Year Eight Graduation 2016

On Wednesday night, the year eight graduation took place at the Pakuranga Sailing Club. Everyone showed up looking pretty and handsome. First had a dinner in the dinning room. Lasagna and salad which was the main course. After the delicious dinner was the dessert. The pavlova and ice cream for dessert was so sweet. After Mr Grady presented the graduation certificates to all the years eights .Then it was time to dance. The boys kindly ask a girl to dance as the first songs played. It was a fun night and amazing night.

Teaching Mrs Anderson

Manu and I taught Mrs Anderson how to play capture the flag, We explained what the rules are and strategies that you could use to win. We drew out a picture of the field and where the players are supposed be.

2016 Collage Reflection

Since the year has nearly come to a end, LS2 have created a photo reflection of the year. Eric and I put together a collage that showcases the events that have happened this year also adding the work we did in class. This year has been so fun with all the things happening every term.

Labyrinth Movie Breakdown

Yesterday on Monday, we started a class activity about Labyrinth, a 1986 movie starring David Bowie(as Jareth). Mz Kirkpatrick talked with us about the types of camera angle that they use in movies. We then broke down the movie to learning about foreshadow(giving hints/clues) and find things like the character introductions.

Launching Rockets at Tamaki College

Today we were building our rockets at Tamaki College. We were finishing our rockets and preparing for launch off. We had to attach a paper streamer to a string which was going to be taped to the nosecone of our rockets and the other end taped to the rocket. Mr Dunn showed us how the nose of the rocket will deploy and cause resistance to the rocket when it comes back down for less impact. Next we had to add the engine and blutack. The engine was going to be placed inside the bottom of the rocket and the blutack was for the weight balance or else it will spin out of control. Mr Dunn then guided us the the launch area where we will test our rockets. Lining up to test my rocket, and unsure of what will happen when I launch my rocket. Watching everyone else's rocket launch was an amazing observation. The stream of gas that followed the rocket as it leaped into the clouds. Some of the rockets didn't go as planned and either didn't deploy the nose cone, or the fin came of. Then there were some that were successful and shot straight into the the skies. This wouldn't of happened without Mr Dunn and a bit of help from Mrs Ferguson.

Trip to Tahuna Torea

Yesterday the whole senior school went to Tahuna Torea Reserve to study the habitat of the Kuaka. We saw the environment and mudflats where they rest. It was a fun time observing the view. I work collaboratively with my group to create to projects that reflect our day yesterday.

Kuaka Reading

Today we had a class reading activity about the kuaka (bar tailed godwit) migration. We were put into groups from the day before and continued a reading matrix chart. We then had a discussion about the types of transport that were/are used today, thirty years and one hundred years ago. Then one finished we, read a text about the kuaka migration using the reciprocal reading prompt(it is when everyone in the group get a turn a being the leader and asks their group questions like predictions, clarifying and summarising)

Rockets Technology

On Friday we have been learning about rockets at Tamaki College. This slideshow is activity about the straw rockets that we made. We have record our information from our test flights and results and then have evaluated it. First we had to make a hypothesis and a aim of the activity. First we made and tested our rockets with no fins on. Then we tried two, then four. Everyone's results were because of the way they made their straw rocket. We then had a competition to find out which rocket could fly the furthest.

Tamaki College Visit

On Friday after our Tech session, we were learning about rockets with Mr Dunn. We were going  to learn about rockets since it is relevant to our term topic of Flight. In our first part of learning(before lunch) we were introduced to straw rockets. It is basically a straw that goes inside a another straw which is sealed at one end and then is powered by our mouth when we blow through the straw. Then after Lunch we made real rockets out of cardboard which was already cut out and needed to be glued together. We worked in pairs which was better and worked collaboratively. Then as our session was coming to a end, Mr Dunn took us outside onto the school field to test his rocket that was premade. The results were surprising and the launch didn't go as planned because the top came of incorrectly. We then tested a 3D printed rocket(named, "Carrot") and this really surprised everyone. The launch was successful and the rocket blasted of into the sky and not returning. Thanks to Mr Dunn and Mrs Ferguson from Tamaki College for the fun and amazing time at the college to learn about flight.

