Meeting with our MP Michael

On Friday 9th April, we had a special visit from Michael Wood, our local Member of Parliament (MP) for Puketāpapa (Mt Roskill). Michael came to the Middle School to talk to us about what his job is. He shared lots of different ideas about government, from how we vote, where he works in Wellington, to what he does for a job. 

Michael Wood showing us where he works in the Beehive

Michael Wood's office is on the bottom level and Jacinda Ardern's is on the top

We got a chance to ask him questions after each picture that he shared with us. Lots of us wanted to know if he works with Jacinda Ardern, our Prime Minister and where his office is in the Beehive. We loved learning about our government in Aotearoa. 

Thanks for reading our blog! I wonder if you have ever had any questions for your MP? What would you ask them if they came to your class?

Duffy Stuffy

 Over the past few weeks we have had some Duffy visitors...

Our Duffy Assembly was in Week 9. Lisa Allen, a children's book illustrator, came to see us and talk about her work. She brought in some copies of picture books with her art in as well as some examples of her illustrations to show us. She also showed us her workbook full of collected ideas and drawings, explaining how she doesn't throw away her mistakes as these can often help give her ideas for future projects.

Lisa showing some of her illustrations

Students with Duffy Certificates

Then in Week 10 the school watched the Duffy Theatre. They presented their latest show which was set during 2020's COVID lockdown. The story was about Duffy and his sister, Scruffy, who were staying with their aunty on a farm. In amongst the farm work, frustration with online learning, missing reading actual books, and a hunt for a lost chicken, Duffy fell down a hole and discovered some moa bones. With some audience assistance to pull him out of the hole, Duffy was rescued and could share his amazing find. One new aspect of the show was revealing the props usually used backstage and how sound effects were made with different objects they had collected. We were encouraged to experiment with making different sounds from objects in our homes and having a go at putting on plays too. 

With all of this talk about books it has me wondering...

what are some of your favourite books to read? 

Who are your favourite authors and illustrators? 

Maybe you could let us know in a comment to this post below...