Mini Tattoo Project

For our task we were to create two tattoo designs. The first one being a cultural one and the second being one that represented yourself. The presentation above includes the tattoos and an explanation for each I created. 

Year 8 Camp!

A few weeks ago, the year 8’s were lucky enough to go and camp at the Marsden Bay Christian Camp in Ruakaka. It was so much fun, I wish it had lasted longer! Over the four days we spent there, I got to enjoy relaxing, many activities and more.

Day 1 wasn’t that bad but it surely wasn’t my favourite. After taking a 2 hour bus drive, we stopped at Langs Bay and started our hike towards Waipu Cove. Ms Squires had planned what was supposed to be an easy walk, but due to the weather it wasn’t so. The track was not only slippery but very narrow which made it harder for everyone to avoid plummeting to their deaths. But luckily, everyone made it to the end.

For me, my favourite day was day 3. We did many different activities such as a fire pit cooking challenge, archery, a confidence course, frisbee golf and kayaking! Then to finish the night off, we all gathered around a campfire and sang songs.

But overall, my highlight from camp was probably spending time together as a whole year 8 group (instead of just our team groups). Also, getting to know other people that I don’t usually hang out with.

Tangle Explanation

A celtic knot is a piece of art that has been interwoven to create the illusion that it has no beginning or end. Having that class 1 and class 5 have combined (Panuba), this particular style of art is great as a collaborative project, as everyone can contribute with their own design.

It’s a great idea to do some planning and researching before you start draft-sketching. Look at different designs, patterns, colours and symbols you could include in your piece. But remember to include something that represents you.

Choosing only a few colours that contrast each other would be better than using a lot. Bright and bold colours will also make your artwork stand out more.

Placing all the pieces in the right place of the tangle can be quite confusing, so it's a good idea to label them. This way, it'll be easier to assemble the celtic knot.

My Avatar

Self Management has been something we've focused on this year and in my class we have a Self Management Level Board. This board has three levels. Level 1; I need help to manage myself. Level 2; I am able to manage myself but I sometimes go off task. Level 3; I can manage myself well, inside and outside of the classroom. 

Above, is my avatar that I have created. I think that I can place myself at Level 3 as I can manage myself well away from the teacher and keep on task.

Day 1 Term 4

The first day of the last term had started and no one was expecting what we had just been informed about. Class 1 and Class 5 were being merged together. Now it was one large class with three teachers.

It was quite surprising to hear that our class would be changing again, and, in a different way. Along with my friends, we've been moved around the school in to other classes ever since last year. But to be merged, didn't bother me very much and it actually ended up being quite a good day.

Unique Games - Dandy Shandy

As part of our inquiry task, we are to find and research a unique and uncommon game that has originated from one of the countries participating in the Commonwealth Games. Tyla, my partner, and I have chosen a game called Dandy Shandy. We have struggled to find any real historic background, so therefore we assumed that it originated from Jamaica, having everything we came upon related back to it.

My Mascot

During class, we were given the task to research and create our own mascot. We learnt about the past mascots, such as Shera the tiger from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth. Then we had to draw our own mascot and write a background story. A mascot is something that is supposed to bring good luck to an event or organization. They can also be a representative for brands and other things. 

I have chosen to draw and make my mascot a sheep because of how common they are in New Zealand. His name is Waipounamu, meaning south. I have decided to name him this due to the popularity of sheep in the South Island of New Zealand. He has a silver fern going across his fluffy coat. 

Life Education Caravan - Marijuana

Being the age we are, our (Team 5's) visits to the Life Education Caravan were mainly focused on drugs and alcohol. We learnt about the effects it can have on people and listened to a few people who shared their own experience with drugs and alcohol. Many things were talked about and one of them was, Marijuana. I have decided to write a quick paragraph, highlighting some of the main things we learnt about it. 

Usually seen as a gateway drug, Marijuana can be easy to access, cheap and it can lead you into the web of addiction. ‘Once you start, its hard to stop.’ This drug is quite common and is referred to in a variety of ways, such as, weed, pot, herbs, tinnies, etc. The effect it can have on you, not only changes the way you think but also the way you look. It damages the brain and stops you from reaching your full potential.

Astria Countdown To Impact #2

Gloria and I, tried to play the game, Astria, everyday but it we found it quite difficult, especially when we were close to finishing. It would start glitching and freezing but soon, we found out it wasn't just ours. Soon we were told that every else was having the same problem and that there was a bug in the game.

Luckily, we recieved a new link and were able to finish the game. But we did do a few things on Wednesday and Thursday when we played. We figured out that we have finished all the areas, except for the part that involved the council. So we presented our chosen solution, which was Solar Sail, to the council and waited for their approval. There were a few reasons as to why we chose it such as how, this idea resulted in less deaths and the information that was given about this idea seemed more credible. 

Not long after explaining why we chose this option, out of the four, we continued on our journey to saving the planet. It ended up being quite an effective choice and we saved the planet and killed no one while doing so. 

