Graphics With Mr Pineda!

The Revealing Film

On Wednesday, it was time to reveal the year 8's Manaiakalani film on the huge screen in Sylvia Park. Most of the schools arrived at the Cinemas to watch the films that were created by Manaiakalani schools including Ruapotaka.

The film that was made by the year 8s, was about Rugby Values and how to become a champion player. It was loud and exciting at the same time but mostly the teachers were proud of their students for working together and helping each other.

The movie's main advice is that everyone can achieve more and BE BETTER THAN BEFORE!

Swimming Today . . . Oh No!!

It was a normal day on Friday, but what made it so special was that, the years 7 and 8 boys are going swimming. Yay!

We waited until it was past noon because that was the time that we go swimming. 5 minutes have passed. 10, 20, nearly 40 minutes have passed. We still didn't get the signal to get ready to go swimming.

Half past one. We were still at school. I finally received a message from a friend of mine, Timote. He said that we didn't have swimming today. I was disappointed. Really disappointed. Meafou said that we get the van from Tamaki College but today Tamaki had a game and they used the van.

It was the worst day ever!

End Of The Year Tests!

The end of the year tests is today! I was so nervous that I couldn't focus at all! Luckily we did our Maths test and our Spelling test. We had two minutes to finish each of our Basic Facts tests. It was very quiet so people can focus on their tests.

I was also really nervous about the marks because I didn't know if I would pass the tests. I looked for my name on the list and .... what a surprise! I went up 12 percent since my last test. I scored 245 correct out of 250! Yay! I am ready for the real test now!

Fitness Disaster!!

On Tuesday, we started our new fitness. Our fitness now includes relays which means we are organized in our dance groups and are split up into four corners.
There were four cones on the field. Each teammate had to run to each cone and pass the baton to our teammate there, but it ended up in a disaster! People didn't know what team they were in, they didn't know how to pass it to their teammate, and even one team gave their baton to another team member! It was outrageous! It was messy.

Mr. Reid said that if we didn't do it properly tomorrow, we had to do Ms. Riley's fitness which was circuits!

Term 4 Goals!!

On Thursday, the fourth day of term 4, we had to think about our goals we needed to do for this term. We had to complete four goals based on our subjects and one other that is our personal goal. My personal goal was to be fit so that I can come 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the interschool athletics. My reading goal is to use year 7 words so that I can expand my ideas to the group. I am trying to push my maths level up so for the maths goal I want to learn my time's tables so I can be ready for the hard exams this term. My writing goal is to be focused so I cannot be distracted by people around me.

I will try be achieve all my goals this term so that I can be better than before!

First Tech Of Term 4!!

On Wednesday, the year 7's went to the first Tech for Term 4.

Mr Pineda greeted us in front of Tamaki College. We went inside and stood up to say a prayer. Mr Pineda picked Katrina to say the prayer. " Dear God, I woke up this morning feeling great. I feel alive, I feel bleesed. I am sorry for my sins that I have done people. Amen."

Mr Pineda gave us a blank peice of paper  to do our 3-D box. The topic was based on food, so we had to either choose our favourite food or a T.V character. I chose Kakashi from Naruto Online. The reason why I picked Kakashi was because I owned a Chinese takeaway in my imagination.

I started to draw him when Mr Reid came inside to tell us we had to go to school again. I gave my drawing to Mr Pineda and stood in the year 7 line. We said "Thank you",  to Mr Pineda and went on our way.

Combining Colours!

How do you change colours by using two separate colours?

Firstly, draw two or three circles on a cardboard or on the cover of a pad paper and use a ruler to find the centre of the circle and put a line through it. Colour one half of the circle green and the other red. Colour the other two circles half red, blue or green. Two colours can combine into one colour when the circles are spun.

Find the centre and mark the middle. Measure two centimetres across the middle and mark it with a pencil. Punch the marked dots on the circle with a nail. Cut out the circles and put a one metre string through the holes. Put another circle behind the one that has been put in. Glue the two circles together and tie a knot on one side of the string. Turn the circle and let a friend hold your circle. At this point when it is spun fast, it can change colour. For example green and blue makes turquoise and red and green makes yellow or orange.


The faster the spin, the more likely a colour change will be observed.

Graphics With Mr Pineda

Learn 3D Shapes

Today at Technicraft I attended a graphics class and had a lesson on  3-dimensional shapes. Mr Pineda our instructor  reviewed  how to cut 3-dimensional shapes. Afterwards, I had to design my  first 3 dimensional shape. Once you complete your 3-dimensional shape you gain points for yourself. The harder the cutting, folding, and gluing the pieces together, the more points you will receive.

