It’s that time of year, a special time on Gems calendar and a special time in New Zealand Maori culture. As the Matariki constellation appears in the early morning sky, we are reminded of the traditions of Maori culture and commence the celebrations of Maori New Year.
Read MoreThe mornings are darker, and the temperatures have dropped. We wait patiently for the winter snow to fall and coat our mountain tops in white powder so we can reap the benefits of the extra space up on our ski fields this year. It has been a while since we visited Farm School, 9 weeks in fact, which meant our Autumn was spent at home, in our own backyards or exploring our local area
Read MoreGems philosophy truly values the importance of the environment as the third teacher. Attuned teachers recognize children’s interests and intentionally set provocations to extend tamariki through play. Areas of play are constantly reflected on and adapted to spark curiosity, invite exploration, and provide comfort for our learners. This is especially important now as they return after our extended period of lockdown and resettle into our Gems spaces. A period of rediscovery and resettling as our children return to Gems places even more importance on beautiful and welcoming invitations to play.
Read MoreWhat are the world's best toys?
They are not gadgets or ‘fancy toys’ but your everyday materials called loose parts.
Loose parts can include natural materials altered or, stacked, carried, moved or altered. Loose parts can include natural materials like sticks, stones, sand, leaves and water or recycled materials like cardboard boxes, rope, fabric, milk crates and lengths of pipes.
Read MoreSensory play can be an early, but important step in the development process …
Read MoreHere are a few shots from Farm School last week, hilarity at the mud puddle again with a full face plant by one of our small people.
Read MoreIn collaboration with Shotover primary School we are working together to restore a wetland on the lower tier of the Shotover Country Subdivision.
Read MoreNorman is our tame alpaca. He was rejected by his mother as a tiny cria (baby alpaca) and has been hand reared ever since.
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