End Of Year :(

It's nearly the end of year and I have put together a video of many photos from both this year and last year. This video is mostly dedicated to all the Year 8s who will be leaving for college. I am going to miss my class so much! Seven long years. I have laughed, cried, and nearly been through everything with them! I can't believe that everything is nearly coming to a end. :(  I am going to make the most of it, because this might be the last and only time I will ever see them again.

Help Revive Our Culture

The other day we made a short video with the pois that we made at Kapa Haka practice. We used the song "Poi E". The video and project are all based on how us Maori Iwi need to revive our culture. As we all know, less and less people are unable to speak Maori. And many people are doing as much as they can to help revive and save our culture once and for all.

Whakaorangia to tatou reo me te tikanga !

We Did It!

I am extremely proud of my team! We have successfully finished our movie. It had been screened at the Sylvia Park Cinema with all the 12 Manaiakalani Schools watching the movies as an audience. It took a lot of time and practice. But we all manged to push through and get it done. I am proud of my team so very much, that I walked out of the cinema with a big smile on my face! Personally I think our one was the best.

Well Done Team12 we did it!

Tests.

This Term is all about tests! Ohno what more could I worry about? Tests are really something that can make you nervous. Lucky for my class, our teacher has prepared us for all the tests that will be happening. So really I have nothing to worry about at all. We have already sat our writing test, which for me went well. Next to come is Maths! Something I'm not good at. But I know enough, let's just hope my enough will help me pass!

The Beautiful Botanic Gardens 🌹

Today my whole school was lucky enough to spend a few hours at the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Lucky for us it was a nice sunny day & every flower,garden & plant seemed to be growing bright in the spring season. With our topic being about 'plants' I definitely learnt heaps! 

Overall I had so much fun at the Botanic Gardens & I definitely hope to go again.

Skipping Display .

Yesterday we had our skipping display. Excited but nervous at the same time. I knew that our skipping display was the best, especially our music 'Romeo' it suited with what we were doing. To be honest everything went well. It was a surprise because we didn't have much time to practice! Good job Room12.

Cross Country

Yesterday was cross country and I'm proud of my friends! It was very tiring but we all manged to get through the race without any problems. I didn't come 1st, 2nd or 3rd. But it's ok, because cross country is something that I'm not good at. The good thing was that I didn't give up, and I'm happy that I got it over done with! Pheww! (Anavea, Maranatha, Tyla, Sophie and Pallas) 

Hi Tamaki Primary , Bye Ruapotaka !

Last week, for about four days we had been going to Tamaki Primary to learn. Our school was recently shut down for a few days because of a fibre called Asbestos. It needed to be cleaned, and we had to be gone for our own safety. It was really strange learning in a different environment in a different classroom. Everything was so "disorganized" as my teacher was saying, we were living day by day.

Something I enjoyed about Tamaki Primary was seeing all my friends. Too bad we weren't allowed to have any contact with them.

Overall my experience at Tamaki Primary was great! I had fun and I'm sure my classmates did too. It is also good to be back at Ruapotaka, in our normal learning programme! Thanks Tamaki Primary for having us!

Chess !

The other day I learnt to play chess properly. I actually had no idea what to do? I didn't know where the chess pieces went and how they moved. I don't really like chess, it was too complicated and confusing but I still enjoyed playing it. My partner was Sophie, she already knew how to play, and I didn't. Sophie kept beating me! She was really good at playing chess. Let's just wait until next week ? I might just beat her.

Basketball Training .

On Wednesday we had basketball training. We learnt drills, did warm up games and learnt the rules in basketball . I personally don't like basketball, but for some reason I actually had fun in playing a sport that I don't have much interest in. I can't wait for next Wednesday's basketball training.

Kahurangi - People Of The Pacific .

Kahurangi - People Of The Pacific is a group who every once a year comes and performs at our school. The Kahurangi people are really entertaining and cool. Their  purpose is to express each island and the special dances they have. Samoa, Tahiti, Cook Island, New Zealand and Hawaii were the five visited islands. With a unique dance from that island, the Kahurangi group represents the islands and its dances and culture.

A Good Game !

