YEAR 3 - 4 

The Year 3-4 children at Nelson campus worked together in groups to create bird’s eye view models of the Motueka Sandspit, which they visited last term. Photographs of their trips to the Sandspit, and  memories of their experiences there provided rich inspiration for the children’s model-making. They used papier maché, paint, treasures from their visits to the beach and also bits and pieces from the playground to complete their creations. The models will be part of the Junior School Art Exhibition, “Change” on Tuesday 2^nd and Wednesday 3^rd July.

Memories of Motueka Sandspit

Glittering sun shines on the sparkling water as the waves curl onto the sand. Quickly the vicious crabs scuttle into the rock pools. Bright green plants poke me in the leg. Leaves whistle in the wind. As the mud squeezes between my toes, I spot honeybees pollinating flowers. Tiptoeing through the graveyard of flowers, I gaze at the little purple moths fluttering through their meadow.

The Spit is a beautiful spot. Taking a footstep, I feel the silky sand between my toes. With my hand in the water, I feel the slimy seaweed. Crabs scuttle like a swarm of army people charging the city. Seeing the sun like a ball of fire my eyes blend in with the sky. Slippery stones slide into the water as they dissolve into treasure. Blobby bubbles bloom in with the waves. One giant piece of driftwood leads out to the sea.  As I step down the beach I sink into the sand.

Leroy Field, Year 4

Memories of the Sandspit

The first time we visit the Motueka Sandspit, it is dark and damp, and the tide is out. There are only little rockpools, but the second time we visit the tide is in and we don’t have much shore to play on.

Well-buried in the soft sand, beautiful patterned oysters and mussels are standing at the shore. Glaring white shells are splashed by the ocean as it crashes on the carpet of sand, and as the tide drags back it leaves a trail of bubbly foam. The sun reflects on the water as if it were raising a baby from the sea. As I walk past, crabs scuttle by, crawling under rocks, shells and plants that dance as the wind blows its music with all its might, and when I drag my hand through the sand to get a shell, I feel the beautiful sand slipping forward like it wants to have a swim in the ocean.

Down low on the sand, I spot rubbery succulents sitting in the sand like gorse waiting to prick someone.  I step on the damp sand, and squint at the sun reflecting on the wavy rockpools that sit on the hard rocks underneath the water.

The second time we come to the Spit I see the tide bring in driftwood. As the driftwood floats along the water, it gives the sand splinters that sink into it.

I like being at the Sandspit where you can see heaps of interesting objects that change every day.

 Anais Woodman, Year 3

Memories of the Motueka Sandspit

Rippling along the surface of the water, the little waves make white, bubbly patches of foam. Above, white fluffy clouds block the shining sun from beating down on the blue rippling water.  Further on, rich golden sand glistens in the yellow sun. Then I spot a big piece of driftwood sitting in the soft sand, and on top of it is a bundle of green seaweed that makes the piece of driftwood look like it is wearing green hair. Later, I see the green succulents. When I go closer, I can feel the smooth green skin, and I see the green blades of grass growing through the sand. As I walk away, I gaze up at seagulls flying and swooping over me. Lots of pieces of dry driftwood are sitting on the golden sand looking like little boats in the water.

When we leave, I notice the fields of green grass swishing in the soft wind. When I look back, I spot a very tall hut made of driftwood stacked in a tepee shape. I look to the side and spy the waves still splashing against the sand.  I am looking forward to coming back to the Sandspit.

Perry McLean, Year 4

Motueka Sandspit

Turning the corner of the Motueka Spit, I see crabs scuttling freely along the rough terrain, struggling for survival. Raging waves crash, everlasting against the seashore as bubbles rise like spawning frogs. In the distance, I see flax slicing through the air like mighty swords and succulents hidden amongst the dead trees. As well as a carpet of glimmering gold sand, gulls fly overhead, yodeling their arrival. I also see driftwood lying lazily on the tide like pythons waiting to strike.

My favourite place at the sandspit are the dead trees. They lie stranded like soldiers after a battle with their pale skins exposed to the blazing hot sun. They also look like a dead jungle waiting to be explored by the joyful little crabs. Twigs pierce out of the trees like a musketeer after a fight. I look up and see webs dangling off branches hiding spiders waiting for a meal.

Romano