Somerset Kindergarten
News
Forest Garden - a blessing
March 2011
Tupito Maruera made a very special visit to Somerset Kindergarten on Friday March 25 to bless the newly open Forest Garden section.
During the blessing children walked around the garden with teachers and whanau before gathering inside to sing waiata and say a karakia.
Mr Maruera said the blessing "safeguards the garden for tamariki".
"The cleansing will help guide children and keep them safe while playing in the garden" added Whaia Dawn.
Head teacher Anne said the garden is extremely popular with children and provides a fantastic opportunity for interaction with the natural environment.
Currently children are most interested in climbing trees and are gaining in confidence as they climb higher and try new techniques.
"Some children have never experienced long grass before, the Forest Garden is a wonderful resource for promoting Te Whariki strands of communication, belonging and contribution", Anne said.
Above: Children walk through the Forest Garden with teachers, parents and family during a Maori blessing.
Above: Children explore Somerset's Forest Garden.
Somerset team building - On Yer Bike
March 2011
Somerset Kindergarten teachers enjoyed a day of team building recently at an 'On Yer Bike' winery tour.
After driving over to Hastings and meeting On Yer Bike tour organisers, the Somerset team were kitted out with bikes and helmets for the day.
They were provided with a lovely, healthy lunch for their lunch stop and set off on a winery adventure.
"We ventured along roads, up gravel lanes and tested wine along the way", said Head Teacher Anne.
"It was an experience to be repeated and we'll definitely have plenty of nice wine for our next Friday drinks evening", she said.
Above: Somerset Kindergarten teachers enjoy the tastes of the Hawkes Bay by cycle
Kindergartens
adapt to changing hours
February 2011
Change is proving positive at Parkland and Somerset Kindergartens where children, parents and teachers are settling into new routines following changes to session times.
The two kindergartens now operate six-hour sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, allowing four-year-olds to attend for longer.
Most Ruahine Kindergartens now follow this schedule, with Wednesday and Friday afternoons kept free for planning and professional development.
Teachers from across the Association recently discussed the impact of these changes at a meeting at Parkland Kindergarten.
Head teacher, Anne, from Somerset Kindergarten said the change in hours has led to increased attendance. "We're noticing our three-years olds are much more settled as well", she said.
Head teacher, Heidi, from Parkland Kindergarten said her teaching team is also finding the change beneficial.
"Enrolment enquiries have increased and it seems to work in well for parents, with school starting at 9am", she said.
Other teachers commented on the upside of change and offered advice on dealing with challenges.
Hours aren't the only thing to change at Ruahine Kindergartens this term.
Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten has also added a new venue in Rewa on Tuesday afternoons and changed their Rangiwahia venue to the Community Centre.
For more information on session times or locations please visit www.ruakind.org.nz
Above: Teachers gather at Parkland Kindergarten to discuss session changes
What a wonderful day for a picnic!
December 2010
Every year children, families and teachers from Somerset Kindergarten gather at the Victoria Esplanade to celebrate the end of the kindergarten year with a picnic and a ride on the miniature train.
This year the picnic was held on Thursday December 2 and the turn out was so impressive that three trains were required to get everybody around the park.
Children and families thoroughly enjoyed picnicking and playing under the trees. Check out these great photos taken on the day!
Above: Somerset Kindergarten families enjoy a picnic in the park
Above: Chugging along - Somerset Families enjoy a miniature train ride at the Victoria Esplanade
Beautiful brides a sell-out success
September 2010
Somerset Kindergarten's Bride of the Year fundraiser was a sold-out success, with all 704 seats snapped up by the Thursday before the big event.
41 brides participated, lighting up the stage with their beautiful dresses and sparkling personalities. Natasha Boustridge was the big winner with Amy Bangma and Sarah Kelly taking out 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
Dean McKerras compeered the show to his usual high standard, making sure everything ran smoothly while encouraging the audience to share their stories, have their say and bid on the fabulous packages up for auction.
The three auction packages included an Interislander trip and an entertainment pack, raising over $700 in total.
Gorgeous Somerset fairies flittered up onto the stage to the delight of the audience before the brides made their grand entrance.
Somerset's Head Teacher, Anne, said, "we were very proud of the way the fairies and page boys did their job supporting the show on the night".
The brides were escorted onto the stage to the sound of cheers and applause of family and friends. They had a great night showing off their dresses and helping those audience members seeking ideas for the future.
All 10 finalists received a basket of prizes sponsored by fantastic local and national businesses.
As a kindergarten community, Somerset Kindergarten can be very proud of their efforts. All up, they raised $13,222, which will be put towards development of the neighbouring Forest Garden section.
Above: Fluttering fairies from Somerset Kindergarten.
Above: Gorgeous fairies and handsome page boys from Somerset Kindergarten.
Above: Blushing brides Amy Bangma, Natasha Boustridge and Sarah Kelly.
Download Guardian article Bridal veils of secrecy lifted at kindergarten below
Bridal veils of secrecy (1.36MB)
Brides on Broadway
August 2010
42 blushing brides will grace the aisles of the Regent on Broadway on Monday 6th September to raise funds for Somerset Kindergarten's Forest Garden.
Bride of the Year is an annual event and a major fundraiser for the kindergarten. It's a wonderful opportunity for Manawatu brides to wear their wedding dresses again and have some lighthearted fun with family and friends.
The local business community has been very supportive of the event this year, enabling the kindergarten to benefit from the majority of funds raised.
Entrants will be led up to the stage by fairies and presented with roses by pageboys from Somerset Kindergarten.
Purchase your ticket for this enchanting evening of music, dancing and prizes today. Only $20 from Ticketek.
Dancing dads get involved with S.K.I.P sports day
June 2010
140 pre-school children danced and played the morning away with teachers and parents at the fun sports day presented by S.K.I.P, held at the Highbury Whānau Centre on June 16th.
Strategies with Kids – Information for Parents (S.K.I.P) is a government funded initiative supporting parents and whānau to guide their children’s behaviour in a positive way.
The sports day focused on involving dads in positive parenting. Fathers enjoyed doing the penguin dance with children and running the various activity stations.
Following a warm up Zumba session, children, teachers and parents broke into groups to try activities organised by different early childhood centres, Sport Manawatu and the YMCA. All stations supported children in developing their physical skills whilst having lots of fun.
Three Ruahine Kindergartens: Somerset; Takaro; and West End, attended and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Drums Alive and crawling under the spider web were favourites amongst children at Somerset Kindergarten.
The Somerset Kindergarten teaching team said “it was rewarding to see fathers from our centre having fun and interacting with the children”.
Ruahine Kindergartens Professional Service Manager, Gaylyn Campbell, and Association President, Sarah Johnston-Ellis, also attended. Gaylyn described it as “great to see so many male role models out there participating in learning experiences with children.”
S.K.I.P aims to hold termly events in the Highbury area allowing parents, whānau and children to talk, play and share ideas together.
Above: Children, parents and teachers get active at the S.K.I.P sports day
