Student of the week - Regan

Congratulations to our student of the week, Regan, for all of his very hard work in everything he does. Regan you are a terrific role model in our classroom, always working hard and showing others what a tremendous work ethic looks like. Keep up the great work!

Moments in time - Recount writing

We have been learning to recount 'moments in time' that bring back strong feelings and memories for us.  Times when we have been .... excited, scared, lonely, sad, happy.  We have tried to hook the reader (that's you) with an exciting beginning.  We have been especially trying to use dialogue for effect in our writing, with better choices of word than 'said'.  Our latest writing saying is 'Put said to bed'.  Check out our latest recounts below.
PLEASE LEAVE US A COMMENT about our writing.  We would like to know that people have read our work.


5th birthday
7:00.  Up and out of bed.  "Happy birthday," exclaimed Dad.  On my 5th birthday I opened up presents like I was starving for food.  Once I had opened up all my presents I rushed to get on my new dress so that I was ready for my party to begin.  Tick tock, tick tock, waiting for my friends to arrive was boring. 

Finally I heard a car, then another, then another all pulled up the driveway.  "Happy birthday!" screamed all my friends with excitement.  After opening up all my presents Mum thought the lounge was a pigsty.  "Pinata time!"  Mum had to scream over the noise.

The pinata was fun but eventually it was cake time - a big love heart shape with M&Ms on it.  After the cake was done all my friends had to leave.  I was left thinking, 'It was a fun day'.
By Josie

Wellington alone
"Mum I'm nervous," I whimpered.
"You will be fine.  Toby is with you."
I grabbed my suitcase and I held Mum's hand so tight it nearly fell off.  My family and I were at Dunedin Airport about to go on me and Toby's first flight alone to Wellington.
We got our bags.  My teeth were chattering.  I had a dry mouth.  I could not speak.  I had never felt so nervous in my life, except the time when there was a bit power cut.  Then I heard the call for our flight.  The flight attendant said hello and took us to the plane.  I was terrified....
By Anna

Tractor tipping
Thump went the bale when Dad hit the brakes.  The bale went in the creek.  "Darn it" yelled Dad.  Rumble, rumble, crack went the earth.  The edge collapsed on the tractor.  "Wow," yelled Dad.  The tractor was on three wheels.  Luckily Dad was safe.  I had to go on my motorbike to get Duncan and his tractor to help Dad.  Duncan had to help Dad to get out.  Dad was safe at last.
By William

Rugby practising with Otago players

"Bullrush " yelled one of the boys.I thought that I would get smashed by one of the Otago rugby players. And I did. My mouth was filled with grass. I could feel the grass on the roof of my mouth. It felt  weird but I did not care.I felt hands wrapped around my waist. I got dragged to the ground and smacked my head."Another round," explained one of the Otago rugby players

"Ok," we all replied.

Blake was in. I could see his evil eyes staring at me, hands ready to tackle.

“Im in!”
By Regan

Night walk
"No talking" explained the museum guide. "We have to be quiet. This is a night walk." Then we were off. I could feel Alyssa's shoulders and Mum's hands on my back. All you could hear was the class footsteps on the ground. We were very quiet. I thought that the alarms were going to go off. The museum guide had the torch at the front of the line. We were near a room. The adults were ready and then the museum guide started the story and when she named the animals, the adults made the sound of the animals.
On the way back we went down a hallway but we did not know that three adults were under a table and when we walked they tried to foot trip us. "Arghhh" we all screamed as they grabbed our feet. After that all of the bells were ringing. It was very loud. All you could see was the darkness in the rooms. Then we had to head back to the museum learning classroom. That was the best (and scariest) camp that I have been on.
By Lanie

Queenstown pool

Kids were screaming, babies were crying, mums were shouting. I opened the door to chaos. Granny yelled “Welcome  to the Queenstown pool.”

I ran in the warm water. When I ran in the warm pool I went under the water and I got water in my mouth. Yuck, yuck.The water went up my nose.  I shouted to mum ” I have got water in my nose.” Mum whispered “Oh, no”. But after a minute I felt better. I swam to the twirly whirly. When I was going to the twirly whirly a little kid threw a bucket of cold water on my face. I couldn't see who it was because I had water in my eyes. I yelled to him, then he hid but I found him. It was Oscar, little ratbag Oscar.
By Charlotte

