Christmas Tree

In Room 12a we have been preparing for christmas! We have our own beautiful tree that we used recycled materials to make decorations for!

The Process Of Recycling

Y7 Reflection And Goals

Plan My Holiday

Lotto Game

In Extension maths we have been working on experimental and theoretical probability. We then had to design our own lotto games, with theoretical probability included.

The Hobbit

listen to ‘Milou's letter to author’ on audioBoom

In the Hessels reading group we have read The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien, we then recorded a written letter to the author giving feedback on the book.

Technology

In tech group J at technology, we made these emergency flashlights. We even made our own circuits to make it work!

Ape In Space

For writing in room 12a we watched this video \/ and were told to write about it from the apes perspective.

                   http://www.literacyshed.com/the-thinking-shed.html

Ape In Space 

It strikes me like a punch. It carves a familiar pain into my sinking spirits, as I see this sight I have requested for an aching many years. I think of all the things that are out there, making a hopeful smile creep up on my face like a caterpillar. I refuse to let the smile slip away to a grimace, glaring at something that has overwhelmed me with fear and longing for so long, and so hard. My train of thought just derailed as my heart just leapt to the roof as my happiness and faith drowned out my sorrow and despair, fueled by the vision of silver glitters sprinkled across the threatening black of the night. I reach out, trying to grasp it. I gather myself together and take my first wobbly step onto the soil, ready to be drowned in happiness, feeling hope like a build up of belief. Then reality slaps me, cold and hard in my stricken face. Everything is in a trance, waiting to be woken. It’s grey and bleak. My heart lies in broken shards on the cold, forgotten ground. I lose my awareness and my face crumples. I stare at what was once a home, but now is a maze of concrete forgetting. And then a tear trickles down my face.

Oktapodi

Room 12a is learning about writing a discriptive narrative, we watched part of a video called oktapodi, and wrote an imaginitive ending for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=badHUNl2HXU

Oktapodi

Death flashed in front of the driver’s eyes. The van hurdled down the stairs. He had an iron grip on the octopi, which stared at him with boggling eyes. The series of events that followed this involved a lot of hissing. A cat hissed at the driver. The driver hissed at the octopi. And the wheel, seeing as it had ripped while hitting an ominous bump in the street, was hissing at everything and everyone else. Now, to understand the following, you must understand the magic of reality. Or rather, you need to forget everything you knew about the magic of reality. Because what happened is not physically or scientifically possible. The octopi, which can safely conclude are mentally capable of pretty much anything, sported miniature octopi wings and flew, stumbling slightly, down the street. Using their tentacles to propel themselves towards the water, their faces grim with concentration. They flung themselves into the water, and resumed their unfinished conversation.

Back To The Beginning

Back To The Beginning

At HNI we have just had our school production - Back To The Beginning The Movie. It was a great film with awesome live performances from some amazing actors in our school. I was in the Production Team, which meant that I had to offer people food, give people who were interested a tour of the school, and the most fun of all, join in the flash mob at the end of the film. Back To The Beginning was an awesome way to end a great forty years of HNI!

Bullying persausive speech

Bullying

This speech is about bullying. And yes, you will probably have heard that sentence billions of times before. And yes, you are probably going to be stuck with this speech for the rest of your life. And yes, this is probably gonna be just another boring speech, like all boring speeches in boring speech history on the planet of boring speeches. But you know, aside from all this dreariness, all speeches will probably try to or will tell you something. And although speeches themselves can’t actually talk, you’d better obey. Because bullying isn’t boring. It’s actually unacceptable.

Most people try to tell you what you should do if you are getting bullied. But to be honest, we shouldn’t be getting bullied in the first place. You should even be able to walk to school upside down, wearing a purple polka dotted jumpsuit with magical unicorns frolicking along behind you, without hearing bad language being used against you. But if you do that in reality, well, let’s just say you’ll be tormented royally for the rest of your life.

