Tōtara Park

On the 30th of July, we visited Totara Park and learned about the kaitiakitanga, the stream, and a lot more during our walk. It was very muddy and dirty. There were a lot of rocks/leaves, and it was wet and soggy. The walk was very tiring. While we were walking around in Totara Park, I discovered different plants using the Seek app, which identifies plants like palms, trees, ferns, etc. (I don’t have the photos because I accidentally deleted them.) Totara Park was the best experience I’ve had so far, and I hope we get to visit Totara Park again next year.

Botanical Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are very different but a bit similar to Totara Park (except it wasn’t that dirty). It was very clean, and they had different plants that were not at Totara Park, like Japanese plants, African plants, etc. I really love the work they put into the garden. We also did a scavenger hunt to find letters of the alphabet from one of the plants, and I discovered a rose that became my favorite: the desert rose. My experience at the Botanic Gardens was incredible and unique. The same goes for Totara Park!

Here is some photos I took at the Botanic Gardens :)))

Desert rose!

just a lake no ducks :(((

WAUGHHH WATER

These looked so unique and pretty!

Sunflowers are my most favorite

Matariki is a significant event in Māori culture, marking the Māori New Year. It is celebrated by the appearance of the Matariki star cluster in the night sky, which is also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. This celestial event usually occurs in late June or early July and signifies the beginning of the Māori lunar calendar.

I know it’s not Tongan language week😭

J.R.R. Tolkien was a brilliant English writer, best known for his high-fantasy works “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Born in South Africa in 1892, Tolkien spent much of his childhood in England after his father’s death. He developed a love for languages and mythology, which greatly influenced his writing.

– Tolkien was a philologist, specializing in Old and Middle English languages, which he taught at Oxford University.

– He served in World War I, an experience that profoundly impacted his writing, particularly his depiction of war in Middle-earth.

– “The Hobbit,” initially written for his children, was published in 1937 and gained immediate popularity.

– “The Lord of the Rings” was published in three volumes between 1954 and 1955, becoming one of the best-selling novels of all time.

– Tolkien created detailed languages like Elvish and Dwarvish, along with rich histories and cultures for his fictional world, Middle-earth.

– His work has inspired countless writers, artists, filmmakers, and even spawned a genre of fantasy literature known as “Tolkien-esque.”

– Tolkien’s love story with his wife Edith is legendary; he even inscribed their tombstone with the names of Beren and Lúthien, characters from his legendarium.

Tolkien’s impact on literature and popular culture is immense, and his works continue to captivate readers worldwide.

I wanted to make one but instead I made two so I hope you guys don’t really mind.

In the morning’s hush, we stand as one,
Beneath the rising, golden sun.
Anzac Day, with solemn grace,
We gather here, in this sacred place.

Memories stir of battles past,
Of courage shown, and friendships cast.
In distant lands, they fought with pride,
Their sacrifices, never denied.

Through tears we honor those who fell,
Their stories, like tolling bells.
For freedom’s cause, they bravely stood,
In fields of war, where heroes would.

Their names etched deep in history’s page,
A solemn vow, from age to age.
We hold them close, in heart and mind,
Their legacy, forever enshrined.

Anzac Day, with reverence we pay,
To those who fought, on that fateful day.
With feelings raw, and hearts sincere,
We’ll remember them, year after year.

Beneath the waves where silence reigns,

A girl descends, where light refrains.

Her fingers dance upon guitar strings,

In the watery depths where music sings.

Her hair like a cascade of flowing strands,

seaweed swaying in unseen hands.

Reflecting depths that few have seen.

With each strum, a ripple breaks,

Echoes of melodies the water takes.

Her song, a whisper in the sea’s embrace,

A symphony of solitude and grace.

Fish dart by, enchanted by the sound,

Their scales shimmer as they twirl around.

The coral reefs, alive with vibrant hues,

Listen intently to her underwater muse.

In this liquid world, she finds her home,

Where melodies in currents roam.

Her guitar, a companion in the blue,

As she serenades the ocean’s view.

Though unseen by those above,

Her music touches hearts with love.

For in the depths where dreams unfurl,

Lies a girl, playing guitar, underwater’s pearl.

In the velvet night, stars ignite,
A celestial dance, pure and bright.
Silent whispers of galaxies afar,
Echoing secrets, a cosmic memoir.

Moonlight spills, a silver stream,
Painting constellations, a celestial dream.
Nebulas swirl in hues unseen,
A symphony of light in the cosmic screen.

Planets dance in their silent waltz,
Each a story, each a pulse.
Jupiter’s might, Saturn’s rings,
Mysteries untold, boundless things.

In the vast expanse of the night,
Where dreams take flight, and souls take sight,
We gaze upon the universe vast,
In awe and wonder, it forever lasts.

So let us linger in this starry embrace,
In the night sky’s tender grace.
For in its depths, we find our place,
A fleeting moment in infinite space.

Ever since I joined the gardens school in year 4 back in 2021 it was a very harsh year for me but for now i’m in year 7. i’ve learnt that we have to apply for jobs in this grade my job is wet day monitor. and also making blogs and what i learnt in this Hāpori is organisation, Handwriting, Te Rēo, NZCM, and Tech i got accepted in the band and what i chose is the bass guitar and i joined choir but i missed two sessions. in this year i’ll try to do my best as a year 7 and moving up to involved/self directed and try to improve my learning.