Tongan Language Week Performance

Tongan Language Week

It was week 7 last week and it was a special week for all Tongans in New Zealand. It was Tongan Language Week. The saying for Tongan Language Week is "Fakakoloa Aotearoa aki a'e Nofo a'e Kainga. I am proud to be a Tongan and will like to celebrate it with my family and friends. On Friday during our school assembly a big group of Tongan children were performing a traditional dance and boys dance. I was one of those who performed on our school assembly. We practice for days until it was the time showed our traditional dance to our school. 

Speech

WALT - Identify features of Persuasive Writing

Greetings to you all

Why is education important to our lives?

Today in my speech I will be sharing to you about Education and how it is good for students in school. As us students in Pt England we are really lucky to be using our own individual netbooks to help us with our learning and education.

Imagine if there was no education in the world. None of us children will learn how to read, how to write and also the most important thing in education is opening opportunities for children to have in the future. Over 70 million children in the world don’t have a school to go to because their are some poor countries that don’t have schools that are built.

Why is education important for children around the world? So that they can have a better job in the future and to have a better life so that they can help out with their parents when they need help. I have read one article about how many children have suffered without having education and most parents are really desperate to get their child into school.

Education should also be free too because not that much families can’t pay that enough money to get their children into school. Education is not all about having a good life in the future, it is about having good knowledge and good lessons in life. If I were a prime minister I would think about the poor families who can’t afford money and give them the chance to have free education for children in Auckland.

This will be the end of my speech and I hope you have picked up a few things of “why education is important” and “why education should be free”. So you think about those families who don’t have that much money. So it’s your turn to help kids have education without any hesitation.

This is my speech about education and how it is important for kids.

My Speech

WALT - capture our audiences attention (Speech Intro)

Fidget spinners has been affecting the lives of children in schools. Kids from elementary and middle school have been dieing to buy one. Students are distracted from the fidget spinners, that’s why they have been getting lower grades and levels on their education. Teachers are not sure or have decided to ban fidget spinners in their classrooms or school.

Students in school have been bringing them to play in their classrooms and have not finished a single thing from their work on their netbooks or on paper and pencil. Some kids even hide it under their desks so their teachers won’t see them playing with it. In my opinion I agree that fidget spinners should be ban from schools. So that they can get back on track with their work.

In order to guarantee that we save students from these kind of toys and let them not be distracted. So my question to you is “should teachers ban fidget spinners”.

This is my writing for wk 6. Our learning intention is to capture our audiences attention. We had to make up our own speech and when we have edited it and we are happy with it. We post it on our blogs.

Diving Giraffes

 WALT - Use compound and complex sentences correctly
Success Criteria: I know I can do this when:
- I use FANBOYS to join two independent clauses in one sentence
-I can use one independent clause and at least one dependent clause in one sentence

This is my wk 4 writing for 2017. My literacy class has been learning about using compound and complex sentences correctly. We had to watch a video clip about diving giraffes and use compound and complex sentences to explain in sentences what the giraffes are doing. When we have completed our writing task. We then post it on our blog with our learning intention and a task description explaining what we had learned from this writing task.

Complex Sentences

WALT - Identify independent and dependent clauses
                    - Identify the features of complex sentences

This is my writing presentation for week 1&2. My literacy class and I have been focusing on complex sentences and also independent and dependent clauses. I had to make up my own complex sentence and when I have finished I post it onto my blog.

My Edit Writing

WALT - Edit writing

I am going to explain to you 4 special places I go to in my community.

The first special place that I am going to write is about school. School is good for children under the age of 5-13 year old's. School is special to me because you get educated by wonderful teachers who help you to learn many things about subjects. Such as reading, writing, science and maths. In school maths is my favourite subject. I love to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

This paragraph is my second special place and it is church. Every Sunday I go church with my family and learn the stories about god. When it is nearly the end of the year. we celebrate by having our youth perform dances and music. We often go church service on Wednesdays and have choirs. Church is special to me because it is the one thing that is always important to me and my family.  

