Tē Reo Māori

On Wednesday afternoons, one of our three rotations is a twenty-five minute slot where we learn Tē Reo Māori, our indigenous language. Our focuses during this term are greetings, time, numbers, and weather. It's very exciting to learn a new language, and very beneficial as it is a language indigenous to New Zealand. Two new things I have learnt this term is the Māori translations for the months, and asking your age. E hia ō tau? E tekau ma tahi aku tau (I am eleven).

Can you speak any other languages? Can you speak Maori? If you can speak a language, leave a comment in that language - a phrase, a number, anything!

Science Fair - Part 3

We're now a few weeks into the Term, and the project is getting clearer and clearer. My list of materials and method is now complete, and this project is ready to go!

My list of materials is pretty short, only consisting of a decent computer, a few hours of your time, and two downloaded files. The method is also pretty basic, only four steps long, two of them requiring you to make and find tables online; the other two asking for a code created on Python.

Have you ever written a method of instructions on how to do something? If so, tell us what it was and did someone use it?

Cross Country - What an effort!

As I woke up on the morning of Tuesday, May 9th, I remembered: It's Tuesday! Cross-Country! Yes, what an ordeal. Smashing weather, great for running, especially when the ground was so wet, you only had to take three steps and you'd be soaked. Everyone tried their best, and in my event, I came third, so I'm going to the North Zones!

It was really exciting seeing everyone giving it their all, especially the younger children giving it a go for the first time. Well done to everyone who participated!

Have you ever ran cross-country before? If so, what place did you come? Leave a comment below!

My Family's Culture!

One of our typical Wednesday afternoon rotations is learning about culture. Our side-focus for a few weeks has been ours and others' family cultures and cultural differences. It has been interesting seeing each person's unique and special story. Although I wasn't here for the most recent lesson (because I was at Zones), the learning so far has been very cool and a new way of teaching.

Our most recent task set in this category was to bring an item or a story about something linking to your family's culture. I brought a newspaper, because it's an item that normally brings the family together to read the articles, do the puzzles, and check out the advertisements!

Have you ever been asked to share some of your personal items or tales? Were they well-received? Tell me below!

Peer Mediation

During break-times and lunchtimes for the past week, everyone has been assigned a time and area to peer mediate in the playground. Being a peer mediator means to help and aid with small disputes in the school during break; it may seem like an easy job but it definitely helps with keeping the peace during playtime.

Peer mediating about two-hundred kids isn't the most simple or exciting task out there, but there's always a great sense of accomplishment once you've settled a problem. I think it's worth it, don't you?

Do you ever solve a problem (with other people) just for the feeling after it? Leave an answer below!

Science Fair - Part 2

We are a week into our project, and the purpose and hypothesis have already been clarified; I think that if I make a program that runs correctly, I should be able to find the most secure, most common, and most combinations for your computer password. Even though I've barely started, this project is already shaping out to be something really fun and interesting!

You can also keep up with my progress using this link; you don't even need an account!

Did you ever do a science fair project in school? If so, tell us what it was in the comments!

Science Fair - Part 1

For Science this Term, we have been set with a task to find a topic, research it, and create an experiment that can prove our theory and impress everyone. My project; I have selected to code a program that will be able to hack your password! Using a formula I will conceive on Python, I should be able to crack your entry keyword in a couple of minutes. More information on the development of this project should be available soon. 

Did you ever do a Science Fair project? If so, what was it, and was it successful? Leave answer in the comments!

Being Good Kaupeka Learners

During Wednesday afternoon, part of our time is devoted to finding out what qualities make up a good Kaupeka Learner, and recognising which ones are our strengths and weaknesses. I identify myself as being good at self-managing because I constantly produce high-standard work on time and put effort into every piece of work I do. I also try and always use creative thinking to make and display my work. 

Sometimes I think I'm not really trying new ways to present my work, proving that I might not be such a good risk-taker. Taking risks is a vital part of learning, but I sometimes find it difficult to set new trends, not follow everyone else, and taking a chance that something could be wrong. Attempting dangerous opportunities within your learning isn't the only thing you can do. What about taking risks with the people you work with? Or the feelings you have towards school? I will look to take on all prospects in all areas of work, rather than just one.

Are you good a being a risk-taker?
If not how can you improve? Comment down below!

Religious Education Term 1

This Term in R.E, we have learnt many things, including the procedure of writing a prayer, learning about beatitudes and what they represent, read how Jesus saved many people from evil in the bible, did research on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent,  why we demonstrate fasting, prayer, and Almsgiving, and displayed our knowledge on the Stations of the Cross. We have been very busy this Term in R.E!

Are you excited about this Easter? Are you going somewhere in the holidays? Leave a comment down below!