The Samoan Pe'a - Mr.Tele'a

Lately in extension, we've been learning about symbols, the meanings behind tattoo's, and the Samoan Tatau or as most people know it as the Pe'a. While we were learning about symbolism and the Samoan Tatau, I realised that most tattoos aren't just for cosmetic reasons. Most are to have a constant reminder of a loved one.

After researching and finding out on what a Tatau is we were then lucky enough to have Mr.Tele'a come in and show us his very own. We asked him several questions relating to his Pe'a. He explained what the Pe'a meant to him, how unbearable the pain was, the meaning behind it, and how long it took to complete. 

During his long and painful process Mr.Tele'a said that his parents took a big part of this. He explained that when he considered getting the Tatau his parents were very proud. He also said that the reason on why he got his Pe'a was because his older brother asked him to be his So'a (partner), and because he had already been thinking about it that made up his mind.

 One of the parts in the Pe'a that we had a look at was The Va'a. It's a 20 - 30cm black strip across the back of the body ending near the front of the armpits with two sharp arrow heads. The two long black strips are meant to represent family, and the sharp arrow heads representing protection. 

We were then given a mini project, to create/design our own tattoo's. One would symbolise any one part of our culture or heritage and the other had to represent ourselves. Right now, I'm currently designing my tattoo's and finding out a little bit more on what designs I can incorporate into my design. 

Term 4 Day 1

Although I started term 4 off a little late, so far so good, As I walked into my class, to me it was totally different. It seemed like everything had changed, yet again. After finding out that Class 1 and Class 5 had merged to make one big class, I realized that we no longer would have just 2 but 3 teachers. 

This big change is not only a good way to start off the term but is also a good way to end a good year. Hopefully everyone adapt to this big change and is able to get along. Fingers crossed this term turns out as planned.                          

Astria Countdown To Impact

Earlier on today Lisia and I completed Astria: Countdown To Impact. We saved the world by using Solar Sail, which are two mirrors that reflect the sun onto the asteroid, which would cause it to explode).

Today's session was much easier because most of our codes were unlocked, so all we basically had to do was go to the council and build the ship. I didn't really find anything hard today mostly because I I knew what to expect.

Overall I really enjoyed playing Astria: Countdown to Impact. It kind of helped me learn new vocabulary and helped me a bit with my reading. This game was really good because we not only had fun but we also learnt at least one or to things. 

Life Ed - Harold!

During the past few weeks Team 5, have had Life Education Sessions with Lynn and Harold to get a better understanding of drugs & alcohol, and how they can effect not only you but the people around you. We were then given the task to write a effective paragraph about what we've recently learn here is what I've found out. 

Marijuana ( or known as pot, weed, tinnies & herb) is the most common and well known drug because it's cheap compared to other drugs and how easy it is to get a hold of. Because of how cheap it is and how easy it is to access it mostly attracts teenagers. 

When you put drugs into your system, it effects the way your neurons (brain cells) work/functions. This leads to change of attitude and appearance. Most people take drugs, either because their hanging with the wrong crowd or just trying to fit in and feel cool. For me people who take drugs use it as an escape, a way to get out of reality and into their world. Most drug victims are depressed or lonely. Others are pressured and pushed into the web of addiction.

Class 1 - Smart Footprint

Class 1 - Smart Foot-Print from Team 5 PES on Vimeo.

Here is a movie Gloria, Lisia, Tyla, Kaycee and I've created all about Smart-Footprint. We have rewritten the lyrics for We Can't Stop by Miley Cyrus so that it would match our theme Smart Foot-Print.  Hopefully you enjoy it and always make sure you leave a smart-footprint.

The Lone Survivor

Here is my writing sample that I've created in 40 minutes. Hopefully you enjoy reading it! I was unable to finish it but I will make sure to write part 2! PART 2 COMING SOON!!

“Nia Everdeen please come to the stage”. As she called my name my heart sank, I didn't know if I’d make it out alive. One by one kids were called to the stage as if we were chosen, each  lining up as if we were going to get executed. After the roll call had ended we were all able to say one last goodbye to our family’s then head back to the train. While  I was saying goodbye to my mother she whispered in my ear “ I’ll find you, we all will”.

Arriving at the train we all set up and prepared ourselves for who knows what! In the morning the train suddenly stopped. “ Laura’s orders, everyone get of the train! NOW!” said one of the tall security guard’s. Confused and scared everyone quickly hopped off the train, and there in-front of us was this huge tall black building, with a logo on it titled  “Deathly Hallows”. “ Well the name explains it!” said one the the girls.

