Cool Kapa Haka

Last Wednesday was the Kapa Haka festival! We had six songs and the Haka in our bracket - Tu Mai Ra, Ka Pioioi E, Purea Nei, Utaina, Haka, Wainui E and He Honore. The girls wore a piu piu, a moko on our chin and a feather in our hair. As we walked onto the stage everyone began cheering, our first song was Tu Mai Ra.

Next we sang Ka Pioioi E which is probably my favorite! Next was our Poi song - Purea Nei. After that it was Utaina in which all the girls moved back and the boys came forward to perform their Haka. The boys did their Haka next and then the girls moved forward with Wainui E.

As everyone got off the stage we sang He Honore. Overall I think we did really well and it was so fun!

Magical Marae

On Thursday the 12th of September the Nui syndicate were dropped off at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae, our school marae. Once everyone had arrived we had a powhiri and got welcomed onto the marae my the tangata whenua - Aunty Buba, Aunty Charlotte and Papa Albie. The tangata whenua told us about all the panels in the whare and some stories and legends.

We participated in a bunch of rotations in our groups like Maori games, Weaving, Honga and walking up Kaiti hill. My group walked up hundreds of stairs to get to the lookout of kaiti hill. We also played a fun game with sticks using left and right in maori. There were lots of other new and interesting activities too. We ate our packed lunch and had some delicious Nachos for dinner with ice blocks for dessert.  We had a concert with jump jam, ukulele, kapa haka and even stand up comedy!

The next day on Friday after a long night we were all exhausted, but after a torturous run we were starving as well. We were now the tangata whenua on the marae and were getting ready to welcome the Wai syndicate on as well. We had a Haka Powhiri and now the whole of Wainui Beach School was tangata whenua on the marae. We continued on with our rotations and learnt some string games and played handball. We had yummy hotdogs for lunch and then packed up ready to leave the marae. It was great fun but I was ready to go to bed by the time we got back to school.

Glorious Gille's Cup!

Yesterday afternoon the Wainui Beach School Thunder soccer team went down to Mangapapa school to challenge them for the Gille's cup. The school sent down about twenty kids to support us as well which was awesome. The Mangapapa school pitch was very bumpy and the goals were small compared to the ones we normally play with. The game began with me (Kya) in striker, Seve striker, Gavin left wing, Sam right wing, Ziggy centre mid, Charlie left back, Toby centre back and Shea Right back, Nikau in goal and Rory as a sub so he would have fresh legs to go on in fifteen minutes.

In the first half we managed to get two nice goals which had us in a comfortable lead. The atmosphere was amazing with both schools chanting and cheering. There must have been about one hundred supporters all together. We had a five minute rest and we all got some water and looked enviously at the delicious donuts that Charlie's dad had delivered for after the game.

In the second half Mangapapa had a few chances on goal but Nikau still looked bored and managed to take only two goal kicks in the end! We managed to get another two goals and then one final one at the very end. We were all puffed when the final whistle blew and Mangapapa hadn't given us an easy match. The trophy was presented, it was handmade of wood and painted with stars and a soccer ball. It is now on beautiful display in the school office! The final score was 5-0

Goals - Ziggy (1), Seve (1), me - Kya (2), Gavin (1).

The Thrilling Thunder

On the weekend the Wainui Thunder football team played our very final game of the season. We were playing our rivals Mangapapa. For about six or seven years Mangapapa have beaten Wainui in the finals and we have always received the silver medals. This year though, our team had beaten Mangapa twice with the scoreline about 8-1. We were at the top of the table and after winning the inter school tournament after a penalty shoot out, we were pumped and ready to take them on in the finals.

Our coach (my dad) told us our line up. We had Seve and I as strikers, Gavin left mid, Sam right mid, Ziggy centre mid, Charlie left back, Chester centre back and Toby as right back. Our old coach, and our current coach said some encouraging words and we went into our positions. Shea and Rory were our substitutes for now so that they would be fresh to put on soon! Mangapapa got into their positions and with us full of nerves and excitement the ref blew his whistle.

It was a great game, and our closest game of the season. After the first half was over, the score was only about 2-0. We started the second half with a couple of changes and managed to score another goal. After about 10 minutes into the second half we swapped our left mid with the left back and managed to score another couple. Finally it was the last play of the match and we were all buzzing with pride. The final whistle blew and we were filled with joy. After so many years Wainui had finally won. There was a short ceremony and we received two medals each and two trophies for our team. We had won the primary 'A' league and the knockout cup.