Kayaking
Wind blowing, sun in the sky and a smile on my face. The trees were blowing, the grass was long and the frog pond was calm. Can  you guess where I was?  Yes that's right - at Gabriels Gully. Adam and I were on the kayaks. Adam was in the front  and I was on the back. It got a little windier. Then the wind made the kayak rock. “Don’t move or else we will tip over” yelled Adam. The wind stopped but it was still rocking as Adam slowly crept to the front. The kayak tipped over and we all got wet .Over came our dog Jack and we patted him .Although we had got really wet we still had lots and lots of fun.  I wish it went on forever.
By Te Aroha

Wellington
Mum yelled "We are taking off." The plane roared down the runway. My ears were blocked. "The sky is red" I yelled. I played my iPad. I got on Google and looked at truck images. That made the time go really fast. An hour later we landed. We went on the new plane so it only took an hour. It was windy at Wellington when we landed. We didn't have an air bridge so we walked outside and it was incredibly windy. I was pleased to get inside. We got Nana's bag and then we got picked up.
By Oakley

Night walk

Pitch black, crying, screaming.  Almost everyone was scared.  “No talking or the alarms will go off,” whispered Hannah the museum lady.  

The class slowly started silently walking in to the dark room, lined up in a train, where each person held onto the person in front’s shoulders.  We walked further into where bells started ringing and every time a bell rung, one of the Dads would reach out from under the table and grab your legs.  After I had been grabbed about three times I started to walk beside the rails.  I couldn’t just feel the hands of all the dads but some of them I could also see.  In front of me was Mum.  I couldn’t quite walk holding onto her shoulders so instead I held onto her waist.

Once we got out of the room where we were being foot-tripped, we went into the room where the lions were (Sonia and Sultan).  Hannah told a scary story about lions, monkeys and tigers while the Dads made noises that sounded exactly like the animal they were trying to be. As she told the story I got a little bit scared but didn’t cry at all. I sat on the mat listening to the story while people began to get scarder. I felt like going over to sit by Mum but she was on a seat by the rails not by me.

‘Yah I can see again’ I thought when the lights flickered on.
By Alyssa

Splash Palace
"Go!" shouted Jason and we went under the water.  We raced across the water at Splash Palace.  We weren't allowed to put our head up and I couldn't breathe but I could handle it.  When we were finished we went in to the spa pool and we got wrinkly hands.  The bubbles jumped up and down.  I went on the bubbles and I was going up and down, but it felt nice.  We hopped out of the spa pool.  We went on some boards and Mrs May pushed me into the deep end.  I thought I would fall off but I didn't because Mrs May was by me.  I said to Mrs May, "Can I go to the shallow end?" and she whispered "OK."  
Off I went and then I was free to walk again.  Then I played with my friends and we played under water games and stuff.  So we made a circle for a game.  One person has to try and get out of the circle.
By Clifton

My first hunt

BANG, my hopeful eyes stared in amazement at the hare. The smoke from the 22 wafted up my nostrils. The hay from the hay bale itched against my arms and grass tickled against my legs. I was losing my grip on the trigger, "Did I kill it?" I asked Tavi with a determined and pale face... "Yes!" Tavi responded. My face lit up like water in the sunlight and a sideways crescent moon beamed. Then out the corner of Tavi's eye a hare sprints across the field! Tavi snatches the 22 from my grasp and lines the  hare up with the gun... BANG, BANG, BANG the hare flees into an armoured, spiked gorse and falls like a bomb from a fighter jet and then, when it hit the ground it was still like a crooked gravestone! When we reached the carcass the frozen body was sinking in a lake of blood. The eye of the hare stared, not blinking. The mouth was open and saliva was dripping from it's tongue. My heart pumped valiantly and felt like it was pushing it's way out if of me. It was a one of the most creepy, awesome, exciting moments of my life, one I'll never forget.

By Toby

Airport trip
"Go" shouted Dad.  Little kids were off everywhere on the treasure hunt.  We were running down the escalators at the airport.  But we were on the up one.  Crash, bang, thud ...
I opened my eyes.  Dad laughed "You dufis."
I hopped up.  I was fine.  So we went to the screen and wrote as much as we could.  Then we were off to the next thing.  It was the international room.  The guide lady opened the door.  It was absolutely dark...  Then the lights came on.  I was relieved.
By Aaron

My scariest moment

I could see my strawberry roan pony named Petal standing in front of me.I could feel my heart pumping inside me. I started to shake. Then Mum mentioned to me "Don't be scared". But that didn't stop me from shaking. Then I finally asked Mum if she could help me to get up onto Petal. My heart stopped beating for two seconds then it started up again. Am I going to fall off? Am I going to break a bone? I don't know. I started to have a little walk on Petal with Mum holding the reins. I was starting to get used to the walk ,then Mum asked,"Do you want to have a trot?"