Another special place to me is my home. Whenever i go somewhere far from home. I always feel I bit sad. Everyday I do chores and help clean the whole house. I sometimes cook breakfast for my siblings and help out my dad with the shopping. It is special to me because I am always with my family everywhere we go.

My last and best special place in my community is going to the  beach with my family. The beach that I go to is Tahuna Toreo. Not very often I go there to feed the ducks and lay down on the sand. This is one of my favourite special places in my community. I love to go to beaches and hang around with friends and family.

I have now explained 4 places that are special to me. One of my favourites is Tahuna Toreo. Some people have their own special places in the community. But this is my favourite one.     
Special Place:

One of the special places in the world is my home. My home is a special place because my family are there for me to keep me safe. I will be explaining 3 reasons why home is a special place to me.

As for some people say “home sweet home”. I love my home so much that every time I go somewhere far. I will always say “I miss home”. In my lovely house I live with my parents, my 2 siblings (Amelia & William) and also my grandpa. I have my first reason why home is a special place to me. It is because I get to do chores such as washing the dishes, cleaning our bedrooms, vacuuming, cleaning the shoes etc.

My second reason is that lots of my family members from my mum’s side and my dad’s side often comes and visits us when we are at home. We then have a break and chitchat for a little until we feel our stomachs rumbling. So we head to the kitchen and snack on some toast and biscuits and as for our beverage we drink Milo or Tea or just plain water or juice. For dinner my dad drives himself with his car to buy 2 buckets from KFC so that we can munch on YUMMY!!!! I have a lot of people in my family who are all around the world. Part of my extended family lives in Australia, here in Auckland, New Zealand and also in Tonga.

The third reason why my home is special because it is warm and cozy to snuggle in. In my house the are 3 bedrooms. 1 bedroom for my grandpa, 1 for my parents and my youngest brother and 1 bedroom for me and my sister. Each bedroom is so comfy and restful that I always wake up late in the morning for school.

This has now come to an end of explaining why my home is a special place in the community. I have explained 3 reasons why and also my introduction and conclusion.

This is my edited writing that I have written for my writing test from the past few weeks. I this explanation writing I have written about what place is special to me. The special place that is special to me is my home. I love my home really and I like when my family cherishes the memories we have had in our lovely home. I might have explained in my previous writing all the special places that is special to me but instead I chose my home to be my special place. It says in my previous writing that Tahuna Toreo is a special place in my community but since I have been editing. I have now found out what my true special place is.

My Role Models

My Role Model:

My two role models are my parents.

Mum: My mum has had me in her tummy in 2004. She carried me wherever she went and cared for me her whole life. When I grow up I would really love to be just like my mum. She is a wonderful mum to my family and I will like to be a mum just like mine.

Dad: He also cared for me since I was a newborn. He also cared for me when I was a little kid. He cared for me and my family also helping us throughout our struggles. I would also like to be like him because he is brave and strong.

These are reasons why I pick my parents and that they will lead me and my siblings to a better future and to make them proud.

Simple and Compound Sentences

WALT - Identify & write simple and compound sentences



This presentation is about simple and compound sentences. A sentence is a group of words that form a complete thought. It must contain a subject (Person, Place, Thing or Idea) and a verb (The thing that the subject is doing. I had to highlight the subject and the verb on a simple sentence. Also I had to highlight a conjunction word in an compound sentence.

Writing Explanation - My Idea for a fun Weekend

WALT - plan for a piece of explanation writing
Success Criteria:
    - Fill out the Explanation Plan
                - Use the Title - My Idea of a Fun Weekend                - Include an Introduction
                - Write 3 paragraphs with different Information to explain your
                   Fun Weekend
                - Write a Conclusion

