The dream giver

As my pointy wings flutter through the air, on a dark and gloomy night I land up on an old, rusty windsill. I check to see if I am in the right place, 2655 Kenzington Avenue Orphanage, this is it.

Bed by bed as the kids snore they lay peacefully undisturbed. I step to each bed,  cracking eggs of golden liquid on their prize possessions that lay on top of them. I place all my magic glowing eggs onto the end of one  of the orphans bed not giving it another though I walked away.
A Ballerina dancing, and twirling around the floor. An astronaut floating around the room, a little boy shakes his hands as if he was playing the drums. Out popped a team of baseball players pitching the ball. All the children were having plesent dreams until I hear ‘CRACK’. I turn around in thinking the worst as fear rushes over me. I race over to the bed where the eggs were sitting to see what had happened. They had dropped, not just on the floor but on a book about a Black Serpent! The worst was yet to come, and I had to stop this boy from encountering a nightmare.

Flicking to the first page, I can see the astronaut trembling with fear as he stands in the middle of the jungle. Slowly he pulled a stone right before my eyes, and it was to late to stop him. He had woken up the Black Serpent who looked very angry and was now ready to chase him. I flick the page of the book and I find myself in the book also so I can save this little boy from a nightmare.  He was being chased to the edge of the cliff by the Serpent. I drip my magic eggs on the Serpent in the hope that would stop him from reaching the young boy. I drop more eggs and even more until they start to work. The roots from the trees had started to grow and encase the Serpent in it, forming a hold on him. The more I dropped the more the roots grew, until finally the Serpent was trapped and the boy was saved.

The End

I strongly believe that we should not change the NZ flag

We should not change the New Zealand flag for several reasons.  It is the flag that our brave soldiers took to world war 1 and 2. We shouldn’t change our flag because it flew in the sky when we went to war. If the military people knew that we were going to change the flag  they would feel that it is disrespectful. It has been our national flag since 1902.

Secondly I think we shouldn’t change it because we need a flag that represents our country. We also need a flag that we can be proud of. I do not think we should not change the flag because our flag is unique. It has history behind it and if we change the flag it's like losing all the amazing memories.

Third of all I think we should not change the flag because we could be spending this money more wisely.  Do you think that the taxpayers are proud to be paying all this money to change the flag?  We could be using this money on people that have no shelter or upgrading our local shops or improving kids education.

We should not change our flag because we could be spending the money on something more important, keeping the flag the soldiers took to war and keeping the flag that represents our country. What is the point in changing the flag if there is nothing wrong with the flag we have now?
   
By Lara Deans

About me

About Me
Lara
I have a family of 5, I am the oldest and I have 2 younger siblings.
I was brought up in New Zealand. I live with my Mum and Dad. I have gone to Auroa School since I was 5 I am a year7, I am 11 years old. My hobbies are Hockey, Netball, Baking delicious sweets, Arts and Crafts and Nail Art. I am a guide of Waiau Girl Guides. I consider myself a good role model for younger students. I have 1 cat named Hunter and I spend lots of time with him. I like most animals. I recon that I am a towny girl but I also spend some time on the farm.
‘I like to work hard and achieve big things.’  

That was summer

That Was Summer
Remember the waves crashing up against the shore?
Remember the hot sand between our toes?
That was summer

Remember the ice-cream dribbling down our hand?
Remember all the laughter and smiles?
That was summer

Remember the cold bubbling lemonade?
Remember the smell of the BBQ cooking each night?
Remember the screams when the water touched our feet?
That was summer

Hockey letter

Lara
734 Auroa Road, Auroa 4678


Tuesday 3rd of March 2015

Dear Brooke,
Thank you for teaching us how to play hockey. I really enjoyed hockey, it was fun. I really appreciate that you spent your time at our school teaching us how to play hockey. You have inspired me to play hockey. I always thought that hockey was just like any other sport but now that I have really played it, I like hockey more than any sport. I have learnt a lot from you.  I learnt how to do sticky dribble, sticky tap, sticky stop, Indian dribble and much more.

From
Lara

The man who never dies

The man who never dies

Squeaking filled the deathly silence. An old polished car arrived up the mountain.” Are you alright?  There’s a station up the road.  I can take you there,” an old voice asked. I thought for a moment and then I hopped in.

I glanced down at my watch. “Do you have to be somewhere?” he asked. “Were you in that car?” He wouldn’t give up. As he tilted his head towards me, staring into my goggles, there was an image, but what?

