THANK YOU

Last week, we received a very special surprise from a group of people. Variety, MOTAT and Johnson&Johnson were sooo generous enough so give us presents for Christmas. Each of us got a gift wrapped up just for us. Everyone really appreciated it as they didn't have to do this for us but they did anyway. And I know how difficult it is to buy a gift for someone you don't even know, its not always going to be prefect.

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Variety, MOTAT and Johnson&Johnson for what they did for us. We appreciate what you did for us and we all will surely cherish it. I got a Scrap Book and its very cool to use for arts and crafts when I'm bored.

Action World

Action World was really enjoyable, everyone looked like they had fun on the trapeze, crazy ladder, jungle swings, rock climbing wall and the jump and slide. These inflatable attractions had us all smiling and laughing.

So everyone could have a chance to go on everything, we had a rotation where everyone would take a turn doing the activity and when we heard the whistle, we would move to the next thing to do.

All of the activities were all very amusing but one of my favourites was the Jungle Swings. Climbing up the ladder, I stood on the two planks and got a hold of the swing. I kept my eyes looking in front of me, trying not to be tempted to look down. Holding tightly onto the grip handle, I could just feel the hands getting sweaty. Nervously I jumped off the planks and off I went.

Trying to maintain my strong grasp on the bar, I quickly took one off the bar and grabbed the next one. I could hear my friends cheering me on as I made it to the very last bar. At that moment I got pretty lazy, I decided to drop down onto the big squishy airbag.

I also liked the Joesting Bridge, I fought against my two friends Kaycee and Grace. And both times, I lost but honestly it was really funny. Grace fell on top of me when I fell of the bridge and it was quite painful. Even though I lost both battles, it was cool to try push my friends into a soft pit.

The whole day at Action World was just and I have said probably 4 times already: FUN!!!!!! I would really like to go again and maybe even try out the trapeze.  

Netbook Reflection 2013

As a year 7 now, I have had my net book for 3 years and honestly I don't remember what it was like before without it. I use it at home and at school, it has become a necessity for me. Whether it is for learning/work, free time or entertainment, it really does make everything easier and has helped me a lot in the past 3 years.

The awesome thing about having a net book is that when browsing the Internet, I can teach myself new things and I have. Such as playing the piano, music, dancing, making animations and creating movies. And not to mention learning how to play games. Like I said before about teaching myself things on my net book, it has helped me improve my dancing and making movies.

Miss King (my teacher) has taught me how to use this website where you can create your very own mini games and animations. This is website is called Scratch.

With this digital tool, I have improved my key competencies. Working with others is so easy to do as we can share documents, presentations, spreadsheets and work together to finish our work. Instead of just drawing and painting, we can use online or offline applications to create visual images, movies and text. With the Internet, I can go onto our class site where all our work is and I don't need to ask the teacher so now I can manage myself better.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa is possibly one of the greatest men who ever lived. He will be remember for putting an end to apartheid. As the man who protested against racism or the president of South Africa, he really made a change in the world.

In 1918 July 18th, Nelson Mandela was born but he was actually named Rolihlahla Mandela. As a child, Nelson would actually be considered lucky, seeing that he was black. He attended a primary school near Qunu, where he was nicknamed Nelson by his teacher. Then at the age of 16, he went to Clarkebury Boarding Institute in Engcobo.

Then he enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare, in Alice. But unfortunately got expelled one year later because he played a role in a student strike. In 1942, he joined the African National Congress, he was South Africa's main campaigner for black equality.

Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1956 and joined 155 others on trial for treason. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison after he left the country without a passport. In 1963 along with other leaders of the ANC, Nelson was put on a trial for apparently being involved in planning armed action and a conspiracy to help other countries invade South Africa and to overthrow the system, the apartheid. Found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela only spent 18 years on Robben Island Prison.

After 27 years in jail, Nelson was finally released in 1990. Literally hours after his release, he promised to end apartheid once and for all in front of a crowd. Nelson was elected on April 27, 1994 and was sworn in as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.

In the later years of his life, Nelson was admitted and discharged out of hospital many times and his most of his children died. He also published hundreds of books and lived 95 years until dying recently on December the 6th 2013.

Nelson Mandela will FOREVER be remembered for his legacy and the message he sent out to us during his life. I reckon his message was we are all equal, no matter what colour, sex, culture or whatever you may be, we are all the same. :)

Static Images - The Panda

For literacy, we examined Static Images. Static Images are photos that do not move. They can be signs, posters, paintings or any visual object that doesn't move.After investigating a few images, we were given a task to choose our own static image and answer the following questions.

