Wānanga: Personalised Passion Projects

 Hi there!

Today I will be sharing my Personalised Passion Passion Project with you! Here it is below:

Thanks for reading!

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing

Hi there! 

This blog is from late July 2020. 

Today I will be talking about Mental & Emotional Wellbeing. 

Questions: 

Q: What is the Te Reo Maori term for Mental & Emotional Wellbeing?

A: The Te Reo Maori term for Mental & Emotional Wellbeing is Taha Hinengaro.

Q: What is your understanding of Mental & Emotional Wellbeing?

A: My understanding of Mental & Emotional Wellbeing is being able to cope with stress even though it may be difficult. I also think of it as being able to express/acknowledge my emotions, whether they are happy or unhappy emotions, also to be able to control them too. It helps you think critically and communicate/share your emotions. 

Little Reminders

The 'Tiny Habits' video from Melon was about starting out small with self-improvement goals, and adding them to existing habits you already have. 

Example: While brushing your teeth, think of three things that you are grateful for. It's as simple as that!

What have I learnt from this picture?

I have learnt that if you focus on negatives instead of positives you will only experience negative things in your life. 

Facing Fears

The 'What we can control' video from Melon was about acknowledging that life can be stressful and that some people can be a bit annoying too. But, knowing that there are things we can control about our life, such as who we are friends with and how we react to these situations. We can also decide how much time we give to them too, how we act and what we say. Keeping our mind focused on what we can change will reduce worry and help us out a lot. 

The 'Belly Breathing' video from Melon was about how we can calm down in potentially stressful situations. It went through a tutorial and it went like this:

1. Go to a quite place.

2. Place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest.

3. Breathe in through your nose, slow your breathing down and count your breaths, feel your stomach rise and fall as you breathe, imagine it as a balloon, your slowly filling the balloon up with air and then slowly squeezing the air out of it. 

What have I learnt from this photo? 

I have learnt that worrying is a completely normal emotion. I have also learnt that it is just my body telling me that I need to take a moment for myself and take some deep breaths as well as that my body is telling me that my mind is trying to protect me.

Thanks for reading!

Commitment

Hi there!

This blog post is from late May 2020. 

Today I will be writing about what commitment, one of our school values looks like to me.

So, what does commitment look like to me?

• Commitment to school
• Commitment to sports
• Commitment to family 
• Commitment to trying new things
• Commitment to goals
• Commitment to friends

How do I show commitment to school?

• Learning ready
• sit down
• get device ready
• respectful, quiet inside voice 
• patiently waiting for instructions
•  Positive/growth mindset
• always sit with someone who will keep you focused
• always try your best
• don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes, you can learn from that mistake

How do I show commitment to sports?

• Showing up to training's
• trying my best
• trying my hardest
• showing up on time
•  Practicing at home
• Be a team player
• respect my coach 
• listen to my coach
• respect my team mates

How can I show commitment to family?

• Connect with them
• Help make family meals
• Hang out with them
• watch a movie
• go on a walk

How can I show commitment to trying new things?

• Don't be afraid
• If I have an opportunity to do something, take it because it might be the only chance I get to do it.
• Carry on doing it if I enjoy doing it. 

How can I show commitment to goals?

• Always work towards those goals no matter how small or big they are
• Work on them constantly/as much as I can. 

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: Reflection Section

Hi there!

Today I will be writing another Reflection Section. 

Title: Usain Bolt insists he could have broken 9.5s with new 'super spikes'

Type: News Article 

Creator: Stuff sports reporters

Purpose: To inform 

Date: Jul 09 2021

Critical Literacy Question: Who would be most likely to read this text and why?

Statement: This article is most likely directed to people who are interested in athletics and sports because it is about Usain Bolt, the current record holder of the 100m Men's sprint. 

Explanation: People are interested in Usain Bolt and the 100m record he holds too, so people want to read about his thoughts on the new technology being used in sprinting spikes and his opinions on these new 'super spikes'.

Evidence: On the sports section on Stuff, it is the first article to appear.  

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: Reflection Section

 Hi there!

Today I will be writing yet another Reflection Section. 

Title: The Tinder-box

Type: Fairytale

Creator: Hans Christian Andersen

Purpose: To entertain/teach a lesson

Date: 8 May 1835

Critical Literacy Question: What kinds of social realities does the text portray?

Statement: The Tinder-box, written by Hans Christian Andersen portrays the social realities of old times, showing realities of the poor, the rich and the middle-class.

