Olympic Athletes

For the past couple of weeks at school we've been doing a lot of work around the Olympics. For this slide we got to choose four athletes and find out more about them (I added in a fifth slide as I really wanted to do Lisa Carrington). These are all athletes that I either knew about or got to watch in the Olympics. I learnt a lot about these incredible athletes. All I can say is that I'm REALLY looking forward to the Paralympics!

Week 3

This week when we have read Alone on a Wide Wide Sea, Marty and Arthur escaped the evil Piggy Bacon, found a home with Aunty Megs, grew up, got a job and SPOILER ALERT, Marty dies. For this activity we chose a quote from Aunty Megs and wrote about it.

Week 2

   

My reading group has been reading Alone on a Wide Wide Sea this term. This first piece of work is an advert written by Piggy Bacon advertising Coopers Station and trying to get kids to come. Piggy Bacon is a small minded EVIL man and I do NOT share his views. Click on the links for registration form and the the submitted form. Note: you can't actually write in the registration form. Apologies if the link doesn't work. I'll add in the registration form and submitted screen below this writing so if you can't use the link you'll still be able to view it.  

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The second piece of work is a story I made up about Ida's past. Ida is Piggy Bacon's wife. She is a lovely but slightly damaged woman who is a hero to the orphans at Coopers Station. (I'm not Christian, but Coopers Station is a farm in Australia, just after the second world war).

Ida was normal. She was Christian, smart, pretty and friendly. But her life would not be normal. In the years to come she would be branded as an irresponsible, mad woman. But she didn’t know that. So I’ll take you back to where it all began…

‘Ida, slow down!’

‘Come on Jane, hurry up!’ Ida Barrington laughed.

‘We’re not all as fast as you.’ her best friend puffed. Grudgingly Ida stopped running and walked next to Jane. Instantly they both burst into uncontrollable laughter. You see, Ida was not made of sugar and spice as the popular rhyme suggests. But I don’t think she was slugs and snails either. The heat of the outback was overwhelming and the only thing the girls could think about was the special treat waiting for them at Jane’s house. They never went to Ida’s house. That was an unspoken rule. With her father away serving time in prison, her partially mad mother and her chaotic brothers it was just the sort place both of them never wanted to step foot in. Jane was the only person who knew this and she guarded Ida’s secret well. 

They burst into the house, still laughing, but quieter as Jane’s little sister, Mary, was asleep. Her lovely mother came over and gave them both a giant hug. Martha, Jane’s mother knew as well. And she always made sure that Ida got heaps of love when she came over as she knew she received close to zero at her own place.

‘Okay girls, let’s try them now, eh?’ she said enthusiastically.

‘Yes please!’ the girls squealed!

‘Shhh! Or you’ll wake Mary.’ but Martha wasn’t really cross. And the girls knew that. They watched in anticipation as Martha went outside to the cool shady creek and pulled out ICE LOLLIES! They eagerly snatched them off her, then remembered their manners! ‘Oops!’ they all laughed. As Ida sucked on this new delicious treat,, she wished she would never have to go home. But she did. It was the same everyday. When Bill, Jane’s father came home from work she knew it was time to go. So she thanked them and set off home with a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

When she arrived home her happiness disappeared. Mother was yelling at Harry and Bert who responded by smashing the only window that they hadn’t smashed. Once they noticed her they yelled at her, trying to get her on their side. She sighed and ignored them. Sadly trudging up the stairs to her little bedroom she talked to herself. Comforting herself. Pretending that she had a lovely family like Jane.

Three days later, after a visit to Jane’s house it happened. The day her life would change forever. Well, that wouldn’t happen for two more years, but today was the day she met him. Her mother had hit her. Hard. She walked outside, sobbing and nursing her sore body. ‘I wish my life would change.’ she murmured to herself between sobs. In the years to come she would regret these words. But she had said them and there was no going back.

‘Don’t be so dramatic.’ a coarse voice said.

‘Eeeeee!’ Ida squealed.

‘I’m not that bad, am I?’ the voice replied, sounding hurt.

‘Sorry,’ Ida squeaked ‘but WHO THE HECK ARE YOU?’ 

‘Sheesh, calm down.’ the voice now had a face. A boy had stepped out of a bush and was grinning at her. He had bright red hair and eyes full of life. He was…

‘Okay, what's your name, creep?’ Ida asked sarcastically.

‘Martin Bacon. And ya?’ 

‘Ida Barrington.’ she said shyly. She was never shy! Why was she acting all weird?

‘I have a feeling we’re gonna be friends.’ Martin said cockily.

‘Ha ha.’ and Ida walked off, unable to stop the grin appearing on her flushed face.

Martin was right of course. But she didn’t see him again for another two years. When she was thirteen. She walked into her new school, excited. Only a few more years until she was an adult and she and Jane could travel to England! But she wouldn’t. And she and Jane wouldn’t be friends for much longer. The shrill DRING DRING of the bell rang out threw the field and instantly a storm of kids raced towards the classes. I fell over in the whirling storm of children and hurt my wrist, as well as scraping my knees. The blood soaked through the fabric of my dress and made me feel dizzy. 