Describe what the photo is about. This photo is about pandas, the background has bamboo trees laying on the ground.

How does the photo make you feel? This photo made me feel sad because of Pandas are endangered because we are cutting down their forests, resulting with pandas dying along with the forests.

What is interesting/unique about this photo? The contrast and the message it gives you. With the Panda being black and white compared to the background, the panda stands out and also takes up 3/4 of the photo. The Panda looks also sad and it’s depressing. :’(

Ballon Investigation

 In Term 2, the Extension Group did an interesting investigation involving a string, a ballon, tape and a straw. We had a little experiment and tested our theories and see if our predictions were correct. This was called the Thrust Investigation. We blew up the ballon and attached it to the straw with tape. The string was inside the straw and was tied on one end of the classroom and on the other side too. Mrs Tele'a timed each of our experiments to see if our changes really did a difference with the speed. We did this three times. The first one, everyone had the same exact thing. The second one, we changed it up a bit and that was the same with the third one.

I Wonder.......

Extension I Wonder School from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

A while ago in Extension we thought about everyday things that we do in our lives and we wondered about how these things were created/invented or how they were established. Kaycee and I wondered "Who invented school. When? Why? What?" And so here is a movie we both created to explain our findings.

King Kebabs

Quziyah and I created this Educreations explaining how we solved another one of Miss King's Maths questions that was apart of the Maths Challenge. Quziyah explains everything in this short animation so hope you like it.

Anne and Michael's Goats

Anne and Michael each have goats.

Michael says to Anne : "If you give me one of your goats, I will have double of what you will have remaining".

Anne replies :"If you give me one of your goats, we will have exactly the same number of goats".

How many goats do Anne and Michael have?

As you can see, I incorporated the goats as M n Ms. For this question, Quziyah and I found out the answer was 7 and 5. If Michael gives one M n M to Anne, they both have 6, then if Anne gives one M n M to Michael then he will have double the amount of goats than Anne.

Petals Around the Rose

Petals around the rose from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.
Once again, this is apart of the Challenge Miss King gave us. This is called Petals Around the Rose, I mistakeingly said Roses around the Petals. Hopefully, you get it and understand this.

Mihimihi

Kia Ora Koutou

Greetings to you all

E ngā manuhiri tuārangi, ngā tauira, kaiako, kaumātua,

To our distinguished guests, students, teachers, elders

kua haere mai nei

who have come here

ki tenei kura

to this school

ki te mau mai

to bring

i nga whakaaro pai.

the Good thoughts.

Ka nui te hari

Great is the joy

mo to koutou manawanui

for your dedication

ki te aro mai

in attending

ki te hapai

to uplift

i te reo Maori

the Maori language

e pa ana ki tenei wananga.

concerning this school or learning

Tēnā koutou

Greetings to you all

No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena ra tatou katoa

Therefore greetings once, greetings twice, greetings again to us all.

Fudge and Biscuits

Tui is Making Poi

Poi from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.
Here is another maths problem from the challenege we were given from Miss King. Here was the question: Tui is making poi for the kapahaka. She need .68 metres of material to plait for each of cords. She needs to make 26 poi. She has 18m of cord. Has she got enough?. 

This is our answer to it.

Future Aspirations

5 guest speakers came to our school and told the year seven and eights their story and how they achieved their personal goals and aspirations. Future Aspirations, that’s what it’s called. Our five guests were Mosa Mafileo, Tristan Pang, Emma Brown, Aysha Hohaia and Caine Warren. They all told us different things but all their points met at the end because all of them told us about chasing our dreams which is true

Tristan Pang is 12 years old and believe it or not, he’s going to university next year! I know right, a 12 year old! He studies and learns constantly at home, he says it’s more fun than computer games. But we’d begged to differ. I think he really taught me something. He said that ‘Quest is fun so be nosy’. Science and maths are his strongest subjects but he’s really good at everything.  

Mosa Mafileo was an amazing speaker too. He is a politician and works for the mayor of Auckland. He was really funny and I could actually relate to him. Just like the other speakers, he told about his dreams and aspirations. ‘Chase your dream, Catch your dream’ he said. What was also really cool was that he was Tongan and statistics say that polynesians have a low chance of success but look at him now!

I really don’t know what I want to be when I’m older, I’ve always jumped from one thing to another. Although, writing is what I’m good at and I need to work on that more. Do more of what you’re awesome at and I’m pretty awesome at writing. Another thing I’d like to do when I’m older is be a veterinarian or doctor.

