Year10 Formal Writing Assessment

What comes to your mind when you think of 18 year olds drinking? Not much of a good image comes to mind does it? My topic for my formal research report is Young New Zealanders attitudes towards alcohol, and why I disagree that the restricted age to be able to purchase alcohol is 18. I chose to research around this topic due to the fact that alcohol has really taken a toll over our young adults within Aotearoa. I have three key questions I am aiming to answer by the end of this research. My first one is what are the current laws around alcohol for people in New Zealand? Second will be, what are the issues around alcohol/ young drinkers in New Zealand? Last but not least, what are some solutions to these problems that have occurred due to young alcohol consumers? Through this report I plan on proving that purchases of alcohol should be moved to 21 years of age and over. Alcohol that is consumed by young irresponsible adults can cause a lot of chaos and damage to our societies and families. Thus making drinking alcohol at such a young age much less acceptable within our societies.

 

What are the current laws around alcohol for young adults throughout New Zealand?  One, you must be 18 years and over to purchase alcohol within New Zealand. Two, you are not allowed to be driving while intoxicated. Three, if you are below 18 years old and you are consuming alcohol substances, you are to be supervised at all times. These are just a few laws given to the citizens of New Zealand by the government referring to alcohol. The laws that are given to the young citizens of New Zealand based around alcohol aren’t strict enough. Which is why I strongly support that the purchases of alcohol should be moved up to 21 years and over. Stay at home mother of 5 by the name of Christina Isaako, shares to me her own personal thoughts on what the legal drinking age should be. She responds in a negative way saying that the age limit should be moved up to 21 years and over. The viewpoints of different people, and the opinions of other pupils around Zealand should count to make the laws much more reliable. According to http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-limits/alcohol-and-drugs-limits.html this website gives information around the legal limit to how much alcohol you are allowed to consume before driving. Mrs Chay Carter an experienced and current English teacher at St Kentigern’s College, let alone married and mother of two also has her personal opinion towards how old she thinks the legal drinking age should be. She responded “Everything should be in moderation.” By this she means to just make good decisions about alcohol consuming. No matter who you are or how old you are. Everyone has their own opinion on things, and my opinion towards the government’s laws is that they are way too basic and need to be worked on so that our young adults of New Zealand are safe when it comes to alcohol.

 

What are the issues around alcohol/ young drinkers in New Zealand? The main typical issues that young drinkers face seem to repeat over and over again. The fact that they don’t know how to control themselves while they are intoxicated is definitely a big one. Thus causing incidents to occur. The lives that have been taken from young drinkers have been one to many. According to http://www.alcohol.org.nz/research-resources/nz-statistics/road-traffic-crashes-and-deaths   in 2012 from the previous website just mentioned, it gives information based around the death toll caused by high blood alcohol levels. I interviewed Grace Payn, aged 14, and currently attending the same school as me and a good friend of mine, and asked her what her opinion would be on the main issue, which young adults have towards consuming alcohol. She responded saying “the main big issue has got to be drunk driving. It’s pretty messed up when it comes to about 10 bottles of beer later and no sober driver!” Within 2012 there were 73 fatal crashes, 331 serious injury crashes and 933 minor injury crashes. These crashes resulted in 93 deaths, 454 serious injuries and 1,331 minor injuries. All due to alcohol intoxication within a single year. Most of these injuries and deaths were caused by young adults whose alcohol blood level would’ve probably been well over the limit. Young adult’s attitudes towards alcohol shown by research is very clearly proven to be irresponsible, and disobedient towards the laws.

 

What are some solutions to these problems that have occurred due to young alcohol consumers? There are plenty of different solutions given to us. Solutions from the internet, solutions from within ourselves, and solutions given to us verbally through people we know. Usually while thinking of solutions based around alcohol consuming, the smart idea would to stay away from it right from the start. But that will probably never happen if you’ve been consuming it for quite a while now. So more realistic solutions from my research I have gathered would be to take classes on alcohol control. These classes will help you to develop skills on the way you drink and consume your alcohol. It will help you keep your alcohol levels controlled and on a healthy basis. https://www.declinol.com/en-nz/?gclid=CjwKEAjwycaqBRCSorjE7ZewsmUSJABWzM54uR8Kf_8FP3eRlbAKgN_qI648hL3R45meMx_RvrwvaBoCzhvw_wcB  is a website that gives you insights on a good product called Declinol. It is sold to help out with your alcohol consummation. Declinol helps to either cutback with your drinking habits or to just completely quit! Another sensible solution to a drinking problem would probably be to talk about it with an experienced past alcoholic. To see what their experiences were like, and how they’ve improved in a positive way by cutting back. Young drinkers have so many solutions but tend to dodge the bigger picture of considering the fact that they’re way to young and immature to be holding a bottle of beer or a can of alcohol.