Title	My Idea of a Fun Weekend
Introduction	Today I am going to explain to you 3 main  ideas of having a fun weekend.
Information 1st element	The first idea out of my 3 ideas i have is making diy crafts with your siblings or your friends. The reason why I have picked this is because it is a fun thing to do in the week and you can be creative by drawing, painting and designing your artwork.
Information 2nd element	Next is an idea i have come up with is going to the swimming pools with your family. I know some people might have write something like this but I am just writing this because most people love to go swimming in the weekends. You can spend time practising swimming lessons and also playing in the water.
Information 3rd element	My last idea of a fun weekend is to make or cook something in your kitchen. Making something is the weekends is a cool thing because make anything you want. You can make cookies, pizza, cakes, cupcakes all sorts of yummy treats you love.
Conclusion	This is now the end of my ideas for  a fun weekend. I hope you use these ideas for weekend and I hope your weekend will work out great!! The most enjoyable and best idea for a fun weekend must be making cookies or whatever treats you want eat.

This is my explanation writing. We had to explain ideas of having a fun weekend. Our literacy class had to explained the title, introduction, info element 1, info element 2, info element 3. After we have finished we had to post it to our blog.  

Letter of Support

WALT: Compose a letter using vocabulary to add effect. 

Dear Peter and Jules (Waiau Family)

I am genuinely sorry for what you have been through. I desperately hope you are alright and safe with your family. I am also sorry for your granddaughters past and also her young brother.   

I am extremely sorry for your house being destroyed by the devastating earthquake that has been hit in North Canterbury. I understand that Sophia is buried inside the same plot with her little brother.

Many memories of your granddaughter will always be in your heart. It is good that you are shifting Sophia’s memorial stone and cross. To your new home. I hope you are safe and that you don’t have injuries, also your family.

I am a student from Pt England School, up north in Auckland. My name is Loseli and I am writing this letter to you for support of your family and your community.

Sincerely, Loseli

This is a letter of support to the people who have been hit in Kaikorua Wellington and other places that the earthquake has hit. This letter has been written to the Waiau family. Their house has been destroyed by the terrifying earthquake. I really hope they are okay and that God will be with them. God Bless Waiau Family.

Cross Country Recount

Walt: write a recount to show audiences what we have been doing

I woke up feeling a combination of emotions. My emotions were happy but at the same time I was pretty nervous. I’ve just remembered that it was that time of the day. It is the day of Cross Country. I happily walk my way to the kitchen and ate some healthy breakfast. My breakfast was a bowl of weetbix and milk with fresh organic strawberries. I had to eat a healthy breakfast because it is run and that I have to something healthy so I can be energise. Both of my siblings walked in and were wondering why I am so excited. “What’s up with you” said my younger sister. “It’s Cross Country today, remember” I replied.

As I walked to school with my siblings I see many teachers dressed in their house colours. In Pt England School whenever we do school events. We dress in our school colours. The school colours are Red (Te Aurere), Green (Hokulea), Yellow (Hikianalia), Blue (Hine Moana). All those colours are named after the Wakas from the Polynesian Navigators.

As Mr Burt (our principle) called out the Y7 Girls. I was shaking and had butterflies in my stomach. We were standing in the starting line and my friend beside started to shake as well. We were both panicky and worried that we might trip over something when we run. “GO” Mr Burt shouted. I ran as fast as I can and saw my friend beside me running with me. “We can do this” said my friend. We ran past lots of teachers cheering for us and we were really proud of ourselves. As matter of fact I am a year 7 and my friend and I have to do 2 laps. We both ran past big trees, massive bushes. We also ran past horses. There is like a little farm near our school.

Without help my friend and I were near to the finish line and we saw many teachers in their house colours cheering for us as we run to the end of the run. “We did it” I said with relief. My friend and I have finished the race and as I walked to the table where it has cups of waters for us to drink after we finish the race. But we didn’t have a drink because all of the cups were used. I finally had oxygen to breathe with because I was so tired of running. I thought I was going to have a heart attack, also my legs were killing while running!!!!!

Cross Country finished. I was so happy that I had competed in this special event. I went back home with relief and told my parents. They said they were really proud of me and my siblings. As I was sleeping I felt like I wanted to do another run.

I have been writing about Cross Country. In Pt England School we have a school event every year and we write about. I have been writing about how I fell about it and how I ran in the cross country.

