Y8 Graduation 2016

The end has come. The Year 8s have graduated from Ruapotaka School today.

A farewell note to the students in Room 12.

To Tyla, you always tried your best to be the best and you did it.
To Maranatha, your role as producer and director of 'The Focuser' has made this movie the best R12 movie ever.
To Heilala, you have a sensible attitude and you have been an excellent role model for younger children at Ruapotaka.
To Anavea, your role of writing the date and notices on the board daily helped organise my day and gave the class direction.
To Pallas, the hours you spent editing 'The Focuser' until it was all perfect is a credit to your patience and perseverance.
To Sophie-Isabella, you were a great Manaiakalani Ambassador.
To Quros, you were my creative artist who I relied on for all those 'Thank You' cards you made for the school's sponsors and 'The Focuser' logo.
To Samuel, you proved you tried your hardest in the interschool competitions when you came back cut, bruised and injured from Athletics and with Maranatha wearing a moon boot as well.
To Mele, the speed in which you completed your Inquiry learning has set a new R12 record.
To Aydrian, you understood my headaches more than any other student. You could be right - "drinking too much coffee". HAHAHA.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Mrs Golder

R12 students: Pallas, Heilala, Maranatha, Quros, Aydrian, Tyla, Sophie-Isabella, Anavea, Samuel, Mele (absent). R11 students: Pepe, Halaiano, Gloria, Popi.

Prize-giving 2016

The recipients of the 2016 Prize-giving are acknowledged today for their achievements, successes and hard work in being Better Than Before. CONGRATULATIONS to all of you. 

Manaiakalani Scholarship: Quros

Most Responsible Prefects: Min Zin, Meana and  Quros

Leadership and support in a Cultural Group: Meana and Quros (Cook Islands), Viamoana (Tongan - absernt, represented by Pene), Aydrian and Leanah (Kapahaka), Samuel (Samoan).

Most Responsible Lunch and Wet day Monitors: Samuel, Popi, Min Zin and Athens

Most Responsible Fruit Monitors: Min Zin, Meana and Athens 

Intermediate: Lion Trophy: Heanre(absent)

Intermediate: Sporting ability: Sione, Sportsmanship: Maranatha

Intermediate: Principal's Awatd: Meana, Citizanship Award: Pepe, Leadership: Quros, Responsibility: Samuel, Supportive Student: Maranatha

Intermediate Academic Excellence: Year 7: Athens, Year 8: Tyla 

Intermediate: Most Improved:  Year 7: Timote Junior, Year 8 : Tyla and Samuel

Help Revive Our Culture By Pallas

The other day we made a short video with the pois that we made at Kapa Haka practice. We used the song "Poi E". The video and project are all based on how us Maori Iwi need to revive our culture. As we all know, less and less people are unable to speak Maori. And many people are doing as much as they can to help revive and save our culture once and for all.
Whakaorangia to tatou reo me te tikanga !

Duffy Award by Tyla

On Monday I received a Duffy book for scoring 10/10 in my reading test with Mrs Golder. Mrs Vickers had said to choose a boy and a girl although Mrs Golder chose me and Athens instead. I got to personally pick out my book since I received what was suppose to be the boys book. In the end I chose a book  titled 'Beswitched'. It's really interesting so far - about a girl who was summoned by girls from the past on her way to her new boarding school. And I am really glad to have received this award, because it's probably the best book Iv'e read in a long time.

Description of a Setting by Tyla

Tyla received a Principal's Award for her writing.

The Magical Woods

A gush of cold breeze softly blew through the Magical Woods. Dim light streamed in through the towering trees. Not a sound was to be heard other than the delicate peacefulness of birds chirping away, as if they were singing good morning. The spacious area in the middle of the woods was at its calmest, but not for long.

The buzzing of the bees and busy squirrels interrupted the silence. Scattering up and down the tall trees collecting nuts went a squirrel, followed by a few more. The poor and helpless bees dashed through the Magical forest desperately seeking flowers for their queen. But as for the crickets, they slept smoothly through all the racket, gently snoring.

Soon midday came and the cold breeze became heavier. The wind howled fiercely, hurling dirt into the air and gathering the fallen leaves at the same time. Great dark clouds overlooked the Magical forest wanting to pour down rain on the beautiful forests sight. Luckily it passed and by night the forest retained its quiet self.

Skipping Display 2016 by Tyla

Yesterday we had our 2016 skipping display. It started off with the junior and senior skip off to see who can skip and last the longest. It went on for quite a while but later on Room 9 couldn't jump much longer, leaving Room 12 the champions. Not many parents came to our skipping display so we just showcased our skipping skills in front of Room 11. It was really fun watching everybody show off what they can do with a skipping rope and even though, I was just twisting the ropes I became really tired.

Kahurangi by Tyla

A few weeks ago a group called Kahurangi - People Of The Pacific, came to our school and performed traditional island dances. They taught us the greetings for the countries they were doing a dance to and told us a bit about each island. The show was really funny especially when the Kahurangi performers asked for volunteers. Mr Sok, Quros and Saluselo had to copy a few steps with the taiaha which was so funny, my face was turning bright red from laughter. 

First Senior Syndicate Assembly by Tyla

Monday was the first senior syndicate assembly for this term. We had an assembly based practically on the Olympics. It was pretty long because the countries were drawn out of a hat (container) for the mini Olympics at the end of this term. The country I will be representing is Japan. 
Rachael also came in to present the prizes, for the people who participated in her Winter Learning Journey blogging. 

Coming Soon ! by Sophie-Isabella

Just last week we were told that we were going to create another short film. The subject was to do with our Inquiry Healthy Food Choices. 
We were separated into two groups. We then got started to plan out our concept. The group I was in compromised and we came up with the idea of explaining what not to eat and what foods to include. Our finish product ended up really well.  

Duffy Theater by Tyla

                                     

Today the Duffy Theater people came to our school and put on a show for us. The show was mainly about Duffy traveling back in time to make sure that his neighbor Ruby who was 81 years old went to school, learnt how to read and her dad wasn't killed in World War Two. On the way he sang some songs and visited a different year by accident where he met a ninja and was given a ninja costume to wear as well. In the end he saved Ruby's dad and made sure Ruby went to school as well as learn how to read.