 

So think for me now, what picture would you have in your mind when you see 21 year olds drinking, and stricter laws from the government be given? The image is much more acceptable. Plus a much lighter burden would probably be lifted off the shoulders of those who have to deal with the fatal deaths of loved ones, who have been taken by irresponsible alcohol consuming. My research has definitely come to a conclusion with the fact that young adults around New Zealand who consume alcohol still tend to have the minds of 16 year olds. They’re still too young and their attitude towards alcohol still need to mature. The laws that have been given by the government are also much too easy, and need to be worked on based around the issues that have occurred. The laws need to help solve the issues and need to help create more realistic solutions for young alcohol consumers, and the way they consume it. To conclude my research based off my different questions that have been answered, young adults who consume alcohol around New Zealand need to improve their attitudes when drinking, or the issues that have been stated will keep getting worse and worse.

 

SKC Netball

On the previous Sunday that had just passed, I experienced my very first netball game playing for St Kentigern's College. Being in the top yr 9 team is very hard, the 2 games I played were pretty crucial. It was against Auckland Girls Grammar, and New Plymouth Girls High. The two games were alright. But unfortunately our team lost to the both of them very humbly. Just loosing by a few points behind.

I played as WD for the game against AGGs, it was really difficult considering I'd never played that position. Then in the second game I played as GA for one half. I missed the first two games before AGGs, and NPGHS, so my day was very short.

Overall I really did enjoy my first game representing Saint Kents, it felt different but I enjoyed myself. The girls that are in my team are really cool, and are very much alike the P.E.S girls. But I still miss them of course.

Now schools over for the term, and I'm so glad I've made it through the very first term of college!!

College

Everything's been going very well for me and things in college. I've been participating in a lot of different things, making a lot of new friends, and even getting along with the teachers. It's week four now and I've just finished a three day camp down at Matamata, at Totara Springs. It was amazing.

Even though I'm not the heights type of girl I tried my best to do every activity. The only activity I couldn't face was the abseiling one. It was much to difficult for me to even look at. Other than that one activity the whole camp was really great.

School in general has been amazing as well. Finding out the great news that I made it into the top yr 9 netball team at St Kent's was just amazing! The only thing I'm not so excited for are the training's but in time I'll get used to it. I'm just so thankful for all my past coaches at Pt England School that have helped me to get into that position.

Overall the college life hasn't been so harsh on me just yet. But I know sooner or later a lot more things are going to get tougher.

First Day Of School

College finally began today. Not just for me but for a couple of other schools as well. My stomach was in knots, and My feet felt so care and naked in roman sandals. I made my way towards the Elliot Halls to where all Yr 7-10 students were to meet. My friend and I were very anxious, and couldn't help but talk about how nervous we were. After all being seated in the hall, we were all taken to our house groups, than to our tutor groups.

I was sadly split apart from my friend Katie, and was taken with the Cargil house, which was the house colour green. Than we were all taken back to our tutor classes, with our tutor teachers. I was fortunate enough to have a really kind lady tutor teacher. We all had to stick with her for period 1 and 2, than head our own ways after interval to our first subject.

Then forth my day was really a muddle up. I didn't know where the classes were so I had a few teachers show me around. Than for the rest of the day I had my buddy Lucy to be my guide. The school was huge, and there were so many students. I still couldn't figure out anything. My schedule is extremely different from what I had back in Intermidiate, and it's super complicated.