And that’s not even the worst factor. The worst element of this particular topic, is that as I was writing this part of the speech, my entire class was singing along to music, happily content with each other. But at lunch time, I know that at least someone is going to be involved with bullying. This is in a way the same as world war 1. At christmas, Germany and France held fire, coming out of their bunks and playing a splendid game of soccer together. Then the very next day they simply went back to blowing each others heads off, as if nothing had ever happened. Pretending bullying never happens is like committing murder, then blaming it on the dog you don’t even have. It’s stupid. Plainly, insanely stupid. And the stupidest of all stupid things about it, is that it can be easily helped.

And no, I cannot spook into your head like an uncanny creep, controlling you so that you do not get involved in any kind of bullying, but I can simply warn you. All people involved with bullying are prosecuted from the element of happiness at some time in life. So if you don’t want to kill the only thing I find is truly vital in life, do not bully. Thank you for listening.

Persuasive Writing.

In Room 12A we have been learning about persuasive writing, so we had a couple of options to choose from as topic, and started writing in favor of or against that topic. I chose the topic 'changing the voting age to 13'. Here's what I wrote.

The Hobbit

In the Hessells reading group we are reading the Hobbit. And at every reading group meeting we have a job to do. This is the worksheet I completed for my task.

Technology Science

In technology science we have been busy learning about magnets and gravity and friction.

The SPCA Changemakers

Describing the 3 protagonists of the novel 'Trash'

Trash summary so far and prediction

Trash

Our class book this term is 'Trash' by Andy Mulligan. So far it is about, no prizes if you've guessed, trash. Well no, actually, I tell a lie, it's about trash boys that live on a trash dump. Raphael, Gardo and rat, who really lives up to his nickname because he does, indeed live like, and with, rats. But these boys, they scavenge the dumps for anything worth scavenging for. And the boys, indeed, found something that would fall under the category, 'something scarcely found on a rubbish dump in Behala. It was a brown bag, now they may have seen enough brown bags to last a lifetime, but oh my gosh was the contents extraordinary. A map, a key, 1100 pesos and...an ID card, always useful. But the next day, police come, looking for a brown bag. Raphael's brown bag. Everything that happens next, is a big blur. Everyone is helping the police, and before they knew it, Raphael has been arrested and already lied his way out of prison. You may have realized that in stories anything can happen. And in this story a mysterious brown bag leads a gang of boys to a train station, where, and no surprises here, the key opens a locker. And in that locker was a letter. But the boys aren't done here, no, they go to the prison where Jose Angelico, owner of the bag and composer of this letter, could perhaps tell them more. But what happens next we do not know...yet.

I predict that Jose Angelico, who is in poor condition, will, quite sadly, pass away. But not until he has helped the boys find what they seek. What they seek I do not know, perhaps a better life, perhaps the key to solving the mystery. But any way I think that they will make their, and I'm quite sorry to say this, messed up city, a better place.

Technology Hard Materials

Technology Hard Materials

Group J has just completed the technology cycle Hard Materials, and designed and created our own pens. Everybody succeeded, and this resulted in a wonderful fiesta of beautiful pens.

Bizarre Bones

Bizarre Bones

Bones are one of the most grotesque, yet vital parts of the human body. Always working with our muscles, 206 bones are helping us to move, and without them, we would be no more than a puddle of organs and muscles.

Bones are part of the neuromusculoskeletal system, and are moved by the meeting point of two bones, called joints. Some joints work like hinges, moving backwards and forwards, but most joints are more flexible and move in most directions. Some joints have a slippery cartilage to help joints move smoothly, such as the knee. All movements are controlled by the brain, which automatically tells you to move a particular part of the body.

Bones protect all of the living organs of your body, such as the rib cage has twelve pairs of curved rib bones that protect the lungs and heart. The ribcage is always moving to help you breath. Each bone is covered in a layer of blood vessels and nerves, and we have two different types of bone. The outer layer of a bone is made up of a softer bone, called sponge bone, the inner layer is made up of a harder bone, the compact bone. Bones in general are made out of hard cells, and young children have a lot of cartilage between bones, but this turns to bone over time.

The skull protects the brain and other soft parts such as eyes, ears & the tongue. The domed box surrounding the brain is called the cranium and blood vessels and nerves go in and out through tiny holes. In the skull only one bone can move, the jaw. It moves at the joints that are by your ear.

