My academic year 2020

 

My 2020 Academic Year

By Victoria

Day One of School at Level Two

Day One of School at Level Two

This morning when I woke up, I felt super excited because I was going back to school after almost two months. I felt butterflies in my tummy. 

In no time I was ready for breakfast. The breakfast was yummy and it made my tummy even more rumbly because I had two boiled eggs. After breakfast, I quickly packed my lunch and water bottle and my school bag. Luckily, I remembered to charge my device last night.

When I turned around and looked at the clock, it was only seven o’clock. I had an hour and a half before I could see my friends and teachers again. I was so excited that I started saying my multiplication tables. My mum thought that I had gone crazy because I never ever said the multiplication tables so loudly at home.

As soon as it was twenty past eight, I took my bag and set off towards school. As I was walking out of the compound, my mum reminded me of social distancing and told me to sanitize my hands as well. I quickly put my hands in my pocket to see if the hand sanitizer was still in my pocket. The little bottle was sitting right in my pocket.

I could see the school gate in the distance and I started jogging. I felt that the school was running away from me. When I reached the gate, I was met by Ms. Card and Mrs. Patea.  I greeted them and I felt like giving them a hug but social distancing stopped me from doing that. They gave me some hand sanitizer and after I sanitized my hands, I walked to the class.

At the door of our class, I was met by my teacher who told us what the routine was. I had to sanitize my hand again and then I was directed to my learning space. Some of my friends were already there and  I was very excited to see them all. I greeted them and waited for the teacher to talk to us.

Our teacher talked to us about the new routines we have to follow in class and in school. Some of these routines were: Sanitise our hands when we enter or leave the classroom,  wash our hands with soap and water for twenty seconds and sing “happy birthday to me” while washing our hands, cough or sneeze in our elbows and stay an arm's length away from anyone while in school. He also told us to remain in our own learning space and not to walk around in the class.

At the end of the day, I felt tired because I sat for a long time and I am not used to sitting down for too long. I still felt excited even though I was tired because there was so much to talk about with my friends.  I can't wait to be back at school tomorrow.

By Genevieve

Room 10's Hangout 2020

By AJ

Room 10's Google Hangouts

                 Room 10’s Google Hangouts!

During the lockdowns, we have managed to learn from the comfort of our homes through Google Hangouts with some of our classmates from room 10. My classmates were Victoria, Undreanna, Avania, Jasel and more. They were so helpful because we got to talk to each other and tell each other what to do and how they were doing.

I’ve done a lot of work during this lockdown. I was able to  present my writing, maths, reading, inquiry, and art. I've also done some commenting on the Blogs of our buddy class from Pompallier Catholic School and Paroa School. I have also commented on Room 7’s Blogs.

Learning from home was very good because I felt calm and focussed.
I  had some time to edit my  work and I could still see my friends through the Hangout .My friends were able to talk to me and give me feedback on how I was doing. I have felt happy and focused on what I need to do to continue my learning in isolation from home with my whanau and friends.

Be safe! And Happy Easter!

By Taijah

Water Fun Day

WALT: Write a recount.

Water Fun Day

On a bright Wednesday morning, we had water fun. I was so excited to be a part of this.

The first activity Room 10 did was Spongebob Squarepants. We had to dip the sponge into a bucket of water and pass it over and under to the last person and once they had it they ran to their house color bucket and squeezed it and ran back with the sponge and went to the front and dips and passes.

The second activity we did was at the swimming pool. Well, it wasn’t an activity but just playing in the pool. I didn’t go to the pool because I didn’t have any spare clothes.

The third activity was a little bit hard. This activity was called Holey Moley.  Let me tell you why it’s called that. In this game, each group had a bucket of water and a cup that had holes on it. The rules were simple: you had to scoop some water into the cup and try to block the holes so the water cannot come out,  while they are running to their house color bucket and tip the water into the bucket and run back to their group and pass it to the next person in the group.

