Fiafia drummers

On the last week of the school term on Thursday we had a festival. I was in the Drumming group. It was very cool. We even had a basketball part. I was in it. Overall I would give us a 8.5 out of 10. We had good fun and enjoyed ourselves. My stage fright got knocked out of the window when the climax builded. It was a cool night. One I'll remember.

Note: I am the one on the left holding the black basketball.

A Cross Country Story

The old abandoned house creaked in the Autumn night. As I took wider steps home I realised that I could hear footsteps, like someone was following me. The wind gushed at me like I was it’s target. The bushes started shaking as I walked past. “Hello” , said Forrest Vosler. He was with James Rudder and Vernon Baker.” Look at what we got here” snarled James. “I'm a better person than you” I snapped. Furious, they beat me until I was a bloody mess. “ Smarty pants aye?” Vosler snarled. He left me lying on the footpath. I was angry but knew to keep my anger in check.

I came to school like shrapnel hit me from every angle. The incident the night before was not told to anyone, to make matters worse Cross Country was today. Training was more like boot camp since I worked so hard. “You’re a mess” said John Finn. He was my friend, only friend that knows me or at least talks to me. “ It’s D-Day today (Cross Country) and you’re in bad condition, we should shift you to the rear”. “Nonsense” I said “ I must do the race”. I was scared and nervous though and knew that the task that lay ahead would be difficult.

I’m eleven years old by the way. I'm not the toughest in the food chain, but I know when to show what I got when I need to. The bell rang stinging my ears as I went to sit in my line. Forrest Vosler and Vernon and James are all the same age as me. They think their all that , but I think their crooks. Oh and by the way I go to James Brown Elementary School. As usual, the oldest kids raced first. The wind made me shiver. Mr Smith came on the field saying I should not run. “Nonsense” I said in return,” I’ve got the heart of a lion,I can’t give up now.” “Bang “ went Mr Smiths pistols.

I ran and ran in little spurts in the beginning. There are a lot of 11 year olds in our grade, and they're all fast. I was lagging behind because I got tripped up in the very start. “Hahaha” was the only thing I could hear. I got back up though and joined the herd. I was starting to get reluctant when the pain in my wounds acted, The pain was excruciating. I took one step after another. The pain grew worse and worse.

I got to half way and started limping. Sprinting was the only thing that I had in my head. I was coming around 7th or 6th and realised the people in front of me were giving me a whopper of a hiding. The ground was the total opposite to a horse racing ground. It makes you slow and is sort of like quicksand. The worst thing that could have ever happened, did. One of the wounds opened. “Ahh” I shrieked with great pain.

The finish line was in view, 2oo m away.The hardest part of the race was near because I’m coming 4th and the people in my way to winning this thing or getting a place is Vernon, James, Vosler. “Oh Lord, please no. Not these guys that I have have to face up with. I’ll kill myself! I said in my head. I fell to the ground but got back up. Covered in mud and body about to give up, I run and run. Vernon Baker was in front, I passed him only to be barged and of balance. Rudder, James Rudder was my next victim. With 150m left. We were running together though for quite a bit. “Well, smarty has come to join the party” said Rudder. I ignored and passed him.

“Vosler” I said in my head. “Your going down potato head” shouted Vosler as he looked behind. He was surprised to see me, but then again I was gaining fast metres fast. With about 70m of space between me and the finish, I catch Vosler. “Holy” he said. We both sprinted and sprinted. 10m left to go and another wound started to ache. I took a deep breath. It was like I: had been gunned and lived. The finish was right there. I dived and landed on my wounds. I was out of breath. Like I had to swim a 200m swimming pool.

Silence overcame the field until Mr Smith came out. One person pointed at Forrest Vosler. Mr Smith shook his head. When the man pointed at me Mr Smith nodded. At that very moment I knew that I had won. John Finn said,” Hey Captain, or should I say der geist”. “What....Does.... that.... mean....”I said. “The Ghost” said John, “That’s what the other competitors think you are cause every time they think you’re out for the count, you came back.”