How many Triangles can you see?

Triangle

Miss King gave the whole class a challenge and this was apart of the challenge, we had to turn this triangle around 180 degrees by only moving 3 of the golf balls (in this case, it was circles). This is how I did it. It is just a short movie showing what I moved. Sorry if the movie isn't very explanatory. But I can say that I moved all the corners.

Writing Sample 2013 (Whisper)

Daniel held his torch up to his chest as he walked through the misty, gloomy forest. All he could hear was the rustling of bushes and the whistling of the wind. "Vicky!" Daniel cried nervously. Weirdly, he thought he saw his sister walk into the woods so he followed her. Although, he really wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. "Help mee". Suddenly, Dan heard a whisper, he could feel someone or something breathing down his shoulder. A shiver down his spine. Afraid to find out what was standing behind him, he slowly turned around to see nothing there. 

"Strange" Dan breathed. Continuing with his search, Dan watched the trees waving, creating shadows on his torch light. Who was whispering? Where did it come from? Questions were flooding into Daniel's mind. Stuck in his thoughts, Dan accidentally trips. Staggering onto his knees, his torch skids across the gravel path way. 

"Arghh" he whines, dusting himself off. Grabbing his torch, Dan tried to turn it on again but it wasn't working. The torch flickered as Dan switched it off and on. Finally, it turned on and Dan faced the light to in front of him. "What are you doing here?" Dan jumped, surprised to see someone here in the night. The man's voice was incredibly deep and his glare was petrifying as if he was staring right into your soul. 

"Uh, I'm looking for my sister, Vicky" Dan stuttered. "You shouldn't be here" the man replied. Confused Dan watched as the man revealed he was holding an blood smeared axe. Immediately, Dan ran for his life. He dodged bushes and trees, running into the wilderness. "Keep running, don't look back". Dan heard another whisper in his ear. The voice sounded a lot like the one who whispered before and a lot like....Vicky.

"Vicky?!" Dan yelped, running through some thorns. "Keep running" the voice said back. Obeying the voice, he kept sprinting. He could hear the man behind him, cutting through branches. 

Out of the forest, Dan ran out, breaking free from thickets. "What's happening? Why is this happening?" Dan said trying to catch his breath. Then Dan looked up to see a road. "Dan, you can no longer save me but you can save yourself. This is your chance" Dan was certain it was Vicky now.

 He burst into tears and looked back at the forest. "You followed me into that forest and searched for me but you were in trouble" Vicky told him. "Go! Someone will find my body, but for now.......RUN" Vicky's last words echoed in Dan's ears. He dropped his torch and made a run for it down the road. Tears rushing down his face, he closed his eyes and missed his sister already. "Bye Sis" he whispered back. 

Four Shot Storyboard - Thirsty?

A girl is thirsty (dehydrated) and is crawling on the ground. Finds someone sitting next to a hose, runs after the hose and finds that the hose stops. 

KG 4 Shot Thristy from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Halloween Extension

Halloween is one of the only times where you can eat as many junk food as you want and dress up and go ALL OUT!! Many people dress up and go Trick or Treating and see if they can get some free candy from complete strangers! What a great time! . All of this around me made me think that Halloween is about having fun, being something else and dressing up like maniacs!! That was what I thought Halloween was about before I discovered more about Halloween.

The Celtic Calendar had a light half and dark half. Celtic people would celebrate something called the Samhain (Sel-win). Samhain was the beginning of the dark half and also was the time where they had to harvest their food/crops. It was a matter of life or death because they might not have enough food. 

On May the 13th, ancient Romans believed that the dead would rise on that day so to prevent this from happening, they poured milk on their graves. This was called Lemuria until Christians christianised it and called it All Saints Day. All Saints Day was where people would acknowledge the most holy of dead christians and this day was actually so popular that they moved it to November the 1st which was the day after the Samhain (Sel-win) Harvest Festival to drain the life out of Pagan Samhain.

Samhain Harvest Festival then changed to All Hallows Evening as it was the night before All Saints Day then into All Hallows Even and now Halloween. November 2nd then was the date for All Souls Day to honour the departed.

Trick or Treating came from people who asked for soul cakes. It started on All Souls Day when priests told christians to pray for souls who were stuck in between heaven and hell, a netherworld called purgatory. Bakers would give their soul cakes, in return for prayers for souls who were trapped in purgatory. And if enough prayers were prayed for that certain soul then they would fly up into heaven.

