Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Yachting 2014 Part 2

Cameron is in control!
The most exciting thing about optimist yachting was capsizing because you would get really wet. Kayla
Me and Julius went together for the first round we were going good until…. He started screaming and I got a massive fright which caused us to capsize. Mary
Something I was pleased with was that last year I didn't like going yachting that much and this year I went yachting more. Crystal
Something that made me think was which way I should go, in optimist yachting, to catch the wind. Elijah



On Tuesday we went kayaking and we had a race and Traylan and I won the race. George
Today there was a little bit of wind, I went with 3 people and then I went by myself and when you go by yourself you go faster than going with 3 people. Jack
Dear diary. I got hit by the boom really bad because I was bringing a yacht in and the boom swung and hit my head! Jacob
It was so fun - 100% James
The best yachting buddy that I had in yachting was Jack. Traylan
Something I was pleased with was being able to go on a yacht for the first time because I thought I didn't have the courage to. Maia
Me and Jack just about capsized today and it was not funny. Liam
Ok let me get right to the point, the best one was yachting because it was my first time on one and I had been kayaking before. Rosemary
It was so sad because today was our last day of optimist yachting. But the best bit is that I get to do it next year. Kyra
I really enjoyed learning how to yacht because it is very fun & hard. Zach

Monday, September 22, 2014

Yachting 2014 Part 1

Ben and Ezra Sailing Team
"Something I was pleased with was jumping out of a yacht when it was capsizing and getting tipped out of a kayak." Cameron
"Something that made me think was where to go because I didn't want to go into the wind." Tracey
"I really enjoyed the Yachting and Kayaking and I wish I could do it every day of the week!" Taylor

"I went out by myself and kept tipping almost over since I couldn't balance the boat out and I got tangled in the mainsheet." Ben
We set sail out in the deep blue water. "You're a natural Briar," said Traylan steering the boat. Briar
"I was very happy when I went back to shore, I was proud of myself for going out further than I imagined." Matilda
"Something I was pleased with was capsizing a yacht because I have never capsized before." Jaidyn


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Improving Our Calendar Art

Our calendar art is looking great and you can see individual examples on our student blogs. Our art was based on painting a background in thirds using water colours and placing a native bird which we created with pastels in front of our background.

Ezra's mum, Adelle, is an art teacher and she offered to come in and teach us some fantastic tips to make them more effective. The main focus was on thinking about the composition of our artwork. These pictures show the process. 

Learning points

Hen in front of Starry Night by Van Gogh

Ezra adding some edits to his art

Hen in front of sea scene with cloud

Jacob with a larger kea

Changing the composition

Traylan working on his background

Tracey and Adelle focus in on the art

Coming soon: Slideshow post featuring all our calendar art!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Ready to Kayak!







We are having a wonderful week optimist yachting and kayaking! Here are some snapshots taken on my phone at 8.30 yesterday morning, just before we hit the water in our kayaks. Look at the enthusiasm! More posts to come as we track down some photos...

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Land Yachting?

Take it easy. Taylor's not stressed.
Tomorrow we go optimist yachting. Here are a few examples of what not to do. Check out this page for more useful information.


Saturday, September 13, 2014

Waiata and Haka on the Way to Sports Exchange

Girls leading waiata

Haka fun


Boys in the back of the bus
Victorious captain reading Pokemon


On Friday, we had our annual sports exchange with Riverdale School. It was a beautiful day in the Manawatu and everyone felt very lucky to participate in the trip and represent our school. Our rugby team played their best game of the season and won 103-0. Our netball team drew 10-10, our soccer team lost 3-1 in a very competitive game, while our hockey team lost 11-2 to formidable opponents. A big thank you to Mr Dickson for organising our trip. It was fantastic fun for all of us! Below is a video of us, practising our waiata and haka during a quick toilet stop in Woodville.



Waiata and Haka On Way to Sports Exchange from Kieren Moriarty on Vimeo.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Room 21 in Journey Through The Legends

I used the Google app Pow Toon to create a video showcasing some photos Mrs Hill took of Room 21 in the production. Journey Through The Legends has been a huge success and really is a tribute to all the students and teachers of Nga Rakau Nui. Tu meke! Wonderful job putting it altogether, Miss Hill! We look forward to the final performance tonight!


 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

A Friend...


A Friend from Kieren Moriarty on Vimeo.

This week's poem is our first for a long time. It has a strong message. We are so lucky when we have friends.

A Friend...
A friend is someone who borrows your ball
And returns it to you later in the day;
Who will lend their newest pens - and will play
Your games. Who’ll come around to your house
  and call
For you in rain as well as when it’s fine;
Who’ll listen to your secrets, share your fears,
lend a shoulder when your eyes are full of tears
And won’t divide things into ‘yours’ and ‘mine’.
A friend will peel the plaster gently off your cut
And a friend won’t say ‘Yuk!’. A friend laughs at your jokes
When others just go ‘Eh?’; who likes you but
Will tell you when you’re wrong; who strokes
Your favourite pet in spite of all the fleas -
Who knows your family but, when invited, says
  ‘Yes, please!’

Trevor Millum