Sleeping Explanation

Walt: Identify features of explanation writing

Some people think that they can sleep over their bedtime but actually that is not what we are supposed to do if we are working or going to school. Sleeping is necessary to function properly and also if an adult sleeps an average of eight hrs. Their brains can function properly too. This explanation is going to outline the process of sleep. The process of sleep is a cycle where our bodies and our minds regenerate, recover, process information and relax. Our bodies require sleep everyday so we can function to the best of our ability.

Sleeping gives our bodies rest and prepares us for the day that is going to follow. It's kind of like giving our bodies a little holiday while we are passed out. When we sleep it gives our brains to have a chance to sort out things out. If us humans don’t get enough sleep, the next day we wake up. We won’t think properly and not only that but can make us feel grumpy and sluggish. Scientist don’t know why we sleep, but I think that sleeping is a good thing for a human being such as animals in the wild or in the sea.

Scientists test people who sleep four, six and eight hours. Eight hours a day meaning that they can think well and do lots of learning. Those people who sleep four or six hours a day. They might inherit themselves a medical illness or even death and with the people who slept six hours of sleep is similar to a person who drinks alcohol which turns them to the next step where they are  drunk. 4 hours sleepers instantly fall asleep while during their learning time.

Deep sleep is when you sleep move less and sleep more. In fact scientists don’t know what our brains are doing when we are asleep. If we are in a deep sleep, we can hardly move. All we will do is just snooze. For example if your mum comes in and open the door while you’re in your deep sleep. You won’t hear her open. We will just keep on sleeping. Lighter sleep is meaning that you are dreaming and that our eyes move a little and our bodies to rest.

Newborns up to adults have to have the right amount of hours to sleep.

• Newborns aged 0-3 months need 14-15 hrs of sleep
• Infants aged 4-11 months need 12-15 hrs of sleep
• Toddlers aged 1-2 years need 11-14 hrs of sleep
• Preschoolers aged 3-5 years need 10-13 hrs of sleep
• School kids aged 6-14 years need 9-11 hrs of sleep
• Teenagers aged 14-17 years need 8-10 hrs of sleep
• Adults aged 18+ years need 7-9 hrs of sleep

This is how many hours newborns to adults need to sleep everyday. Of course newborns have to sleep more than all of us adults so that they can grow in their sleep.  

If we get a good night's sleep every night of the week. We will live a healthy life and and our brains will function well. Ensure you get enough sleep every night. Without sleep, our brains don't function properly like they normally do. Additionally sleep keeps our bodies and our minds well. Also to keep well and energised throughout the day.

Olympic Games

Walt: Identify features of explanation writing

776 BC was the starting of the ancient Olympics. 776 BC was before Christ which meant the Olympics started when Christ wasn't born that time. Olympics started at Greece at a place called Olympia, where different kinds of sports started. Way back in Greece all men were competing in the Games but women were not allowed to watch or to compete in the ancient Olympics.

Olympia was a beautiful place and rich. It had olive trees around. The games were named after Mount Olympus. Even though it was named after it, the games were not held there way back.  

The first Olympics was just a 200m run and that time men were running without clothes but in the other sports they wore cloths. There were no teams like what we have now. But there was only one winner and he was given a wreath with olive leaves around which was the prize. Originally, the ancient games were a part of a religious festival to honour Zeus

(Leader of the Greek Gods).

Other events were held which which was horse racing, chariot racing, boxing wrestling and other kinds of ancient sports. Back in the days married women were not allowed to compete and attend or even watch. But there was a separate women's festival that was called Heraia and was honoured and dedicated to Hera. Wife of Zeus.

From now on every sport and games are all changed. It is held at Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. Neally every single country is competing and participated in the Olympics. Even they are all other people who haven’t played.   