Now Jack o Lanterns originated from a man named Jack who was so bad that he got kicked out of hell. So Jack would wonder around and when people would see a flicker of light in the night, some believed it was Jack. Another version of story, Jack one day tricked the devil by nailing him into a wall. The devil begged to be freed so Jack agreed to do so but with some conditions. Jack told the devil that he will free him if he doesn't harm him, just let him roam around. The devil took this deal and was freed. This is just two versions of the story. There are many more beliefs. 

Halloween

Halloween is well known for crazy costumes and trick or treating. As one of the worlds oldest holidays, many countries celebrate this event, although North America and Canada maintains the highest level of popularity for this holiday.

Halloween started in the eighth century, Pope Georgry III decided on November the 1st that this would be the day for All Saints Day (this was to acknowledged all the saints and martyrs who passed) and on October 31st would be for All Hallows Eve.

It is said that Halloween originated in the Ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. For this holiday, people use to light a bonfire and wear costumes to ward off bad spirits and wicked souls.

Some believe that on the night before Halloween (October 31st), Samhain summoned wicked spirits and bad souls. Since the people were afraid, they sacrificed to their Gods, hoping they would be spared and be protected. This is where all the scary characters came from or at least this is what some people believe it came from.

Outlook for Someday Workshop

Earlier this term, the Extension group had a workshop with Eli and Chris. They taught us so many things that would really came in handy when film-making. They explained to us the different genres of films that you can create and they also told us about the Outlook for Someday film competition that we have already entered.

During the workshop, they showed us some winning films from the competition which really got us all thinking about what we could create. We were split into groups and we had to create a film about sustainability.  Makerita, Mary L, Jay-Lee and I were were one group. With a group, there of course has to be a group name, we called ourselves GJMR Studios.

Eli and Chris gave us some quotes and a puzzle to complete. When we completed the puzzle, it had 4 bold words on it. Those words were: Culture, Economy, Environment and Society. We thought about the quotes, and the four words and decided to create our film around Economy and Society.

Our main question was: How did the world come to evolve around money? We did pretty well with how much time we had to film and edit which was just 1 hour. 

The workshop was really helpful! We learnt so many things like camera shots, different angles and so much more. It will definitely be remembered for future movie making.
GJMR Studios Extension from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.


Here is our movie we created with them and another movie about our experience.

Outlook for Someday Workshop@ Pt England School from SchoolTV on Vimeo.

Hexagonal Learning

In class, we did Hexagonal Learning and this is practically connecting 2 or more Hexagons together. But we have to have a reason why they are connected. We got into three groups and we had make our own Hexagonal Learning puzzle and swap it with another group. Here are two of the Hexagonal Learning puzzles we did. This activity really got us thinking and was really interesting.

Cross Country

With my feet squishing around in the mud, I peered down, already covered in dirt and mud. “On your mark” Mr Burt shouted, I instantly stood up straight.. “Get set” my eyes looked around at the ready girls. “Go!”. Everyone darted towards the first cone, jostling to get there first. All I’m thinking about is what to do. Should I sprint? Should I jog? Just taking easy was the key, I slowed down and kept myself at a good pace.

The scorching sun shone on my face, I felt like an ant being burnt with a magnifying glass. A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. Coming up to the tight gate, I squeezed through with a couple of other girls.

Heavily breathing, I listened to the girls behind me huffing puffing. Running through the mud, it splattered all over my legs and clothes. I could feel the mud in between my toes, it irritated me. I felt my heart thumping against my chest about to burst out.

Running past the teachers and Service Academy boys really pushed me because of their encouragement. My ankles started to get sore, my legs were like jellies now. Every time I took a step, I felt like I was carrying two tons. “Almost there!” I thought. Suddenly, I realized I had to do two laps. Great! I carried on my second lap aching and tired.

“FINALLY!!” I saw the finish line just up ahead. I picked up the pace and sprinted to the finish line. “YAAY!!” I thought. My whole body was practically dying, I was so dehydrated. I was really proud of myself, I had done my best and came 6th which is really awesome!! I love cross country now!

SER Research

SER Roads from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.
Last term, for extension, we researched about Self Explaining Roads. These are the islands on the roads. As a way to share our information, we had to create a presentation or movie. Here is mine. Hope you like it.

John Farrell

John Farrell is a singer, but not just a singer, he is known also as a songwriter, author, and peace educator. John has recorded 7 CDs of songs and stories! That's a lot! From Japan to Ukraine to Spain to South Africa, and all across North America, he has done over a thousand presentations in schools!

