Writing - News Report: Year 8 Leavers Mass

Today the students and staff of St Pius X Catholic School celebrated a really special mass to farewell the year 8 students of 2016, along with their family members.

The mass started off with a beautiful hymn sung by all the students, staff and parents. During the celebration, the leavers displayed a magnificent Liturgical procession and introduced the new leaders of 2017.

Congratulations!

A student said, “I am really happy for the new leaders”.

“I am not ready to leave”, another student said.

Tons of photos were taken with the students and their families straight after the celebration.

Farewell, year 8’s we will miss you.

Maths: Mathletics Awards!

In Room 7 we use a site called Mathletics. It is similar to Maths-Whizz, except our teacher can control what activities we do. The activities that we complete, we get a certain amount of points. If I get 1000 points I get a bronze certificate.

1000 points in a week = 1 bronze certificate.

5 bronze certificates = 1 silver certificate.

4 silver certificates = 1 gold certificate.

So far I have 6 bronze certificates and 1 silver certificate. My goal is to get more than 1 gold certificate by the end of this year.

Inquiry Learning: Scratch - Pong Game!

This week Room 7 had been working on making an animation or a game using a site called 'Scratch'. I partnered up with Sammy to make our own game, and called it 'Pong'.

Play above!

Religious Education: Saints!

This is my wordle of all the words related to all Saints. I had words like fair, brave, loving etc. I learnt from this that Saints are the same as everyone, I also learnt new words from this. 

Maths: Step-by-step Math Problem

Narrative Writing: Just A Dream

Click here to read the narrative behind my illustration: Just A Dream

Blog Views - Update!

In week 9 of Term 3, I had 15,321 blog views. My goal was to get 50,000 blog views. I checked my blog this week and I had 22,490 blog views. I have improved by 7169 views!

Holiday Blogging: Where would you go in New Zealand?

Where would you go to in New Zealand these holidays? I created a Prezi Presentation to show you guys where I would go to in New Zealand these holidays, why and the expenses of it. Here is my presentation: Prezi Presentation.
Thank you all, I hope you enjoy!

Holiday Blogging: Kiwiana

What represents me as a Kiwiana? What do I think these images represent?

I created a Montage to display the images that represent me as a Kiwiana. I then created an Infographic to explain what I believe these images represent. Thank you all, and I hope you enjoy!

Holiday Blogging: Where in the World?

Can you work out which country this person comes from?

Which clues help you work out his identity?

I created an Infographic to answer these questions. Thank you, I hope you enjoy!

End of Term 3 Reflection

Click here if the video is not working!

Term 3 has finally come to an end, but my learning hasn't stopped. I have created a video, to show you what I've learnt and the highlights of Term 3. Thank you, I hope you enjoy!

Writing - News Article: Tongan Day

Headline: St Pius X Catholic School Celebrates Tongan Language Week. Placeline: St Pius X Catholic School.

Lead Paragrah: Tongan Language Week was celebrated today at St Pius X Catholic school, along with the students of St Pius.

Majority of the students were dressed in traditional Tongan clothes. Tongan Language Week is celebrated in New Zealand to acknowledge the high population of Tongans.

A St Pius student said, “Seeing so many puletasi’s just sends me back to Samoa, even though I am not Tongan, I am really happy to see how proud they are about their culture”. “It was my first time eating Tongan food, I loved it”, said by one of the teachers.

To top off the celebration, the students and staff had a Tongan lunch in their school hall. Chop suey, Lu, Otai. Sounds delicious! Students plan to do the same for the upcoming language weeks. Happy Tongan Language Week, everyone!

Sacrament Strand Goals - Achieved!

Today for Religious Education, I have achieved several goals. I created an Infographic to show how I achieved these goals. Thank you, I hope you enjoy :)

Writing: What is it like to be Tongan?

Today I had created an Infographic to show what it is like to be Tongan and what is the most proudest thing about being Tongan. I hope you enjoy :)

Inquiry Learning: Respect - Others & Myself

In Room 7 we have been talking about Respect, and how we can show it to others in the classroom and to ourselves. This is what I have created to show what I can do to show respect. 