‘Sheesh, you’ve done a real number on yaself, haven’t ya?’ a familiar voice said.

‘Martin?’ Ida gasped and tried to stand up, but quickly regretted it. Tears covered her cheeks.

‘Don’t try that, ya’ll hurt yaself even more.’ he instructed. He raced off, leaving poor Ida alone. But he came back with a kind looking teacher and Martin and the teacher helped her up to her feet and carefully walked inside. It was obvious her wrist had gotten hurt the most.

After school had finished Jane raced up to Ida ‘You want to come over?’

‘No thanks, I’m going to visit Martin.’ 

‘What are you doing with Martin? Hes weird.’

‘Oi, don’t call him that.’ Ida retorted, suddenly angry with her best friend.

‘I’ll call him whatever I like.’ Jane said stubbornly.

‘Fine.’ Ida said, and she stalked off.

‘Wait!’ Jane called after her. But Ida didn’t look back, even though she should’ve. She really should’ve.

Coopers Station Survival Kit (Week 1)

 COOPERS STATION SURVIVAL KIT (only $9.99)

Welcome to Coopers Station! Prepare yourselves to be beaten, worked like slaves, starved and maybe even killed! You don’t want that? Why? Oh, okay. I understand. Well, good luck, I can’t help ya. ‘Cause that place is NOT the paradise you thought it would be. Don’t look at me like that, ya making me feel bad. Fine. I’ll help, but I can’t say my advice will be the key to your survival, ya might not even survive with these instructions! But they might give you a chance.

Equipment:

1. Resilience, trust me ya gonna need a ‘hole bucket load of this stuff.

2. Silence, if ya talk all the time, ya gonna get the strap all the time.

3. Strength, ya gonna need dis a LOT

4. Friends, it's bad enough with ‘em, imagine what it ‘ill be like without ‘em. They also make great shields.

5. Hope, ya need ta think it will get better. Otherwise ya don’t stand a chance.

6. Also lots of metal. Like if ya a robot that would be awesome. (Ya know, in case ‘e tries to shoot ya)

7. But ya best weapon will be NERF GUNS! Try and travel to da future so ya can stock up on this vital equipment.

Method:

1. Don’t talk back to Piggy. That is one of the WORST things you can do. Why? Well, ya get beaten if ya do. SO BE POLITE!

2. Don’t call ‘im Piggy, ‘e is Mr Bacon, though feel free to taunt ‘im all your want behind ‘is back. BUT ONLY WHEN ‘ES NOT THERE!

3. Don’t go around looking. Ya will see stuff and ya will regret it, especially if ya get caught. SO DON’T GET SEEN IF YA DO!

4. One of the worst things you could possibly do is slack off work. Ya will be strapped. AND JEEZ LOUIS DOES IT HURT!

5. Eat as much food and drink as served to ya. Ya will need it. Ya don’t wanna get dehydrated or collapse of exhaustion out on the farm. EAT YA GREENS!

6. Make sure ya obey him. ‘E will not tolerate it an’ ya will regret it later. BE NICE!

7. Always pray and be all holy. ‘E likes God, so ya do to. AMEN!

8. At Sunday, always sing the songs and pretend to be listening. LA LA LA LA!

9. One of the great things about Sunday is the food. Eat as much as ya can an’ don’t be afraid to save some for later. FOOD! GLORIOUS FOOD!

10. An’ one of the most important things is to do what ‘e says. This will be crucial to ya survival. CRUCIAL!

Well, that's it from me. I hope ya make it, I really do. But try and follow my instructions. Also make sure ya bring lots of presents for ol’ Piggy. Aim and Fire! (Silent and violent works best).

In school this term my reading group has been reading Alone on a Wide Wide Sea. It is by Michael Morpurgo. I didn't have the time to post it until now but once I'm up to date I'll be posting once a week. This is when we first started the book. Miss Leigh and Miss Panther said to write it like joke instructions, so this is why it isn't very serious.

Hana

Letter to Mrs Hatchet  

Dear Mrs Hatchet, 

Before you read this story I want to tell you about Hana. She is a very imaginative little girl. I know she has been through a rough patch, but this is almost certainly a trick to try and annoy me. She is a very disobedient child who deserves to be punished. As you are the principal of this school, the responsibility falls to you. As her teacher I cannot do anything. This is a good piece of writing but hardly the sort of thing an eleven year old would write for a memoir (the memoir is for a school assignment. You will obviously understand my anguish once you have read it). 