As an author, he has written two Boyd's Mills Press picture books, named It's Just a Game and Stargazer's Alphabet. In 2008, John's third book, Dear Child was published.

Currently he is living in Hillsdale, New York with a his wife Ann Marie who is a kindergarten teacher. Together they have five kids. John Farrell is the founder of Bridges of Peace and Hope. This international program is to promote understanding through writing and the arts.

I'm really looking forward for the Extension group to meet him.

Courtesy of www.hoperivermusic.com

Line Graphs

Today in class, Mr Kateley taught us about Line Graphs and Bar Graphs. Everyone in our class was given graph and had to follow the instructions on the document that was on our site. Here is my presentations.

Little Red Ridding with a Twist

“Little Red? Little Red?” I heard my name echoing throughout the forest. Making my way over to a tall oak tree, I spotted a thin slit cutting through the bark. I ran my fingertips along the slit, when suddenly a golden reddish autumn leaf slowly floated down beside me. Instantly, I snatched it from the air. I pulled out my pen and wrote down a series of numbers across the leaf. Checking it twice, I slipped it into the slit on the tree.

Splitting open, the tree revealed a passage way. You’d think that nothing but wood and oak would be in a tree but surprisingly I found that the inside was lined with metal. There in front of me was a ladder leading downwards. Clutching on to the ladder I made my way down. I heard the tree door slamming shut and nothing but darkness filled the air.

Just as I reach the bottom of the ladder, once again I hear my name. “Little Red, we’ve been expecting you”, “Sorry, I’m late Director M. What do you want me to do now?” I asked unwillingly. “Well, we have recent reports that Wolves Incorporated have sent their best agent, BBW the Big Bad Wolf on a killing spree, so I said to myself, why don’t we send our best agent to do the job.” “UGH! Really? Fine, where was he last spotted?”.

Director M hands me a file containing all the information I needed to catch BBW. I take it, grab my red cloak and hood and head off. “Good Luck” says Director M. “Not gonna need it” I say while grabbing my gadgets.

Creeping through the woods, I see wolf prints in the grass and claw marks scratched against every tree. I follow the trees and find myself standing in front of my granny’s little old cottage. Out of nowhere, it started to pour rain, the clouds were dark and grey, the raindrops were like sharp daggers piercing through my back.

I walk up to the red door, the red paint was clearly peeling off. Mold and weeds were growing through the cracks. KNOCK! KNOCK! I knock on the door. “Huh” I chuckle. It had been a long time since I’ve been there. 5 years ago, I was visiting her when the big bad wolf nearly ate her alive, luckily I was there to save her..

KNOCK! KNOCK! Once again, I knock but it’s practically pounding now. Still no answer. In my frustration, I kick down the door. The unbelievable sight startled me, there in front of me on his knees was the wolf feasting upon my granny’s limp lifeless body.

His claws were sharp like knives. Slowly walking up behind him, his long ears twitched. Immediately, his head creeks towards to me. Growling at my presence, he opens his mouth and blood drops from each one of his teeth. I whip my cloak off and reveal all my guns. In my hand I held two guns pointing directly at him.

“I’ll shoot and I’ll shoot and I’ll blow your head off” I scream. Bullets started seeking through his huge body. “Grrrrr” he growls lying on his back. He jumps back on his feet and jumps on me, making me drop my guns. Using his claws, he attempted to slit my throat but I held his claws from reaching me. Stretching my arm, I reach for my gun. Struggling to hold the wolf and get the gun at the same time, the wolf managed to scratch my face..

TO BE CONTINUED

By Kaycee and Gloria

When Big gets Small!

Miss King gave my group and I an activity to do. Here are the questions and my answers.

Safety of the Kids-Self Explaining Roads Form

Currently in extension, we are learning a lot about Self Explaining Roads. Self Explaining Roads are the islands on the sides of the roads. Each of us created a form for people to fill out about these little islands. Here's a link to fill it out. 

Travis And Sensei Chang: The Misunderstanding

With wind blowing against his back, Travis stretched his aching arms and grabbed onto a ledge of the treacherous mountain. Struggling to the reach the point of his destination, his straining arm slipped off the unsteady rocks that were bound to break. He reached the top of the lofty peak, felt so relieved. “Finally” Travis thought to himself as a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.

