My day at the beach

One hot sunny day I was sun bathing at the beach when I heard a weird sound I shot up like a canon but no one was there.It must of been the heat making me go crazy. So I lay back down on the scorching hot sand.but there it was again it was as if someone was talking to me so I ran and dived into the sea but the sound kept going but right beside me was a dolphin it talked I thought I was dreaming but I wasn't I jumped out and grabbed my diving gear so that I could follow the dolphin it went through some seaweed under coral then finally stopped at a old shipwreck but then I realised that my mum was meant to pick me up at five to take me home but it was only 3 o'clock so I had time. it had disappeared into the ship so I followed it swim to the back of the ship and into a big room. I stuck my head around the corner and there was a hole pod dolphins living in the shipwreck they were all crowded around a big chest of treasure it had gold silver necklaces diamonds and one of the dolphins had a crown on its head but then one saw me it started to swim over to me and it caught the eye of one of the older dolphins so aventerly the hole pod was staring and it was as if I was a cat in a room full of dogs. I didn't know what to do would they think I was trying to steal there treasure or will they be nice and give me some so I closed my eyes crumpled up into a ball hoping they wouldn't see me but they did. don't worry we won't hurt you a voice from in frount of me said. I opened one eye then the other it was the one with the crown my name is hector and I am the master of this pod. you are probably wondering why we are in this ship it has a story to it that I going to tell you. it was about a year ago me and my pod were trying to find a new place to live after our old place was destroyed  in a big storm. A big ship slowly appeared over the water casting a big shadow.when suddenly a emormas net fell from above I was able to escape but Julie and Susan were unable to. slowly the net close and glided up. I started to panic what was going to happen.but time was marching on so I told everyone to chew though the rope but it was no use. I sent a signal out to all the whales sharks sting rays you name we needed  help to get them out of there. in about five seconds there was fish comeing from all directions we hidled in group. I told the sharks to break the net and the whales jumped onto the ship it slowly sunk there where two life rafts with people in.  once the sharks cut through the rope Susan came rushing out but Julie got her fin stuck in the net she would have to take it easy for I next few days I had a sigh of relief it could've been alot worse.afterwards when my pod searched the ship there were lots of shark and dolphin fins we didn't want that to happen to us. but right in the back room of the ship was a treasure chest and then you showed up and that is the story of this sunken ship

I just stood there for a while to take it all in I did not know what fish could do such a thing. I suddenly remembered that my mum was picking me up at 5.I said goodbye and swim to shore and sure enough there was mum sitting in the car. that night on the news it had that a fishing ship had sunk today. THE END

BY BROOKE

                                                                                   

     

production

One hot sunny day I was sun bathing at the beach when I heard a weird sound I shot up like a canon but no one was there.It must of been the heat making me go crazy. So I lay back down on the scorching hot sand.but there it was again it was as if someone was talking to me so I ran and dived into the sea but the sound kept going but right beside me was a dolphin it talked I thought I was dreaming but I wasn't I jumped out and grabbed my diving gear so that I could follow the dolphin it went through some seaweed under coral then finally stopped at a old shipwreck but then I realised that my mum was meant to pick me up at five to take me home but it was only 3 o'clock so I had time. it had disappeared into the ship so I followed it swim to the back of the ship and into a big room. I stuck my head around the corner and there was a hole pod dolphins living in the shipwreck they were all crowded around a big chest of treasure it had gold silver necklaces diamonds and one of the dolphins had a crown on its head but then one saw me it started to swim over to me and it caught the eye of one of the older dolphins so aventerly the hole pod was staring and it was as if I was a cat in a room full of dogs. I didn't know what to do would they think I was trying to steal there treasure or will they be nice and give me some so I closed my eyes crumpled up into a ball hoping they wouldn't see me but they did. don't worry we won't hurt you a voice from in frount of me said. I opened one eye then the other it was the one with the crown my name is hector and I am the master of this pod. you are probably wondering why we are in this ship it has a story to it that I going to tell you. it was about a year ago me and my pod were trying to find a new place to live after our old place was destroyed  in a big storm. A big ship slowly appeared over the water casting a big shadow.when suddenly a emormas net fell from above I was able to escape but Julie and Susan were unable to. slowly the net close and glided up. I started to panic what was going to happen.but time was marching on so I told everyone to chew though the rope but it was no use. I sent a signal out to all the whales sharks sting rays you name we needed  help to get them out of there. in about five seconds there was fish comeing from all directions we hidled in group. I told the sharks to break the net and the whales jumped onto the ship it slowly sunk there where two life rafts with people in.  once the sharks cut through the rope Susan came rushing out but Julie got her fin stuck in the net she would have to take it easy for I next few days I had a sigh of relief it could've been alot worse.afterwards when my pod searched the ship there were lots of shark and dolphin fins we didn't want that to happen to us. but right in the back room of the ship was a treasure chest and then you showed up and that is the story of this sunken ship

