Holiday Writing: Days Before College

It has been a while since I've blogged, I have to say it brings back a lot of school memories. In about 3 days I start my first day at Epsom Girls Grammar School, and it does give me a lot of mixed feelings. Roughly a week ago my parents bought my uniform and stationary, it's a bit weird to see the huge difference in what I got back in St Pius. I've been talking to a lot of the year 8's, soon to be year 9's, and they seem pretty stoked yet nervous for their first day, which I agree on. But it's great to have people who will be supporting me during my journey. 
Thank you :)

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.

Narrative Writing: Just A Dream

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

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!

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!

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 :)

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.

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.

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.

Recount: Happy Children's Book Week!

Today at St Pius X Catholic School we had an event called, Book week. Book week is an event we started at school, where we dress up as our favourite book character.  I was amazed to see so many characters in books come alive.

We started our book day off with a Duffy Book Assembly, with our special guest, Mrs Josephine Bartley. “Welcome, Welcome, Welcome”, we started. During the assembly each class paraded around showing the school their costumes. Alecia and I got to ask several students in each class, to give the school more information about their character. Princesses, Pirates, Nerds, Little Red Riding Hoods even Harry Potter characters. There were also, Honors Badges given to our new leaders. It was pretty exciting.

At the end of the Duffy Assembly every class exited out of the hall following our special guest. Straight after the assembly, Joshua, Alecia and I packed up everything we unpacked in the beginning of the day. I would have to say, that today was an absolute good day. I say this because, I got to show others my costume and who I was.

Recount: Year 8 Retreat!

Alecia, Richie and I were getting dropped off to the ‘St Francis Retreat Centre’, along with the rest of the year eights. When we finally arrived at our destination we hopped out and unpacked our bags from the car.

Not long after we arrived at the Retreat Centre, Joshua and his ride arrived followed by the boys and Mrs Tui. We all scampered to the veranda, waiting for the Brother Philip to invite us in. “Hello”, a man in brown approached. It was Brother Philip.

We walked into the building after taking off our soaked shoes. We were all seated in what we called the ‘Fireplace room’. Brother Philip explained the rules in the rooms, in the chapel, and in the kitchen. “Should we take them to their rooms”, Brother Philip questioned Mrs Tui, “Yes, let’s go”, Mrs Tui replied. We all followed Mrs Tui up to our rooms. “Wow, this is the longest hallway”. “How many rooms are there”, everyone questioned.

One thing I really enjoyed at the retreat was, getting to make our own ark. I really liked creating my own ark because it's something I can do outside of school.

Whole School Cathedral Trip

Audience: My Parents - To inform what happened on our trip to the Cathedral.

“Wow, this is humongous”, voices exclaimed, with surprise.

Last Friday was a big day. St Pius X School had the opportunity to be part of a mass, that was being held at the St Patrick Cathedral as part of a pilgrimage journey. St Pius, arrived in Auckland City around eleven in the morning. We hopped off the bus and scampered towards the Cathedral. About 10 minutes passed, and we were getting ourselves ready to enter the Cathedral.

My eyes widened, goosebumps everywhere. I was amazed. The Cathedral was humongous. “I’ve never seen anything like this”, I whispered to Sammy over my shoulder. We all walked into the Cathedral. I gripped tightly onto my soul friend’s hand leading her in my direction making sure she wouldn’t take off. Right after we all took our seats, a man dressed in white clothing walked up onto the altar and introduced himself. “Hello St Pius, my name is Father Larry”, he announced. “It’s an honour to have you guys here”, he added.

During the mass, we got the opportunity to sing one of the songs we all practised back at school. “Bread broken wine, shared Jesus”, we all sang. Just when the service finished, a old lady with a bold purple dress walked towards our class and explained how much she adored our singing and our uniform. As soon as the lady vanished off, we filed to the top of the altar, organising ourselves into lines, getting ready for a school photo, with Father Larry. ‘1, 2, 3,’. Before heading back to school, Father Larry talked about some sculptures and parts of the Cathedral and what they meant.  We then walked out of the Cathedral blessing ourselves with Holy Water.

I think that the best part of this trip was getting the opportunity to be in a Cathedral for this first time.

Recount/Highlight - Marae Visit

Goal: To select words and phrases to enhance meaning and/or mood.

Read by: Joshua Uiha.

“Room 7, line up”, Mrs Tui announced.

Our school was going to visit the Ruapotaka marae. We crossed to the other side of Glen Innes Primary and carried on walking to the centre of Glen Innes.  Our destination was to the Ruapotaka Marae, which was located behind the Glen Innes Library.

We reached our destination and waited for one of the workers to direct us to where the Powhiri was going to take place. “The girls have to be in the front, while the boys are lined up at the back”, a lady exclaimed. Her name was Georgie. A lady appeared in front of a building and started greeting us in a way I have never heard before. We started towards the building, and once we got closer we were asked to remove our shoes before entering.

We took our seats and before I knew we were singing a Waiata. The Powhiri was finished and it was time for our morning tea. Just a while after morning tea, we were all held into the hall to learn a Maori introduction for ourselves, called a ‘Pepeha’. Hours after learning a Pepeha and doing activities, we were told to line up outside because we were going to Technology.

The highlight of the trip to the Marae was learning a new waiata. I say this because I got to learn how to say body parts in Maori.

Example: Shoulder - Pokohiwi, Mouth - Mangai.

Descriptive Writing - A Powhiri

A Powhiri is a welcoming ceremony for visitors in a marae.

A Powhiri is always started with a karanga and is only performed by a women. Not only is it performed in a Marae, it can be performed, at a School or Birthdays.

Our school went to the Ruapotaka marae, to experience what it was like. Ana-lei was asked to perform a Karanga for the Powhiri.

