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...

Dion Tuitukau's speech

What do we live for, if it's not to make life less difficult for each other? A quote from Mark Twain reads "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see" Science tells us that kindness directly influences your propensity for happiness. But kindness does more than that; it not only improves your health but increases your longevity, it’s a proven biological fact. It's easy to forget that sometimes people look at us and actually listen to what we say which can either make them feel really good or really bad.

What's in it for us? People reciprocate the favour of being kind or they will simply be altruistic. The very process of saying kind words can be short to say, but these words have echoes that never end. Great sacrifices and choices is what life is partly made of where little smiles, kindness secure comfort for people all around you. Three things in human life are important; the first is to be kind, the second is to be kind and the third is to be kind as said by Mother Teresa.

Sometimes in life we are so eager to talk, that we often forget to ask ourselves; who will benefit from I'm going to say, will someone be hurt.Asking  yourselves these questions may save others pain through needlessly hurtful words. A story of Kindness I found on the Internet reads

Successful people take control of their words, rather than letting their words control them. We are more conscious of our thoughts and words and the power we unleash when show kindness to others as human beings.

More importantly, your words can make a positive difference on the people you interact with every day. Before you speak ask yourself: Is what I am about to say going to uplift the hearer? Will it inspire, motivate, and create forward for them? Just remember kindness is the three important things in human life.

Last lot of kindness writing...

Dion Tuitakau

Kindness the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. One time I showed kindness was when I gave a homeless man some money who was sitting outside a store asking many people for some loose change. Many people ignored this person but I gave this person money because he looked as if he had an empty stomach for a few hours or so. By giving him the loose change I had, it put a smile on his face which showed he was thankful and happy even though it wasn't a lot of money but he still was grateful. In the future this means that whenever you receive things that cost quite a lot of money and have loose change that you know you won't necessarily need, generously give it to someone who is in need for it showing that you are kind and caring.

We should always show kindness because it can make a small difference in someone's life which will make you a better person and someone who is generous and considerate. Kindness is impossible unless it's done.

Langa Ravarua

One time I showed kindness was in the holidays when I had to take care of my little brother because he had a broken ankle. We had no crutches so then my dad told me to be his stand. I also got paid for being his stand.  I had to walk beside him wherever he went. Even when he went to the toilet, I had to wait outside for him to finish. Doing this wasted a lot of my time, but it was worth it because he is my brother. When a whole week passed, my parents went out and bought some crutches and took my brother to the starship so he could get a cast on his leg.  

Octopus Auckland

We read Octopus Auckland by Karlo Mila as part of our unit about place and identity. To what extent does you sense of place influence you? What areas do you feel connected to?

Malulu's stanza illustration 

Teariki's stanza illustration

Dion's stanza illustration

A Place To Stand- Karlo Mila

Today the students were working hard analysing a poem called A place to stand by Karlo Mila. This is from her book A Well Written Body. Tomorrow we'll be working on a paragraph about it. Here are some pics of the students working hard.

Coopa and Cheyanne hard at work.

Latisha busy as.

Henry, Langa working cooperatively.

Dion, Langa, Henry on the job.

Nathaniel, Edward and Teariki focussed and on task.

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

Dion's image

The quote I chose was…“When I was a boy I learned to swear in Samoan”

The theme represented was…Language

I interpreted the theme by….By adding texts like @#%! to describe swear words.

The symbol I used was the tattoo as a symbol, for samoan tattoo and @#$*&%! for swear words.

These were effective because...It really describes the text and is very clear.

The colours I used were…Blue,Red and Black

I used these colours because I wanted to get across the idea that…The samoan flag has the colours of red,blue and white.

I chose to have a border just to give it more detail and effectiveness

I tried to make my fonts suit the words to the best I can.

I wanted the viewer to understand where the picture was coming from and to know that the picture suits the words.

The dominant image was the tattoo because…. it represents the word SAMOAN and shows more understanding.

I feel this static image shows an idea from the text because it shows swearwords and shows an image about Samoa and when seen altogether it shows understanding.

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.

Teacher descriptions

Sorry for the delay! I forgot to post these over the holidays.

We wrote descriptions of Miss Bunce and Miss Wethey who were kind enough to grace us with their presence, as well as other teachers we see everyday.

A few words about Miss Wethey. She is pretty like a red rose. She is nice like yummy ice cream, has good style like a model, kind from the top of her heart , Shy like a kid from the dark, dark hair with light blonde in it, 2 dimples that are slightly poked in on her red rose checks. Fit and slim from the gym. Her shoes are on point.

-Cheyanne


Mr Sharma is a very respectful teacher towards his students and the lessons that he is teaching. He speaks in a very positive tone at times and teaches enthusiastically. When entering his class he gleefully greets and expects us to act academically and considerately when in his class.He perches and crosses his legs when leaning against the white board every so often when talking to the class and also folds his arms very firmly. Mr Sharma is as humble as a worm. At times there will be a few concerns here and there on how students behave, but he takes care of them very politely and in a very respectful manner. He saunters around the classroom anxiously inspecting each and every students work making sure everyone is on task. When teaching he clearly projects his voice to the class confirming that all students are listening and not disrespecting him and the class.

-Dion Tuitakau

Miss Wethey is one of Tamaki College’s teachers. She’s a very pleasing and outgoing young lady. The way she speaks english is very fluent. She speaks English very fluently to her students. She teaches English. When she was teaches us how to pronounce her name properly, she make it a mnemonic. That’s when she breaks one word into parts so we can pronounce it properly “We-They”. When her students don’t listen to her she can be real ferocious and show her anger to students.

-Faaaone Ulipa

Miss Wethey is one of Tamaki's respected teachers tbh. She’s a beautiful, young European Irish brunette. She speaks friendly. Her teeth protrude. She is very thin and skinny. She's uptight.  She is white and frolicsome. She is gangster inside. Her favourite music is gangster also. She sounds very friendly and she looks just like Mr Jones also teacher from Tamaki. Her smile has dark magic forcing other students or adults to smile back. I hardly know her but she seems like a decent, kind-hearted brainy adult.

- Henry Lilo

Her hair vibrants the shades of her dark horse eyes, staring at the crowd of students. Standing confidently, with her legs together and arms behind her back as a soldier getting ready for expectation. Her smile beamed from the open darkness, Her voice was sweet and friendly slightly high pitched, like a reaction to a winning lottery ticket. She has a positive attitude towards the student, she is kind, funky, quirky the student seems to love the way she acts upon them her positive attitude towards them really changed their behavior.


-Jennyfer Faamita

Miss Wethey was like a shy girl that has just started school or new to the city. Her movement was very strong and felt free. When she ate the chips I could hear the crunch of the chips like a squirrel eating a nut. When even she smiles her deep dimples will show. Her sitting was like a statue, very still. Her clothing was nice and simple a top and tights with jewellery. Her language is fluent English and Irish European. Her presentation is very quiet and a good sense of humor. Miss Wethey has a lot of sides but she is mostly


-Lose Manuhaapai



Mrs Bunce acts like a kind teacher but when we annoy her, she will get as angry as a crazy monkey. Her personality is on point which means that she always say good morning to us when she has us. I like when we go to science with her because she is try to be kind when she has us. She hates it when when theres naughty people in her class. Her background is very simple. She is from England and is from Redditch. She speaks fluently. That is why I like it when we go to her class because I can understand her properly


-Langa Ravarua