For Period 3 I had Science, for period 4 I was in Mathematics and Health and Social Studies followed after for the rest of the day. I had a descent first day, but nothing can compare to Point England to be very honest. Even on my first day of school I received homework for every subject. Quite astonishing really, but I was expecting it. Aside from all the down parts from today which hardly happened, my first day of college went really well.

The Game and School

Ever since my little brother got a ps3 for Christmas, I’ve always been playing with it. We’re either playing Call Of Duty 2 or Call Of Duty Ghosts. It’s been pretty decent with the console around because it’s taken up most of my time I’ve had with nothing to do. I’ve learnt heaps of gaming skills, controller skills, and glitches on the games. I always used to hear the boys from school talk about the game being so cool and all, and now I’ve finally experienced it all myself.

One other game we usually play is Mortal Kumbat. It’s this very lethal fighting game, the only down part of it are the blood and gore that come with the fighting moves the players execute. Other than that, I have to say I really am turning into a game addict. It’s basically what do almost everyday.

School starts next week Tuesday also, and I’m more nervous than I ever have been in my life. I don’t know what to expect, it’s not going to be normal at all entering into a new environment. I’m going to miss the Immersion Assemblies we usually have all the time on the very first day of each term. And my uniform, it’s so uncomfortable, especially my roman sandals, but my mum says I have to get used to it.

To be very honest on the other hand, I’m pretty excited about school starting.

Funfest and Swimarama

Last week Friday was probably one of the most coolest and funnest times I'd ever had through out these holidays so far. Just because we went to that Funfest carnival in Ellerslie, and headed for Swimarama straight afterward.

The weather was perfect for the days events my family and I had planned ahead of us. The sky was clear blue, and there were no clouds in sight. We arrived to the Funfest at around 11:00am and the sun was already pounding down. I looked around, and the whole atmosphere was swarming with people. I could hear screaming from the rides, laughing from the food stalls, and the aroma of freshly made cotton candy. Everything looked so alive.

My mother took all the bags, and headed for a spot that was nice for us to settle down at while my little brother and I headed for the first ride of the day. We headed out in search for the ride that was quite similar to the Invader. Once we found it we stood in this long massive line, waiting for about half an hour before we reached the front. It was really funny because my brother and I took turns standing in line, and sitting down. But once we got to the front, I started to get the worst butterflies, since I'm scared of heights and speed.

There were about 30 of us loading on to this ride all at once. After we all buckled up obviously, the ride started to spin, it span fast, then slow then fast then slow. It was one weird ride, because it got me sick to the stomach. Then finally at no notice it started to speed up ultra fast, and go all the way up in a vertical lean basically while spinning at the same time. It was freaky! It only did that for about 20 seconds before heading back down.

When the ride was over, it has only taken up to about 5 minutes of our time. Was the wait worth it, I don't think so. But as I walked off the ride, my stomach started to feel very tight, and it felt hard to breath. But the feeling slowly went away, and I became better. Before our next ride, we headed back to where my mum was waiting for us. We ate a bit then carried on with our list of rides. After our day at the Funfest it was time for a nice calmed down swim at Swimarama to end off this amazing day.

It was 4:30 and my brother and I were feeling hot and drained, so we got changed into our swimming clothes, and dived right in. The pools weren't so packed, but there were still quite a few people. At the end of the day I could say that it was a pretty fun day. I got to go on this sick ride, and end it all off by going for a nice cool swim. The day was awesome!

2014 Begins With Boringness

These holidays have been nothing but a boring slob of nothingness. The weathers been great in fact but my parents can never let loose and allow me to go out and do stuff, other than stay home read books, and do more and more chores everyday. The holidays haven't been all that.

Today the Funfest begins and I really was keen on going, but along came the rain to kill my buzz. But my parents promised tomorrow though, and I can't wait, and am praying for the weather to be fine. If it is than we would be able to go to Swimarama afterwards. I can't wait, hopefully it's not what I call Build Ups.

Christmas Day

Christmas day was alright. The weather wasn't as everyone had planned it out to be. There was rain falling down now and again and it had caused our plans for the day to be cancelled. But still my family and I found things to do of course. I awoke to the aroma of deliciously perfected ham roasting in the oven. My mother got up super early just to make the feast for the days event.

