Stu Deval - Storyteller, Author and Illustrator

Squeals of laughter and gasps of fright were heard today as Stu Duval Storyteller, Author and Illustrator enthralled both middle and senior school children.  As part of literacy week he shared his story ideas and writing tips with children. The intent concentration and enthralled faces were evidence of how much children enjoyed this visit.

QR Code - Opening Sentences

We have two more fabulous opening sentences to hear stored in QR Codes.

Caitlin D. Scan the QR Code below to hear the sentence."Emily's mind was whirling with thoughts of today's adventure as her gumboots slipped on her feet."

Claire D Scan the QR Code below to hear the sentence.

"A flock of seagulls swept by the tiny cottage in the middle of nowhere."

Literacy Week - Lunchtimes

We have had the privilege of the lovely Karen Yates and Robyn Steel reading at lunchtimes this week.

Children have also been busy trying out the QR Code challenge.

Literacy Week - Grandparents Reading

Today we had lots of fabulous Grandparents come to our school to read to our children.

Here is a snapshot of some Grandparents reading.

Disco - Fairytales Theme

The PTA organised a fabulous disco.  What a fantastic evening.  The hall decorations were amazing!!! Thanks to everyone who helped make this disco a great success.

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

National Young Leaders Day

On Thursday 29th May the School Councillors, House captains and Deputies attended the National Young Leaders Day event for 2014.

This was a day full of inspiration, excitement, words of wisdom and motivational quotes and speeches.

There were also a lot of laughs as the speakers were extremely funny also.

These were some of the quotes that stuck in our heads  

"Dream big achieve more" - Cam Calkoen

" Live for awesome"

"When times get tough will you put down the sea anchor or keep rowing " -Jamie Fitzgerald

"Sometimes you just need to take a nap and get over it" - Francis Valentine

"Leadership is about creating success for your team" - Annette Fale

"Leadership is thinking on your feet" - Laura Langman

Literacy Week - Buddy Classes

Today, buddy classes Room 7 (year 6) and room 22 (year 1) collaborated together to create online stories.  They used Google Docs with Google Drawing as the tools to complete this.

Jasmine and Lejie talk about the process in the video below.

Literacy Week - QR Codes

Today in the library at lunchtime, children had the opportunity to learn about QR Codes through a challenge involving creating an opening sentence to match a picture in a book.  The aim was to extend children beyond the standard opening sentences such as 'Once upon a time...'.

This is Caitlin's QR Code with her opening sentence.  Scan the code using an App called QRReader, which is free in the App Store, so you can hear Caitlin's sentence out loud.

This opening sentence is for the book called Window by Jeannie Baker.

Well done Caitlin.

"The everlasting forest could be seen through the cottage window, where the tiny child cried."

Literacy Week

It's Literacy Week this week at Sunnyhills.

This means that there is a particular focus on reading and writing with lots of fun activities planned including grandparents reading to students, dressing up as your favourite book character and many more activities throughout the week.

Today we had the pleasure of having Mrs Prescott read to children in the library.  Everyone loved her Eeyore outfit.

Undefeated Netball Team B-5A

On the 26th May there was an Interschool Netball Field Day.  The Sunnyhills team B-5A showed great team work and encouragement of each other, battling the very cold wind and rain and still won all their games!

Well done Sunnyhills!

Thanks to Tina Funnell for this photo.

SNAG golf

SNAG golf (www.snaggolf.co.nz) has offered our senior school FREE golf lessons and are also leaving our school with $1,000 worth of gear.  This is in association with Pakuranga Golf Club who are trying to increase the knowledge and skill of the game in this area. 

Here are a few pictures of the children enjoying themselves whilst learning new skills.

Week 7 Assembly

This week at our school assembly our Year 6 Councillors were announced.  Congratulations to those selected. Check out our latest newsletter for further details.

We also had a visit from Chef Souffle who talked about the fabulous cookbook fundraiser the PTA are organising.  Children have the opportunity to participate in a competition to design the front cover of the cookbook and come up with a fabulous name.

St Patricks Day

A big thank you to Fiona for supplying morning tea this morning. Happy St Patricks Day.

Week 5 School Assembly

We had a special visitor from the Pakuranga Public Library this week, who came to give out certificates to 22 children who had completed the Summer Holiday Reading Programme.  Apparently we had the most number of children in all of Pakuranga, so well done Sunnyhills children!!!  Keep up the fabulous reading.

Congratulations to all the children who received certificates this assembly.  Class Principal certificates were given out in addition to Peer Mediator certificates.  We also enjoyed a performance from our 'Special Spot' children seeking performers for future assemblies.

Watch snippets of our assembly here:

Year 5 Camp

Year 5 camp was thoroughly enjoyed by both adults and students alike.  Everyone went to Piha for the day and then back to school to camp overnight.  The following are photos and video from 'camp'.


 Miss Johnson took everyone through "The Scream Run" which proved to be one of the most popular events of camp.  Here is a snippet caught on video.

Tents arranged and ready to be occupied by keen students.

Happy campers!

Breakfast was delicious, now for the chores!

Senior Swimming Sports Day

We all enjoyed swimming sports at Saint Kentigerns College on 14 February. Congratulations to Hoiho for winning both relay races.

Welcome back to Sunnyhills School 2014

The video below is a snapshot of the first week at Sunnyhills.

The children are settling in nicely and students are focussed on getting to know each other, setting expectations, developing class treaties, and participating in team building activities as well as integrating reading, maths and writing. Lots of fun and learning as you can see from the video.

We were very privileged to have Marvin and the music team come to demonstrate at assembly, the different instruments they teach and they are offering a great opportunity for interested children to come and try out any instrument before school on Wednesday 12th February in the music room. Hope to see you there.