 

Immersion Assembly

WALT: give detail in every writing and to make it enthusiastic

It was Monday 25th of July 2016. Children from Pt England School are back from their 2 weeks holidays. That day was Immersion Assembly. Our school has immersion assemblies every start of a term. As I entered the team 5 “street” I can see all of my teachers dressed in different kinds of costumes. Our team leader Mrs Tele’a was dressed in a lady suit and the hoster for the Olympics Games. The other teachers were also dressed, but they were dressed in types of clothes that a competitor would wear and use for the olympics. I can’t wait to see the team performances!

We finally entered the school hall and as we entered the hall the song “We are the champions” by queen was blaring out while we were entering the hall. Also when that song was playing I then thought to myself I think the theme for this term is “We are the champions” and I was right.  

The first team to perform was Team 1. They are looking at how to keep fit , also in terms of the way they eat, and their health. Team 2 was the next item up. They were talking about geography and studies of countries. During the holidays, team 2 teachers were making a movie about flying from GI (Glen Innes) to Rio De Janeiro.

Next item was team 3. Team 3 made a movie about Family Feud. Teachers from team 3 were talking about what sport New Zealand olympians compete in the Olympic Games. Team 4 was talking about how olympians travel to Rio De Janeiro and getting the Zika Virus. A lot of olympians has the virus so they drop out of the Games.

Now and finally is Team 5. In fact team 5 teachers were the only one performing live in the stage. Accept for the other teams. Our teachers were so funny that I couldn't handle my laugh. I agree that they should keep on performing live but make it more hilarious.

My favourite part of the immersion assembly was teacher from different teams participating in the entertaining items. I hope they can make it more fun and sporty.

 

Poetry

WALT: I can recognise and understand the connections between oral, written and visual language.

 - Identify language features within poetry.

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Last week I have been working on poetry and poems. We had to write similes, Metaphors, Onomatopoeia, Rhyming words, alliteration. I have been trying my best to make own poetries. We had to write our own poetries and post it to our blog when it's finish. Hope you enjoy.  

Make kindness go viral

WALT: Use a variety of interesting vocabulary to keep our readers engaged

My class was writing about a new prefect named George. he has been picked to be a prefect because he listens and focus on his work. His family came and supported him with encouragement and respect. One day I wish that gift will be for me.

Recount of Aspiration speakers

Walt: punctuate our sentences so that they are clear and concise

Kenese: Kenese was born in Samoa and raised by his beautiful single mother without a father. He had a twin name Fa’aliga meaning in the bible, Revolotion. His life was a bit of a struggle. He had hard things happening in his life. Kenese’s mother fed him, washed him and also took care of him everytime. Firstly he shared his life struggle and childhood with us at the sametime it was a bit sad. Kenese now works with his tutor Andrew Paddison and in a company called “I have a dream foundation.      

Arizona: She is 20 years of age and working in a radiostation called Flava, living in Auckland with her family. Arizona is Maori, Samoan, Tongan and Fijian. I liked the words she said because it inspires me to keep on going and not to give up. Her full name is Arizona Ariki Nofo’alii.   

Key points from Kenese: The key points of Kenese’s speach is when you see someone who is doing the wrong thing you don’t have to be them. Just be yourself.

Key points from Arizona: The key points of Arizona’s speach was to work hard, share happiness, dream big!!!!!

What can I learn and try and practice from what Kenese shared? The things that I have picked up from Kenese is how he said his life was everywhere. His uncles will always come to his house and drink alcohol, seeing violence and always fighting with their wives. The most important   “If you see it dosent mean you have to be it”.

What can I learn and try and practice from what Arizona shared? Things that I have picked up from Arizona’s story was the 3 words she said. Work Hard, Share Happiness and Dream BIG. Those wrods help me to work hard and not to be lazy all the time like what I do. Because when I come school, I always focus on my work and work hard.

Why are these talks important for us? These talks are important for us because it helps us wake our selves up and to be motivating all the time. The special words Andrew Paddison said were the three key words. The first was Motivation, second Aspiration equals Inspiration. Andrew Paddison’s words made me excited to do more work because it helps me keep up with what I’m doing.  

