The House Winner Is...

Throughout the year the four houses (Whero, Kakariki, Kowhai, and Kikorangi) have been aiming to be the winners of each term. The way you gained points was by doing something good and the teachers or prefects would award the students.

The points from each term were added up to figure out the winner of the year. Yesterday we found out who that winner was.

It was Kikorangi! We received a house winner trophy and a round of applause. Kikorangi won with 1,281 points.

What Happened On Thursday?

Since us Year 7's and 8's couldn't do our athletics on Wednesday, we did it on Thursday morning. We only did 100 meters which I placed fourth in.

Later that morning, around 10:30, we held a mini powhiri for our next year principal, Mrs Hamilton. Katrina did the karanga (calling) while the rest of us started doing the haka. After that was done we sat down, listened to Saluselo speak, then Mrs Vickers, and then Mrs Hamilton.

Many students and teachers shed a few tears during the powhiri. It has been quite a journey but it

One Week Left

I can't believe that next week will be the last week that we'll be going to Tech this year. Luckily I managed to finish my design this session along with most of my workbook. All I had to do was wet my 1,200 grit then start polishing the musical note.

How Boring

Nothing exciting happened to me over the weekend. I spent Saturday and Sunday watching World Trigger and some YouTube videos. Occasionally I'd read some online stories or spend a few minutes on Pinterest.  

Pewter Casting?

My Tech group have been doing pewter casting with Mr. Grundy. I am currently up to the last step of sandpapering my design and then it'll be complete.

First, we had to choose four recipients and four design concepts for each person. I have decided on making a musical note pendant for Friend 2.

100 Years Already?

This weekend on Sunday on the 11th hour, it will be Armistice Day. It will have been 100 years when peace was acquired.

Our class has gotten into groups and researched about Armistice Day to present at assembly.  My group (Mary, Konazy, and Solomone) have had fun designing this slideshow and researching, merely because we've never heard about this day before.

The Day We Become Stars

On Wednesday 7 our films will be aired at the Sylvia Hoyts cinema, which was today. This year we shared a theater with Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Puau Te Moananui a Kiwa.

Even though we finished filming last term, it wasn't until today that I saw our film. I'm really amazed at how it came out. Out of all the schools there, I had a great laugh at Point England's Fairytale News.

Get Your Head In The Game!

Yesterday we had tennis with our coach Pete. This week's session we were focusing on trying to move the racquet less and to start using the strings. The activities he got us to do were volley and rally. There was a lot of laughter as we all at some point hit the ball crooked.

Who Won?

Friday last week was originally supposed to be the skip off but the rain had other plans. We were lucky enough to get all the Rooms displays done. Since we weren't able to do the skip off, we seniors did it on Monday which replaced fitness.

Congratulations to Agueer, Pupuke and Kotipi for placing in the Top 3!

If you'd like to see how it went down, here's the clip.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Syndicate assembly two weeks ago was unbelievably hilarious. That week's hosts were Room 9. For their activity there were three participants from each class. Two people had the role of an animal and the third had to read a bit of a script they were given. The script readers would call out an animal's name and if they were that animal, they'd have to make that animal's noise.

Here's a little clip.

The Finale

On Tuesday volleyball ended. Even though I had only been to four sessions and I wasn't very good at it, I enjoyed it. I had a few laughs and a few blanks here and there but all went well.

Thank you, Coach Renee, for teaching us the basic skills of volleyball and for taking games into consideration.

Here's a little clip on what we did. The game we were playing was Elimination.

As We Draw Closer

After the end of the poetry recital we have moved onto speeches, which the finals will be in about three weeks time. We've only just begun writing our speeches but that isn't much of a problem, yet. I just hope two-weeks-ahead-of-me me is prepared.

Daffodil Day ⚘

This week Friday it will be Daffodil Day!

If us students would like to buy a daffodil, we pay with a gold coin at the office. All the money gained will be donated to help fund an organisation that helps those with cancer.

The End Is Near

With only one day of school left, the school holidays will soon begin. Here's a little recap on what has happened this week.

Monday was just an ordinary day. On Tuesday and Wednesday, however, some fortunate students got to go out to the Pump House to watch The Great White Man-Eating Shark (along with two other stories) and to Te Oro, to learn about Matariki. Us prefects were given a privilege to tag along with these students.

I am thrilled that Term 2 is almost over!

What To Read First?

Yesterday for buddy reading we were with Room 1.

I partnered up with Saluselo and Sione. We first read my blog and then moved onto Saluselo's. The majority of our time was actually spent just watching the videos and looking at the pictures we had posted.

I really enjoyed being partners with those two! Sione kept rambling and Saluselo and I kept glancing over at him, trying to figure out which blog post he wanted us to read to him.

It's On! 🤣

Last week on Friday we had an epic session of hip hop!

The whole syndicate lined up outside Rooms 9-12, waiting for the music to start. The first song played was Uptown Funk and it was pretty funny. The second was Time Of Our Lives and the last was Turn Down For What.