I just stood there for a while to take it all in I did not know what fish could do such a thing. I suddenly remembered that my mum was picking me up at 5.I said goodbye and swim to shore and sure enough there was mum sitting in the car. that night on the news it had that a fishing ship had sunk today. THE END

BY BROOKE

                                                                                   

     

dingle mouse

Bob banana he grew as a banana with his family in a banana plantation north of cairns queensland australia. unfortunately his mum was turned into a banana split. a few days later his dad was picked and turned into a smoothie.his sisters were eaten with cereal. his brothers were diced up into a fruit salad. so he was all alone with no one to talk to nothing to do but one day a witch called Bad jelly came and took bob banana and turned him into a mouse so decided to call himself dingle mouse.

And that is the storey of dingle mouse

By Brooke Pratt

chirstchurch

This is the story of Christchurch

1. My heart melted as I stumbled into christchurch the cold empty city with nothing but dust and rubble. Earthquakes can have an incredibly devastating effect on people and land

2. Let’s go back in time to Tuesday the 22nd of February 2011 at 12:51pm. Most people were out having lunch when  a 6.3 magnitude earthquake! struck  Christchurch was no stranger to earthquakes ... they had been occurring since September the year prior but this one was different.  The epicentre of the earthquake was very shallow with an upward movement, not the normal side-ways motion we usually feel.it was this upward movement, close to the surface, that destroyed buildings and caused 185 deaths and an estimated 1500 - 2000 injuries,164of them very serious.

3. The building that completely collapsed killing most of the people inside, was the CCTV building.  I went to visit the site of where this building had been and I was overcome with the sadness that filled the air.
4. Across the road were 185 white chairs - each one representing a person who died in the quake.  The artist had selected a seat that reflected each person that died and I was particularly upset to see a little baby capsule representing a 5 month old baby that died.

5. Three whole years after the quakes much of christchurch is still a bomb site.  60% of the buildings that used to be in the city centre have already been demolished.They still have 8% to tear down.the christchurch city council has begin the massive creation of a new Christchurch, which is expected to take 3 - 5 years. Although this sounds a long time, it has given the people of Christchurch the opportunity to decide what they want their new city to be like.  It may end up being one of the most well-planned cities in the world.  

6. however, the damage is not only located in the city.  I drove out to Brighton and along the way it was devastating to see all the homes that looked practically new but were abandoned.  Some had all the windows smashed with doors wide open and were tagged all over.  Then you would see the odd house with people still living in them.  

7. Even amongst this devastation is hope.  I admire the people who have lived through this - and hope their dreams of their new Christchurch can come true.

By Brooke Pratt

    

winkle bin laden

I have a cat called winkle bin laden who is black and white likes to sleep in the garden.

The garden is sunny and warm and she likes to hide its her place where she can spig.