The next activity was really hard because my legs were so tired from running. This activity was called lava flow. First, we had to fill a yogurt container with water.  Then hop into the hoola hoops and then run around the cone. After that, we had to sprint to our house color bucket and tip the water into the bucket and run back with the yogurt container.

The 2nd to last activity was called a Water Bomb because we had to line up and the first person in line had to stay where they were. Then the rest of us had to move in a line in front and facing him or her. First, they had to grab a water balloon and pass it to their team. Then after that, you grab a cup, fill it up with water and then run to your house color bucket and tip the water out and then run back and continue until the time is over.

Finally,  the last activity was the best! This activity was called the Water slide! First, we all had to line up.  There was a big container full of water and four cups floating on top of the water. Each team got a cup and filled it up with water then slid down the bubbly and slippery slide with the cup of water. We then had to run to our house color bucket and tip the water inside the bucket and then run back.

Water fun day was really cool and fun, I can’t wait till next year.                 

By Paisha

Recount

A Swimming Challenge

Last month my mum and I went back to China for a holiday.  My uncle took me for a swim. He told me that he will reward me with one hundred Yuan if I could swim 100 meters without stopping.

 First of all, I did some warm-up exercises like running up and down beside the pool. I did some sit-ups and press-ups too. Then I was ready for the challenge.

Excitedly, I jumped into the water and a cool feeling went throughout my body, Then I took a deep breath and I started swimming like a swordfish.  I kept on swimming and was counting how many laps I swam.  The pool was 25 metres long so I swam 4 times to finish 100 meters.

Finally, I finished 4 laps and I felt very tired but I was happy because I was getting 100 Yuan. I was out of breath too.  My uncle was very happy too and he gave me a high 5. Then he gave the money.

I felt very happy because it was the first time ever I swam 100 metres.  It was a very happy day for all of us.

By Jason

Duffy Role Model Assembly

Yesterday, Glenbrea school had its Duffy Role Model Assembly. Our Role model was
Sam James Verlinden. He is also known as Sam V.  Sam V is famous as a musician, songwriter,
singer and actor.

Sam spoke to us about the importance of books and reading because he felt that these were the
things which helped him become a successful musician.

Sam studied at the Auckland University of Technology and obtained a Bachelors degree in
Communication. We had a lot of fun with  Sam

I felt so happy when Sam sang his favourite song “What have you done to me”

By Genevieve

At the Pools

One hot, sunny morning, my friends and I went to play outside. Then my dad came and told us to get into the car so we could go to the Otahuhu pools. I ran inside my house and got everything that we all needed for the pools. My friends and I were very excited because we were going to the pools.

When we got there, we were already changed into our togs. We all started at the bombing place. My friends and I went to the bombing place and we jumped off the plank. After that, we went swimming in the swimming competitions. We all took turns and I came first but my friends came second.

On our way home, my dad asked us if we wanted to eat some food, so I and my friends said yes and he took us to KFC to eat.

After eating our delicious dinner we were so glad because it was our luckiest day ever. It was an awesome day. My friends and I all said thank you so much to my dad because he took us to the pool and to KFC to eat. It was the most brilliant day that I have ever had.

I really wish that day could happen again.

By Nehilofi

Water Fun Day

Water Fun Day

Friday at Glenbrae School was a water fun day.

As a viewer I watched kids having fun at the different activity stations.

Lots of wet bodies roasting in the hot scorching sun.

Laughter, and hi-fives all around!

I wish I had brought my togs because I missed out on  getting wet

and having fun.

By Jason

Mobile Library Bus

I was feeling excited to see that the library bus from Glen Innes come to our school for the first time. Mr Nath called 3,2,1  and I quickly put my netbook in my desk and quietly got into a line. We all walked to the car park and we could see Erika our librarian  standing at the door waiting for us. When we walked into the library buse saw a lot of books. Erika  introduced Bert, the driver of  the library bus to us.  After Erika finished the introductions, we walked  up to the children's area were all the fiction and non-fiction books were.


Next Mr Nath called each student to come and get there library card. Then we all had to pick two books from the children's area,  Then Erika  called us down to the adult area. The numbered books were the fiction books and the ones with no numbers were the non-fiction books. Most of the year 7’s went down to the adult area and picked non-fiction books.