Our bones are forever at work, no matter where we are or what we are doing. So next time somebody asks you if you know why bones do what they do, you have a good lot of things to tell them!

Technology Challenges

In room 12A we have been doing tech challenges to come up with a final tech challenge team for our class.
Our first challenge was to draw, colour and place the human body parts correctly.
The next challenge was The Leaning Tower Of Pasta, we had four large marshmallows, scissors, 10cm cellotape and a large pack of pasta. Our aim was to build the tallest tower, measured from ground to tip.
Congratulations to the people who are in the final tech challenge team!

Wonder Prediction And Summary

Wonder

Summary

August is just like any other boy, apart from one thing. He was born with a slightly deformed face. August feels very self-conscious when people even dare glare at him, let alone when they snigger or go into peels of laughter. So for the last many years, he has been home schooled. But August has decided to try the local proper school, Beecher Prep. Immediately he realized who his enemies were, like Henry, and who were his friends, like Jack.  His mother is a bit of a worrier, and she was badgering him not to go, but his father and sister, who has also just started at the high school, were more supportive. When August got the tour around the school , Julian, who appeared to be a very popular kid in his class, said some horrid things, and asked what the deal with his face was. But that was also when he met Jack, who immediately stood up for him and acted as though he had known August since they were toddlers.

Prediction

I predict that August is going to realize that he will never fit in, perhaps get bullied, or be the target in a staring contest. But I also predict that Jack  will become his friend, who understands him, and stands up for him. I think the teacher will try things to avoid August from being bullied too, but I think August will miss out on a lot of opportunities because he might be worried it will only give the kids yet another opportunity to say horrid things to him. However, I do think August will strive onwards, and perhaps slowly people will begin to understand and maybe begin being a bit more thoughtful and understanding towards August, like Jack. I think in the end, August will be fully understood, and feel like any other person in his class. People will stop thinking of him as the odd guy with the screwed up face, and look up to him. Classmates will want to sit with him and his mother would stop worrying that he would be the odd one out, the kid that had no friends.

Extension English

L.I: To write a successful newspaper controversy with subject of choice.

Balloons Of The Bay

by: Milou Lodewijks

The sense of anticipation is high as the tense onlookers and competitors await the dreaded news to sweep over the lake.

Every year, above lake Kittycat, many people gather for the annual Balloon Festival. But just now, everything might change.

The founder and owner of the lake, Mr Peabody, and his assistant, Sherman, decided that they aren’t getting enough in return for their service.

Of course, the owners of the balloons and the host of the festival, complained. We interviewed Mr Peabody in the studio earlier today, here is Shane Johnston reporting on Mr Peabody’s visit.

“according to Master Peabody and Sherman, they aren’t getting enough in return for their services at the balloon festival every year. When we asked what his recent payments were, we got quite a shock, for Mr Peabody’s recent payments are a sports car, three new houses, a holiday in a location of choice, ten million dollars and a smiley face badge that matches his blouse!”

We sent this through to the competitors and the host of the festival, and news has been heard of postponement for the festival and a group of protesters wanted to see a court order happening.

This debate has made yet no progress but will continue tomorrow at Lake Kittycat.

This was Milou Lodewijks reporting on the annual balloon Festival of Lake Kittycat.

Rakau Sticks

Rakau Sticks

Last Wednesday Room 12A learnt how to use Rakau sticks. We learnt how to play 'Tutira Mai'

and we enjoyed learning some different moves such as the tap brush brush, bottom top flip, tap together swap, and tap together tap. Thank you Miss Kay for teaching us how to do that!

Term 1 Reflection & Term 2 Goals

Term 1 Reflection

          I feel that I have made a good progress in my Te Reo Maori.

I can now greet, introduce and say several basic words without hesitation.

I find i have enjoyed extension maths.

It was great to be left to think about several problems, 

to have that proud feeling you get when you solved it,

then to turn to the teacher who gives you another one to ponder about.

I find I was challenged most by the first lesson of Extension English,

because at first I wasn't quite sure what we were doing,

but then I started to understand more of what we were doing,

and now I greatly enjoy it.

My Goals For Term 2

I find I need to improve on my P.E because I find a majority of sports difficult.