Explanation: We see the solider go from being a middle-class citizen at the beginning of the tale, coming from fighting at war. He comes out of the tree being rich and wealthy and experiences this only for a couple of days before he spends all his money and becomes so poor he moves into an attic and can't afford even a candle. He remembers the tinder-box he stole from the old woman at the beginning of the story. He strikes the box and he once more becomes rich after the dogs bring him money. Then, he becomes kings because of all his riches. 

Evidence: It shows how people can be unwise with their money, and lose it all once they have plenty of it. 

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: Reflection Section

Hi there!

Today I will be doing another Reflection Section.

Title: What we know about the ship blocking the Suez Canal 

Type: Article

Creator: Isabel DeBre, Stuff

Purpose: to inform

Date: March 26 2021

Critical Literacy Question: What does the author of this text want us to know?

Statement: The author wants us to know about a large cargo ship blocking the Suez Canal, a vital passage of water which brings good into to many countries and exports good out too. The ship is wedged across the width of the Canal, it is guessed that the wind was too strong and swung the ship sideways. 

Evidence: There are photos showing the cargo ship stuck, as well as photos from smaller tug boats trying to help out. 

Explanation: I believe the author wants us to know about this as it can affect many countries because they don't have supplies and it will also effect their economy. 

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: Reflection Section

 Hi there!

In this reflection section, I will be writing about a book I finished reading recently, Solitaire. 

Title: Solitaire

Type: Novel

Creator: Alice Oseman 

Purpose: To entertain 

Date: 2014

Critical Literacy Question: Who would be most likely to read this text and why?

Statement: I think that a young person is most likely to read this text.

Evidence: I think this because it is a youth love story, it features characters in their teenage years as well as problems they experience. It is a relatable story.

Explanation: I believe this because I was able to relate to some of the things in this book, whereas with other books I have read I have not been able to relate to them.

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: Reflection Section

 Hi there!
`

In this reflection section, I will be writing about an article I read in Stuff. The article I read was called, 'Covid-19: A year since New Zealand's first reported case'.

Title: Covid-19: A year since New Zealand's first reported case

Type: Article

Creator: Georgia Forrester, Stuff

Purpose: To inform 

Date: 26/02/2021

Critical Literacy Question: What is the text about? 

This text was written to inform readers how New Zealand had it's first Covid-19 case arrive. It talks about how on the 26th of February 2020, a man in his 60's arrived in Auckland. Two days later, his Covid-19 test came back positive and he became the first person in New Zealand to contract Covid-19. It also talks about the general Covid-19 'experience' in New Zealand.

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: Reflection Section

 Hi there!

In this blog post I will be writing a Critical Literacy text for Wānanga about the film, Guardians of the Galaxy made by Marvel. 

Title: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1

Type: Film Trailer

Director: James Gunn

Purpose: To entertain viewers

Date: 7/08/2014 (N.Z.)

Critical Literacy Question: What do the images suggest?

The images in this trailer suggest that the setting of this film is on a foreign planet and will be following a group of 5 prison escapists on their journeys. For example, we see this group of 5 fighting together in a prison riot to escape and find a ship to another planet. I believe the reasoning for this is to show that even the oddest of groups can come together and achieve what they put their mind to one way or another. 

Thanks for reading!

Wānanga: A School Holiday Summary

Hi there!

Are you bored out of your mind? Are you looking for something to read? Well, you've come to the right place! 

In this blog post I will be giving you a summary of my school holidays. 

At the beginning of the holidays I hung out with one of my friends from my previous school and went to a pool with them too. At this point, I was planning on having a very social school holiday by hanging out with my friends, but my holidays were probably the complete opposite; apart from a couple other occasions. 

However, I wasn't able to achieve this because I had a freak accident when doing athletics and led me to tearing two ligaments in my knee. I am not allowed to return to sports for 9-12 months AFTER surgery; something I am still waiting for. But there wasn't time for feeling sorry for myself, I had to prevail and beat my sadness by putting in hard work so I am in the best shape before my surgery. "Hard work" meaning, working out. Every. Single. Day. My physio routine consists of going on a stationary bike for 30 minutes 3 times a week, and then full body strengthening 4 times a week. 

Putting aside the damper put on my holidays, I went to a beach "close" (20 minutes) to my house about 6-7 times, and walked along the beach every single time which was a lot of fun. It was interesting going to the beach at different times, seeing the tide at different levels along the beachside. 

