My Mihi

Recently in Room 21, we were assigned to create and memorise a mihi. A mihi is a maori spoken speech about who you are, where you come from, and who your family is. After we presented our mihis to the class, we were given the other task of creating a digital mihi, the movie below is the result.

Camp Concert

“Next we have......... THE RESPECT CREW!!!” Mr Barks excitedlly announced. “YAAAY!!!!”, “WOOHOO!!”, “GO RESPECT CREW!!!!!” was all I managed to hear. Although it was our second night on our final year of camp, we still hadn’t had that much time to adjust to our group name. Sooo... while everyone was cheering for us, we actually didn’t realise that it was our turn to perform. We simply sat there waiting for an exciting performance, only to find that we were the ones actually performing.

Let me take you back a couple of days. We were at school. It was camp week. The hall was filled with anticipation, excitement, and big bundles of nerves. It was time for the camp concert. There were 12 long rows of crazy campers crammed into a small stuffy hall, all of them ready to perform.

Maybe not all of them. Well technically, three people weren’t ready. And don’t you go thinking it was me and one of my Respect Crew that wasn’t ready. It was the judges! They weren’t ready for the most awesome and exciting show of their life!

Our Respect Crew walked up the steps looking like the real deal. But unfortunately none of the realio dealios wanted to walk on stage first, so I got pushed forward. I walked on stage angrily, but still graciously hopping in to my rehearsed spot. Our chosen songs were ‘Hey Baby’ and ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ - in that song the boys decided to catdaddy instead of the original choreographed moves.

Soon my crew was on and dancing, enjoying the camp concert atmosphere, and laughing at each other. The song transitioned in to ‘Hey Baby’, and our group were all jumping around clapping. We finished our performance with one of our members Jephte, thanking the audience. We walked off proud and happy, making sure the judges saw our thrilled faces.

After the Respectorz performed we got ready for the final judging. I looked up at my crew and they were all looking down and glum like it was the end of the world. 6th place was announced, it wasn’t us. 5th place was announced, it still wasn’t us. 4th went, 3rd went. My team all looked up and started smiling and crossing fingers and anything else they could.

“Finally, 1st place goes to..............THE RESPECT CREW!!!!!!!!” Mr Barks shouted! I looked at Lepa. Lepa looked at me. We looked at our crew, our crew looked at us. Then we all jumped up screaming and yelling, “WOOHOO!!!!” “YYYAAAAAAAAY!!!!!” “YEEEEESSSS!!!!!!”
We had won.

Scone making...with lemonade.

“No we’ll use the raisin one!” Tule pleaded. “But the method’s easier in this one!” Tyla defended. “But that one uses too much flour. The other groups need flour too!” Chanel pointed out. “Lets just use this one.” I said calmly...and loudly.

It was the 1st day of camp, and it was one of those times when you didn’t know if the sun wanted to sleep in or to give the rain the job. Anyway, I was a leader for ‘The Respect Crew.’ Today our first activity was cooking, well in this case baking. Scones that is. There were 5 of us in my cooking group : Oshania, Chanel, Tule, Tyla B, and of course myself.

We were all trying to find the best scone recipe ever (without raisins or sultanas of course.) Tyla found one that had lots of flour. Chanel and Tule had found one with raisins, so obviously we didn’t choose that one. But then Oshania and I, well, we found a recipe involving a can of lemonade. Yes, I said lemonade! (Well, typed anyway.)

Once we decided on the lemonade scones, we got to work and started mixing up the dough. Soon, my hands were white and covered in flour. Then we poured in the can of lemonade and the cream, and Chanel mixed it over and over. Not so long after, Tyla and I were sprinting down to the Hall Kitchen shrieking “OUR SCONES ARE BURNING!! OUR SCONES ARE BURNING!!” just to find that we were screaming lies.

In the end, we ate a scone each and gave the rest to afternoon tea for campers. And, not to be bragging or anything but, I think the lemonade scones were the best.

Little Miss Sunshine..

