How To Stand Up To Bullies

 

 Bullying is a problem that is faced by schools in New Zealand and around the world. Bullies are usually trying to show off to their friends or their home life is currently not the best. Reacting to the situation can make matters worst like adding gasoline to fire. There are many ways to avoid the situation. For example, if it is cyber bullying you can block them and report them. If it is physical try talking to an adult who you trust or try avoiding the person until the tension dies down. If you try and get revenge it could just end you up in trouble so it is for the best you make sure someone is aware of the difficulties you are facing.

Presenting At Assembly With Photos

Every assembly Tiava and I are asked to speak at assembly. Our job is to inform other students what will be happening next week and talk about highlights of the week. The photo above is a photo of us presenting at the official opening of the first Medicube in New Zealand. We were joined by members of our Board of Trustees and also some important people from Starship Hospital. I was asked to speak in Te Reo Maori which I found easy because I have been speaking Maori at other assemblies. The photos on the screen were taken during the morning at the blessing of the Medicube. As I am a part of the Kapa Haka group I also joined people for the special blessing of the new building. This was an initiative between Panmure Bridge School and the District Health Board. It has taken three years for this idea to become a reality but it is now situated at our school.

Charity Box Vocab Sayings

 

Today Mr Pineda got us to familiarise our selves with vocabulary relating to topics that we will come across later in this orientation. The topics were: slogans, shape, topic, and donate. Some of the phrases that we had to match I have not heard of for example fork out. This slowed down the time for me completing the set task. Other than that I found this activity relatively easy and surprisingly fun. So far graphics with Mr Pineda is going great and I can not wait to start doing more advanced things.

Decorative Letters - Name

We are three weeks into our new orientation at Tamaki College and we have finished our name art. They are different because we did them in decorative letters for example instead of writing an 'I' I did a candle. Mr Pineda (Tech teacher) has laminated it for us and they look great. After I wrote my name I drew: a British tea pot because I am British by blood, a kiwi because I am Maori, and sushi because it is my favourite food.

Leading a Special Assembly

For 2018 Tiava and I are the head students of Panmure Bridge School. Apart from the duties that are carried out by head students we also present at assemblies that are of some importance. We have done Duffy this year but never in front of a Member of Parliament. The Duffy assembly I have chosen was important because Priyanca Radhakrishnan ( a Labour M.P.) was at our school to share her passion for reading. Her story behind her passion of reading was inspiring and it had everyone captivated. Like always we sang the National Anthem and the Duffy song. This assembly was definitely a highlight  in my opinion because I could relate to her passion for reading. I find reading pleasurable and it is a great thing to do when you want time to pass.

Spaghetti Bridge Testing

For the past few weeks Ms Kirkpatrick's inquiry group have been constructing their bridges out of spaghetti pasta. In the beginning everything was pretty easy until the weeks started flying by and the assignment was nearly due. It was also difficult because of the limited supplies. The limited supplies forced all the groups to trade with one and other to get the project done. Ofa, Christopher, Te Pounamu and I built a cantilever bridge that was only able to hold one brick. The original design was to difficult to execute so we simplified it. If we had added more triangles or cross braces our bridge would have been able to hold more bricks. The total span of our bridge was 42 centimetres making it the second longest bridge. Sanujan, Jack, and Jericho had constructed a bridge that was able to hold six bricks in total. It was hilarious to see the bridges break and some of the designs were amazing. Personally I think that we had the best looking bridge and was only rivalled by Nyjah's. This has taught me that we should always look at strengthening the deck and to never become an architect.

Duffy Assembly - Michel Mulipola

All the classes attended this week attended the Duffy assembly to hear about the passion and the drive that has helped Michel Mulipola become a successful comic book artist. He is a: professional wrestler, an illustrator, and also a semi professional gamer who also partook in a gaming convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Above is photos of some of the artwork that Michel had the honour to create. It is the illustration to a book dedicated to a former Canadian wrestler who is Dwayne Johnson's dad, Rocky Johnson. Michel also was able to illustrates some of the most popular wrestlers for W.W.E. He spoke well and his story about reading was inspiring. He was the most diverse speaker we had ever at Panmure Bridge School.  

Order Of Operations

                     

Today's maths session was spent revising and teaching people about BEDMAS or BODMAS. It stands for: brackets, exponents, division, multiplications, addition, and subtraction. This session I have worked with Fraidoon and Ofa. For this activity we were asked to choose three of the questions that we answered to explain how we got our answers. We have chosen questions that require us to abide by the BEDMAS rules. On our DLO there is an answer sheet that will give you the answers to the other questions. Also an explanation explaining how we got our answers.