I think I could do better on my art, and take the time and not rush through, but still sticking to the given time frame.

Character Writing

Danny Jr

Danny Jr, my cousin, has the first impression of a rough, strong man. But he’s not like that at all. ok, he is strong and sometimes likes to roll around and play rough, but he has a gentle character and a good heart.

I haven’t seen him often, maybe 2-3 times, but I can vividly remember one very special day I spent with Danny. That day he took me for a ride around the neighborhood on his motorbike. I remember Danny driving around every sharp corner at such a speed I could have touched the ground with ease.

Danny makes of interesting appearance. Perhaps it’s the way he stands like a boulder, or perhaps it’s his kind face and big, strong hands. He walks with strides rather than steps and can easily be described as ‘A fine, strong gent with the strength of ten men.’ He’s the exact figure of his father, Danny (funny thing, having and uncle and a cousin with exactly the same name!) who also has the posture of a fierce lion but a heart so kind that you cheer up just by looking at his gentle smile.

Danny now lives in France, in a house of his own. We visit him sometimes when we go on a holiday. Surprisingly, regardless of the fact he’s a wild animal, he has an organised home that is so clean there is a million times you reflecting off every surface. Danny is a really interesting character, you can always count on him to be your friend.

My Bio Poem

                                  MILOU

Milou

Clever, adventurous, funny, imaginative,

Daughter of Sandra  and Andre, sister of Mathis,

Lover of cats, pasta and school

Who feels happy when she does or sees the things she loves

Who gives friendship and care

Who fears mistakes and hard homework 

Who would like bullies to be illimenated from the world

Who comes from Amsterdam, The Netherlands and lives in Havelock North, New Zealand,

Recount Of A Memorable Moment

A Visit To The Land Of Daydream

“Huh? What?” I blinked against the sharp sunlight that streamed through the window. I observed the room around me, thinking about the things I saw. A desk, a wall, a painting, a teacher. Wait a second… a teacher? Indeedly looming over me, looking irritable, stood my teacher. Only seconds ago, I was with a rabbit. A white rabbit with a waistcoat. Hang on! Did I just say waistcoat? Let me explain what this madness is about.

My footsteps sounded hollow as I climbed to the stage. I stared at the sea of waiting faces in the audience. I clear my throat and set myself at ease. But before I could begin, I started to fall. At first, it was completely black. Not a slight glimpse of light to be seen. Then my eyes adapted to the darkness. It turned out, I was not alone. With a thump I landed on a big carpet of grass, next to a small rabbit in a waistcoat who named himself Mr Fickelgruber. Somewhere off in the distance stood a tree. It stood like an umbrella, sheltering the poor creatures that were soaked to the skin. Now I was getting quite wet too, so I wandered thoughtfully towards the trunk.

I decided to pass time waiting for the rain to stop by wandering around the massive tree. But I had barely walked halfway around, when I bumped into something. It was big and wooden, almost like a door. This was quite a funny thought because it was a door. A big brass one with a silver knob that was a mirror when you looked into it. I hesitated for a moment, then decided that it wouldn’t really matter seeing that I had already fallen into the middle of nowhere, found a door just standing there, and met a rabbit in a waistcoat, who, by the way, had gone through the door already. I grabbed hold of the doorknob and pushed through.

The room was dimly lit, perhaps a bit grim looking. Kilometers of bookshelves stretched out ahead of me. In the middle of the room, there was a desk with a small, flat device on it. I shuffled towards it slowly and stood there, staring at it. After a while, I gave in to my temptation and pressed the red button that I had been aching to push. The device and the room disappeared. All of a sudden I was in a familiar room. I wasn’t standing anymore, I’m in more of a crouching position. “Huh? What?” Then this whole thing snapped into place.

I must have had nodded off to some sort of daydream while I was working, because there wasn’t any trace of a rabbit in a waistcoat. All there stood was a very irritable looking teacher. My teacher! However, after the long, boring lecture of my teacher, this daydream was more than just a distant memory. It is now my special place, a place I can visit at any time, anywhere when I want to. It was the place of my dreams, my inspiration. It’s my Land Of The Daydream.                                        By Milou