Just thanking the wonderful man, Andrew Paddison for bringing 2 beautiful speakers to our school. I hope you guys have a wonderful journey in the future and also the work you guys have done for people.

BOYS 2 MEN

WALT: Recount key points and facts from a film or trailer with detailed reflections:

My class and I had to brainstorm some ideas and we had to brainstorm it with our creative learning skills. We just watched one part of the movie so we can understand what it is. From now on I can think of many ideas just about this movie. I hope you enjoy.

FiaFia 2016

We are learning to: write some reflections about Fiafia 2016 and to use vocabulary in our paragraphs

Have you guys have ever had Fiafia in your school? If you don’t know what fiafia is, it is cultural groups and other groups performing in stage in front of the crowd. We have Fiafia every second year but it is pretty sad because I won’t be here the next year. My school started Fiafia 16 years ago. That is a lot.

Fiafia is all about the children performing on stage with happiness. My first Fiafia was in 2013, my group from that time was the tongan girls, I was so happy to dance because I knew my parents will be proud of me. It was pretty hard but as I kept on going, I had it in hand and just dance to the rhythm. But now I’ve decided to experience other groups like the Samoan group. So that now I’m not in the Tongan girls, I’m in the Samoan girls and boys.

I’ve experience a lot in the Samoan group because the song I am dancing is really calm and just the right type for me (a little bit). Our tutor for the Samoan group is Timmi. She teached us the moves for the song and the tips to smile and  to do the moves properly. I really like the Samoan group because I get to experience the meaning of the song.

We get to show off our dance moves so the crowd knows that we are really good at it. As I am a proud Tongan, I will never let down my culture just because I hate the Tongan group. I like to go and take part to another group because I want to show my Tongan family that I can do the Siva Samoa. As I looked at the beautiful Tongan girls performing, I was so surprised to see them represent their culture and showing off their cool moves.

I am really gonna miss dancing for Fiafia because I won’t be here in the second year since I am going college. Malo LAVA    

This piece of writing I wrote is about this years fiafia. This fiafia has been going on 16 years ago. I hope I make lots of effort this year and to make my family proud. Hope you enjoy.

Out of the Glooming Forest

Walt: make up a narrative using interesting vocabulary

Once upon a gloomy forest. There once was a girl and a boy, their names are Jack and Riley. Tramping around the gloomy, murky forest without anybody with them. Walking in the slimy mud path finding their way to a good camping place. “Are we there yet” carefully whispers Riley, “I think so Rawl” (Riley’s shortname) replied Jack. As they went through the sludgy muddy path, they once saw a big hole, but a big space where they can camp and put up their tent.

“I think this is the spot we are gonna camp in” says Jack.” Okay let’s do this” excitedly replies Riley. They put up their tents and made a fire so that they can keep warm in the night. Once they have finished their tents, Riley made delicious melting lasagna for them to eat while Jack goes and make the beds for them to sleep in also the lights. “Are you finish with the tents Jack” says Riley, “yep, i’m done” replies Jack. They’ve eaten the food. they’ve made their beds, They’ve finished getting warmed up by the fire and cooking marshmallows. The only thing they needed to do is to put the light off and say goodnight to each other. “Goodnight Jack” “Goodnight Riley. Jack and Riley both went to sleep and they couldn't wait till the morning

It’s 6 am in the morning and they are awaken from that scary night they have slept in. Jack and Riley packs up to find another place where they can live forever in there whole lives, wishing they can have childrens. “We are finally finished packing” says Riley, “what about the lights” replies Jack, “Just leave it there” says Riley. So they took off and looked for another place to live in. They both walked, walked, walked and walked again till Jack saw the end of the terrifying glooming forest. Riley looked at the end where Jack was looking. So they ran as fast as they can because they knew they would start a new life together ands so on.” This is so beautiful” says Jack. Riley looked and she found a house that was sold but wasn't used so they went in and started packing all of the stuff they have brought in.

Years past as they lived in their beautiful home. Jack and Riley lived happily and happily ever after, therefore they called it their own home and their own place. “What are day” they tiredly say.