Tuesday, 31 March 2015
Once Upon A Crime
Monday, 30 March 2015
Camp Wellington
We just came back from our class camp in Wellington. It was probably one of the most interesting camps I've ever been to, but I think it would have been better if we went abseiling and skydiving and rock climbing. Either way, everything else was pretty awesome.
We got to school on Sunday and boarded the bus at about nine o'clock, but because Wellington is like eight hours drive away, and we had stops in Tamaranui, Taihape and Bulls, it was around five or six when we arrived at Top Ten Holiday Parks. They had a Jumping Pillow, which was like a ginormous inflatable pillow. We played a kind of elimination game, where you try to push people off. It was fun, but you got really, really sandy. The rooms were very small, but the beds were really bouncy and comfortable.
On Monday, after being woken up at ten to seven when it was still dark, we had to make our lunches and we departed for Zealandia, which was a wildlife reserve thingy on a mountain with pest-proof walls in. (In other words, my brother would not be able to get in.) We got to stroke some Tuatara and we explored a lot of the mountain and learnt about lots of wildlife, especially endangered birds and insects. Then we only had an hour to explore Te Papa Museum, which was by far not long enough. I got lost quite a lot, because I have a tendency to run over to whatever looks interesting, separating myself from my group, or else I run off in a complete different direction, and when I look for them I go the wrong way, or I stay in one place for ages reading something and my group wanders off without me. What can I say? It was really interesting. Especially the Air NZ exhibitions. They had one where you put on a kind of goggles-mask-thing where you could see a simulated illusion where you were on a plane, then on a beach, and in a forest, and in some other places. and you could look around, it was kind of like there was a whole invisible room around you that you could only see through the goggles. Then we went to the National Library, where we learnt about the World Wars. It was informative and interesting, but I stand by what I said before; it was a depressing subject to learn about. Especially when I read one of the letters an eight-year-old had written to one of the Army Generals. He had joint writing, but it was really messy and hardly decipherable. He wanted to be in the Army to fight alongside his father. There was a reply, saying they were glad to see such enthusiasm to fight for their country, but they couldn't accept him because he was too young. Then we went to a water park, H2O Xtreme, which had three hydro slides and a wave pool.
On Tuesday, we went to Carter Observatory, where we spent a long time learning about the planets in our Solar System and which ones would be habitable. We then had time to explore, but not nearly enough. Then we went into a cinema with a domed ceiling and watched some really cool movies, the first about a competition to send a robot to the moon, the second about the constellations you could see at night. We then had lunch at the Botanical Gardens and too the cable car down to Lambton Quay, and walked to Parliament from there. When we got there, we had a chance to listen to Barbara Kruiger, the MP for our area. We then watched the meeting in the House, with all the MPs yelling at each other. Unfortunately the Prime Minister was not present. Next, we went to Capital E studios, where we made a film with news, weather and interviews for the citizens of Far Away Land, a fictional place based on fairy tales. I was the director, which was fun except when everyone was yelling through the headsets. If you want to see the video we made, you can find it at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY3kvWHlYgY
On Wednesday, the first place we went was the Wellington Zoo. It was a pretty generic zoo, all the animals you would expect. Except there was a penguin with only one flipper, so it kept swimming in circles. And there was a vet there operating on another penguin that we could watch. Then we went snorkeling.
For many people, (me excluded) snorkeling at Island Bay was the highlight of our camp in Wellington. We were split into two groups, and our group spent the first half digging around on the beach or playing Naughts and Crosses in the sand. (I remain reigning champion of that game. I know some people would disagree. Their opinions will mean nothing when I rule the world!) Anyway, we spent maybe half an hour trying to get into the wet suits. Then the flippers, masks and snorkels, and those stupid hoods. We had to stay close to our buddies and adults, but it was really hard, because I could barely keep myself from swimming further and further away to explore. There were huge pink paua shells, snake starfish (I thought it was an octopus the first time I saw one) huge gray fish, smaller other coloured ones, and lots of other things that I can't remember. After that, we went to a marine life exhibit. There were plenty of interesting things there, like a half born shark and lots of other fish and stuff, and an octopus which they fed, but I couldn't stay away from this long shallow tray thing filled with water and shells and rocks, and kina and starfish and hermit crabs and snake starfish and wandering anemones and mini sea cucumbers, which you could pick up and touch and hold! (The wandering anemones were so soft you couldn't feel them in the water, and when you picked them up they felt like wind on your hand, except slimy and wet.) At one point I had seven starfish on my hand at once. And the snake starfish were my favourite, if you put them upside down they turned themselves over.