Note: Some of these names are really people who are army men.

John Finn Jack Lucas Forrest Vosler Vernon Baker James Rudder

All these men are at rest at the "Arlington Cemetery".

Billy Joel

This photo is a photo of Billy Joel and some others when he was young. He was singing "For The Longest Time". Not many people like oldies music like me in my class, ( possibly even the school ). He is very AWESOME and has sung with Legendary "Elton John". Together they sang "I Guess That's Why They Call Me The Blues". He was born on 1949 on May the 9th. He was singing actively in the 1960's and sang one of the all time favourites, "Piano Man". In fact, the song "Piano Man" is coming no. 25 on the "Billboard Hot 100". Billy Joel is a American music artist that inspired the world. As a kid, I am shocked to see that his songs weren't chosen to be on the top of the music list. 1999 is a special year for him, this is because in 1999 he was inducted to the "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame" ( just like Michael Jackson ). I think he is one of THE BEST singers that entered this world. He contributed with some of the best in the world. He's a singer I'll never forget, plus if he ever comes back, ( which is not likely). Then he'll be a stunner.

Thanks Billy for all you've done.

D'wayne's story

On Friday the 12th of March the extension group had a conference with D'wayne Edwards. He told us how he became a shoemaker,why he became a shoemaker. Just in case you don't know who D'wayne Edwards is? he is a Nike Shoe desinger.

His story all started off when he was 7. At this age he admired drawing and sketching. But it wasn't until he was eleven when he started to draw shoes. The weird thing was that he stuck to that topic and decided to draw shoes ever since. He knew that in his mind that there was a career ahead of him. And there was. His first shoe was an amazing shoe, but the thing is that it was designed long before it turned into reality.

I think he is a living model, sort of like Dr. Ben Solomen Carson. He is very insparational and can be someone you can lean on when you need help.

Inside Rugby

This post is just a brief manuel or instruction book on how to play rugby. This sport is very common in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Here are some of the basic rules of rugby:

1. The ball must be passed backwards

2. There must be 15 players on the field and 7 reserves

3. You are not aloud to dive over a ruck for the ball.

4. Tackles are to be under the shoulder

5. A try is 5 points and a conversion is 2 points

6. Knock-ons are when the ball is knocked forward

7. Scrums have all 8 fowards

8. There must be 7 backs and 8 forwards.

9. When the ball is out a line-out happens

10. line-outs include all 8 forwards

11. Hookers through the ball in

12. The Halfback feeds the ball in a scrum

So now you now some of the basic rules of rugby. Why don't you try it out sometime, and who know, maybe soon you'll be out there playing for YOUR COUNTRY.

Perspectives

You may think this is just a joke, or even just a plain old brain teaser. But I think it's to help draw maps. You see, we are going to make a treasure map, Previously, we have been practising , such as drawing maps from school to our house. Even our ICT (Information, communication and technology) lab. But the funny thing is that we had to sit at our computers and draw Mrs Tele'a ( Our Teacher between 2:00- 3:00). At first I thought it was a joke and that we were going to be told to go on our blog. But we weren't, we were told to draw her from the angle we were sitting at. Weird Huh? Anyway I knew I was a goner because drawing is not my thing. My Perspective was easy. My drawing actually turned out to be pretty good. I guess this activity was good if we want to be Map makers

"What A Sight"

We drove up the driveway, " Plonk Plonk Plonk Plonk". The Sun was shining and Mum and Dad decided to go out. It was the second week of the holidays and I felt like it was only the first. We went to a place called Butterfly Creek.

When we were in the car I read a book about World War II Heroes; where I read about Desmond Doss, a Medic in the war who saved almost 80 lives. We walked in and bumped into a big line that lead to the counter. Surprisingly, it only took a few minuets until we got what we wanted (our tickets). We went to look at the fishes. When we walked past the door I saw a little steering wheel that comes from a olden day ship. I pretended I was Benjamin Franklin sailing the Seven Seas. As I imagined me as a Sailor I got cut off as Mum and Dad walked away, so eventually I followed.