💻Technology At Tamaki College!💻

At Tamaki College, we switched classes so that meant the year 7's went to graphics with Mr Pineda and the year 8's went to wood working with Mr Grundy.

When the year 7's students went into the graphics' classroom, we were met by another teacher Mrs Kasipale. We asked the tutor where Mr Pineda was and she said that she didn't know.

We started off the day by reading instructions Mr Pineda provided for us. We had to write our names in different fonts. I did a fire and water kind of font. I also did a lightning font.

My name looked awesome after I finished drawing. I love graphics!

Nachos!!

On Wednesday for Tech, the year 7's made Nachos. It is a dish with tortilla chips but we used Doritos topped with melted cheese which is often used with other savoury toppings. It is originally from Mexico which borders U.S.A.

First we crushed two pieces of garlic by putting them in a towel and smashing them with the roller. It smelt like onion put very strong and powerful. We sprinkled it into a pan and poured in canola oil. I turned on the element and stirred it until it was brown-ish and crispy. After we put in the mixture, we put in a quarter of mince in the frying pan and combined it with the garlic by mixing them until the mince was golden brown. Then we put in a mixture of baked beans, spaghetti, tomato paste and grated cheese. I mixed and mixed until it was well combined.

I wanted to take the dish to my dad so I covered it with foil and took it home. It was yum-o!

Banana Muffins At Tech!!!

Today, we had tech at Tamaki College and it was about cooking. We made Banana Muffins with Mrs Tuipulotu. 

First, we had to get the equipment to get ready for Mrs Tuipulotu's instructions. She gave us two bananas and we were instructed to slice them into a bowl. We mashed the bananas until it was so slimy that it felt like saliva with squishy lollies in it. 
After that we put in all the ingredients and baked them in the oven.
Finally we get to eat. It was yum!

🏆School Sharing Assembly For Pasifika Study!!🏆

Today, we had a school sharing assembly where each room had to perform in front of the whole school to showcase their Pasifika study.

Room 1 did a Sasa which is one of three Samoan performances. After a entertaining performance by Room 1, the students went off stage and Room 5 came marching in. They started to sing "Le Aute" which was enjoyable. 

Room 6 came up next. For the first time in Ruapotaka history, we had a cat-walk. They showed off their amazing Tongan and Samoan clothes. 

After, Room 7 came up next. They also did a dance. It was cool to watch because some of them danced a solo.

Room 9 sang a Samoan song called "Si Manu La'ititi" meaning Little Bird. I felt inspired by the students the bird in the song touched my heart. 

Room 10 sang a Tongan song called "E Otua." It was awesome to hear them sing. 

Room 12 finally went up on stage. We sang a "How Far I'll Go." Mrs Golder said that we sounded beautiful.

Netball

On Tuesday, Mr Reid had chosen 10 really good netball players to represent the school in the year 7 and 8 netball tournament. Four boys and six girls had been chosen. One of them was me. Mr Reid also chose 10 students from the years 5 and 6 level to be in the same netball tournament.

We practiced with Mrs Shortland and the years 5 and 6. It was really fun. The first three points had been earned by the year 5 and 6 netballers. They were on a roll until we started to close the gap.

I played goal attack and goal keeper. The final score was 16 to 10. It was a great practice.

🐔Chicken CURRY!!!🍛

On Wednesday, the year 7 students went to Tamaki College to do some cooking with Mrs Tuipulotu.

Our cooking today was Chicken Curry on rice. First I was excited to make it but when Mrs Tuipulotu said that it is not the chicken curry that is made island style, I was disappointed. She said that we were going to do the Indian style.

We used an Indian style curry sauce for the base. Then she put tomato paste into the curry sauce to combine the two flavors. We stirred and stirred the mixture until Mrs Tuipulotu said to stop. She came around with brown sugar and a butter knife. She scooped up a few spoons into the bowl and moved on to another table. After that, she carried a large tray of frozen chicken for us to cook.

After we cooked the chicken and the sauce, she came around with rice. We put the chicken on the rice.  Then we put a few teaspoons all over the chicken and there you go. It was yummy!

First Assembly For Term 3!

Today, we had a whole school assembly. 

Mrs Vickers asked the students if they read some books in the holiday and to be truthful about it. I was among one of them. I read a book called "Dragon Knight: Joust" and "Spirit Animals: Fall Of The Beasts: Broken Ground", which is one of my favourite books.