On Thursday, we went to the Holocaust Center. It was depressing, with an aura of death and tragedy and guilt, but I really enjoyed it. There was someone who came and talked about their own memories of being a Jew in Germany during the Holocaust, how they had to wear stars on their coats and were kicked out of school and weren't allowed to play in playgrounds. They then showed us how one school had decided to collect buttons, and each one represented a child that was killed in the Holocaust. They had collected 1, 500, 000 buttons, one and a half million. We were allowed to look through them, and I noticed how nearly every button was slightly different. I think the buttons were connected to the personality of the children. There was one that loved little kids, one that adored butterflies, one that was used to living in grandeur. One that loved drawing, one that was depressed, one that looked to the stars. There were triplets, all girls. There were happy ones and sad ones, and plain ones, and those with so many small details it stopped you seeing the bigger picture. After the buttons, we read some of the books, and watched a movie about a fictional boy that was a Jew in the Holocaust. His voice was happy when he was describing how life had been, and you could feel the growing sadness in his voice as he described how his rights were gradually stripped away from him. Then he was sent away to a concentration camp with his parents and sister, where they separated the boys and the girls. In the end, he and his father lived through it, but his sister and mother were gassed to death. It was really sad, but I do understand why they teach us this now.
On a happier note, our next destination was Wellington Museum of City and Sea, where we learnt about the Wahine Disaster. Okay, scratch that. Not much happier. But apparently, a few decades ago, you could get a Big Mac from McDonald's for forty cence. And a burger, drink and fries for ninety.
After that, we went to Capital E studios, where my group made three Android apps using MIT App Maker. We each had an Android phone to test it on. The first one was simple, it was just a kitten that when you touched it it meowed (very annoying, too). The second one was a drawing app, you could draw in different colors and shake the phone to clear. The third was a magic 8 ball, when you tapped a picture of one, or shook the phone, it made a 'cha-ching' sound, and said out loud a random response like 'yes', 'no', or 'maybe' and such. The answer also came up, written, on the bottom of the screen.
On Friday, we were up at quarter to six to get on the bus. That was the end of our camp, so thank you to all the parents who came and helped, and Mrs Crowe and Gail for taking us. We had a great time.
On Wednesday, the first place we went was the Wellington Zoo. It was a pretty generic zoo, all the animals you would expect. Except there was a penguin with only one flipper, so it kept swimming in circles. And there was a vet there operating on another penguin that we could watch. Then we went snorkeling.
For many people, (me excluded) snorkeling at Island Bay was the highlight of our camp in Wellington. We were split into two groups, and our group spent the first half digging around on the beach or playing Naughts and Crosses in the sand. (I remain reigning champion of that game. I know some people would disagree. Their opinions will mean nothing when I rule the world!) Anyway, we spent maybe half an hour trying to get into the wet suits. Then the flippers, masks and snorkels, and those stupid hoods. We had to stay close to our buddies and adults, but it was really hard, because I could barely keep myself from swimming further and further away to explore. There were huge pink paua shells, snake starfish (I thought it was an octopus the first time I saw one) huge gray fish, smaller other coloured ones, and lots of other things that I can't remember. After that, we went to a marine life exhibit. There were plenty of interesting things there, like a half born shark and lots of other fish and stuff, and an octopus which they fed, but I couldn't stay away from this long shallow tray thing filled with water and shells and rocks, and kina and starfish and hermit crabs and snake starfish and wandering anemones and mini sea cucumbers, which you could pick up and touch and hold! (The wandering anemones were so soft you couldn't feel them in the water, and when you picked them up they felt like wind on your hand, except slimy and wet.) At one point I had seven starfish on my hand at once. And the snake starfish were my favourite, if you put them upside down they turned themselves over.