After we finished admiring the fish we made our way inside a doorway that led to a room full of butterflies. It was a big and hot room that had the heat of three heat pumps. There were butterflies in every direction I turned. It was amazing. Lots of butterflies landed on me and stayed on me for quite a while. One came on my head as well. The room was hot and stuffy but because I had made a new friend it didn't matter. The atmosphere in the big room was hot but since it's the winter in the southern hemisphere.

The alligators and crocodiles were my next subject and believe it or not, it was cool. You see, I reckon it was one of the best because at the end we got to take a photo with a Crocodile. That was pretty cool. But before that a man came out to tell us about the crocodiles, it's diet and lack of exercise.

Before long, we made our way to the farm animals. It was exciting feeding the animals. The goats tongues are pretty tough when met hand. We went to the train after that. Taking two rounds around the route, I used my time to wave at others and gaze at the farm animals. As I hopped of my little sister was full of enjoyment.

The sun set as the day folded into an end. It felt as though the time was going to fast but that is probably what lots of people think. We drove back and left a building full of lots of exciting things. We arrived home and rested for the rest of the night.

A Mighty Assembly

I sat down on the floor in the hall. It was the first day of school for Term 2 and it seems to me like it would be a good and interesting topic this term. I looked around and saw another teacher called Mr Barkes, he was a Viking. The topic for this term was Mighty Mariners.

All of the teachers teams had to perform a play, skit or animation to give us students a little hint about this Terms Topic. All of the teachers did well, but out of all of them the best team that I liked was team 1. They did an animation and i thought that it was pretty cool. Their animation was about Kupe and how he brought the seven canoes to New Zealand Aotearoa. It was a good animation with a lot of detail and it was concise.

The Topic " Mighty Mariners" is a good topic we all can learn. I like watching sharkmen and lot's of channels on Animal planet so I am looking forward to this term. As I walked out of the assembly I wondered awaited for me later on in the term. At the same time I thought what "A MIGHTY ASSEMBLY".

Rugby World Cup

Below is just a brief report on some teams weakness and Strengths. Also key players and their chances of winning the World Cup. Read more to find out about Australia, South Africa and New Zealand

Australian rugby is a well known side for their stand-out players like Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock and George Gregan. They are known for there outstanding attack and kicking. This is why they are in the Tri-nations. They have won a World cup a couple of times, but if they want to do that again in 2011, they would have to improve there scrums.

Scrums for the Kangaroos is a weakness, that showed when they faced England on their 2nd test match. And they lost 20-21. Some say that it's there forwards fitness but others say they put on to much beef. I think that it's fitness. Skipper Rocky Elsom really needs to encourage his boys when the time comes for the cup. Both Rocky and Gituea needs to tell their forward pack to step up.

Elsom has a lot of rookie's that he needs to handle. But with his skill, he can bring them up to world class level in the test matches. Hopefully before the world cup.

In the England and Australian game and the Australian-Fijian game. Adam-Ashley Cooper kept on being shut down when he ran the ball up, So did Giteau. They have a good kicking game. Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau really know how to break the line but if they want to win the world cup they would have to do now and again. There chances are in my point of view would be 8/10 because the Springboks forwards can smash the Australian forward pack.

You don't need to say much when you hear the words "Springboks rugby" or "South African Rugby", you would already know who there talking about. World No.2 rugby team Springboks. They are prop ably the best rugby team now because they have made history in 1995 when they had to take on New Zealand in the finals.

Jonah Lomu was playing for the New Zealand team. He was known as a monster when he scored four tries in the semi-final against England (and he was only in his young years of world class rugby). Amazingly, South Africa beat what seemed to be the impossible New Zealand side 12-9 at extra time. New Zealand had a chance to win when it was locked 9-9. They passed the ball to Andrew Merhtons but Mertohns missed the drop goal and so they won. They also won the 2007 world cup.

