Athletics

 

These past few weeks we have been working hard on athletics. We are going to be running the relays,  100,  200 and 400 metre run. 

I really enjoyed athletics because I like running so much and sports, too.  Also, athletics inter-school is coming soon on Wednesday 5th November. I can't wait but it is going to get tiring with all the running.

🎄Christmas Crossover🎅

This week we are having Christmas Crossover. We are going to be separated into nine groups and in each group a St Kent student is in it. We have a lot of people in our group and it is going to be hard for the seniors to make the juniors listen and do the right thing. I think it will be very interesting because there are going to be different activities for each group.  

Littering

My inquiry group including, Ana, Jessica, Malia and me, made a presentation and survey for our class. It is about litter, how there is rubbish everywhere and a lot of other interesting information. 

Then, when we were finished we did a survey about litter. I was amazed by the results that we received from them.  

I believe, no one should litter because it is ruining our country.  

😀Tech With Mr Grundy😀

At Tamaiki College we had Tech, I was with Mr Grundy or Sir. We were going to make a necklace, I was passionate to know how to make it. 

The best part is that I get to keep it for our selves or to give it to the person we made it for.  It was hard making it and tiring, too because I had to use four different sandpapers to make it nice and smooth. 

Finally, I am done with making it and I just need to work on my pewter workbook on my document. 

I am so proud of myself that I made it. It was a cross necklace that I created with the help of Mr Grundy.  

Cultural Groups

These past few weeks the seniors and I have been practicing our cultural dances for prize giving coming up very soon. There are Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island, and Maori dances, I am in the Tongan group. 

It is my first time dancing and I am getting the hang of it, but it is very difficult because you have to bend your legs, be graceful with your hands, and memorize the dance. 

Which I'm not good at doing.

Duffy Show

This week on Tuesday we had a Duffy Show. It was based on bullying, and how we should treat others the way we expect to be treated, and how reading can relax your mind when you're angry or being bullied. 


It also makes us realize that bullies can be everywhere you go like at school and at home. 

Armistice Day

This week it is going to be Armistice Day, it is on November 11th on Sunday. My group and I where searching and finding out new things that we didn't even know on our presentation. 

I talked and explain about  Where Did People Celebrate Armistice Day? and What happened On Armistice Day?

Manaiakalani Film Festival

 Today Ruapotaka School are going to the Manaiakalani Film Festival at Sylvia Park so we'll be able to watch the other schools' film and ours too.  The where rooms 12, 10, 9, 5 and 1 who did the films in school. 

I was so excited to go because there are going to be many films for us to watch.We'll also be able to sit back and relax, while watching. 

It was pleasure to be watching other schools films for example Pt England, Tamaki Primary, Tamaki College and many more.  I think my school's one was the best because it had a meaning to it. 

Tennis

Last week, we had Tennis with our coach  Pete. He taught us how to use the rackets when hitting the tennis ball. It wasn't that hard for some of our classmates because they all played it at morning tea. Others were good at controlling the rackets while others weren't good. 

My first  partner was Julianne for the warm up. Then Leanah was my partner  when we were playing tennis.

I really enjoyed and had fun playing with our classmates. 

Start Of Term 4

It's the start of Term 4. I was enthusiastic to be back at school and learn more and more things. 

When I came to school we had to focus really hard, especially for the year 8's who will be going to college next year. There will be tests that we will have attend because it will be much more harder when you're away.  

Hopefully, I'll do better than before.

Last Week Of Term 3

This is the last week for Term 3. It is going  to be a very unhappy time because I'm going to be without my friends. 
But, it is going to be the holidays so I really can't wait because there won't be any home learning to do, which is a bit boring but we need it to rest.

We have been doing practice tests for next term. I really want to do better than before, so I am going to read everyday in the holidays. 

Tech

 Year seven and eights have Tech at Tamaki College.  Last week my group moved from Mr Pineda's class to Mr Grundy. He does wood craft, glass and metal.

 This session, with Mr Grundy or Sir we are doing a metal pendant.  It is like a necklace. It was so inspiring when we watched him make it, as an example for us.  I am so pleased because we can make it for anyone like our family or friends.