I also visited Nelson for a couple days towards the end of January as a holiday within my holidays. It was crazy to see how the climate was so different in Nelson compared to Christchurch, the temperature low while I was there was around 18°C; a definite high in Christchurch. This dramatic climate difference was also seen in the ocean water too. The sea was so much warmer in Nelson than in Christchurch, it shocked me when I first stepped in the water and felt the water wrap around my feet.

During the holidays I also rediscovered my love for PlayStation 2 games, most especially Tekken Tag Tournament. Tekken Tag Tournament is a fighting game, I discovered a different mode on this game which lets me unlock new characters for other modes. I unlocked 6 out 14 locked characters during the holidays. It would have been 7 out 14 characters, but unfortunately I forgot to save the game and lost the last character I unlocked because I expected it to auto-save. It did not. 

All in all, my holidays were good, I do wish I had done more but that is for the next summer holidays. 

Thanks for reading!

Wananga: EOTC Days Research

 Hi there!

Next week, Hornby High students are going out of school for 3 days to do some fun activities before the school year ends. In this blog, I will be writing about different places we will be visiting and facts/information about them. 

We will be going to:

• A local pool
• Adventure course
• Day out in the central city

We were required to learn some things to do with the places we are going and blog about what we have learnt. 

Here is a poster with some water safety tips which can be put into use at a pool:

While in the city, we will be visiting Margaret Mahy playground, here is some information about Margaret Mahy:

Why was Margaret Mahy a famous New Zealander?

Margaret Mahy was a famous New Zealander because of the amazing children's books she wrote. Margaret Mahy was born in Whakatane in 1936 and wrote her first story at the age of seven years old. She went to Auckland University and Canterbury University and graduated in 1955. After this, she attended a Library School in Wellington and received a Librarian's diploma. In 1967, she started working for the School Library Service in Christchurch, during this time she wrote stories which were published for the New Zealand School Journal. In 1969, her first book, "Lion in the Meadow". In 1980, Margaret became a full time children's author. She went on to win numerous awards for the books she had written and wrote over 160 books. In 2012, Margaret Mahy passed away from cancer. In 2015, The Margaret Mahy Family Playground was named in her honour and was opened in the central city of Christchurch. 

Our last activity will be going to the thrilling Adrenalin Forest. 

Adrenalin Forest is an adventure park with flying foxes and obstacle courses; in the treetops. 

When I am at Adrenalin Forest:

- I will show Commitment by doing obstacles even when I am scared of them. 

- I will feel Achievement when I finish the whole obstacle course. 

- I will be Resilient by not letting the fear of being high up in the trees stop me - from enjoying myself. 

- I can show Respect by listening to instructions given to me. 

- I'm most looking forward to going on all the flying foxes. 

Thanks for reading!

Wananga: Yr9 Leadership Workshop

Hi there!

Today I will be writing about what I have been doing in my Yr9 Leadership Workshop during Wananga time on Wednesday mornings.

Over the past 2 weeks, I have been participating in a Yr9 Leadership Workshop. My first task was to create a slideshow with some qualities and traits I thought a leader should have. I also had to record myself talking about these qualities and traits too. 

Here is a brainstorm of qualities and traits I think a leader should have:

Thanks for reading!

Wananga: Do You Support the End of Life Act?

Hi there!
Today I will be writing about the End of Life Act, one of two questions from the upcoming Referendum in New Zealand. 

Do you support the End of Life Act?

Because this is a public blog, I don't feel comfortable sharing my stance on the question on the Internet. 

However, I will share some information on the matter to help you, the reader develop an opinion. 

3 Pros

• You are the only person who can decide if you want to die.
• There are 4 different ways you can die
• A person must be 18 years of age or older

3 Cons

• If you are just visiting New Zealand then you aren't eligible for assisted dying. 
• A person who is unable to make their mind up because they aren't mentally well they won't be allowed assisted death.
• A person can ask to be assisted with dying but the doctors are the ones who decide if they are eligible. 

Here is a link to the End of Life Act website: End of Life Act Referendum

Thanks for reading!

C.A.R.R. Values Blog Post

Hi there!

Today I will write about how I have shown school values this week.

