Room 18 has started 2012 with a hiss and a roar. We have written
some great pieces of writing so far, focusing on painting a picture in the mind
of the reader. This week we have started writing some arguments. This is
helping us to put across our opinions in a structured way and we have learnt
to write paragraphs correctly. The class are getting better at self assessing
their writing against the success criteria and they can make changes to their
writing in order to improve it.

In maths, we have been working hard on adding and subtracting numbers
using the place value strategy. We are all working with big numbers and
experiencing lots of success with our understanding of this strategy. Mr
McLean has being teaching statistics. We have been collecting data and
displaying it in different ways.

We are all looking forward to our two sessions in the Life Ed classroom.
These sessions will tie in nicely with our inquiry about what makes us special
and unique. We have just finished reading a great book by Loius Sacher,
called “There is a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom”. This book offered us an
interesting insight into what goes through the mind of people who make poor
behavior choices and how they can change their behaviour for the better.

I have included some published “I am From” poems for you to enjoy. If you
get a chance, pop in and have a read of some of our displayed writing. The
authors in Room 18 have written some fabulous pieces that I am sure you will
enjoy.

Melissa Nelson

We were fortunate to have a fine day for our annual athletics competition. The day kicked off with the children rotating around four of the six field events, including; quoits, sprints, high jump, long jump, cricket-ball throw and the shot put. After a quick refuel and break for morning tea the children were straight back into the action with the 400m sprints and the completion of the field events. The day ended with the 800 meter sprint races and house relays.
The children were enthusiastic and showed great sportsmanship throughout the day. It was great to see them encouraging one another and yelling at the top of their voices for their fellow house mates.

Room 23 have been putting together reflections of their experiences at athletics day.
Athletics Reflection for 2011

I Felt…….
The sand digging in between my toes, once I landed in the sand pit after my long jump.
The sun in my eyes so bright.
The relief when the day had finally finished
I Saw…..
Quoits in the middle of the back field.
Cricket balls flying around in different directions.
I Heard….
The yells of children supporting their different houses when the whole senior school watched the house relays.
The thump of heavy shot put balls.
The victory yells of the winners of all the events.
By Alison Kindley

I Felt….
The sun beaming against my skin.
My muscles burning in my arms, as I swang a quoit.
My heart pumping like a car warming up as I jogged to the high jump.
The sweat running down my face.
I saw….
Crowds of parents cheering for their children.
Children spinning their arms around for shot put.
The sun gleaming in my eyes.
I Heard….
Excited kids running to loved ones telling them their scores.
The patter of children racing their hearts out to win the sprints.
By Hannah Watson Room 23

Matakana Trip

The Senior School of 7 classes enjoyed a great EOTC experience on Tuesday of this week.  We all walked one way between the mainland (end of Matahui Road) and Matakana Island.  The other leg was by ferry from Omokoroa.

Rooms 17, 19, 22 and 24, who left from the mainland, experienced deep water in the channel and had to hold their backpacks above their heads and wade in waist deep water across the channel.  This did not deter the children who walked on to the beach, where they were picked up by Eddie, the Island’s bus driver, and transported to the jetty to catch the ferry to Omokoroa.  All children arrived back safely, with only one school bag going over board!  We were very grateful to the Captain of the ferry who turned the boat around and collected the bag!  Phew!!

Rooms 18, 23 and 25, who set off on the ferry in the morning, also had a great time.  There was less water in the channel by the time we got there, so we did not get as wet.

On arrival on the mainland in the afternoon, we were greeted by deep, sticky mud.  The children had a fabulous time, slopping and slurping through the mud.  Many fell over (some intentionally) and ended up rolling around in the mud, like hippos!  Thankfully, there was a trough nearby and most were able to wash off in order to get into parent’s cars to go back to school.

The 7km walk was a great way for us to view the harbor and get a close up look at the environment that surrounds us.  This experience was a great topic for our unassisted writing samples and will provide great learning for our inquiry learning this term.

Melissa Nelson

WALT:  Create a list poem

WASW:  We can use adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs to describe an experience or object.

LUGE HEROES

Two, three, four

Off we GO!

Butterflies flying in our stomachs

Heart pumping, pumping

Enormous dips appear up ahead

Hands grip tightly

Zooming down gigantic hills

Swiftly we go

Screeching out with excitement

Smiles gleaming

Hallelujah!

By Te Kane and Jazmine

RABBITS

Cute rabbits hopping happily

Sparkling fur shinning brightly

Sharp claws scratching wildly

Sensitive nose twitching rapidly

Tiny mouth nibbling

Enormous ears flapping peacefully

Silky tail wagging gentle.

By Anne Maree, Amy and Toni-Rae

SPEECHES

Hot legs trembling

Clammy hands sweating

Red face burning

Butterflies fill my grumbly tummy

Heart beating fast

Blushing, shivering face

Tired, watery eyes

By Jessie, Gemma and Atu

GLORIOUS FOOD

Candyfloss constantly spinning
Sucking lollipops madly
Crispy bacon sizzling crazily
Juicy nectarines constantly dripping
Colourful pizza madly cooking
Pink and white marshmallows roasting on the fire