THANK YOU!

Last week Point England School was visited by a group of people from The Variety Club, MOTAT and Johnson and Johnson. They surprised the school with sacks full of presents wrapped up for each kid. Every one of us received a gift and for that we would like to thank them. Of course the presents were perfect as they were buying things for people they didn't even know. But I really appreciate how they took the time to buy us presents for Christmas.

We would like to say a humongous thank you for the presents. Once again I would like to thank The Variety Club, MOTAT and Johnson and Johnson for the great presents. I’m sure everyone will cherish and treasure their gifts given. This surprise definitely made someone’s day. My present was a memo board. THANK YOU!

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was one of the greatest men ever known for being the first black president and also for his ways in changing and making the world a better place. He protested against racism and put an end to apartheid. These are some things that he will definitely be remembered for.

Nelson Mandela was born on July the 18th, 1918 in Mveso, Transkei, South Africa. But he was actually named Rolihlahla Mandela then was called Nelson from his primary school teacher. The primary school he attended was near Qunu. When he was 16, Nelson went to Clarkebury Boarding Institute in Engcobo. He then enrolled at the University College of Fort Hare in Alice but was then expelled a year later for being involved in a student strike.

A few years later in 1942, Nelson joined the African National Congress (ANC) and started to attend their meetings. He played the role of South Africa’s main campaigner for equality but was also involved in the ANC Youth League (ANCYL). A while later, in 1960 the ANC was banned.

Nelson joined 155 others in an arrest and was put on trial for treason in the year 1956. Then in 1962 he was arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison for leaving the country without a passport. One of the reasons he left was for military training. The first time he appeared in court was with other members of the ANC for being accused of trying to stop the apartheid. He pleaded not guilty but was sentenced to life in jail. All except 2 spent only 18 years instead of lifetime in jail. Nelson was sent to Robben Island for his sentence.

After 27 years of being in prison Nelson Mandela was released in 1990. A few hours after his release, he promised that he would end the apartheid. 

On the May 9th, 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected as the first president of a democratic South Africa.

That same year the ANC was unbanned and he was elected as the Deputy President.

In his later years of his life, he was mainly discharged and admitted time after time into hospital. He spent his 95th birthday in hospital with his family then died on the 5th of December 2013.

Nelson Mandela made a huge difference in the world and that his message definitely reached everyone. He will be remembered by everyone.

Netbook Reflection 2013

Having a netbook has been a great help in my learning, not only at school but also outside of school. When browsing the internet with my netbook, I get to learn new things, entertain myself and improve my work.

Being the year 7 I am now means that I have had my netbook for around 3 years and in those years I have learnt a lot. Especially from my past few teachers. Recently my current teacher (Miss King) introduced us to a website called Scratch, where we can create and share mini games.

Another great thing is that with the help of my netbook and internet, I am able to teach myself new things. Such as learning new dances, how to play instruments and more way’s to create movies and animations.

Thinking, Managing myself, Participating, Visual Images and text and Working with others are all part of the key competencies and by using this tool I have grown in them. Especially in working with others as we can easily share and edit documents, presentations and spreadsheets. Managing self is also easier as we can view the class site to keep on task.

I Wonder.....

I wonder....When was school invented? Our task was to create a movie answering a question that people may ask when doing everyday activities. Gloria and I created a movie that answered the question...When was school invented?


Extension I Wonder School from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Maths Activity: Biscuits and Fudge

Here is another Maths Activity from our Challenge! Hope you understand.
Kaycee And Tyla Pieces Of Fudge from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Future Aspirations

On Thursday, the intermediate group got the opportunity to meet and hear from some inspirational people that had turned their dreams into reality. We gathered into the hall for a Future Aspiration Speech with our guests, Mosa, Emma, Aysha, Tristan and Caine.

Twelve years old and heading off to university next year is the young Tristan Pang. His passion is science and maths. He believes that being nosy is good and that “Quest if Fun!”

Mosa was an amazing speaker and his words were inspiring. He was really funny and just like the other speakers he told us about his dream and how he got there. He said we were pretty lucky to have the technology we have. His dream was to become a politic so he can change the lives for Maori and Polynesian families. “Chase your dream and catch it” was his motto.

Since I love travelling, I aspire to be a travelling journalist when i’m older. Hearing from these people was amazing, I think it will help me to pursue my dream.

Maths Activity: How Much Profit?

Here is another Maths Activity. This presentation shows you the equation and how we solved it. We hope you understand our strategy!

What I think Halloween is about!

On Wednesday I listed some things that I have noticed around Halloween time. 

People give out treats.

Dress Up

Jack O lanterns

“Scary” Costumes and Decorations

Masks

Evil Characters

“Trick Or Treat”

Pranks

Toffee Apples

Going around asking for lollies

Horror Theme

Junk Food

Lollies

Haunted Theme

Crazy Costumes and Decorations

Parties

And here is quick paragraph about what I think Halloween is about.

Halloween to me is a time where everyone dresses up to go ‘Trick Or Treating’ Most people tend to dress up in crazy costumes and pretend to act like dead and evil characters. It seems that people are celebrating the death of people.

Halloween

Halloween is one of the world’s oldest holiday that is celebrated on November the first. People used to celebrate this event, and some still, by dressing up in costumes and lighting a bonfire. This was supposed to ward off the spirits.

Now, most people celebrate this event by dressing up as ‘scary’ characters. They also go knocking on doors, asking for lollies by saying “Trick or Treat!”

Halloween was not the original name for this event. It originated as All Saints Day but as years passed, the name, All Saints Day turned to All Hallows Eve. Nowadays we call it Halloween.

