My Best Piece of Writing 2015

“We will  be going in 10 minutes!” shouted Mrs Tui. She struggled to get everyone’s attention. Her words were lost. “Wait up Sia!” I yelled. My legs tiredly walked until I reached my destination. “Make sure to stay with your group” instructed Mrs Tui. The sun was like an  oven, burning everything and anything under it.

“We are finally here” I thought to myself. The sound of loud engines distracted my thought. “Our train will come in 8 minutes, make sure to stay together” commanded Mrs Tui. “ Are you excited?” inquired Ierei. I cheerfully   shook my head. “Mind the gap” a unfamiliar voice popped up.

“We are now arriving at Panmure” the robotic voice announced. My heart was in my throat.

We walked from the train station to Skate Land. Skateland is  beside Mount Wellington. “It doesn’t look  big” I thought. That thought changed once I stepped into the building. “Wow.” I was astonished.  Their was a big skating rink and spectator seats surrounding  it. “ Welcome to SkateLand” a unknown voice welcomed. “Go to the stand and ask for your size” ordered Mrs Tui.

I stood up cautions of my aching legs, and plodded to the stand. “Size 9 please” I asked. I slowly eased my feet into my shoes and headed to the skating rink. At first  it was hard to find my balance. A hour later I had improved, alot. “Can you help me Ierei?” I cried. I was scared to death. Before I knew it I was lying on the floor helplessly. I had fallen to the ground a couple of times. I had gotten used to it, and it turned into alot of fun. “You’ve got 45 minutes left” declared  Mrs Tui. I sighed.

“We will now be walking up Mt. Wellington” proclaimed  Mrs Tui. I sighed with a horrified expression. I slowly  picked up my feet and  dragged myself up the steep hill. “We’re nearly there!” encouraged  Ierei.  I felt like fainting.

“ We made it !” I screamed in exhaustion.  I sat down and concentrated on regaining my breath. “We have 10 minutes left” announced Mrs Tui.

Walking down the hill was hard. I was extremely tired and dehydrated. “I’ll see you tomorrow Hola” I uttered as I strolled down the hill.  

Our Magical Trip

Thoughts jogging  through my mind. My mind spinning and spinning with endless excitement. This was  caused by our trip to Kelly Tarltons. It first commenced  by  walking down a blue and magical walkway. We walked down until we reached our destination. My first thought was what if ?  or what will happen ?

We were given specific instructions to walk until we reached the Penguins. I loved every moment of it. I wished it had never ended. My favorite part from our first activity was hanging out with my friends. After that we carried on as we walked by,  there were pieces of information for us to read.

The day continued with lots of learning for me, and for the school. When we extended  to the tunnel, I found this  fascinating and beautiful. I adored every bit of staring at the sharks and other marine animals.    

My favorite part from our trip  was the tunnel, because it was an great experience. I would love to go back to Kelly Tarltons.

My Response to Sean

Red - Independent Clause

Sean talk to us about shark finning. I think that Sean's work is magnificent. What he’s doing it very brave and inspiring. Especially when he’s very young. I look up to him and hope to be like him when I grow up. I’ve never heard of shark finning before watching this video, so it was a good learning experience for me.  I   think that it’s  very courageous  of him to stop such a bad things.

If you are interesting, and want to help Sean check this video out >

http://www.timeforkids.com/photos-video/video/seans-shark-week-249676

My First Hockey Session

Hockey, is one sport I find quite peculiar and new. We now have hockey  lessons every Wednesday. The first session was one to remember. I don’t like hockey, don’t play it, and don’t watch it. I especially find it impossible to  balance the ball on the stick.

The lesson started off with a warm up, which was running and crawling up and down the hall. I found that fun and tiring. After our warm up’s we started to get into the basic’s of hockey. We learnt the techniques of hitting and stopping. We also had to balance the ball on the stick.

I quite enjoyed practising these skills, it was entertaining and amusing. My favourite part from the lesson was learning how to balance the ball on the stick, even if it was very difficult and  tough.