Third Hockey Session

In our three hockey sessions we have had with the hockey instructors(Carly and Amelia) we have learnt a lot of new skills and techniques. We have learnt that when we grip the stick our right hand should go at the bottom of the handle and our left is on the end of the handle. When you dribble the ball, the stick should be close to the ball like magnet and dribbling it side to side. We have also learnt that to do a proper tackle(take the ball of another player, you have to bend down low and put the stick down and swing underneath the other stick to steal the ball. Another tip I learnt was that by juggling(bouncing) the ball on the flat side of the stick will practice our control skills. I would like to thank the Auckland Sport for organizing these sessions for us to learn about hockey.

Athletics Day!

Today we had our school athletics day. The groups had to be separated between the year 7 and year 8's. Their three teams for both year groups. As we looked outside at the weather, we weren't very positive that it was going to be a nice sunny day. We all only got to do five activities because of the odd weather. We(year 8's) started at the rob the nest activity. Basically we had to have the most objects in our team's bucket before time has run out. Everyone had teamwork and played with a positive attitude. Our next game was the sponge run. The goal was to run with a sponge through some obstacles to a bucket of water, collect some water using the sponge and run back and squeeze it out in your team's bucket. The team with the most water would win. Now onto our next activity: Long Jump. It was simple, longest distance would win. Everybody participated properly and there were no let downs. Everyone then headed to the next activity. The ball throw was very fun and was very competitive trying to beat the others throw. Our last activity for the day was the hoop toss. Our team encouraged each other to keep going and try their best. It was a fun day and everyone enjoyed the time we had at the fun activities set for us. Thank you to Mr Ogilvie for the effort he put into putting this whole thing together and also the Tamaki College students for helping us out with the activities.

Year Eight Hockey

In our second session of hockey, we only had Carly with us. We started off with a warm up which was dribbling the and whenever Carly said,"Switch," we would have to swap the ball with another person that had the same coloured stick. After, we then played a game. The rule of the game was to steal anyone's hockey ball and hit it out of bounds while protecting our own. If your ball went out of bounds you were eliminated. Now it was time for the challenge. We all knew what is was. the goal was to bounce the ball on the flat side of the stick the most. Everyone struggle to keep the rhythm of the bounce on their stick. We had a fun session but unluckily didn't get to play the final game at the end. We would like to thank Carly for the helpful tips and techniques.

Kuaka(Bar Tailed Godwit) Migration

Today we had another session of Inquiry. In our last session, we were making notes about the kuaka and their migration route but today we were putting it together on a storyboard. We used Storyboard That to make our storyboard and added facts about the kuaka's migration.

Year 8 Hockey Session

Today we had our first hockey session with the hockey instructors. In our first session we were learning to grip the hockey stick properly, and how to control the ball using techniques. We learnt how to keep the stick close to the ball like magnet. We then played a game about traffic lights that had to do with the colours and what they mean. In that game we learnt to dribble the ball and bring it to a full stop. After that we were given a challenge by the instructors to try and bounce the ball in the flat end of the hockey stick for the longest time. In the end we played a game of hockey which was different because there were different amount of players called out to score a goal. Thanks to the hockey instructors for the tips and fun session of hockey.

5 minutes of...

Operation: Eagle Swoop

It was cold as usual. Nothing exciting about the weather here. ‘Cold Hell,’ is what the locals call it. Mondays, are the worst as we were getting ready to leave for the beaches of the cold south. It was the first time we have ever got a day like this. Every winter, it’s either helping a stranded citizen escape their car or someone has been sucked into the fearless waters.

“SSSSHHHH!” the helicopter zoomed across the sea. The hair of the ocean was elegant yet rough with boulders laid all around her.

“Unit 935, please report to homebase when you reach the location of a capsized boat.”

