Today Room 8 went to the library and met a Man named Thomas who was a Marine Biologist interested in sea creatures. First Thomas introduced himself, asking what our favorites sea animals were. Thomas showed a photo of a man and asked “Who is this man?” None of us knew who he was. His name was Sir Peter Blake, Born in 1948 and Died in 2001. He was a Famous NZ Hero, environmentalist and Father of two, who had won two America Cup races. Unfortunately, while sailing on Amazon he was shot by Pirates. Blake NZ VR is a company teaching children to learn about the sea, discovering and caring about the environment.

Through our experience with Blake NZ VR we got to use Virtual Reality goggles. Thomas sent us to a ocean areas all over NZ. We had a 360 degree view discovering different sea creatures in the area. There were Southern Right Whales, Common and Spinner Dolphins, NZ Sea Lions and Humpback Whales. We felt really bad cause people litter in the ocean and don’t take pity for what they have done. What I’ve learnt is that people shouldn’t be using plastics including one use bottles as the environment suffers making the land and oceans a bad place for animals. So we should use reusable bottles that could last for years to come.

On the 15th of March was Waka Ama day. Our two teachers Mrs George and Mr Bell were our supervisors the whole trip. We traveled by bus, finally we arrived at our destination ready to learn. We had a Teacher to instruct us how to use oars and learn the commands the captain was going to give us. We started the day with ten people on each side of the canoe and one teacher in each boat, after a 20 minute lesson it was time for a race between the Boys and the Girls. The Girls won since they had the wooden oars making their canoe faster. We head back to the Dock to take the canoes back to the club, making everyone put a lot of effort to pull and push the canoes up hill, and back to the club.

Then we changed back into our uniform gear got in the bus and Drove back to school. During the time where we helped take the canoes back to the club, we had a short time playing in the water splashing one another. It was fun to participate inside the canoe onto the water, it was very challenging.

My Class Room 8 is reading Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French. As part of our learning we had to choose a critical moment from one section of the book. My group chose the scene where the owner’s dog is dying. It has to be euthanised.  Georg couldn’t bear to see this since he wanted one of his own. We create this scene in a day and our rationale for this choice was that it shows us that we have to let go of things we love for the common good. Food was scarce and animals weren’t as important as feeding people.

Kia Ora

My name is Willietony, I’m 13 and a year 8 student at Saint Patrick’s School. I’m Samoan and I have 3 siblings. My Favorite sport is rugby but sometimes I try basketball… turns out that I’m pretty bad at it. I like almost every food in New Zealand like Fish and Chips, New Zealand lamb, Fruit Salad and Pizza. My hobbies are trying to become a better person to everyone in the school.

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Last week on Friday we celebrated Mission day. We had Mass down at the canopy to raise money and non- perishable food to donate for the Holy Angels Orphanage it was quite a blast, each class donated some money for the Holy angels Orphanage. After that we went back to class and had a test in each class in our own Bubbles. In Room 7 we had a Te-reo-athon no time limit and we took our time, I thought these were really hard but I actually ace that test because I have been practicing with my Te Reo sheet.

During morning tea there were Raffle tickets in the canopy for three prizes for the seniors and juniors. Next it was Lunch time we had quite a play, we went back to watching our movie called “Spirit away” it was a interesting movie, at 2:20 we pack up our class then Each class went down to the canopy announcing the prizes I didn’t know what was the juniors prizes but I was sure it was fun prizes, the senior prizes was so cool the third prize went to Lupe in Room 8, the Second prize went to me Willetony I was happy my prize was a yoyo and spinning tops the first prize went to Sulia who was in my class.

Today we celebrated Sister Lorraine’s last day coming to Saint Patrick’s School because she was our last mission sister connected to this School, We sang a song to her to remember the memories she taught us, most of us were crying and sad. We said prayers about her to remember the good times then we gave a letter so she will treasure them and also after we gave the letter we gave her a hug or shook her hand. Then she said her speech in front of the classes, it was a bit funny and sad her family and friend came to support her. Then in the end we sang one special song to her to remember us.

Dear Sister Lorraine

Thank you  for the teachings you gave us back when we were J.rs and I humbly grateful for what you’ve done for the community and this school we wish you safe travels and God Bless.

Today we did another Epro 8 challenge about a Caveman car with our construction equipment. A caveman car can move by itself with a long rubber band string onto the reel making it easy to move by itself, our group made a shelter to keep the “caveman” from getting wet and a seat where the caveman could sit and a motor to move. Before we made this we watched how it could move by itself making it easier for us to build, once we were finished we tested out the car if it could move by itself ( which was a success ). Then we took on a race with the other groups we liked won two times then came second on the last round. What I really wanted to approve of today was to make it go backwards. Today has been a nice day because I got to experience engineering even though it was that hard.

This shows the “Caveman Car” ( With no Caveman )  ( Sorry if you wanted to see it )