Most people decided to do Fortnite dances until the last song. Just before the bass dropped Room 12 all set up for the wave. I am almost positive that we were the best dancers there!

Final Week!

This was the final week of cooking with Mrs. Tuipulotu! This week we made a burger which was filled with some onions, tomatoes, lettuce, a slice of cheese and a fried egg. It was fairly simple to make which was relaxing. This time I was working with Peni.

Next week we'll be with Mr. Pineda doing graphics. I can't wait to see what's in store for us!

Hip Hop Classes

Yesterday we started hip hop. Our dance instructor was a woman named Jess.

Before we began we were told the difference between warming up and stretching. Apparently dancers stretch at the end of their dance and they warm up before they dance.

We were dancing to Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. There was dabbing in the choreography as well as the whip and the shoot.

It was a bunch of fun even though I wasn't as enthusiastic as the others.

Here's a little clip of what we did.

Cybersmart Learner

These are some of the basic things a cybersmart learner should know from the beginning.

1. Making smart judgements about information and its sources.

Source: Smart Surfing

2. Remember that what you post online will be there permanently.

Source: Smart Footprint

3. Understand and be able to demonstrate responsible use of technology.

Source: Smart Learners

4. Understand and follow copyright laws.

Source: Smart and Legal

5. Be wise about who and how you interact with people online.

Source: Smart Relationships

Chocolate?!

Last week at Tech everyone made chocolate muffins! Malia and I were partners once again! Malia and I divided up our work so that we could get it done quicker until it came down to mixing the batter. We both took turns. We managed to finish them in second period. As you can see in the picture that's how they turned out in the end. Though it does not appear mouthwatering, they were quite enticing! 

One skill I picked up that week was how to fold the batter. 

Tomato Soup

Two weeks ago at Tech us year sevens made tomato soup. At some point Malia was stirring the sauce but she got distracted by the group next to us and spilled some onto the stove. Later on we had to glaze and modify the stove up along with the rest of the kitchen. In the end once it was all completed we poured three spoons full of the tomato sauce onto some rice and got to taste it for ourselves. I'd say we did a pretty good job!

Experience At Tech

We've been going to Tech for two weeks so far and since I'm a year seven, this was my first time. The class was split into three groups. Groups A, B and C. I was placed into group A and the class we were assigned to was the cooking class. So far we've made coloured muffins and a sponge roll. I've had a pleasant time and I hope that it's like this until we swap. I causally was conversating with my classmates and I suddenly developed an attractiveness for cooking.

Day 3 Week 2: Stress

When I'm stressed I rant to my friends over discord whether they're online or off. I also either watch some videos off of YouTube or listen to some music with the volume of the headphones pretty high.

One tip I could give for dealing with stress is to have some you time. Spend some time by yourself for a bit and do what makes you comfortable.

Day 2 Week 2: The Silent Movie

After watching the trailer for The Lion's Cage I'd say it's about a man who gets stuck in a cage, and he's trying to figure out how to get out of the cage. During his attempt at escaping he makes it worse by trapping himself in with the lion. He tries various ways to escape, has a close encounter with a tiger and decides it's better off with the lion. In the end the lion woke up, he was rescued by a woman and then tried to impress her by acting tough around the lion.

I think I would enjoy watching a silent film. A few seem to be based around comedy and I am a fan of comedy.

Day 1 Week 2: The Right To Vote

In Saudi Ariba women weren't allowed to vote until 2015. I think that it's not fair for women to have to wait until 2015 to vote. Everyone should have the right to vote as each opinion matters whether it's to help fix or improve something.

Day 2 Week 1: Rate Out Of 5

A self-portrait of Tamara de Lempicka, drawn by herself!

Out of 5 stars, I'd rate it a 4. My reason for this is because of how amazing the art is! The shading and the art style is unique itself but it doesn't quite fit my interest.

Day 1 Week 2: A Famous Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral

You can find the Washington National Cathedral on the corners of Wisconsin Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue which is in Washington DC.

The construction finished in the year 1990.

It took 83 years for the whole cathedral to be built.

Day 4 Week 1: Playing Games

Poi Rakau 

The game was originally a training game for warriors. 

Two rules of the game are: 

One, the person in the middle has to pass to the people on the outside of them. 

Two, if the person in the middle passes with their right or left hand, the catcher has to catch with the opposite hand.

Day 5 Week 1: Translate

1) Nau mai ki Aotearoa.
Welcome to New Zealand.
2) Riiana is my name.
Ko Riiana toku ingoa
3) What is your name?
He aha to ingoa
4) He pai taku ki te takaro i te whutupaora.
I like to play football.
5) Where do you come from? 
No whea koe?

(As I am Tainui descent we use wh instead of h in words like whea/hea  tewhea/tehea)

Week 1 Bonus 5: #EarnTheFern

If I could ask Bill Kini four questions I'd ask him these.
#1 How often did you train?
#2 How did you organise the time to train in two sports?
#3 What kind of foods were you eating?
#4 Did you have much time to spend with family?