I replied", No way!"

"Are you sure?"Mum said respectfully. After I had made my mind up I mumbled "Ok". Then mum revealed "Off we go then"....

By Bryce

Night walk
We're getting into our line and we're still in the light. No, we're in the dark. Jessica's crying because she's scared of the dark. Someone said "Remember we can't talk because the alarms are on." It was just the museum guide whispering.  

On the way back we thought we would just be going down the hall and into the light but we were doing something completely different... As we were marching down the hallway there was a sudden 'cling clang, cling clang'. There were bells going off and... something was grabbing our feet. What was it? Or who was it? After a few seconds I realised it was just the parents. Then my Dad grabbed my leg and soon after that another parent tried to grab my leg. It was Gerard. But I edged myself towards the rails so he couldn't get me and it worked.  

Finally the leg grabbing was over but the bells were still ringing. They didn't scare me as much now. Then it started to get lighter. The dark was beginning to fade. I could see the room at the end of the hallway. It was getting closer, closer and closer and before we knew it we were back in the lightened room, but people were still crying. That is definitely a one in a lifetime experience!
By Samara

Rugby practice
"Come on come on it's our turn," I shouted. Now let's have some fun like the others. When we ran onto the field I could see everyone running around and kicking the ball. We had a game of ball rush and I thought I was going to get smashed to the ground by an Otago rugby player. But they went easy on us because we aren't like them. We play in under 9s, under11s and under 13s. I got tackled by a very chubby boy  because I was one of the last people on the start line and they were all ganging up on me. I could feel sweat dripping down my face like if I tipped a glass of water on myself.I got tackled again but this time it was by one of the Otago players and all I could taste was grass,and dirt was on my face and I started coughing. When the practice was finished we went to the canteen beside the rugby field and bought some chips.IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!
By Ryan

Student of the week - Regan

Another 'Student of the Week' award for Regan.  Both teachers have noticed Regan's fantastic attitude and effort at all times with his learning.  He is a fabulous role model to the rest of the class.

Cross Country 2014

Our school cross country had to be postponed twice in term 2 due to terrible rain and snow.

We finally got to hold our event on Friday and it was a lovely, hot spring day up Gabriel's Gully. Everyone was very excited about running in their race. We have written some personal recounts about the our race. Enjoy.

 "On your marks, get set, GO!" Everyone charged towards the front, hoping not to get stuck behind someone slower than them but that didn't work out too well for me. I got stuck behind Briar from Waitahuna and I could not pass her because it was a very skinny track. I sprinted as fast as I could. Suddenly the track grew wider so I passed three other people and was then running in fourth place, hard out. My legs well getting tired, I was getting hot. As we came around the pond that was when I wanted to jump into it, but I didn't. "Go girs, go, you're almost finished," Mrs O echoed two or three times.  I carried on running up the hill to where the finish line was waiting for me. I ran and ran, passed the finish line, finishing in fourth place.  'Phew, I'm glad that's over for another year,' I thought to myself. - Alyssa

"Ready, set, go! Bang!"Yeah, I was coming second. Oh no, I was getting puffed. Even worse, I was stopping! Josie, Alyssa, Imogen and Lanie all ran in front of me. What could I do?... 10 minutes later ..."Huff! Huff! Huff!" I did the best I could Tenth is good I think. What will I come next year? - Anna

Running in front of two people I had been dying to beat. Te Aroha was one of the people I wanted to beat and she was just behind me so I walked up the hill. That was where the race started. Everyone was yelling "Go! Go!" but then I looked behind me. Te Aroha was catching up. I had stitch really badly. Te Aroha and I were in a tie, then... Te Aroha beat me! I came 15th. Te Aroha came 14th. At least I got an ice-block still. POOR ME - Arnika

I was only about 5metres in front of Lachie, then it happened... I could see the finish line waiting for me. I looked behind me. Lachie was gaining on me. Then I was about 10metres from the finish line. Lachie started to slow down then I put on my speedy legs and zoomed to the finish line. "Yay!" the race was done and I beat Lachie. - Bryce

Heart beating, hands shaking, legs wobbling. "On your marks, get set, GO!" shouted Mrs. Taylor. I ran as fast as I could. I was coming 6th then Isla ran passed me. Then a whole bunch of people went passed me. I felt angry when all these people ran passed. It was the end of the race. I came 11th. Finally I had finished the race. - Charlotte