Trudging through the thick snow, he made his way up the icy steps to find a hefty door. He lifted his hand and knocked. Clanking chains echoed throughout the dojo. Creaking open, there before Travis’s eyes stood a very tall Sensei Chang.

Travis stood there speechless, twiddling with his fingers. To show respect, he bowed and smiled. The sensei stood there with one eyebrow raised. Travis felt as if Chang was staring into his soul, his penetrating stare petrified him. Then the sensei pointed away to his right ever so strictly. SLAM! The door closed shut.

Disappointed, Travis’s shoulder drooped and his head fell. Looking down to the ground, he closed his eyes and sat down. “He just doesn’t realize how awesome I really am, I just have to prove it” thought Travis. Day and night, he meditated until he opened one eye and peeped a look. Standing there in front of him was the sensei. Travis felt so much more confident, he was definitely expecting to get in. But to his surprise, once again Chang pointed to the right side of him.

“What a waste of my time” Travis whispered to himself. With his head held down he stood up and dragged himself away. Looking out to the huge mountains, he then realizes something. “I did not just climb these huge big mountain and meditate all day and night to find myself being rejected by an old long bearded man”. Clenching his fists, he turned around and BAM! He kicked the door down and stepped back into position.

Sensei Chang couldn’t believe what just had happened. In his martial arts stance, he challenged Chang. Once again, the Sensei instantly pointed to his right. Taking the chance to look where he was pointing, Travis saw a sign that read: Use the side-door. “Oh” Travis released. “Hehe” he chuckled, embarrassed.

The Hourglass

It was a cold, dark, gloomy night. I stumbled upon an abandoned hut deep in the heart of the forest. I was just about to enter the hut when suddenly, ripping through the branches of the trees behind me, a tiger cub breaks through.

It’s whiskers twitch as it trots towards me. Purring, it brushes against my legs. “Aww!” I pick up it’s tiny little limb body and start patting it’s furry head. Weirdly enough, it had a collar. “Funny” I say to myself. ‘Camo’ it read. Turning to the door, I reach for the old crooked knob. Just as I twist the knob of the door, it flies open.

Slowly creeping into the hut, the tiger cub digs his head into my arms. I feel Camo’s body shaking. In front of a rocking chair, I see a fire flickering away in the air uncontrollably. All around me, shelves full of books, cups and bowls. They were just really boring withered things that look like they’ve been there for thousands of years.

Then in the corners of my eyes, I see an hourglass. I put Camo on the ground to grab the hour glass, he curls up next to the fire. Picking up the hourglass, I turn it upside down. The sand unexpectedly started to glow. All the furniture raised off the ground and was floating in mid-air. The door was closing and shutting, closing and shutting, it wouldn't stop. Camo was so confused as he watched me.

Light shined through the cracks of the hour glass. I can see that it was breaking. There was an ear shattering sound that was echoing out of it. It somehow opened up, sucking everything around it. I threw it on the ground. Camo is trying to run to me but he’s then dragged along the now broken wooden floor. He’s sucked in and I jumped in to save him.

Road to Healthy Heaven

This painting was created by Kaycee and I. We were given a task to create something. So we created a message to the community about healthy eating. This painting is about choosing healthy food choices. Hope you like it. The road represents the road to a healthy life.  The heart obviously represents a healthy heart. Hope you like it!

We Are Never EVER Getting Back Together!

I've always wanted to make a remake of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, so I asked Miss King for permission and she practically said "Why the heck not!". Kaycee and I planned out the scenes for the MTV. As the part Taylor Swift, I grabbed a friend of mine: Tyla-Marie. Logan played the part of the ex and some my other friends playing as random people. Behind the camera was me and I directed it along with Kaycee. I had a lot of fun making this! HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

The Disappearence

Disappearing Boats from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Here is a short movie that Tyla-Marie and I created. This was made for a movie competition where we had to tell a story from the past. We wrote this story about the Tamaki River - where we live. Hope you like it!

Will.i.am (That Power)

Here is the Link to see his new song.

Will.i.am came to our school! THAT'S RIGHT!! WILL.I.AM!! Miss King assigned us to look at his new song: That Power and what his lyrics really mean. So here is what I think what it means.

Will.i.am is a really inspirational person and he reflects that on one of his songs: That Power ft Justin Bieber. Looking at his lyrics, I reckon it’s about him and how he has grown so strong. Doesn’t care about what others think, he dreamed big when he was young. Everything he’s done has made him a better person and he gets stronger and better every time. He was very poor and now look at him, famous, living large and is super inspirational. I also think that the title That Power says that we have the power to do anything.