Instead of going to the beach like my family had planned out, we decided to go out far, and wide to all of our family member who we hadn't visited in a long time. After preparing the food, and of course ourselves for the day. We loaded the food into the car.

Our first stop was to my mother little brothers house. He lived in Manurewa and we thought it would be nice to visit him. When we arrived to his house, we gave him his food, and his present from the family and talked for a bit. Then made our way again. This time we were visiting an uncle of mine.

As we approached his driveway we saw that there were quite a few family of ours there. So my dad made the call that we would stay here, and have a feast with them. The day turned out to be quiet pleasant. Catching up with family members, and babysitting cute adorable babies. It wasn't the ideal Christmas I had in mind, but it was something worth writing about. There was still a lot of food which I am definitely thankful for.

The only lowlight this Christmas was the fact that my presents came at least 1 week after Christmas. Which were Shoes, Clothes, and money. All I have to do is wait for New Years day, where I'll receive a lot of money from my elderly aunties, and uncles. I can't wait!

New Years Eve

The preparation is so far exhausting, even though its 11 in the morning, the food preparation is coming along. My families plans for new years day, is to make our way out West for a family feast type of thing. There will be food, cousins, family, friends, and music. Its kind of an annual thing! I'm super excited for tomorrow though because I'll be getting to see my cousin. He's been gone for too long, and I just can't wait to see him.

One other reason why I can't wait is because all of my cousins from my fathers side will be there, and I haven't seen them all for ages! Another typical reason also, is because of the traditional food. There is going to be heaps! I heard there is going to be an Umu. Delicious.

New years is going to be awesome! I can just feel it. But I'm just nervous for the new year that'll be ahead of me after tomorrow. But oh well. Happy New Years Eve, and God Bless!

Last Day Of School

On the final day of school I didn't know what to expect. I said to my friends and I that I wouldn't cry at the end of the day. I didn't know if I was going to. School was finishing at 12:30 and I really didn't want things to end so fast. But at our assembly at the end of the day Mr Burt told all of us year 8's to load onto the stage. Right before we all said our "Happy Holidays" Gabriel thanked the teachers on behalf of the yr 8's once more. Then out of the blue all the yr 8 boys stood up in a fierce mode. So the girls decided to stand up to.

The boys were doing their haka they had all learnt in one days effort. They were going all out and it looked really epic! The stage was shaking, and the girls were starting to tear up. When finally the boys finished their haka a couple of the girls had already started to cry. It was getting to me, but I hardened up and held it in. After the whole school yelled out "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" after 3 go's it was time to say good-bye. We all stood up on the stage, and went running around and saying our farewells to each other.

After almost hugging every single student I decided to turn to the teachers. I still hadn't cried, but everyone around me was crying. It was astonishing for me, cause I would of thought I would be the first to break down. Once I started to approach Miss Jamali, I started to tear up. Once she hugged me was when I completely broke down into tears, and started to cry like a baby. I said my farewells to almost every teacher before I headed outside to where the rest of the class of 2013 were.

I started to walk for the gates to make my way to Swima-rama, but as I did, I turned around and saw everyone in the courtyard. It was probably the most heartbreaking moment of my life walking out of those gates. But as I did so, I thought to myself, what a wonderful life I've had here at Pt England. I will forever cherish all the memories that I had made here. And with those thoughts I walked out of the gate............ I'm gonna miss being a student at Pt England School definitely. And I'm going to miss all the friends I made their, who weren't just my friends, but had become family to me!

Prize giving Evening

It was prize giving night and my adrenaline was pumping! It was my very last for my life at Pt England School, and I was in the kapa haka group. Which meant I had to come a bit earlier than the others. Once I arrived I made my way towards the Library. When the event had finally started I was told to go on stage with Gabriel to do the opening prayers before joing the kapa haka group.

After doing the prayers, we scurried along to the kapa haka group that was waiting in the music room for us. Mr Burt had to do his short speech before it was our turn. It was our turn and I was feeling my goosebumps. I was really nervous, but I knew in my head that we were going to do great! We all single filed and walked onto the stage. The crowd was pretty big but it didn't get to me as much as it did before. Now we were all singing, and doing our haka, and it sounded pretty mean! When our bracket finished, we walked off the stage proudly!