Speeches😟😟

Speeches are coming up for the Ruapotaka students and I am not ready for it. It's really hard finding a specific topic to write about. It is really frustrating because you have to also say it in front of the audiences and to memorizing it. Also, I have to write it down in my own words to make it interesting. 

But, I will try my best to be better than before when my classmates are judging me. 

Tongan Language Week

This week was Tongan Language Week. I was so pleased because it is part of my culture.

In school we had to learn new Tongan vocabulary. Then on Friday Julianne, Izabella, Tupouseiini and Leaapeni and I wore cultural Tongan clothes, for example, a tauvala, kiekie,kafa and tekiteki. 

After we dressed up, we then went to all the classes to show the students our clothes and to inform them about  what we were all wearing.  We also took some photos.

I am appreciative of Tongan heritage. 

Volleyball!!!

For the past few weeks we had volleyball with Coach Renee. I had a lot of fun playing it because I love sports. I also enjoyed playing volleyball with my classmates. 

My favourite game that we all played was the tournament, elimination and girl verses boys. It was a pleasure having Coach Renee teaching us on how to play volleyball. 

Poetry Recital

We had poetry recitals on Friday. It was exciting to see all the students saying there poems aloud and memorized. 

First, it started from room 1 all the way up to room 12, I was satisfied on how they used gestures, expression and they were very clear. Also, I liked the way they still kept on going even when they forgot their poem. 

My favourite poetry recitals was all of them because they all tried their best when they were in front of us, Ruapotaka students. 

Skipping

The skipping competition  is coming up for the Ruapotaka students. We are practicing really hard. The year sevens and eights are in three different groups learning new moves and practicing to get better than before.

The people in my group are is Pupuke, Mary Ruth, Malia, Leanah, Joanlisi,Alexandra, Julianne, Liza, Ana and I. 

Cross Country Run

Yesterday, we had our schools Cross Country race. It first started from room 1 all the up to the seniors. I was enthusiastic and eager about doing the cross country run around the school, because I like running and playing different kinds of sports.

When it was the year 8's turn to run we lined up, so we could get ready to run. I was glad that it was only 2 laps and when we were running I tried to keep running and jogging to keep my place. I also kept up ran with a steady pace to help me, not lose my energy quickly.

At last it was our final lap and we were nearly done. I came 3rd out of the year eights which made me pleased and I came 2nd for the girls which made me even happier. When it finished I was happy but exhausted at the same time.

Kahurangi - Maori Myths and Legends

This week there was a group called Kahurangi who came to our school. It was all about Maori myths and legends. Kahurangi came to our school to perform some songs and telling us about their Maori culture. This Maori myths and legend stories from many years ago. 

There were two boys and four girls who did their performance were really well and I was impressed. I really liked it how they made the story very funny when they showed it to us. 

Last Hip Hop Lesson With JJ

Sadly, I wasn't their for the last hip hop lesson that my whole classroom had. I was so depressed because I really wanted to be their with JJ or Jess, to learn more hip hop movements. 

When I first went their I thought it was going to be really hard and that I would struggle. But gladly JJ was there to help us all the way. 

I really hoped that I was their with the rest of the students learning some hip hop moves. 

Making Our Own Choreography

Today we had another hip hop lesson with JJ. She was really enthusiastic. We always done what we do when we get there we stench, play a game.

Then we done something different, we had to make our own choreography with five people in our group. It was Tuposeini, Mary, Julianne, Konzay, Mary-Ruth, and me.  We were so excited and nervous at the same time. But gladly JJ helped us set it up for us. We had about ten or fifteen minutes to make a dance.

Later on we had to show the whole class what we had thought of to make our choreography. I really liked watching the others dancing.

Buddy Reading with Room 1

Today we had buddy reading with room one, I was eager and delighted to read with them and help them be better than before.

 Mrs Peterson put us with room one students, my partner was Ali and my helper was Riiana. We listened carefully as Ali read his book to the both of us. We also asked him some questions about the story after he read his book.

When I was reading with Ali my favourite thing about his reading was he looked at the pictures when he didn't know the word.