On Thursday, we went to the Holocaust Center. It was depressing, with an aura of death and tragedy and guilt, but I really enjoyed it. There was someone who came and talked about their own memories of being a Jew in Germany during the Holocaust, how they had to wear stars on their coats and were kicked out of school and weren't allowed to play in playgrounds. They then showed us how one school had decided to collect buttons, and each one represented a child that was killed in the Holocaust. They had collected 1, 500, 000 buttons, one and a half million. We were allowed to look through them, and I noticed how nearly every button was slightly different. I think the buttons were connected to the personality of the children. There was one that loved little kids, one that adored butterflies, one that was used to living in grandeur. One that loved drawing, one that was depressed, one that looked to the stars. There were triplets, all girls. There were happy ones and sad ones, and plain ones, and those with so many small details it stopped you seeing the bigger picture. After the buttons, we read some of the books, and watched a movie about a fictional boy that was a Jew in the Holocaust. His voice was happy when he was describing how life had been, and you could feel the growing sadness in his voice as he described how his rights were gradually stripped away from him. Then he was sent away to a concentration camp with his parents and sister, where they separated the boys and the girls. In the end, he and his father lived through it, but his sister and mother were gassed to death. It was really sad, but I do understand why they teach us this now.
On a happier note, our next destination was Wellington Museum of City and Sea, where we learnt about the Wahine Disaster. Okay, scratch that. Not much happier. But apparently, a few decades ago, you could get a Big Mac from McDonald's for forty cence. And a burger, drink and fries for ninety.
After that, we went to Capital E studios, where my group made three Android apps using MIT App Maker. We each had an Android phone to test it on. The first one was simple, it was just a kitten that when you touched it it meowed (very annoying, too). The second one was a drawing app, you could draw in different colors and shake the phone to clear. The third was a magic 8 ball, when you tapped a picture of one, or shook the phone, it made a 'cha-ching' sound, and said out loud a random response like 'yes', 'no', or 'maybe' and such. The answer also came up, written, on the bottom of the screen.
On Friday, we were up at quarter to six to get on the bus. That was the end of our camp, so thank you to all the parents who came and helped, and Mrs Crowe and Gail for taking us. We had a great time.
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Portrait poems
You might have seen some of these on the room three blog. I've deleted my surname and address so some of the endings aren't very good any more.
Amy
I Am
I am an intelligent bookworm in a changing world.
I wonder whether life is just a path to somewhere else.
I hear emotions,
I see thoughts.
I want a world where everything is trees and plants.
I am an intelligent bookworm in a changing world.
I pretend to be alone, the last person in the world.
I feel the end approaching, ever closer.
I touch the fluffy white clouds and ride on the wind.
I worry that the human population will die of Global Warming,
or else too much pollution.
I cry when trees are cut down.
I am an intelligent bookworm in a changing world.
I understand that not everything always works out.
I say nothing is impossible.
I dream of a lonely world where I have the power of flight,
where I’m alone and there’s nothing but trees, meadows,
and warm sunshine.
I try to capture my dreams in my writing.
I hope that one day, I will move to Mars and eat Earth Bars.
I am an intelligent bookworm in a changing world.
I am Amy,
Daughter of two, sister of three,
Who needs solitude, trees, rain
Who loves thunderstorms, chocolate, adrenaline thrills
Who sees growth, grey skies, stars
Who hates flies, loud noises, too much heat
Who dreams of flying, succeeding, escaping into space
Who has found poems of depression
Resident of a place I don’t want to be
Amy
Bookworm, bright, brave and bold
Sister of Daniel, Noah and Cassia
Lover of trees, books, and thunder
Who feels at peace when alone,
Happy whilst climbing,
Annoyed when having to put up with idiots,
Who needs mental challenges, serenity and novels
Who gives comfort, kindness and advice
Who fears reality, humiliation and failure
Who would like to see world peace, cures for idiocy,
and a serum to make you live in your dreams
Amy
Daring, intelligent, indecisive, humorous
Firstborn, daughter of Melanie and Joshua
Likes books, thunderclaps, and pine woods
Feels out of place, like I don’t always belong where I am
Afraid of failure and humiliation
Would like to see people writing with quills and ink again
I am Amy,
Daughter of two, sister of three,
Who needs solitude, trees, rain
Who loves thunderstorms, chocolate, adrenaline thrills
Who sees growth, grey skies, stars
Who hates flies, loud noises, too much heat
Who dreams of flying, succeeding, escaping into space
Who has found poems of depression
Resident of a place I don’t want to be
Opinions on World Wars
This week we have been doing writing on events during the World Wars, either Gallipoli or the Holocaust. I find both depressing subjects. I mean, I get why we remember them. But for the independant group, we do our own research. The websites on Gallipoli I found were gruesome, detailed accounts of many things that people did wrong. Many people died. It was, to be frank, not an enjoyable writing task.