A few days ago it was the last day of the Olympic Games. Our athletes will be returning home , here in New Zealand. Personally I think that we did extremely well in this year's Olympics in Rio. Lots of athletes won medals and I'm sure that they are proud of themselves . We have won 18 medals in total , which is the most medals New Zealand has won! This is definitely a good achievement. I am extremely proud of all the New Zealand athletes. I am looking forward to the next Olympic Games , but until now we will settle down with this great achievement .

The Olympics Have Started

Just a few days ago the Olympic Games  finally started! Athletes and competitors from around the world have been training and waiting for a long time for this significant event that only happens every four years. I'm actually really excited and I hope New Zealand will win lots of medals this year!  And I know we will because we took a good team to Rio De Janiero, Brazil. All the best to New Zealand!

Back At It With The Snag Gold?

Today we played Snag Golf in the multipurpose room! It was a bit different from the last time we played? But it was extremely fun. We also had a new coach because our other one wasn't feeling good. I guess the new coach was alright?

First Day Of Snag Golf!

Today was the very first day of Snag Golf. I was excited because I  saw the Juniors playing it, and it definitely looked fun! At Snag Golf we learnt how to simply get the ball to our red sticky mat that was given to us. We started off with a simple roll but then we used the golf clubs! Overall Snag Golf was extremely fun and I can't wait until we get to play again..

Manaiakalani HERE WE COME!?

Just a few weeks ago my teacher told us that we'll be making a short film for the Manaiakalani Film Festival. Of course I was excited because I'll be starring in it this year! Our short film is about why we should stay in school. There are 2 groups in my class. Each group has to think of a suitable idea for their short film, It'll then be shown at our next Syndicate assembly. The senior students then choose the best film they like best! I'm really hoping that my group wins so we can be the ones to present our movie at the 2016 Manaiakalani Festival!


Last Years' Manaiakalani Film Festival!

YG!

Something that I'm looking forward to are speeches. Last year I didn't make it into the finals for speeches, but this year I plan to. The whole of our school are doing speeches and in a few weeks' time some students from each classroom will present and share their speech with the rest of the school. This year I'm doing a speech about one of my favourite singers who some of you may know, YG! He's been my favourite singer since he first came out into the music industry!  All that I hope for is that my speech will be a success and I will get to present my speech in front of the whole school! 

A Beautiful Day To Garden!

Yesterday afternoon we did gardening. We planted lots of different kinds of plants in our garden! The main purpose was to get students to value and look after their environment! Not only that but also to have new plants in our garden and of course to help mother earth. I know that my class had definitely made a good choice with the type of plants that we chose. It suited our class heaps!! We were even nice enough to give some of our plants to the other class. 


All we have to do now is wait for our plants to grow! 

Buddy Reading

From 2:30pm till 2:45pm we use some of our time to sit down with a kid and read a book. We have been doing this so the younger kids can improve their reading. Sometimes we even read and share our learning with them. We seniors are definitely doing a good thing by helping them get better at reading!

No Bees, No Trees, No Me!

A few days ago we learnt the importance of saving the population of our bees. But not only that, we also learnt how important they are to us. Without them we will die because their pollination plays a huge role in our food chain. I also learnt that if honey bees die, human society will follow in four years. That's why my class are stepping out and sharing the word! That we need to do something about the extinction of our honey bees!

No Soccer :(

Yesterday was a day that everyone was looking forward to soccer competition! But as a matter of fact it had been postponed because of the weather. Now we have to wait until next Wednesday.  Only hoping that it won't be postponed again. I guess I'll just hope and pray that next week it will be sunny!

Vector Energy

On Thursday Vector (A New Zealand energy company) came to our school to talk to us about the many ways to be sustainable with energy. The visitor explained to us about some of the ways we can save energy at home. She talked to us about a lot of things that were to do with energy. My favourite part was when she showed us a car, that needed solar power to work and run. It was amazing!

Maths! Maths! Maths!

 We've stated off this term with a lot of Maths! But I love it! Maths is something I love doing at school although it can be tiring at most times. These past few weeks we have been learning a lot about addition and subtraction problems. Our main focus is to use more efficient ways to work out the problems that have been given to us. It doesn't sound hard but it's not just normal addition and subtraction problems.

