Amiri's new school - Glen Eden Intermediate School

Amiri is attending G.E.I.S. this year. He was very fortunate. Although we live outside the Glen Eden School district, and therefore were not guaranteed acceptance, he applied and was selected. Several of his friends from Summerland Primary were also selected. 

He's in Year 7, which corresponds to our 6th grade and, because of his scores on his entrance exam, was placed in an accelerated class. G.E.I.S. is a two-year school. 

He tells us that he has now settled in at GEIS and feels quite comfortable. It seems as though the school suites him.

Here in New Zealand, schools welcome new students with a Maori Powhiri (Poe'-fear-ee). It is a greeting ceremony. Take a look at his powhiri and some shots of his school.

Students (seated) and parents gather outside the hall to await the start of the powhiri.

A little later, the parents have joined the school personnel inside, and are waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The kids are brought in and line up.

The Kapahaka Team performs the welcome.

I could not find the haka for the powhiri at Glen Eden, but this is another haka from Glen Eden that will give you some idea of the performance of the Haka Team shown above. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK2Erzpr9rA

Each student is then called up individually by their teacher and, when that class is complete, is lead out of the hall and to their classroom. 

Amiri is with his teacher and class outside their classroom. Parents look on. 

The view across a courtyard from Amiri's classroom. That's a ping-pong table on the right.

The central commons area.

Amiri gave us a tour of the entire school recently on a Sunday afternoon. He is showing Arram the 'Tuck Shop,' where he buys lunch every Thursday. 

G.E.I.S. has their own T.N.T. radio station. 

The door to the gym was open on this Sunday afternoon but it wasn't open for visitors. Maintenance staff were busy inside. 

A garden plot

The swimming pool

Around the back perimeter of the athletic fields and playground is what is called the 'bird walk.' It's a nice place for students to get some exercise and have a change of scenery during lunch time.    -djf