Gallipoli started when the two fronts the Allies were fighting on didn't seem to be going anywhere. The idea was to create a new front that the Ottomans couldn't cope with, so the Germans would send reinforcements, weakening their lines on the main fronts. Then they intended to overpower the Germans and win the war early. I think this was a very ambitious plan, and it failed dramatically. Why would you do that when there was a less than 50 % chance it would work? If I personally was on the War Council I wouldn't stand for that. It sounds like it would work but it could just as easily backfire. It could also just as easily go horribly wrong and result in thousands of deaths, which it did.
The Holocaust is also a depressing subject to research. Hitler was a bad guy. Hitler killed many innocent people because they weren't pure. Hitler set up prison camps for Jews. If it was up to me I would choose to remember the people who died, not why they died or who killed them. Scratch that, if I had the power I would go back in time and prevent Hitler's parents from meeting.
World War Three, however, will be fine enough to remember. I mean, every country that has them will send nuclear bombs, everybody dies, and the whole world will be wiped out in half an hour. (It takes about half an hour for the nuclear bombs/missiles to fly around the world, land and blow everything up.) At least, that's how I think WW3 will go.
When you put it like that it sounds far-fetched. I'm pretty sure it's not.
Gallipoli started when the two fronts the Allies were fighting on didn't seem to be going anywhere. The idea was to create a new front that the Ottomans couldn't cope with, so the Germans would send reinforcements, weakening their lines on the main fronts. Then they intended to overpower the Germans and win the war early. I think this was a very ambitious plan, and it failed dramatically. Why would you do that when there was a less than 50 % chance it would work? If I personally was on the War Council I wouldn't stand for that. It sounds like it would work but it could just as easily backfire. It could also just as easily go horribly wrong and result in thousands of deaths, which it did.
The Holocaust is also a depressing subject to research. Hitler was a bad guy. Hitler killed many innocent people because they weren't pure. Hitler set up prison camps for Jews. If it was up to me I would choose to remember the people who died, not why they died or who killed them. Scratch that, if I had the power I would go back in time and prevent Hitler's parents from meeting.
World War Three, however, will be fine enough to remember. I mean, every country that has them will send nuclear bombs, everybody dies, and the whole world will be wiped out in half an hour. (It takes about half an hour for the nuclear bombs/missiles to fly around the world, land and blow everything up.) At least, that's how I think WW3 will go.
When you put it like that it sounds far-fetched. I'm pretty sure it's not.
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Week 6; happenings around school
MUFTI DAY!!!!!!! That was today. It's almost over now :'( and the theme was Wheel's Day. I got a Chrunchie Bar as a spot prize and everyone said I was really good on my ripstick.
Also, there are heaps of people in the school laying down concrete for a new path, and they're painting a S.H.I.N.E mural on the brick wall. Some random guys also took down the rugby posts so they can tear up the field and plant new grass. In term two and three we're gonna have to go onto Sherwyn Park, where there is no shade. Hopefully the field will be much better after that though.
Camp Wellington in two weeks!!! We are going to ONTV studios, or is TVNZ? One of them, anyway. Also, we're going snorkeling, to a water park, about three museums, and plenty of other fun stuff.
Oh, and skydiving from Mars.
Makuhari students are coming in from Japan and some people are having billets. We are on camp halfway through their stay, though. And, due to camp, we miss the school disco. Hmph.
Also, there are heaps of people in the school laying down concrete for a new path, and they're painting a S.H.I.N.E mural on the brick wall. Some random guys also took down the rugby posts so they can tear up the field and plant new grass. In term two and three we're gonna have to go onto Sherwyn Park, where there is no shade. Hopefully the field will be much better after that though.
Camp Wellington in two weeks!!! We are going to ONTV studios, or is TVNZ? One of them, anyway. Also, we're going snorkeling, to a water park, about three museums, and plenty of other fun stuff.
Oh, and skydiving from Mars.
Makuhari students are coming in from Japan and some people are having billets. We are on camp halfway through their stay, though. And, due to camp, we miss the school disco. Hmph.
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
I didn't
I watched you fall
I watched as you sank to the bottom
I stood by
With pitiful eyes
As you searched my face
For the reassurance
That I would save you.
I know now
I should have dived
Head first
Into the tornado
Of worries and troubles
Surrounding you.
