At the end of Term 3 our NCEA Level 2 physicists took physics out of the classroom and onto the racetrack. Talking about speed, velocity and acceleration is one thing but putting it into practice is more fun, especially when the teacher earns a podium position, even if it was third.
To help the students prepare for their upcoming internal on cornering and safety features of vehicles, they headed to Game Over. Here they received an expert talk from the owner and international rally car driver on everything about going fast… safely. Walking the track, the students could apply their knowledge of centripetal force to identify the best line to take through the corners allowing them maximum velocity and minimal skidding.
After a safety briefing on the importance of helmets, sprung barriers and rubber bumpers, applying their knowledge of how momentum and impulse can save us in an accident, it was time to take to the track and experience the difference centripetal forces on the corners for themselves. Then, having put the pedal to the metal, there was time for some final questions before putting pen to paper for their report.
Kristin’s Wanaka Alpine Experience
The first two weeks of the July school holidays saw 18 students and two staff journey to Wanaka for the Alpine Experience, where they enjoyed ten days on the snow at Cardrona alpine resort.
Here, they participated in lessons improving their skiing and snowboarding skill sets. Some students did ski race training, others did freestyle training in the terrain park and others did general ski or snowboard lessons around the mountain. With a two-day break in the middle, several students and staff enjoyed the offerings of the world-famous Kawarau Bungee Jump and everybody was able to take in the beauty of the Queenstown and Southern Lakes environment.
While the early starts and long days were challenging for some, it was great to see all students make great improvement over the two weeks of the trip. It was an awesome trip with some great snow and the weather played its part perfectly.
An Interview with Kristin Alumnus and Olympian, Cam McTaggart
As part of their PYP Exhibition research a group of Year 6 students was lucky enough to be able to interview Kristin Alumnus Olympian Cam McTaggart (2015) from MIQ in Christchurch as he waited out his time after returning from Tokyo.
The students were looking at mindfulness, professional athletes and sport and the issues within these topics. The students posed Cam a number of questions, ranging from which mindfulness techniques he uses, to why he decided to become a weightlifter, and which sports he participated in as a child.
Thank you Cam for being so willing to support our Kristin students – we’re looking forward to inviting you to our PYP Exhibition to see our students’ finished product!
Dawn blessing for Tūrama – Kristin’s new multisport facility
The dawn blessing (He Hakawātea) for Tūrama was held on Monday morning, 16th August, with a large gathering of our school community for the 6am start. Participants were led through He Hakawātea by kaumātua, Kereama Nathan, and a supporting team from Te Herenga Waka o Orewa marae.
Before first light and with a mist embracing Tūrama, Kereama led them in karakia and a hymn was sung before a spine tingling karanga (call) initiated on behalf of Tūrama by Sarah Underdown, with a responding call from mana whenua. Those in attendance were invited to look to the stars to identify Matariki and as they did that, a shooting star crossed the middle of where they were looking.
Attendees gathered at the door of Tūrama and repeated the name Tūrama three times before Year 3 student, Grace, representing purity and having been blessed, led them around the building so they could all impart their positive energy, prayer and well wishes upon Tūrama. This was done while participants touched the inside of the building and the sun's rays blessed the outside of the building.
After karakia and lifting the tapu (restrictions) on Grace, all enjoyed a hongi for those who could safely share breath, or a handshake, followed by kai, conversation and hot drinks. An overall amazing experience.
