Term 1 Reflections.

This is the last week of my first term at intermediate. It was really a term for getting used to everything and everyone, and making new friends and trying new things. I've really enjoyed it so far, and have tried so many new things already. I feel like I've settled in really well and have made new friends really quickly. Over just the last term I have learnt so many new things in my learning- especially maths. From factors and multiples, to compound and complex sentences. But not just in those subjects. We have also finished our first tech arts for the year, music. I've learnt how to play the multiple chords on the ukulele, an instrument I have never even touched before. I also know about famous composers I have never heard of before, and can now confidently read notes and play that rhythm on the drums. Another tech art we have started is art. I have learnt the names for traditional Maori koru patterns and designs, and the story behind them. I've also learnt about how to make effective patterns using the negative space of a rectangle or square. We also did blending with pastels and crayons, and learnt about the colour wheel and how to make blends that will look really effective. But I've also learnt so much in French. I know how to greet people properly and use their proper titles. Also how to say goodnight, see you tomorrow, see you soon and a couple more. We also learnt about French geography and history and the French and English names of cities in France and New Zealand. I've started to play the trumpet for the band, and am really enjoying it. I have also auditioned for the production. In P.E, I've learnt how to play softball and danish rounders. Two sports I have never even heard of before. I've taken part in all of the inter-house activities so far. And on top of all that we've been on camp in wellington, which was such a great experience. But I feel like most activities I have participated in this term have all been great experiences, and I can't wait for more. I've settled in really well, and have listened to the teacher and handed all my work in on time. I've done really well in all of my subjects and have learnt a lot about maths and writing. I've been excited by all of the great activities that have taken place this term, I can't wait for next term!

Wellington

Last week we were away on camp in Wellington. We did a lot of different activities around Wellington, and they were all great experiences. One of my favourite things on camp would definitely be going to the Weta Workshop. We got to look around and even touch some of the things that were used in real movies. We learnt about how they paint the props and mould all of the faces for human characters. But another thing that I found interesting was at Capital E. In the ONTV studio, we got to use and play around with all of the equipment that they actually use for TV shows and programs. There were so many new equipment pieces that I've never seen before, like the auto cue and all the fancy lights. At the Wellington Zoo, I got to see tarantulas that I have never seen before! But my favourite animal at the zoo would be the otters. We also went snorkelling at Island Bay. We were told to put on wet suits and hoods, and the flippers and a mask and snorkel. It was freezing, but we still got to see heaps and heaps of underwater things that I had never seen before. There were different kinds of plants and seaweed that I had never seen. We also saw a whole school of fish, and an eagle-ray passed underneath us. Everything in Wellington was a great experience and it was a really fun camp to be a part of.