The first lesson from hockey, was awesome and impressing. I obviously underestimated  hockey,  I thought it would be absolutely bland and boring. But it was the exact opposite.

The Rainbow Fish

Opening Statement : Why he should of given his scales

In my opinion the Rainbow Fish, should give his scales away.

My first reason is that because if he didn’t he would stay unhappy, which isn’t good for anyone.

My  second reason is that because sharing is the best solution to happiness and joy. If he didn’t share his possessions, everyone would end up unhappy.

My last  reason is that giving his scales  would be the solution for him (rainbow fish) to have friends again, he would’ve been very lonely with his scales.  

This story has told me, that it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside, but on the inside is what matters.

My Holiday Writing : Longo's Game

My Goals are to: add detail by using specific vocabulary and to give examples. create mood in my writing by using interesting vocabulary, similes and metaphors. use different sentence structures for effect.

22.07.15 Karaka

Plan:

When - 11.06.15 Saturday 11 July

Where -  Karaka

Why - To watch my cousin in law

Who - My Family, My Cousin In law, The Crowd

What - A rugby game

How -  I felt excited, happy, thrilled, delighted

Mud splashing everywhere, Sweat running down, Balls thrown everywhere. Rugby is the one sport I dislike with a passion. Lucky for me Saturday was the day of watching it. Saturday 11 of July, was the saddest day of my life.

It was the day of Rugby, which did not give my joy or happiness. What did make me excited, was that the game was held in Karaka. Karaka is a small suburb or town near Pakuranga.   Not knowing was Karaka would look like scared me for some reason.

But that changed once we arrived. Karaka reminded me of being in the Countryside. The fresh air gave me great pleasure and delight. Arriving to the field felt like arriving to a pig stye, literally.  The field was filled with mud, mushy and  soft mud.  The game was not as bad as I thought it would be. It was actually quite entertaining & fascinating.    

The game concluded and a lot of photos were taken. I had a sad feeling that we were to leave Karaka. But I know that we may return some day.

Swimming Lesson's

Last week I started swimming for the first time. Unfortunately I  could not find any photo's that had me in it. So I just decided to put up photo's of others, having there first time swimming. They seemed very happy that day. I hope you like my collage :)

World War II

Recently we have been reading books based on War. We were asked to find 10 facts that is based on World War II. It was quite interesting and exciting finding these new facts. 

I hope you enjoy :)

Retreat Writing

Excitement traveled around my body, as I walked into the classroom. A wave of anxiety hit me. What if I kept on asking myself. But in the end all of that didn’t matter.

The previous night I thought about what would happen.

Water prickled my eyes when saying goodbye to my fellow friends and family.  I think that getting into the car was the hardest part.  The music exploded into my ears like strikes of thunder, it was unpleasant yet satisfying. A heaven like scene appeared  before our eyes. Gorgeous flowers bloomed all over the bushes, the place was green with a hint of colour.

A tall strange building stood in middle of a bush. It seemed to be a peaceful and relaxing place.  It took my eyes  some time to adjust to the place. It was very different from our city life. Mrs Tui explained it quite well. Inside of the building was astonishing and breathtaking. It was a very quiet and calm place for people to reflect.

The house was filled with joy and colour. We did alot of activities to do with leadership, which was a bonus. A divide scent filled the building. My mouth filled with water smelling this heaven like scent. It made me think about what the food will taste like. As we walked down the stairs, the scent got stronger. Heaven was waiting for us I thought.

Throughout the 2 days of retreat, I had learnt the qualities and skills of being a leader. I also learnt more about my fellow year 8 friends. It was like a life lesson in two days, which seems quite impossible.  I enjoyed Josephine and Brother Philip's company. This experience is one I will remember for a long period of time.

Mothers Day Description

My mother reminds me of a coconut, hard outside, sweet inside. She’s one tough cookie. No one could ever replace the way my mother is. She has a loving nature, especially towards her family and tamariki. My mum is a miracle worker; she’s the best.

