Tag: Writing

Term 2 Immersion Assembly

To kick off term 2, like usual we have our immersion Assembly held in the school hall. Immersion Assembly is where teachers from each team (yeargroup) would perform on stage, whether it’s a movie, rap, or even a play relating to the topic. Our topic for this term is “Beyond the Sky” the main focus is basically all about SPACE! like literally what is beyond the Sky? The first team to perform was the SMT (Senior Management Team) their’s was nice, especially Mrs Nua walking in the middle as a astronaut!

Second was team 1, their one was talking about that not all countries have the same timezone and weather. Team 2 was third, the teachers had gone in the school van, it wasn’t just a normal ordinary van, but it could fly! They traveled around the solar systems, exploring the different planets.

Team 3’s was really cool I reckon! They made their own song and rapped, it was really catchy and cool.

Team 4’s was fun, their’s was a movie and they were in a spaceship, talking about the planets.

Last but not least, team 5. Their one was really creative and engaging. They were all dressed up as each planet, dancing to the rhythm of the song that played. I honestly never knew Mr Wiseman could sing!

Below is the photo’s:

PS: This whole recount was rushed.

New Zealand – Explanation Writing

New Zealand (also known as Aotearoa) is a small island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. With a population of just under 5 million people, it is a perfect place to live. This country has managed to preserve its unique cultural heritage while embracing the modern world. This essay will discuss the history, tourism, and sports sectors of Aotearoa.

History: The Treaty of Waitangi (also known as Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Maori) is a historic document signed by Captain William Hobson and Maori chief’s back in 6th February 1840.
It plays an important role in New Zealand history and the people.

Matariki is a star cluster and a celebration. It celebrates its first rising usually in June or July. The rising marks the beginning of a new year. It first started when Tawhirimatea, god of wind and weather was furious when his brother Tane Mahuta, god of the forest’s separated their parents Ranginui & Papatuanuku.

Enraged by this, he took out his own eyes and crushed them to pieces. Afterwards he threw them to the sky, now they remain on his father’s chest.

Tourism: Now we have the iconic Sky Tower, it is one of the many reasons why people visit New Zealand. It’s also the 28th tallest tower in the world!
Located at Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand.
It has several facilities that are open to the public.
There’s the sky bar, a main deck where you can observe the breathtaking view, and also a cool orbit 360 restaurant that rotates 360 degrees every hour! They also offer an ice creamery, sky walk, and sky jump.

Sports: There are numerous sports in New Zealand, some famous sports being, cricket, basketball, netball, ESPECIALLY rugby union and rugby league. The New Zealand rugby union national team is the All Blacks, famous for their international success.
The team has been considered one of the most successful sports teams in history. Why? Because of their outstanding winning percentage, with 76.77% over 637 tests.

Helena Cave Exploring: Adventure Beneath the Earth

Cave Exploring: Adventure Beneath the Earth
Cave exploring, also known as spelunking, is an exciting activity that takes adventurers deep into underground tunnels and chambers. Caves are formed over thousands of years by water, wind, and shifting rocks. They can be home to amazing rock formations, underground rivers, and unique animals that live in the dark. However, cave exploring can also be dangerous, and explorers must be prepared for the unexpected.
The Dangers of Cave Exploring
Caves can be tricky to navigate. Some are very tight and require squeezing through narrow passages. Others have deep pits, slippery rocks, or flooded tunnels. One of the biggest dangers is getting lost. Since caves are dark and full of twists and turns, it’s easy to lose your way without a proper map and light source.
Another risk is falling rocks. If the ceiling or walls of a cave are unstable, rocks can break loose and fall. Also, some caves can suddenly flood after heavy rain, trapping explorers inside.
A Real-Life Cave Rescue
One of the most famous cave rescues happened in 2018 in Thailand. A group of 12 boys and their soccer coach went exploring in the Tham Luang cave. While they were deep inside, heavy rains flooded the entrance, trapping them. The world watched as rescuers from different countries worked for 18 days to save them.
The rescue was extremely difficult. Divers had to swim through dark, narrow tunnels with strong currents. The boys were given diving masks and guided out one by one. Luckily, all of them survived, but it was a reminder of how dangerous caves can be.
Staying Safe While Exploring
If you ever go cave exploring, follow these important safety rules:
Never go alone. Always explore with a group and an experienced guide.
Bring the right gear. A helmet, flashlight, extra batteries, and sturdy shoes are a must.
Tell someone where you’re going. If something goes wrong, rescuers will know where to find you.
Check the weather. Avoid caves that might flood during rain.
Stay calm. If you get lost, sit still, conserve energy, and wait for help.
Cave exploring can be an unforgettable adventure, but it’s important to be careful. With the right preparation, explorers can safely enjoy the wonders hidden beneath the earth.

