Dear readers,

“There is no planet B!” This is probably a saying that you’ve heard many times, but what does it mean? It means that we don’t have another place to live and we don’t have a second Earth. Pollution, climate change and us humans are just a few problems that Earth is facing. So what are we doing to protect and save the precious land that we are the guardians of?

Let me first talk about the problems we are facing, yes, we. Earth is facing these problems and we are suffering from them. Whether it is pollution affecting the air we breathe, or rises in temperature causing droughts or severe floods! Rising temperatures are affecting global rainfall. Pollution is another problem and comes in many forms. It could be plastic and rubbish in our oceans and on land, because every animal wants to chew on a nice piece of plastic, am I right?! Many of these problems, such as littering and pumping gas into the atmosphere via factories are caused by humans, but not all our actions are bad.

There are conservations that have been established to help our environment. New Zealand has a variety such as Forest and Bird dedicated to being nature’s voice and helping to protect our beloved country. New Zealand is into renewable energy using our food scraps and converting it into electricity! Australia takes their heat as an advantage using solar energy. Wellington, also known as “The windiest city” uses windmills for energy all year round. What else has been done?

Worldwide we have been cutting down on the use of plastic items,  using recyclable materials instead; for things like our shopping bags, straws and utensils (Even though I’ll never get over the taste of mashed straw in between my teeth). Small changes like these make a big difference, but that doesn’t change the fact that we still have copious amounts of rubbish, litter and debris swept into the ocean. I have a solution – anyone remember that super smart kid that everyone has/had in middle school who would probably control all? Well I thought of giving him all our problems to solve, good solution right? But, back to reality.. let’s see what possible solutions have been thought of or could be really useful for our environmental problems.

I’ve talked about changes countries have made and worldwide changes, but what can an everyday person like you or me do to help? Not always do you have to “go big or go home”, small things such as not littering or picking up rubbish even if it’s not yours helps. Everyday people can work together to make a huge difference, community clean ups such as the recent Puhinui Stream clean up for our local stream makes a huge impact. This stream later on flows into the Manukau harbour and then into the ocean, because of the clean up we won’t have to worry about fish lounging on the couches that were thrown in! The point is that it doesn’t matter who you are, you could be King Charles or a random person – we all share the same earth, so it’s everyone’s responsibility to help protect our land. We are all supposed to be the guardians of our home.

There’s no planet B so we are the guardians to protect our land. No matter who you are we can all help whether it’s on a small or large scale. We should all help especially since we are suffering from these environmental issues! So why wait to start making an impact? Starting today, get out there, pull up your sleeves and get your hands dirty to help our planet stay healthy.

Dear readers,

“There is no planet B!” This is probably a saying that you’ve heard many times, but what does it mean? It means that we don’t have another place to live and we don’t have a second Earth. Pollution, climate change and us humans are just a few problems that Earth is facing. So what are we doing to protect and save the precious land that we are the guardians of?

Let me first talk about the problems we are facing, yes, we. Earth is facing these problems and we are suffering from them. Whether it is pollution affecting the air we breathe, or rises in temperature causing droughts or severe floods! Rising temperatures are affecting global rainfall. Pollution is another problem and comes in many forms. It could be plastic and rubbish in our oceans and on land, because every animal wants to chew on a nice piece of plastic, am I right?! Many of these problems, such as littering and pumping gas into the atmosphere via factories are caused by humans, but not all our actions are bad.

There are conservations that have been established to help our environment. New Zealand has a variety such as Forest and Bird dedicated to being nature’s voice and helping to protect our beloved country. New Zealand is into renewable energy using our food scraps and converting it into electricity! Australia takes their heat as an advantage using solar energy. Wellington, also known as “The windiest city” uses windmills for energy all year round. What else has been done?

Worldwide we have been cutting down on the use of plastic items,  using recyclable materials instead; for things like our shopping bags, straws and utensils (Even though I’ll never get over the taste of mashed straw in between my teeth). Small changes like these make a big difference, but that doesn’t change the fact that we still have copious amounts of rubbish, litter and debris swept into the ocean. I have a solution – anyone remember that super smart kid that everyone has/had in middle school who would probably control all? Well I thought of giving him all our problems to solve, good solution right? But, back to reality.. let’s see what possible solutions have been thought of or could be really useful for our environmental problems.