She’s 13 yrs old quite old for a cat but that doesn’t stop her from killing birds and putting them on the door mat . She sometimes gets frisky and gallops about and grabs legs passing and makes us all shout. But mostly she likes to nap somewhere warm in the garden or inside by the fire when there is a storm. She lets us know when she  wants to come in by sitting on the wood box by the window and meowing. Once she in she rubs up and tangles herself around our feet tripping and annoying us until we gave her a feed. She avoids my little brother to her he is cruel. I love my winkle she is so snuggly and cool.    

uncle rob

Hi I am Jill I am going to stay at uncle robs house for the weekend. there are lots of cool things to do at uncle Robs house he has a big boat big house I also have lots of fun helping him get ready to go fire fighting but I can't go with him he says it is to dangerous. but im ok with that. an old guy who lives at the fire station looks after me I think his name is Steve. there also is some bad things about staying at uncle robs house like some times he grumpy if he doesn't get enough sleep and he only EAT FISH!!!!! how random but luckily he is an amazing cook some times we get fish and chips and of course he eats the fish and I eat the chips.

Taylor swift

Point 1 younger yrs

Taylor Alison Swift was born 1989 December 13th. She grew up in Wyomissing Pennsylvania with her parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, and little brother Austin on a Christmas tree farm.
"I was raised on a little farm it was the most magical wonderful place in the world," Taylor told the Ottawa Citizen News paper.  Just like Taylor I love living on the farm I couldn't imagine living in the city with cars driving past all the time when you are trying to sleep.
Ever since Taylor was 6 she has always wanted to be a performer.  She had a happy childhood and she was always great at performing and singing everywhere she went.  I too like to perform as I have been learning ballet since 5 years old.  I have a recital coming up and it is based on the story Aladdin. When Taylor started junior high her old friends were jealous of her singing success at fairs and contests and didn't want to be friends with her anymore. Later in life this became the inspiration for her song "Mean".  I think bullying shouldn't happen and I am glad that we don't have bullies at our school.  We all encourage each other and are happy!

When Taylor was 13 years old she was offered a development deal with RCA, a record label, and they were based in Nashville - so her family moved there.  Taylor wasn't such a big hit at RCA as they wanted her to record music written by other people but Taylor wanted to write her own songs. So after a year with them Taylor walked away from them.  Taylor was then offered a job as a house writer with Song/ATV, writing songs about things she knew - friendships, crushes, boys and school.    It was when she worked here she wrote my favourite Taylor Swift song, "Should've said no".  Her songs caught the attention of Scott Borchetta who started his own music label "Big Machine Records" and Taylor was the first person he offered a record deal to.  They got to work and only four months later her album was released - June 2006.

One of the things I like most about Taylor is how open she is to her fans. She created a MySpace profile of herself and posted pictures, video clips and fun information about herself.  She was so excited when she got some fans that she tried to email each one of them personally.  Most of her fans had never even listened to country music before either.

In October she released her second album - the self-titled album 'Taylor Swift' - and it went platinum, which means it sold one MILLION copies.  That seems so amazing that one million people went out and bought her CD.

I admire Taylor and how hard she works, how talented she is and at the same time has not forgotten her fans and still wants to be friends to them all.  She is a great role model to her fans and I have been to her concerts. She chats to the audience (mostly girls my age) about all the types of things that she has been through in her life and lets us know that it is ok and you will look back on things that might be happening in your life and it will not be a big deal.

My NEW favourite Taylor Swift song is "Shake it off" and I love how in the video she is doing lots of different types of dance and isn't very good but is enjoying herself anyway ... and she doesn't mind that she looks silly and doesn't take herself too seriously.

That is why my inspiration person is Taylor Swift - she is talented but down to earth and such a great role model to her fans.

brooke skiing story

crunch crunch as our boots stomped on the thick ice up the car park. I grabbed my ski boots skis and poles and marched over to the cafe The mountain looked like a winter wonder land no a million little crystals all the the mountain or a big tub of vanilla ice cream talking about food i will have something to eat I also piled on some sunscreen. Hannah and I jumped on a chair lift and up we whizzed to our lesson. after our lesson me and Hannah went skiing  down the giant I slowly went down practicing my turns the soft slushy snow flow everywhere as people zoomed past me




we learnt to parallel turn            

Vocab development

Finally it Saturday. I had been waiting all week. I bounced my self out of bed, my heart pounding. We were up against the thusrt team in the grade. Out side it was -10 degrees so I layered up ready for netball. After the game the score was 5-7 to us so dad took me to the bakery to get a pie.