Perfect pick a paths

YAY!!! Most of our EL4 writing pick a path stories are complete. In the last couple of weeks we have written our plans into a document and then finalized them into a google form. We had to learn how to make the google form so that if you clicked an option it would be a link to the correct section.

1. First you make a title and intro

2. Then press the button on the right that will add a section in. It looks a bit like this =.

3. Next you have to press the plus sign to add a question and multiple choice options.

4. You have to create all the sections you need.

5. After that click on an option, go to the right where it will say continue to next section. Change that so it will link to the section you need it to go to.

I found the pick a path writing really fun. The planing was a little bit difficult and confusing but other than that it was AWESOME!!!

Here is a link to my pick a path form: Pick a path

Pick a path, which way will you choose???????

This term for EL4 writing we are writing pick a path stories. If you don't know what a pick a path is it's when you write a story that includes people choosing a path to take.

For example - (this is a little part of my story).

You are on a dangerous quest to locate the Sword of Dawn. It is known to be located in an ancient japanese temple.

Intro:

It was a full moon tonight, as Mia paced along the cobblestone streets of Gisborne. Blue light guided her on a quest to find the sword of dawn. It was known to be located in a secret Japanese temple. Suddenly, she stumbled, and tummy lurching hurtled down a shadowy tunnel. But wait, what’s that, a ladder hanging down the stony walls.

Should Mia grab onto the ladder and climb towards a blinding light?
Or
Should she continue falling and see where the dark tunnel takes her?

In pick a path you choose a path and some choices may result in death, or if you're lucky completing the quest and finding the Sword of Dawn. We will be putting the pick a path on a google form so that when you press an answer you will go onto another page with your next choices.

Captivating Cross Country!

This morning the whole school walked down to our cross country course on the sand dunes. It was a crisp morning and we all had warm jackets and were wearing our house colours. Everyone was filled with excitement and also nerves. The weather was great for running, it was a nice overcast day and not too hot. Everyone was very colourful in their house colours, people wore face paint, skirts, and headbands!

We all sat down in our year groups. Luckily the year six girls were first which meant we didn't have too much time to be nervous. We all lined up on the start line, did some warm ups and waited for Matua Nic to bang the blocks. 'BANG!' And we were off. Sarah and Josefa were just ahead of me and Ruby was following close behind. Josefa got miles ahead and Sarah was too fast for me. 

Luckily I got far enough ahead of the others behind me and was a definite half way through my first lap. Everybody cheered and shouted as I completed my first lap. Finally the second lap was over and I had come in third. I actually ran two races as I led the year zero's as well! Josefa (1st), Sarah (2nd), Kya (3rd), Miriam (4th), and Ruby (5th).

                         cross country training                                                          Sarah chasing Josefa

Super science!

Science fair has finally arrived! This term some students have been working on their science fair projects. Caitlyn and I did a science fair called Waste Watchers. At the beginning of this year we entered the Technovation Tairawhiti challenge.

Technovation is a challenge that introduces girls to coding and making an app. We had to find a problem in our community and then make an app that would help solve that problem. So, we made a team with a couple of other friends and decided that our problem would be waste.

We also decided that this year for science fair we could enter our Technovation project in the technology division. We are very proud of our finished product!

Fantastic football!

On Wednesday the 7th of August my football team, the Wainui Thunder and another Wainui team went to the primary interschool football tournament. In the tournament we played on a small pitch with 6 players on at a time. We played five or six games, including a semi-final and a final. The first game we played was against Te Hapara where we won 5-0. We played a couple other games after that which were both tight, one of them 1-1 and the other 1-0 against our rivals, Mangapapa.

After those games we went into the semi-final where we played St Mary's, winning 4-0. Then it was the final against Makauri and after a tight game we were forced into penalty's. Gavin, Toby and Ziggy were taking the kicks. Two of Makauri's players missed their shots but one went in. We were all very nervous as our players took their kicks. Toby took a kick hitting the goal post. Luckily, he got to retake it because he hit it before the whistle had blowed and he scored. Then Gavin took a kick with so much power that it just made it across the line even after hitting the goalies hands.

We had won the finals very well deserved, everyone was excited and also relieved that the nerve wracking penalty kicks were over.

Auckland islands!

