2024
SUPERSTARS OF DANCE
ANZAC 2024
Our ANZAC art this year was based on an image we saw on the internet by Matt Coates. We had a relieving teacher, Mrs Barns, and she modelled how to write a poem recognising that something about the ANZACs could be symbolised with a colour. A wee ANZAC commemoration was held at St Patrick's Church in Dorie and a few of our students attended. Thomas read out his poem.
ANZH - Why did people move to Aotearoa?
We have been looking at our own history and why our ancestors (or we) moved to Aotearoa. Some of the reasons haven't changed much. We looked, in particular, at the Chinese immigrants and gold mining and market gardening. We visited the Ashburton Museum and the Ng King historic market gardens.
OMAKA CAMP - TOROA - FEBRUARY 2024
Camp Writing
Splash! went the water as I tumbled in noisily. When I looked up the instructor was walking towards me and said “Good try but you need to keep looking forward.” When I went back on the board that is what I tried to do when I saw the wave that I wanted. I started to paddle as fast as I could. As soon as I felt the wave touch my toes I did three more gigantic paddles. I did the movements that we were taught. First it was the chicken wing then it was the seal movement. Bring your knees. Put one foot up. Twist and stand!
Oscar
“Swoosh!” I heard as a wave crept up behind me. I was on my knees getting ready to stand up. I did it! But then I fell off. I was proud of myself for standing up and so was my dad. I headed back out to the waves then I saw a white wave coming so I got on my board and started to paddle. I felt the waves touch my feet so I went ‘one two three….’ then I shot up on my knees. I tried to stand up but I just couldn’t. When I tried again I was heading right for Thomas ‘Look out!’ I yelled and tried to turn but it was too late. I crashed into Thomas. My back did hurt a bit, but it was fine. I could continue to surf and have an amazing time with my friends.
Indy
“How do I go straight?!” I yelled as I kept going circles on the sailboat. It was my first day of camp and my day was already a disaster! Sailing was totally not my thing. I didn’t know how to go straight back to shore. I kept yelling for help “I need some help!” Gladly Arthur, the instructor, came towards me. Bam!! Our boats crashed and made a loud thud. “Ah!” I screamed. It made me jump! I thought that my sailboat was about to flip over. Arthur calmed me down and asked what I needed. “I want to go back to shore but I can't go straight. I keep going circles!” Arthur told me that I needed to keep the tiller straight.
Natalie
OOF! As I nose-dive into the water I get soaked in salty water. I pounced out of the water and went out to try again. I was lying on my surfboard and I felt the wave touch my toes so I did three large paddles. The wave pushed me hard. I stand up and surf across the wave. I zig-zag across the water into shore. The instructor does the hand signal of one more wave and then come in so I go out and try to find a large wave.
Sam
Sam and I were surfing beside each other when suddenly Sam and I collided. I felt the water slowly hitting my back as I fell off my board. It was as cold as an iceberg as another wave hit my face. Thank god my feet found the ground and I managed to stand up as I got nudged by another wave.
William
The whole Toroa went on camp.
Climbing into my wetsuit, it squeezed me so I thought my neck and arms were going to fall off. I tried to do up the zip but I couldn’t find the strap. I twisted and turned and tried and tried to find it. I asked the instructor for help. He smiled a funny little smile and said “You’ve got in on inside out!
Jason
The instructor told me to go! The wind blew the boat. I controlled the ropes and the tiller and smoothly reached the turning point. I had trouble swinging to the other side. The boat tipped but I made it in time before the sail hit me on the head. Going back was the harder part there was barely any wind and the sailing boat had kept going in circles. When I was about to give up the boat finally reached the ramp. I felt relieved after hopping off the boat.
Aabha
The minute I laid down on my surfboard I turned sideways making the wave hit the bottom of my left arm causing the surfboard to flip over. It made me tumble and hit my head on the sea floor. As I toppled and flipped around I tried to rise up but something above me kept me from going up. I quickly swam away from it and went up and gasped for air. I looked around to quickly realize someone was surfing above me while I was trying to rise.
