NZL - The Voyage Out to New Zealand (letter home)

New Zealand
Date 1848
Dear Mumma,

We survived, Martha and I. We are lucky, many barely survived the first few days. We miss you dearly, but these children need me. You should see them all. Hundreds of them! Martha and I are going to be running the school here! Can you believe that? We miss you. More than words can comprehend. Our finale goodbye will never be enough.

I worry for Martha, she still has nightmares about the voyage over. There were many dead Mumma, dieses overpowered all us. Only a few of us made it, we are really lucky Mumma. Three month’s on the boat. Did you know that Martha has terrible sea sickness? The sail was destroyed a few days after we left. The strong wind ripped a huge hole in it! Luckily the men on the boat knew how to get it down, and many of the women could sew. Do not get me wrong, there were many great things about the voyage too. Martha met a man. His name is Edwin. She is smitten I tell you. They wouldn’t leave each other’s sides. Edwin has a young boy, maybe 2 years old. His name is Leonard. Martha treat’s him likes her own. His ex-wife (Leonard’s Mumma) passed away during birth. They are smitten for each other though Mumma, you should see it!

One day you should come here too. I am sure we will find a house for you, all of us, Martha, you and I. Maybe even Edwin and Leonard too! You would love it here Mumma, you could be a nurse down at the hospital! I know you’ve always wanted to be one! They would train you to. Always needing nurses and doctors around here, especially for the little ones. Sorry you couldn’t come with us Mumma, but I promise I’ll be back for you.

New Zealand is beautiful. The forest engulf’s most of the island. I love it here. It’s nothing like London but we all love it here. It’s not the same without you here. I start at the school tomorrow, I’m teaching the littlest children and Martha teaches the teenagers. We are starting with counting! I love you a lot Mumma. Miss you.
Lot's of love,
Eliza <3

Our New Zealand

Last term in NZL (New Zealand studies), we learnt a lot about identity. We learnt about our identities and the identities of everything around us.






This is an example of this. We learnt about the identity of kiwi's. We drew a kiwi and filled it with different facts.





This term we are learning to express our self through art. We learnt about a famous photographer and why s/he took photo's of what s/he did. We also looked at the different artworks and what symbolic icons are in it.

Wairua Kotuku

Painted by: Shane Hanson

Kotuku, a native bird.

Important in maori mythology, they are believed to be from the spirit world.

Elegant bird

3 foot

Habitat swamps lagoons in 5th island.

When they spread their wings they look majestic and royal.

There is a Koru underneath it.

Money, Money, Money! Brainstorm.

We have been experimenting with a new brainstorming app. It is called Connected Mind. We brainstormed ideas for our new topic about Money.