Losing control of the wheel. It was too late as we slid over the edge of the bank.

Before I could catch him, he went with the car. There wasn’t enough time, I regret it already.

By Lara

The secret lamp

The Mysterious Lamp

Once upon a time there was a genie, Unfortunately, this particular genie was famous for botching things up. Whenever someone rubbed the magic lamp, he would come out and say, "What is your wish?" Then a great cloud of smoke would appear and hundreds of things would fly through the air. When people stated their wish the object of their desire would appear in a cloud of dirt, covered in dust. So many, and so embarrassing were his botches that no one wanted him. His lamp ended up being used only to throw at people, just like a common old box; and the genie didn't come out of it for years, and became sad and depressed.


That was, until a lonely boy found the lamp, and could hear the sad cries of the genie inside. So the boy decided to try to become the genie's friend, and the wish he asked to be granted was to be able to enter and leave the lamp, just like the genie could, so they could spend time together. The genie was happy to grant this wish, and as soon as the boy entered the lamp, he could see what the genie's problem was. It wasn't that he was a bad genie. It was just that he couldn't have been less tidy! In the lamp everything was thrown all over the place, whether it be jewellery, books, boats or camels. It was obvious that the place hadn't seen a duster for years. Being a genie, he had all sorts of stuff in there, and as the lamp was small, everything was crammed in together that whenever the genie tried to get something, a cloud of dust would fly up.The boy held his head in his hands, and the genie apologised, saying that a genie's job was very important and he hadn't had time for cleaning. But the boy remembered his mother's advice, and told the genie that the more important his job was, the more important it was that he keep all his things in order. And together they decided to give the place a good clean.
It took them quite a few days, but when they finished, everything was gleaming and in its correct place. Now it was dead easy to find whatever gift was asked for, and to retrieve it without breaking anything, And so it was that the genie began to be respected and admired once more. He learned that nothing great can be achieved without order and cleanliness in all things.


It took them quite a few days, but when they finished, everything was gleaming and in its correct place. Now it was dead easy to find whatever gift was asked for, and to retrieve it without breaking anything.
And so it was that the genie began to be respected and admired once more. He learned that nothing great can be achieved without order and cleanliness in all things.

chocolate caramel slice ( Chelsea )

Ingredients

Base
1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar
125g melted butter

Filling
60g butter, extra
1/4 cup Chelsea Golden Syrup (Tin)
1 X 400g can sweetened condensed milk
70g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

Chocolate Topping
270g dark cooking chocolate finely chopped
3 tsp vegetable oil

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C bake (160°C fan forced).  Grease and line a 28 x 18cm slice tin.  Combine flour, coconut, sugar and butter in a bowl, then press mixture into the tin to form the base.  Bake for 12 -15 minutes or until golden brown, then set aside.

Heat butter and syrup in a saucepan until butter has melted then simmer over low heat for 3 minutes until golden/tan and thickened. Add condensed milk and stir over a medium heat for 7 - 10 minutes until caramel is golden brown.  Spread over the base and gently press in nuts (optional). Refrigerate for 1 hour to set.

Melt chocolate and oil in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until smooth. Spread over the caramel and refrigerate to set before slicing.

Tip: Score the top before it sets hard to make cutting into squares easier.

Recipe doubles easily for large gatherings.

- See more at: http://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/chocolate-caramel-slice/#sthash.tWwm2CjZ.dpuf

Anzac biscuits

Anzac Biscuits

Ingredients:

100g butter
1 T golden syrup
1/2 cup sugar
¾ cup coconut
3/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup flour
1 t baking soda
1 T hot water

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C.
Melt butter and golden syrup in a small pot.
Dissolve baking soda in the hot water and add to butter and golden syrup.
Mix together flour, sugar, coconut and rolled oats in a large mixing bowl
Stir butter mixture into the dry ingredients.
Place level tablespoonfuls of mixture onto lined trays.
Bake about 15 minutes or until golden.
Cool on a wire rack
Makes 20.

Plastic bags should be banned

I strongly believe that plastic bags should be banned from use. This means that they shouldn't be made or used anymore.

These are my reasons:
Plastic bags increase pollution and harm many types of animals.  Thousands of birds and marine animals, such as sea turtles, choke on plastic bags each year because they mistaken them for food. Plastic bags in water can look just like these animal's food supply.

Making plastic bags causes more pollution. Oil is used when making plastic bags. Using oil causes pollution which is harmful to humans and the environment. Banning plastic bags means less oil needed to produce them.

