What we think Xmas is

We think Christmas is:

• Family Time
• Presents
• Fun
• Yummy Food
• Swimming
• Summer
• Church
• Santa Claus
• Reindeer
• Christmas Trees and
• Holidays

By Libby and Emily

Christmas Poem.

Church

Hams

Reindeer

Ice blocks

Swimming

Turkey

Mussels

Amazing

Summer

Christmas Wordle

The meaning of Christmas

We think Christmas is when everyone comes together to celebrate with a family roast, Christmas pudding and backyard cricket. Another main part is the excitement of the night before as all the children wait for santa to come and deliver their presents.

By Philippa and Jahna

Homeless

In class we were talking about Poems and Expressing Ourselves in the art forms. So for our inquiry we wrote a poem about people who are homeless.

By Emily W, Philippa and Jahna

Cool Mosaic

Courtney, Georgia and Hannah L for their Inquiry this term on art made this massive mosaic. It is a picture of a landcape background and boy does it look cool. You will find it on the planter box outside the library.

What Now

You may or may not know by now that our very own Megan Harrington, Courtney Jones, Georgia Wilson and Libby Hughes were picked from there work at the Maggi kitchen showdown competition to go on What Nows Christmas Cracker Special.

The four girls were told this exciting news on the Monday of Week 6 then had a very busy week with a information meeting on Tuesday, a lot of planning on Wednesday, rehearsals on Thursday and filming on Friday as most of the show was pre recorded.

On the show the girls had a cook off against Casebrook Intermediate where they had to cook four meals. These meals were pancakes, a Christmas treat, a BBQ platter and a infamous pavlova. Each of these meals were judged by the masterchef, Brett McGregor.

This was an amazing opportunity for the girls and although the cooking was a great prize in itself, all competitors also got a masterchef apron and cook book.

The show will be aired on the 19 December and Christmas morning at 8 a.m. on Channel 2. So make sure your watching.

A big thank you to Mrs Brice for her cooking tips and Mrs Taylor for supervising our filming day.

By Courtney J.

Parliament

On the 23 November the Year 8’s went to Wellington. On the first day we went to parliament. We had lunch on the lawns outside of parliament and after lunch we had a tour of parliament. On our tour we stopped off at a mock debating chamber. There we meet our MP Amy Adams. We got to ask her some questions and she told us a little bit about herself and what laws she likes and what laws she didn't like.

Afterwards we went into the real debating chamber and all of the party leaders gave a speech about the Pike River mine disaster. The part I enjoyed the most was when Amy Adams talked to us.

A+ on the steps of parliament.

Summer Speedway

Coloured flags

signal green for go

to race car drivers

as the sound of engines roar.

Eight cylinders

of oil and steel pump

like stallions galloping

around an oval track.

Clouds of dust

invade our ears and eyes

like a swarm of bees

with angry stingers.

The smell of fuel

mixed with burning tyres

wafts from the pits.

The commentator’s voice

screeches from speakers

as a blur of machines

take the checkered flag.

By Courtney J.

Wellington Zoo

On Wednesday we went to the Wellington Zoo. We saw baboons, cheetahs, zebras, monkeys, birds, elephants, tigers, otters, lemur, porcupine, meerkats, emus, wombats, dingos, kangaroos and pigs.

It was an awesome experience and would love to go back again. Everybody enjoyed it. Libby's best part was seeing the animals do there tricks in the Amazing Animals. The amazing animals is where some of the animals at the zoo show off there talents by doing tricks.

Year 8 News from Capital E

The Sounds of Marlborough

Wind rushes through
overgrown flax leaves
and a gang of wekas
wake from a slumber.

At Paradise Point
children bounce
behind motor boats
on blow up biscuits.

Blue cod dangle
from fish hooks
as barracuda
snatches our meal.

The taste of sea water
mixed with a tsunami
of scallops in my stomach
and the sound of waves
still sing in my ears.

By Jahna

Creative Books with Tiffany

Creative Books with Tiffany on PhotoPeach

Sculpture at Springston School

On Wednesday 27 October as one of our art week activities a sculptor named Leah Henderson came to Springston school. We made a hand print out of wood and cut it out with a jigsaw. We then drew a design on the wood and drilled holes inside our design so that Leah could cut them out with a jigsaw and make our hands all individual. Leah is going to put our hands and designs on to aluminum and cut them out with a plasma cutter to make a sculpture.

By Josh G

Pastels with Mike

A few weeks ago we had several talented artists come to share their skills with the seniors for a week. Everyone got to chose the activities they took part in, some examples were; soap carving, creative books, sculpting, drama and heaps more fun options.