Speech!!!!!!!!!

Introduction !

How often would you try to do some thing and fail, BUT try again?!  Would you try 3 times? What about 10 times?  What about a 100 times?  I BET you wouldn't try 10,000 times!!!  Well, Thomas Edison did ...and it was all to make the light bulb .

I'm going to tell you about him ... his work ethic, his other inventions and the war he had with Mr Westinghouse

The Content ! 

Thomas Alva Edison was born February the 11th 1847.   Thomas was an inventor.   Not only did he invent the long lasting electric light bulb that we all know so well, but he also invented many different things ... the  phonograph also known as a gramophone, the motion picture camera, and I'm sure you all know about the Telgrafo Quadruplex. No?!!  Well let me enlighten you (no pun intended)!  It is a type of electrical telegraph which allows a total of four signals to be transmitted and received on a single wire at the same time.

What I find inspirational about Thomas Edison was how notoriously hard working he was ... he even returned to his laboratory on his wedding day.  He improved on the ideas of others with 10,000 attempts producing the first commercial incandescent light bulb.  A famous quote from Thomas Edison"I haven't failed I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

What if he hadn't tried 10,000 times?
At night it would be dark. We would have to light candles all the time which is a big fire hazard. Cities would be dark meaning more robberies, injuries, the list goes on. Imagine our christmas tree with no lights on it!

Edison was also the first to distribute direct current or DC power to 59 customers in Lower Manhattan.  But Mr Westinghouse starting transmitting alternating current or AC power at the same time   and - "war of the currents"- not the currants you eat but the types of electrical currents -  began.  Unfortunately for Edison AC power was able to deliver higher voltages over thinner cheaper lines and became the preferred option.   Westinghouse went on to become a very big business and in fact we have a Westinghouse fridge and ironically it has a light bulb in it ...amazing Huh  

Conclusion !

So my inspirational person is Thomas Edison from whom I have learnt the importance of hard work and to keep trying ... that failure can be part of achieving success.

As Edison himself said "genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration"

Commonwealth games

I skipped through the gates of Cheltenham school on a bright sunny day. We were there to celebrate the common wealth games !!
Their school had set up a whole lot of fun filled activates such as sprints, shot put, high, jump, discus, relays, darts, gymnastics. I was put in the yr 5&6 group. First up we did shotput. After we did all the activities, we did relays. I was in a team with Jackson, Tyler, Dylan, and George. I think it was a nice thing to do and I had lots of fun.

MEET MR MR SUNNY

Meet Mr Mr Sunny
The Flargie who could never refuse a polite request
He's is a bright yellow flargie that looks a lot like a yellow jelly bean. He has a big grin that goes right across his face, and a big top hat that sits upon his head it also has a little white stripe around it
Hes the looks like the kind of guy you would want to cheer you up.


1.Mr Mr sunny will never refuse a polite request no matter how busy he is.
2.He is a hard working guy that LOVES to please people which = not much persinol time.
3.such as when he walks around the corner thinking that there will be a million other people wanting his help (joking) and there is so as we all now he can never refuse a polite request and since he is the nicest flargie around has to help them all out.
4.I think this is a good quality to have because you will have the nice felling of had helped soooooooo many people and had made them happy but people will take him for granted of how nice he is and end up getting him in trouble.


1.Mr Mr sunny worry's about what other people think of him.
2/3.like the time when he was going to make his famous strudel but had no flour he thought no one would want to come to his party if there is no strudel. so he rushed to the shop to get some flour but on his way so many people wanted his help and he got way be hind scheduled so when he got to the shop it was closed.
but when it was time for the party all his friends came with gifts.when he told them he didn't make his famous strudel they all laughed and said we don't go to your party's to eat strudel we come to your party's because we like your company.
4.I think its good how he had a goal to make his strudel and didn't give up its a good thing to be able to do    

2014 Production

First up was the senior boys doing Stomp. They were using kitchen utensils to make their music ... clok clak bong tig it went.