Last term we were working on a big maths project. The project was all about the Auckland Islands. Caitlyn and I were buddy's and there were lots of different tasks and challenges to complete. My favorite task was one where we wrote in binary all the way up to 151. This maths was really fun and I can't wait to do something like it again.

Here is a slideshow of our learning:

Hauora - physical health and wellbeing

This term we have a new inquiry topic which is Hauora - physical health and wellbeing. We have been embracing this by doing optional sitting in silence after morning tea. As well as that we wrote four quick writes about our physical well being, mental well being, social well being and spiritual wellbeing.

Here is one of the quick writes that I wrote about Taha tinana - physical wellbeing:

One of the ways I look after my taha tinana is going surfing. On a crisp morning I love walking across the road and enjoying the fresh, salty, sea, catching lots of waves. The feeling of riding up and down is enchanting. Then, I dive off my board into the glistening water. 

Another way I look after my taha tinana is playing football. Practising about three times a week and playing with my team, winning all our games. Time after time I enjoy tapping the ball into the back of the net.

As well as soccer and surfing I also look after my taha tinana by going to taekwondo once a week. I enjoy it even more when my friends are there too. Taekwondo also helps with football because we do lots of kicking. I might even be a black belt one day! 

Reading Refugee!

In our Early Level 4 Huia reading group for the next few weeks we are reading a book called Refugee. Koka Ngaire unlock a few chapters every week for us to read and then we answer some comprehension questions and complete some activities based on the book. The book is based on three different characters, Josef, Mahmoud and Isabel. They are all living in different time periods and are all Refugees trying to get out or forced to get out their current countries. Josef lives in Germany, Mahmoud lives in Syria and Isabel lives in Cuba.

The Koka Ngaire mystery!

This week Koka Ngaire went on holiday. Moana had to figure out where she went in NZ with some clues. We first had to figure out where she landed. We made a google hangout call and she told us that the place she landed was one hour from Wellington, that a sad tragic event had happened there this year, there are two major universities, and that the population was around 400,000. We were also given more clues before we called her. Those clues were that she flew two flights to get to where she landed, it's in the south island, and that she drove one hour from where she landed to the place she is now. 
From those clues we narrowed it down to Dunedin, Queenstown, and Christchurch. From those places we found it was Christchurch because of the shootings this year, it was fifty five minutes from Wellington and the population was 381,500. We also crossed checked to be extra sure. So now we knew it was Christchurch where she landed but we still didn't know where she actually was.

She also told us that she was staying by a lake called lake Wainui. She also told us the name of a street that was there. With those clues we guessed that it was Akaroa where she was. We now need to find where she is going next. Where are all in that process and she told us that she is bringing her winter jacket but also her swimming togs. My group guessed she is heading to Hanmer springs because it is freezing temperature there now but they also have a famous hot springs! We still don't know the answer yet and we are waiting for her to get back to us!

Escape Kraznir

Since late last term the level 4 writers have been writing a narrative, fantasy story called Escape Kraznir. Koka Ngaire slowly unlocked new chapter guidelines and we had to follow those and write a story. (We are still going!) I am really enjoying this writing and can't wait to finally have it completed and read the finished product. I enjoy this style of writing because you can use heaps of imagination and lots of cool vocab. Below is the introduction to our writing:

There are two countries separated by a river: Kraznir and Slinsil.  The people of Kraznir are fierce and warlike. Their land is poor and little will grow there.  Their king is called Krill and he lives in a castle in the mountains. To the south of Kraznir is Slinsil.  It is a rich and beautiful country, whose people love peace.

Rumours have reached Slinsil that Krill is planning to send an army to attack them.  They hurriedly prepare to defend themselves. They send a team of spies to Kraznir to find out about Krill’s plans.  They want to know when and where he intends to attack. The spies are successful. Deep in the cellars of Castle Krill they find the complete battle plan.  This, and many other valuable documents, is stored in a large wooden chest. Now the spies have got to get the chest and all its content safely back to Slinsil.

You are the leader of the spies.

Here is the link to My Story

The pleasent pou!

Kia ora,

On friday our learning hub had a wheels day!!! We brought bikes, scooters, skateboards, and other modes of transport. We went along the new cycle way to see the pou (statues). Koka Terri's family designed the pou and own land at the top of the hill and at the carpark area. Koka Terri's cousin goes to design school and he designed the image on the concrete. I really enjoyed the pou and can't wait to tell my family and friends that weren't there about them. 