I had the opportunity to participate in pastel drawing with Mike Glover. Mike taught us skills of using pastel. He covered such things as how to use the pastel effectivley, how to merge and blend the colours and lots of other bits of information. By the end of the afternoon we came away with 2 stunning peices of art.

By Mollie Room 7

Mike, Molly and Lucy displaying their work

Pet Day

Imagine a school day where you could take your favourite pet along to enter a competition to be the best pet and owner. Then you and your pet could get dressed up and parade around a circle with all your school watching. Well for Springston School this is a yearly tradition.

On the 3 November (pet day) there was a great turn out of animals. The whole morning was full of excited students, overwhelmed judges, helpful parents and amazing teachers. As well as bringing your pet the students had lots of other exciting things to do throughout the morning, i.e. face painting, meeting other animals, animal owner look a like competitions and of course entering or watching the dress up parade. With many animals like horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs and even llamas the day was a huge success and everyone can’t wait for next years pet day.

Courtney J. Year 7

Pet Day

Athletics Day

Art Wordle

What is Art to You?

Ron Mueck Exhibition!

What is art? This is a question all of us at Springston School are trying to answer, so we have set out on a quest to answer it. To start our quest students had to get involved with art themselves. This meant a few lucky pupils got to go to the art gallery to see the amazing Ron Mueck exhibition.

This was an outstanding opportunity for the students as the exhibition was only to be set up and seen in three cities across the world. The exhibition was a series of very realistic human sculptures hand made by Ron himself. Many of the sculptures were people evolved in Ron’s life like his dad, wife, daughter or friends but some were just big moments in life.

As well as getting to view the great artwork the students even got to create there own facial expressions using clay. All together this was a fantastic opportunity with all of the students enjoying themselves while learning heaps.

By Courtney J. (Yr 7) and Georgia W. (Yr 8)

Court Theatre Drama

On Tuesday 26 October our art activity was Court Theatre Drama. Our instructor was Emma and she was pretty awesome. Emma works with the Court Theatre Jesters and does productions every Friday and Saturday nights. She used to work on 'What Now' as the character 'Red', the letterbox.

We started off with the game 'Zip' and then progressed onto something to improve our eye contact and memory. We played 'One Word', 'Yes Let's' and 'Experts'.

Our favourite game was 'One Word.' This game is when we get into pairs then one of the pair starts the conversation off by using an active word. There is no script, no preparation, you just have to go with the flow. This is called improvising.

Every one enjoyed their time and we hope for Emma to come back soon.

Thanks Emma!!!

Is it Art? What do you think?

http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/2008/03/spotted_inside_city_hall.php

Sorry we have gone missing for a few weeks but we have been rather busy getting into our new inquiry and 'Letting our Imagination run Wild'.

We have started by looking at lots of different types of art and wondering what makes something art.

What type of Art do you like?

Hanmer Camp Diary

We had an excellent time on our school camp at Hanmer Springs. We stayed in Hanmer Springs Trust Camp where we were housed in the Abilities Lodge. What a great place. After we were unpacked we headed straight over to Tree Climbing with Adventure Hanmer.

It was a short walk to the trees where we meet our great instructor Nick. First we got on our gear (harness and helmet). Next we learnt how to belay and had a demonstration with Mollie climbing. Soon enough we were all heading towards the huge scary pine tree. Only two of us managed to get to the top of the hard side. Those trees got the better of us kids.

After a dinner of Conical Hill cottage pie we headed to the Hot Pools where we relaxed in luxury. What a great way to end the first day. As we started home one car took a detour but what the passengers didn’t know was why? When they got home there was a huge surprise birthday party with party food, games and of course cake! What a bonus.

The second day started off with a great breakfast so we could manage a tough morning of Mountain Biking. We all loved it because we got to go through puddles and go down a steep hill. We called it screaming hill because we screamed or yelled random stuff all the way down.

After a lunch of pizza we went out orienteering, which I think was the best activity because we got to run around the forest with only a map and somehow orientate ourselves and find all the markers. Guess what - we won!

On day three we got to build bivouacs and climb Conical Hill. Building a shelter for three was fun but climbing Conical Hill was not, although the view was great. Thank goodness for another soak in the Hot Pools at the end!

We had the best of fun at our Hanmer Camp and we would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun, excitement but also a relaxing time!

Scary Experience

I was awoken at 4.35am tired and confused, struggling to grasp the situation. Within a few seconds I realized what was happening, wondering what to do I dived under my bed and curled into a shivering ball until the shaking stopped.