Everything had looked strange but familiar as if I had been far out at sea. Our biggest enemy, the never ending blue hair still spreads.

“ Home base , we have made it to the location.”

The captain of the helicopter mumbled as the helicopter propellers made a louder sound and made him sound like a rat.

“ You guys had better be ready. From our intel it is known that there is a group of people who have  been stucked at sea for two days. Their boat capsized and they  been stranded out in the middle of nowhere for what feels to them like an eternity!“ Screamed the Captain.

Time just kept ticking by ...

In writing we have been learning about recounts and learning different way of writing them. This Recount is about a Westpac Rescue Helicopter and we have wrote 5 minutes of what could happen next.

Amy Johnson Timeline

This is a timeline which I have created on Lucidchart about the British Aviator, Amy Johnson. If you check my other blog post, you can find my timeline about Jean Batten and I have compared them both about the milestones in their lives.

Who Flew First - Reading

In reading we have been researching about both the Wright brother, and Richard Pearse. If you don't know who these men are, they are believed to be the first pioneers of flight. But who was the first person to fly is what our questions is.

Bar Tailed Godwit

For our term topic(Flight) we have recently been learning about the Bar Tailed Godwit? It is a bird that migrates from Alaska to New Zealand. We have learnt about it's diet, the threats, it's appearance and their habitat.

Hyperbole?

In writing we have been introduced to something called, "Hyperbole?" We then researched this to find out what it meant. In this Google Drawing I have explained briefly what it means and how it is used.

Paper Plan Maths

Today for maths we continued our paper plane experiments. In this lesson, we had to find out in our groups who's plane flies the furthest? We then designed a new plane would have the things that we liked about everyone's plane and put them together on the new plane. We then at the end tested our final group plane together with the other group's. One person from each group that was confident at testing the plane went up to fly it.

Recount Writing

In writing, we have been introduced back into recount writing. We have searched blogs around the Manaiakalani Cluster for recounts and shared them with our class about what we liked our it. We them completed this mini quiz just to refresh our memories about recount writing.

Paper Plane Group Activity

Yesterday in the afternoon, Mrs Anderson introduced a activity which had to do with this terms topic(Flight) but we could only do this in groups which we were given. The challenge was to build a plane out of paper that will fly the furtherest. We then went to test our planes, either outside or inside and analyse our results. 

Jean Batten Timeline

For Inquiry we have been learning about 'Flight.' We have worked with planes and now famous aviators. In this Lucidchart I made a timeline about Jean Batten and her life.

NASCAR

In our Inquiry lesson, we used our researching skills from when we narrowed a search to find our information. Reading the title you can tell I decided to research, "NASCAR." I have made a slideshow that tells you about what NASCAR is and the history of it.

Technology at Tamaki College

This morning we had another session of tech at Tamaki College. My group(one of the year 8 groups) went to art. We were continuing our art designs from the week before. We had a A5 sized paper that we sectioned into 5 blocks that we had to put simple designs/symbols in. We are getting closer to start our carving!

Narrowing a Search

Recently, LS2 have been learning about cyber smart skills. We learnt how to narrow a search by using the correct keywords.

Year 8 Graduation Dance Practice

Today the year eight students went to our first graduation dance practice. Our dance instructor today was Sonja(Son-Ya), she was in replacement for our other dance teacher. In our first lesson we learnt the Cha Cha and the Rock and Roll. We learnt how to do both and then we all of us got the hang of it we put the two dances together and danced with the boy and girls. I had a lot of fun learning the dances and look forward to next week. Thanks to Sonja our substitute teacher who taught us these dances.

Narrative Quick Writes

This morning, we started the day off with writing. Next term we were having our assessments and for writing we have to write a narrative. Mrs Anderson wanted us to be ready now for our writing assessments so that we really understand and don't have to worry. We were learning to use topes  write descriptively in our writing. Mrs Anderson introduced an activity that is when we write 6 sentence narrative. On the first line we introduce the characters. Then on the second line we write where the character lives. On the third line is what their special talent is. The fourth line, what the problem is in the story. The fifth is what the character feels about the problem. Then on the last line is how the problem is going to be solved. We had to write about one of the chosen pictures from Harris Burdick's pictures in, "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" and write a 6 sentence narrative.

