Samoan Language Week 24-30 Me/May 2015

This week is Samoan Language Week. We have a selection of books in Samoan, including the iconic 'O Le Nofoaga 'olo'o Meaola Uiga'ese (Where the Wild Things Are)!  Come and check out our display for these and others. 



















Of course this display is just a taste of the books we have for early readers in Samoan. Check out the others on our Pasifika Language Books stand next to the computers. 




Check out more information and events here, and have a go at speaking Samoan!

http://www.mpia.govt.nz/samoan-language-week-24th-may-2015/ 

We love Owairaka families!

Friday 15 May is International Day of Families.

Come and take a look at some books that explore how all families are unique.


"The Family Book" by Todd Parr - ABC Books 2003

Lots of fun, it shows us in simple shapes and colours how families are different, but in many ways still the same.







"Families" by Meredith Tax - The Feminist Press 1981



A matter-of-fact story told from the point of view of a child, with lovely drawings by Marylin Hafner. It looks old, but don't let that stop you from enjoying the lovely story inside.











"The Great Big Book of Families" by Mary Hoffman - Frances Lincoln Children's Books 2010

This book shows all the different types of families, and explores all sorts of things about what they all do, from what they eat to how they holiday. All families are different and special in their own way!







SHOW US YOUR FAMILY!!

We'd love a photo of your family for our display in the library!  Hand a printed photo in to Donna in the library, or email it to families@owairaka.school.nz

What's happening in our neighbourhood?

Today, the people at the New Zealand Transport Agency shared a really cool video about the Waterview Connection. They have sent a photography drone through the first tunnel so you can see the new motorway taking shape, first at Owairaka, and then at Waterview, after passing all the way through the tunnel!

To find out more about the project, you can visit NZTA's website, where they have specific information about the Waterview Connection.

We have a poster in the library all about Alice, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) that made the tunnel. She is on her way back to Owairaka, so check out the new poster all about how she was turned around!

Quick facts

Project objective: Complete Western Ring Route

Project duration: 66 months

Length: 4.8km

Tunnel length: 2.4km

Tunnel diameter: 13.1m (twin tunnels)

Maximum depth: 45m

Tunnelling method: Earth Pressure Balance Machine (EPBM) (10th largest ever TBM)

Completion: Early 2017

Librarians Book of the Month

Its Science Week! 4-8 May 2015

Its the International Year of Light, and we are focusing on light for Science Week 2015.

In the library, we have a display about COLOUR, where you can find out not just about colours, but also about why light is important.

Have a look at this great link from the University of Waikato Science Learning Hub which has in depth information about the relationship between colour and light.

Colour of objects

Objects appear different colours because they absorb some colours (wavelengths) and reflected or transmit other colours. The colours we see are the wavelengths that are reflected or transmitted.For example, a red shirt looks red because the dye molecules in the fabric have absorbed the wavelengths of light from the violet/blue end of the spectrum. Red light is the only light that is reflected from the shirt. If only blue light is shone onto a red shirt, the shirt would appear black, because the blue would be absorbed and there would be no red light to be reflected.White objects appear white because they reflect all colours. Black objects absorb all colours so no light is reflected.

Here are some other great links where you can learn about COLOUR and LIGHT!

Science Kids has an experiment where you can make your own rainbow!

Light in Nature - International Year of Light  has information on rainbows, sunsets and aurora....cool light and colour from nature.

Have a great Science Week!