Political Debate

This afternoon we were invited to a debate hosted by Room 7. The students had split up into four political parties and they created different policies about how they would run the school. They considered issues like behavior, the repairs needed around the school, homework and the technology that is available.

Then each party sent their leader to take part in the debate. Alfred, Inoke, Tamati and Whitney were chosen and we were asked to attend as the audience, as we could make an unbiased choice about who were the strongest debaters. To start with, the leaders introduced their party and policies. Then the leaders had the chance to debate with one another and to ask questions. We saw that Whitney had listened carefully to the other leaders as she was able to ask lots of questions.

Finally, Mrs Tofa passed around voting papers so that we could select the winner. We all received a sticker for voting and looked forward to finding out the results.

Adventure for Good

One of the main reasons that our camp has been such a success is down to the organisation, charisma and energy of our facilitators from Adventure for Good. Not only did they prepare our main meals, but they taught us lessons in bush survival and kayaking, facilitated a range of games and activities and joined us as we visited a range of historical sites.

During our evenings at camp, the Adventure for Good guides planned and facilitated a range of games and activities for us to take part in. On our first night, we were given maps of the campground and asked to complete an orienteering activity. The catch; it was pitch black (we relied on our torches) and all of our group members were tied together. This was so much fun and we all had a great laugh! As we had not seen the campground in the light before we all got very lost which we found incredibly funny - what a way to inspire teamwork and group bonding.

On the nights that half of our party were sleeping in the bush, the other half got to participate in a range of activities. On our night, Chris set up a quiz for us to participate in which involved questions around New Zealand history and some of the things that we had learnt about from visiting the various historical sites. This was a perfect way for our Tamariki to use their new knowledge and they had a lot of fun. I was very proud of Amelia, Davarni, Dekorah and Telesia's group who won this
competition!

The winning team learning to play Trivial Pursuit

On our final night Sarah and Michael facilitated two activities. In the first activity the groups had to create a skit that illustrated something that they had learnt on the camp. Two of the groups shared information about the History of New Zealand, while the other two illustrated elements of bush survival. Check out my group rehearsing their skit below (Telesia is narrating):

                                          





The next activity (The Mostest) required the group to put forward different individuals to compete in a range of mini competitions. These included things like the person who could hold the plank for the longest, eat a grapefruit the fastest and sing the best(est). This was so funny and had the whole group erupting in laughter at several points of the evening!

Throughout the week Sarah and Michael had been very supportive of our learners during our excursions. Sarah was very happy to support our mini swimming lesson, to drive my group to each of our activities while I ran mini maths lessons (you can't go anywhere without a bit of maths) and to make extra stops/ to slightly change our schedule when the weather did not allow us to stay outside. The learners really looked up to them and they were greatly encouraging.

The facilities at Orongo Bay Holiday Park were also great for our learners. They especially enjoyed the board games, playground, trampoline, tire and rope swings. Even Miss Stone had a go on these!
 


Then there was the support and involvement of the other kaiako who we met along the way. Whaea Roy and Whaea Monica greeted us at the Treaty Grounds and shared many stories with us on our two visits. Dan from Bay Beach Hire was really encouraging and supportive during our kayaking session and Luke and Rachael from Barefoot Sailing Adventures were very welcoming and knowledgeable on the SV Kopiko - they all ensured that we were having a great time! We also learned a great deal from our guides at the Stone Store, Kemp House and from Kepa at Rewa's Village.

Grease is the word!

Today room 8 and the seniors at Glenbrae School were fortunate enough to watch Auckland Girls' Grammar school's production of the musical Grease. Check out AJ's review of the show!

Grease is about a girl named Sandy from Australia who is an intelligent nerd. She likes a boy called Danny who is in a group of cool boys. A group of girls help Sandy to be with Danny.

My favourite part of the play was when they sang Grease Lightning because I liked the dancing. I liked that the actors all had a lot of confidence and they were talented. I would recommend this play to high school students as the story is set in high school. I'd tell them that it is about a nerd who wants to fit in. I would say that it is very funny and also very realistic.

Assembly!

This afternoon room 8 presented out first assembly of the year, in celebration of Matariki. We opened the assembly with the waiata 'harehuia', before we played the Matariki video that the year six students had created.

Well done to Tumanako, Anita, Francesca and Telesia who presented the assembly.


             

Performing Arts

Today has been filled with performances at Glenbrae School. We were first fortunate enough to watch a drama performance by Storylines called 'Whats the Big Idea'. This performance promoted some great kiwi books and it was all about the power of the imagination.

In the afternoon we watched a play that the junior classes had created and a dance by Miss Adcocks dance club. Room 8 were very proud of AJ and Mathew, who each had a solo performance. The boys did some fabulous break dancing and knew the routine very well; ka pai boys!

Drama in Room 8!

This afternoon the students in Room 8 acted out a series of scenarios to practice being peer mediators. We had a lot of fun acting in the role of a student with a problem or a peer mediator. Some students then decided to make their own stories up for the peer mediators!

What do you think could be happening here?