Inquiry Learning: Fathers Day Card

Happy Fathers Day, Dad!

Reading: Reading Achievements

Today in Reading I have created a DLO to show how I achieved my reading goal. Thank you, I hope you enjoy :)

Maths: Goal Achievements - Achieved!

Today in Maths I created a DLO to show my understanding of my Math goals. The videos that are linked below are the evidence of my goals. Thank you, I hope you enjoy :)

Maths: Video #1

Maths Video #2

Inquiry Learning: Spain

 Today in Inquiry Learning I was learning to find the geographical location of Spain. I created an Infographic to display the geographical location and some facts that really interested me. Thank you, I hope you enjoy :) 

Maths: Decimal, Fraction and Vise Versa - Achieved!

Click here, if video is not working!

My goal this morning in Maths was to... read and identify decimal and fractions. To change fractions to decimal and vise versa and to simplify fractions by finding the lowest common factor. I created a video on WeVideo to show my understanding and my evidence that I have achieved my goal. Thank you, I hope you enjoy :)

Maths: Converting Fractions, Percentages, Decimals - Achieved!

My goal this morning for maths was to...convert fractions, percentages, decimals and vice versa. I created an Infographic to show my evidence and understanding of my goal. 

Maths: Decimal Goal - Achieved!

Click here, if video is not working!

This morning for Maths my learn was to... add and subtract decimals. I created a video on WeVideo to use as evidence. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy!

Religious Education: Jesus the Model Teacher

I have learnt that Jesus was a Model teacher. I created an Infographic to demonstrate what kind of teacher he was.

Religious Education: St Pius X

These are 3 facts about our Patron Saint and why they interest me. I hope you enjoy!

Video: Fairness

Click here, if Video is not working!

My group (Albert, Fano) and I created a movie showing Fairness outside and inside the classroom. We created our video using 'WeVideo'. I hope that you enjoy!

Narrative Writing: Cold Water

The rain was pouring down, covering most of the car, it was as if a storm was about to start. I started at the door with several shopping bags over my head. “Place them here”, my mum told me, handing me a towel. “Hmm, I think it’s a good idea if you take a shower” mum was acting really concerned, it was strange. I gave her one of those ‘Ok I will, but are you alright’ faces, and headed towards the bathroom.

I jumped back, the water was freezing. “Uh, the water is cold again”, I shouted, hoping my mum would hear me. I sat in my room for approximately 5 minutes, hoping the water would’ve been less freezing, when I go back. “Sorry, the water is a bit cold, just wait half an hour”, my mum exclaimed. “Did she just hear what I said, 5 minutes ago”, I thought strangely. I sat on my bed shivering, watching the time go by. I couldn’t wait any longer so I decided to change and maybe shower the next morning.

I woke up at about 8am, with my hair in a messy ponytail, a missing sock and headed towards the bathroom door and turned the shower on, crossing my fingers that the water wouldn’t be freezing. “Mum! The water is still cold”. I walked over to my mum’s bedroom, hoping she was awake. "Just shower in cold water because it's going to be 117 degrees", my mum said quietly. I decided to do what she had said and had one of the worst showers of my life.

Inquiry Learning: Stage 1 - Taekwondo

For my Inquiry learning I was set to choose a sport, and use my prior knowledge to write about it. The sport that I chose is 'Taekwondo' and I won't be supporting just one athlete, I will be supporting all. I chose this sport because, these type of sports interest me and I wanted to learn more about this sport in the Olympics and how it's played.

Writing: Cross Country Practise

Before lunch Room 7, Room 5 and 3 went for our Cross Country practise. Once we got to the reserve, I started off by power walking. I caught up with Sammy and Stanley on the way and encouraged them to run with me to the end of the park. I jogged back to  where I started the run and did my second lap. I ran to the end of the park again by myself and didn’t realize that Sammy was there. We walked back sweaty and tired along with some room 5 and 3 students. Just a few minutes after we finished our practise we all walked back to school, right in time for lunch.