A Powhiri is held in a certain building located in the Marae, where we have to take off our shoes before entering.  Before a Powhiri is started, the women have to be lined up in the front, while the men are lined up in the back.The one rule for the Powhiri is that, a lady has to be the one performing the Karanga. It sounds almost like a cry. Each speech in a Powhiri is followed by a performance of a waiata, or sometimes a haka.

The feeling of being welcomed into a Marae, was like me being welcomed into a Maori family. After a Powhiri it is followed by a Haraki (Feast).

Writing: Recount - A Samoan Flavour.

“We will have the girls first’, Mrs Tui announced.

During lunch time, Room 7 stayed in class because we got to eat food that most Samoans eat. It was Samoan language week, and we had a samoan item to show our school. “Rosrine and Alecia, can you guys go and grab the box of lei’s and lava lava's’, Mrs Tui asked, politely.

Alecia and I raced down the hallway like a herd of elephants. Once we had all the supplies Mrs Tui wanted we raced back to class. I grabbed what I needed from the box. A lei and a red lavalava. Just after everyone got dressed, we started our Samoan lunch. Chop Suey, Rice, Luae, Corn Beef, and Coconut Cream Taro. All the girls lined up, in a weird curved line waiting for our food. Caroline, Sini, Alecia, Courtney, Sammy and I received our food and sat together, in a circle.

Just a few minutes later, I split my Chop Suey between Caroline and Sini because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to finish it. Most of the Room 7 students finished our plates and were getting ready to rehearse our Samoan dance, once again. Another 5 minutes passed, and we were getting into our lines to rehearse for our dance.

After our final practise for our dance, we cleaned up the classroom and headed off to the hall, to perform for Room 4. During the dance, I smelt something a bit odd, almost like fish. I brushed it off and carried on. Just then I realised the dance was over, and was a bit relieved. Room 4 then performed their item about the Samoan flag.

After all items were performed, Mrs Tui decided to take us out for a game of Dodgeball. The team I was put into was the team who got to start off being inside. I was one of the first people to get out, which regrettable. ‘Ring, Ring’, the school bell rang, loudly. We all whined at once and wanted to carry on playing. “That’s unfair”, I heard one of the students shout. I gave myself one of those ‘I don’t agree faces’, and carried on walking to class.

The experience of finally getting to dance in a different culture was pretty shocking. I hope to do it again, some time.  

Science Roadshow Experience

Science Roadshow Experience

Read by: Joshua Uiha

Our year 6’s, 7’s and year 8 students of St Pius X Catholic School, were going to Tamaki College, to participate in the ‘Science Roadshow’. Several students, were asked to ask their parents if they could help with transport to Tamaki College. Mrs Tui, split me up with, Manu, Sini, Kalo and Seuati, to ride with Joshua and his Father. We arrived at Tamaki College, and we waited several minutes for the people who were running the show, to open the Tamaki College Auditorium. After a long wait, we finally got to enter the Auditorium.

Before we could experience the science experiments, we were asked to sit down, so that some of the people who were running the show, could show us some experiments before going off and exploring. Once the the experiments were finished, we finally got to explore different science experiments. The first experiment, I got to explore was ‘What’s in the Box’. What’s in the Box, is an experiment, where you have to put your hand into a tunnel and have to guess what object is placed inside it.

I got to explore many other experiments. The best science experiment, I got to try out was ‘The object comparison’. The object comparison was set on a touch screen computer, and several images were laid out for the person to solve what the name of the images were.

Recount - Holiday Writing

On the first week of the holidays, my mother, my brothers and I went to the movies to watch the new movie ‘The Jungle Book’. ‘The Jungle Book’, was originally a cartoon and was made into a real life movie.

This movie was about a boy named Mowgli, who was raised up by a pack of wolves and was trained to be exactly like one of them. Mowgli was a toddler when he was found by a black panther named, Bagheera.

Bagheera belonged to the pack of wolves.

During that time that Mowgli was with the wolves, Shere Khan, one of the most threatening and dangerous tiger around, was hunting for Mowgli because he was a ‘Man Cub’. Mowgli had the pack in danger and decided to leave to keep them safe.

While Mowgli was finding a new territory to stay, he was suddenly caught in a tree with a snake named ‘Kaa’. Out of nowhere, a bear named ‘Baloo’, snatched him from the tree to make sure that Mowgli was safe.

Bagheera thought that Mowgli was in danger and decided to get him back. Once Bagheera found where Mowgli was he made sure that he could change his mind and come back to the pack.

Mowgli heard about the news, that Shere Khan is wanting to kill him and Mowgli had to make sure that Shere Khan was dead first. There was something called the ‘Red Flower’. Mowgli made sure that he could get his hands on that ‘Red Flower’, to kill Shere Khan.

Mowgli killed Shere Khan and Mowgli returned back to the pack & no one was in danger ever again.

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Descriptive Writing - Female Figure

Mothers. Mothers have the biggest job the world, especially revolving around their children. If I had to choose three words to describe mothers in general, it would have to be, soft hearted, inspiring and understanding.

I see my mother as one of the most special people in my life.

She is a responsible, tenderhearted and a supportive lady.

My mother has, dark red shoulder-length hair, dark brown eyes, tan coloured skin and is just a bit taller than me. My mother is a non-smoker and loves to eat a lot of vegetables.

My mother is a lady who loves to bake. She is always positive about everything, doesn’t care about what people think of her and loves to have fun. My mother isn’t strict, unless it comes to school related things. She loves the colour green and orange. My mother would always tell me that when I see these colours anywhere, it’s a sign of good luck. I never quite believed it. She really enjoys reading, which is something I inherited from her.

My mother is the definition of a strong lady.