The following thing that happened was the yr 5 awards and item. Their item was pretty cool. Although I loved the yr 6 item! It was off the hook. Their item had to be one of my main highlights of the night. Then there was the yr 7 item, they did a live MTV on stage act of the theme song of Prince Of Belair. An old one but a good one of Will Smith. Our year 8 item on the other hand was pretty awesome to. I liked it, and by the looks of the crowd they did to!

I enjoyed the evening because I got a few awards myself. 2nd academic was one of the 3 that I was most proud of. Once the night was over I felt relieved but yet again depressed that everything was over basically. The next prize giving I would attend to would be in college and I'm not just ready yet.

And The Countdown Begins

In less than 3 more days it will soon be Christmas day. I'm super ecstatic, and can't wait! The only low light is that my whole family won't be here. My sister Nive is in Australia with my grandparents for her birthday present, and for he Christmas present from them. My older sister Patricia will be down in Hamilton with her best friends family, and my eldest brother Kenny will be at his friends Christmas Dinner.

So Christmas day is left with just mum, dad, James and me. It's going to be a small Christmas this year, but I'm still pretty excited. Family time is family time, and I will cherish any moment I spend with them. I think all we'll be doing is unwrapping gifts, and eating as much as we want! I can't wait!

Pt England School Highlight

My life at Pt England School has finally after nine years come to an end. Through my tough trials and tribulations, between me and my long lasting friends, we've always come to a conclusion of friendship. Moving on to college next year is going to be so hard. Leaving everything behind, including my friends is the most hardest thing I'm going to have to do. I've enjoyed most of my years here at Pt England School.

My New Entrant year went by in a blur since I enjoyed being a student of Miss Anderson so much. Miss Wild was one of my many favoured teachers. She was my year one teacher. She taught me so much, she helped me so much, and she was the person who started off my footpath into becoming the person who I am today. In Miss Wild's class I made new friends, Mary Loseli was one and Ashleigh was another. I had a lot of friends but they were my two closest class mates. Thank-you Miss Wild!

Throughout the next three years Ashleigh, Mary and I stayed friends, but we were split into different classes. Ash and I were together but Mary had been split from us. In the following year I was in Room nine and I had Miss Wood as my teacher, she was amazing to have as a teacher. She taught me a lot, and she was so kind and friendly. During my year in Room nine I had the buzz of playing sport. Thank-you Miss Wood.

Miss McKinlay was my year 3 teacher. She was harsh, but I liked the way she taught us students. She was really cool to have as a teacher, and she helped carve my pathway into becoming the person who I am today also. Thank-you Miss McKinlay. The following year I got put into Miss Garden's class, she was my year 4 teacher. In her class she taught me a lot of things. I reckon being put in her class helped me extend in my learning, and so I thank-you Miss Garden. In room twelve I started to play netball, and I loved it.

Miss Squires was my teacher in year five, I didn't really enjoy that year because of dramas with friends. It was okay, Miss Squires did teach me a lot though. Luckily by the end of the year my friends and I managed to resolve everything. So I thank-you. The following year Miss Garden taught me again, I enjoyed that year, it was a tough year but I endured through it. When finally I entered into year seven, Mrs Lagitupu became my teacher. That was definitely a year to remember.

My final year I was put into Room twenty with Miss Squires as my teacher once again. I really enjoyed it, I made new friends along the way, and I learnt a lot of new things. Both learning wise, and life wise. My life here at Pt England School has been amazing, reflecting back on my life and years attending here I've definitely learnt a load of things.

The thought of college is daunting me. I really don't think I'm ready for it. But it's time for me to proceed along to college. I'm off to a completely different school with completely different people, which is making me feel a bit nervous. I'm going to miss playing sports here, eating my friend's lunch (just kidding) more like them eating mine. I'm going to miss all the teachers, and my lovely little children that always say hi to me whenever I walk past. I am just going to miss Pt England school in general.

Outlook for Someday Workshop: GJMR Studios

GJMR Studios Extension from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

As we all know Pt England School is indeed very into their movie making, and we as an extension class try to participate in as many movie competitions as possible. But there is one competition that stands out the most for us and that's The Outlook For Someday competition, held in Auckland, for people who love movie making right from the ages of 5 to 23.

