2017 Proud Moments

Libby's 2017 Proud Moments

2017 was a spectacular year for me... I was pushed out of my comfort zone, taught new things, and so much more! I made a slide show of all of my proudest moments.

Proud Moments CLICK ME!

Passions - Clay Relics with Mrs Strathern

Clay

Term four for Kahikatea and Kawaka was different, we did passions hour. There were so many options, but I had to choose Mrs Strathern doing 'Clay Relics'. What sparked my interest was that I had lots of different foreign from different countries... Wales  (where my granddad is from) really intrigued me.

From Wales where Celtic people, and their magnificent designs called 'Celtic knots'. Mrs Strathern gave us a technology process which went like this: 1, Create ideas and question yourself how it's going to work. 2, Imagine your possibilities, then plan you idea in an inquiry book. 3, Design, think through your ideas. Reason with them and see if they'll work. 4, Create with clay. 5, Modify your ideas and structure. Now this process was repeated until you were happy.

Intricately placing the last touches on my sculpture, my mission was completed! 

Now that our passions have came to a close, I have plenty of photos to present, here they are. I also made a flower after I had done my final copy of the Celtic knot.

The flower I made.

My final copy

Book Week

My grin was wider that my face, and my teeth in its pristine order. I was ecstatic to be dressed up, and to see everyone's magnificent costumes. So much time and effort went into these costumes, I couldn't believe my eyes!

My heart was pounding... I wasn't ready for the parade! The results were in, who had the two best costumes in room nine? DRUM ROLL PLEASE... Mac as Mr Stink, and Isabella as The Queen Of Hearts! Not really minding that I didn't win, I kindly congratulate Mac and Isabella for their achievements.

The 'These People Love Reading' activity is next, it is announced that room nine is having Kat Merewether as our person that loves reading! Kat is the author and illustator of the 'Kuwi The Kiwi' series. Kat taught us a couple of things: How to draw expressions , and Kat also read us hew new book 'Kiwicorn'!

Room nine and the rest of Pirongia School really appreciated all the hard work Mrs Bryant put into book week 2017.

Here is my costume on book day, I was Pippi Longstocking.

How the Kiwi Lost It's Wings - Reese & Libby's Maori Myth and Legend

Preparing Our Maori Myth & Legend:

Steadily placing the finishing touches onto the background, Reese and I were ready. Rehearsing our lines carefully, we needed to remember the so we were able to tell this wonderful story. Practicing the full thing, we were ready!

                    

                    How the Kiwi Lost his Wings

One day, Tane-mahuta was walking through the forest. He looked up at his children reaching for the sky and he noticed that they were starting to sicken, as bugs were eating them.

He talked to his brother, Tane-hokahoka, who called all of his children, the birds of the air, together.

Tane-mahuta spoke to them.

"Something is eating my children, the trees. I need one of you to come down from the forest roof and live on the floor, so that my children can be saved, and your home can be saved. Who will come?"

All was quiet, and not a bird spoke.

Tanehokahoka turned to Tui.

"Something is eating my children, the trees. I need one of you to come down from the forest roof and live on the floor, so that my children can be saved, and your home can be saved.

"E Tui, will you come down from the forest roof?"

Tui looked up at the trees and saw the sun filtering through the leaves. Tui looked down at the forest floor and saw the cold, dark earth and shuddered.

"Kao, Tanehokahoka, for it is too dark and I am afraid of the dark."

Tanehokahoka turned to Pukeko.

"Pukeko, will you come down from the forest roof?"

Pukeko looked down at the forest floor and saw the cold, damp earth and shuddered.

"Kao, Tanehokahoka, for it is too damp and I do not want to get my feet wet."

All was quiet, and not a bird spoke.

Tanehokahoka turned to Pipiwharauroa.

"Pipiwharauroa, will you come down from the forest roof?"

Pipiwharauroa looked up at the trees and saw the sun filtering through the leaves. Pipiwharauroa looked around and saw his family.

"Kao, Tanehokahoka, for I am busy at the moment building my nest."

All was quiet, and not a bird spoke. And great was the sadness in the heart of Tanehokahoka, for he knew, that if one of his children did not come down from the forest roof, not only would his brother loose his children, but the birds would have no home.

Tanehokahoka turned to Kiwi.

"E kiwi, will you come down from the forest roof?"