Writing: Everyday Theatre

Writing: The Ned Show

Ned was an amazing show. It was full of jokes, impressions, excitement and laughter. One thing I learnt from the Ned Show was to, Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do your Best. Shanon (the presenter) showed us some mind-blowing tricks. I was glad that the whole entire school enjoyed it.

Inquiry Learning: Olympic Sport - Taekwondo

For the 2016 Olympics, I have chosen to follow the sport Taekwondo. I created an infographic on 'Easel.ly' to show some facts about my sport.

Reading: Similarities and Differences

School Journal Level 4, October 2015 and School Journal, Part 4, Number 3, 1994.

I am learning to...

• Find the similarities and differences of the main character in the story. This is a Venn Diagram I created using "Easel.ly".

Reading: Connection with the Text

School Journal, Part 4, Number 3, 1994 Text: Once Bitten

I am learning to...

• Make any connections with the text - think of the situations and the characters.

I created a Canva Infograph to show my connection with the text.

My Blog View Comparisons

This is a graph of the top 4 people who have the most blog views. My next goal is to reach 50,000 views.

Prototec Test Results.

I have been using this great website called "Venngage" to record my progress on Prototec.  This graph shows my results from the beginning of this term and my progress today.

Being Smart Online

“Do you guys know what the word, cyber means?”.

Listening to Constable Gordon made me realize how bad digital communication can get. I realized that if I wanted to remove something online it will be removed from my device but not from the network providers. I  also realized that while emailing or texting something nasty online I cannot call it an accident, because while I’m emailing or texting I have time to think of what I would be writing.

Olympic Values

My Understanding of Fractions DLO

Narrative Writing: A Monotonous Night

“Really?  Seriously? more singing”, Stanley said, having that irritated look painted across his face.

“This is so boring, why did I have to come”, I thought to myself.

Today was the first day I finally get to camp out in the woods. I feel like an older person. I feel free. But only one problem, I have a major fear of... the dark. “What if something ugly pops out”, or “What if Stanley turns into a monster”. The only thing that could possibly calm me down is my music, my instruments, but Stanley is not a fan.

We reached the perfect destination. The sun was down, and the glimmering stars were out. But it was dark. I couldn’t handle the silence, besides Stanley’s snoring. All the thoughts flash backed to my head. ‘What if something ugly pops out’, I shook myself out of it. I gazed at the stars.  I had to start singing, so I did. “Really seriously, more singing”, Stanley said suddenly, while having that irritated look painted across his face. “Yes, more singing..”, I glared at him for a moment. Stanley turned away and tucked his face into his blanket, before I could carry on with what I was saying. ‘Should I grab my ukulele’, I thought. ‘Well, Stanley needs to know how to relax’, I added. I grabbed my ukulele and strummed off. I backed away, bringing out my friends. Stanley looked angry and confused at the same time. I don’t think he knows that I have imaginary friends.

I scolded myself for wanting to turn back, and hesitantly walked towards Stanley. He took my ukulele, my face brightened up. Next thing I know, my ukulele is in flames. I bursted out with a pool full of tears. Stanley rolled his eyes and tucked himself into his blanket, while giving out the most biggest groan. I cried and cried. The ukulele was all I had. My life.

The Importance of Prayer (Prayer DLO)

I showed my understanding of Prayer in Religious Education, using Google Draw.

Activity 2 Day 7: Paralympic Games - Raising Funds

Activity 2: It is very expensive for each of the Paralympic athletes to fly from New Zealand to Rio de Janeiro to compete.  Most athletes have to fundraise in order to make the money that they need to go on the big trip. Recently, Harvey Norman announced that they will be helping to raise funds for the New Zealand Paralympic team. What could you do to help raise funds to support our amazing Paralympic athletes? On your blog, list 2 different ways in which you, your family or friends could raise money to support the athletes.

