Category: Ako | Learn

On the first day of school this term, I was very happy because we got an opportunity to have cycling lessons. The instructors were Kyla and Kate. We only had one lesson and there were two groups. The less confident people went to Kate’s side and those who knew how to ride when with Kyla. Before we went on our bikes we checked if our bikes were safe or not. We had to guess what  A,B, C, D, Q meant. A is for Air in the tyres, B is for brakes, C is for chain and control, D is for drop and Q is for quick release. After we did all those steps we went onto the court.

Then Kyla said that we were playing ‘Red Light, Green light’ while on our bikes. It was really fun for me. After that game we played a “park our bike” game. After that we played a shrinking box activity and in the end we played this game where you have to have a bean bag on your head and if it falls off you have to come back and get it. This was to teach us to keep our heads up when we ride.

After that we played this game called ” buddy up” when we had to have a partner that was roughly our size. After we  found our partners, Kyla and Kate told us what to do: like partner up, partner down, partner step back, partner under. After we did  the game we all said thank you and goodbye to Kyla and Kate. It was a really fun and memorable day.

Last week we made Matariki stars out of wool and cardboard. It was hard making it on the first try for me so I had to try again. The hardest part was when we made the lines around the circle like on a clock because they had to be even. It was good to see the star come after we had gone around the clock a few times weaving with the wool.

We also learned the game of Knuckle bones which children used to play a long time ago in New Zealand and we found out in other places around the world too.

\fun fact: Matariki is one of the closest star clusters to earth and this year is the first time we have had a public holiday to celebrate Matariki in New Zealand.

I am young, carefree and cheerful but never lonely. I like to collect shells and go and watch the sun set. I am not afraid of storms. I like to play near the beach and wander alone. I wish all birds and other animals could live as free and safely as we do in the Coorong. I have one friend and his name is Fingerbone Bill. My dad is called Hideaway Tom. We are all happy to be together in nature.

 I am…………………. Storm boy

Yesterday Mr.Bell had an excellent idea for us to play in a Ki o Rahi tournament and it was the very first tournament at St Patrick’s School. Rooms 6, 7 and 8 were taking part. The tournament was going to happen after morning tea. When morning tea ended we had to go under the canopy to get into our houses. The houses are Rimu, Kauri, Totara and Rata. Sadly I got injured when it was morning tea and couldn’t play but I still had fun watching the houses play. There were 8 rounds  and some people had 1 or 2 rounds.

I loved watching the tournament and everyone played fairly and had a good time. Thanks coach Trey for being the referee and giving Willietony the $100 from Monopoly. It was funny.

Last Thursday the class ate some ANZAC biscuits and we had to describe them. I learned that they were made over a hundred years ago during World War 1, when the women baked them and sent them to the soldiers as a treat. I was surprised that there is still a recipe for ANZAC biscuits. The ingredients were butter, flour, golden syrup, and baking soda. I think some people add coconut in the cookie. When I picked it up the crumbs started to fall, making a mess. I was nervous at first because I thought it was going to taste rough as a rock. When I tasted it the biscuit exploded in my mouth making me want even more. It tasted as sweet as chocolate covered strawberries. For one second I thought I was in heaven. I enjoyed the cookie even though I couldn’t have more than one. I decided when I get home I’m going to ask my mom if she can try baking them.