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Vocabulary Question:
The article mentions that caves can have unstable ceilings and walls. What does unstable mean in this book, and how can it be dangerous for explorers?
Unstable means that it’s not fixed properly or firm. It can be dangerous for cavers because they don’t know if it’s stable or not, that’s why explorers must be ready to expect the unexpected.

Comprehension Questions:
What are some of the dangers of cave exploring mentioned in the article?
Squeezing through extremely narrow passages, deep pits, slippery rocks or flooded tunnels. The biggest danger is getting lost in the cave, since it’s dark and full of twists and turns.

How did the boys and their coach get trapped in the Tham Luang cave?
While they were exploring deep inside the cave, heavy rains flooded the cave. Trapping the boys and the coach.
What equipment should cave explorers bring to stay safe?
A helmet, flashlight, extra batteries, and sturdy shoes.

Inference Questions:
Why do you think the rescue in Thailand took 18 days instead of happening quickly?
Because the rescue was difficult, the divers had to swim in extreme weather conditions and in the dark. They also had to squeeze through narrow passageways. The boys were given diving masks and guided out one by one.
What challenges do you think the rescuers faced while trying to save the boys?
The weather conditions, maybe even some animals? The unstable and slippery rocks. Squeezing through narrow passageways.
If you were trapped in a cave, which safety rule do you think would be the most important to follow? Why?
If I were trapped in a cave the safety rule that I would follow is staying calm and stay put, panicking could waste oxygen. Not staying put could lead to more harm or even death. Because it will be harder for
Connecting to the Wider World:
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to stay calm and wait for help? How did you handle it?
I have not indeed been in a situation like that.
Many people from different countries helped rescue the boys in Thailand. Why do you think people from around the world wanted to help?
They wanted to help because the situation was dangerous, and the boys’ lives were at risk. The story touched people’s hearts. Inspiring kindness.
Some caves are home to rare animals and ecosystems. How do you think exploring caves can help scientists learn more about the environment?
Scientists can analyse underground water systems, climate history, and more. Helping us better understand the Earth’s past and how to protect fragile ecosystems.

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Hello everyone, this is my task for literacy this week. Recently we’ve been learning about caves, and how they work.
We had to read a few paragraphs, and answer the questions carefully. It took quite long for me to finish but eventually I managed to do so. Make sure to leave a positive comment down below!

Underground Explorers

Hello everyone, this is my reading task for literacy. For our work we read a book called Underground Explorers, it’s about this group of cavers exploring the Bulmer Cavern in New Zealand’s Kahurangi National Park. They use scientific methods to uncover new passages and understand the underground enviroment.

Evaluative Questions

  1. What impact could the confirmation of the connection have?

Confirming the connection could help cavers navigate the cave more accurately.

  1. How do the cavers demonstrate their commitment to preservation?

They make sure not to break or disturb the natural structures within the cave, they also follow certain rules and guidelines. They ensure not to leave waste and litter behind.