Next up was David doing his Sheep Documentary. He told us about all the different sheep breeds.

After David was Cinderella. I enjoyed Cinderella because they made it really funny. Lauren did a good job as Cinderella because she spoke clearly and loudly. I really liked the ugly step sisters and the prince.

After that was Hannah singing her song. I think her song went well because she sang it beautifully. It was even better that she had wrote it herself.

After that the juniors said some poems.

Finally it was time for Bad jelly. So many butterflies fluttered around in my stomach. I knew that some time they would take me away with them to a faraway place where you don’t get nervous. But no ... I was in the dressing room getting ready for my part in Bad jelly. I was Dingle mouse; but not just any mouse. I was a Aussie mouse. It was dead quiet, until out of the blue there was lightning ... fork lighting, knife lighting and spoon lighting!

Suddenly Lauren called my name “BROOKE. IT’S YOUR PART SOON.”

I quickly whizzed through the door to the wings of the stage. I realised that I had an important job to do. My mission was to get to the other side of the stage. So as the little robin went on I sneekily walked to the middle of the stage and hid behind the big tree and when everyone was looking away, I sneeked over to the witch's castle and got in my hole. When it was my turn to jump out of the hole all my butterflies flew away.

“The name is Dingle Mouse”.

I startled the audience with my australian accent. I wanted to go with the children to find Lucy the cow so I song then a little song. They loved it and they let me help them find Lucy. But, when we were climbing up a big hill, it started to snow. An old lady told us to get in this nice sack and we will be warm. When we got in the wool fadge it tipped and I got squished! Finally I struck an idea ... I could jump out of the fadge and see my mate Jim. He was in his onesie having a little snooze. When I woke him up he was a little bit grumpy with me but in the end we saved the children and lived happily ever after.

Next year I hope to do ‘Despicable Me’ as our production.

THE END

By Brooke

           

Brooke's revised Family Poem

Family

Things may change but we start and finish with family 
.
Family is fun 
The ones you live with 
The ones that help you learn new things 
.
Family is life
The ones that feed you 
The ones that look after you 
.
Family is trust
The ones that support you 
The ones that encourage you
.
Family is love
The ones that care about you
Knowing you are loved no matter what
.
Family is everything
.

I love my family!!!!!!!!

Brooke's Family Poem

Family

Things may change but we start and finish with family 
Knowing you are loved no matter what 
The ones you live with 
The ones that look after you 
The ones that support you 
The ones that care about you
They help you learn new things 
They feed you 
They encourage you
Family is fun 
Family is love 
Family is life
Family is trust
Family is everything

I love my family!!!!!!!!

Writing sample

One bright Saturday morning I woke with excitement. Tonight I am going to stay at my Neighbors house. Mary said they had a visitor staying. I like staying at Mary and Mikes house because there house is very big and old with lots of rooms. My name is Lucy and I am 8 I like to go for adventures in Mary and Mikes house. "get up" Lucy Mum yelled i whipped on some clothes and raced out the door, Grabbed my bag and gave mum a kiss and zoomed the gate and next door. I dropped my bag and knocked on the door. " Hello" i said polity " May I come in"
"Sure you can" a grumpy voice from inside said
I pranced in. "Where is the visitor" I exclaimed.
"I will tell you" Mary yelped as she trotted down the stairs "She comes at night"
"What so I have to wait until tonight" I stumbled up stairs and dumped my bag in the spare room.
I got out a packet of UNO, After about 50 games on UNO and a movie Mary said " Anyone want some Dinner"
" oh oh I do I do" Mike shouted
" Do u want to help Lucy?  "Lets make Tacos"
After dinner I was full as a Bull.
"Did you like my Tacos?
" Yea we loved them Mary

Monsoon Poon

Monsoon Poon

On the first night of camp we had planned to go to an Indian or Asian Restaurant and not knowing what restaurants there are, we were unsure of where we would choose.

