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.

Taupo Bay

Have you ever woken up to a burning hot morning and said to yourself "Oh my gosh... Can we go for a swim!?" Well for the past few days that's exactly what I have been thinking. That's why, I was glad there was a beach not far from where we were, called Taupo Bay.

Just so you know, Taupo Bay is a magnificent beach not far from Totara North. It's sandy, like each one should be, it has a delightful breeze, some awesome waves and of course cooling water to calm everyone's burning hot bodies.

Arriving near the beach you could see the amazing view from the hill just before the beach. When we got down to the beach, Zane, TuAriki and I raced out with our boards and jumped in the water. As we got in, one wave bowled us over straight away.

Rushing out to the deeper end to catch the next wave, I saw Zane go under quite quickly. Luckily he came back up. Spending 3 hours at the beach that day wore us out and gave me sun stroke. But the next day we didn't go to the beach.

During the whole week we probably went to the beach 2 days and spent a good 6 hours swimming. After this we were burnt on our backs, shoulders, arms and face. Even though we got burnt it was such a great beach!

Medley Relays

Medley Swimming is a team event that has 4 people who swim 4 different strokes. They must swim these 4 strokes in the correct order which is: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.

To win this event athletes must swim 100m’s as fast as you can. Strict rules are adhered to, such as using the right stroke and turning correctly.

Swimmers wear swim suits or jons made of spandex so that there is less drag. Goggles are also helpful because they let you see if your going off track and when you need to turn at the end. They also use swimming caps. The caps are nice and smooth like a bullet point and it helps them stay in line. Obviously this is done in a swimming pool.

Skills and strengths are needed to compete and to have these skills and strengths you have to train. Swimmers are most likely to be in the pool around 5-6 days of the week for around 6 hours. Athletes would also have to keep a healthy diet.

I think that this would be a tiring  sport and I hope that the teams do well.

Our Trip to Youthtown

Finally!” I thought to myself as we approached Youthtown. Room 14 and 17 were going on a trip to create things out of clay and swim! I couldn’t wait!

Entering Youthtown, out of the corner of my eye, I spy the pool with steam rising from it. Unfortunately we would have to wait before we got to get in. Taken to the base room, a lady called Sue explained to us what we were doing.


Happily walking down the hallway, room 17 were going swimming. After getting changed we quickly hopped into the warm pool. A shiver ran down my spine. For a while we played tag but then no one knew who was in. I spent some of my time riding on Lisia's back. "If you want to get out and play on the pool table you can", shouted Miss Garden. Rushing out to the changing rooms, I hurried to the game room.


Unfortunately, when I got there, they were all taken. I decided to take photos instead. Soon it was time to make clay boxes.


Finding a table and putting on a apron, we had to draw our design that was going in the middle of our boxes. I decided to do a small pattern and a "K" for my name. 


Next I had to cut my clay. With a cardboard square, I traced around it and made a square piece of clay. Now it was time to finish the actual box. Using some of the left over clay and some slip, (It's like paste for clay) I stuck on strips for borders. Finally I put in my design. I cut out the shape and put them in, then took it to the next stage.


Taking it over to the packed table, I quickly found a spot and started filling. Staring at all the different colour of glass we could use. I tried to keep it simple. I used blue, yellow and green. I thought it looked pretty good. I had finally finished. 


"Time to go!" yelled Miss Garden. I sighed. It was a fun filled day and I really didn't want to leave. But... I was exhausted.

Swimming Lessons!

The smell of chlorine filled the classroom.  Grabbing my togs, I packed them away, ready to go swimming. I couldn’t wait!

Finally! Grasping my bag, I lined up ready to SWIM. Arriving at the pools, I immediately rushed to get changed.

Hopping in the pool, I felt a shiver run up my spine. First, like usual, we did two laps. Pushing off the wall, I felt myself glide through the water. Getting close to the end I felt someone nearly kick me in the face!

“As challenging as it is, I think I could probably do it”, I thought to myself. Our Instructor told us that we were going to try and swim 6 whole lengths non-stop! “Nevermind I can’t do it!”

