Dance Fever Recount

On Monday 9 December, we did Dance Fever. We ran through our Foxtrot, Cha cha, and our Hip Hop Routine. We did our lesson together with Room 7. It was fun. Sadly, it was our last session with them.

Orienteering Recount

On Tuesday 10 December, we had orienteering. It was the real game. Everyone was ready for the race. As soon as we were ready, we ran to the control points. Some people were confused of which way was North. I went to G, H, K, L, J, so many letters I had to go to. I was so tired I wanted to give up, but I didn't wanted to.

I was up to my last control, and I ran as fast as my leg could carry me. When, I got to Irene (Instructor), she gave me another course to do. I was dead, when she gave me the other course. I ran control of course 2. I ran, and walked to the controls. As soon as I looked at my paper, I was relieved, because it was I had finished my course. I ran happily to the finish line, and gave Irene the paper. Finally, I thought to myself, 'Yes, I finished!'. I rested down on the bench. 'I've done it' I thought to myself.

Our Fijian Visitors comes to Thank New Zealnd

Wow!, just Wow!, I am speechless. I am just amazed of what I just saw in our school hall. Their presentation, singing, EVERYTHING, was just a BLAST. First, their haka, then singing, and greeting. Wow!. Visitors from Fiji came to thank New Zealand, for supporting them in Fiji. They were students from Gospel High School (GHS), Fiji. There were more than 20 of them. The year 8 boy from Glenbrae School, performed a haka while Mrs Raj welcomes them in.

First of all, the Gospel High boys performed a Fijian haka to the school. The language, moves was all about confidence, and show how proud they were. The girls introduced themselves, and sang a greeting song. When they played the songs, the Gospel High students came, and greet everyone in the school. It was amazing, how we met them.

Second, the GHS students, performed us a dance. The boys forming a line in the front sitting, and two lines of girls behind them. They were well organized. They danced beautifully, especially the girls. The boys on the other hand was perfect. After that, they did an ice breaker, by sing the Fruit Song. It was fun for everyone, and we really enjoyed it.

When the song finished, the GHS students sang a song to us. Their voices was melodic, and their song was very harmonic. Especially 'Api's solo. His voice was really great. Amazing gift from God.

At the end, they sang a beautiful song, while we leave. Waving goodbye, and shaking hands. I wish they could come again. Thank you Gospel High School Students for coming over. Farewell.

Pumping Pedals Reading Activities

“ Pumping Pedals” by Maggie Lilleby SJ Part 4 Number 3 2004 1. Recall Give a brief summary of the story. It was a Friday evening at the Tahunanui BMX tracks in Nelson. Sally Davies the only girl in the competition against the boys. She use to go and watch the BMX race with her dad and she thought that she would have a try. She says that BMXing appeals to her favourite sport. When she races, she gives it everything that she got. Sometimes she beats the boys. She wanted to see girls on the track, joining in. She wears protective gear like long sleeves, top and bottom, thick gloves and a full face helmet. She really enjoys BMX. 2. Infer What kind of a person is Sally Davies? Tell why you think this. She is a sporty kind of person because, she is into BMX and try out everything. 3. Evaluate Explain why you think the author entitled the story as “Pumping Pedals” I think that the Author titled the story ‘Pumping Pedals’ because BMX, you have to pedal hard and faster. 4. Think about it Why do you think Sally would like to attract more girls to the sport of BMX racing? Because she doesn’t want to be the only girl in the sport and wants more girls to join in. 5. Recall How are the bikes designed and what are they made of? They are designed to have good pedals and strong wheels. They are made of steel, chains and rubber. 6. Think about it. Why did Sally groan as she remembered her first racing bike? She groaned because the bike was a freestyle bike, it was heavy, with huge tyres. 7. Please explain the racing technique called “pumping” and why it might be important? "Pumping Pedals" Pumping is important because we have to pump the pedals to make the bike go. 8. Do you think BMX racing is a dangerous sport. Tell why or why not you think this. It is a dangerous sport and when someone falls in front of some, the person behind might trip over the person in the front, and they will get hurt. 9. Synthesize Please tell what you liked most about the story and why or why not you would like to be a BMX racer. I like the racing bit and I would like to try BMX and because I love biking just like Sally. 10. Design a flyer to attract and introduce new riders to the sport. Be sure to tell when and where it meets and what equipment is required. When you are finished please upload to your blog.

My Reading Activities

"Chris Pither - Racing Driver" by Jane Bu xton SJ Part 4 Number 1 2002 1. Recall How did Chris finally get started into race car driving? Chris finally get started on car racing by winning New Zealand champion three times. 2. Recall Why do some people think that New Zealand will soon lead the world in motor sports? Because the drivers are starting so young. 3. Infer/ Make a Judgement What kind of a person is Chris? What details in the story lead you to believe this? Chris is a kind of person who loves anything on wheels like cars, go-karts, motorbikes, and Formula Ones. The details on the story say, “Even as a really little kid, I love anything on wheels”. 4. What is a sponsor, and why is it important to have one in motor racing? A sponsor is a company or group which support the team or person. Like the New Zealand sailing team was sponsored by ‘Emirates’. 5. What precautions are taken to to protect the drivers when they are racing? In your opinion, do these precautions go far enough to make the sport safe? The precautions is far enough to make sport safe, because, everything they’re wearing is fireproof. Even the car itself is safe, because when the car crashes, the fire extinguisher will spray at the driver and the engine to protect the driver from going on fire, and the engine exploding, or getting on fire. 6. Use details from the text to tell why the sport is dangerous. Although Chris has several accidents during his karting career, so far he’s had only one major accident in car racing. 7. What is your opinion of motor sport? Could you see yourself being a formula 1 driver? Why or why not would you want to do this sport? I would like to try the sport, because it looks fun how they race. I would also like to drive a vehicle someday. 8. After reading “ Chris Pither - Racing Driver” design a poster to promote the sport of motor racing and upload to your blog.

Basket Boats Activity

"Baskets Boats," by Jill MacGregor

1. Where is the story set? The story is set in Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

2. Who is the main character in the story? Than

3. What is the story about? The story is about Basket Boats and what are they useful for.

4. What is a basket boat? What is its' proper name? A Basket Boat is a boat shaped like a half sphere. It’s proper name is ‘Thung Chai’.

5. What is a basket boat useful? A Basket Boat is useful for fishing.

6. How is a thung chai made?  First they cut long poles of bamboo. They, then scrape the outer skin and slice the poles into thin slats. To make the bamboo easier to weave they soak it in water. As the men weave, they stretch the bamboo slats over a basket shaped mould. In the centre, the weaving is pulled very tight to give the boat it round shape.

7. What is a thung chai handy? What are some of its' uses? A thung chai is handy for fishing and catching crabs. They are also useful, because they don’t sink or tip over, it will just bounce between the wave like bobbing corks.

8. How many seats are in a thing chai? A Thung Chai has no seats, people use the rims  to sit in a squatting position.

9. Explain how safe a thung chai is? It doesn’t sink and tip over. It will only bounce and spin between waves.