Poi girls

On Friday, pupils from years 5 and 6 plus our Digital Leaders had the opportunity to Face Time and Skype Elm Park Primary School in New Zealand.

Having talked to the pupils last year during a sleep over at our school, some pupils had already formed a 'Pen Pal" realtionship and sent each other comics about their lives.

In one of the classrooms a connection was made using Skype and the pen pals were able to speak to each other.

In another classroom, a connection was made using Face Time on the i-mac. Here the pupils were able to compare how they will be spending Christmas Day on opposite sides of the world.

Our pupils were then shown how the Elm Park Primary pupils in New Zealand perform the Haka. They also performed the Poi Dance.

Poi originates from the Maori people of New Zealand, the word 'Poi' simply means ball. For over a thousand years Maori women have danced the Maori Poi, a dance with balls attached to strings, swung rhythmically to keep their hands flexible for weaving.

Maori men used Poi to increase flexibility and strength in their hands and arms, to improve the balance, dexterity and co-ordination required during battle.

A fantastic opportunity for our pupils which they thoroughly enjoyed.