Today we had Crazy Hat Day. This was part of the Student Councils Fundraising Scheme to raise money for the 2011 Westpac Chopper Challenge. Altogether the student council and the school community group have raised over $1000 for the Westpac Resuce Helicopter. We are all hoping that we raise the most money so we can have Richie McCaw arrive at our school in a chopper!

Christian Cullen Visits!

On Monday the 16th of May a very famous All Black player Christian Cullen visited our school to talk about a competition called the Richie McCaw Challenge for the Westpac helicopter. The competition is raising money for the people that get injured throughout the year. In serious problems the Westpac helicopter will always be there for you. One of the Westpac helicopter pilots came to visit our school too.  A big thanks to the Westpac helicopter guys and Christian Cullen for visiting our school.

Written by Maddie T and Sophie

Cross Country

On Tuesday 10^th May Nelson Central School had their cross country. Year 3/4 kids ran around a track around part of the block and school grounds. Lots of us had butterflies in our tummies before we began. Most people were hot and sweaty by the end. We were all very tired by the end but we also felt very proud of ourselves! Some of us also chose to go in the open race. Sally thinks that we are running superstars!

Top 10 Placings from Room 5

Year 3 Girls

Lucy – 7^th

Year 4 Girls

Holly – 1^st

Ella – 3^rd

Sophie – 6^th

Year 4 Boys

Aiden – 8th

Thanks Room 10!

Yesterday we were very excited to receive an envelope in the mail. Inside it contained letters from Room 10 at Kaiapoi North School. We sent letters to them after the earthquake. We were especially excited to read Jesse's letter as Jesse spent several weeks with us after the earthquake. Thanks Room 10!

What a last week!

What a last week of term we had.  
On Thursday we were lucky enough to watch some of the actors from the Nelson Youth Theatre Company perform some of the scenes from their production of Peter Pan.

On Friday we performed plays to our little buddies in Room 11.  We had been practicing and working on our props all week.  Sally was really proud of the effort that we put in and the way that we were all so co-operative.

We also got to eat a yummy chocolate cake on Friday.  During Maths we had been learning all about fractions.  We helped Sally make the cake.  The cake recipe had lots of fractions in it, so we had to think carefully about which would be the correct measuring spoons and cups to use.

Congratulations Mackenzie!

Last year Mackenzie entered a competition at the Suter Art Gallery. Children had to name a sculpture by artist Brian Flintoff. Mackenzie named it 'Bad to the Bone'. Mackenzie was recently named as the winner of the competition and received a beautiful pendant carved by Brian himself. This taonga was presented to Mackenzie at our Kahikatea Syndicate Assembly on Monday by Esther McNaughton and Julie Catchpole from the Suter Art Gallery. Mackenzie will also feature in this weeks Nelson Leader. Way to go Mackenzie!

Fossil Hunting

Read on to find out about our fossil hunting adventures.

Yesterday morning Room 5 and their parents and Paul the expert geologist went fossil hunting in the Richmond Hills because we are studying fossils. We went to find more fossils. We found fossils and the fossils were of shells. It was fun. Nikkita

On Tuesday morning Room 5 went fossil hunting. Lots of parents came. Paul our expert showed Room 5 the best place to go in the Richmond Hills. We we got there we had to walk 30-40 minutes up a hill. We found lots of fossils. They were mostly imprints. I found a big fossil which had lots of imprints. Everybody found at least one. We got to take one home but it had to be the size of your hand or smaller. They were all shell imprints because the ground was once sea and the fossils got uplifted. When we had morning tea we had a great view of the valley. I think you could go there and bring your family and friends and find more fossils. Holly

To go on your own fossil hunting adventure follow the track up from Lodestone. You should be able to find fossils in the bank after 10-15 minutes walking. Click on the map below to view it larger.

Fossil Hunting Map

Writing Explanations

This term we are learning to write explanations. Sally found this great presentation on how to write a good explanation. There are links to games on here that you may like to play to help you write a better explanation

Click on the file below to be able to read it easily.

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How to Write Excellent Explanations

Last Friday we made salt dough fossils with our little buddies from Room 11. First we had to help our little buddies, then we got to make our own. We made our fossils look dinosaur and dinosaur footprint fossils.

Fossils

This term we have been learning all about fossils. View our voice thread to find out all the amazing and interesting things we have learnt.