Last term, our extension class and a few extra year 8 students were fortunate enough to have 2 people come to our school for a whole day workshop all about movie making. Their names were Chris, and Ilia. Being experienced and all in movie making, they took their time up to come and give us some tips on what we could do to improve our movie making skills.

The workshop started at 9:00am and finished at 3:00pm. By 3:00pm we were expected to have a short movie finished, that was either based around these sustainability areas Society, Culture, Economy and Environment. We firstly were each set in groups. In my group there was Mary L, Jay'lee and Gloria, and obviously me. We named our group GJMR Studios. Pretty decent right. Well we worked together for the rest of the day. Before we got started on the whole movie making, we did a couple of activities around what our movies were going to be based on or around.

Each group got given a file filled with pieces to a jigsaw puzzle we had to try and solve. This puzzle had different words written over it in specific areas. The word economy for instance on the jigsaw puzzle was surrounded by things relating to the word. After putting all the pieces together, the words Society, Culture, Economy and Environment were placed in different places all over it. After discussing with my group a bit about each word, and a bit about the pictures around them, it was time to pick one of the words and develop a storyboard on a movie based around that word.

My group and I chose the words Economy and Society. Our main question we wanted to try and answer through our movie we were going to make was 'How has the world come to evolve around money?' By the time I got hooked into the whole process of things, it was already morning tea time. We had to leave things where they were, and come back after play, and start filming.

As soon as we walked into Tusitala and took our seats, Ilia and Chris both started talking to us about the next step to the workshop. It was movie making time. Since my group and I had already planned our movie, we were ready to film. Two of the four of us, Gloria and Mary went outside to film, while Jay'lee and I stayed behind finishing off our script, which was a rhyming type of one. It was a simple job and we got it done fast and recorded it. As soon as we did, the girls had finished filming what they were assigned to. We put the movie together back in the ICT lab and edited it right in time before the bell rang for lunch.

My group was relieved because we knew that our movie was finished, and that after lunch we had a decent movie to produce. After watching our movies, it was time for judgement. The other groups movies seemed to be pretty good, but the GJMR productions film had to be my favourite. Once every bodies movie played and were judged, Chris and Elia were off. The days worth session was pretty cool, and I'm pretty sure in the future I'll be making pretty cool movies too.

Digital Reflection

This generation has more modern ways to lean. For example, we now use high tech fashioned mini net books, a couple of iPads in each classes, and many of us pretty much have moved on from using pencil and paper.

Using net books and digital technology this year has helped me personally be able to exceed in all my learning subjects. By automatically connecting towards the TLN Manaiakalani network, we are all able to learn online and become very fluent with the system. The wifi connection has helped me with my math subject just by using online math websites, for instance like Math Whizz and XtraMath. Both math websites that have mainly taken care of that subject for me.

I've learnt from the young ones in my class about the technical skills we are able to access. Very difficult to come by, but the year seven boys know the terminal page inside out. At home I've researched by myself a lot of things. One I remember off the top of my head are the math websites I signed up for by myself. Like Mathlete, funbrain, and a load of other websites.

Having net books that can be able to access the internet is a real convenience. We are able to do our learning at home, or possibly anywhere there maybe WiFi available. Everything we learn is all based online, so having our net book constantly connected to the internet is a real time saver.

It's been really cool this year because since I'm almost an expert in technology for my age, I've been able to help younger students. With their school work, and with technology wise problems. Especially my little brother. I'm now able to help him with any school work he needs help with.

I've advanced quite a lot in my subjects since we switched into becoming a digital learning school. And being able to work outside of school has also really helped me. Since our tasks are set online, I'm able to access them, and exceed in my learning in my own time.

My friends have helped me a lot with my learning, and with any problems I've had with my net book. Mainly Ashleigh, she's an ultimate expert with technology in my eyes.

I have really enjoyed researching by myself at home the many different learning websites, youtube videos, and lyric links that have helped me with my work at school. One in particular website is thesaurus.com! It helps me, and gives me a varied amount of words to help me with my writing, and songs.

Through the past three years, going digital in all my learning has really helped me a lot! I've been able to learn, and share my work and learning online with my friends and families. I've been able to work at home and finish off projects I couldn't finish at school. Digital learning has seriously helped me with my learning outcomes, and the way I learn.

