New Zealand Adventures

My time here in New Zealand and at Frimley School has been very possibly the best experience of my life. I am so happy I got to experience New Zealand and wouldn't have changed a thing. The last week at Frimley was great! I am so thankful to all the staff and students at Frimley for welcoming me into their school and making me feel at home when in reality I am SO far from home.

It was a busy week. We did quite a bit of science, finished up marble mazes and I got to observe some of the other teachers at Frimley teach and help out in their classrooms.

Friday was a great day. First of all, at the Friday morning assembly my cooperating teacher gave me a certificate along with two children from each class. I was shocked when I heard my name announced but I walked up and received my certificate from the principal and followed suit with the other students as I stood on stage with my award. It had to have looked pretty silly, me standing there with a bunch of students, but it meant a lot to me!

Then during morning tea, the staff enjoyed my mom's famous caramel bars as a thank you from me as the school (principal) gifted me a Frimley mug and a Jade necklace in the shape of a Maori Koru. The spiral shape represents a new silver fern leaf, and when the spiral shape is gifted to someone it's symbolism means new beginnings, harmony and growth. The people of New Zealand always wear their Koru "close to their hearts", one Frimley teacher told me. Receiving this necklace meant so much to me and I'm so happy to bring something home that will always remind me of the great memories I have of Frimley School. When I got back to my classroom after morning tea my students were excited to see the necklace and one students asked me, "Ms. Maurer, do you know why Mr. Dixon gave you that necklace?" "Why?" "Because you are special!" It was the sweetest thing and I had to try my best to keep my tears back.

Koru Jade Necklace, Certificate, Mug and Pencil!

Lunch time was the best lunch I've had as a teacher. The staff played against the students for the last game of Capture The Flag for the term and it was hilarious. All of the teachers dressed up as super heroes and as we walked out of the hall to take on the students we walked in style while playing Eye of the Tiger on a boom box. I could not stop laughing, the students thought it was great! We dominated Capture The Flag, even as the principal kept telling students to join. I'm pretty sure there were well over 100 students playing against maybe 15 teachers... but that didn't faze us, we made a great team! Everyone had a blast and it was a great way to spend my last lunch at Frimley.

We mean business

Here we come!!

The end of the day was a challenge. I did so well at keeping my tears back while the students all read their Merit Awards to me. "Thank you Ms. Maurer for helping us when we were sad" "To Ms. Maurer for helping me with my math" "Thank you for leading the Great White's reading group" "To Ms. Maurer for encouraging me" "Thank you Ms. Maurer for helping me when I was upset" "For being a cool teacher" "For helping us" and even "Thank you for taking the roll" :) The Merit Awards were great, thanks to Luke for helping the students with that, it means a lot! I received many other gifts from students and even one sweet girl wrote on rocks for me. They are very pretty rocks and it was so sweet of her to think of me but... not sure if they will fit in the suit case home. I'm sure one will make it home but I will probably give the rest to Cheryl for her garden, or hide them there for her to find one day! I held it together throughout the whole day until I tried to say for the last time "Good afternoon Room 15" and all the students said back to me, "Good afternoon Ms. Maurer, awww (as they saw the tears start to form in my eyes)". They started to cry, I cried, it was just a mess! I will never forget Room 15 and all of the wonderful 30 students and my great cooperating teacher Luke. It has meant so much to me to be in such a loving classroom, to receive helpful feedback and to bounce ideas off of an excellent teacher. Thank you Luke!

Room 15 kiddos!

Merit awards, gifts for students and my rocks!

After school the staff had a drink to celebrate the end of term one, where I had to say goodbye to many of the teachers and staff members I have gotten to know so well during my ten weeks at Frimley. Thank you so much to all of the staff for welcoming me to Frimley, into your classrooms and inviting me to events outside of school. You are one of the funnest staffs I have ever worked with, keep up the hard work you all do! Especial thanks to Sophie for toting me all around Hawkes Bay and for including me into various activities :)
It was challenging to say goodbye but I am proud of myself for keeping it together, well at least until I got into the parking lot and Cheryl's car... the tears started flowing again!

Cheryl and I are both trying to ignore the fact that I leave here very soon because it is just too hard to talk about. Cheryl, I couldn't be more thankful for the friendship I have formed with you. You have made me feel at home here in New Zealand and I have loved hanging out with and getting to know you. I can't wait for you to visit Seattle, we will have a blast and I owe you a "showing around" because I am so thankful for all you have shown me of New Zealand and for driving me around for three months :) Thanks Cheryl, can't wait to Skype!

One last big thank you to my family, friends and David back home! Thank you so much for being patient and supportive of me as I leave the life I know in Seattle to travel about 7500 miles across the world to teach. I couldn't have done this without your support, thank you so very much! I love you all and I will see you very soon :) (Sister see you in a couple days in Aussie! Woo)

Cheers!