Commitment: As COVID-19 alert levels in New Zealand are slowly being relaxed, normality from pre-lockdown days is slowly coming back in a new form. I have signed up for school netball. I have gotten into the junior team which I am stoked about! However, it won't come for free. Every Thursday I will be working out with my team mates as I will have an hour long fitness session in our new school gym. This session starts at 7 o'clock in the morning, I currently wake up at 7 o'clock in the morning. I am going to have to show commitment by waking up much earlier and getting ready as quick as I can. 


Resilience: This week, I have found it especially difficult to get out of my bed in the morning and start getting ready for school. I just want to stay in my bed and sleep until I can't sleep anymore and only then get up. If I did this, I would be quite late to school!
So, to try get up with bundles of energy, I am going to start going to bed earlier and stop going on my phone before bed. I tried this out last night and I felt way more rested than I normally do. I also read for about half an hour before I went to sleep. I am going to carry on trying to do this and see how it goes. I will also try research things which could help me sleep better. 

Thanks for reading!

C.A.R.R Values Blog Post

Hi there!

Today I will be writing about how I showed the C.A.R.R values this week.

Commitment: 
I showed commitment this week by doing my work at home and at school to my best ability and did as much work as I was able to. I sat with people who wouldn't distract me from my work, if they did start to distract me, I would focus even more on my work and try to finish it to my best standard.

Achievement:
I showed achievement this week by setting my self tasks when I did class work at home to finish at a certain time and then move onto something else. This system worked very well for me and I enjoyed racing against myself to see how long it would take me to finish a task. In fact, I think it made me work faster and I would end up finishing more work.

Resilience:
I showed resilience this week by carrying on trying my best even when I didn't feel like it. I went from having no homework to having homework from three different classes which was something I had to wrap my head around and accept. I decided that there was no point in sulking about it because it would take me even longer to do which would make me even more stressed out. 

Respect:  
I showed respect this week by listening to others when they were speaking and respecting the instructions given to me by my teachers. I also showed respect by taking care of class equipment and returning it to the place I found it. 

Thanks for reading!

C.A.R.R Values Blog Post

Hi there!

Here is my weekly C.A.R.R blog post. 

I have showed the values by:

Commitment: I have showed Commitment this week by doing a Level 5 Maths e-asTTle test, one which I haven't done before and I got a score I was quite happy with. 

Achievement: I showed Achievement by finishing an assignment for Health in under an hour, leaving my afternoon free. 

Respect: I showed Respect by encouraging players in my team during P.E. 

Resilience: I showed Resilience this week by doing my work at home at my own time, while I was sick too. 


Thanks for reading!

Weekly C.A.R.R. Values Blog Post

Hi there! 

Today I will be writing about how I have demonstrated the C.A.R.R. Values this week. 

Commitment: I have demonstrated Commitment this week by doing my classwork out of school and doing it instead of watching T.V. which felt very productive and made me feel good for finishing it. 

Achievement: I have showed Achievement by completing all my e-asTTle tests for reading, although I still have maths e-asTTle tests to go. *sigh*

Resilience: I have demonstrated Resilience by not giving up when things got tough this week as I had to balance out of school activities with ones in school.  When I felt like it was too much I took a deep breath and refocused.  

Respect: I have showed Respect this week by listening to my teachers and being polite to them. 

Thanks for reading! 

Athletics Day 2020

Hi there!

Yesterday, Hornby High School had it's school athletics for 2020. 

I competed in Long Jump (Under 14), High Jump (Under 14) and Javelin (Under 14) for field events and competed in the 100m (Under 14) and 200m (Under 14) sprints. I also ran last in the Year 9/10 Relay for my house, Riroriro. 

I placed first in both my heats for 100m and 200m and the relay team I was in won our relay. I placed 1st in the High Jump, 3rd in the Long Jump and ? in the Javelin. 

I enjoyed the relay the most as I felt like I was going to fall over my legs were going so quick! I could hear everyone cheering while I was running, it was so loud it was all I could hear! It was a thrilling day for our Kahui because we won every relay race which was really great!

I demonstrated the CARR ( Commitment, Achievement, Resilience, Respect)by: 

• I showed commitment by trying my hardest in every event. 
• I showed achievement by completing all my events. 
• I showed resilience by competing even with a sore back and calf. 
• I showed respect by congratulating my opponents. 

My goals for next year are:

• To work on perfecting my technique for sprints and getting out of the blocks more explosively.  
• Build more arm muscle for my throws and to get my arms pumping more in races.

To achieve these goals, I will need to train well and consistently. Also, I will have to do specific exercises too. 

Thanks for reading!