Did you know that plastic bags take hundreds of years to break down. Unlike other materials, like paper that breaks down relatively quickly, the plastic bags that we use today are here to stay!

Plastic bags should be banned for all the reasons listed.

History of art

History behind Art

The history of art is the history of any activity or product made by humans in a visual form for aesthetical or communicative purposes, expressing ideas, emotions or, in general, a worldview. Over time visual art has been classified in diverse ways, from the medieval distinction between liberal arts and mechanical arts, to the modern distinction between fine arts and applied arts, or to the many contemporary definitions, which define art as a manifestation of human creativity. The subsequent expansion of the list of principal arts in the 20th century reached to nine: architecture, dance, sculpture, music, painting, poetry (described broadly as a form of literature with aesthetic purpose or function, which also includes the distinct genres of theatre and narrative), film, photography and graphic arts. In addition to the old forms of artistic expression such as fashion and gastronomy, new modes of expression are being considered as arts such as video, computer art, performance, advertising, animation, television and videogames.

The history of music

The history of music

Music is found in every known culture, past and present, varying widely between times and places. Since all people of the world, including the most isolated tribal groups, have a form of music, it may be concluded that music is likely to have been present in the ancestral population prior to the dispersal of humans around the world. Consequently music may have been in existence for at least 55,000 years and the first music may have been invented in Africa and then evolved to become a fundamental constituent of human life.

A culture's music is influenced by all other aspects of that culture, including social and economic organization and experience, climate, and access to technology. The emotions and ideas that music expresses, the situations in which music is played and listened to, and the attitudes toward music players and composers all vary between regions and periods. "Music history" is the distinct subfield of musicology and history which studies music (particularly Western art music) from a chronological perspective.

Dolphin booklets

Booklet about Dolphins

Facts

Compared to other animals, dolphins are believed to be very intelligent.

Dolphins are carnivores (meat eaters).

The Killer Whale (also known as Orca) is actually a type of dolphin.

Bottlenose dolphins are the most common and well known type of dolphin.

Female dolphins are called cows, males are called bulls and young dolphins are called calves.

Dolphins live in schools or pods of up to 12 individuals.

Dolphins often display a playful attitude which makes them popular in human culture. They can be seen jumping out of the water, riding waves, play fighting and occasionally interacting with humans swimming in the water.

Dolphins use a blowhole on top of their heads to breathe.

Dolphins have excellent eyesight and hearing as well as the ability to use echolocation for finding the exact location of objects.

Dolphins communicate with each other by clicking, whistling and other sounds.

Some dolphin species face the threat of extinction, often directly as a result of human behavior. The Yangtze River Dolphin is an example of a dolphin species which may have recently become extinct.

Some fishing methods, such as the use of nets, kill a large number of dolphins every year.

Story

Compared to any other animals, dolphins are believed to be very intelligent.

The Killer Whale (also known as Orca) is actually a type of Dolphin. Bottlenose dolphin are the most common and well known type of dolphin. Dolphins use a blowhole on the top of there heads to breathe, Dolphins communicate with each other by clicking, whistling and other sounds. Dolphins often display a playful attitude which makes them popular in human culture. They can be seen jumping out of the water, riding waves , play fighting and occasionally interacting with humans swimming in the water. Dolphins have excellent eyesight and hearing as well as the ability to use echolocation for finding the exact location of objects. Females dolphins are called cows, male are called bulls and baby dolphins are called calves.Dolphins often display a playful attitude which makes them popular in human culture. They can be seen jumping out of the water, riding waves, play fighting and occasionally interacting with humans swimming in the water.

Dolphins live in schools or pods of up to 12 individuals. Some dolphin species face the threat of extinction, often directly as a result of human behavior. The Yangtze River Dolphin is an example of a dolphin species which may have recently become extinct.

Giant pandas

Giant Panda

Intro
Giant Pandas are a part of the bear family. They have evolved around 2-3 million years ago. There are only 1600 left in the world.
Appearance
Giant pandas have a distinctive appearance. Their thick black and white fur equips them for life in cool forests. Their white coat with black markings is unique, with black patches around the eyes and ears, black legs, and a black band around the shoulders.
- The Giant Panda has a black-and-white coat. Adults measure around 1.5 m long and around 75 cm tall, at the shoulder. Males are 10-20% larger than females. Males can weigh up to 115 kg (253 pounds). Females are generally smaller than males, and can occasionally weigh up to 100 kg (220 pounds).
Species
- 300 lbs (136 kg)
- 4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m)
- endangered
- relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man
Life Cycle
- Giant pandas can live 20 years in the wild.
- Giant pandas can be born in spring between March and May
- A newborn panda cub weighs just 90-130 g.
- A pandas average life is 14 - 20 year.
-
Classification
Giant pandas are mammals. Giant pandas are a type of bear, that is found in the mountains of central and western China.
the scientific name for a mammal is mammalia