Today's Maths

Today for maths, LS2 played Quizizz(If you don't know what that is, it is a online math multiplayer game you can play together with friends and there are different types of quizzes about different maths strategies). Today we played quizzes that tested our basic facts in addition, subtraction and multiplication. We all got into pairs and worked together one computer. We all challenged each other even the teachers(Mrs Anderson who came first). It was a fun maths session and we got to do about 4 or 5 quizzes today. If you want to play this game with your friends, here is a link to the maths game: Quizizz.com

Stig's Performance at the Panmure Library.

As you have read the Google Drawing, the seniors got to visit Stig(the voice of Andy Griffith books). He gave and amazing an hilarious performance which was part of his tour. He encouraged all of us to start listening to audiobooks(Especially his ones). I worked collaboratively with Pote to created this brief Bio of his and the day of Friday.

Duffy Role Model Visit

Today, we had a very special guest come to our school to talk to the students of P.B.S about his passion for reading. He encouraged and inspired many to want to read.(He also made the whole school laugh!) Also I worked collaboratively with Pote, you can go to his blog at http://pbspotea.blogspot.co.nz/

Panmure Bridge School Cross Country Day

Yesterday was the School Cross Country day. Everyone was ready for the big day. We had been previously training most days for this so that we were positive we could make. We went down to the Mt Wellington War Memorial Park where our running track had been set. The whole school were all ready in their mufti for the fun muddy run. It first started with the youngest students first. The sun was shinning and there were only a few clouds in the sky. The kids ran as fast as they could being cheered on by the rest of the school. Then as the day went on and there were more races, it started to rain and spit down on us. This was frightening to the classes that haven't run yet. It started to get cold so we done some stretches and exercises to warm us back up. Then it was the final race, the year 7 and 8 boys. This was my time to run. I got ready at the start line as the starter set us off. It was a tiring run but I had to pace myself so that I could survive the whole race. Four laps was a lot of laps for that course we ran yesterday. There was no doubt that no one had fun because it looked like everyone did!

After School Basketball

Yesterday after school was our weekly after school basketball competition. This competition is between the schools in the Manaiakalani cluster. We all met at the Tamaki Recreation Centre next to Tamaki College. PBS(Panmure Bridge School) have two teams, year 5 and 6, and year 7 and 8. This was an amazing experience getting to go once again.  As we arrived at the Recreation Centre, a bit of Nervous ran down our spines looking at all the schools there to participate. The first team's (Year 5 and 6) game had started and they were on the court getting ready. It was a awesome game with lots of teamwork which got them heir first point and then many more. St Patricks was bringing their best and score some as well as PBS. In the last few seconds it was ten all, and both teams tied their hardest to break the tie. Then as the final buzzer went both teams had the half victory each and really had fun. This was a really big confidence boost towards the year 7 and 8 team for our game. We were up against one of the Pt England teams. Everyone was pumped and energized. Unluckily Pt England scored that first few points of the game but PBS came in strong with their team work and spirit. We started to score more baskets in got the ball down into the opposing team's half and get the ball through the hoop. We eventually came out with a win of 14 to 6 points! We would like to give a big thanks to Mr Ogilve and Mrs Anderson for taking us down to get to participate and also the Panmure RSA for transport.

Reading - Main Idea

Today during reading, I was learning to find the main idea in a story. I had to first read the whole story and find the details that give me and idea of the story is about.