After everyone had finished setting up their rooms everyone was then called down to a secret hideaway room.  Out of nowhere a lady dressed in red suddenly appeared. “ Hi my name is Laura, I’m your trainer. You will eat, sleep,train together when I tell you and obey my orders. Today we start training, each and everyone of you have an ability that’s why you were  specifically chosen, your parents were just hiding it from you.

Each and every day 6:00am was the wake up call, get ready and have breakfast but today was different. As I was heading to the training room I felt as if I was being followed. So I thought that I would check up on the other girls and boys. The rooms were empty, but there were drips of blood leading to the secret hideaway.

Just as I was about to walk into the room I saw dead bodies everywhere, everyone I trained with was dead. I was the lone survivor. As I was walking away I suddenly heard Laura’s voice. “Come here my darling”. Slowly turning around I saw Laura standing there with her hand behind her back, and blood dripping from her mouth. 
TO BE CONTINUED>>>>

Scientific Method

Here is a presentation I've created, showing the Scientific Method. Step by step I guide you through the process of it all!! Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment.

Comparing New Zealand With Malawi

This week in extension we have been researching a lot about people who are living in Malawi. The situation and conditions they are living in is very sad, food-wise. I've put down what us New Zealanders & Malawian's do on a every day bases, comparing them with one another. Enjoy and don't forget to sponsor for the 40hr famine!!

Swimming at G.I Aquatic Centre

Drowning is the most common injury and cause of death not just in New Zealand but in many other countries. Up to 180 kids in New Zealand die every year because they were unable to swim.

To ensure that we don’t end up in the New Zealand statistics Class 1 have been focusing on getting better at swimming. So every week from Tuesdays to Fridays we walk down to our local Glen Innes Aquatic Centre and get special lessons. We are all split up into 2 groups, confident and not so confident.

I’m in the Confident group, which is group 2 and for the first lesson of swimming Natasha ( our swimming instructor)  gave us a couple of warm up drills to get our blood flowing. After doing 2 laps of backstroke we started to do the side stroke, breathing on our left arm and stroking with our right arm. After learning some different techniques we then had a competition on who could hold their breath the longest. At 2:50pm we all hopped out and got out of out of our togs ready to head back to school.  

I've most definitely improved in my swimming skills, and now know that drowning isn't even a possibility for me, and I hope that these swimming lessons will help me when I’m in a bad situation in the future.

Inference

Here is a D.L.O I've created to explain Inference. I hope you enjoy!

I'm Trying To Sort Out...

                                           http://nz.ixl.com/math/year-8/compound-interest
Throughout the term I've been using a maths program called IXL. After a few weeks of figuring what strategies I know, and need to learn I found something that I need to work on. Something that I don't know yet and would like to learn, it Compound interest. Hopefully I get this figured out before the end of the year, but in the mean time I'm going to focus on getting better at my basic facts.

Fiafia Rehearsal

Today Class 1 were given the task to write a well detailed paragraph about Fiafia rehearsal's that took place yesterday. This is the paragraph I've written to show not tell what I was feeling as I was about to head on stage. Enjoy!

As Wyatt announced the Senior Samoan group, we all got in our lines ready to head on stage. Walking up on stage my stomach was suddenly filled with butterflies as I got into my starting position. Making a mistake and humiliating myself was all I could think about, but as I put my mixed emotions aside I gave it 100%. The music started my nerves faded, and my confidence emerged.

Coyote The Werewolf

Here's another piece of writing my partner Gloria and I have created for another Writing challenge. With teamwork, and participation Gloria and I produced this piece of magical awesomeness. ENJOY!

Once upon a time, there lived a vicious werewolf named Coyote. He lived by himself in a dank cave on an isolated island that was in the middle of nowhere. Coyote’s razor sharp claws helped him run impossibly fast, faster than any living thing on earth. Weirdly enough, Coyote was the only werewolf ever that was vegetarian. No matter how hard he tried, he wasn’t able to digest any form of meat and he was dying. During the last minutes of his life, a unicorn appeared in his cave, it leaned down next to him, Coyote and the unicorn both exploded into bright golden statues.

Tiaki Taonga

This morning we completed a Speed Writing Challenge. In just 10 minutes we were expected to complete a piece of writing about Tiaki Taonga and R.A.K week. We were then given 5 minutes to pair share, and proof read.