Another Hip Hop Lesson

This week we had another hip hop session, I was so pleased because the first lesson was very fun. I couldn't wait until we were there.

First of all we greeted Jess or JJ, our choreography teacher. Then we went straight into a game called musical freeze. After the game Jess put on some music so we could start stretching, when we have finished JJ taught us some different movements or steps. It was starting to get really hard and I was struggling.

Thirty minutes past and it was time to stop, I was so depressed.

Syndicate Assembly

This week at school we had a syndicate assembly with the other seniors. Room 10 was hosting the assembly.

First of all we had to sit down quietly as an example for the year five and six's. They started of with a greeting, then we sang a song called Aoeteroa by Stan Walker. After that we played a game called heads up. It was really funny as the teachers and the students were playing against each other.

 Next, it was time for the certificates. Then we went on to the hip hop dance that our choreographer  taught us. I enjoyed room 10's syndicate assembly and before we went we sang a song called Azonto. 

Our Healthy Burger

Today we had Tech. We had to make an egg burger with some vegetables. 

First of all my partner, Tupouseini, and I had to take out the equipment that were required to make the burger. We had to toast the bun in the oven to make it crunchy and fry the eggs for the both of us. After the buns were finished we took them out and put in the ingredients to make the burger complete. The lettuce was first followed by some tomatoes, onions, mayo, egg, and finally the cheese.

I was so disappointed because it is our last week in cooking class with Mrs Tuipolotu. 

Soccer Interschools

Last week on Wednesday we had our soccer interschools in Point England Reserve. We were representing our school. The soccer interschool was about playing against other schools and having fun. While we were playing, it was very exhausting. 

Sadly, we did not win most of our soccer games, other schools were  really competitive on the soccer field, but our team tried our best. 

Our team came last, along with Panmure District.

Schools We Played Against:

Panmure District - Ruapotaka School

Glen Taylor - Ruapotaka School

Stonefields  - Ruapotaka School

Tamaki Primary - Ruapotaka School

Panmure Bridge - Ruapotaka School

Panmure District Team 2 - Ruapotaka School

Hip Hop With Jess

Today we had hip hop with Jess, I was so nervous because I don't know how to dance. Jess was really good in dancing as she was teaching us some basic movements.

 My class and I were giggling a lot as we were learning the steps for hip hop.

After a few minutes it was done and I couldn't wait until next Tuesday.

Road Safety

The past few weeks we have been learning about road safety.

First of all we had to be divided into groups of four or more so we could collaborate with each other.  My groups and I were setting up a slide presentation to show others how to be safe when crossing the road. 

Lastly, always keep your seat belt on and phone off when on the road so you don't get into an accident. 

Daily Fitness

Today, in the morning we had fitness and I didn't want to partake. Firstly we had lined up in our years 5 to 8, then we waited until the teacher told us to start running.

We had to run for ten minutes straight. When we started to run I was so exhausted and wanted to stop. But I still kept going so I could be better than before. Ten minutes past and it was time for the seniors to stop, I was huffing and puffing so hard I was about to faint. Mr Reid had told us to put our hands on our heads so our lungs could  extend and get some air. 

French Toast

This week we made French Toast, I was so pleased because I haven't made it before.

First of all, we had to get a bowl and add 5 eggs and half a cup of milk then we whisked it. Then we cut up the bread into halves and dipped it in the batter. When we had finished it we had to take out the frying pan and heat it up with the butter so the bread can be golden and brown. My group and I took turns frying our own to make our French Toast. The end results wasn't what I had expected but it still tasted delicious.

Sponge Cake

Today, my partner and I are made a Sponge cake.

The ingredients were three eggs and one cup of sugar. We used those two ingredients to make it creamy and by adding in the S.R.F (self rising flour) to make the cake rise when it is cooking. 

After that we placed it in the oven to cook for around ten or fifteen minutes. 

Finally we had to wash the dishes until the Sponge Cake had finished cooking.  

