Money, Money, Money!

New Zealand's banknotes are being upgraded with new security features. While the notes will have similar themes to those we are familiar with there are a few changes, including something for people who are blind or have low vision.
Today the first of the new $5 and $10 notes were released. New $20, $50 and $100 banknotes are due to be released in April 2016.

Take a tour of the new notes and look out for them the next time someone hands you change.

How many differences can you spot?

You Are Not the Centre of the Universe

Putting things into perspective, we are tiny, really tiny.

Horrible History

If anyone ever told you history is boring think again. History helps us understand change and how the world we live in has come about. Thanks to the Horrible Histories book series there has been renewed interest in the world of the past. Of course history teachers are, and always have been, passionate about their subject and if you follow the link below you will find teachers that have breathed new life into their subject by telling ancient stories to modern music.
Modern Musical Tour Through the Ages

The Gravity Defying Worlds of Cinta Vidal Agullo

Barcelona based artist and illustrator defies gravity and architectural conventions to create beautiful works of art. Painted with acrylic paint on wood panels, Vidal says of her paintings, "I wanted to show that we all live in one world, but we live in it in very different ways."

View more of her art work

The Great War - Journeys Abroad

In World War I thousands of New Zealand troops boarded ships bound for the war in Europe. Among these men was Alister Robison. You can read about what his voyage may have been like according to Abbey.

Read this free book made on StoryJumper

Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky template

More on the Beauty of Math

If you think you can't be completely blown away by the beauty of math check out this power point presentation recently shared on Facebook. Creator unknown, but very clever!

The Beauty of Math 

For some reason the music doesn't play but you can still click through the presentation. Prepare to be amazed.

Nature's Math

Why does nature abide by mathematical rules, like Fibonacci numbers and fractal symmetry? Whatever the reason here are some beautiful examples of geometrical plants for symmetry lovers

Light, Stargazing and Darkness

Calling all young writers. The Margaret Mahy Starlight Essay and Poetry Competition is on. If your imagination and creativity are inspired by the idea of creating a piece of prose or poetry this competition could be for you.

Take a closer look

Leadership the Shackleton Way

We have been studying Ernest Shackleton and his incredible voyage of Endurance. He demonstrates many of the virtues we would look for in a leader and today we identified some of those virtues and found examples of times Shackleton showed them. Check out our Padlet to see some of the virtues we identified.

Created with Padlet