Kiwi looked up at the trees and saw the sun filtering through the leaves. Kiwi looked around and saw his family. Kiwi looked at the cold damp earth. Looking around once more, he turned to Tanehokahoka and said,

"I will."

Great was the joy in the hearts of Tanehokahoka and Tanemahuta, for this little bird was giving them hope. But Tanemahuta felt that he should warn kiwi of what would happen.

"E kiwi, do you realise that if you do this, you will have to grow thick, strong legs so that you can rip apart the logs on the ground and you will loose your beautiful coloured feathers and wings so that you will never be able to return to the forest roof. You will never see the light on day again."

All was quiet, and not a bird spoke. "E kiwi, will you come down from the forest roof?" Kiwi took one last look at the sun filtering through the trees and said a silent goodbye. Kiwi took one last look at the other birds, their wings and their coloured feathers and said a silent goodbye. Looking around once more, he turned to Tanehokahoka and said, "I will." Then Tanehokahoka turned to the other birds and said, "E Tui, because you were too scared to come down from the forest roof, from now on you will wear the two white feathers at your throat as the mark of a coward. Pukeko, because you did not want to get your feet wet, you will live forever in the swamp. Pipiwharauroa, because you were too busy building your nest, from now on you will never build another nest again, but lay your eggs in other birds nests. But you kiwi, because of your great sacrifice, you will become the most well known and most loved bird of them all." Here's our video link: CLICK ME

Kahikatea Team Camp 2017

Raft Building

The raft rocked from side to side. My mind raced we needed to think of a way to stay on the raft before it engulfed us into the freezing water! Our legs were rapidly getting swallowed deeper and deeper into the water. The raft rambunctiously flipped us off the raft, leaving us in the icy water!

Before all of the drama: Time ticked, we needed to get this raft finished! Tighten the loose knots! Or else the barrels wrapped in the rope would come undone and they would separate and go their own ways! Time was up, the raft looked sturdy and tight... Was it enough?

Anxiously placing the raft into the water, it floated, that was definitely a relief to all of us! One by one, our group piled onto the raft. It wobbled to and fro. What will happen next? (The answer is at the top.)


Here's a photo of our talent show group:

The Pig is Addison, on the left me (Libby), in the middle is Lexi, and on the right is Hannah.

I couldn't manage to find a photo of group four on the raft, but I hope you like this photo of our talent show group!

Lacrosse with Team Energize

Enthusiastically scuttling to the side field, I was ready for some fun! Claire, our team energizer was there, but with someone else? We couldn't remember his name but room 9 just called him Jeff.

Everyone had to have a buddy, I chose to go with Dareeya. Daintily looking around waiting for instructions, I wonder what those big sticks are... The first instruction was for one person to grab the big stick, and the other grab a tennis ball.

Claire and 'Jeff ' show us a very precise demonstration of what we need to do. Dareeya carefully aimed the ball toward my stick, and rolls right in, yipee! Now for a more advanced one: the person with the ball does an underarm throw while the person with the stick tries to get the ball into their stick.

Jeff and Claire thought we were so good we could have a game of lacrosse with defined rules. Sadly, I didn't manage to get hold of the ball. Although, it was VERY fun! I reckon this was one of my favourite lessons we ever got from Team Energize.

Choices for Life Production

Kahikatea team produced an amazing production this year called ‘Choices for Life’. We had to audition for a part in the play, but if we didn’t get the role we wanted we still got a speaking part in the production. My role was to be a talking tree! We didn’t come on until quite close to the end of the production but, it was worth it!

When I was learning my lines Mrs Strathern made us perfect at saying them. There was a continuing monotony of Mrs Strathern saying “Use EXPRESSION!” So of course we had to use EXPRESSION. I also learnt that if we got cut off or we forgot to say our lines, the audience could’ve missed a vital part of the play.

During the first few performances it was like butterflies were flipping my stomach! At least I didn’t have lots of lines! Our final production was sad because all the fun performing time was over for the year. :(

My favourite part about the production was seeing everyone in their AMAZING costumes people put time and effort into. The other thing that I loved was the exTREEmely cool tree jokes the three adventurers did!