Pita Bread (Sandwitches)

Today we made Pita Sandwiches and I was so excited that I couldn't wait. 
First of all we had to get a whole piece of pita bread and cut it up into two halves to make two sandwiches. Then we opened up the pita bread so my partner and I could put the vegetables, ham and the mayonnaise in it. It was a very healthy sandwich. 

It was so delicious.

Vanilla Muffins

At technicraft we cooked with Mrs Tuipolotu. 
The ingredients were one cup of S.R.F (self rising flour), one and a half cup of sugar and four eggs. Then my partners I had to mix it to be creamy and fluffy.

After that we placed the vanilla muffins into the oven at 180 degrees Celsius when it was cooking we had to wash the dishes and clean up the mess that my partners and I had made.

Finally it was done and ready to eat, it looked delicious.

Cybersmart

This week we had to write down in our Chromebooks on how to be Cybersmart. This was to show the intermediates and the others how to be smart on the internet, do the right things on our devices and go on relevant things online. These are the thing I thought of: 

Cybersmart

1. Understand the dissimilar between personal and public information when I am online because everything will be seen. Source - Smart Footprint
2. To know what you are doing and to go on appropriate sites. Source: Smart Surfing
3. To make an intelligent decision when online Source: Smart Relationships
4. Think carefully about how we construct on different sites Source: Smart Media
5. To do the right thing and to be Cybersmart when you are on different devices. Source - Smart and Legal

Chocolate Muffins

Today at Tech I made chocolate muffins. I was so excited to make it. First we had to take out the equipment that we needed to help us create the chocolate muffins.

The dry and wet ingredients that my partner and I used were one and a half cup of SRF (self rising flour), half cup of sugar, third cup of cocoa, quarter cup of oil, one egg and one cup of milk. Then we had to mix it altogether and place in the oven.

While it was cooking we had to wash the dishes that we had used when we were making the muffins.

After a few minutes it was ready. It looked so delicious and tasty to eat.

Nachos

This week we had tech. We were doing cooking with Mrs Tuipulotu. Today we are going to make  nachos. It is so delicious because I had made it before with her last year. We started straight away.
We had to take out the equipment's that we needed and placed on the table. Next we got into the ingredients.
 First we diced up the onions, mashed up the mince, baked beans, tomato paste and of course cheese. When we have completed that we put it straight into the frying pan to cook. We had to inspect the cooking so it won't burn and cause fire. After when we had finished my group had to lay on the table to cool down so we could put it on the plate, so Mrs Tuipulotu can place the chips on the side. I really appreciate it and how she is trying to help us with cooking. 

Sponge Roll

Last week we had Tech at Tamaki College with Mrs Tuipulotu. We had cooking and I was so excited. At the same time I was startled when we had to do it with another school, St Pius. 

Mrs Tuipulotu informed us that we were going to make Sponge Rolls. My partner for cooking was Malachi from St Pius.

After that we placed all the equipment that we needed on the table. Then we set the oven to 180 degrees. The dry ingredients that were required included  one cup of SRF (self rising flour) and one third of a cup of sugar then after that we combined and mixed all the wet ingredients which were eggs and oil and we mixed it all together to make it a creamy mixture. Later on we placed it into the oven to cook. 

A while later it was done. It didn't turn out well because it was supposed to be a sponge roll, but it turned out to be a sponge cake with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. It looked better than I expected. 

Next time I'll make it perfect.

Room 10 Syndicate Assembly

Room 10 started of with greetings to us as we were sitting down. Then we had two people from each senior class room to participate in the dance battle. After that the teachers presented the certificates. I was so surprised when she called out my name to the front. 

Who Am I?

Hi my name is Vika and I am a year 8 student from Ruapotaka School. I  have black eyes, long hair and an average aged girl. I was born in Auckland, New Zealand. My favorite things that I like doing is watching YouTube videos, playing different kinds of sports and spend time with family and friends. Lastly I like attending school to learn more so I can succeed in my tests.

Back At School 2018

It's the first day of school 2018 and I am a year 8 student in Room 12. My teachers for 2018 is Mrs Golder and Mr Reid. In the start of school there were two new students starting in Room 12, Storm and Robin. I am so keen to learn more and to be better than before. Also I am glad to be back from a very long holiday.