On the 28th of November we went back to Glentui? Yes! As you may know, when we went on our 4-day trip, the weather was so bad, my group wasn't able to participate in canyoning nor abseiling! But two terms later, we travelled back on a day trip to complete these activities. First was abseiling, a extremely fun experience that involved scaling down cliffs using harnesses and ropes. And at the end, we then had climb 183 steps to get back to the top! Then we had canyoning, which is similar, except much more adventurous. We had to participate in a 15-minute trek through the lake and forest, but it was all worth it when we got to the pool; with not only a natural rock slope that fell into it, but also an almost 10 metre high jump of a overhanging cliff edge! Amazing!
Here is a link that you can view a video of our fun!
Have you ever done an exploring-type event (e.g scaling, abseiling, etc.)? If so, tell me below!
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
GRIP Leadership Conference
On the Wednesday of Week Seven, all of the Year 7's had the privilege of attending the GRIP conference, a meeting where all of the 2018's year 8's from schools around Christchurch gather to exchange ideas and more for the development of the community. We spent our first 1 and 1/2 hour session meeting and greeting before having our first break.
Then we had a 3 hour session split into two smaller ones focusing on integrity and other qualities a leader should lead with. After our final break, we then gathered back into the arena to learn about 'transforming' ourselves into leaders, saying that "leadership isn't a position, but a responsibility'. It was a combined experience, both informing and joyful, and I'm glad we were able to make it.
Have you ever attended a conference with other people before? If so, what was it about, and how did you feel about it? Tell me below!
Then we had a 3 hour session split into two smaller ones focusing on integrity and other qualities a leader should lead with. After our final break, we then gathered back into the arena to learn about 'transforming' ourselves into leaders, saying that "leadership isn't a position, but a responsibility'. It was a combined experience, both informing and joyful, and I'm glad we were able to make it.
Have you ever attended a conference with other people before? If so, what was it about, and how did you feel about it? Tell me below!
Waltham Pool Day Out!
As a part of our end of year celebrations, on the fifth of December, the entire Kaupeka and Tumu hubs were bussed to Waltham Pool. After a safety briefing, me and my friends dived straight in. We spent almost two hours horsing around, with boards and noodles chucked in also. After bite to eat, we then headed up onto the water-slide. This particular one didn't have a roof so you could wave to everyone the entire ride down. Massing large queues all day, it was clearly the most popular 'thing-to-do'.
After a busy term, I think this was definitely the best way to unwind, and after 5 and 1/2 hours of pure relaxation, it was sadly the end of our day. Racing out of the changing rooms and onto the bus, we made our way back to school. The sun was rather brutal, and I still have some sunburn, even after a week! Ouch!
Have you ever participated in a Day Out! Was it as good as this one? Tell me below!
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
How to learn the National Anthem in NZSL
In the Kaupeka Hub, we have been regularly learning sign language on a Wednesday. It is has been our assignment to make a project (such as a song, a book, or a play) acted out completely in sign language. Matthew M, Alex, Lorenzo, and me chose do to the National Anthem, and here is a video of our demonstration. There is also to the link of the video we practised with. Enjoy!
A Brief of the Kaupeka Hub
If you're one of my regular blog viewers, you'll know a lot of these posts are to do with school and school activities. I've never really explained what goes on during a regular day in Kaupeka. So I'm here to answer some questions people normally give me.
How many students do we have in our hub?
What do our learning spaces look like and how does our hub work?
What digital technologies do we use in the Kaupeka Hub and how/why do we use them?
We commonly use our Chromebooks for online projects, such as writing biographies or blog posts such as this. We also have two large TVs mounted on the walls in our spaces for Chrome Casting, which sends your Chromebook's screen on the TV for presenting and other topics that you would need to share your work for.
What does our timetable look like?
A regular day starts off with prayers, leading into R.E and then maths until it's morning tea time. Then we have 4 twenty-five minute literacy sessions where we have a choice. You must have a session set for an assigned workshop, a follow-up session, and then the other two can be working on blogs, R.E work, writing, or silent reading. After Lunch, we have a different activity depending on the day of the week. They are: Technology, Language Rotations, Wednesday Rotations, Choice Rotations, and 2 large games that take up the afternoon.
What is PBL? Share an example of your best project.
At the end of Term 2, we had a cultural food fair, where each group was made to run a stand of a food based off a culture. My group sold crunchie and caramel slice for NZ and Irish cultures. It was really awesome, and we raised over $600.
What skills and qualities should you have by the time you leave Year 7/8 at St Francis?
I think that each student who goes through Saint Francis' education should have their school values honed to perfection. They are: Respect, Integrity, Service, Compassion, and I think that we regularly include these focus' during our R.E sessions.
What is your favourite learning area?
I really enjoy mathematics, because I believe that I excel at certain areas, such as probability and problem solving. This subject is also what I want to focus on later in life.
What is your proudest moment of this year?
My proudest moment of this year was when I received a High Extinction in English, an award that is only received by the top 1% of exam-takers!
What are some similarities and differences about your classroom/hub/school? Leave an answer below!
How many students do we have in our hub?
We started with 67 in Term 1, but after a student left, we currently have 66.
What do our learning spaces look like and how does our hub work?
Since we are trying to develop our learning in almost every way we can, we try to use all of available opportunities in any chance we get. Some of our features in the hub are tote-trays, breakout spaces, shared spaces, and colourful yet functional furniture.
What digital technologies do we use in the Kaupeka Hub and how/why do we use them?
We commonly use our Chromebooks for online projects, such as writing biographies or blog posts such as this. We also have two large TVs mounted on the walls in our spaces for Chrome Casting, which sends your Chromebook's screen on the TV for presenting and other topics that you would need to share your work for.
What does our timetable look like?
A regular day starts off with prayers, leading into R.E and then maths until it's morning tea time. Then we have 4 twenty-five minute literacy sessions where we have a choice. You must have a session set for an assigned workshop, a follow-up session, and then the other two can be working on blogs, R.E work, writing, or silent reading. After Lunch, we have a different activity depending on the day of the week. They are: Technology, Language Rotations, Wednesday Rotations, Choice Rotations, and 2 large games that take up the afternoon.
What is PBL? Share an example of your best project.
At the end of Term 2, we had a cultural food fair, where each group was made to run a stand of a food based off a culture. My group sold crunchie and caramel slice for NZ and Irish cultures. It was really awesome, and we raised over $600.
What skills and qualities should you have by the time you leave Year 7/8 at St Francis?
I think that each student who goes through Saint Francis' education should have their school values honed to perfection. They are: Respect, Integrity, Service, Compassion, and I think that we regularly include these focus' during our R.E sessions.
What is your favourite learning area?
I really enjoy mathematics, because I believe that I excel at certain areas, such as probability and problem solving. This subject is also what I want to focus on later in life.
What is your proudest moment of this year?
My proudest moment of this year was when I received a High Extinction in English, an award that is only received by the top 1% of exam-takers!
What are some similarities and differences about your classroom/hub/school? Leave an answer below!
Summer Starter!
Hey blog viewers, sorry for my absence in previous posts, I have had a lot going on. But, that aside, I would like to talk about my amazing experience during the Summer Starter. The Summer Starter is a Fun-Run for all ages, containing a 10km race and a 4km race on the same track. My mother participated in the 10km, while I did the 4km. It was a very enjoyable event; I completed it in 23 minutes, with an average of 5 minutes and 45 seconds per kilometre.
Have you ever ran a public race? If so, how did you do, and how long was it? Tell me below!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)