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. 

Farewell Mrs Verry

Here is a video of the Samoan Group who were taught by Mrs Tuala.

Farewell to our dear Mrs Verry from Team 4 Pes on Vimeo.

I have been at Pt England School ever since I was five. That mean's I have known Miss Verry ever since I started. Today the assembly was special. It was a farewell assembly for Mrs Verry. She has helped out with all sorts of things at our school. She has been at our school for a long long time and sadly, she will now be leaving. So bye Miss Verry and THANKS FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE! We hope you have a great retirement time and we will never forget you! 

Farewell Mrs Verry! And...

Savalivali means go for a walk

Tautalatala means too much talk

Alofa ia te oe means I love you

Take it easy, faifai lemu

Thanks to Nations Encyclopedia for the photo!

Duffy Books!!!

 Here are my Duffy books that I got from the great people at Buckland's Beach Lions Club. I chose 2 books which are called "Cherry Blossom Adventure" and "Stego-Snottysaurus". 

Cherry Blossom Adventure is written by the well known Thea Stilton. Geronimo Stilton's sister. It's about 5 girls named Nicky, Colette, Violet, Paulina and Pamela going to China on a cultural exchange program. While they are there a special item is stolen from their friends family. The question is, will they be able to find the thief?...

The other book I got is Stego-Snottysaurus and it is written by Kyle Mewburn and Donovan Bixley. It is about a boy named Arg. He try's to stop a dinosaur from having the flu. He has to find a solution or else!

THANKS BUCKLAND'S BEACH LIONS CLUB!

MindMap

Here is a mind map I created on Freemind.

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.

Stress Busters

Marathons Facts

Are there any New Zealand Marathons?
Yes.

How many people are allowed to compete in a marathon?
There is no limit.

Are there water stops in marathons?
Yes.

My Pretend Olympian

While we were with Miss King, we had to create a graphic of us pretending to be olympians. First we had to strike a pose in front of the camera. Next we drew on the pictures. This is my graphic.

Acrostic Poem about my Cousin

Too Cute!
Always Crying
He always smiles!
Ultimate trouble

Badminton

Every Thursday room 14 go to the hall to have P.E. We get to play Badminton with a pro. She teaches how to hit and serve the shuttle properly.

We had to learn how to keep the shuttle airborne first. "Oh no!" I thought. I didn't think I was going to be good at this. Doing this meant learning how to hit it properly. We practised how to serve and how to hit it with our partner, trying to keep and volley of hits. It was tricky to aim so our hits went all over the place. I served one more time with a rapid hit, luckily my partner hit it. “Yes!” I yelled! But then, she hit it sideways! I stretched out my arm and reached towards the shuttle but. "NO!!!" I yelled I missed. But then...

“What was that” I said with a shock. Lorene ( our coach) had blown her whistle. That meant it was time to do something different. She said it was time for a game! For this game we all needed a racket and then had to stand in a long queue. I call this game Hit, Run and Pass. The aim of the game was to be quick when it was your turn and hit the shuttle. Lorene would stand a few lines away from us and hit shuttles constantly, we had to hit, run to the end of the queue and then pass it to the last person without a racket. If you missed the shuttle then your racket got relinquished and then you had to keep the rhythm going. “Keep hitting it”, I said to myself.

The next game was sort of like Badminton Volley Ball. We had 2 nets so the girls got 1 net and the boys got 1 net. We stood in a line and whoever didn’t hit it when it was on their side of the court or went for it but didn’t get it, you were out and the next person went and took your spot. Finally it was my turn. I jumped into Raeleen’s spot and served the shuttle over the net and right in front of Mele. “She fiercely hit it back but then Chloe missed it just by a little bit! I served it again and guess what I missed the shuttle! I was out. Next in, me out. You just had to keep going and going until the time was up. I think me and Tyla probably stayed in the game the longest!

I had fun playing these games and practising new skills. It was really fun! I hope to go again!

Motat Trip

Term 3 Immersion Assembly

Today is the 1st day of Term 3 and on the 1st day of term we always have an Immersion Assembly. Do you know what an Immersion Assembly is? Well it is where the teachers normally dress-up and do a performance based on the Term topic. Our topic is “Keep Your Eye On The Ball”.

“Ireland!!!” yelled Mr Jacobson while I was walking in. He was dressed in a green cape, green wig, green shirt, green pants and he even painted his face. Also when I walked in I saw Litia and Rita carrying a box each with paper bags in them. I wondered what they were?

As soon as I sat down I saw fizzy drinks and chips. I wondered what they were for? Soon Mr Burt told us what was in the bags and why the fizzy and chips were there. In the bags were hot chips and a sausage. “mmm.... Yum!” I said to myself. But to get 1 of these things you had to have a ticket and the way you got the ticket was to sit up nicely. When you got a ticket you put your hand up and waited until 1 of the vendors came and handed you either a packet of chips, a drink or hot chips and sausage. Unfortunately I didn’t get a ticket. Anyway after that Mr Burt announced that it was time for Team 1 then Team 2 and then Team 3.

Team 3 performed a weet-bix eating competition. Mrs Barks was the host of the competition. She called out the 3 countries which were France, New Zealand and Canada. Next they had to find a partner from the audience and they would help them. Since the competitors weren't allowed to use their hands the helpers had to spoon the weet-bix into their mouths for them. Guess who won. New Zealand!

My favourite act was Team 3. I thought all the acts were good. I still wish I got 1 of the tickets and got something to eat during assembly.