The Sky City Fire-By Storm

On the 22nd of october 2019 there was a fire that  hit the Auckland Sky City Convention Centre. 

Large flames were coming out of the building just after 1pm. The fire started in the roof cavity and it was difficult for firefighter’s to get inside the building and to the top. More than 200 people made it out in time before the flames really took off. The fire services are still there now watching the building.
Scary.

Ruapotaka on 3...1, 2, 3 RUAPOTAKA! - By Leanah

Yesterday Tristan, Leaaepeni, Konzay, Nataaliyah, Mary-Ruth, Kate, Agueer, Madisyn, Kotipi and I went to the inter-school netball tournament at the Auckland Netball Centre in St. Johns. Our first game wasn't until 10:20 because we had a BYE. We played 6 games in total, lost 3 games, won 2 and drew 1.

 We placed 13th out of 20. We played against St. Pius, Pt. England, Glen Innes and Sylvia Park in our pool. The Sylvia Park team won it overall. We then played Glenbrae in the Semi Final and Panmure Bridge in the Final. I enjoyed playing beside my teammates and I am proud of how well we did.

Plastic Bag Ban-By Riiana

During the weekend I went to Sylvia Park and almost immediately, I noticed that most stores stopped selling plastics bags. I had thought it was only supermarkets so once I got back home I searched up the cause of this.

I read from here that stores are now banned from selling plastic bags. Any store caught could potentially be faced with a fine, or the ministry will contact the business and try to figure out why they haven't stopped giving out plastic bags.

It's wonderful that there's now a law against plastic bags. Around 28% plastic waste have been discarded, leaving 72% to end up in the ocean or stray somewhere in our environment. Even if it's only a little bit, we're reducing plastic waste.

New Term - Fresh Start! -By Liza

Term three has officially started after a two week  holiday.  New activities are coming up during the term  that we have to work hard for so we can do them. Students will have the chance to enter the netball interschools team and be involved with the skip off. 

I am going to try work hard as I have one more term left after this before I go to college.. 

Technology Wood Works by Nurul

The first day of technology, wood works we had to draw 8 main ideas of the things we wanted to make and the drawing must have a joint.

My first idea was a race car, my second idea was a school bus. I had drawn over 44 ideas and I disliked them all but the ones I really liked were the train, bird,  house, dispenser, helicopter, pull along tray, and a piano. I chose to do a piano because it looked incredible and I feel happy that I finally finished drawing what I want to make. 

It's Hard to be a Potato When... by Jessica

You're surrounded by kumara.

Today at Tech Frank and I made Kumara Frittatas.

Ingredients:
1/2 of a big kumara
4 eggs
1 cup of milk
1/2 onion
Optional - Mixed herbs

Method:
Step 1 - Peel the kumara and grate with cheese grater.
Step 2 - Dice onion.
Step 3 - Whisk 4 eggs and 1 cup of milk together.
Step 4 - Mix vegetables and egg mixture together.
Step 5 - Prepare a lined baking tray and pour the mixture in the tray.
Step 6 - Bake at 200° for 15-20 minutes.
Step 7 - Take out and serve while hot.

Frank and I make some pretty tasty dishes!.

Don't Fall Out! by Leanah

On Friday 21 June my class and I went to the Wero Whitewater Park.

After watching the safety video we got changed into our togs and put our gear on. We had to wear a wet suit, a life jacket, a helmet and wet boots.
Before getting into our rafts, we learnt about how to cross a river. First we went individually, then in pairs and finally in a triangle formation.

Then we got into our rafts! There were six of us in one raft. It was thrilling and got my heart racing! When we finished whitewater rafting we had the opportunity to jump in the water and have a swim! There were two separate groups, one for the big jump, one for the little jump.

Overall I really enjoyed it. It was an amazing experience.

We're Surrounded by a Massive Ghost! by Jessica

New Zealanders living in Auckland are experiencing paranormal activity!

This morning when I woke up and looked outside the window I was very surprised at the sight. This ghostly mist has a short, three letter name... Fog. We're surrounded by a ghost like mist that's very hard to see through. This paranormal activity is so dangerous that over 70 flights In New Zealand were delayed or cancelled. This unsuspected ghostly visitor has also made our Friday very cold and chilly.

Toys by Sione

At tech we searched online games we can play physically. When we had found our physical games we made a slideshow. We all made 5 slides and in those 5 slides we had to label the game. Through labelling, we stated the object, material and how to play the game.

Whitewater Rafting 😊 by Leanah

On Friday 21st June my class and I have been given the opportunity to go whitewater rafting at the Vector Wero Whitewater Rafting Park. We have waited for 3 weeks, and we can't wait to get on the water and have some fun! But of course, we will have to go through the safety lessons first. We have to pack togs, a towel and a few other things. Although we are getting into wet-suits we still have to wear our own togs for hygiene reasons. We will be leaving at 11:00 am and arriving back at school around 2:30 - 2:45 pm.

