We did an underground cave adventure at the Waitomo Caves, where we wore very thick wetsuits (the water was VERY cold). Our adventure included abseiling down into the cave (lowering ourselves from a rope attached to a harness), “black water rafting” (which is called that since it is in the dark), and hiking up underground waterfalls. It was very, very cool!
I have done a few weeks of supply teaching at schools here, since their summer break is in December/January, not July/August, like back home. Here are a few differences between schools in Ontario and schools in New Zealand:
· In Ontario, you ALWAYS have to wear your shoes. Here, you do not have to – some children do not wear shoes at all, and it is not because they cannot afford them – they just would rather go barefoot! Since there is no snow here in the winter, many children can go barefoot all year long!
· In Ontario, most elementary schools do not make you wear uniforms. Here, most primary schools do require students to wear uniforms, even making all students wear the same kind of dress shoes!
· In Ontario, most schools usually start at 9:00am, and end at 3:30pm, with a lunch and two recesses. Here, students are allowed into the classroom starting at 8:30am, and classes begin at 9:00am. At around 11:00am there is “morning tea” and the first break of the day, and lunch is not until after 1:00pm. Then school ends around 3:00pm – only two breaks during the day!
· In Ontario, students learn French as a second language. Here, many schools teach Maori or Samoan as a language, since many children here come from families who have South Pacific heritage.
Other than that, Craig and I have been doing a lot of camping and hiking. Here are a few pictures of us (and Burley) enjoying New Zealand nature!
· In Ontario, you ALWAYS have to wear your shoes. Here, you do not have to – some children do not wear shoes at all, and it is not because they cannot afford them – they just would rather go barefoot! Since there is no snow here in the winter, many children can go barefoot all year long!
· In Ontario, most elementary schools do not make you wear uniforms. Here, most primary schools do require students to wear uniforms, even making all students wear the same kind of dress shoes!
· In Ontario, most schools usually start at 9:00am, and end at 3:30pm, with a lunch and two recesses. Here, students are allowed into the classroom starting at 8:30am, and classes begin at 9:00am. At around 11:00am there is “morning tea” and the first break of the day, and lunch is not until after 1:00pm. Then school ends around 3:00pm – only two breaks during the day!
· In Ontario, students learn French as a second language. Here, many schools teach Maori or Samoan as a language, since many children here come from families who have South Pacific heritage.
Other than that, Craig and I have been doing a lot of camping and hiking. Here are a few pictures of us (and Burley) enjoying New Zealand nature!
We are now at the very bottom of the north island, and are taking a ferry to the south island on Thursday. The south island has less people living there, but has lots of hiking to do, and also has some penguin colonies – does anyone know a certain teacher who LOVES penguins???
hi mrs.swinson
ReplyDeletei now a teacher who loves penguins. it you!
my teacheris mrs hayes. shes teaching grade 4/5.
hi mrs swinson i also have mrs hayes she is nice but i miss you alot!!!!!
ReplyDeletejess