Luckily, we got to choose how swam. Straight away I yelled out backstroke! Laying my back on the water, I pushed off and then started to kick. Coming close to the end I spied the flags above me. Quickly heading back to the other side, I saw everyone going past me. Reaching the flags, I felt someone coming close to me. Finally, I reached the end. “Oh” I groaned as the next room walked in. Time to get out.

Tired but happy, I walked back to class waiting for the next day. I couldn’t wait. “Hopefully I’ll be able to swim 6 lengths by Friday” I thought to myself.

Camp Recount

Can you guess how many kids we had come to our school camp? There were 165 children from years 5 and 6 all squeezed into 56 tents on the Pt England school field.  I couldn’t wait!

I wrote a post about what I was looking forward to and what I was most worried about. The thing I was most looking forward to was the Top Teams challenge but guess what! My favourite thing was my worst thing. It was kayaking.

I didn’t like doing camp cooking. I wanted to do campfire like the boys but we weren't allowed to. When I wrote my other post I said the thing I was most worried about was the concert. It turned out alright thought.

One thing I found amusing was when I tipped the kayak. While I was kayaking in a single boat I collided into one of my friends. Suddenly TIP!!  Over went the kayak, the water was freezing, but I was so pleased that it was shallow. I quickly tipped it back over and jumped back in.

I had a goal for camp. It was to be a great team leader and have an amazing performance. I think I achieved the goal to have a great performance because we came 2nd.

I had an AMAZING camp. I felt great but sad at the same time when we had to leave because I didn’t want to go. It was fun though! I can’t wait until next year.

Vision Board Goal

For the last few weeks we have been creating a vision board with Ms Muliaumasealii. We created a picture in Tux Paint then we had to post it on our blog.  


This year some of my goals for myself are: I want to get better at swimming and my maths. I also want to get better at filming and editing movies and I really want to do more reading. 


These are only some of my goals, but there are a lot more. 

All About Me

My name is Kaycee. I am 8 years old and I go to Pt England School. I come from the Awesome country Aotearoa, New Zealand. I live with my mum and 2 brothers. I also have another brother but he lives with his partner and son. My favourite sports are Netball and swimming. My favourite colour is blue. My friends names are Jonita, Tyla, Jorja, Ashlee and Porscha. My favourite singers are Katy Perry and Alexis Jordan. One of my hobbies is to sing and dance! Now you know all about me.

Swim Time!

“Line up!” yelled Mrs Squires. It was time to go to swimming. As we walked to the pools we passed the Kindergarten, Basketball Hoop, the shops and the dirty river. Finally arriving at the Pools we quickly got changed and then carefully walked to the showers ( so we didn't fall over).

“ First in the pool is group A” said Mrs Squires. Me and Jorja walked over to the pool and grabbed a flutter board and then sat down, on the side of the pool.

As I jumped in the pool, the water was deliciously warm. Gliding under the water, I felt like a mermaid. Rising to the surface I started doing coordinated movements. My perseverance and determination started to drain out when I got near the end.

With steady strokes I scooped a lump of water that went flying into the air. While getting back into breathing position, I accidentally gulped a mouthful of water. Reaching the end, I felt exhausted and drained of energy that I just felt like clumping on to the chair. I thought I did well. I had fun though !

“Room 16!” yelled Mr Somerville. His class was going. Room 14 had to wait until Mrs Squires was going. We walked quickly back and ate our lunch. I was exhausted!

Do You Know How To Swim?

In order to survive around water, you need to know how to swim. It is important to be able to do coordinated movements, like steady strokes and powerful kicks. A key tip for steady strokes is to keep your arms straight and fingers together. It will help you scoop better. Also to be a successful swimmer you need to be able to know how to do your breathing position, for freestyle you would probably roll.

It is also essential to know how to float. Something to remember is to keep your stomach up. In backstroke you would have to float, so that is why this tip is handy.

Swimarama Races

Hooray camp has started! For the first day of camp we went to Swimarama. People from different teams had got picked to race and i was picked.Finally the races were starting.The 9 year old girls were the first.Since there were only five 8 year olds we were in the finals.While I swam in backstroke I could see Mrs.King making movies of us.I came first in freestyle out of the three 8 year old girls and when it was time to do backstroke I came 3rd out of the all the 8 year olds.I was puffed after our races!. As soon as the races were finished it was time for play swimming.