Téa's First Day of Kindy

"Just pack her togs, towel, and jandals, and something for morning tea and send her on in"

And so it was, Téa Jane was enrolled in Wiherlea Kindy.

Right off the bat lets clear this up.  'Kindy' is preschool and 'Primary', where Zoe goes, is Kindergarten for all us gringos.

Anyway, much like her sister, Téa jumped right in without looking back.







Today was her first day.  Here she is with her proud (ok, jealous) big sister, who insists on being all buttoned up.











And here, showing off her backpack.  All filled up with required items for tramping through the 'kapai' (famous kiwi childrens book whale - thanks auntie joanie!) sprinkler and brimming with apple slices, cucumbers and carrots (no processed foods, please. school rules!) for morning tea.


                                                        
                          Proud as could be!

Luckily, Witherlea Kindy is about 3 minutes drive or 15 minute walk from the house.  And, it's right down the street from Zoe's school.  Perfect!

    They were all ready for us when we arrived.










 Zoe was happy to help Téa get her bearings...

A look at the lovely school courtyard.

And the big garden planted and tended to by the children.















And the requisite sandbox and play structure.

 And inside we go.

 


                   Big sister leading the way

Bee-line to the 'babies', complete with beds, strollers, clothes, kitchen and all.   Everything a baby mamma could dream of.












 phew.  there IS a bit of smart looking 'educational' paraphernalia as well.  and plenty of art supplies and projects in all directions.

 Not a familiar face in sight, or even a teacher whose name she can remember, she let us leave without protest.  Pretty brave for a little girl in a strange land!  And, at 12:15, she emerged BAREFOOT, happy, ravenous, and triumphant, and raving about the 'kapai' sprinkler.

And on home we skipped for lunch.  Um, note the green stuff.  Yup, TOTAL cliche.

End Note:

Kiwi-speak dictionary:
togs:  bathing suit
jandals: flip flops

Addendum:

Ok, for all you newly minted Haka buffs, don't worry.  The well hasn't run dry this Monday.  Zoe's flag raise ceremony this morning had a surprise visit from the Bohally Intermediate School Kapahaka group.  Check this out:

https://plus.google.com/photos/113119300685290899097/albums/5817691655923660001?authkey=CIHQ_s-rsNqzWA

please try the video link a few times if it doesn't work initially.  it may or may not work.  blogger site is currently blocking direct upload of video for some reason.  will keep working on this.  here's a photo just in case.