Week one term 2

The first week of school has been pretty busy. We've had production practice, and we've had the soft ball semi-finals, which I was a part of. We lost that, but we still had to have a play off for the places of 3rd. I wasn't in that team, because the people who are ALWAYS in softball filled up the spaces! They won the game, so they got 3rd. We are doing tech arts on Friday, and we are making slime. YAY! On Tuesday we learnt about Atoms, which are made up of Neutrons, electrons and Protons. The Atoms can join together to create molecules. The Neutrons, Protons and Electrons are made up of things like Hydrogen. Did you know that water molecules are made up of  one oxygen atom and two Hydrogen atoms? I have music camp next week, which is cool, but we've also got pubertal change lessons coming up, which is so NOT cool! On Tuesday we had WIMS Football trials, and I am going to find out if I got sometime next week.

Te Awamutu Intermediate present Once Upon a Crime | March 26

Wellington was probably the most full on four days I've had in my life! There were so many things that we did, ranging from a visit to the National Library, to spending 45 minutes in the cold Wellington sea, looking at starfish, sea cucumbers, and big blue fish! Every one of these activities I enjoyed, but obviously I enjoyed some more than others. One day we went to Wellington Zoo, and that was one of my favourite trips. Casey, Raiha, Megan and I got to watch a small Blue Penguin named Korora have surgery on her right flipper. We also saw a stick insect 12 inches long!!!! Zealandia was another place I thoroughly enjoyed. We were able to stroke a Tuatara, and eat a Kawakawa leaf! (Which made your mouth go numb!) The Kawakawa leaf (also known as the pepper tree), was used as an antiseptic by the Pākehā and the Maori. We did a few trips to museums, and we had two trips to Capital E. Above is the video that we made in group two. To watch group 1's video, go to YouTube and search up Capital E nz, than click on the first site that appears.

Carter Observatory was also something I really enjoyed. I found the fact that universe is all that there amazing! I can't even really get my head around it! Space is a VERY interesting subject, and if all else fails for me career wise, I would certainly try and take up the opportunity of being an astronomer.

I have to say, the bus ride was definitely the worst part of camp. Eight hours!!! I could hardly handle it, as I am not one for staying long periods of time in the same spot! The food we had at camp was waaaaaaaay better than I thought it would be. One night we had nachos, another night we had devils sausage, and another night we had chicken. The dessert was even better, with a mixture of fruit, ice-cream, and jelly! Every morning, after breakfast, we packed our lunches with muesli bars, baking, sandwiches, and fruit. Bedtimes were around 8:30.

 We paid a short visit to Te Papa, and I can say without a doubt that Te Papa is a place that you could spend up to five hours roaming around the building, and then when it comes time to leave, you've still only explored half of it! There was so much history recorded in this museum. We also visited Wellington Museum of City and Sea. This was amazing to me, as it used to be a harbor storage barn, housing the wheat and materials coming in from big boats. A lot of boats went out of Wellington harbor as well, like wool and animal skins. I thought this museum was really cool, with a nice era about it. 
Another place we went was the H20 Extreme Centre, which had hydro slides for the kids, and Hot pools for the Mums and Dads. There was a raging rapids part, which I thought was really cool! 
On the drive back from Welly, most of the kids had a snooze. I tried.. and failed to get a sleep! We stopped of in Taihapi to buy some lunch. Mum bought a club sandwich and an apple turnover, and I bought a avacado and chicken roll, and a blueberry muffin. 
When we got back to school, a few parents were already there, but because dad was at work, Amy's mum had to drop us off at home.   

I really enjoyed the camp, but I am glad to get back, as there is no place like home!


  

Learning Reflection week 7

As I am writing this my face is red hot, and my arm is sore. Why? Let me tell you.

This week has been a pretty normal week. I finished my jumper on Tuesday, and I am now making a beanie, that is green and red.
Today I had Girls Football Skills up on Sherwin, which explains why my face is red hot, and I also had my immunization in the morning, which explains why I have a sore arm!
I am gradually cooling down from playing non stop soccer, but we have to do jump jam in 20 minutes! Damn!
I have found out that I am Gina in the production, which is the part that I auditioned as!!!! I am soooooooooo excited!

Learning reflection week 6

This week has been pretty cool. Wednesday was mufti day, and I have been doing a lot of work. I have learnt how to add and subtract integers. Before I started the work,I didn't even know what they were! Integers are practically any number so long as it is not a decimal, but it is mostly negative numbers. The equations I do are like -3+-9= -12
Casey, Oksana, Amy, Bert, Dani and I have been working on a report on either the Holocaust or Gallipoli. I have chosen the Holocaust, and the report that I have written is in my drive, in my writing folder, under the title of 'Holocaust.' Terrible things took place those days under the hands of a horrible man,named Adolf Hitler. 11 million men, woman, and children were mass murdered because of Hitlers Anti semitism. He sent out Propaganda saying that Jews, Gypsies, and many other types of people were the down fall of Germany.
A path way has been made at the end of the school, and a painting of SHINE is getting created on the brick wall on the front of our classroom. I have nearly finished my jersey, and I will hopefully get to put up a photo of it!