Yours truly, 

Miss Milady 

The Memoir 

I don’t remember any of it. My real mother, the brother who had saved my life, or if I had any other siblings. I don’t know my father, or my grandparents. I don’t know what religion my family were. I don’t know what it is like to be a kid. Ever since I was little my life has been... not great. It started when I was a baby and my brother gave me to a stranger on a lifeboat in the hope it would save my life. And it did. What followed was a long journey to Greece. It wasn’t that far away, but the boat was steered off course. Eventually lifeguards found us and brought us in. I was raised in a beautiful country and had a lovely home. My mother was kind, if distant, so I had a happy childhood. 

 Well, not really. Shortly before I turned six, my mother died. I don’t know what it was, but I think it may have been intentional. She wasn’t very well. After that mishap, a policeman and his wife adopted me. That was TERRIBLE. It was like been raised by the devil, himself. I spent three miserable years there. They were cruel and didn’t care whether I lived or died. I was so miserable, but I didn’t dare turn them in. I was a kid with a bad track record. Chances were I would spend the rest of my life there. As I got older it got worse, the beatings increased and the verbal abuse was really bad. I got so scared that I turned them in. By then I was nine. 

 Finally a kind old woman adopted me after three months in a home. The home was nice but loud and crowded. It was a great relief for my ears. Her name was Lillieth Herring. She was the closest thing to a grandmother I ever had. However I was not so lucky with school. I spent two years being bullied and treated like dirt, 2028 was a different story altogether. I was sick of it all and stood up for myself. So you really understand how it is like for me, I have included some of my diary entries. 

 23.2.2028 

My life sucks. I want to meet my family. I want this bullying to stop. Oh, I HATE Miss Milady. She is pure EVIL! Two weeks ago she set us a family tree assignment. As she told the class, I SWEAR ON MY LIFE that she was giving me the evil eye. She thinks she can fool everyone. A sweet blonde lady with bright blue eyes and a sing song voice. She's EVIL. LIKE REALLY EVIL!!! I was so embarrassed today when everyone was talking about their interesting family and all I had was a page with two people on it. TWO! And then Miss Milady said that I couldn’t include myself. The laughter just went on and on. 

24.2.2028 

I’m in trouble. BIG TROUBLE. I’m so worried. I’m going to wait a little before I go home and let Ms Herring cool down. I don’t care if Miss Milady hates me, but if Ms Herring is disappointed in me... I can’t cope with that. Mwa ha ha ha!! Ms Herring thinks that I’m awesome and all I was doing was standing up for myself. She even let me choose tea! Take that, Miss Milady!! 

25.2.2028

Wow, I was so caught up in all my glory yesterday that I forgot to write what happened. Everyone was being particularly horrible to me, so at lunch I climbed on to the playground and started a protest against the school. Then when the teachers tried to get me down... I attacked them. Yeah, I bet nobody was expecting that. 

26.2.2028 

I started another protest today. This time two girls called Calliope and Zoe joined in. 

12.7.2028 

 I’m sorry I haven’t written for so long. Normally I write everyday. Calli, Zo and I have started a schoolyard revolution against the evil Miss Milady. Ha ha, you evil old witch. WE have wiped her simpering smile off her face. Ms Herring thinks I’ve gone too far this time. I can’t stand her to be disappointed me. I have to stop. 

21.7.2028 

We’ve been doing Greek Mythology in school. I already know heaps so I’m doing pretty well. 

28.7.2028 

Miss Milady has gone too far this time. She is going to pay. I just don’t know how yet.

31.7.2028

Miss Milady says that we have to do a memoir. Well, mine is going to be interesting. 

(This is the end of the diary entries)

Well, there you have it. The extremely topsy turvy life of Hana Herring. Oh, and I’ve figured out my revenge. It just hasn’t happened yet.

Letter to Miss Milady

Miss Milady, 

If what I am reading is true, you are in BIG trouble. You are behaving horribly and I am going to do an interview with Hana and her guardian. Count yourself lucky if I don’t fire you! One thing is for sure; you are going to have to APOLOGIZE to this poor little girl.

Angrily,

Mrs Hatchet

The Final Diary Entry 

1.8.2028

The memoir writing is over and I have my revenge. The memoir WAS my revenge. I knew that it would infuriate Miss Milady, and that she would show Mrs Hatchet. Well, Mrs Hatchet lives up to her name and I know that. I also know that can’t stand the thought of her school’s reputation being tarnished. 

I haven’t found my family. I doubt that I ever will. But I have Ms Herring, Calli and Zo, and of course my revenge! MWA HA HA!!

In class we've been reading the book refugee, and we have finally finished it! It was REALLY good! It ended kind of sad but happy at the same time. Hana was nevere reunited with her family and for this activity I wrote what HER ending would look like. I hope you enjoy.

Geometry D.L.O.

We've been doing geometry for the last couple of weeks. I made a D.L.O. on geometry, as that is the work I was set. I spent a couple days on it.

Matariki around the World

Matariki is upon us, so we've been doing a lot of work around it at school. For this activity I worked with Atawhai. We got all the information form Wikipedia but we wrote our own version of the story.