Habitat
Giant pandas live in large bamboo forests on humid and relatively high mountains — about 1,200 to 3,100 meters (4,000 to 10,000 feet) above sea level. Currently about 1,600 giant pandas live in over 20,000 square kilometers (8,000 mi2) of habitat.
Giant pandas are an endangered species. A 2004 census found only about 1,600 wild giant pandas. They live in scattered populations in the mountains of central China, mostly in Sichuan Province, but also in Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces. Giant pandas eat almost nothing but bamboo.

The giant panda was once widespread throughout southern and eastern China, as well as neighbouring Myanmar and northern Vietnam.


Behaviour
The giant pandas spend as long as 14 hours in eating per day. One giant panda needs about 12 to 38 -kilogram food per day, which accounts for approximately 40% of its own weight. The giant pandas prefer eating tender stems, shoots and leaves of bamboo, all of which are richer in nutrition and lower in firkins.
Giant Pandas Behavior. Giant pandas spend their lives eating bamboo and walking around the forest floor. They are good climbers and can also swim. They don't build dens (except to put cubs in) or hibernate.

Diet
The giant panda has an insatiable appetite for bamboo. A typical animal eats half the day—a full 12 out of every 24 hours—and relieves itself dozens of times a day. It takes 28 pounds (12.5 kilograms) of bamboo to satisfy a giant panda's daily dietary needs, and it hungrily plucks the stalks with elongated wrist bones that function rather like thumbs. Pandas will sometimes eat birds or rodents as well.
- Obnivore
- Bamboo contains very little nutritional value so pandas must eat 12-38kg every day to meet their energy needs.
Conclusion
Giant pandas are endangered species. Giant pandas love their bamboo and can consume 12-38 kg’s per day. Pandas love to live in bamboo forests, They can also be found in mountains. Giant pandas are mammals.

Intro

Giant Pandas are a part of the bear family. They have evolved around 2 to 3 million years ago. Giant pandas are native to China.


Classification
Giant pandas are mammals. They are a type of bear that is found in the mountains of central and western china. It is thought that the unique colouration of the Giant Panda may help them to blend into these misty forests when they are foraging for food.  Giant pandas are extremely good climbers.

Appearance
Giant pandas have a distinctive appearance. Their thick hair keeps them warm in the cool, wet mountain zones. Their white coat with black markings is unique, with black patches around the eyes and ears, black legs, and a black band around the shoulders. Adults measure around 1.5 m long and around 75 cm tall.   Males are 10-20% larger than females. Males can weigh up to 115 kg (253 pounds). Females are generally smaller than males, and can occasionally weigh up to 100 kg (220 pounds).

Endangered Species
Giant pandas are an endangered species. The giant panda is a rare cousin to the bear family and is a highly threatened species. There are only 1600 left in the world.


Life Cycle

Giant Pandas  are born between March and May and can live 20 years in the wild. A newborn panda cub weighs just 90 - 130 g. A pandas average life is 14- 20 years in a Zoo.






Habitat

Giant pandas live in large bamboo forests. They like to live 4,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Currently about 1,600 giant pandas live in over 20,000 square kilometers of habitat.





Behavior
The giant pandas spend as long as 14 hours eating per day.  Giant pandas spend their lives eating and walking around the forest floor. They are good climbers and can also swim. They build dens to put cubs in or to hibernate.

Diet
The giant panda has a massive appetite for bamboo. A typical animal eats for half a day and relieves itself dozens of times a day. It takes 12.5 kilograms of bamboo to satisfy a giant panda’s daily diet needs, and it hungrily plucks the stalks with stretched wrist bones that function rather like thumbs. Pandas will sometimes eat birds or rodents as well. Giant pandas are omnivores.  Bamboo has very little calories and so pandas must eat 12- 38kg every day to meet their energy needs. The giant pandas prefers eating tender stems, shoots and leaves of bamboo.

Conclusion
Giant Pandas are mammals who mainly eat bamboo.  They live in bamboo forests and mountains and are an endangered species.


By Lara Deans  


   

Are student counsilers valuable?

I think student counselors are a valuable part of our school.