One thing I think my family or friends could participate in to help raise money is a bake sale. They could bake cakes, cupcakes, muffins etc. Another way that my family or friends could help to raise money is to hold a Garage Sale. I could sell a lot of the clothes I don't wear and the shoes that no longer fit me.

Activity 1 Day 7: Spirit in Motion - The Paralympic Games

Activity 1: At the first ever Paralympic Games in Rome, the athletes competed in eight sports. Cycling was one of them. For the cycling event, two people compete together as a team – one of the people has a disability and the other does not. Here is a picture of a para-cycling team from New Zealand:

At the moment the most famous para-cycling team in New Zealand is comprised of two female athletes – Emma Foy and Laura Thompson. Emma is blind but Laura is not. Together they work as an amazing team. Imagine that you were asked to compete in a tandem cycling event and you had to choose one person to compete with. Who would it be? On your blog, tell us who you would compete with and why. If it was me, I would choose my son, Aronui because he’s pretty fast and very funny. He would make me laugh as we biked along and would be very supportive and encouraging! I know that I could trust him to be a good teammate. Who would you choose?   

I would choose my older brother. I would choose him because he's pretty fast and he would make it a whole lot easier with his sense of humour. I would also choose him because he's really supportive towards others.

Day 6 Activity Bonus

Activity Bonus: Imagine that you are sitting in the crowd at the opening ceremonies for the Rio Olympics this August. The ceremony has just started and all of the Olympic athletes are parading around the stadium in their uniforms when all of a sudden…
In your blog, write an ending to this short story. It should be approximately 10-20 sentences long.

Everything shut down. The stadium panicked, all athletes stopped and questioned themselves. I looked down my row to see if anyone was hurt or scared. I gave myself one of those 'everything is fine' looks. 5 minutes passed, lights turned on, cameras began rolling and the crowd roared. One of the presenters apologised for what had happened, but didn't have the chance to explain how it happened. I was really curious. I was more focused on how the incident was caused, than the opening ceremony. Before I knew the ceremony was over. I was pretty surprised. "What happened, just before", I questioned a lady right beside me. She shrugged and turned away.

Activity 2 Day 6: Entertaining the Crowd

Activity 2: The opening ceremonies for every Olympic Games must include formal speeches, a parade of athletes, songs and dances that showcase the culture of the host country. Follow this link to watch the highlights of opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.
In the opening ceremony for the London Olympics there were a number of famous English people including the Queen, the Spice Girls, David Bowie, U2, the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. Imagine that we were going to host the Olympics here in New Zealand in 2024 and you were invited to be on the committee that decides who is invited to participate in the opening ceremonies. As a member of the group you must choose one of the following people to be in the opening ceremony: Richie McCaw (rugby player), Lorde (singer), Kane Williamson (cricket player), Maria Tutaia (netball player), John Key (prime minister of New Zealand) or Shaun Johnson (league player). On your blog, tell us who you think is the best person to choose and explain why you think that they are the best choice!

I would choose Maria Tutaia. I would choose her because since Netball is not one of the Olympic sports, maybe it would be a good idea to have the best Netball player, from the best Netball Team, to be in the ceremony.

Activity 1 Day 6: Entertaining the Crowd

Activity 1: For all Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, the athletes from each country must wear a special uniform. The uniforms change each year. Look at the 3 pictures posted below. They are pictures of the uniforms that our New Zealand Olympic teams wore in 2012, 2008 and 2004. For this activity, you are asked to rank the uniforms from best (#1) to worst (#3). On your blog post your rankings and provide a brief explanation of why you ranked the uniforms in that order.

I would say this is the best uniform (#1). I say this because, its very unique and it looks like something no one would have the idea to wear or design, besides New Zealand. I also say this is the best, because the colours blend in and they have the silver fern icon attached with it. I would say it's very unique.

I would say that this uniform would come in second. I say this because they made the audience know that they were representing our country. Also, what makes it stand out is the lady dressed in Maori Patterns.

