Today Mrs Agnew told us to choose a symbol of advent. We could draw a Jesse tree or Advent Wreath. I have made a Jesse tree and my friend did a candle. The Jesse tree reminds us of Jesus’ family and all the people who came before him.
Today we had to make another superhero. I made a strange pear that likes to eat crocodiles. His name is Rainbow Pear who likes to scare people whenever people come near him. He likes hiding in the sand. He lives in a strange place under the mud.
Yesterday we had to make a Superhero for our first Summer Learning Journey Taster. First we had to think of what we are going to draw. I drew a hero from Tonga that has saved many lives in Tonga and Samoa. I have made a history about him. His name is Ofa Kiloma who he is strong, wise and smart.
Today we were learning to test your powers of observation and to think for yourself. We tested our self to think and be smart with our answers. I thought this was Photoshop but it was real.I thought it was Photoshop because squirrels cant hold 10 pounds. It was confusing when i pressed Photoshop because it looked Photoshop.
Malo e lelei Room8@GlenTaylorSchool I recommend watching marvelous math because this is a really good explanation of math and working as a team.I was surprised when you were helping someone and cheering them with their math that was marvelous. I was impressed when you figured out how to find the lost bike.I would watch this film because it is all about helping and mysteries.
Yesterday Room 6 was lucky because we were visiting a stone cottage. I have seen it everyday whenever I come to school but I never knew anything about it. It is just across the road from our school.
I am interested in this doll because it is over 150 years old.It looks like a creepy doll from video games. I also like the cotton of the clothes because it is over 150 years old too and it looks like my baby nieces cottage but much bigger.
I was interested in learning about this mustache cup. It was used by the men in the olden days who liked drinking tea. They put tea in it and when they drank their mouths didn’t get wet.
I was also interested in this clock because it is over 100 years old. It is one of the oldest clocks in the world. I was shocked seeing this because it is my first time seeing one.
These are bellows. It is used to make more fire. You open then close them multiple times until the fire goes. They also used the fire in the fireplace to cook their food. 
At the end of the outing, we came back to school and spoke about all the new things we learned. I have never seen so many old things altogether in one place. It is cool.
This morning we had two instructors come to school who work for Bigfoot. Their names were Kate and Kyla. They go around schools teaching kids how to ride bikes safely. At first they showed us a bright orange jacket to wear when we are on the road, so cars can see us easily and we don’t get injured. Then they showed us how to put our helmets on properly. They have to be tight so they don’t move around or fall off.
Then they told us to come outside and stand along the fence from smallest to tallest. The smallest grabbed bikes first. I had one of the school bikes. Then the kids that were good at riding had to go with Kyla and the kids who didn’t know how to ride had to go with Kate. I was with Kyla. We had to go around the top court in a circle. When Kyla said ‘stop’ we had to “stop” and push the brakes softly.
After that we had to do tricks. My brother and I were the only ones who could ride with no hands.
Then it was morning tea and after morning tea we were in groups again. We had to stop on a line and the other team won by 3-1. We also cycled in pairs and we had to look over our shoulders and then put our arms out to show we were turning.
Thank you Bigfoot for teaching me new skills an I want to cycle some more.
This year we had swimming lessons. The boys were separated from the girls. The boys went first and the girls went at the end of the day. We just waited patiently for the bus to pick us up each day. The first lesson was calling help when you are going to drown in the sea. We had to put one hand up, then swim with our legs kicking and one hand.
In the second lesson we were learning how to float on our backs and our front. We had to hold on a board then float on our back and then we had to move our hands to swim fast while we were floating. The third lesson we were swimming on boards to balance us from swimming and we had to hold on at the top of the board, then kick as fast as we can. Fourth lesson we were learning how to kick with our feet and we had to straighten our feet, then kick as fast as we can. The last part we were diving, jumping, doing a bomb in the pool. I did a bomb and it was big. Then the girls came and we were finished.
How to make a Matariki star:
These are the instructions.
First, cut around the outside of your cardboard circle. Cut 1.5cms, equal distance apart all the way around the circle. Slide the wool into the first slit, leaving a tail on the other side. Begin making your way around the shape, passing through each slit several times. Use a second colour of wool and wind around the slits again to make a different pattern.
Matariki is the Maori New Year in New Zealand. We had our first public holiday for Matariki on the 14th July. We were still on holiday. Last week at school we learned about Tawhiririmatea, who was one of Ranginui and Papatuanuku’s sons, and he is also the god of wind. He got angry when his brothers wanted to separate his parents so he pulled out his eyes and threw them up into the Milky Way. Now he blows lots of wind around New Zealand.
I am a gentle man. I am alone. I hide away from people. I do not want to be spotted by people who are near. I am a lonely man because my wife died. I want to be alone now because I have a son to look after. We love the quiet life.
I am………….Hideaway Tom