Shamia
At the Air Force Museum, Chris was waiting for us at the entrance. We discussed the different types of forces that serve New Zealand, such as the RNZAF ( Royal New Zealand Air Force), the NZN ( New Zealand Navy), and the RNZA ( Royal New Zealand Army). The museum had lots of old aircraft that they were trying to rebuild for display. Our tour included a visit to the old warehouse where planes were stored. In the new warehouse they were rebuilding old aircrafts to put on display. We gathered back at the entrance so we could start our scavenger hunt.
Irish
Hearing the wave crash behind me, I fling myself onto my board, digging my hands into the water. I start paddling. The wave touches my toes and I take three more strokes. I take my hands out of the water, stabilizing them in front of me in line with my shoulders. I pull my knees up to my hands. I pull one knee up to the sprinting position, slowly twisting and standing, speeding towards the shore. I look up and see a group of people . Turning away, missing them by just an inch.
Nathan
“WHOOSH!” The sailing boat shoots off quickly as I timidly control the tiller with the knotted rope. My teammates watched me struggle to control the boat as my heart beat rapidly like it was participating in an impossible Olympics. I heard the loud cheers from my friends which gave me lots of confidence. I turn the boat slowly while the mini waves move my boat. Wind hits my main sheet and it moves to the left. I duck down, luckily, without getting hurt.
Haila
Wow! Me and my mates hike into the museum. In the middle, there are tyres from a Boeing 727 plane. We went upstairs and into the education room. We put on the Air Force kit and the name on my overalls was Maverick. We had to take off the gear to explore. As we explored I saw my favourite planes: a spitfire and a Lancaster. As we get a tour, we can see the Port Hills fire in the distance. In the air, I can see a crop duster, another plane and some helicopters. I can hear the drones of engines in the background.
Thomas
“SWISH” I heard, as the optimist was getting pushed by the force of my teammates as they watched me drift away into the water. Meanwhile, I was kneeling inside the boat as I controlled the tiller and the mainsheet. Once I turned my boat around I felt some water enter the boat until I realized that my boat was tipping! “AAAAAAAHHHHH” I screamed.
Kaelin
“HE! HA! HE! HA!” The paddles dug into murky water and smacked onto the edges of the waka. We swiftly moved up and down the Avon River. As we entered the underneath of the bridge our voices echoed and the smacking of the paddles got louder. As we exited the cave-like area the light of the sun beamed down on us. As the paddles hit the water miniature whirlpools form. We started to turn around and a cloud of darkly colored smoke engulfed half the sky.
The Port Hills were on fire.
Andre
When we finally got to the beach I stood at the shore. Gentle waves touched my feet. I felt confident to give surfing my best try. A huge wave approached. I hopped onto the surfing board hoping that I wouldn't fall off and hurt myself. My hands glided in the water. As soon as the water touched my feet I took three more huge paddles and got into position. I slowly got up to my fleet as I rode the waves. I fell 10 seconds later but it was a blast while it lasted. It took many more tries until we had to go home. I fell a lot. It was my first time anyway so I laughed whenever I fell.
Shaiza
We were excitedly waiting to go into the Air Force museum. We got to wear real gear that had been worn in fighter jets. There were two hangars that were built in 1936 because the country expected a war. Chris, the person who gave us the tour, let us go into hangar one. Click click as we pressed thousands of buttons in the hanger. There were buttons we could click, a life raft we sat in, and a real helicopter we sat in and jumped out of. Vroom! While we were on the runway, we heard two planes go over us to put phos-Chek on the Port Hills fire.