Suddenly the power fizzed and crackled then everything went black. I headed at speed for my dad's room and huddled in there for the remainder of the night.

When the sun slowly crept up shining a light on the damage and devastation. Fortunately there was no damage to our timber home, but sadly many homes are uninhabitable. This 7.1 earthquake was one of the most terrifying experiences in my life and I hope no one else has to go through it again.

By Mollie

Earthquake strikes Canterbury

My eye-lids flew open as my bed rocked violently back and forth and books and photos were falling off my shelves. What was going on?

All I could see for over thirty seconds was things smashing on the floor around me I curled up into ball with the blankets around me as the shaking stopped, I jumped from my bed squinting into the darkness, trying to find my parents.

It didn't occur to me I had just been in an earthquake. I couldn't see in the dark and because I also didn't think to put my glasses on, I collided into the wall.

It wasn't till I was holding my head that I heard my brother shout "Hello - were we in an earthquake?" I realised what had happened.

I never thought I'd be in an natural disaster, especially because I'm from England. It's a weird experience and it's an experience you only have to live once.

By Emily B

Refugee Brochure

Click on this brochure to view it online (two-sided) or to download.

Refugee facts

Click on the picture to view online or to download

What it is like to be a Refugee!

Click the poster to view it online

Thank you Ruahine School!

We would like to say a huge thank you to Ruahine School in Dannevirke as they have raised $315 dollars for our school with a Clown Day that was inspired by our teachers when they had a picture dressed up as clowns. They have sent this money to help cheer us up from the Earthquake we have just experienced.

Inquiry Question

There are 35 million refugees in the world.

What is the best way to help them?

Help us make a decision - post a comment on your thoughts.

This image was found on democrats.org.au

The Earthquake

As I lay in my bed I felt a sudden shake. It’s an earthquake.
“Get to your doorframe!” I hear my dad shout. I got out of my bed, loosing my balance I make it to my doorframe.
Kye and Diesel my two dogs come running into my room shaking. I’m glad the dogs are ok. Dad comes up and hugs me saying everything is going to be alright.
“Where’s Lauren?” I asked feeling worried. The shaking had stopped and my older sister Lauren came down the hallway.
“Are you guys ok?” my sister asked.
“We’re ok,” my dad replied.
I’m very thankful that my family’s okay. As long as nobody is hurt that’s all that matters to me.

Alex's Earthquake Voki

Hip Hop Competition

Last Wednesday we participated in the Canterbury Hip Hop Competition at Shirley Intermediate School.
Our team in the novice section was called the Springston Gangsters and in that was Megan, Nick, Philip, Courtney and Tessa.
In the Pinkies team we had Georgia, Libby, Emma, Lucy, Hannah and Libby B.
My team was first to do our dance and I think we did really well.
The Pinkies were second to do their dance in their section and they did really well in the open section and got 3rd.
We had a really great teacher called Amy. She was awesome!
It was a great day and hopefully we can do it again next year!

Year 7 camp

This is my acrostic poem about our amazing camp!

Camp was great
Amazing and fun
Most outrageous and fantastic
Peaceful with only twelve

Hanmer Camp Picture Trail

In week 7 we went to Hanmer Springs for our camp with the year sevens. Some of the things we did on camp included mountain biking, tree climbing and swimming.

I enjoyed orienteering because it was fun getting lost in the forest.

What do you do in an earthquake?

Year 7 Camp Slideshow

What did you do when the earthquake struck?

Mollie's Camp Wordle

Climbing on Camp

When I was at Hanmer Springs Camp, my most favourite activity was tree climbing. I got to the top of both trees I climbed.

The funny thing about it was that Nick the instructor thought I was so excellent at climbing that I needed to do it blind folded. I got half way up the tree but then had to give up because I did not know which way I was going.

I really enjoyed Hanmer Springs Camp 2010.

Alex's Camp Wordle

Sinead's Camp Voki

Get a Voki now!

10 Minutes Writing

If I got to be anything for a day, I would be money. An inanimate object used in everyday life.

I could be spent on clothes or food and really necessary items or something like toys or a laptop, although living in someone’s wallet wouldn’t be that fun but most of all I would love to help people in different countries. It would be great to know that I, a thin piece of plastic, could slowly change the world by buying food, shelter and stationary for refugees.

I would be able to travel New Zealand or even the world - being used to buy different things. For example someone would get me brand new from the bank. They might spend me in a restaurant and after that I would be given as someone else’s change. I guess then it would go around and around. The same five-dollars bill being spent on several different things for several different people.

