Friday, 23 May 2014

Swimming Reminder



Next week we start swimming lessons at Pioneer Pool.  We will be swimming Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs of Week 4 and Week 6. 

The schedule is:

Room 18 & 19
Depart school at 9:30am
Room 18 lessons - 10am-10:30am
Room 19 lessons - 10:30am-11am

Return to school by 11:30am

Room 22 & 23
Depart school at 10:30am
Room 22 lessons - 11am-11:30am
Room 23 lessons - 11:30am-12noon
Return to school by 12:30pm


Students will need to bring their togs, towel, goggles (optional), swimming cap (optional), hair brush and drink bottle in a separate swimming bag.  It is also important that students have their warm senior jacket to put on after swimming.   ALL ITEMS are to be CLEARLY LABELED!

If your child has an appointment on one of these days and is likely to miss the bus, please let Mrs P know ASAP.  Thanks :)

Thursday, 22 May 2014

Poem of the Week

This World
 Written and illustrated by Ella

Watching the sun sink into the ground
With colours beaming all around

Ranginui created the sky
and the clouds that shift capriciously by

The rain, the sun and the moon
The glistening reflection on a lagoon

But not without a helping hand
from Papatūinuku who designed this land

Her hair making rivers where you are
Floating flatlands near and far

Making trees with their roads so deep in the ground
Building mountains so high, you can't hear a sound

But what's the point of making all this
When our minds are filled with loneliness?

Computers, iPads and phones
Try and push into these holes

But this doesn't help at all!

It makes us dumb, stupid and thick
Our friend list grows, but our talking shrinks

We miss chances in life
Like meeting our future wife

Or our kids first hockey goal
Because you were far too busy texting 'lol'

Or their school production
Because you said yes to the seduction

Or the soccer match which was on that night
And when you ask if he wants to fly a kite 

It's too late, he's grown up
He's following your footsteps

He's following his mate's footsteps
He's following the population's footsteps

When you go home tonight, what will you do?
Will you pop to the park, or drive to the zoo?

Or climb a pohutukawa tree
There are a lot more sights to see

Instead of the digital screen
With boring group chats as you sit without emotion

Don't give that piece of metal all your devotion.

Go outside, hang with mates
Play cards, go make dates

Climb trees, sit and play in rivers
Papatūnuku and Ranganui made the earth to play on

So go play, run, jump, enjoy yourself, while you can...
You won't live forever.

So when the sun goes into the ground
Pay attention to the colours that beam all around

Give this world your love and emotion
Don't give that piece of metal all your devotion.





Sunday, 18 May 2014

Mathletics Home Learning has been set for Week 3



Mathletics Participation Points for Week 2:
 
Jake - 1940 - Bronze Certificate (7 certificates in total)
Jacob - 1920 - Bronze Certificate (4 certificates in total)
Jonas -1107 - Bronze Certificate (7 certificates in total)
Alice - 1045 - Bronze Certificate (4 certificates in total)

Amelia - 724
Josh - 610
Oscar - 210
Tash - 178
Michael - 174
Tanaya - 100

Keep up the good work!  Who will make the leader board next week?

Saturday, 17 May 2014

School Cross Country & Canterbury Duathlon

School Cross Country
Room 18 performed exceptionally well at this years cross country.  We were SUPER close to reclaiming the Class Eagle.  Room 19 scored a total of 14 points to our 16 points.  This meant that we missed out on the Class Eagle by 2 measly points.  It did also mean, however, that we performed 2nd best in the whole school!!!!!  The bridesmaids again!  Good luck Jake, Ben H., Ben M., Freya, Amelia, Holly, Tash and Oscar at Zone Cross Country this Wednesday! 
Year 7 Girls
Hine, Freya and Holly
Freya and Holly
Freya
Holly placed 3rd in the 11 years girls.
Amelia placed 5th in the 11 years girls.
Ben H. placed 3rd in the 12 years boys.
Ben M. placed 2nd in the 12 years boys.
Oscar placed 4th in the 12 years boys.
Tash placed 2nd in the 12 years girls.
Bella placed 4th in the 12 years girls.
Freya placed 5th in the 12 years girls. 


Canterbury Duathlon
On Wednesday 14th May, Room 18 was strongly represented at the Canterbury Duathlon.  The weather was extremely wet and cold, but the competition was hot.  Well done to Holly, Amelia, Emily, Jake and Ben H. on their efforts.
 
 Holly 56th out of 84 in the 11 year girls.
 Amelia 66th out of 84 in the 11 year girls.
 Ben H. 39th out of 92 in the 12 year boys.

Jake placed 43rd out of 96 in the 11 year boys (he is proving hard to get a photo of).

Monday, 12 May 2014

The Class Eagle is up for grabs again next week!



Last year, we introduced the Senior Class Eagle to celebrate class achievement.  The trophy is awarded to the most successful class at events throughout the year, such as swimming sports, cross country, speech competitions, athletics and the like.

The Eagle has nested in 3 of the 4 classrooms this year...

Duathlon: Room 18
Swimming Sports: Room 19
CantaMath Syndicate Competition: Room 23
Cross County: Room 19 (where the Eagle currently rests)

Next week, we are planning an inter-class Spelling Quiz, in the lead up to the inter-school Spelling Quiz that will be held at Chisnallwood Intermediate on Wednesday June 11th.

Some of the Spelling Quiz rounds will include:
  • Know your words
  • Proofreading
  • Abbreviations
  • Dictionary skills
  • Root words
  • Word endings
  • Matching countries and words
Study up big people!  It's been a while since the Class Eagle was in Room 18!

Olympic Ambassador - Aaron Orangi

We had an exciting and inspiring visit from Aaron Orangi, who qualified as one of five bobsleigh racers for the Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy in 2006.  He lives in Darfield where he works as a pharmacist.  In 2013, Aaron was named a New Zealand Olympic Ambassador for the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
Aaron spoke to the Year 5-8 students about believing in yourself, working hard and not letting others tell you that you can't achieve your goals.