support, counsellor and advocate. I feel privileged to be able to walk alongside our rangatahi as they navigate parenthood and empower themselves through their education. I have learnt so much from the students already and can see the valuable contribution they do and will continue to make for themselves, their whānau and their communities. How cool to be a part of their journey! Until next time, I look forward to building on my whānaungatanga within the School, Early Learning Centre and community as the year goes on…….ka kite āno

Nicola Mckinlay-Clark

Comings & Goings at KM ~

Nau Mai Haere Mai: Reign & Kiana Cheyenne & Archie Sefulutasi & Fred Aleisha & Ryder Jessica & Nation Emma & Skylar Katelyn

Ka Kite Ano: Zoe & Timothy Maureen & Lincoln Caitlin & Sophia & Poppy Teryn & Elva Katana & Legend & Nature

Prize-Giving 2020 . . .

Prize-giving was held on-site at Karanga Mai YPC in December last year. It was a smaller gath-ering than in past years, but none the less, the celebration was just as important and special. Friends and whānau gathered to celebrate and recognise the achievements and successes of our young parents and it was another wonderful occasion to be shared by our supportive community.

L to R: Hikatia Watson; Jenny Hindon-Miller award, Caitlin Hutson; Matt Doocey Award, Maureen Callagher: Dan Gordon Award, Financial Capability & Awhina Awards

L to R: Brianan Thomsen: Lynette Brice Award, English Award; Legend Wharerau: Rachel’s House Award, Gateway Award, Nadia Frazer-Holland: Biology Award, Maiya Stechman: Soroptimists Nth Cant Book Prize.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi e

“with your food basket and my food basket, everyone we thrive”

Kia ora e te whānau

In true Karanga Mai style we have had an action packed term. As well as welcoming Whaea Nat as Kaiwhakahaere to the ELC, new students to YPC and their tamariki (mentioned earlier in this pānui), we have welcomed from our wider community; Ivey-Rose, Ryker’s little sister - Kymani-Lee, Ryder’s cousin - Esme, and Te Atāraupo, Te Ngahurangi’s cousin. The support all our māmā and whānau have given your pēpi with settling in has been much appreciated and will benefit them well into the future in the way they respond to change and new situations

Nau mai, tauti mai! This term I joined the whānau here at Karanga Mai – ko wai au?

Ko Tainui me Ngātokimatāwhaoruā nga waka

Ko Pirongia me Pūhi ngā maunga

Ko Waikato, ko Te Touwai ngā awa

Ko Waikato, ko Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa ngā iwi

Ko Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura me Ngāti Kāwau ngā hapū

Ko Te Papa o Rotu, Pōhāra me Karangahape ngā marae

Ko Nat Hape tōku ingoa, nō reira tēnā tatou katoa.

What a whirlwind of a term, I feel like I am still trying to find my feet, heoi, we will get there. I have been enjoying getting to know and starting to develop relationships with kaiako, tamariki and whānau alike and there have been lots of sandpit cook-offs and superhero initiations which have been crucial to my learning the lay of the land. We have a good number of new pēpi/tamariki joining us and I would say my focus has been on getting to know our tamariki, their whanau and how we might best akiaki and support their education and care needs. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Life and learning in our hāpori (community)

Our tuakana have been really into superheros. Their play has continued over weeks and they have demonstrated many awesome traits displayed by superheros; kindness, kotahitanga, unity, and pride to name a few. The tamariki loved the superpowers their individually designed face masks gave them. For more about our ‘little heroes’check out the visual display Whaea Cydnee has created in the centre.

Foraging for kai in our garden with Amanda has been a popular pursuit, with many tamariki eating grapes until no more can be eaten. Picking fennel to taste and share and to add to hua rakau platters or to offer around as a lunchtime treat.

Our pēpi have become passionate explorers navigating our environment with courage and coordination.

What’s been happening in Childcare . . .

Educational times in childcare . . .

Te wā Whānau

The whakatauki that we have shared at the top of our pānui relates here, but also to other areas of learning and talks to the coming together and sharing knowledge, skills, time and conversations.

We had a great time with whānau who joined us for shared kai and korerorero. It was a great opportunity to get to know each other, meet our tamariki’s friends, share quick and easy kai preparation ideas and try some new foods. We are so grateful for the awhi we had from our YPC kaiako, and our two māmā who cooked all the yummy kai we had.

Feedback on the night included whānau saying that “their tamariki hadn’t eaten some of the foods before but really enjoyed what they had”, “they hadn’t ever tried offering some of the foods, could we do something like this again?” So all in all, a successful event.

This event was inspired by the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for Reducing Food-Related Choking in Early Learning Services. We have a copy at the centre for anyone wishing to have a read.

Our evaluation for improvement focus this year is nourishing our tinana through kai to support hauora and thriving tamariki and community.

Next term we are planning to have community kai shared lunches on a Monday. The kai will be

prepared with a focus on affordable seasonal and easy to prepare kai - that the tamariki will love!

Getting out and about in the community is an important and much loved part of our curriculum design.

Rongoā Māori: Haerenga this term have included a trip to Little River with Whaea Marlena to learn about Rongoā Māori and to gather kawakawa which was then made into Kawakawa balm. Whaea Chris took what she learnt from Marlena to make a supply for us to use in the centre and for our kaiako.

“Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa” (Working together for the wellbeing of everyone).

Te Whare Pukapuka: Whaea Cyd took a rōpū of tamariki to the library for toddler time and they loved it. Tamariki were really engaged with the karetao (puppets), pūrākau (stories), kanikani (dancing) and waiata (music). Engaging with others in our local community teaches our tamariki that learning happens everywhere. It also encourages tamariki and whānau to be contributing members of society using local resources and amenities. “It takes a village to raise a child”.

Te papa tākaro: After the Easter break we returned with only a handful of tamariki. Kaiako took this opportunity to

take the tamariki for a walk to the local park, get some fresh air, take in the sights and enjoy our local

environments. On their way back as a special treat Whaea Amanda got some hot chips to share at Karanga Mai.

Aroha atu, aroha mai

Kasey and Cint were thrilled to attend Kaiapoi Borough School assembly, to receive a $356 donation from a Mufi-

Day fund raiser, held by the school for Karanga Mai ELC. Such an awesome gesture by the tamariki of the kura in

the spirit of community. Kau tau mai te koha, gratefully received.

Need to contact the Early Learning centre? Here are our details:

Karanga Mai Young Early Learning Centre, Robert Coup Road, Kaiapoi 7630

Phone: 03-3278315 Email : karangamai@wellbeingnc.org.nz Team Leaders: Jacinta McInerney M:0278165388 Nat Hape M: 022 4747229

Childcare continued . . .

A big thank you to Mark - the KHS care-taker for fixing our much-loved egg swing!

On behalf of all of the kaiako, enjoy the term break and we look forward to an exciting term two!

Ngā manaakitanga ki a koutou,

nā Cint, nā Nat