I can't wait until the next library bus comes back next month, because we all get to pick two more books. It was very fun and exciting to read through some interesting books.


Bianca. T

MOTAT

Title: MOTAT
Our trip to the MOTAT to learn about lights was an event I could not wait to go to. Finally it was  Thursday and I was very excited.

We were organised into groups and I was with Miss Atuahiva,  Saia, Kalo, Bianca, Kestrel, AJ. The bendy bus took us down to the MOTAT. Cathryn, the MOTAT educator met us at the gate and took us down to our assembly area. She briefed us about the programme for the day. Then  we had our morning tea.

After a satisfying morning tea, it was  time to explore the MOTAT on our own with our adult leaders. First my group went to look at some machines. It was really cool there. Then we saw a huge wheel.  We went outside to another building and we saw telephones from the olden days. I was so amazed to know  that it still worked, I was so excited to call my friend Kalo and Bianca, but when I called Kalo I didn’t know how to use the telephone.  I was glad that Kalo and I  saw one that work. It was a black telephone on the wall. We  just pushed 3 buttons and surprisingly it  worked so Kalo and I  chatted for a while until  Miss Atuahiva called us.  My group and I went to a mural  that said “I aroha Motat”. Miss Atuahiva took a picture of us at the mural.

Then it was lunch time and we went back to the meeting area to have our lunch. After lunch we went on a  scavenger hunt around. the MOTAT. Miss Atuahiva got a map from the container and we first went to the olden day houses.  The first house we went was Sgt. Quinlans Fencible cottage. The things we needed to look for in the houses or cottages were eggs, beds, kettles, candles, dolls, teapots, washing board and the fireplace. At  the fireplace we also saw  ladders, helmets, badges, boots, axes, wheels and trucks.

The part that I liked about our trip was the electric tram, because it was interesting and I was amazed that it was really old and it still worked. Mr. Eliot was the driver of the electric tram. He drove us to the MOTAT 2. On the way back to MOTAT 1, Mr. Eliot spoke to us about the history of the tram.
I loved the steam tram ride.


Finally Cathryn will took us to the room where we learnt about different kinds of lights.  There was a natural light, which is from the sun or the lightning and there is manmade light, which people made.  At the end of seeing the lights, Cathryn asked us what the three primary colors of light were and it  the was red, green and blue. After that we thanked Cathryn and walked back to our assembly area to gather our bags.

Finally, we lined up at the gate to get on to the bendy  on the bus again for our journey back to school. When  we arrived at  school,  Miss Elia greeted us and asked us how the trip was. We were all excited to talk to her about the trip.

I really enjoyed my day at the MOTAT and I learnt a lot about lights and how to make different colours of light by mixing red, blue and red lights. It was one of the best trips I had so far.

By Dwyane

Life Education

                                   

On Tuesday we had our first life education lesson in a caravan. First we talked about  the things that worried us and we rote it down on a sheet of paper. This was a group activity.

Our second session was on Wednesday. We  talked about social,  physical and emotional changes  our bodies went through as we grew up from being a child to adolescence.  We all were given these cards that had the statements about  emotional , social and  physical changes in our body. We had to place these statements in the correct places on the wall that had the three labels on it.

On Thursday  we had our last session. In this session  we talked about  how our brain sends signals to different parts of the body when we are in danger.  The amygdala is like a little warrior in our brain that detects danger and sends signals to the body  and it makes us stronger.



This is Nicole Fonua. She is a Life Education tutor who took our three sessions.

By Tu'inukue'a

Duffy Assembly

               Duffy role model Assembly
Yesterday the whole school went to the school hall for  the  Duffy Role Model assembly. Our role model was Ronel Schodt.  She is a very tall lady and is 6 foot 4 inches tall.  Ronel was a very good Netball player  and she played for South Africa and Zimbabwe. She showed us a very amazing book where the characters seemed to come alive when an app. form the ipad was zoomed over the pictures in the book. I am looking forward to read the Zingoshi Chronicles when they are published soon.
 