I should have rescued you
From yourself.
Instead I stood on the sidelines
With the jeering crowd
I stood alongside those
Waiting
For your end, your last epic fail
I was your one, dim light
At the end of the tunnel
The one that kept backing away
At the speed you were going forward.
You were gasping for breath
I could have let you have it
But I didn't.
You were struggling on your knees
Waiting for the strength
You were sure I would give you
But I didn't.
You needed support
Something to cling to
I was supposed to be your rock
But I wasn't.
Along with the whole, jubilant world
I watched you going crazy
I should have saved you.
I didn't.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I looked to you for the support
You have always given to me
Without fail.
I looked up to you
On your high pedestal
Far above the gloomy abyss
I was at the bottom of.
We were always there for each other,
We were equals.
Since when did that change?
Was it when society accepted you
As the amazing, brilliant person you are
And shoved my down
To the bottom of the friend chain.
Suddenly
Now you'd risen above my limits,
You were too good for me.
I told you that.
I watched you run away from me,
Yearning for you to turn around
And embrace me.
But I told you to run.
I told you to turn away from me.
After all,
Such an amazing person
Had no reason
To stand by a nobody like me.
I didn't want you to leave my side
But I told myself you deserved better
Now, here I am.
I'm gasping for breath
I'm drowning
But you're only metres away
Still breathing
I know
The look of hope on my face
Will make no difference.
You have deserted me
Just as I forced myself
To turn my back on you.
Look where it's got me.
I watched as you sank to the bottom
I stood by
With pitiful eyes
As you searched my face
For the reassurance
That I would save you.
I know now
I should have dived
Head first
Into the tornado
Of worries and troubles
Surrounding you.
I should have rescued you
From yourself.
Instead I stood on the sidelines
With the jeering crowd
I stood alongside those
Waiting
For your end, your last epic fail
I was your one, dim light
At the end of the tunnel
The one that kept backing away
At the speed you were going forward.
You were gasping for breath
I could have let you have it
But I didn't.
You were struggling on your knees
Waiting for the strength
You were sure I would give you
But I didn't.
You needed support
Something to cling to
I was supposed to be your rock
But I wasn't.
Along with the whole, jubilant world
I watched you going crazy
I should have saved you.
I didn't.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I looked to you for the support
You have always given to me
Without fail.
I looked up to you
On your high pedestal
Far above the gloomy abyss
I was at the bottom of.
We were always there for each other,
We were equals.
Since when did that change?
Was it when society accepted you
As the amazing, brilliant person you are
And shoved my down
To the bottom of the friend chain.
Suddenly
Now you'd risen above my limits,
You were too good for me.
I told you that.
I watched you run away from me,
Yearning for you to turn around
And embrace me.
But I told you to run.
I told you to turn away from me.
After all,
Such an amazing person
Had no reason
To stand by a nobody like me.
I didn't want you to leave my side
But I told myself you deserved better
Now, here I am.
I'm gasping for breath
I'm drowning
But you're only metres away
Still breathing
I know
The look of hope on my face
Will make no difference.
You have deserted me
Just as I forced myself
To turn my back on you.
Look where it's got me.
Week five term 1
We haven't really done that much learning this week. It's mostly been testing, and I already knew that I was a mental genius. I seriously didn't need tests results to tell me that.
Student lead conferences coming up. They're always really awkward but still, they don't last more than fifteen minutes at the most. There isn't really much to say about me. Maths; I'm really good at it. Writing, I'm really good at it. Reading, I'm really good at it. Yeah, that's pretty much it.
Maths is still integers. Turns out division is exactly the same as multiplication. Simple.
First Student Assembly today. The Zirka Circus is performing but don't tell the rest of the school; it's supposed to be a surprise. Well, I know nobody at TAI will read this before this afternoon so no harm saying it.
Hopefully we will have more work next week.
Student lead conferences coming up. They're always really awkward but still, they don't last more than fifteen minutes at the most. There isn't really much to say about me. Maths; I'm really good at it. Writing, I'm really good at it. Reading, I'm really good at it. Yeah, that's pretty much it.
Maths is still integers. Turns out division is exactly the same as multiplication. Simple.
First Student Assembly today. The Zirka Circus is performing but don't tell the rest of the school; it's supposed to be a surprise. Well, I know nobody at TAI will read this before this afternoon so no harm saying it.
Hopefully we will have more work next week.
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