Here are some photos from the day:

The design represents two certain types of birds that would collect kumara.

Tubular Term 1!

Term 1 of 2019 is officially over and term 2 has started! Last term was jam packed full of exciting and fun activities. So far this year we have been to the Hamantua stream - our awa, to look after the beautiful plants, mulching and weeding. Our school duathlon and inter school triathlon was really fun and we have been to camp Kaitawa which was full of walking, swimming, kayaking and eating! We had feijoa ice cream as an end of term treat and the easter raffle has been drawn!

                                                                                                                   Nui Duathlon - Top 3


Camp Kaitawa 2019 - Panekire bluff                                         
           
MLH working hard





Moana Learning Hub mulching - Our mulching team

Radical Retro Tech!

Every term we have a new inquiry topic. So far we have had the Actions Speak Louder Than Words topic and Culture Club topic. This term the topic is Retro Tech. We have been looking into what kinds of old technology there were in earlier decades and seeing how much they have evolved over the years. So far we have had to pick an item that was either in a box or covered in a cloth and then reveal it to the class. Then we guessed what we thought it was. We then wrote the 5w's and the H about it. The item that my group got was on old tool that people would put in their leather shoes to keep its shape and correct size.

Here are some photos of MLH working on the topic:

Honoring ANZACS!

Yesterday, on the 1st of May we had our WBS ANZAC parade. Some of us held crosses on the stage representing the soldiers from the Tairawhiti region that passed away in war. Grant played the last post on his bugle and David played the bagpipes outside. We sang the national anthem and it was a really great ANZAC assembly.

Here is a photo from the assembly:

Super Sock STRAND!

For Early level 4 maths STRAND (measurement, statistics, geometry) we are learning about probability.
The question was: For fun, sibling Joe and Susan are dressing in the dark. There are two purple socks and three blue socks. Are they more likely to get a pair, or one of each colour?

Here is my screencastify showing how to work it out:

P.S I have to try really hard to say twelve twenty fifths instead of twelve out of twenty five! 😀

Crazy Camp Kaitawa!

Last week all the year sixes went to the legendary Camp Kaitawa, which is at Lake Waikaremoana. We all had to make a reflection about it. Camp was a lot of fun fun but also tiring. We did lots of walks and swimming. I can't wait to go back to Waikaremoana soon.

Wonderful Weetbix!

A few weeks ago, loads of kids (including me) around NZ went to the Sanitarium Weet Bix TRYathlon. It was hard work but in the I felt very proud. I was in the light blue 10yr old category and we did an 100m swim, 1 lap for the bike, and 1 lap for the run. The swim was at a beach in town and the bike was at a closed of part of the road across from the beach. We ran around a big park that was also near the beach. My favorite part of the event was the bike, because that is the part I am best at.

Here are some photos of me from the event:

Beautiful Brain!

Hola everyone,

This week in our reading group, we have been learning about neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is neurons changing  and forming new pathways when you learn things and make connections. We all had to create a presentation about the brain and how we can train our brain to become bigger and stronger!

Here are some fascinating facts about the brain:

1. The left side of your brain controls the right side of your body and the right side of your brain controls the left side of your body!

2. The brain grows three times its size in the first year of life!

3. The human brain has approximately 100 billion neurons!

 image from ARGUS

Everywhere you look!

Wainui Beach School Pepeha:

Ko Maungaroa te maunga,

Ko te Poho - O Rawiri te Marae,

Ko Hamanatua te awa.

Wainui Beach School's awa - or stream is Hamanatua, which is just about 10 minutes away from our school. Last year some students planted some Harakeke - or flax down by a pathway next to the stream. Today we went and did some weeding around the plants because we are the kaitiaki (guardians) of our stream. There were lots of weeds everywhere we looked! Including fennel and nightshade that we had to dig out of the ground. We also added some mulch around them to keep them moist. We got very dirty but were proud of our mahi in the end. Now all the harakeke and a couple of kawakawa are looking very beautiful! Here are some photos from the stream:

Super six!

Kia ora,
Kya here from Wainui Beach School! This year i'm a year 6, which means lots of fun activities like surfing and school camp. I can't wait to create some awesome new blog posts and share some of my learning with you. Be sure to leave some positive and helpful feedback so that I can improve my posts.
Thanks for reading!