Ronel Schodt with one of her books.

By Ngakiri

Digital Immersion

Today we had a session work with Garry from Digital Immersion. He taught us how to programme a robot to move from one place to another. We used a special language that robots use to deliver messages. The name of the special language is Binary.

My group had a lot of fun because we got to use an iPad to control the robots.  In the beginning it was really challenging because most of the robots were running into each other most of the time. It looked like most of us were struggling to cope with people in their way.

At the end of the day, room 10 had fun and returned  to class with smiles on their faces. I definitely want  go back to learn more about Digital Immersion the next Garry is at school.

By Candice

Clubs

Clubs

Yesterday we had clubs. I am in Mr Nath’s club which is drumming. Yesterday we practised a  four and five beat. Then we made a cool rhythm together. The next time we do clubs we are going to practise a 6,7 and 8 beat and that’s what we did yesterday at clubs.


By Ezekiel

Recount

Sailing at Okahu Bay

On Tuesday the 15th of May, 24 students from Glenbrae school went sailing.
There were 4 people who helped us how set up the sailing boat and their
names were Justin, Maria, Gavin and Gary. Miss Smith was on a boat with
Maria helping other students, and Justin who was our other instructor was
on another boat. Through the day, it was really hard sailing because we needed
to have two people in a sailing boat holding a rope, and one holding the
pulpit. After Justin had  taught us, we had our morning tea. After our yummy
morning tea, we went in the water. I was so afraid and excited, but mostly
afraid. We then sailed for a long time before we  had lunch We had some
lunch and went back into the water. This time, we went through a lot of waves.
I was cold.

When we were in the deep part of the Okahu Bay, we had to sail back to shore.
After sailing back to shore, we put our boats on the shore. Then  we went to
change into our comfy clothes again. We then filled out some forms for Justin
and then Telesia said a great big thank you. After that  we had a reflection on
our day at Okahu Bay with all our sailing instructors. Then we came back to
Glenbrae School in the bus.

I had fun because we went in the deep water and Jesell and I fell over in the
water.  I felt great and want to come back there next May!. A big thank you
to the Rotary Club for making this trip possible for Glenbrae Students.

By Kalolaine

Recount

Cutting down the tree

Today, after some of our classmates went swimming, some hard working arborists
came to Glenbrae School to cut down a tree that was considered dangerous for the
students of Glenbrae School.

They spent, heaps of time working so hard with all the tree cutting equipment to
cut down the tree.They had chainsaws, Wood chipper shredders, harnesses and many
other useful equipment. I was shocked by the amount of work they were doing.They
were very organized and focused on their work.

Our school loved watching the Arborists cut down the tree so we had some free time
to play on the junior school playground and have fun. It was amazing and I had so
much fun.

 

By Lewis

Recount

Glenbrae’s  Duffy Role Model Assembly

On Monday the 18th of September, Glenbrae School had a Duffy role model assembly in our hall to celebrate 'Duffy's Reading in Homes' programme.

First we sat down and waited for the chief guest to arrive.  Then our student leaders guided the chief guest  to the hall. After that, Loto, Luisa and Aaliyahna introduced Niva Retimanu to us all.

Next,  Niva  told as about herself, her job and her work at the radio station. She started when she was 18 years old. We also learnt from Niva that she was a New Zealand born Samoan who was born in Invercargill.

After that Niva read a story to us. It was called Yuck Yuck Kiss Kiss. I liked the story because it was funny and made us laugh. Niva read the story with a lot of expression and that made it very funny and exciting.

After reading the story she gave out the Duffy books to all the classes. Candice from our class received her book from Niva because she was our class role model. I felt happy for Candice because it was an honour for her to represent the class.

Before saying thank you and good-bye to Niva, the whole school sang the Duffy song. I enjoyed the assembly a lot because Niva was very interesting and I was excited to learn more about reading

Finally, everyone left the assembly hall while room ten stayed back to have their fitness in the hall.

By Kestrel