Friday, June 14, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Kauri Snail - Northland's Taonga
Holly V. came to school with a special friend…a kauri snail. These snails were once widespread in Northland, however now many of them are endangered or threatened. Holly found the snail in a native reserve behind her house. She showed our class and others at SFX. This visit also tied in with Arbor Day and World Conservation Day. The kauri snail is an important taonga to Northland and New Zealand. Thanks Holly and Mike (her dad).
Facts about the kauri snail:
• Kauri snails may live to 20 years or more.
• Snail hatchlings spend an unknown period living in trees and shrubs up to 6 metres above the ground.
• The kauri snail is carnivorous and cannibalistic. Its diet consists of earthworms, insects, insect larvae, and snails.
• Kauri snails are also highly mobile, and have been known to move 10 metres in 2 weeks.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Our Northland Taonga at Heritage Park
Last week, Rooms 11 and 14 visited Heritage Park. Our objective was to learn more about the many special taonga/treasures we have in Northland. Chris, Gerry and Kevin were our hosts for the day. All three men spoke with a high degree of knowledge about these taonga, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. A special thanks to those parents and caregivers who helped make this day so enjoyable. Enjoy reading below about Heritage Park (ref: www.kiwinorth.co.nz).
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Dr Alexander Clarke and his family arrived from England and built a kauri homestead and out buildings including a barn, butchery, laundry, dairy and milking parlour. Three generations of the Clarke family owned the property and worked it as a farm for nearly 90 years. The Clarke Homestead was purchased by the museum in the 1972 and provides us with a unique insight into early settler life. There are very few original family homes -such as this - that exist as museums, together with associated buildings, in their original environment, and contain the paraphernalia and possessions of one family.
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Oruaiti Chapel, c1859
Believed to be the smallest octagonal chapel in New Zealand, and possibly the world, is made from a single kauri log. It was originally situated in Doubtless Bay in the Far North. The Chapel was moved to the Heritage Park in the 1980s and is used for special occasions such as weddings, christenings and seasonal celebrations.
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Jane Mander Study, c1908
One of New Zealand’s most well known authors Jane Mander wrote in this unusual turret which was originally located on the roof of her family home in Whangarei. The Study is used as a photographic backdrop for weddings and other special occasions.
Inside the Kiwi House
Day is transformed into night inside our state of the art Kiwi house. Here you will see the Kiwi foraging for food as they would in the wild. The Kiwi is a nocturnal animal and the Kiwi House is kept dark so that visitors can see the bird in its natural environment.
Tuatara
NZ's most iconic reptile and last living relative of the dinosaurs.
Tuatara is a Maori word meaning "spiny back". Tuatara habitat comprises of coastal forest or scrub with a relatively open under-storey. Like other reptiles, tuatara are cold blooded, which means their temperatures change with the air temperature. Tuatara are nocturnal and prefer cool weather, however they will often bask in the sun to warm their bodies - but they are careful to not over-heat. On warm nights they come out to hunt for food - mainly insects, lizards and seabird eggs and chicks.
Geckos
Kiwi North has a selection of several endemic species.
The gecko’s colouring provides fantastic camouflage; it’s a real test to find them in their enclosures. The Northland and Auckland Green are bright green to blend with the leaves while the Forest Geckos blend with bark and lichen. Their diet consists of invertebrates, nectar and fruit.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Congratulations...
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments through which Catholics pass in the process of their religious upbringing. According to Catholics, in this sacrament they receive the Holy Spirit and become adult members of the Catholic Church.
Last Saturday night, eight children from Room 14 received the sacrament of confirmation. This is a wonderful achievement and one that they can be extremely proud of. God bless to you all!
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| Ruby, Isabella, Maddison, Amelie Therese, Anika, Holly, Reuben |
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