Mrs Vickers also had some "Caught Being Good" books for the people who had been good for the rest of the day. Tyron and Tupouseini were two pupils who had been chosen by Mrs Golder. It was a great start to term 3!

🎤 Samoan Singing!! 🎶

Last week on Friday afternoon, we had Samoan singing. We lined up into a single line and made our way up to the multipurpose room. We waited for a while, because the juniors were still singing a Samoan song. After two or three minutes, the juniors slowly strolled out of the room. After that, we went in the room. Mrs Folu was waiting for us at the other side of the multipurpose room. We sat down and we were ready to lift our voices.

Our first song we sang was Le Aute and I started it off with a tune. Tasi, Fa! We sang with our hearts. After we sang, Mrs Folu started to clap. "You sang beautifully!" Mrs Folu spoke as she smiled. We did a couple more songs. My favourite song was the Samoan alphabet. It was the best singing that I have ever done.
AEIOU Alphabet Samoan
Vaai I Le Pepe Samoan
Siva Mai Samoan

St Kents At Ruapotaka School!

On Monday morning, students from St Kents came to do sports coaching at our school and also to succeed in their test that they were having. If some of them don't pass their tests, they would have to come back to Ruapotaka School another day and resit their test again.

We were split up into 3 groups so there were group 1, group 2 and group 3. I was in group 3.

We were with two rugby students. Our activity was ripper tag. We were split again in two groups. Ripper tag was difficult because the two groups were in two middle-sized squares. If you go out of the square, one of the teachers will take away one or more tags from you, depending on how long you are outside of the square.

The whistle went and the rugby students brought everyone together to see who got the most tags out the two groups. I had a total of 6 tags and the other person from the another group had a total of 4. It was fun!

🥇Duffy Award!!🥇

 On Monday, we had a whole school assembly as usual. One of the items that occur is when Mrs Vickers gives out the Duffy books and certificate to the pupils who have been doing well in their reading, writing or other subjects.

She called out the room numbers one by one: 9, 10,11 and 12. It was their turn to receive the Duffy books. The teachers had a good think about who they were going to chose. Finally,  Mr Reid picked Mary and Mrs Golder picked Saluselo which is me because I did well in my reading. I moved up a reading group as well as my reading level.

When I went up to get my award, I felt nervous. This is my 5th Duffy book award. Afterwards, Mrs Vickers congratulated me by shaking my hand and gave me a Spirit Animals book which is my favourite book.

When I looked at my book, I thought to myself, 'now I have two books like these.' I was proud of myself for doing well!

National Milk Day!!

Today is National Milk Day and today we get to drink our milk at morning tea. Meana was taking photos of us drinking our milk. 

It is good to drink milk because it is good for our teeth and our health. I love to drink it at school and every one else. 

Ruapotaka School is grateful that we are one of the schools in New Zealand to have milk.

Inter-school Soccer Competition

On Wednesday, the Year 7/8 soccer team represented Ruapotaka in the inter-school soccer tournament held at Point England Reserve.
Me, Mika, Timote, Lupe, Katrina, Meana, Isabell, Izabella, Dakbai, Solomone and Min Zin were ready for anything.
The first school we played against was Glen Taylor. It was a difficult match and the year 7&8's fought hard just to get that one goal.
After that game, we did some changes. Dakbai went into the game to replace Min Zin as attacker and in the last three minutes we finally scored a goal. We all celebrated and high-fived each other.

The other schools were Tamaki Primary which we lost 1-0. Mr Reid was disappointed in us, so we sat there and made a game plan. The next match was with Sylvia Park and our game plan worked. Mr Reid was happy that we changed how we played and that we won the game. The next school to face us was St Patrick's. We worked together and we won 7-0.

In the semi-finals, Ruapotaka was up against Panmure Bride and we won 4-0. So that meant Ruapotaka  moved on to the finals against Stonefields. This was going to be hard. We played hard until time was up. We drew 0-0. It was the first time that Ruapotaka school had come first. This years soccer was awesome. Mr Reid was still fizzing from the win!

Funny Syndicate Assembly!!😆😅

The first Syndicate Assembly was so hilarious that I nearly bursted into tears. I couldn't even catch my breath. It started off like this . . . . .

It was Room 12's turn to host the first ever Syndicate Assembly for Term 2 2017. We decided to do an epic lip sync battle. Mika started it off with an incredible introductory BANG.