Mum has fair skin, and long brown beautiful hair. I love looking at her hair, it makes me jealous. She is not what I would call a normal mother. She's very busy , but seems to make time for her children. I do not how she does it, but she seems to manage 5 naughty girls quite well. Mum is my wonder women.

She would do anything to make me happy. She’s the most strongest mother I know. She gets her beauty from my Nana. I bet she could break through rocks or kill snake if she could. She was brought up in a  big family. I was brought up very strictly.

I didn't see the point of being so strict growing up, but now I do. My mother has been through a big roller-coaster, and is still trying to get up the steepest hill. That’s how much she would do for her family.    Whenever I don't feel quite sure about something, my mother is the one to help me decide. She's like my map, when I'm lost I can rely on her to get me back on track.

My mother is very old fashioned. Even when she growls at me I understand why. I would do anything to make my mother happy, she’s more than just a mother figure to me. She’s my best friend, one that I can trust.

500 Word Assignment

We were given a deadline to write a 500 word writing. We had a few options to pick from. I chose to write about my favourite day. I ended up having 527 words, and managed to finish it before the deadline hit. I hope you enjoy my writing as I did. 

Writing:

I have alot of memories, and some of them I would consider a favourite day of mine. But there is this one day out of all of them that I treasure the most. The day I went to Samoa.

The day started with beautiful weather. The sun was as hot  a oven, I felt like I was a fried chicken. It was Sunday, so we had to go Church. I was so excited. I was excited as chicken having an egg. I couldn’t wait. After church we rushed to the airport, it was like a police chase. When we got there we waited for our family to arrive.

My family and I were going with my Grandmother. I knew that it was going to be hard saying goodbye to my family. I was balling my eyes out, the emotion hit me. It felt like we were going forever. It seemed like that as well. Going onto the plane and flying to another country was different to me. I had never left the country, so it that was exciting as well.

As the plane took off I felt my butterflies going up in my stomach. The longer the flight took, the longer I wanted to be in Samoa. When we landed the air conditioner turned on. I didn’t know why but I was about to find out. As we walked down the stairs, I could just feel how thick the air was. I could hardly breath. What made it worse was that there was no conditioner in the Airport.

The night greeted us as we drove into  town. I could hardly see anything, in Samoa there is no lights to show you the way like in New Zealand.  Everything was different in Samoa. As we pulled up into the driveway of our house, I could hear dogs barking I was very scared. It took awhile a get out of the car but eventually I survived.

Throughout the 2 weeks we got the chance to visit alot of own sights. It was heartbreaking seeing the poverty in Samoa. We also got the chance to go to a waterfall. It was very beautiful and scarring. It was very deep so we had to be very careful. Every morning we had to wait for my uncle to pick us up. And for the rest of the day we would spend time with them.

The reason why we went to Samoa was because we had a family reunion. I didn't know anyone in my family, so it was hard to figure who they were. But I was determined to find out who they were. On the second week we  had Christmas with our family. It was like a normal Sunday Lunch but we had Ice- Cream afterwards.

On the last day we had a water fight with my cousins. It was very fun and exciting. We had to give some of our clothes to them. I spent my last day with the dogs. I was crying my eyes out, I couldn't believe it.

As we walked into the airport tears prickled my face, but I was thankful for going on the trip.

My Letter to Mrs Tui

Dear Mrs Tui

The holidays were fine,  and plain. But there was one thing that actually put a smile on my face.  For the last week of the holidays, I went to my aunt's house. For the first time I actually enjoyed my holidays. I felt very excited and speechless when I found out that we were going to the movies. I was shaking when the movie started. For the first time I wasn’t annoyed or distracted by my Mum or Dad, or had to take my sister to the toilet. That smile turned into a frown once I heard the word school.

I will write to you soon

Your student, Sonya xx

My Thoughts on Hokulea Visit

In this picture it shows the performers doing the Haka. The occurred when the people came ashore. Before the ceremony started the crowed was very noisy. But as the people came ashore the noise faded away. Loud and powerful voices broke into the silence. The performers swayed there hips while we sang as loud as we could.