Bryce and I got out of the bus and when we saw the track we jumped up and down like Chimpanzees. - Clifton

"On your marks, get set, clap!" I ran as fast as I could. Lanie was in the lead. I raced in front of Anna, then Imogen sped in front of me. There were weeds on the track so I went through them. Charlotte was in front of me. I looked behind me. There was a girl behind me from Waitahuna. I sprinted to the finish line. The girls behind me passed me then I was at the finish line. I came ninth. - Isla

Heart pounding. Tummy turning. Feet in position. Then off I went, dodging through the trees, trying to pass Anna. Then I was passed Anna. Dying to jump in the frog pond, I trotted passed, Mrs O cheering me on. Climbing up the hill, neck and neck with Lanie. Then I tripped. Making my way to the end in 2nd place. I was so proud of myself. - Josie

"On your marks, get set, go!" Mrs Taylor screamed. I sprinted off the start line. I was in the lead. We went passed all of the trees and then we came to the frog pond. I saw Mrs O. She said,"Keep going girls!" All of a sudden we were at the wall. I climbed up fast and I sprinted to the finish line. I was still in the lead and then I had won! - Lanie

I was shaking from head to toe on the start line.
"On your marks, get set, go!" I ran as fast as I could. Lachie and i had a battle.

Climbing up the hill, huffing and puffing. Finally I made it up. I was so nervous, thinking that Nate would pass me. I raced in to the single file part and I said to myself "Yes!" - Regan

There it is, almost there. The finish line was right there. I looked behind me. Regan was right behind me, but ... then, what do you know? Toby passed Regan! He was about one and a half metres behind me and then he was beside me. Then, bang, he passed me right on the finish line! - Ryan

My heart was pounding. Arnika was in front of me. I was racing. Arnika and I were in a tie. I was giving it all. I got in front of Arnika and then I beat Arnika. _ Te Aroha

My mind is racing. My feet are thundering. My stomach is doing triple somersaults... I'm forcing myself up the rocky hill. My mind makes a split decision. Sprint? Or Jog? It's sprint! I click into sprint mode. I'm in fourth place. My eyes stare at the finish line and I sprint. 3rd, 2nd. I glance across at Ryan and power into first place... - Toby

I saw Kade running with one shoe. I kindly asked Kade if I could tie his shoe up.

"No," said Mrs O, "I will do it William."

"But thanks for asking William," said Kade. So I kept on running. one minute later, ZOOM. What was that?! Kade ran passed me. At the finish Kade was giving everyone high fives. I passed him when he was stopped and I beat him. - William

Student of the week - Regan

We love to see students always trying their best.  Regan is a great example of this - he always pushes himself during Cross Country training, giving his very best effort.  Regan you are a shining example of our school motto 'Strive to Excel'.

Volcano in the sand-pit

Today for science we started to learn about fizz. We learned that carbon-dioxide creates fizz, and we watched a Suzy Cato video where she showed lots of fun experiments creating fizz using carbon dioxide. We decided to create an experiment of our own.

Imogen, Regan and Josie built a fabulous volcano in the sand-pit and we put a cup of malt vinegar in a crater at the top. Toby poured in a couple of table spoons of baking soda and we all stood back to see what the reaction would be.

Here is a video made by Alyssa and Samara showing exactly what happened...

OUR VIDEO OF OUR EXPERIMENT

Tellagami Mihis by Room 4

Murihiku Marae Camp pic collages

Royals Ripper Rugby

Yesterday four lucky Room Four students got to play in a ripper rugby tournament in front of the Duchess and Duke, Catherine and William, in Dunedin. Here's their thoughts about the experience....

"Richie McCaw was there and he signed all of our tops!" - Charlotte

"I scored the most tries for Lawrence.  It was cool meeting the duchess.  I was the captain which meant that I got to shake the royals' hands.  The skills and drills were fun too." - Regan

"It was great getting to see the royals up close but it would be better getting to speak to them" - Te Aroha

"We lost the first game, drew the second game and won the last game" - Oakley

We love our iPads!

Today in Room 4 we have used the iPads for reading, writing, paired research, as well as using them to create our very own iMovies about Lawrence. Look out for these in future blog posts. Our teachers have never seen us so engaged in our learning. We wish we had them all day!

Sports activator

On Friday R4 had our first sports activator this year. We met Olivia who taught us some cricket skills. Alesana and Regan took these photos. 

Whack! Ryan hit the ball far far away!

Charlotte hit the ball.

At the end we had a game of non-stop cricket.