I’ve talked about changes countries have made and worldwide changes, but what can an everyday person like you or me do to help? Not always do you have to “go big or go home”, small things such as not littering or picking up rubbish even if it’s not yours helps. Everyday people can work together to make a huge difference, community clean ups such as the recent Puhinui Stream clean up for our local stream makes a huge impact. This stream later on flows into the Manukau harbour and then into the ocean, because of the clean up we won’t have to worry about fish lounging on the couches that were thrown in! The point is that it doesn’t matter who you are, you could be King Charles or a random person – we all share the same earth, so it’s everyone’s responsibility to help protect our land. We are all supposed to be the guardians of our home.

There’s no planet B so we are the guardians to protect our land. No matter who you are we can all help whether it’s on a small or large scale. We should all help especially since we are suffering from these environmental issues! So why wait to start making an impact? Starting today, get out there, pull up your sleeves and get your hands dirty to help our planet stay healthy.

Why should you go watch?

You should watch cross country to support the runners and it is thrilling to watch. As you see them running through the track as you wait standing, from your seat itching to know who will come first! Praising your representatives whether they came first by a mile or stone last. Sportsmanship is displayed and you can see the joy in the faces of the runners as they participate. You may not like running but watching, watching is fun!

This semester our theme was Kaitiakitanga, caring for the environment and being guardians. Miss Rowland thought that it would be cool to go to our local park, Totara Park! At Totara park we explored the Puhinui stream track as our main focus is our waterways and how we care for them. We brought our iPads to use seek, an app that uses Al to look at the image your camera is pointing at and then comparing it to the images of plants/animals that it knows to tell you the species.

Our next trip was to the Botanic Loadina…

As soon as we arrived I immediately noticed that it was less muddy and had a lot more plants and flowers as Totara Park was mainly forest and little flowers. At the Botanical Gardens we had two fun activities planned for the day ahead! We split into smaller groups with about ten to each. Our group did the scavenger hunt first, we had to find a species for each letter e.g yellow flowers for y. We found one for each letter of the alphabet. Next we did the storm water track.

We walked around and looked for each water feature.

In conclusion I think that this was a very good and successful trip, we all had fun and a whole lot of new names for simple things like yellow flowers! Here are some of the pictures I took:

Dear readers you are here because you wanted to become an Olympian (or maybe you are just bored). From my experience of knowing how to become an Olympian (none) it is very easy! To become one you need to follow these 5 easy steps:

1-  Become very athletic and commit to a sport for the rest of  active life.

2- Magic up some money to join a team and also to have it to travel the world. ( Try your brothers ear or your mothers purse.)

3- Get recognized by your countries Olympic team. ( Make adverts about yourself.)

4- Join the team.( Try bribery chocolate works best.)

5- Become famous!

By following these very easy and totally possible steps you have now accomplished your goal! Enjoy being an Olympian.( P.S 4 year Guarantee.)

Dear Kylie,

Matariki is the Māori new year and is a valued celebration. Many people say that each star has its own personality and quality’s. Matariki has a rich history passed down from generation to generation and will continue to be and with the awesome myths and legends unique to each tribe or iwi many enjoy the stories!

So to celebrate such unique event I would like to propose an idea, what if the Gardens community could host a celebration where everyone is welcome and enjoy traditional food and music. We could preform a  Haka and some Waiata! We can also explain the history and watch the rising of the stars!

So what do you say Kylie? Would you help to do this wonderful event?

Sincerely the Gardens community.

Splashy splish a sound,
for when the fish is around.
In the ocean so blue!

spattende splinter 'n geluid, 
vir wanneer die vis rond is.
in die see so blou

Introduction 

Why did J.R.R Tolkien write the Hobbit? What was he known as by his family?Who was his sweetheart and what did he do well in school?Who was his friend and how did he do in the First World War? Read more to find out?

Early life

J.R.R. Tolkien started life when his parents moved to Bloemfontein SA, where he was born. Spending the next 4 years of his life there, in 1896 his father the bank manager of  Bank of Africa branch died rheumatic fever. A year later they moved back to Birmingham. His mother died in 1904 and he became an orphan along with his younger brother Hillary Tolkien. They were later taken in by Francis Morgan Tolkien was 9 years old. In 1910 he attended King Edward’s  excelling in classical and modern languages.

A Poem To Edith

At 16 years old Tolkien known as Ronald met Edith she was 19 at the time and he knew that she was the one. He wrote her a letters to Edith as well as a poem called GoblinFeet. Both being orphans they soon found out that they loved each other and he got married at the age of 26 and Edith age  29. They had 4 children John the eldest Michael , Christopher and the youngest of the four Priscilla. Ronald then decided to write a book for his children.

The Hobbit.

Now 38 Ronald started the book for his children. A book called The Hobbit. Spending 2 1/2 years to write the Hobbit.they loved it and so did Ronald, he found out that he had a love for literature!What would he write next?

