Reflections from 9RTd

Today we discussed the purpose of reflection- review, thinking back on our year. We came up with some focussing questions on the board to think about our year.

I'm so proud of the students in 9RTd and the great strides that they have taken in their reading and writing.

Ite, Cheyaane, Henry, Tupou, Faaaoane, Jennyfer, Wakatere, Lose at the Manaiakalani film festival!

"Throughout this long challenging year in english I have learnt many things, such as how to write and includes metaphors and similes in writing, and how to annotate poems and even various texts. I learnt these basic learning skills by paying attention when ever the teacher spoke. To help me with my learning I read chapter books from time to time. Listening to the teacher helped me understand and gain basic knowledge. From time to time I learn’t at home and in B9, this learning area helped me to think and learn challenging and basic information. My strengths in English is reading and the area in need for more improvement is writing. Various skills I need to work on range from writing and reading and also listening. Things I need to improve on next year is to stay more focused and pay more attention to the teacher."

-Edward Baah

"What have I learned this year? I’ve learned a lot of things this year like one of them is learning new words.

What can I do better? What I can do better is to stop talking to friends during class and learning time and to also listen to the teacher more.

How did I learn? I learnt in so much different ways one of them are reading books which can help me learn new words and to also help give me ideas on how to write a poem or any type of writing.

Did I change? I think that I changed in so much ways like I have came to school more than I used to and also going around and asking people for help instead of sitting there and doing nothing until the bell rang."

-Wakatere Cecil

"From the start of this year 2015, English was a subject that was difficult. I’ve learnt many things such as poems, grammar, punctuation and many more. Learning these basic skills was not as easy but I eventually learnt these things and in which I endeavour to use in my everyday life. To do better next year, I will focus more, pay more attention, read oftenly and to become more involved in learning areas. I learnt in English by completing all tasks given and trying my best to my full potential. My strengths in English are learning and having an extensive vocabulary and having a very positive attitude towards my learning. Learning doesn't only take place at school meaning I can learn at home, in public and anywhere possible by reading or listening to things taking place around me."

-Dion Tuitukau

more reflections to come...

Some of our Marae poems

9RTd wrote some poetry about their experience at school marae, or another marae with which they are familiar.


I see well-entwined patterns as I enter the Marae, I hear voices chattering away like seagulls. I touch the proficiently carved Maui and Hene Nui o Te po. I taste nothing but the sweet glorious air. I raise my hand to feel the giant carved fish scales.

- Edward Baah

I see history

I see strength

I see images floating in my head

Thoughts come here thoughts come there

How united we were then

Here we are so far now

How we grow from roots to trees

How we improved from then to now

How inspired I felt then

how we turned the right way round

-Latisha Puti

I see Taonga.

I see people.

I see Maori patterns.

I see shoes.

I see my teacher.

I hear giggling.

I hear talking.

I hear the wind.

I hear stomping.

I hear growling.

I taste the nice cold air.

I taste the food I ate before coming into class.

I taste nothing else.

I touch the Maori Artworks.

I touch the floor.

I touch the wall.

I touch my skin.

I touch my bestfriends hand.

I touch the beds.

It felt so soft and protective.

-Faaaoane Ulipa

I see the dexterous carving broadly expressing a well mannered Maori legend. I hear the laughter of humorous students and whispers that calmfully bristles pass my ears.I touch the well-intertwined flax creating vivid images of Maori history and heritage.I taste the freshly scented breezy air as it enters my mouth.

-Dion Tuitukau

I see taonga

I see a body

I see a marae

I hear talking

I hear thinking

I hear people

I touched a carving of a scaled fish

I touched Hine nui o te po the great women of night she is the goddess of death.

Hine nui o te po Lady of the dawn.

The taste in my mouth was like nerves with cold air my saliva was everywhere in my mouth.

I smell feet and the cold air whooshing through my noise.

Once I entered I smelt glory and cold air whooshing through my mouth.

I saw.

-Ite Taufa

9 RTd Responses to Sad Joke on the Marae by Apirana Taylor

Kapa Haka group at Te Poho O Tamaki

This poem is about a guy that entry a marae and said who he is and still is welcome after everything he has done. A marae is where everyone is welcome and pretty much anything can happen there. The poet writes “ jail is my home” this made me think that he wasn't taught properly and no one should blame him cause its not his fault.

Apirana Taylor writes “in the only maori I know” this made me feel that we didn't know his family and much people mostly it made me feel sorry for him because we wasn't accepted. The end of the poem was sad and happy. Happy because they understood him and still welcome him in because they didn't blame him for the result of his life, and sad because he is Maori and all he know in this language was Tihei Mauriora.

-Latisha Puti


This poem is about a sad joke about a marae. A marae is a courtyard of a Maori meeting house,especially as a social ceremonial forum.The poet writes that the tekoteko he “ripped his tongue from his mouth and threw it on his feet”. This made me think that going to a marae is a bit scary and challenging because there a chiefs and warriors around you and it feels like there’s a war happening.

Apirana Taylor wrote this because I think he had the same feeling when he entered the marae.This made me feel that going to a marae is a special thing and we shall respect that.

-Ite Taufa


This poem is by Apirana Taylor about giving a speech at a Marae. A Marae is a welcoming place where meetings and funerals are held. The poet writes “ He ripped his tongue from his mouth and threw it at my feet”, this made me think that this person is very aggressive and can be a threat. Apirana Taylor writes “ My name is Tu the freezing worker” this made me feel that this male is a hard working citizen.