During this  time I felt excited, and happy. I couldn’t wait to hear there stories. As the day went on our guests spoke about their adventures and stories. It was quite interesting listening to what they had to say. At the end of the day I felt proud and honoured to have met these people.

The Arrival of the Hokulea Boat

Highlighting:

Yellow - Simple   Red - Compound  Purple - Complex

Today we were lucky enough to meet the Navigators of Hokulea.

As we walked on the field, I could see the boats. The boats looked like beautiful clouds floating on air. I was as hot as an oven, I couldn’t even control my breathing. As we walked down onto our quarters, Before us was a beautiful scene. It was so beautiful and breathtaking. I couldn’t stop staring at the scene.

I could hear the sounds of a horn, as the people walked ashore.  As they walked on land, The people started to sing. It sounded like a beautiful melody. All the schools in the Manaiakalani  Cluster attended this matter.

Throughout the ceremony there was alot of singing & speech’s.

It was a very emotion and beautiful Ceremony.

As  we walked back to the bus, I looked back on the day. I enjoyed hearing the speeches, and singing along with one thousand other students. I think that I was very lucky to be part of that event.

Reading Activities : Week 5

Evidence:

The purpose of the author, was to retell or talk about

the events from the past. From this story, it’s about how a accident took place and the boy rescued the driver.

Vocabulary:

• Whooping
• Yelling
• Enormous
• Vanish
• Thrashed
• Slinging
• Dragging
• Bursting
• Stronger
• Hurt

Recount  Writing:

When: Then, Last Summer, something happened

Who: My cousin Jake

What: We watched the truck plement 20 metres into the river below
Where: The bridge was so old

How: Something was splitting and suddenly crack

Why: The bridge broke because it was old, and rusty.

Sentence Structure:

Simple - Jake did wrestling

Compound -He would try out new holds on my, even though he knew I didn’t like it

Complex -  Instead I grabbed the driver’s other arm, and together, we pulled him out into the river and thrashed towards the surface.

Simile and Metaphor:

Simile - No Similes

Metaphor - Slinging his beefy arms across my shoulders

Plan and Write a Recount:

Plan :

https://docs.google.com/a/saintpiusx.school.nz/drawings/d/1Cr3OmlSLd_LvfEIqBns6POUa8sFuWsCumvlbuo6P0AI/edit

Writing: https://docs.google.com/a/saintpiusx.school.nz/document/d/12pglHjO1WZSKSSSX5XE26fKo8pcbWGzIXppY2qmqM6Q/edit

5 Questions:

1. If people knew that the bridge was very old, and unstable. Why did they go across it??
2. Why didn’t the tractor go a little faster??
3. If the driver knew that the bridge was about to break, why did he stay in the car
4. Why didn’t the bridge break with the other trucks and tractors?
5. Why didn’t the driver think about taking small amounts of hay across the bridge

10 Words:

• Floundered
• Caved
• Glittering
• Creaking
• Whooping
• Hauled
• Thrashed
• Groaning
• Vanish
• Bursting

My Holiday Recount

My Holiday  was a very emotional and sad holiday.  I spent alot of my holiday at my Aunties house. I couldn't bear the holiday’s. It was filled with alot of tears. We had to go to a funeral because my uncle died. It was a few days after school ended, My Uncle died.

For his funeral we had to wear this red t-shirt and flower, because red was his favourite colour. At the burial I had the honours of carrying a bunch of flowers, that were to go down with the body. Before the funeral, The body was at my aunt's house. We all had to say our goodbye’s and close the coffin.

That’s how I spent my holiday. I hope for the next holidays to be better.

The Roots : Message In A Bottle

The Roots: Message in a Bottle ❤

Saint Pius X School was chosen to be part of a

project. Every class had to create a piece of art. As a class we had to figure out how to put our art into the bottle. It was quite a challenge. Room 7 had to create a spiral, on that spiral we had to state our hopes and desires for Christmas.