First of all I think student counselors are valuable because they organise the school assemblies making sure songs and teacher of the week have been chosen. They are therefore prepared for assembly. Natalie said “student counselors run assemblies well and that they always make sure everything is in place. Student counselors always have to have the assemblies ready before all the parents and 200 students come in.


I also think it is important that the student counselors give the pupils of the school a chance to speak. Mrs Kinaston aid “It’s a good opportunity for the students to have a vice”. The student council has created an ideas box where the kids of Auroa school can put their ideas throughout the week. I think student counselors give the kids a voice here at Auroa school.


Student counselors can help teachers to educate other students. Lexi said “They help the teachers organise activities and assist with jobs”. Student counselors can be called on throughout the school day to help other students understand their school work. Mr spice said “They make games for younger students during the school time”.

I personally think that student counselors are valuable and should be a compulsory part of all school.

Powerless

Taking small steps towards the depressed colours laid across the road. Alice can feel the hard gravel on her feet. My face gets pulled up by the sound of a familiar voice, it’s Jorja.
“Are you heading to school?”.
“Yeah” I reply. Walking shyly through the polished metal gates. Pushing past a crowd of kids, My body collides with another. My eyes focused on the clear glass door standing in my path.

 I made my way to the corridor where I entered my class. The relaxing warm air flew at me as I invaded the enclosured surrounding. Happy thoughts overtook the feeling that had just happened. I felt confused as I stood before hundreds, It felt like a million eyes were staring at me.
“Good morning everyone” Miss Kate exclaimed.
“As you can see we have a new student here with us today”.
 ‘What if nobody likes me, what if I don't fit in’. I had 1 brain and 1000 things going through it.  The bell bellowed in my ear. I walk towards Myah, Abby and Katie as they lay among the luscious green grass. Eyes fixed on the beautiful baby blue sky. Each second brung me closer and closer to them. Looking over at me, they say
“What do you want”
“I was thinking I might be able to join in” I whispered with dread.
 Then without any answer they jumped up, and left me there all alone. The cold wind whistled in my ear, sending a shiver through my body. ‘I’ll never be the same’ I thought, My eyes caught a glimpse of Miss Kate approaching me. I felt a tear fall from my small green eyes, as I thought of what she was coming over to me for. Words started to blurt out of her mouth. The day had ruined me, my heart was broken. Nobody liked me and everybody thought that I was a loser. I was a failure, I wasn’t good at anything.
“Hello darling, did you make any new friends?” Asked Denise.
“No” I moaned as I stormed up the elevating stairs.

The world was awake and the smell of baked beans on toast filled the air. Waiting for mum to storm up the stairs to tell me it was time to eat. I rolled out of bed, pulled on my clothes and thought ‘another day of suffering’. I walked down the stairs, and ate to my delight.
“ Hey Alice, don’t let anyone get you down”
This piece of hope had  just brightened up my whole day. I loved school, It was the only thing apart from breakfast that motivated me each day. Climbing out the door I came face to face with the morning dew. I had finally arrived at the gate and I was ready to start my day. I hung my bag onto the cloak labeled Alice. I heard footsteps coming up the corridor towards me. I quickly turned around to hear voices coming from the classroom so I went to see who it was, It was Katie, Abby and Myah. I wondered what they were talking about. “Speak of the devil here she is” exclaimed Katie. They were whispering about me. I see the door open within a second I see Miss Kate came  in.
“Girls my office now” Miss Kate demanded,
“Do you girls have something to say to Alice” She questioned
They turned around ashamed of themselves 3 girls and 1 pray.
“Stop talking about her behind her back, Treat others the way you want to be treated” Jorja said seriously.
“Thanks” I told her.

Kaitlin Perret

Kaitlyn Perret

WALT: Identify key vocab and language features that help form a character pictures in our mind

Kaitlyn is an amazing, active girl who is always has a positive outlook on everything she does. She lives in Taranaki with her family.

My cousin Kaitlyn is into playing netball with her friends at lunchtime any chance that she gets. She has a passion for playing outdoors with her family and 2 pets. Kaitlyn is quite creative, and whenever given the chance can be found creating something out of nothing.

Her energetic nature and bubbly personality is quite contagious to those who surround themselves with her. She is never short of a friend to play with at school or after.

She has medium length, wavy hair that is always tied back in a french braid. I love her dark brown, gleaming eyes, because they match her beautiful smile.

Kaitlyn is always helping other people. She is my best cousin out of them all and enjoys her life, and that's why I love her.