Afterwards, we sang a song from the kids movie "Moana." The song was about an adventurous girl who lives in a village and tries to save her island. The next song was called "How Far I'll Go." That's when it started to get funny. Then the battle began. It was cool and interesting to watch them lip sync to a song they chose. The funniest class was Room 10 and they were represented by Peni and Dominic. They sang to a song called "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen. They became the new lip sync champions.

The First Tech Of Term 2!!

My first tech in term 2 was kind of okay, mostly because I didn't do much work on my project that I was working on. It was a "Recipe Card Holder" for my mother because it is nearly Mother's Day. That was the first reason why I decided to do it. The second reason was because my mother loves baking and cooking. I also thought of doing some Samoan patterns. I did it along the sides with a very sharp pencil. Afterwards I showed it to Mr. Grundy, our teacher for woodwork. He said after I did the patterns, I could use a permanent maker to over-line it. The first tech for term 2 was terrific!

Term 2!!😉😉

 On Monday, it was exciting for me because it was the first day of Term 2. I couldn't wait to go to school. First I thought we were going to take our chromebooks home like usual but we didn't have homework. "No homework, no taking chromebooks home". That is what my teacher says ( well sometimes.)

There was an assembly that afternoon. I was very excited about it. It was about how we celebrate Anzac and only a few of my classmates from my school went to the Easter show. It was fabulous to be back at school.

Fractals Are . . .

Everyday Theaters

This morning, two ladies from Game Masters came to Ruapotaka School to talk to Room 12 and Room 11. Their names were Vera and Kaitlin. They said they were the highest player in each game but they were stuck on one game. They had to act like a Dave (Dad), Marea (Mum), T (Son), Jake (T friend) and Bryian (Marea's boyfriend). It was fun because we had to complete activities and at the end of the session, we got a badge and a card that said "Game Masters."

Mr Grundy's Wood Work

For the past 5 weeks, the year 7's have been working at Tamaki College with Mr Grundy. We were working with wood but the first 4 weeks, we had to draw pictures with a joint that is a called a "Housing Joint." We had to work with a wood that was 320 millimeters long. We had to draw 9 to 10 options that would work with a housing joint. We had to think of new drawings because if we do, we will have top marks. When we had finished drawing all 9 to 10 drawings we had to choose one picture to work on. Now this week, we are working on the picture that we have chosen. I chose an "Ezle" because I love drawing and it is simple to make. This week is going to be fun!

This is the video that Mr Grundy show the Yr 7's.  Mr Grundy's Video.

The Secret Life Of Pests

The Secret Life Of Pests

Pests are little animals, creatures and insects that are filthy, disgusting and smelly that carry diseases like rat-bite fever and weil's disease  They do damage to people's farms and houses and they commonly eat your gardens and crops. Pests are dangerous creatures.

Rat Bites

Rat bites can cause “Leptospirosis” which can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. It is spread by cattle, pigs, dogs, rats, and other animals which is really surprising.

Wasp Stings

If people get stung by a wasp, it doesn’t only sting people once but it can sting people a thousand times. A wasp is half the size of its close cousin the hornet.  There is one special thing about wasps, it can’t die. It can only die if people kill it.

Spider Bites

Spider bites are one of the most deadliest bites on earth. Some are non-poisonous and some are poisonous. The most poisonous spider in the whole world is the “11 Recluse Spider.” Spider bites can cause big lumps, itchiness and also kill people.

Horse Fly

Female Horse flies are aggressive and can bite. It is dangerous to the human health. Female House flies can transfer blood from another animal or human to their feeding habit. Male horse flies do not drink blood but they feed on pollen. Female horse flies apparently are attracted to such things as moving and shiny surfaces so they actually live in houses.

Concluding Statement

Pests are creatures or animals that are dangerous to our environment. Pests  damage things and destroy crops and houses. We do not like pests.

Tabloids

 On Wednesday, we had tabloids. The whole school was split up in groups that were organised by Mrs Vickers and the prefects. (Mika, Meana, Min Zin, Saluselo, Katrina.) The groups are Kowhai, Kakariki, Whero and Kikorangi. In English, it is yellow, green, red, and blue. We had to work together to get points for our team. Meana's group got 35 points, Min, Zins group got 27 points, Mikas group got 35 points and my team got 37 points. It was the best day ever. It was great! 

The First Senior Syndicate Assembly For 2017

It wasn't our normal day where we start the assembly on Mondays. Instead, because  it was Waitangi day we had to do our assembly on Tuesday. It was kinda weird having an assembly on Tuesday. It was our turn to host the syndicate assembly. It was fun. We had to dance to a music,  and me, Mika and Lupe had to dance to "Hit The Quan."