Adam
After we got a lesson we paired up with a buddy to carry the surfboard. As we carried the surfboard we went to the beach. As we arrived at the beach we did a quick lesson on the beach. After the quick lesson, we started going to the cold water. As we stood by the waves we saw a giant wave coming. I hopped on the surfboard. I started to paddle to make my board quicker. As the giant wave touched my foot I paddled 3 times and I slowly stood up. I started to lose balance. I lost my balance I fell into the water
Einash
Crash! The waves were smashing against each other as I ran out to the water with my board. I paddle out to my waist finding a good wave. I turn my board around, jump on and start paddling. The wave is at my feet. I sit up on my knees and jump to my feet standing sideways. Before I know it I'm already at shore. Heading out again, I'm standing up on the board then suddenly I crash into Grace and wobble but somehow I don't fall off. The instructor blew the whistle and said one more wave so I tried to get the best wave. I went out real deep and lay on my board waiting for a wave. I saw a massive one so once it got close I started paddling. Once it touched my feet I stood up straight away and it was the best wave I've ever gotten. I was going so fast I couldn’t control myself.
Arabellal
Oscar
“Swoosh!” I heard as a wave crept up behind me. I was on my knees getting ready to stand up. I did it! But then I fell off. I was proud of myself for standing up and so was my dad. I headed back out to the waves then I saw a white wave coming so I got on my board and started to paddle. I felt the waves touch my feet so I went ‘one two three….’ then I shot up on my knees. I tried to stand up but I just couldn’t. When I tried again I was heading right for Thomas ‘Look out!’ I yelled and tried to turn but it was too late. I crashed into Thomas. My back did hurt a bit, but it was fine. I could continue to surf and have an amazing time with my friends.
Indy
“How do I go straight?!” I yelled as I kept going circles on the sailboat. It was my first day of camp and my day was already a disaster! Sailing was totally not my thing. I didn’t know how to go straight back to shore. I kept yelling for help “I need some help!” Gladly Arthur, the instructor, came towards me. Bam!! Our boats crashed and made a loud thud. “Ah!” I screamed. It made me jump! I thought that my sailboat was about to flip over. Arthur calmed me down and asked what I needed. “I want to go back to shore but I can't go straight. I keep going circles!” Arthur told me that I needed to keep the tiller straight.
Natalie
OOF! As I nose-dive into the water I get soaked in salty water. I pounced out of the water and went out to try again. I was lying on my surfboard and I felt the wave touch my toes so I did three large paddles. The wave pushed me hard. I stand up and surf across the wave. I zig-zag across the water into shore. The instructor does the hand signal of one more wave and then come in so I go out and try to find a large wave.
Sam
Sam and I were surfing beside each other when suddenly Sam and I collided. I felt the water slowly hitting my back as I fell off my board. It was as cold as an iceberg as another wave hit my face. Thank god my feet found the ground and I managed to stand up as I got nudged by another wave.
William
The whole Toroa went on camp.
Climbing into my wetsuit, it squeezed me so I thought my neck and arms were going to fall off. I tried to do up the zip but I couldn’t find the strap. I twisted and turned and tried and tried to find it. I asked the instructor for help. He smiled a funny little smile and said “You’ve got in on inside out!
Jason
The instructor told me to go! The wind blew the boat. I controlled the ropes and the tiller and smoothly reached the turning point. I had trouble swinging to the other side. The boat tipped but I made it in time before the sail hit me on the head. Going back was the harder part there was barely any wind and the sailing boat had kept going in circles. When I was about to give up the boat finally reached the ramp. I felt relieved after hopping off the boat.
Aabha
The minute I laid down on my surfboard I turned sideways making the wave hit the bottom of my left arm causing the surfboard to flip over. It made me tumble and hit my head on the sea floor. As I toppled and flipped around I tried to rise up but something above me kept me from going up. I quickly swam away from it and went up and gasped for air. I looked around to quickly realize someone was surfing above me while I was trying to rise.
Shamia
At the Air Force Museum, Chris was waiting for us at the entrance. We discussed the different types of forces that serve New Zealand, such as the RNZAF ( Royal New Zealand Air Force), the NZN ( New Zealand Navy), and the RNZA ( Royal New Zealand Army). The museum had lots of old aircraft that they were trying to rebuild for display. Our tour included a visit to the old warehouse where planes were stored. In the new warehouse they were rebuilding old aircrafts to put on display. We gathered back at the entrance so we could start our scavenger hunt.