Moving to Pirongia

Moving to Pirongia    

By Libby

Stressfully packing my last little toys into the box, the moving truck is ONLY minutes away! Breathing a relaxed sigh of relief, I wave a goodbye to the moving truck leisurely driving into the hazy sunset on the horizon. My eyes flutter open, realizing it is the day I get to see our new home! Triumphantly plopping down onto my seat, we set off onto our journey to the ‘new house’! I knew it would be a great day…           

Frantically searching through the boxes for something precious and valuable, my mind races wondering where it is in this lost sea of boxes! Every nook and cranny investigated but not a single sign of my great grandmother’s China doll! Racing with a roar, as he dashed into my room was Lewis with something dear and close to my heart… It is my great grandmother’s antique China doll! A big bear hug to thank him was given. (I knew he didn’t like it! )

Staring gleefully through the transparent window, I tightly clutched the rundown China doll. I knew I could call this place home.

The Goose

                                                          The Goose By Libby

It screamed at the little girl. Looking it cautiously in the eye, his yellow eyes glared at me, giving me the warning to run. He looked malicious and ready to fight. I had to run…

Squabbling at me, he took one graceful step towards me. Staring forlornly at me, my brother stood there in a gaze - not doing anything at all! The creature made a deafening squeal, piercing my eardrums with the hideous noise.

His steps looked careful, edging closer to me. His pace had picked up, now he was a speeding train - or a bullet aiming for its target… and that target was me!

Sneakily creeping toward me, my toes tingle as the thought of the animal biting my innocent little toes horrifies me! Crunch!  Slimy saliva covers my toe, slowly realizing the pesky goose had taken a nibble out of my toe! I try to wiggle my toe - it wouldn’t budge…

I did this writing with the help of Mrs Strathern’s great feed-forward and feed-back to help lift the level of my words and gems.

                                  

Libby's Leaning Conference Term 3 2017

I walked gleefully into the classroom.  Five chairs sat neatly, waiting for somebody to sit on them. Plopping slowly onto the chair, as I patiently wait for Mrs Strathern put my slideshow on the screen. I read aloud my slideshow while having a conversation with the slide. Time ticked quickly, all went well... Until the bell rang and I hadn't finished showing mum around the room! Oh well, I had already showed her enough.

Click Me!.....

The Splash

The Splash

Dangling my legs in the blue water, I watch the euphoric kids play in the pool. Casually peering at my surroundings, I try to avoid the imminent danger. Cautiously getting behind the concrete wall around the pool, I was a soldier peeping above the rim of my trench, spying for the threats of any danger. The sound of splashing edged closer and closer to me.

SPLASH! Shrieking as loud as a trumpet, my hair was a sponge that soaked up all of the water in the pool water. Looking around for the culprit, it was so absurd, because there was no one obvious near me! My mendacious brother was my first suspect.

Demanding a soft towel, I waited patiently. Eavesdropping at my brothers conversations, I heard my brother giggling with his friends. Inquisitively asking myself questions to distract myself, while I get restless waiting for my towel.

Scrambling under my towel for warmth, I let out a sigh of relief. The smell of something damp tickles my nose… I feel my hair, and I was saturated in water. AGAIN! I glare at my brother, he protests that  he committed the crime.

Fun Fact!: I sent this writing to a book making company called "Toitoi", and they are amazing and have great feedback. Hopefully my story will get published into their next journal!

Science Term 2

This term we did science on plants and the environment, I will tell you a few things about our science project. Our group: Lexi, Libby and Elana. Our question: What soil is best for plant growth? Our Answer: Dirt, It might've been loam if we had some, but we expected it to be to dirt if  we didn't get the loam.

Gymfest 2017 Recount

The clock struck eleven. It was time for the floor, vault, and beam. I would shine like a star! I eagerly bound over to our group lines, I was group thirty one. The first station for us was fabulous floor. Pointed toes, straight legs, smile, signal for start, head tucked into chest for forward rolls, hold for two seconds, and there was more but I don't want to bore you.

There I was sitting third in line, butterflies flipping my stomach. NO! It was my turn, the real turn. Ten deep breaths. Graciously signalling with my hand, I am ready. Forward roll! Front plank! Turn! Squat again! Candle! Mini handstand! Jump and hold! I felt as though hundred kilograms of weight had been removed off of my chest.

The vehement vault was next... I did like vault because it was "more simple" than floor and beam. Signal, point your toes, smile 😃, two feet on vault, in the air straight like an arrow, land and hold. I held my hand up high and courageously to signal the judge. I was surprised that it only took a few seconds!

Beam was my least favourite. It was quite high, and the mat was kind of dangerous. I was quite tired by now so I just wanted to sit down. I will share about prize giving though! I was year 5 flyers, and overall I got fifth place!