Presenting My Overall Review - A Winters Day in 1939

Today we were asked to get into our READ groups to present our overall review of the novels we have read. Everyone did a great job on getting their work done and it was cool to see peoples creativity in action. I personally enjoyed looking at Mataio's work because it was original and it was very creative. The ratings of some of the books were really low and I think I was the only person to think highly of my novel. I enjoyed doing novel studies because it gives us a bit more freedom when we execute the learning. I hope we get the opportunity to do another novel study next study.

Redesign The Cover - A Winters Day in 1939

Sanujan and I have worked very hard to complete all the set tasks for this years novel study. We have completed all the tasks and we have finished the last one which was the overall review. We have chosen this because we were out of time and it let us be more creative. Our cover has a Soviet soldier and a German soldier on opposite sides of the barbed fence because ti represents the crumbled alliance between the two nations. We also have a plane as they were used during this war. The fence can also relate to the narrators family getting moved into a Soviet concentration camp.

Maori Language Week Assembly

As it is Maori Language Week this week The student leaders and the presenters spoke in te reo maori. It was great to see the student leaders and the presenters try and incorporate the maori culture with the school assembly. I enjoy speaking in different languages but it is not easy. As I do not have the ability to speak fluent in maori I found it difficult and I did not have much time to practise. To add to the stressful day the head girl was not there so I had to speak by myself. I tried my best and I am very proud of my efforts.

A Winters Day in 1939 - Overall Review

                

 For the past two weeks Sanujan and I have been reading the stunning novel 'A Winters Day in 1939'. Reading this book we have been able to infer themes that can be found in the book and have developed the skill to understand the different vocabulary used in different pieces of writing. Our book was written to inform us as it is based on real events and it is explained thoroughly by a real persons point of view. To showcase our knowledge about Melinda Szymanik's book, we have told the story in another characters point of view, explain the reason for the writing of the book, and talked about two of the themes that are conveyed by characters in the book. I will give this book a 5/5 because I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the powerful messages the author has put into the book. She was also able to stay away from the political point of view during that time.

DVC Technology

Today Mr Pineda had us carrying on our work from last week which was doing our decorated names. Today I have finished the letters and I also finished colouring in my letters. I have received an excellence grade on my work and I have been enjoying my time inside Mr Pineda's classroom. I now need to finish off my toondoo that explains why graphics can turn out to be an amazing career.

Vector Wero Whitewater Park Trip

Today Miss Morris came with us to the Vector Whitewater Park which was funded. We were lucky enough to receive funding and we paid $5 to take part. When we arrived we watched two videos which taught us about how to be safe while we were there and a short introduction video. Before we were allowed in the water we needed the right gear. We needed: a helmet, swimming shoes, a life vest, a blue jacket, and a wet suit. We were then put into groups of six where the groups were given all a raft and an instructor. My partners and I received Mac as our instructor. While we were there we learnt how to cross the rivers and what to look for, how to go down a river safely in a raft, and to end a great day; we went floating down the river. We all enjoyed ourselves and it has taught us how to be safe when we are faced with a rushing river and we need to get across. I was lucky enough to save someone from the river. Thank you to the people who funded the amazing experience and to the instructors for ensuring a safe and fun time.

Pau Te Hau - Evaluation

 

 For 15 weeks half of Learning Space Two have collaborated with the Auckland University of Technology with a project they think will help boost students around Auckland's fitness. Every week we have been doing two of these sessions. In my personal opinion it has definitely boosted my fitness levels and it is now difficult to get puffed. Before HIIT, I was easily worn out by doing physical education but now I have more energy and I now look forward to doing sport. When looking at our first HIIT session we know that we are fitter and way more energetic towards the programme. It has also created a place where everyone can enjoy themselves and friendships have been made along the way. For this HIIT session we have chosen to do: tap steps, push ups, star jumps, and sit ups. Unfortunately everyone had a turn of being in the red area this week but most of us were unable to keep that going until the end. Over the 15 weeks I have learnt to enjoy exercise and it has helped my fitness levels improve. My favourite exercise for the entirety of this programme was sit ups. I like sit ups because it is not to physically demanding nor is it easy. The worst exercise in my opinion is push ups. I personally don't like doing them because I find them hard and it makes my arms sore the next day. Overall it was a great experience and we hope that other schools around Auckland are able to partake in such a great programme.

How to Convert Mixed Numerals into Improper Fractions

Today Ms Kirkpatrick has asked Alex, Miki and I to create a DLO that would teach others how to convert mixed numerals to improper fractions. I find converting fractions easy but many might find it difficult. To convert mixed numerals into improper fractions you need to start by multiplying the whole number by the denominator. After you get your answer add the numerator to the answer. When you have done that it is now the numerator and you keep the denominator the same. If you would like to practise this click here for the game.