Irish
Hearing the wave crash behind me, I fling myself onto my board, digging my hands into the water. I start paddling. The wave touches my toes and I take three more strokes. I take my hands out of the water, stabilizing them in front of me in line with my shoulders. I pull my knees up to my hands. I pull one knee up to the sprinting position, slowly twisting and standing, speeding towards the shore. I look up and see a group of people . Turning away, missing them by just an inch.
Nathan
“WHOOSH!” The sailing boat shoots off quickly as I timidly control the tiller with the knotted rope. My teammates watched me struggle to control the boat as my heart beat rapidly like it was participating in an impossible Olympics. I heard the loud cheers from my friends which gave me lots of confidence. I turn the boat slowly while the mini waves move my boat. Wind hits my main sheet and it moves to the left. I duck down, luckily, without getting hurt.
Haila
Wow! Me and my mates hike into the museum. In the middle, there are tyres from a Boeing 727 plane. We went upstairs and into the education room. We put on the Air Force kit and the name on my overalls was Maverick. We had to take off the gear to explore. As we explored I saw my favourite planes: a spitfire and a Lancaster. As we get a tour, we can see the Port Hills fire in the distance. In the air, I can see a crop duster, another plane and some helicopters. I can hear the drones of engines in the background.
Thomas
“SWISH” I heard, as the optimist was getting pushed by the force of my teammates as they watched me drift away into the water. Meanwhile, I was kneeling inside the boat as I controlled the tiller and the mainsheet. Once I turned my boat around I felt some water enter the boat until I realized that my boat was tipping! “AAAAAAAHHHHH” I screamed.
Kaelin
“HE! HA! HE! HA!” The paddles dug into murky water and smacked onto the edges of the waka. We swiftly moved up and down the Avon River. As we entered the underneath of the bridge our voices echoed and the smacking of the paddles got louder. As we exited the cave-like area the light of the sun beamed down on us. As the paddles hit the water miniature whirlpools form. We started to turn around and a cloud of darkly colored smoke engulfed half the sky.
The Port Hills were on fire.
Andre
When we finally got to the beach I stood at the shore. Gentle waves touched my feet. I felt confident to give surfing my best try. A huge wave approached. I hopped onto the surfing board hoping that I wouldn't fall off and hurt myself. My hands glided in the water. As soon as the water touched my feet I took three more huge paddles and got into position. I slowly got up to my fleet as I rode the waves. I fell 10 seconds later but it was a blast while it lasted. It took many more tries until we had to go home. I fell a lot. It was my first time anyway so I laughed whenever I fell.
Shaiza
We were excitedly waiting to go into the Air Force museum. We got to wear real gear that had been worn in fighter jets. There were two hangars that were built in 1936 because the country expected a war. Chris, the person who gave us the tour, let us go into hangar one. Click click as we pressed thousands of buttons in the hanger. There were buttons we could click, a life raft we sat in, and a real helicopter we sat in and jumped out of. Vroom! While we were on the runway, we heard two planes go over us to put phos-Chek on the Port Hills fire.
Adam
After we got a lesson we paired up with a buddy to carry the surfboard. As we carried the surfboard we went to the beach. As we arrived at the beach we did a quick lesson on the beach. After the quick lesson, we started going to the cold water. As we stood by the waves we saw a giant wave coming. I hopped on the surfboard. I started to paddle to make my board quicker. As the giant wave touched my foot I paddled 3 times and I slowly stood up. I started to lose balance. I lost my balance I fell into the water
Einash
Crash! The waves were smashing against each other as I ran out to the water with my board. I paddle out to my waist finding a good wave. I turn my board around, jump on and start paddling. The wave is at my feet. I sit up on my knees and jump to my feet standing sideways. Before I know it I'm already at shore. Heading out again, I'm standing up on the board then suddenly I crash into Grace and wobble but somehow I don't fall off. The instructor blew the whistle and said one more wave so I tried to get the best wave. I went out real deep and lay on my board waiting for a wave. I saw a massive one so once it got close I started paddling. Once it touched my feet I stood up straight away and it was the best wave I've ever gotten. I was going so fast I couldn’t control myself.
Arabellal