Learning reflection week 5

Amelia

Daughter, gymnast, football player, and tree climber,

Granddaughter of Loraine Spain,

Lover of nature, reading, and Gymnastics,

Who gives laughter, advice, and support,

Who feels power when high in a tree, and love when she see's her family,

Who needs love, space, and friends,

Who fears disappointment, and loneliness,

Who would like to see animal cruelty stop, and peace in countries start,
Resident of Pirongia, Hamilton

Amelia

The writing above is my portrait poem that I have written this week. I have two other poems in my Drive. It is obvious why they are called 'Portrait Poems', as they are poems that describe you, and create an idea of your personality in the readers mind. This week I have also learnt how to understand Integers, Square Root, and how to identify the Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple. We have been given our test results, and my biggest achievement is getting a level 6P in the test for writing! The piece that I wrote on this test was called Referees aren't always right, and this piece is in my Drive as well. This week Production trials were held, and I auditioned with Casey and Mya. I reckon all three of us will get a reasonable part in the Production, as Mrs Ellis and Mrs Shaw seemed pretty impressed with us! The school found out on Monday that Rain, Mania, Boston, and Eden have scored head student! This afternoon is jump jam. I am on dishes this week too! Yay!

Learning Reflection Week 4

Week 4
This week has been very full on. We have had our second session of french, swimming heats, and House Captain speeches. During this week we have had probably...maybe... four tests? Well, there is so many I have lost count! The minor games that were held in week 2 had a great part in getting to know all the new members in Puniu. (My School House) Maths this week has been quite self managing, as for some subjects we were able to choose whether we needed to work on it or not. Production notices have been handed out, and I can't wait until my audition. Camp notices have also been handed out, and I now have the check list and the itinerary. This is another thing that I'm SUPER exited about! I still need to get in my KBB rental form to rent an Alto Saxophone, which I am switching to in band. But until that form is back, I am playing the glockenspiel. This Saturday I am having my first piano lesson with my teacher, but we still need to organize a FIXED time for my piano lessons to take place. We have just got told that Passion hour will be carrying on next term! Woo hoo! Passion hour is an hour (or 45 minutes) we use to do something we've been wanting to do for ages. E.G Learn card tricks, or how to play monopoly. Last year everybody in the class did passion hour. This year though, my teacher is limiting that amount to the people she think are actually learning something, or using passion hour wisely. I hope I am one of those students.

Courage

A veil of fiery red hair falls around her shoulders, small curls kissing their tips. She is bonded closely to her two younger sisters, Persistence and Perseverance. Some people are frightened of Courage, and some people admire her. A powerful storm rages on inside her, only to be seen through her mysterious green eyes. Her best friend is Passion, a boy who fits in perfectly with her determined personality.

A strong fire burns in her brave heart, giving fear hope, and hope courage. Her red dress flares around her feet like her hair, giving her a powerful look. Courage is always the first to volunteer for the things that no one else is willing to do. Thick walls surround her, warding off fear, doubt, and depression. No such feelings enter her system, and if they somehow squeeze through the barrier, her bold self-conscious throws them back out again.

Many men, like Strength, Valiant and Dauntless try to win over the heart of Courage. But no matter how dashing, brave, or strong those men are, she looks over them as if they are inferior to her fearless soul, and to her expectations.

Just walking past Courage makes you feel invincible, like you can change the world with the snap of a finger. She makes you feel as if there are no boundaries, like you can do anything without fail. When Courage comes along, grasp her, as she can help you do things that you never thought possible.

By Amelia

                             

Belmont football

Mud flicks up from my boots, and splatters onto my legs. The velcro from my shin pads itch the back of my legs. The over sized ...... T-shirt flaps loosely around my waist. The wind is a treat to my burning face, blowing my hair back behind my shoulders. I dribble the ball up closer to the goalie. I double hop on my left foot, and kick the ball with my right. Its avoids the goalie, and smashes in to the orange net! "Yessssss!" I yell. We'll still lose, as the score is 12 to 1 now, but I've reached my goal. Literally!

Burma Trail

Tall shadows tower over me on both sides of the muddy trail. Ferns reach down, grabbing for my woolen beanie. Small shrubs poke out of the undergrowth, nipping at my ankles. Suddenly, the bush beside me rustles, and out jumps a boys silhouette. “BOO!” He yells, raising his hands above his head. (Does he really think I would be scared of that?) I smirk. “Scary.” I say with sarcasm. The girl in front of me grunts with agreement. Although I can’t see his face, I can almost feel his frown of disappointment as he hurries back in line.

Desperately, I open my eyes as wide as they can go, but my vision is still the same. I grip the coarse rope loosely between my fingers, and plunge the other hand into the warmth of my pocket. Giggles and shrieks echo around the forest. Nocturnal bugs stop their loud clicking and chirping as we scramble by. There are rustles and the beat of wings in the treetops high above our heads as the nesting rock wrens and fantails escape our boisterous chatter. Moonlight squeezes through the small gaps in the dense foliage, creating swirling patterns on the ground. The cold caresses me in frigid arms, rocking me gently to the beat of the soft breeze. Perfectly round dew drops descend from the overhanging branches, kissing my nose and forehead. "I'm not going to sleep well tonight!” I think.

The Lonely Beach

The still water reflects the blue sky,

Patterned with orange clouds.

Beer bottles, old fish hooks and rusty cans

Cautiously poke out of the sodden sand.

The graffiti covered barrier is bleached a dull grey,

From all the raging storms and salty waves it has conquered.

Rough green moss creeps slowly up the leaning lamp post,

Heading towards the grimy smashed bulb at the top.

Slimy fishing nets entangle around pieces of driftwood.

A tiny crab scuttles in and out of the small rock pools,

Digging in the sand - looking for food.

The remains of war huts litter the ground.

The last rays of sunlight slide across the water,

And then they are gone until the dawn of tomorrow.

I gaze dreamily at this wasteland,

Thinking of the past,

When the sea lapped softly at the rubbish clear sand.

When sea life scuttled around busily on these now lonely rocks.

When the barriers were clean of disrespectful graffiti,

And that old leaning lamp was straight with a working bulb.

My heart fills with sorrow

As I commemorate all the memories of happiness I spent is this now called dump.

All gone.