I am currently in the Yr 8 extension. At the moment we're focusing on The Pt England Way. Specifically, Respect. This is very important, as in our school, as we use Respect a lot in our topics and focuses. This year I'm looking forward to doing all sorts of cool things. Especially because it's my last year here at Pt England. Its kind of sad when I think about it, but it's exciting that I get to go out and do heaps of cool things in college. Arts and crafts and things is something I really really enjoy doing. That's why I've drawn a paintbrush and a pencil to represent my love how much art means to me. My culture also means a lot to me. I'm well-known as a Samoan, but I'm also a quarter Croatian. Many people don't know this, but it's true! My grandpa is full Croatian. So that technically makes me Croatian! Then there's food. As much fun eating is, I quite like cooking and making things for my family. I've already mastered the famous Mickey Mouse Pancakes, now I'm working on chocolate mousse. But I doubt that would turn out okay. I quite enjoy working with computers and editing movies and things like that. I like podcasting and posting blogs like the one you're reading right now! Next to the computer, I've drew a set of headphones because I like listening to music. Well not just listening to music, but dancing to it. In fact, me and a couple of friends created a small dance group a year ago. We only just dance around and make up sets to our favourite songs, but it's really fun to do. Now you know a bit about me. I'd love if you'd take the time to click on this link here, which will take you to the Flickr page this is on.

Bye Bye Ala!!

During the 2012 holidays, I received some good news, some bad news, and a really bad sunburn. The good news was that the sunburn didn’t last long. Oh, and the fact that me and my friends were going to go swimming. The bad news well, was bad of course. The reason we were going to Swim-A-Rama, was because our lovely friend Ala was leaving Pt England, and attending Sylvia Park school.

Since my family’s very busy, I was left alone with my vicious cat until I heard the tooting of my friend’s flash car. I quickly ran out and hopped in the car. “Hi Ala!” I said quite happily and fastly. “Hey Reka! she said calmly and smoothly. We started chatting about Sylvia Park, Pt England, my sunburn, and heaps of other things. In between our big blob of chatting we stopped to get Sylvia, checked if Selena was home (found out she wasn’t), checked at her aunty’s (found out she was shopping.) and then sped off to Ala’s house.

When Selena arrived, we drove in the blistering sun to the beloved Swim-A-Rama Lagoon Pools. As soon as we got there, I took a run and cannonballed in to the pool. I couldn’t help but give my friends a big toothy grin. As soon as Selena and Sylvia helped me drag Ala in the pool, we started playing Marco Polo. We spent hours jumping and drowning in our laughter.

When we couldn’t laugh any more, I jumped on Sylvia’s shoulders and Ala on Selena’s. I wrestled Ala and only stopped when I realised Selena couldn't breathe underwater. Since Selena had almost drowned, we got out and had a little snack.

Well, not really a little snack. (Well not in Selena’s case anyway.) She finished half the Doritos, so I decided to generously bring out my sour cream and chives crackers. While she dove in to those, Sylvia was telling us a really funny story. We almost peed our togs when she had finished. I think Selena almost choked!!

Anyway, after that Ala’s little sister Maraina came with her mum, and some hot dogs for us to devour. Since we were full because of laughing so hard, I dived back in to the icy cold pool as they day was closing we said our big grand speeches (“Bye Ala”) and packed up our things.

We miss you Ala.

10 Fast Fingers

I have found this really neat website where you test your typing speed. The highest that I got to was 71. It wasn't easy though! Click on the picture and see if you can beat my score!




If it doesn't work, here is the link http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/

MTV made by MTB

As you all know, it is our last week of school, so for a bit of fun, we all went in to groups and created MTVs. In my group is Brooke, Mubasshira, Belle and Kaloni. We couldn't decide which song to do so we made a mix. The above is the finished product. Enjoy!

Thank You Miss Walker!