People believed that the night before Halloween, October the 31st, Samhain would summon spirits, witches and wicked souls. Since these people were afraid of the spirits they chose to sacrifice to their gods, hoping that this would protect them. On that day, they believed that they were surrounded by witches, spirits, souls, ghosts and much more that came to hurt them.

John Farrell

John Farrell is not only an award-winning performing artist, but also a songwriter, author and peace educator. He has performed in the US, Canada, Ireland and Japan. He also likes to take time out to cycle, read and write. Also, he believes that people should spend more time talking, singing and reading with each other instead of having the TV in front of them the whole time. 

Along with his wife, Ann Marie, who is a Kindergarten teacher, he lives in Hillsdale, New York. They have five kids named Katien, Jack, Maggie, and twins Colleen and Patrick. 

Here are three of the books he has published as being an author. The first one is called, Dear Child, the second, Stargazers Alphabet and the last one is called, It's Just a Game.

I cannot wait until Thursday when we, the extension group, get to meet him up close!

Courtesy of http://www.storylines.org.nz

Little Red 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 Gloria and Kaycee

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 side entrance. “Oh” Travis released. “Hehe” he chuckled, embarrassed.

THE END!

By Kaycee and Gloria

A Short Narrative

It was a cold, dark and 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 I hear a crackling sound behind me.

Scared to find out what it was I flicked on my torch and slowly turned around. Finding that there were two small eyes staring right at me, I tried to stay as still as a stick. “It could be anything” I thought to myself.

The creature stood and stared for at least five minutes before it decided to walk closer to me. Making my nerves shiver up my spine, I slowly stepped back towards the hut.

“Just stay calm” I repeated to myself “Just stay calm”. The small creature was still walking towards me before it suddenly stopped and screeched at the sound of a branch snapping. “It was only me” I whispered.

Taking no more chances to with this small creature, I decided to shine the light to find out what it was. Slowly pointing the torch towards the small eyes I gasped to find that it was just a lost and scared baby bear.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Remake

This is a remake of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together created by Gloria, Tyla-Marie and I. Playing the role of Taylor Swift is one of my friends Tyla and playing the ex-boyfriend is Logan. Also, some of our other friends helped us with other bits. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

FiaFia!!!

FiaFia was about celebrating the 60th birthday of our school and to help celebrate, each kid from our school performed in a cultural and entertaining group such as the Samoan group, Tongan, Hawaiian, Hip Hop, Unicycling and much much more. Many parents and teachers also set up stalls to sell food and sweets.

Hearing the bell ring, I look towards the door to find kids flooding through. Squeezing past them, my friend and I run to the library ready to get changed. Arriving at the library, Jorja, Tyla and I get changed into our uniforms and line up for our moko. After that we went to get our feathers and had a few practices. Now we wait for our cue. Being the first ones on it was a bit nerve racking.

Walking up the stairs, I take my place on the stage and start to wiri. While I was waiting for the whaea's call, I smiled and looked out to the humongous audience. "Hope....Takahia!" There was the call. I started our performance and started singing. We did a few songs including both a girls and boys haka, a song that would start off the juniors, and another well known song called Kei he te Tuna. Then we finished with a "Tahi, Rua, Toru, Wha, PUKANA!

Rushing back to the library we got changed and sat down at the back of the other performers. This was truly a very entertaining event.

100 Word Story

Driving along the muddy road with my brother wasn't the most pleasant trip but it was better than going through the forest, with who knows what living there. “Slow down!!!” I scream at Zane. “You’re going to make us get stuck in a dip!” But no, he wouldn't listen. Racing through the mud, a mix of bugs and dirt splashed up onto the windscreen. Suddenly, Zane screeches to a stop and stares at the animal going past. Once it passes he stomps on the pedal and finds that we haven’t moved. I get out and see that we are stuck.

Einstein Poem

Our task was read a very short essay and then make something creative explaining what Einstein had quoted in his essay. Here is our poem.

How weird are us humans
For we don’t know the reason of life
Although I think I have a hunch
We might just be a bunch
of people here to please each other
Making us feel happy just like daughter and mother
For life is not long
We shall live it not right nor wrong
The things you do, affect me inside
Not to mention also the outside
Although they are unknown
Destiny binds us together for we have grown
by the ties of sympathy
The ideals that have lighted my way
“And time after time given me new courage” I say
To face life cheerfully and focus on the good things
Like Kindness, beauty and truth
Which can value more than a million rings.

BY TYLA-MARIE, KAYCEE AND GLORIA

Here is the Essay:

How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he sometimes thinks he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people -- first of all for those upon whose smiles and well-being our own happiness is wholly dependent, and then for the many, unknown to us, to whose destinies we are bound by the ties of sympathy. A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving...
The ideals that have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth.

Mind Your Manners

mind ur manners from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Here is a short movie created by Tyla-Marie, Hosannah, Gloria and myself. I really like it so I hope you do too!

Dilemmas and Consequences

To Pull Or Not To Pull? from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Here is a short interview about Pulling a rope or Not pulling the rope.

Holiday Experiences

Throughout the holidays I have enjoyed many activities and places such as... Rocket Ropes, Parakai Springs, Horse Riding, The Zoo and more! Every week for 3 weeks I got to go to 3 places.

For the first week we got to have fun at Parakai Hot Springs. I also went to Motat and got a bit freaked out at Rocket Ropes!

In the second week we watched animals at the zoo, then saw some fish and stingrays at Kelly Tarltons and finally had a swim at Mt Albert Wave Pools. The slide wasn't really packed which was good!

The third week we went to the Drury Horse Trek. It was great fun and I got to ride a horse called Buster. A day later we went to watch Rise Of The Guardians. It was quite good. On the last day we just went to Glen Innes Pools.

Overall I had a great holiday and I really love all the activities I got to do. I can't wait until the next holidays.