Hip Hop was really fun. We didn't have a team name so they called us the "Pirongia Rockets"? There were two hip hop teams, us and St. Pats Girl Squad. We danced to "Better When I'm Dancin' " by Meghan Trainor. We came second overall, but that's okay because we had fun!

Libby's Learning Conference Term 1 2017

The butterflies in my stomach were panicking frantically as I walked through the classroom door, I felt quite prepared except I was really nervous. I shared my Mihi pretty well, but I was really nervous. I shared my art, writing, maths, etc, but then came the comments. Surprisingly there were no comments, It was great!

To Libby's Learning Conference Slide(so please click on me)

Speech By Libby

 Child Abuse

'' Let us be the ones to say we are not satisfied that your place of birth determines your right for life. Let us be loud, let us be bold and let us be outraged. '' Brad Pitt. I believe hitting kicking punching, and many more to child abuse is not acceptable, child abuse needs to stop. 1,000,000 cases are reported each year worldwide.

90% of the people who abuse the child are someone the child know or trusts (their parents).

Over two children die each year in New Zealand alone! The worst thing is there are over 150,000 cases reported in New Zealand.

Lots of kids that have been kidnapped tend to get abused by their kidnapper. That would make up the other 10% of kids that get a abused each year! You might think these kids would forget about it, but it would actually be life scarring for them! nearly half of the kids that get abused are under five! For many of the kids that get abused would be confused or fearful, wouldn't you be?

Of course there is a cycle to child abuse, like many other things that are living. Sometimes it is unfixed problems that would lead to them wanting to relive stress or pressure by abusing their child. If someone you know is being abused be bold and help them!

If you abuse kids younger or older than you, think twice, it can really affect their view on life and child abuse. If you want to help, be an up-stander not a bystander to child abuse. If you see someone getting abused report tot he police immediately, it is serious.

Hamilton Gardens

  Hamilton Gardens

Peering at all the beautiful plants, I gaze at the entrance of the English Flower Garden. There were damp golden leaves on the wet concrete leading to a white gazebo in the center of the English Flower Garden. I stand in there silently admiring the beauty in front me.

The intriguing Japanese garden was magnificent. The tranquil pond silenced us, it was peaceful, until of course I heard some children screaming (not from room 9). The empty room made me feel calm, in the satisfying, clean room. 

The crisp air glided across my face, making goosebumps run down my spine. I knew the rain was coming. It hit. We ran. We were safe.

Here is a photo of the Japanese Garden pond:

The Conquered Fear

The Conquered Fear By Libby

Putrid smells tickle my nose. I cringe as I conceal my nose from the disgusting smell. There is was. Lying on the tray waiting for it’s surgery. The large knife gave my skin a fright making goosebumps crawl up my back, as shivers creep down my spine.

The razor-sharp knife sunk slowly into the deer’s liver. Blood leisurely oozed out, the blood was a rich dark red velvet blanket covering the tray. A small deer brain caught my eye, it was fascinating looking at what I knew was inside of me!

The wind pipe extending out of the heart was a rattlesnake's rattle at the end of the squiggly line-like animal. The knife was inserted. There was a crackling type sound as the knife slits through the windpipe.

There was crusted blood sprawled across the tray even before I used it! The tray smelt absolutely fetid. It was there… a cow’s heart lying in front of me. The latex gloves were handed out, I didn’t want to dissect, but I was lucky there was a spare glove handed out with the rest of my group’s gloves. There I was conquering my one of my fears. I with a sharp scalpel cutting away at the massive heart💖!

This wasn't a heart, but it was one of the most interesting parts of the cow's body!

The Treaty Of Waitangi

Kahikatea team have been studying the Treaty Of Waitangi with  Mrs Strathern, and we made videos of us sharing what we have learnt. We were also allowed to share about history in Pirongia, My group and I consisted of Dareeya Mickell, Lexi Holdem and me. We did a mixture of the treaty and Pirongia's history. We did a spectacular walk around Pirongia, finding lots of facts


Here's the slideshow of our information on the Treaty Of Waitangi, and a photo:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AHMd66V-3xg3OXKqk3RqD_KRsV26L-Gvq0-ExPdiCJo/edit#slide=id.p

Photo from Pirongia Heritage Museum

Swimming Recap Term 1 2017

Breaststroke, freestyle and backstroke! Room nine have been learning these three strokes for the past term. For most of our swimming time, we were practising for the most nerve racking sport for me... Swimming Sports! When we had whole Kahikatea swimming practice we would practice as if we were actually competing. BOOM! his bellyflop/dive was a big bomb exploding, it drew my attention from talking while waiting for the nine-year-old girls to go.