Dear Miss Walker,
On behalf of my group, I would like to thank you for all the hard work and effort you put in to Camp TC. It was defintely one of the best camps I've been to. I hope you will be able to attend next year's. Your help made a big difference. The hangi was absolutely delicious.
Thank you once again. May God be with you and your family.
Yours Truly, Toreka.

Taonga Time Project

Lately, we have been having Taonga Time every Friday, after morning tea. I am in Mrs Telea's class. We are the movie making group. At the moment, we are learning how to use iMovie 11. We were assigned to put together a little movie that covers what goes on at Pt England School. As well as The Point England Way. The movie above will present to you what the Pt England Way is. Just to help you, it's not just walking in line, but it's being respectful, being kind to others, being courteous.

How To Pitch A Tent

Equipment
Pegs
Hammer
Poles
Fly (Outer tent)
Base
Interior
Inner tent

INSTRUCTIONS (Be aware that this may not be suitable for some types of tents)

During this process, make sure that you put spare pegs and poles in to the bag it came in.

1. First of all, you will need to unfold the base of the tent and lay it down. Ensure that the opening of the tent is facing the right way. Get a peg and place it through the eyelit. Hammer it in to the ground at a 45 degree angle AND so it is a bit hard to pull out. Repeat on every corner.

2. Once you have finished hammering the pegs, you will have to get the poles out and thread them through the inner tent. Once they reach the other side of the tent have a friend pull it out and put it in the second smaller eyelit. Repeat this process for the second pole.

3. Thirdly, you will need the fly (outer tent). Place it carefully on top of the inner tent. Make sure that the fly’s entrance matches the inner tents door.

4. You will find that there are little ropes attached to the fly. These are called GuyRopes. You will need more pegs for this. Hammer them down as you did the same with the four corners. But you don’t need to secure it as tightly.

5. Once you have finished that, you may lie down in your perfectly pitched tent.

Hopefully . . .

Superior Statistics

Recently, our class was taught statistics. So we were all assigned to create a form and make every student in the class fill it out. My form was asking which annual event was their favourite. From my data I have concluded that 75 % of Room 20 like Christmas the most, and only 12% like their birthdays better. I am surprised that I got a response saying "Chocolate Day" I guess you do learn something new each day.

That's REALLY Sharp!

Tech. We were all quite thrilled to be there. The time had finally come for us to experience what we’d have been looking forward to for a LONG time. We followed Mrs Nua to a room, but it seemed to be empty. “Mr Grundy!” she said quite loudly. Grundy and Grumpy. They sounded similar. And there was a BIG resemblance.

But it was okay because he explained everything very clearly so we understood. Though quite a few of us weren’t listening. And that made things even worse! Because every time I had almost finished, people were having trouble so we all had to go back and listen to what and how to do things properly. I didn’t even get to cut any wood!

Most of us didn't understand what tools Mr Grundy was asking us to get. But the people that we thought knew, had no idea or just pretended to know what it meant. Wood work is REALLY fun. Our class is learning how to make a good joint, but then we have to make it in to something. The more original it is, the higher grades we get!

Lots of people are making things like trucks and trains. I'm making a jewelery holder. I hope it turns out well!

Wish me luck!!

The Second Blow

Another earthquake in Christchurch has occured and have killed 90 people. It is very sad as it has damaged churches, schools, hotels, workplaces and have split roads in half. Quite a few of the citizens have tried to leave but are being told to return home if possible. Buildings have collapsed and trapped many people underneath rubble and concrete walls causing unconsciousness. It has become an International rescue effort, specialists from Japan are being sent over.
The hospitals in Christchurch are full of injured citizens. Some are being rushed to Auckland City and StarShip Hospital. Lyttleton is where the Epicenter is. My family and I are going to pray, and if you are the praying type please help, and pray for Christchurch.

2010 has been a THRILLING year. Though I found a few things difficult, the rest was still awesome! I think that I’ve done a good amount of work this year and that I have done well. The rest of my writing will explain to you why.

Firstly, writing. I figure I did pretty good with it. My motivation, is that I would like to be an author in the future. I reckon I’m a slow writer, when Miss Garden tells us things I take time to process it all.

