Morning Programme 24th June 2016

This weeks Morning Crew was was off to a "speedy start" with Otis, and his Famous Person.  You guessed it, he chose world famous sprinting athlete, Usain Bolt, who is currently the fastest man in the world.  His full name is Usain St Leo Bolt, he is 30 years old and from Jamaica.  He won 3 gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and then again at the 2012 Olympics in London.  Can he do it for a third time this year in Rio de Janeiro?  Usain Bolt is known for making the sign of the cross prior to his races and this sign below when he wins.

Next up Greer, who spoke about a place where her family is going for a holiday.   After her description she had us all wanting to join her when she goes on her trip to Port Douglas in Australia, even though, there are sharks, snakes, spiders, crocodiles, mosquitos, cone shells and blue ringed octupus!  Greer showed us some pictures of the beautiful beaches and the lovely tropical fish and corals that they might see if they go in a glass bottomed boat or snorkelling.

Lily A gave us a very informative book review about the Kotuku, the great egret or the great white heron.  She shared with us "Kotuku, The Flight of the Great White Heron" by Philip Temple and Chris Gaskin.  Kotuku are found throughout New Zealand and Australia however, they only nest in one area in NZ - Okarito on the West Coast of the South Island.  Lily told us how the Kotuku is about 100cm or 1 metre tall and it's wingspan (when it's wings are open) is about 150cm or 1 and 1/2 metres.  We can see the Kotuku on our $2 coin.

Charlotte K told us About herself and her family.  Charlotte was born in Ashburton, NZ but her family comes from the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, up above Australia.  Charlotte lives in Omakau with her Mum and Dad and big brother Junior who is 8 years older than her.  She loves pets, especially horses and kittens and has a kitten of her own, called Milo.

Next up we had Casey who was on Current Events. Casey spoke to us about "Queens Birthday."  Did you know the Queen has two birthdays, what a lucky lady!  Her first, and real birthday is on the 21st of April and her second one is the first weekend in June.  We as part of the Commonwealth celebrate  this with a long weekend.  Casey told us the reason behind this.  The first sovereign's birthday to be celebrated back in 1748 was King George the second. The problem was his birthday was in November which in the United Kingdom where the King (or Queen lives), it was winter.  The people wanted to celebrate outdoors so the official birthday celebration was moved to June to be in the summer.  Casey also told us that our current Queen's birthday was quite a special one, as she turned 90.  The special celebration was 90minutes long, with 900 hundred horses and 1500 people from around the world.

And lucky last today was Adam who also spoke to us about himself and his family.  Adam told us that he was in such a hurry to get into this world that he actually arrived in the back of an ambulance on the way to Dunedin hospital!  Wow, that might explain why he's speedy like Usain Bolt!  Adam has 3 big sisters and 1 big brother, his oldest sister his 16 years older than him.  Adam enjoys playing lots of sports and likes mathematics.

Great job again today team!