His mission is to transform disadvantaged youths and he hopes his donation to the Manaiakalani Trust will help these young people gain the skills for the future. Giving 100,000 dollars is so generous and is a lot of money. He wanted to better the future for us kids. “Even if just one person from New Zealand can go on to do well then this will be worth it. One person could go on to achieve greatness if they are given the right tools - technology - to do it." Will.i.am says.

Will.i.am has become a role model for me and I’m sure everyone else in the Manakalani Education Trust. He believes that we are the future and he has proven that we can do anything.

Measuring Water

Measuring Water from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Here is a movie created by Logan, Kaycee, Ana and I made. It is all about finding out the volume of the some bowls using millilitres and litres.

Hip Hop! Fiafia Night!

Cheering on for the Niuean Group, I watched them as they strongly finished off their performance. Oh Uh, my group and I was up next. "Just have fun and do your best" I repeatedly tell myself. My hands start to get sweaty and I jump around to ease my nerves. "The senior hip hop!" Vivienne shouts, I got myself ready.

Everyone claps and screams. Quickly, I rush into my spot and pose, glaring at the crowd who awaits for us to start. What if I fall off the stage? What if people laugh at my dancing? Questions keep rushing through my head. But I suddenly snap out of it. "Just have fun! Who cares!" I whisper.

Music starts to play and I get into the mood and start clapping. Jumping up and down, my hair is going everywhere. Coming up to the chorus of the song, my hair starts to annoy me and I can't help but try to fix it but of course as I am dancing.

Sweat starts to run down my forehead. Through out the whole thing, I smiled and was SUPER happy! After my group and I performed, all the practises flashed before my eyes. All the hard working practises really paid off.

Fiafia was so much fun. REALLY LOVED IT!

Adding and Subtracting Positive and Negative Numbers

Adding and Subtracting Positives and Negatives from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

I created a movie showing how I add and subtract positive and negative numbers.  This was also made this to show Miss King she understood the strategy. 

Maths Poster (200th Post)

Here is a maths poster I created showing the strategy of 'Guess My Number'. You may be familiar with this as I posted a recent movie about it. If you don't, here is the link. Anyway, this was made to show Miss King I understood it. I hope you like it!

Also this very post is my 200th post since I started blogging! AWESOME! Can't wait to reach 300, if I can.

The Hippopotamus and the Fireworks!

Have you ever heard of a Story Spine? If you haven't, there are 10 players. There is also 10 prompts/topics. Each person gets one prompt and a number. For me, I got number 3. We start with 'Once upon a time' then we past the paper to the next person to continue on the story. Say if I am number 5, I pass it to number 6 and then they pass it to number 7 and so on. So here it is:

Once upon a time, on a New Years Eve, Hippo the hippopotamus watched the colourful fireworks blow about in the bare sky from his window.

Everyday, Hippo had dreamed of a magical moment. Seeing the fireworks in person which meant he had to go and watch the amazing show at Otahuhu.

But one day, Hippo watched the news and saw bold words across the TV screen “HIPPOS AT KFC, COME TO THE FIREWORKS SHOW TO GET SOME! FREE!”.

Because of that, he knew he couldn’t eat at KFC anymore OR go to the great fireworks show incase they would take him.

Why would anyone would anyone do this! Being a rebel that he is, he didn’t respect the works.

Poor hippopotamus, he knew what  he had to do, miss the Firework show. Looks like his dream was not coming true.

Until finally, he found out what he could do to fix his problem. He dressed up like a human and entered the show. Anxiously, Hippo glared at all the humans eating KFC. How sick! No one suspected him, not one person. Finally, something good would happen. He got to watch the fireworks, he was as joyful as ever.

Ever since he fixed his problem, he can now watch the Fireworks show every New Years. Hippo has never been happier.

The moral of the story is to do whatever you can to make your dream come true. Even if you’re an animal.

The Silver Key (100 Word Story)

Gazing at the city, I love seeing the lights glimmering in the night. They reflect onto the sparkling river outside my room. Suddenly, I spot a dark figure run past. I jump to my feet and race outside. I slowly walk, stepping on twigs. The trees wave as the shadow lashes through. Out of the foggy mist, he steps out of the dark. Creeping up to me, he leans in forward "Don't be too curious". Instantly, the mysterious man disappeared. What just happened? Lying in the frosty grass, I see a key that glistens like melting silver. "What is this....”