To be honest, I’m not a fan of Maths. I guess I didn’t do as good as I could have. For me, the strategies were quite difficult. Because when ever I thought I’d learnt how to do it properly, we would move on to another strategy. Maths is the one subject that I would REALLY like to improve on.

My MAIN motivation for this year was Prize-giving. It was AMAZING! I REALLY liked our ambassador prizes. I also love receiving lolly leis (Though I’m not sure where they disappear to).

Camp Bentzon was a HUGE highlight for me. It was the first time I had seen dolphins, stingrays, wallabies, jellyfish and a gummy shark! Though it was a bit frightening, the camp was SENSATIONAL!!! Another exhilarating bit was studying Active Earth. I really liked our projects. I think my booklet looks impressive.

So there you have it, the main reasons why I thought my year was thrilling! 2011, here I come!

One Well-Crafted Film

Crystal Clear from KPE TV on Vimeo.

This year I teamed up with Angela and Mubasshira to produce the well-crafted movie above.

It took a lot of practices and brains to create this fantastic film. The song we chose was: "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", by Pat Benetar.

We had a lot of fun in the making of this movie. We hope to soon see your movies. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the movie.

Me Myself and Time

I imagine myself in my own little world. Where there's only me, myself and time. My mood controls the weather. Every thing smells like strawberries. Except for one little pink house. I don't know why it's there though. I want to give it a makeover. Make it all sparkly and pink. But I don't know what's in it. I never have. I wonder if anyone else has their own world. I wonder if it all smells like strawberries. I wonder...

Ele Opeloge+Weights=GOLD MEDAL

The movie above is a task we received in extension. We had to decide on a Commonwealth Sport, and then choose an athlete, either, a person who plays for New Zealand or who plays for your culture. I chose weightlifting and Ele Opeloge. She is a very famous weightlifter along with her brother. My whole family supported her through yelling at the TV. And I think that's one of the reasons why she won. She has quite a LOT of fans. I'm proud to say that I'm one of them.

GO ELE OPELOGE!

Life Or Death? A bit of both sorry...

Abseiling was a VERY difficult task. I stared at the ground trembling in fear. It must have been obvious because the Nicole (The instructor) said “ Little Missy, I think you can go first,” I stared at the ground in disbelief. I had never abseiled in my life! And I certainly did not want to start now. “Come on. Just slip this on and then I’ll get your helmet,” the instructor informed. “Are you okay?” she asked. I stood there for a moment, shaking like a chihuahua. “Yeah. F-f-fine thanks.” I stammered.

My hands gripped around the metal bars tightly. I couldn’t feel my legs. Which was a very bad coincidince. You see, doing something I’ve never done before, then having to climb 15 metres high, and THEN getting stuck because the other instructor wasn’t paying attention, isn’t my exact idea of trying something new and it being fun.

Thankfully, I made it to the top without collapsing. I had just held back my tears. Fortunately there were lots of people, so it would’ve been pretty embarrassing to be crying. I mean, this was a piece of cake. A pretty stale piece of cake though. I took baby steps backwards. I then looked down and gulped. “Kay!,”The instructor called out “Sweetie you don’t need to look down.” I gently released the rope. “Aaaaahhh!!!” I screamed - in my mind.

After a few more mind screams, I was there. I wanted to go again.

Pink

Looks like a bouquet of flowers.

Smells like a brand new strawberry lip gloss.

Tastes like cotton candy.

Sounds like applying lipstick.

Feels like I'm wrapped in silk.

Library Visit

This afternoon, we are going to the St Heliers library. We often go there every Friday with our teacher, Miss Garden.
The few people who go with her browse quite a lot of books. The librarians there are very lovely.

At the moment, they are having an art competition. You can go and vote for he best painting, and just by doing so, you could win a whole basket of goodies.

During Matariki, we learnt how to make a six plait flower! It was very fun.

St Heliers library is a great place to be after a long day's of work.