We were walking back from Te Papa when we heard a voice say, “What should we have for dinner?” It was Mrs Cuming.

“The Bon Apiti group can do that job,” exclaimed Mrs Fielder.   

So the Bon Apiti group and Mrs Cuming set off on a mission to find a good place to eat while all the others set off to the youth hostel.

When we got to the hostel we made our beds and got ready for when the Bon Apiti group got  back.

Eventually they all came in with a bound shouting, “Monsoon Poon ... it is Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian! Let’s go now.”

We set off cheerfully down the street and finally got to the Monsoon Poon. Our stomachs grumbling we walked into a room filled with red and gold and lots of  amazing sculptures and pictures. The waitress showed us to our table and we sat down. I could see the excitement in everyone’s faces.

The waiter asked if I would like the tiger or  the cobra and explained that came with a drink and a sundae. The Tiger is a chicken kebab with rice and naan bread and the Cobra is butter chicken with rice and naan bread.

“Can I please have the cobra?”

“Cool and what drink do you want? There is sprite, orange juice or apple juice.” “Could I please have orange juice.”

For the sundae ... we will make them for you to collect on the way back from the observatory.So the Bon Apiti group will pick them up for you and take them back to the hostel.   

I started to colour in my picture and before I knew it my dinner was already served! When everyone had finished we took the cable car to the observatory.

On the way back the Bon Apiti group got the sundaes and we ate them all in the meeting room. It was a great night.

By Brooke                            

Capital E

While on camp we went to Capital E, a technology studio with 2 different studios. One studio for Music making and lots of other things and one for TV productions. Our whanau group was involved in learning about producing programmes such as News items for the TV.

My role was as an Interviewer. Hannah and Zahn were the Anchors in the studio. They explained the news item then crossed to me for further information from my interviewees. We discussed Apiti School’s learning goals and how we use them everyday.

Huntah explained how Apiti children learn and the Bon Apiti programme. James explained how Apiti is a Green/Gold Enviroschool and what that means in our community. Chloe told us how they plan their productions.

Then it went back to Hannah and Zahn. Following their article I interviewed all the whanau groups and asked them about what they do at the school. First the Community Creators, then Hydro Rangers, Expert Plantagators, Supa Small Blacks and finally Waste Busters.

After that it went back to Hannah and Zahn and before I knew it was my turn to interview Tyler and Dylan. Tyler told me about the Apiti Show and what happens there. Then Dylan told me about the Apiti School lamb and calf day. Finally when Dylan had finished it went back to Hannah and Zahn to wrap it up.

Anneke and Lacey came on with the ‘Apiti where’s that’ session ... then the school song.

It all went smoothly. There were a couple of muck ups but that is live TV producing!.  

By Brooke

apiti show poem

You

Me

Human

Are monkeys like  us?

Monkey

Are we like monkeys?

Young

with a long life a head of me

Innocent

Native

I am from nz this is my home

Foreign

Where do you come from? do you miss your home?

Tame

We have rules to live by

Wild

free to do as you please or are you

Connection

You look at me I wonder at you

Separation

Behind the glass your world so different to mine

Apiti show poem- Connections

The tree house

Once upon a time in bottomsville  its called that because everyone that was born there had big bottoms. There was a boy named Jim short for Jimmie.
He was not born in bottomsville they move there after his dad died.
He had a friend called Bob, one day they where playing in bob's tree house then Jim struck an idea we should make a 20 story tree house  to much your 5 story house we could have a ice cream bar an ice staking rank our own master bedrooms a big room full of millions of penguins a big pool with a smoothie bar the list goes on but where do we get the money from said bob Jim frowned and shrugged I don't know he said suddenly a loud scream come from below time to come inside boys jimmies mum will be here soon  yeah lets go inside and explore the house they had a big red house it was a five story  house the first 3 levels where like their actuarial house but the last two where all dark and screy                

book trailer

Thea Stilton and the star castaways