High Jump Comparison - Athletics

In LS2, all the year 8's have made a comparison of themselves to Olympic athletes. We have searched the photo for things that we have done correct and wrong comparing it to the Olympic athlete. This a great way to see the differences between us and a professional athlete. I have also included important tips that I learnt from Andi.(Run, Jump, Throw Instructor)

Read Theory

Today LS2 started the learning day off with read 20. It is when we either go on Read Theory to or just read a book for 20 minutes straight, no talking to anyone. I decided to read on Read Theory. This site helps those who use it to practice and improve their reading skills that will affect them in the near future, exams, etc.

Maths Lesson Review

Today in my maths lesson, I learnt to solve decimal word problems. We had started on a second worksheet which was online. We used different strategies to eventually solve the decimal equations. The hardest part that I found in a my maths lesson was trying to find out how I would solve each equation to make is easier and more sense to me, I wondered if I would use subtraction or addition. 

Inquiry - Ancient and Modern Olympics.

For my new rotation, I have been learning about the ancient and modern Olympics. We have been finding out interesting facts and things that are different from the ancient and modern Olympics. I worked collaboratively with Mataio from LS1 to complete this presentation about our learning about the topic.

Surprise Visit???

Today, Panmure Bridge School was visited by two very famous New Zealand sportsmen. Ryan Hoffman(Captain) and John Palavi from the Vodafone Warriors. Getting to meet one of many people's role models was a privilege. This visit was all put together by DTR. We would like to thank DTR for organizing this for us, it was an amazing experience. Georgia from the Vodafone Warriors had come to talk to the whole school about being well-being. We first started off with a trivia. There were two teams, team Hoffy and team JP. If we wanted our team to answer we had to chant our team name. Next, Georgia talked to us about sleep, and the benefits of it. It helps to recharge our bodies especially for sports people like the Warriors. An average amount of time of sleep for primary age is at least 11 hours. Then a adult is 8 hours at least. We then learnt about hydration. Water is the most important drink than any other. It is healthy for our bodies and keeps us hydrated. We all should be drinking water all the time. The last topic Georgia taught us about was belonging. We all belong to some where, some group. We all should no where we belong to. We'd like to thank DTR for organizing this for us and especially to Alice the sponsor manager from DTR. Also thank you for the spot prizes.

Decimal Place Values Warm up

Before starting my maths lesson, I have played about ten minutes of this warm up game just to get my brain ready. I played this football game that practices your decimal place value.

Run, Jump, Throw with Andi

Yesterday the year 7 and 8 students had a joined session of Run, Jump, Throw. In this session we were looking at long jump. Andi took us through some tips when doing long jump. When you do long jump, you have to remember that you are swinging your arms forward. This gives you more momentum to jump further. We also had to keep in mind that we have to always land on two feet and have to keep our balance. Then at the end we had a competition to see who could jump the furtherest.

Current Events - Olympic Spirit

Since the 2016 Rio Olympics are on, LS2 have based our current events on this. We have looked the recent accident that has happen. The Nikki Hamblin and Abby D'Agostino incident which happened during their 5,000m qualifying race. This was a extremely special example of sportsmanship. This moment will be remembered for how sportsmanship could be showed through any sport that is played.

Netball Interschool Competition

On Wednesday the 17th, the years 5,6,7 and 8 went down to the AMI Netball stadium to compete in the Tamaki cluster Netball Interschool. There were two teams for both year 5 and 6, and year 7 and 8 named one and two. For team one(which I played in) we played against Pt England 1. We played a tough game but in the end Pt England came out with a win. after about three games, the boys and I started to understand more about the game and knew more about my position. Then we played Stonefields and did really well against them. We happily came out with the victory. Then for our last game we played against our own school!? Actually the P.B.S second team, and I enjoyed playing against my own classmates. P.B.S one, was  the victor of the game winning 5-1. We would like to thank Mr Ogilve and Ms Naiker for taking us down for this opportunity to play in the interschool.

Olympic Comparison?

This week LS2 have been debating about a topic(Should host countries of the olympics spend so much money on Olympic venues). We have talked about what reasons we could find that will back up our own opinions. We also have been researching the state of past olympics stadiums then vs now. We have a provocation that I have added to my drawing that I have reasoned about.