Review of the Year 2015

The year 2015 has been a great success. With schooling and even with our families. Sure there’s been some up’s and down’s, but Team 5 has managed to come together and sort things out like a family.

When I first arrived into Year 8, I was worried that I might do things wrong as a prefect or even as a student. I was also nervous that I wouldn’t get enough time to finish my work due to being a prefect also an Extension student. But I was wrong and shouldn’t have doubted what I could do and couldn’t.

I feel really happy with myself because of what I have done this year. I have achieved so much this year and being a prefect has really upgraded my skills of leadership. This where our Year 8 Leadership camp comes in. At the beginning of 2015, Year 8’s had the opportunity to go to Marsden Bay. This camp was to show how much leadership skills we have and how we can improve. And that was where I learnt most of my leadership skills. I was glad that I went because it helped me confidence wise in being a prefect.

The thing that I found most difficult this year was my time management. It was quite hard because on Mondays I had Extension for the morning block, Tuesday mornings we had tech. Friday mornings we did inquiry. So I was weary of my time on Literacy because I had a certain amount of time. Which was good because I was preparing me for college. But I would like to say a HUGE! BIG! Thank you to Mrs Tele’a for helping me heaps in Literacy. Reading and Writing! Without her I wouldn’t know where I’d be this very day.

The things I want help with for my schooling is my Maths. This year I feel that I have done good in my Maths, but I know I could have done better. I wish I knew most of the things I know now to use at the start of the year. Thanks to Miss Clark for helping me for my Maths because that was one of my goals. Get better at Maths.

I’d like to say again that this Year has been a great success. But this couldn’t have happened without our Parents, Teachers, Community and others. And see we have our last trip ever at Pt England school next week Monday with the year 7’s. I can’t wait for that and I also can’t wait for College next year!

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Google Expedition

At the age of 12 and 13, Pt England’s Intermediate students got the chance to experience a Google Expedition. It was fortunate to be apart of this incredible group as well as travelling the world with our friends. To kick start the year 7’s were split into their three groups that they are usually in for Te Reo Maori. This all happened while the year 8’s left for tech.

Entering the doors of the common room, the year 7’s were sitting quietly. We made our way ready for P.E.N.N. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to watch P.E.N.N (Pt England News Network) so we decided to watch it after morning tea. This did take up a little bit of the year 8’s time, but we didn’t mind!

“Rua, you will be going first,” we heard Mrs Tele’a, this reason is because we were lined up in straight lines ready to begin. I was excited. Dave was the man who was going to explain what we were about to do. He asked politely, “So, can you please get your Google Cardboard.” Without any hesitation, everyone rushed towards the table where the object was placed.

I placed the google cardboard on my eyes and looked into it. The first image that popped up was a man named David Attenborough. Have you ever heard of this name? This man is a famous scientist and a narrator on documentaries. He was located in the Borneo Rain forest. It was so incredible and bizarre, because if you turned your head the Google Cardboard recognizes that and rotate with you.

Have you ever wondered where the tallest building is in the world? This was one of the other extraordinary place we had visited. This building is found in Dubai. It is named, The Burj Khalifa, and is made up of 43 floors. The Burj Khalifa has a hotel, a restaurant, working offices and multiple more.

During the Google Expedition, we had little activities. Mrs Tele’a or Dave would choose a place like the Rain forest and the aim was to try and find the Python snake. It was tricky because it was camouflaged with the leaves on the ground.

All these places were incredible and a great experience. I found using the Google Cardboard quite easy and interesting to use in a good way. As everybody knows, in this generation everything is about technology and having Google Cardboard to explore the world in even better. That day was a great day because also I enjoyed it with my friends. Google Cardboard should become worldwide, and hopefully Pt England School as well as the Manaiakalani School’s succeed in getting their own Google Cardboard.

Fair Chocolate

Going to TVNZ

As most of our students do on the first week of school here at Pt England, we write a recount about our immersion assembly. An immersion assembly is the starting of the term. So the teachers and everyone participates on what the students of that team are doing or the rest of the term. BUT.... I wasn’t here on Monday so we are going to write a recount about one thing I did during the holidays.

On the second week of the holidays I participated in a holiday programme that Miss King had organized for me and Sela. It was marvelous. I met so many kind people and they were quite nice to me. Most of the kids there were older than Sela and I didn't mind.

It was a three day event, filled with adventure and creativity. My favorite day would have to be the second day. Why? Well the holiday programme was held at the Viaduct Center, not so far from TVNZ. Everyone was excited for this day.

From the Viaduct Center, we walked up and down hills, across roads, and ended up at the TVNZ where they make the, Good Morning show and One News. It was incredible.

Johnson that used to be a presenter on What Now was there and introduced himself to us. Johnson was so chill and was calm when it came to our turn to present our own show that we created. At one time I got to be the host and I was so terrified that I was going to muck up the lines! But then Johnson came to me and said, “Smile, Relax and you’ll be fine.” Once he said that I felt much more better. I think I did a pretty good job.

Later during the day I got to do camera and be the director. Directing isn’t that easy. You have to switch cameras at the right time so you can see everyone talking and getting the single shots. I couldn’t remember them all so I wanted to leave... But I didn’t. I stayed on till the job was done.

Cameras on the other hand was excellent. I had a blast on the cameras. We moved around a lot and pulled up and down on the lever that was FUN!

Overall I had a great time and experience. I would like to thank Miss King and her friend for giving me and Sela the opportunity of having a great holiday. Of course that was my first ever time at TVNZ so it was quite an amusing time. I think that'll be my last but I wont forget what a great time I had. Couldn't have done it without you guys!

The Kauri Tree

For Literacy this week. Aoraki has been focusing on making inferences. Making inferences means to connect the story in your own words. Our task was to read a journal called, Kauri Island. We were shared a presentation on google docs and had to understanding what the meaning of the word was. Then we made inferences. This was helping us for our writing and reading and also to understand what we are writing and understand what we're reading.

Fair Chocolate

For reading this week Aoraki focused on Fair Chocolate. This presentation will tell you about fair chocolate as well as fair trade. It also shows what profits and budgets are and many more.

Recount about Zeal Zone

Here at Pt England School we have an Intermediate. And every Friday our Intermediate block has rotations called Zeal Zone. Last we Friday was Zeal Zone and we were learning based on Inquiry. What are we are doing? We are creating object that could help and improve our school.

Me and my partner Rave have been focusing on a Basketball bin. We came up with this idea because we are seeing a lot of rubbish around the senior block and we see students walk past the bin but still decide to drop it on the floor. Our idea is... Oh no I can’t tell you. You would have to wait and see.

This is part of our inquiry as I have mentioned but we don’t know for sure if it will keep the school clean. But there is only one way to find out and that is by creating one and testing if it works.

Rave and I are working really hard and hope that it pulls off. If it doesn’t that would be a bummer, but we shall focus on the positive side of the whole subject.

WW1 Mascots