Anzac Poem

I did my days
I paid my supreme price,
I pray you'll remember,
My Sacrifice.
My life was short,
I did my best,
God grant me peace,
In my eternal rest.

By Doc Hastings

(Rip to the many soldiers who went to war)

Fun, Fun, Fun

Finally! The holidays will be here soon and there will be no school for 2 whole weeks. For me this is exciting because for some reason, this term has felt sooo long. The weekends are just not long enough and being a Year 8 is very tiring. You have to work harder than ever. And your teacher expects more from you. So it has been a very tough term but  I need to settle in and get use to this new change fast!! Anyway I am definitely looking forward to  the holidays..

A Series Of Unfortunate Events :(

Living in complete misery and horror, the three Baudelaire children were one in many to live in complete misfortune. Lately I have been reading a book written by Lemony Snicket. Reading the unfortunate events of the Baudelaire children, is almost as horrifying as it sounds. There's even a movie for it, It's called Lemony Snicket a series of unfortunate events.. I've bet you've seen it because it is quite famous.

But anyways I'm enjoying the book that I'm reading! This is probably the only book, that I've actually enjoyed reading...

Where's Mrs Golder?

I came to school, only to see that Mrs Golder wasn't here today. Where was she? Why didn't she come  to school? Why was there another teacher? Many questions were going through my head. Then that's when I possibly knew, that Mrs Golder was probably sick today. To be honest I really wanted Mrs Golder to come! Now we can't take our Chromebooks home. 
Aghhh hope she comes tomorrow!

Where's Mrs Golder Today?!?!

Our Movie Was A Success!

Finally! After making and creating. We finally finished our be smart, eat smart mini movie. It took lots of effort and hard work. But we managed to complete it on time. I honestly thought that we wouldn't complete it, because most of us weren't prepared. But did we? Of course. But all thanks to Sophie and her intelligent ideas! Our movie should be ready for everyone to see soon...

(I'm the one covering my face at the back)

The New Me

I am a year 8 student, who attends Ruapotaka School. I was born in New Zealand. Five months after I was born, I moved to Australia and lived there for 4 years. I came back to New Zealand when I was 3 or 4  years old.My ethnicity is Samoan and Maori. I am kind of tall with short brown blackish hair. I have brown eyes, and my weight is 58.9kg . My favourite singer is Tupac and Jeremih, and my favourite colour is Black and White.

I Earned My Monitor's Badge!

It's not hard work to look after a class for 10 minutes, while the teacher is gone to have lunch. But it is a big responsibility to keep the class in order, and have the students listen to you. A few days ago, I received my monitors badge for 2016. I didn't receive one last year, because I was still a beginner, and I was still learning how to be a responsible leader and monitor.

Anyway I'm proud that after 1 year of learning how to be a responsible monitor, I am now one!

I'm Not In The Softball Team.. ARGHHH!!!!!

Tomorrow is Wednesday and some of the Year 7 and 8 students will be going to represent our school at the Softball Interschool Tournament. Too bad I'm not going. I didn't come to school on the day of try outs. It's OK because there's lots of other sport things coming up, later in the year! I begged and begged to my Sports teacher, Mr Reid that I'm good enough for the team but I didn't make it! Arghhhh!!!! I REALLY wanted to be in the softball team. 

I STILL can't get why I'm not in the team!?!?!

Duffy Play!

Yesterday we had a Duffy Play! I always enjoy the Duffy Plays we have each year.. because they motivate children to read everyday. But not only that, it's fun and entertaining to watch.

Yesterday's play was about Duffy who made a time machine, to travel back in time so his neighbor could be able to read, and also so he could save Ruby's dad. To me Ruby was my favourite character in the play, because she was funny throughout the whole thing.

Overall I enjoyed the Duffy Play very very much!

5 Plus A Day Tabloids

Yesterday, we spent our whole afternoon doing tabloids. Although tabloids wasn't the same? We didn't use normal balls, like we did before. Instead we used fruits and vegetables. My whole school was split into mixed groups, then we started using vegetables and fruits to play games. Like chuck the ball at the coconut, and instead of egg on a spoon we played potato on a spoon. Although tabloids was weird it was fun as well..