  1. How does Marcus’s perspective on caving in Bulmer Cavern differ?

His perspective differs because he sees it more than just an adventurous

Activity, he sees it as a mental & physical challenge that requires patience, team work, and endurance.

Literal Questions

 

  1. What is the purpose of Marcus and his team’s caving trip?

To prove that the Bulmer cave system is much larger than previously thought.

 

  1. How did Neil Silverwood test his theory in a previous trip?

He placed a cupful of water-tracing dye into the cavern’s Far and Away stream,

Then he made his way back to the surface and waited to see if the dye would reappear

In Blue Creek.

  1. What evidence are the cavers collecting to confirm the connection?

They are collecting water samples and using dye tracing to help track the movement of water between different parts of the cave.

Inferential Questions

 

  1. Why is the idea of an underground connection mind-boggling?

Because it reveals hidden passageways beneath the surface.

  1. Why is it significant that the dye appeared in less than 48 hours?

Because it shows how quickly the water moves through the underground river system. Proving the caves are connected.

 

  1. Why do the cavers follow wind draughts in their exploration?

Because the air helps find exits and unexplored passages in the cave, helping cavers navigate new areas.

Vocabulary – What do these words mean? 

Cavern A cavern is a large cave or a series of connected caves, often underground.
Trickle Trickle means to flow or fall in a small, slow, or thin stream.
Endurance Endurance means the ability to keep going through difficult situations, pain, or fatigue without giving up.
Underground Underground means anything beneath the surface of earth, or hidden from view
Connection Connection means like a link or relationship between two or more things, people. 
Predecessor Predecessor means someone or something that came before another in a specific role.
Limestone Limestone is a rock that is made up of calcium carbonate, it can be found in many places of earth especially in caves.

Pick three words you need more practice using.
Use it in a sentence

Predecessor My predecessor worked in this job for 20 years.
Limestone These cliffs are made out of limestone.
Trickle A trickle of water.

Helena Year 7 Step Up Highlights 2024.

Recount: Year 7 STEP UP Highlights
Last week we had the Year 7 STEP UP Programme. Write a recount, sharing what your three main highlights were and why.
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WRITING.

  1. Start your writing here: On the 8th of may the year 8’s, Mr Wiseman and Mr Moran went off to kauaeranga valley for camp as it was to help with their confidence and leadership. For the next 3 days they would be gone. With the year 8’s gone, the year 7’s had a step up program. The step up program was to also help with confidence and leadership. We got split into groups and we had an assigned class to go to. My assigned class is room 5 which is also my homeroom class. I went to my assigned class and had a discussion with my group. There were 3 groups, each group came up with a name. My group’s name was called “Hustlers” The other 2 groups were named “Buckles” and “Mana”.

Each day every group had a different activity as they rotated class by class.

Our first teacher we had was Ms Tipene, to start off the step up program, our first activity was a haka challenge. Every group would have to do the haka and the best group that performed well would get extra  points.

Since every group performed well everyone got extra points.  

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We did multiple activities but my top 3 favourite highlights were Find the lyric game , Movie day and building. Find The Lyric game is where we are given a word and we have to find a song that has that word in it. I do not know the official name for the game. For example if I said the word Rainbow you would have to find a song that has the word Rainbow in it. Movie day was extremely fun, we were given little boxes of popcorn along with mini fizzy drinks. Last but not least, building. We had to get into groups for this project, we received blocks and whoever built the highest tower won the game. Unfortunately there was no prize.

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It was the last day of the step up program and I was a bit unhappy as it would go back to normal. But at the same time I kinda missed normal school.

This concludes for my  blog for today. I hope you enjoyed reading my recount! 🙂

Helena Writing a MathVenture

Kia Ora everyone, this is my mathventure!
If you are wondering what is a mathventure it’s where you read stories and the reader must solve math problems in order to progress through the adventure.

So, I decided to make my own!
Each section contains a math problem for you to solve.
Good luck!