                         Did you know:

Not only did he write the Hobbit he also wrote Lord of the rings.he not only wrote the Hobbit for his children, but also to create a whole new language. he created roughly 15 languages! Ronald was a very close friend to CS Lewis. As well as school Ronald Fort in World War I! His most famous quote being “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. Not all those who wander are lost”.Did you know the last book he wrote and published was the Lord of the rings, but it is unknown if he wrote other pieces. He wrote a minimum of 17 books. Ronald lived a nice long life and sadly died at the age of 81. Ronald will remain a well known author and go down in history as one of the greatest!

So in Conclusion 

Ronald was and still is a famous author a very intelligent author. With the knowledge of how to create at least 15 languages! we are very fortunate to be able to read Ronald‘s pieces. How he started of life with a rocky start losing his parents and becoming an orphan at just nine and then to go of to school and then survive World War One and watching as yet again…someone who is important to him die. To becoming one of the greatest authors of the world!

Those who fell

Walking with the group I am all alone,

Lost at war nowhere to go.

Hiding in bunkers making no sound,

Green uniform’s a blur as their wearers run around.

Walking together yet still all alone,

Nowhere to go nowhere to hide,

Heartbreaking screams and

skin piercing bullets hitting my sides.

Scurrying paws fill the bunkers, tents and hospital halls,

Spreading disease that brings more death.

Stench that curl and twist in the breeze filling our noses with dirty air

Sweet nurses tending my severe wounds,

My gashes and knocks, dry blood and shock.

Lying in the dark hospital dorm…

My heart longing for New Zealand where I’ll no longer be alone.

Eyes brimming with tears thinking of family at home.

My brothers and sisters cried as I left,

Leaning on me holding their breath’s

Letters from home are like a gold

Reading mine I am told,

My sister has disappeared!

Days pass wondering if sister has returned,

Next day I learned.

The battle we had lost,

Return we shall !

Boats arrived that week,

Bringing dread from months ago.

Packed and ready to go we sail and sail,

for months to come and go.

Walking together no longer alone,

A home to go to,

I don’t have to wait.

Waiting there is my sister safely home!

Remembering those who fell.

In the Great War, we have lots of stories to tell!

Lest we for get.

                          POLYFEST

It was the 20th of March and everyone piled into the bus, we were off to Polyfest! As soon as we arrived I was already hungry the teachers let us sit on the grass so I decided to eat something. As I looked around I saw hundreds of people some dressed up in amazing clothes from their different cultures and I could hear the booming microphones from what looked like stages! I was super excited I had never gone to a festival like this before. I packed up my food and just in time because the teachers called us to stand up, they lead us to the entrance gates! We all walked inside in a single file, a slight murmur of excitement.

We all sat down for an introduction on what the day would look like. We then were told we were half an hour ahead of the schedule so we decided to do a tour walking around the Arena. Passing all the stalls I realised that I was still hungry and the smell of sweet kebabs creeped up my nose! But sadly no buying food. We all walked back to the stage and just on time to, because a guest speaker started walking up to the stage!

He was from the bowel screening foundation, he told us how bowel cancer is really bad for you and how bowel screening can save your life. He also said that the age that you can get it is between 64-70 and to tell our grandparents about it. We had a quiz he asked “ who can tell me when you can get bowel cancer?” My hand shot up and many others did to. I think he got a bit overwhelmed as he then said first one up the stage to the mic can answer, luck me as I was sitting at the front I shot up and answered! Hi then handed me a big prize bag one of the prizes was a $20 pack’ N save voucher ! A few other guest speakers spoke too and then we were off to the diversity stage!

We stood up in unison and single filed our way to the next stage, the diversity stage! When we all sat down the show had already started it was Chinese fan dancing. They wore beautiful dresses in pastel pinks, green’s and yellows, it must of taken them weeks of practice because they danced so well and so gracefully! Next up were the Indian dance group, They arrived on stage wearing amazing bright colors of reds and oranges and yellow. The dance was fantastic as they all danced in beat not missing a step! After a few more performances we stood up full of excitement and energy ready for the next stage!

We were walking down the path when suddenly we stopped it was like a traffic jam but with children instead of cars. We waited,  confused, at last a teacher arrived and we walked through a big archway and made our way through to the Māori stage! Walking up the stairs we heard the strong voices of the people preforming the Haka. When the first dance was finished the boys started and then the girls, they were all so amazing! But sadly like any other trip this one had to end.

Walking back the same path we arrived on we made our way to the awaiting buses and once again we piled into them. Poly fest was such an amazing experience for all of those who went and I can’t wait for next years festival!