Each year we have a school theme, last year it was Kia pai te Kotahi this year it’s Tiaki Taonga. It means caring for our people, our most treasured, our school,  and our successes. Caring is what we do at Pt.England school, and what better way to show not just by doing it by but also putting it out there and having it as our school theme.

So to show kids at Pt.England what Tiaki Taonga really is the prefects decided to create a korero based around kindness/caring. R.A.K week also known as random acts of kindness, throughout the whole week everyone in the school complimented or either did something nice to someone that would make them feel good.

As R.A.K week came to an end to show kindness one last time the prefects  stood at the front gates giving out lollies and doing something nice for them. It was just an awesome way of showing Tiaki Taonga, after all It's really nice to know that someone cares for you, I mean isn’t

Cyclone Lusi

Due to the torrential rains and horrendous conditions, the Polyfest and other events were forced to be postponed or cancelled. Numerous reports have been broadcasted all over NZ, making sure we prepare for the worst. Newspaper articles have come in informing us that cyclones normally only last up to 2 - 3 hours but Lusi stayed for at least 2 days.

Shortly after 9:00am power outages began. Because of the severe weather conditions trees were blown over cutting power lines, causing the power outage. With no electricity in Remuera, families were forced to live with little resources they had. A tree also hit a family home causing really bad damage to the house and all the family’s belongings.

Cyclone Lusi not only hit NZ but also hit Vanuatu and caused death to 3 people, an infant that got washed away by the flood-waters, and 2 elderly people who were struck unexpectedly by trees caused by the horrifying winds. As well as 3 people dying, one person has been badly injured and 6 people including 3 little kids reported missing.

As people prepared for Cyclone Lusi the weather in New Zealand was weirdly calm by the time it reached Glen Innes. To many people’s surprise, nothing big really happened besides it being very windy with little showers of rain. In my experience nothing big really happened that you could call a storm.

New Zealand Soldier Diary

Thursday 5th August 1899 - South Africa, Veldt

4:00am was the wakeup call, making sure we were  always ready for another exhausting day. Food here is four times the price than it is at home. With the loss of 2 toes, I’m unable to walk properly. Sleeping here is impossible, as I try to sleep at the same time we have to worry about being ambushed of killed..

Conditions in South Africa are very harsh, many of our soldiers have been killed or have been injured very badly. My trench foot it getting worse, the pain is gaining and I’m starting to get an infection covering my entire arm.

I hope that the queen is happy, now that I'm serving as a Nz Soldier. One thing I don't really understand is why Richard Sedan sent us here? Everyday I worry about mom, her condition was very bad when I left her at home, hopefully she'll be there when I get back. 

Anyways my main concern right now is 12 year old Peter Doyle, he has already lost one  arm and badly injured both of his legs,and is sadly near death. I can’t wait till this is all over.I’ll be able to see all of my family again, eat proper food had have a nice warm shower. That’s one thing that will keep me motivated. 

                                     

Bio Poem

Jorja

Hilarious, Tall, Crazy Fun, Clumsy

Child of Mena & Mark, Sister of Caleb, Kane

Who loves Music, Volleyball, Thunderstorms and Dramatic Conversations

Who feels energetic whenever there's good weather, always is in the mood to smile, always happy around friends and who can never stop laughing.

Who dislikes over dramatic people, backstabber's, eating cold toast, and immature people

Who wants to go back to Waitangi, visit Greece, Rio, Italy, London, Alaska, and U.S.A

Who wishes she could've met her Grandpa, Nelson Mandela, Paul Walker, Ancestors

Who is scared of falling off high things, serial killers

Who dreams of surviving a zombie apocalypse and somehow changing the world

Who is determined to train to get fit, become a soldier and then serve her country

Who values family, friends and treasured gifts

Who is proud of where she comes from, and family

Who graduated from Year 7 and now is a  Year 8

Who lives in Auckland, New Zealand but is truly going to live in Greece

Jorja

Fractions And Mixed Numbers

Maths DLO

For the past few weeks the Dodecahedron's have been working on statistics. Here's my D.L.O I've create to show you the meaning of these words.
Here is a site for some questions you can answer: IXL Maths Site

Class 1's New Class

Class 1's New Class in Being Built and is already nearly finished!

As you can see the builders have built Class 1's new class really quickly. It's really coming along and will definitely be built before the start of Term 2. I can't wait for it to be ready to use and enjoy!