Earthquake Wordle

School Closed

How are you all coping with not being at school? Enjoying the sleeping in or are you all being kept awake? What are you keeping yourself busy with?

What have you been doing in your time off?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

A+ Learning - Being Accepting

By springstonmedia | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

Trip to Wellington

By springstonmedia | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

10 Minute Writing

My favorite place to shop is New World because it's not to far away.
It is very cheap, on Wednesdays.
There is always great customer service and the people at the cash register are really nice.
But the thing about going to New World is that you have to spend money!

By Philip

10 Minutes Writing

I was in bed. As I was drifting off to sleep I was thinking about lollies. I usually don’t think about anything but I was really hungry and my stomach was rumbling.Because lollies were my favorite they were stuck in my mind. As the clock ticked on I fell asleep.

“Welcome to the land of lollies,” said a voice in my head. I was visualizing a white cloudy land filled to the brim with lollies. Red ones, green ones, yellow ones and heaps more, but best of all they were all free!

As I strolled through the land I picked up some of what seemed to a cloud but no it was candy floss white on the outside and pink on the inside, it was so delicious, it just melted in my mouth. I had never tasted anything so good I picked up another mouthful then walked over try something else.

The lollies were just amazing, I had never tasted anything so good. I skipped around like something from another land. I was prancing around like I’d never done before. I ran over and started gutsing into something that looked like a tree but no it was actually Sherbet!

It was the best dream of my life!!!

Written by Lucy

10 Minutes Writing

My ideal land would be a Chocolate World, where everything is made of different flavored chocolate. When it rained it would rain Caramel Chocolate and when it snowed the snow would be White Chocolate. The bark on the ground would be Nut and Raisins Chocolate and the grass would be Peppermint. The waterfalls are melted chocolate and the sea is too.

A chocolate world would be awesome because if you got hungry you could take a bite out of anything, and if someone annoyed you, you could eat them all up, because obviously the people are chocolate too.

All of the food in my chocolate world is chocolate and no matter how much you eat you never put on any weight although you stay the same weight you were when you came here.

If I lived in a chocolate world I would be in 7th heaven. But sadly this isn’t a reality for me because I am only allowed to eat chocolate occasionally (even though I eat it slightly more often than that.)

Written by Emma-Rose

Do we have to go to school to learn?

We are discussing: Is schooling important?

Can we get an education without going to school? Post a comment and give us your point of view!

Can we get an education without going to school?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

Maggi Film Crew at Springston

Last Monday we had the Maggi film crew visit Springston.

Spin the Bottle: A Mystery Movie

Our class has been creating the beginning of a mystery movie, so we can leave people guessing what will happen next.

We hope you enjoy the movie.

Dad I love you!

Dad your kind and caring, fun and just a little bit crazy. We can barely fit a word in when he's telling us a joke. Dad you've got your ways, waking up early and shouting at the tv when the rugby is on. Oh Dad I'm trying to sleep can't you tone it down a bit?

Dad flattens the tennis ball as he strikes in. Dad can you hit it a bit smaller so maybe I can hit it back?

Dad your my idol.

Dad I love you, so so much.

10 Minute Writing - Mum

My Mum is always there

Rushing about

Driving us everywhere

She likes baking and reading

Riding all day long

But the part we dread the most is

When she tries to sing a song

I love my mum

She is always there for me

She is funny and creative

And makes a delicious tea

But I’m warning you watch out

Try to avoid her evil stare

When she finds in the bathroom

Your smelly underwear!

By Kachina

Emma and Lucy: Mystery Movie

This movie is a bit scary, so we suggest you view it first, before showing to younger children.

In class we have been making short mystery movies, making sure that we leave the viewer guessing what will happen next.

Our movie is about a murderer at school. (Don't worry though, because it doesn't happen in real life!)

The Team Venture Times

This term a group student has been focusing on producing a class magazine of interesting school events. Click on the image above to view the magazine online. Or download it here.

Book Week Story Teller

Liz Weir the story teller visited Springston School to perform stories
and telling us how important reading is.

Book Award Winning Author Visits Springston

Today James Norcliffe visited Springston School and shared his new award winning book - 'Loblolly Boy' with us.

Sharing a Story

Here is Brook sharing a story with Chloe in the Library.

You are a Springston A+ Learner Brook!