Patrick Surfing

Waves flowing over his head, Spongebob glided through the strong wave. “OH NO!” Spongebob shouts as he falls into the rolling waves. Washing up on the sand, the sea foam bubbled. “Ooooo” Patrick disappointingly shakes his head at Spongebob. Suddenly, Patrick got an idea, a stupid yet clever idea.  “Apply the sauce” he exclaims, squeezing out chunks of glue onto his feet, gluing his feet to the surfboard. “I will not be separated from this surfboard” he cries.

Drifting smoothly through the ocean, trails are left behind him. Barreling around him, the waves eased. Cockeyed, Patrick felt mellow until he spotted a huge stoney rock. “ROCK! SEPARATE! SEPARATE!” Patrick’s eyes bulged out and he flapped his arms around like a manic, CRASH! his body rips apart. Head first, his skeleton plunged into the sand.

Dragged in by the sea, Patrick’s bare skin was still attached to the board or what was left of the board anyway. “I like your sandals” his skeleton compliments. “Thanks, we’re inseparable”. Patrick chuckles.

Finding Nemo Paragraph

Marlin rests himself on top of the mossy and hard rock, gazing down into the dark midst of the deep ocean miserably, when Dory swims up to him "Hey Mr Grumpy Gills...." as she purses her juju lips. "When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do?", Dory asks, trying to cheer him up. "I don't know what you gotta do" Marlin argues under his breath. "Just keep swimming! Just swimming, swimming..." she sings repeatedly. Taking Marlin's fin, she tugs him down. Closer and closer, they head towards the gloomy darkness. “Swimming, Swimming...” Dory continues. "See, I am gonna get stuck now, the song is stuck in my head" Marlin hushes her. "Sorry!" she apologizes.  

Royal Easter Show

Easter Show, it's such a fun place to go with family and friends. Full of fun rides, shows and so much more. Although this year's didn't have many rides, my mum says that they were used for other events.

One of spectacular things I did was go in the Inflatable Human Hamster Ball. If you haven't heard of it, it is when they fill a ball full of air and they set you on pool of water. Pretty hard to stand up, with all the rolling.

Covering my ears, the ringing sound of the blowing air filled up the ball. "Your good to go" the man said. I leaned towards one side and PLOP into the pool. Underneath my feet, the water flows gently. Carefully, I slowly start to stand up. "Nearly there" I encourage myself. Suddenly, I trip and fall onto the ball. Already, I start to sweat in the hot air. Laughing hysterically, it echoes in the ball. Seems like no one can hear me.

Around me, kids try to stand up themselves to find them face planting into the ground. Calmly and in tranquil, I lie down gazing up to the sky. Feels nice to hear nothing but my voice. In the corners of my eyes, I see someone trudge towards my ball. I face him to find him pushing me and spinning me. Everything spins in a blurry tango as I giggle.

After all the falling down and nearly injuring myself, it was time for another ride. THE HORROR HOTEL! If you were expecting an actual haunted hotel, it's not. Just a short ride, where you stay seated and ride through the dark gloomy hotel.

Next to my mum, she's got the camera ready. "Nothing to be afraid of..." I keep repeating in my head. Closing my eyes and covering my ears, we enter. Written in supposedly red blood, I see clear sheets saying "HELLO" across it. Nothing is worst to me then blood. White lights are flashing through out the ride as I hear screams and screeching sounds of a saw. Still with my ears covered, I open my eyes and peek at what is going on. BOO! A man jumps out scaring the socks out of me. Opening my mouth to scream, nothing comes out. My throat is completely dry.

Out of the hotel, my mum laughs, saying "HA! That wasn't scary". I shake my head. Another thing we did was visit the farm world which was so much fun considering I am an animal freak. Sheeps, cows, goats, pigs! Wow, it was like heaven. In my hands, I held some food for the animals. Creeping up to a lamb, I hold out my hand. It steadily starts to eat off of me. I feels it's tongue licking all the food. SO ADORABLE!

Ferris Wheels, totally fun right? No, the answer is no. You may think that it is nice since you see the great view unless you are afraid of heights. Which is exactly like, I'm such a soft person. Anyway, I hold onto the bars tightly. A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead. Around and around we go. I start to loosen up a little. "No need to overreact, Gloria" I whisper. Hearing the creaks of the rickety old ride kinda of got me a little nervous but afterwards it was all right.

The Easter Show was super fun. I got face art which looked like scars and cuts on my face. But I wasn't expectiong to go. My mum just woke me up and asked me if I wanted to go. REALLY!