School Assembly by Faye

On Monday the 10th of June we had a school assembly. Room 7 was hosting the assembly and they did a very good job. I was proud of myself because I had earned a certificate for very good participation in group activities. At assembly we also sang a song called, Wishy Washy which was very childish but also funny. I love having assembly especially when I earn a certificate or a Duffy book.

Kayaking😱😃 by Joanlisi

Kayaking is eventually happening on Friday, June 21 of 2019 at Vector Wero Whitewater Park for the Ruapotaka years 8 and 7 students.

We received permission slips for our Parents or Auntie or Uncle or Older Sister, Older Brother to fill in for us to go Kayaking.

We have to bring:

• A packed lunch and plenty to drink.
• Sun hat & Sunscreen.
• Togs and towel.
• Warm Jersey for on land and after kayaking.
• Pen.

Also we will get wet suits to use.

We will be leaving school at 11am and will be staying at Vector Wero Whitewater Park till 3pm.

Vaiaso O Le Gagana Samoa 2019 (SAMOAN LANGUAGE WEEK) by Leaaepeni

Monday 27th of May was the official beginning of Samoan Language week for 2019. There are Samoan events held across the whole of New Zealand. That means if you known some Samoan, share it with everyone. I'm going to attempt to write some sentences in Samoan.

Faʻafeiloaʻi i laʻu blog o loʻu igoa leaaaeni. O le gagana Gagana Samoa pe a maua uma e tagata samoa le avanoa e faʻasoa ai a latou gagana.

Optical Illusions by Jessica

For the past few weeks, my class has been learning about how to draw optical illusions and how 3D perspective works. Most optical illusions must consist of straight lines and shading has to be on point. 3D perspective art must have straight lines co-responding to the direction they're coming from and once again, shading must be on point.

I have really enjoyed drawing out different types of optical illusions. From drawing 3D stars that trick your mind to a twisty, 3D heart. I think the hardest one for me was the star because there were so many lines to keep track of and they just ended up going everywhere.

Queen's Birthday by Ana

Next Monday will be a public holiday. It will be the Queen of England's birthday. She will be turning 93 years old. We will not be having school on Monday!!! Which means we will be having a long weekend before we come back to school on Tuesday.
As of 2018 the Queen has been ruling for 66 years. She has been the longest monarch of England. Happy 93rd birthday for Monday, Queen Elizabeth.

The Pike River Mine Reopened. -By Konzay

After the terrible incident that happened, the Pike River Mine was finally re-opened last week. The Pike River Mine agency let three people into the mine to have a look and come back out.

The Pike River Mine disaster was a coal mining accident that happened in November 19th 2010, 46km  northeast of Greymouth.  Following that explosion 29 men were believed to be dead but no one was able to go into the mine to check it out.

Earthquake Hits Whakaari / White Island-By Faye

A number of earthquakes have hit Whakaari- White Island. White Island is New Zealand's most active volcano. There have been 196 earthquakes there since Thursday. Science have said that the earthquakes are getting stronger, and there are fears it may cause a landslide. Experts are closely monitoring the island.

Here's hoping it doesn't erupt!

Our Football Tournament ⚽- By Mary-Ruth

Yesterday we had a football tournament at Pt England Reserve. This year there was a year 7&8 girls team competing against other schools. Liza and I were the main strikers and the others were attackers and defenders. I had fun kicking the ball around and trying to get a goal for our team but I also loved eating all day between the games 🤣.

New Phone Number For The Police! -By Ana

There is now a new official phone number for the new zealand police.

The new number is for non-emergencies. If you have a non-emergency you should call 105 now. Police minister Stuart Nash hoping that kind of repetition will make the number as memorable as 111. The police have put a two million dollar marketing budget behind the phone number to ensure every kiwi knows it and when to call it.

The new number does not replace 111, it is still the number for emergencies. If you need to report a crime which has already happened, like a burglary or property damage and there is no threat dial 105. 

NZ Sign Language Week- By Jessica

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week Riiana, Leanah and I presented the teachers with 6 different posters based on New Zealand Sign Language Week.
Not only did we present some NZSL posters, we also made 3/6 of our own. One poster entirely made specifically for Mrs Brough, another with words the juniors commonly use and the last one filled with signs the seniors should learn based on their learning criteria.

We presented the teachers with our posters during morning tea. Riiana and Leanah did all the talking while I repeated in sign language. It was challenging and fun learning NZSL. I had to learn many different signs according to what was being said. In the video below, we are displaying two posters which we coloured in. We also printed out a small poster with medical signs for Mrs Shortland. Our first presentation was on Monday:

On Tuesday we presented the teachers with the posters we had made for the students.

Then there was another... on Wednesday Riiana and I presented Mrs Brough with her very own poster. It consisted of words such as, thank you, boss, email and other computer and manner phrases.