Yr 8 Camp

My friends and I entered the bus hyped and ecstatic ready for camp, and especially for the 5 hour drive that was ahead of us. After Mr Burt said our prayer, it was time to board onto the buses. The team I was in was pretty sharp so we went on the bus 2nd. Kane, Jesiah, Brooklyn, Sesalina, Turuhira, Makayla and I all grabbed our bags and made our way.

Day one was basically one giant bus ride that I personally didn't quite enjoy, because I always get car sick when I stay in a vehicle for to long. Once we arrived to the camp site which was Keswick down in Rotorua, with a silent sounding 'w' we loaded off our luggage and got changed into comfy clothing worthy for running/walking in. My highlight for day one was going for a swim with the boys and Ashleigh, it was pretty fun, oh and the scenic view Gabriel showed us. It was beautiful. My low light though was the long walk, it was damp and raining.

Day two was alright, I enjoyed breakfast but I didn't quite enjoy the part when we went for our other cross fit run basically. But watching the geyser was pretty fascinating. I also enjoyed being at the Agrodome, and carrying cute little animals. Especially the rabbits, they were so adorable and fluffy.

Day three was descent, it was Thursday and we were going to the Blue lake for a swim. My highlight of the day was swimming at Rotorua's aquatic centre, it was pretty buzzy. The lowlight of my day was the ugly weather we had to walk through to get to the Blue lake.

Finally on the last day, it was time to hit the Luge before we were headed back to Tamaki Makaurau. The luge ride was awesome, and I really enjoyed it. By the time we got back to school it was just past 4:00pm. I was glad to be home, but I did miss the camp sight as well. Maybe in another couple of years time I could visit down there once again.

Thrust Investigation

The year 7 and 8 extension group did a quick investigation on how far a balloon could thrust on a straw through a string. There were 4 groups of 4-5 students in them. The group I was in consisted of Vivienne, Shoal, Brooklyn and Lisia. Our first attempt wasn't so triumphant. The second time around our time improved, but not our distance. Finally on our third and last attempt it was successful. As they say, save the best for last, and we certainly did with our adjustments.  

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela

The one and only, loving, caring and humble man Nelson Mandela has become an angel up in heaven. Tragically he passed away this morning in his very own home. Nelson Mandela lived a hard and rough life, but to him it was all a challenge he was willing to take. Nelson Mandela will forever be in my heart, and everyone else, he created a tribe to justice and humanity. But perhaps it was a dream of his he always knew would happen. A remarkable man, a remarkable life, that ended today at the age of 95.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another -quoted by Nelson Mandela. 

Rest In Paradise Papa Nelson Mandela <3

My Mihi

Kia ora tatou
Greetings to us all

Kua hui mai nei
Who gathered here today

Ki tenei kura
To this school

Ki te mau mai
To bring

I nga whakaaro pai
The good thoughts

Ka nui te hari
Greats is the happiness

Mo to koutou kaha
For your support

Ki te huihui mai
In assembling/gathering

Ki te hapai
To uplift

I nga take
The matters/ subjects

E pa ana ki tenei kura
Concerning this school

No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena ra tatou katoa
Therefore greeting once, greetings twice, greetings again to us all.

The Big School Garage Sale

It was 9.15am and I swore I was late, but by the time I got school, there were already kids helping out everywhere. Some were out front near the round about holding up signs, some were cooking the sausages, and the teachers were selling things in the hall. Things were going quite well I would say.

Once I got to school I was looking around for things that needed to be done. So I was told to either fold clothes or help out with holding signs, which seemed pretty embarrassing. So instead I helped to try and sell some things. Later on I made my way towards the BBQ where the boys were slacking off, so I gave them a hand. It was really hard having to serve a lot of people. I reckon I dished up about 25 sausages at the most.

By the end of the sale which was nearer to 12pm, almost less than half the things that were in the hall got sold. I was glad about this because everything we sold would be going towards our yr 8 camp next week. After all the sausages were sold, we all packed everything up, and made our way. I'm super ecstatic and can't wait for camp. It's going to be awesome.