Overall, the game didn't end up being very hard but it was pretty enjoyable. I do think if it had more activites and tasks, it would've been better. But the game was quite good.

Astria Countdown To Impact #1

The Extension group have been given the opportunity to trial a new game, which is designed to help improve literacy skills. It was designed and created by a group based at the Auckland University.

Gloria and I paired up and started the game. We acted as the Alpha Leader in the future, whose duty was to prevent an astroid from destroying many lives and their planet, Astria. There are different area's to the base that you can explore to try and find clues and information. 

The most difficult thing for me was finding the right people to talk to for the right information. Also, another thing I found hard was rating whether or not some of the pieces of information were very credible.

Today, I think Gloria and I did quite well for our first time. We achieved a lot more than we thought we would, especially in the time we were given.

Sarah Cowley

During the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth games, I will be following the kiwi athlete, Sarah Cowley. She was born in Rotorua on the 3rd of February 1984. In the games, she will be competing in the High Jump event. 

For Sarah, this will be her second time competing in the commonwealth games. In 2006 at the Melbourne games, she placed tenth in the heptathlon event. She has also competed at the 2012 London Olympics and placed 26th in the heptathlon event. 

Smart Footprint

Class 1 - Smart Foot-Print from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.
Here is a M.T.V we, Lisia, Jorja, Gloria, Tyla and I have created to the song, We Cant Stop by Miley Cyrus. The lyrics have been re-written to match our theme about having a smart footprint. Hope you enjoy!

20 Thinkers Keys : BAR Keys

For the last few weeks we have been looking at what the 20 Thinkers Keys. Each week we have been focusing on one of the 20 and have learnt more about it. Today we looked at the B.A.R Key. B.A.R stands for B : Bigger , A : Add , R : Replace. As an activity, we were given five minutes to draw a simple house. Here is the house, below, I drew.

Five minutes passed and now came the second part of the task. We rotated around the room, skipping a few computers, then made a change on the other persons house. With the first computer we stopped at, we had to make something Bigger, following the B.A.R. Key steps. We then rotated again but on the next computer we had to add something. Lastly we replaced something on the final house we stopped at. Here are the changes people have added to my house. (Below)

Sound Presentation

Here is yet another presentation. But this is all about sound.

The Scientific Method

Here is a presentation I have created showing the steps of the scientific method.

4 Things You Need To Remember About A Smart Footprint

Here's a few tips on how to have a Smart Footprint.

1. Be careful with what you search online.
2. You never know when someone's watching.
3. Be original! Do your own stuff.
4. If it's not kind, keep it in your mind!

Writing Sample

This is my writing sample for Term 2, 2014.

The sun shone brightly as Kisha rushes down the path, dragging her older sister, Kara, behind her. “HURRY UP!!!!” she yells as she runs towards the beach, leaving Kara behind.

“Aaaah!”. Kara jumped, surprised. She peered around, looking for her sister, but she was no longer in view. Kara ran to the edge of the beach and sighed camly, starting to giggle. Kisha had tripped and rolled down the sand dunes.

Laughing, Kara jumped down and helped her up. “I tripped over that stupid thing!” she said, pointing at a glassy object peeking out of the sand. It’s an hourglass. Kisha picked it up and flung it against a rock, annoyed.

The glass shattered and the sand slid down the sides of the rock. Suddenly the sand beneath them started to disappear and create a tunnel of a sort. Kara and Kisha sank into the deep hole quickly. “WHAT'S HAPPENING!?” they yelled as the slid down the everlasting seeming tunnel.

Finally, they hit a solid rock floor. The only light source was a flaming torch.

Swimming

To be safe in the water you don’t have to be the best at swimming, you just have to be able to keep yourself safe. Which means being able to float and swim away from any dangers if needed.

The easiest thing to do is the doggy-paddle, but this can use a lot of your energy. Backstroke and freestyle are another two style’s of strokes that are quite easy if you think about it. They’re basically floating, but adding the movement of your arms and feet. If you are in some sort of danger, it would probably easier to flip onto your back and swim away.

When moving your arms in backstroke, it’s like painting a big line across the ceiling or sky. And all you do with your feet is kick tiny kicks just under the surface of the water. So it doesn't create a huge splash.

Another thing to do is when you bring your arm under water, create the shape of a ‘S’ by swivelling your hand.

And finally, when swimming we have to keep in mind to have your eyes up. Try not to look around at our surroundings, it prevents you from sinking.

#BringBackOurGirls

This is my opinion on the Bring Back Our Girls tragedy.

#BringBackOurGirls has attracted a lot of attention from many people around the world. This popular hashtag has only really been making more and more people aware of the kidnapping. What is this hashtag actually supposed to do though?

Well, right now it’s doing nothing but showing they care. The whole point of #BringBackOurGirls is to bring them back. But it’s in no way helping the people in Nigeria find the kidnappers, Boko Haram, and the 300 girls with them.

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

Term 1 Reflection

 This movie is all about term 1 and what we learnt. Hope you enjoy.   
Kaycee - Term 1 Reflection from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.