The invention of Hugo Cabret Book review

This book is called The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Inside the book you have to use your imagination as there are 284 pages of original drawings. The book is 530 pages long. The story line is about a boy called Hugo Cabret who lives in an extremely busy train station in Paris. As his father had been killed and his mother died at his birth, his uncle has to take him in as he is Hugo’s only living relative. Hugo’s uncle’s job was to fix the clocks in the train station and Hugo helps his uncle to look after the clock. His uncle keeps leaving Hugo in the train station, but one time he doesn’t come back. There for, Hugo is an orphan with no food or money so he needs to steal to stay alive. Hugo has a secret, a very important secret that no one else knows about. But when he meets a bookish girl and a grumpy old man who runs a toy booth, his secret is revealed and finds there are other strange mysteries that no one knows about, he needs help to find out the strange mysteries. But where will he go? I read this book in one night because it was so great. The things I liked about it are the story line and all the illustrations. I would recommend it for people 9+ for boys and girls. I would rate it 9/10.

Book week dress up

Mollie, Hannah L, Philippa, Libby B, Jahna, James, Josh,
Alex, Chloe, Emily B and Johnielle

Book week dress up

Emma-Rose, Lucy, Brook, Georgia, Megan, Morgan,
Tessa, Kachina and Libby

Book week dress up

Courtney, Emily, Hannah, Nick, Nic, Jack,
Matthew, Ana, Cory, Sinead, and Katy

Wellington Fundraiser

On Wednesday 25 May it was pouring down with rain, but that didn’t stop the Year 8 students going out, getting drenched and delivering as many phamplets as they could around the Selwyn area.

In November this year the Year 8 students are going to Wellington. It was lucky that Liz was able to organise this fundraiser but she didn't count on the bad weather. Hopefully they will raise $2000 for their trip.

By Hannah and Courtney

10 Minute Writing

Our family lived on the edge of an old town. I was the youngest of six children but this does not mean I was the one who was the scariest. No I was the strongest and most curious. It was Sunday, late afternoon and our whole family was bickering over who had broken mum’s best plate. I liked to keep out of these things. So I walked out of the house and headed for the woods. I was the only one who dared to go in those dark gloomy woods. Dusk was creeping in so I started to pick up the pace and run to the biggest tree and sprint back. I reached the tree all right but now it was pretty dark. I started to head back wondering if I did know these woods back to front. Suddenly whoosh a big owl swooped right over my head. Man did I get a fright. I fell completely over and face planted into the ground and I couldn’t believe it. The forest probably had 6 puddles in it on average and I had to face plant straight into one! I think it’s my bad day today!

10 Minute Writing

I soared above the forest. Above the tallest tree as rain pelted down around me. The freezing eerie blackness of night closed in. I am an owl the biggest and the best with pearly black eyes, soft brown feathers and long sharp talons. I fly lower now dodging trees as I go then. Tuwoo, Tuwoo! The noise shatters the peaceful silence of the night - the cry of my kind. Now I must eat. I swoop down and snatch birds out of their nests as I speed toward the horizon where the sun is appearing knowing that it will prolong the darkness. The stars are only pinpricks of light in the dark that blankets the earth.

Student Council Application

Dear Student Council,

Hi, I’m Emma and I would love to be a member of our school’s student council.

I think that I am the best person for the job and seeing as I am a Yr 8 this year I definitely have all of the Springston A+ Characteristics.

I am organized and self managing, and I always hand my work in on time so you don’t have to worry about me not completing something by the deadline.

I am really good with words and I can talk confidently everywhere so I guess this means that I am Articulate.

Now, I know that if you are on the student council you have to be Adaptable and I am very Adaptable so I wont mind if we suddenly have to change our plan.

I am very Adventurous, I love to try new things and I am also Accepting. I love to make new friends no matter where they come from.

I think that I will bring valuable ideas to the student council that you otherwise might not have. I think that you should give me a chance to be on the student council because I will contribute satisfactorily. Please give me a chance, I have never been on the student council before,

Yours Sincerely,

Emma-Rose

Hello From America

Hello Room 7

America is so cool. The other day we went into the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego. We found the Mac Store and you could try using the I Pad’s which are not in New Zealand yet. We had a go playing on them and they are so much fun.

There are lots of things you can do on them like go on YouTube, use the internet, watch movies, play with photos, play the piano, play games and read books. They are so skinny and light you could take them everywhere. We all thought that they were one of the coolest gadgets around but unfortunately Dad wouldn’t buy me one.

I have seen some people reading books on a Kindle. They are like IPad’s accept smaller and you read books on them. You just download the book you want to read and it comes up on the screen. They look awesome as well.

I am heading to Mexico now and will be home soon.

From Libby