Mrs Strathern has taken some videos of room nine swimming.

Koru Art

Room 9 has recently created beautiful Korus. All the colours are coordinated towards our house colours. I am in Tui, so my Koru will be green.

Here are some pictures of some really awesome Korus pinned up on our classroom walls.


Isla's Koru means at the top: Family and New Beginnings, on the left and right it means Strong, at the bottom there are 2 familes.

The Plane

The Plane By Libby

Luring the plane in, the sky persuades the big object to come up. Peering at the crystal blue sky, the plane is confident that he will make it up. Cradling the fluffy clouds in her arms like they were cats, the sky demands him to come into the sky. Extravagantly rising like the morning sun, the plane releases his anxiety, hauling himself into the smooth blue sky. Miraculously the plane actually got up into the sky!

Soaring like an eagle through the pure blue sky, the positive plane thinks about all of his glorious journeys in store for him later in his life. Shambolically looking sky with no knowledge what so ever, the plane stares at the sky blankly. Completely clueless. Generously, the evil devil fumbles with the plane and possesses the plane with great flying ability. Discovering his great new perk, he does incredible tricks!

Shimmying closer and closer. Nearly at his final destination, the puerile plane twirls around making people feel sick. Wallowing because of his decisions, the plane realises his mistake. The plane halts with a screech. People come oozing out, some nearly vomiting.

Integrity Games

The pressure was petrifying, knowing that Lexi and I would be teaching a fewRata Team children our integrity games. The first group came bounding happily over to our group, excited to learn what our game was (Music Kick). The end of the day came so quickly! The group and I had so much fun that day, I wish it happened every day.

Here is a fun photo of us playing the game.

Blue

Blue

Blue is the nervousness and butterflies flipping my stomach

It is the moment when my legs suffer from the dreadful, paralyzing walk

Blue are the marks of of being scared in a dog’s eyes when it is threatened

It is the vivid sign of an animal being gloomy

Blue is the sign of cowardliness inside someone’s Frightened heart

It is the mysteries lurking, waiting to come out.

Senior Swimming Sports

Swimming Sports By Libby Fingers thumbling, knees trembling. Two weeks ago Pirongia School did Senior Swimming Sports. I loved doing all the fun heats and the semi- finals was great! Initially senior swimming sports was really nerve racking for me. But I figured it was really fascinating to find out how much my swimming has improved! I really loved viewing all the amazing and the skillful swimmers. Sometimes I would hear people shrieking with joy. They were cheering and demanding people to succeed. They were motivating their houses with courage.

The River

The River

The goosebumps on my arms yelp as I stare at the treacherous river. The rapid water glares at me demanding me to cross. I stare at the horrible murky water wondering what to do.

I take the first step. I am Neil Armstrong taking my first glorious step on the moon. My courageous blood swells up like the morning's rising sun. I quickly bound across the river, with no worries.

Here is a photo of us just finishing our 3 hour walk.

Bike Reflection

Bike Reflection

For the last three weeks Claire from Team Energize came in and taught us some

fun bike skills and games.On  Wednesdays Claire would come and teach how to use our bikes. The first game/task was trying to go in straight line, when I fell off I was chuckled and got back up and tried again with courage. Room 9 and I played a game called THE BOX GAME.

Before we had fun we did the A,B,C check.

• A= air in our tyres
• B= brakes (to check if they stop our bike)
• C= check if our chain is on securely.

Kahikatea was really grateful to have Team Energize came in and taught us how to ride  on the roads safely, We had great fun doing this with Claire,

I have built my courage up riding on the road now!

Red

Red

Red is grasping me heavily by the neck, I hastily try and break free. He gleefully smirks, Red is dead inside.He is a monster. Red is so vividly remembered by any other colour, the all… cringe. Red has sovereignty over the entire colour spectrum.

Red hates you, he wants to enslave you. He embarasses you to gain your power. Red warns you quite efficiently his power he will claim off you before you mess with him.

Red shuts you out of his mottled life. He gets a tight grip on you and body slams you on to the flame flooded ground. Red discards the most beloved colour, Indigo. Red paces back and forth bossing himself around, demanding himself to hate Indigo.