-Edward Baah


A marae is a family house, where meetings are made or cultural maori events happen there and not only that, marae also holds funerals of those they have lost. The poet writes “grim death and wooden ghosts carved on the meeting house wall” this made me feel that my ancestors are around and there ancestors are carved onto the marae which makes it very special. Apirana Taylor writes “Tihei Mauriora I cried, they understood, the tekoteko and the ghosts” This made me feel that the sins that Tu committed thy still forgave him and welcomed him into the marae, and that Tu is going to repent for his bad sins.

-Jennyfer Faamita

This poem is about: a sad joke at the Marae. A marae is the courtyard of a Maori meeting house, especially as a social or ceremonial gathering place. The poet writes about jail is home. This made me think that the person in the poem always get in trouble. Apirana Taylor writes about a Sad Joke at the Marae.This made me feel that it is a sad poem because it says a Sad Joke at the marae.

-Langa Ravarua


This poem is about Maori things. A marae is a gathering place for visitors, family and friends. The poet writes,“I saw them” this made me think that he is crazy and needs to get put in a mental facility. Apirana Taylor writes “He ripped his tongue from his mouth and threw it at my feet” this made me kinda feel yucky cause if you picture that in your mind It feels gross. The end of the poem was pretty funny because he’s a plastic Maori.

-Henry Neemia

This poem is by Aprirana Taylor about being welcomed on the marae but the person in the poem does not know a lot about speaking in Maori and does not have detailed knowledge and experience. A marae is a house where people meet, have funerals, and other significant events.

The poet writes “My fist is my taiaha” This made me think that culture is more important than fighting and that culture and and family is one thing that can not be replaced. Apirana Taylor writes “The pub is my marae” This made me feel that my actions now can affect my future and that places like the pub will not be there when you're in trouble also that ancestors and sacred places are more significant than unnecessary things.

"He mahi te ata noho, e kii ana te wheke"

It is the octopus who says sitting is working

This relates to the poem because at the end of the poem he says “For that's all I knew” If he was taught and disciplined situations like that would be not as sad as it was and would of have known how to speak in his native language.

-Dion Tuitakau

Edward's image

The quote I chose was… I drive a car that is falling apart. The theme represented was, Bred in South Auckland. I interpreted the theme by reading along with the poem and seeing what the main ideas were. The symbols I used were, rusty and old/ crudy. These were effective because it painted a picture in my head. The colours I used were bold. I used these colours because I wanted to get across the idea that, this person seems disorganised and  not worried about anything.


I tried to make my letters look bold (size/font/colour) because I thought making my words bold would make the statements said more dominant. I decided to put them on the image because I wanted to help the viewer to understand. I decided to put the words in those positions to make my statement more dominant.

The dominant image was of a car that is slightly falling apart because of poor organisation. I chose to use bold techniques because I believe that my statement will be heard.

9RTd in the library

We visit the library every week and have time to select and read books. Here's what this looked like last week.

Nathanial and Edward check out Lemony Snicket. 

Langa and Malulu enjoying their selections.

It's important to read regularly and develop an enjoyment of reading. It makes us smarter and increases our vocabulary. It helps us improve our concentration and understand the world around us.

Reading is the best way to improve our academic results, as well as make us more well-rounded individuals.

Arohanui books!

Edward & Dion

                                     

Edward     Dion

Hello, how have you been doing today?

Today has been really good everything is going according to plan, I have just been learning and gaining new knowledge.

How are you finding Tamaki College?

I am finding Tamaki College very challenging, subjects like science and maths are really engaging.

What makes you feel different from primary?

Everything makes me feel different from primary because I have grown up into the adolescent stage in life.

Whats your favourite subject and why?

My favourite subject is maths because I like adding and multiplying numbers, another subject I really like is P.E because we are always running around which helps me keep fit.

Reading Or Writing?

Reading.

Who is your favourite sibling……… why?

My favourite sibling is my younger brother because he is really playful and energetic.

Why did you come to Tamaki College?

I came to Tamaki College to try my best to gain an education to help me in the future.

National or Labour?

Labour.

Whats keeping you awake these days?

College.

How focused are you in school?

Some days I am really focused in school and on other days up and down.

KFC or Mcdonalds?

KFC

What's your inspiration in life?

My inspiration in life is my mother because she once said education can help you in your future, thats which motivated me to focus in education.

Edward         Dion

Who is your favourite teacher at tamaki college and why?

Mr Borland because he is very understanding and is always on a positive note. He knows how to handle difficult situations so that time is not wasting.

Who is your inspiration in life and why?Nelson Mandela because he once quoted “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This quote motivates me to focus on education and to always do things at its best.

What does R.I.S.E mean to you?

To me RISE means doing everything with respect, integrity, success and responsibility.

Are you into any big sports?

I am into football.

What do you prefer K.F.C or Mcdonalds?

KFC

Do you have any main aspirations in life?

My aspirations is to become a professional football player and to serve my family at a high quality.

Integrity, Respect & Success

Values are beliefs that control our actions, they keep us on the correct path in life. Three values that matter to me are integrity, respect and success.

One value that i think is important is integrity because being honest with yourself can result in a less harmful consequence, lying means being dishonest or not telling the truth. This is a value you can have in life because when you get a job you wouldn’t want to lie to your boss. Positive feelings come from being honest about yourself and accepting your personality, and physical characteristics, from belonging to a family that accepts you without question.

The second value that I think is most important is respect because when you are respectful to others you usually get that respect given back, for example speaking politely  to other in a respectful manner.A helpful quote said by Charles w , “A healthy democracy requires a decent society; it requires that we are honorable, generous, tolerant and respectful”. Being respectful is a  polite way to show  manners and express the way you feel to others.

The third value is success, this means setting your brain to certain goals to achieve specific standards.We need to be successful so that we can get somewhere in life and achieve more. Success means achieving goals in life.A quote written by Henry Ford reads“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success”.

In summary values guide us towards the correct path in life, taking us step by step following through the values one by one.

Edward Baah