It was fun working in teams , and

participating in particular areas. Our art work is going to be displayed at the Water Front, in town.

With the help of Alice, Petelo and Aunty Tina we completed our design/project. I am proud of what we produced.

Home Is Special To Me !!!

My Ideas:

* Home is special to me because it is where I was raised

* Home is special to me because it’s where my Family & I live

* Home is special to me because it’s where family gatherings and celebrations are held

* Home is special to me because it’s where history in my family is been made

Homes are places where children are raised. Homes are where we are taught the importance of life. For me home is my tree. It holds all of my memories and treasures. I wouldn't imagine living without a home!

First of all my home is special to me, because it’s where my family has gatherings and celebrations. There are a lot of cheerful and bad memories at home. All of my sisters have been raised in my home. That’s why it’s special to me. There were a lot of celebrations held in my home. A lot of birthdays and baptism parties. Home is special to me because, it’s where my cousin was  raised as well.

Second of all home is special to me because it’s where I live. Without a home I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I would be on the street begging for money, thank God I have a home. Another reason why home is special to me because it’s where my memories are safe.

In addition to this, My  home is special because it’s where I learn.  I’ve learnt a lot of life lessons at home, without that I wouldn't be able to survive. I think that it’s very important to  have a home.

Therefore My home is special to me because it’s where I live!!!

My Speech : Nature

Statement:

Have you got a precious gift? I bet you treasure it and look after it. There is a precious gift that is given to you and me. We have a responsibility to look after it.

Introduction-

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  Have any of you been to Long Bay Beach.  Do you enjoy walking along the sandy surface.  Have you enjoyed watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset where you see the rays of the sun creeping through the clouds or reflecting on the water.  How about a beautiful flower in your garden at home.  How about watching a beautiful butterfly flapping away amongst the bushes.  Do you ever listen to the birds singing outside or the cricket’s .  ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL THINGS ARE CALLED A GIFT FROM NATURE.  what about them? Well listen up.

Body-

Whenever you go to a rugby game, do you watch them as they tackle and slide. Well if you think It’s kind of like they’re kissing the grass. Kissing Mother nature. In the Maori  tradition, the first parents were the gods Ranginui the sky father, and Papatūānuku the Earth Mother. We are all buried in Papatuanuku. We are fed by Ranginui.

If you think about,  when it rains it’s like Ranginui is crying. Crying on his beloved wife, Papatuanuku. Those tears are turn into food. As a society we should be looking after all these precious gifts.. Flowers, Food, Trees and our Shore Lines. We should be giving Mother Nature the same love and affection, she gives us.

Ending-

Have you ever touched the dirt, thinking that one day you’ll become dirt. Have you ever been to a funeral. Seeing the graves of dead people, thinking one day you’ll be in a grave as well.  Whenever I think of nature this comes to my head. I see trees of green, Red roses too. I see them bloom for me and for you. I see skies of blue  and clouds of white, The bright blessed day and dark sacred night.

Thank You!!!

Speech Judging Critria

SPEAKER : Sonya
TITLE:   Nature		MARK
INTRODUCTION • audience is hooked in with an interesting quotes or jokes or statistical information	8	/10
Presentation and Delivery • Facial and body gestures must enhance not distract from the speech • Use of eye-contact • Relaxed stance • Use of pause to allow the audience to assimilate the message • Variety of pace	9	/15
Content of Speech • The message of the speech is clear • Is it relevant, meaningful clear and concise? • Ideas are well elaborated and supported. Use of specific vocabulary Clear sequence and flow	13	/20
CONCLUSION Argument is summed up Has an overall impact Audience Reaction	4	/ 5
TOTAL REMARKS. 3 things I have done well: I spoke loud and clearly I paused, at times to allow the audience to think My speech was relevant and clear 3 things that I could do better: I could of kept eye contact more I wasn't  comfortable ; I wasn't relaxed My ideas weren't elaborated or supported