I think this wasn't the best uniform because, they look more like flight attendants more than Olympic athletes.

Day 5 Bonus Activity

Bonus Activity: Jesse Owens was a black American athlete who participated in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. He is considered to be one of the bravest and most inspirational Olympic athletes because he competed at a time when the leader of Germany (Adolf Hitler) did not want black men competing at the Olympic Games. Here is a picture of Jesse from the 1930s. Can you think of someone in your own life that inspires you? On your blog, tell us who your inspirational person is and why they inspire you.

My inspirations are my parents. I say this because, they have taught me so much about life in general. One thing, they would always say is 'What comes around, comes back around'. I think that this is an amazing saying, because in my opinion, I think it's telling me that I have so many opportunities ahead.

Activity 2 Day 5: Marjorie Gestring

Activity 2: In 1936, a 13 year old girl named Marjorie Gestring became the youngest person to ever win an Olympic gold medal. She won the gold medal in the springboard diving competition. Imagine that you were alive in 1936 and you had the chance to interview her. On your blog, post five questions that you would like to ask the Olympic champion (if you had the chance to meet her!).

If I had the chance to meet, Marjorie Gestring and I had the chance to interview her, I would ask her:
Q1: When did you realise that Springboard Diving was your passion?
Q2: Having to be told that you were going to the Olympics, as the youngest Athlete. What was going through your head that time?
Q3: How old were you when you first tried out Springboard Diving?
Q4: What was going through your mind, when you received the Gold Medal?
Q5: What was the biggest risk you've taken while doing Springboard Diving?

 

Activity 1 Day 5: Eddie the Eagle

Activity 1: Some Olympic athletes become famous not because they win but because they have an amazing attitude and great determination. They are sometimes called ‘underdogs.’ One of the most famous ‘underdogs’ in Olympic history was a man named Michael Edwards. He was a ski jumper from England who competed in the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. Although he came last in the event, he never gave up. Recently, a movie has been made about his life. It is called “Eddie the Eagle.”  For this activity, watch the trailer for Eddie the Eagle and then post a summary of the movie on your blog. What is the movie about?

Basically, from watching the trailer, the movie is based on a man named 'Michael Edwards', also known as 'Eddie the Eagle' or 'Eddie Edwards'. His dream was to always compete in the Olympics, but so many people would put him down, saying that he would never get there. One day he decides that if he cannot compete in the Summer Olympics, he would compete in the Winter Olympics. Where he would compete in Skiing. A character in the movie then comes along and helps him, with competing.The day of the competition comes.

(The trailer stopped where he was just about to jump off)

Day 4 Bonus Activity

Bonus Activity: The New Zealand Olympic Team has created a video called #Be The Inspiration. They have posted it on the homepage of their website (on the left hand side). Watch the Be the Inspiration video and then post a critique of the video on your blog. In your critique tell us what you liked about the video and what you didn’t like. It is very common for movie reviewers to use stars to indicate how much they liked a movie. A rating of * = very bad movie, ** = bad movie, *** = okay movie, **** = good movie, and ***** = very good movie. At the end of your critique, please provide a rating for the Be The Inspiration movie.

In my opinion, I thought this video was a very good video (*****). The main thing I enjoyed about the 'Be the Inspiration' video was, how the narrator was saying that we should be the reason why the athletes train harder everyday. I like this part especially because it makes me think harder about how many athletes are doing this for there country and families.

Activity 2 Day 4: Be the Inspiration

Activity 2: Let’s imagine that you were able to meet one of the following three athletes competing for New Zealand at the Rio Olympics. In your blog tell us which one of these three athletes you would choose to meet and why.


The athlete I chose to meet was, Andrea Kilday. This year, will be her first time competing in the Olympics. The sport she will be competing in is, Taekwondo. I chose to meet her because, I've always wanted to learn much more about Taekwondo, especially from someone who will be competing in the Olympics. If I was to ask her one question, related to her experience in Taekwondo, it would be: What did you do to get to where you are now?