45 min Inquiry - Port of Tauranga

Today's 45 minute Inquiry was on the port of Tauranga pacifically the logs. We had to research and answer these questions 

Where did they come from, where are they going and why?

The logs in tauranga have came from Asia, Australia & pacific, Americas, UK & Europe, Middle East & Africa, NZ Coastal. If they are from over seas they come on a container ship and if they come from NZ they arrive on trains or trucks.

The logs are going to the same places as where they came from: Asia, Australia & pacific, Americas, UK & Europe, Middle East & Africa, NZ Coastal. They are made of pine from trees.

The reason they are here is because we are the biggest port in NZ.

Year 9 Orientation Day!

Today we went to Tauranga Girls College for year 9 orientation. We learnt the ropes of the school and what sorts of things we need to know for the starting year next year. We first meet in the old gymnasium to listen to some of the important people of the school. Mrs Ferguson is the deputy principal and she spoke to us about the coming year and the school moto "Pergo et Perago" laten for "I go on and Finish". We then got introduced to the head girl for 2014 Adriana Bird. Also we got to meet our year 9 deans Mrs Glaser-brown & Mrs Keightly. I really enjoyed it and cant wait for starting next year.

45 Min Inquiry

Today for our 45 minute inquiry we had to research and find out about four photos given to us by Mrs Mills.

The first photo we had to examine is the totem pole, Did you know that the totem pole was originated from North America, If you are wondering what exactly is a totem pole well its a carving made from large trees to tell a story. If you want to find out more here is a link for more information.

The second photo was a boomerang. Boomerangs are very fascinating pieces of wood. One of the questions Ive always wanted to know is how do boomerangs come back? well I did some research and I found that as the boomerang spins the direction takes it and turns it in a circular motion.

The third photo is a maori carving. They are found at the front of marae as you walk in. They also have a meaning behind each carving.

Lastly the picture at the end is a picture of wailing boots. Before today I had know idea what there were but now I know that wailing boots are made of gray leather with white ribbon at the top. Also they are brought back from a wailing voyage as an arctic souvenir.

They all have something in common which is they are all from indigenous cultures.

45 minute Inquiry - Bow Hunting for Koi Carp.

On Saturday Mrs Mills went to Lake Hakanoa to go bow hunting for Koi Carp. She asked us What was she doing there? Where was she? and Why was she doing it?

Mrs Mills went bow hunting last weekend because the Koi Carp was spaning (breeding) and they come to the shallows to do this.

Lake Hakanoa is a lake in the middle of Huntly full of Koi Carp.

Mrs Mills went out to bow hunt because Koi Carp are pests and we need to get rid of them.

If you are wondering what Bow hunting is well it is a sport that requires a bow and arrow. You also need a line attached to the arrow so you can retrieve it. You do not need a license in NZ to bow hunt. 

It has been around since the Victorian era.

Mrs Mills caught 6 koi carp. She didn’t throw them back into the water because you can receive a fine.  She left them on the side of the lake and they were taken by some fishermen.

Which button would you choose and why?

I would choose the red button invisibility because it would be awesome to pull pranks on people while they cant see you. Also you can go and listen to convocations with out them knowing. You can scare them. You can go to concerts and go backstage. Some of the pranks I would do is Lie on a park bench and when someone sits on me it looks like there in mid air, you can flick the light switch on and off, lift things up slowly, read a the paper, you could go through the drive through and know one can see you and soo much more. You could steal CANDY!!! Pull pranks on teachers and students. If someone wants to kill you, you can hide. You can rob the banks. Thats why it would be awesome to be invisible.

Tennis

  Today for p.e we played Tennis It was really fun my partner was Sattori and she is quite good for her first time. We played Adopted games, we made it the first 3 points. It was hard to hit the high balls. Sometimes I hit the ball and I swung my racket and it went to far over the side as I swung it. I need to improve on keeping my racket facing the net. 

Beyond the story competition

We were traveling on the final leg of an amazing South Island holiday and we were counting all the exciting things we had done. Just then we drove into a terrible snow blizzard. “Gosh this holiday has been a thrill, it couldn’t be more exciting could it?” Dad said. Little did we know how wrong he could be.

At the hotel room I was so tired after a long holiday I could barely stand up. I rest my head on my soft, sweet smelling hotel room pillow. I just can't wait for my dreams to come as I fall into a deep sleep before a big trip home tomorrow. As the night went on the still air started to turn.

CRASH! BOOM! BANG! I wake up to my burning side rubbing across the carpet; I look up only to see the blurry figure of my mum. Screaming and booming taking over my ear drums; my legs wobbling like jelly as they sway with the room. My frantic mum organising my brother and me to get safe under the doorway, while dad saving himself running to the other doorway. Still not knowing what’s going on I make my way over to the doorway and hold on for dear life. My eyes so dark. Not being able to see a thing as all power is out. Dad’s phone beeping as his Twitter is going off like crazy. Smashing glasses crumbling on the ground. My heart beating out of my chest. I didn't know if the shaking was going to stop, didn’t seem like it.

Finally, as the shaking calmed down, we stepped out of our hotel room and it was frantic. Everyone literally shaken. As we all approached the main hall the small shakes come on and off every couple of minutes. It was frightening! Tourists madly panicking not knowing what’s happening, one of the last experiences I was hoping for.

The hotel we stayed at was very helpful by supplying us all with a free BBQ breakfast, but even the staff were freaked out by the aftershocks. Every so often there is a BIG aftershock and the screaming starts again. My brother Malakae gets up for his breakfast when a big shock comes. As the water is out, my Dad and I go around collecting water to help, but at 5:30 in the morning with no power which means very little light, we have to wait for the sun which hasn't quite made it's way over the hills.

At the airport it's manic. I've never been to an airport as busy and crowded as this. People just wanting to get out of Christchurch, including me. As I sit waiting in the airport with the shaking, shaking my seat I look through the glass door waiting to get off this shaken up town, wondering if it will ever happen.

Life education

What did you learn?

I learnt alot, The names of drugs and the effect on the body when taken a drug. It is horrifying!

How will you use this new learning?

I will definitely delay the decision and influence my friends to delay the decision

How could you help someone else?

By telling them the consequences and the effects on the body.

Here are some ways we learnt to either help our selves in this situation or what gets effected when you use drugs:

Greater           Greater           Faster            Memory                   Reason

Impact of        Addiction        Absorption      Reason                    Excuse 

Brain,             Potential,        Rate               Judgement               Change subject

                                                                 Mechanical Skills     Humor

                                                                 Intellect   

                                                                 Concentration           Walk away 

                                                                 Emotions                  Ignore

                                                                                                Tell someone

                                        Say no      

12 Hour Relay

On Friday the 1st of November was 12 hour relay, It starts at 7am and ends at 7pm. I ran 11 laps and every lap I sprinted my hardest. It was so fun just hanging out and enjoying the environment  Im gonna miss not doing it next year when I leave to go to college.