Three Exponents Questions - Maths

 

Our maths session today was used to revise our knowledge of exponents and to introduce it to some students who were previously in Learning Space One. Exponents or powers is a shortened version of writing a whole equation. For example, 4 x 4 x 4 = 64 but to simplify it you can write 4 with a little three in the top right corner. I found this activity easy as it was really easy to get used to and I did it last year. I completed the question sheet relatively fast and I really enjoyed doing this work. For this activity we put a DLO together to explain how we answered three of the exponent questions. For this activity I worked with Miki and Alex.  

Why Do People Build Bridges?

For centuries around the world, bridges have improved the operation of society and have also benefited the transportation of necessities. To answer the question 'Why do people build bridges?' I have written an explanation which will hopefully tell people about the importance of bridges and how it has contributed to the shaping of modern society. Click here form the explanation.

Suffrage Movement - 125th Anniversary

                 

125 years ago women from all over New Zealand believed it was time for a change in the way men perceived them and it was time to address the rights of men that differed from women rights. This movement was powered by the Temperance Union and was led by Kate Sheppard and Mary Ann Muller. On our DLO Avalon and I have written about: Helen Clark and Elizabeth McCombs. We also listed when certain countries gave women the right to vote and also countries who either do not allow women to vote or it is difficult to do so. We wrote about a tweet about the movement and explained if the rights of both men and women were equal.

Kiwi Certificate - Literacy & Mathematics

A couple of weeks ago students from LS2 and LS1 partook in a Kiwi competition. This competition revolved around our capability of literacy and mathematics. Everyone who partook in the mathematics test would agree that it was difficult. I found this personally difficult because there were algebra questions which I haven't learnt about nor did I understand. Everyone who took part in the maths test received a participation certificate. For literacy I received excellence which was great. I found doing the literacy test quite simple but when it came down to the last couple of tests, I started losing focus. I am still proud of my achievement and it was fun to take part in something that is something I enjoy doing.

Tongan Language Week - Fake I Phone text

This week is Tongan Language week and to embrace the unique culture of Tonga, we have been doing activities with Mrs Anderson that helped us learn how to say basic things in Tongan. To show our understanding of the language of Tonga, we created a conversation between Ofa and Joseph. I found speaking Tongan a bit difficult as I could not get my head around how they pronounce their t's. The t is pronounced as a 'd' which I found a bit weird.

Orchestra Trip - Auckland Phillharmonia Orchestra

Students from Learning Space Two all enjoyed three pieces of classical music. I enjoyed all of the sounds of the musical instruments as the sounds were melodic. We all travelled by bus to the town hall in Auckland City. Mid way through the performance they introduced an opera singer who sang a Spanish song from the musical, Carmen. He was not very loud as the opera singer's back faced us as he sang to the people on the ground floor. Their were many instruments, including the harp, the tuba, the viola, and the triangle. All the people were colour coded by a certain colour. The percussion instruments were played by a person in green, while the strings were red. the woodwinds were blue, and the brass were yellow. To top of an amazing trip, a group of students from Saint Kentigern's and Ngatapawae performed a dance with the backing of a song from the ballet Romeo and Juliet. I felt that the dance did not have any relations to the love story of Romeo and Juliet. I believe the dance could have been a bit softer to work well with the song.

Illustration of Sentence - Colon

 

 This writing session is based around the correct use of colons. Colons are used when you are listing reasons or if the second part of the sentence is an explanation of the first part. For this activity I have chosen the sentence, 'You can come pick me up now: I am feeling much better.' My illustration has a car that is driving to the hospital. It also gives reasons for the placement of the colon in the sentence. I think my illustration clearly explains the meaning behind the sentence I have chosen.

Sensory Verbs

In writing we have been asked to complete a test that will reflect our knowledge on the use of sensory verbs. I found the test quite easy and that is why I got all of them correct. Sensory verbs are used when you are talking about an event that has words such as: taste, hear, smell, touch, and see. For example, I heard a dog bark. This sentence consists of the word 'heard' which means it is used in the context a sensory verb would be used in.

A Winter's Day in 1939 - Evaluation

For this novel study Sanujan and I have chosen to read A Winters Day in 1939. This book is written in the perspective of a family who lives in East Poland while the U.S.S.R invasion of East Poland. The narrator Adam has shown that he is empathetic, kind, trustworthy, and most of the time wise. Him and his brother work tirelessly on the farm while their father has been arrested and their mother cries over the loss of their younger sister. So far we have created a map which pinpoints the places we have read of so far, a point of view from a different character, and we have started creating a DLO which shows the two of the themes that are possessed by the characters. I am on chapter seven and I predict that the family will be moved into a labour camp of some sort to work for the ruthless Russians.