The Springboks have a lot of confidence when they play. They have a lot of key players like Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, Joe Peterson, Wynand Oliver and BJ Botha. These players are the skippers, the magic men of this side. Victor Matfield is a really good Captain and he knows when to speak up on, and of the paddock. Matfield is one of the oldest and most experienced South African athelete for rugby. He plays with great dignity and he also works hard until the last second of each match.

The South Africans Skipper Joe Peterson had a good season when he was playing for the Bulls. He was a player that knows how to break the line and find gaps now and then. Missing vital tackles for him is impossible because he has such a good tackling technique. Bryan Habana and Morne Steyn is one of the greatest combinations that is known for try-scoring and line breaks. Unlike Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter, Steyn is a Five Eighth who kicks at a good pace and possession.

My bets are on the South Africans with all my money because firstly there only weakness is if the opposition passes the ball to the wing. But if your the opposition then be bright and don't go to Habana's wing because he might intercept or just cut you down. So be aware or be in your top shape because your not then they will beat you to the death 50-0 (in my opinion).

New Zealand, is one of THE BEST RUGBY countries in the WORLD. Colin "Pinewood" Meads is the best rugby player in all history. New Zealand are well known for there outstanding attack and defence. But the only thing that puzzles me is that they only one one World Cup in all HISTORY.

Now the All Blacks only have a handful of key players, strengths. Richie and Carter is an elite combination for this side and in my opinion there our only hope to win.

The reason why is because the men that should still be skippers like Rokocoko or Muliiana is not performing as they used too. Joe never breaks the line any more and Malili is a bit off his game. Malili is our ONLY fullback because the rookie Israel Dagg can't play world class like him. Hooker Kevin Mealamu is one of of two people that are over thirty, so he should be as good as Carter or McCaw since he has lot's of experience. Kevin had a good game against the welsh, he was fast at the breakdown and worked hard to recycle the ball.

Nz needs to test the oppositions weakness, and do there homework on other key players. Testing weaknesses is what we haven't done. A key for Nz when they face the Kangaroo's is that they have to use their scrums in order to beat the Australians. Spreading the ball against the Springboks needs to be done. If Nz don't win the World Cup or get to the finals the people would say that that is Nz's last chance. People also say that France MUST take over Nz's place in the Tri-nations if they don't win or become second

The 2011 World Cup is coming up and all teams that has been talked about needs to be ready for every game. If they don't Some other teams from the six nations might whip either one. Every team has an opportunity at the same time as every team has a weakness so what Nz, Sa and Oz needs to do is polish their weaknesss. Good Luck to all teams

Highlights for this Term (1)

This term was action packed with lots of excitement going around. We have had lot's off exciting activities such as camps and video conferences. And outside school, services and birthdays. In Poly fest my cousin got 2nd, for "Best Manaia" too. The extension group also got to talk to a famous man called D'wayne Edwards. When I heard about this video conference, I thought D'wayne was going to talk a lot about shoes. But when the time came, all he really talked about was his journey and his motivation. Which I think was actually better that talking about shoes. Incase you don't know, D'wayne Edwards is the head designer of NIKE. He's designed shoes, tee shirts and also some fancy caps. This year we are joining in a project called Walk our world (WOW). As part of this we also get to walk all around the world. This term has been really cool and even though it is the quarter of the whole year it just might be the best.

Vincent Van Gogh

On Friday the 5th of March, The bell rang and when we entered the door and sat down. There were newspapers on the tables and pictures on our whiteboard and at that moment I knew that we were going to do some "Van Gough" sketching.

To start off Mrs Garden read us a book about Van Gough, the story was really sad because when he was living his paintings weren't admired. He loved painting so much that he had to stop buying food in order to keep his art reputation. But he only sold a few drawings and paintings, things are different today, one of his paintings is EIGHTY SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS.

We were all given a painting to sketch (not to trace!!!) and were told that we have to draw the lines. Not the whole painting. This is me trying to sketch one of his more brighter paintings.