Gates/Extension Classes News

Otago Daily Times Spelling Quiz

Last Thursday five teams of Year 5/6 students competed in the Otago Daily Times Spelling Competition 2021. 

For the first year, this was an online competition and it was very exciting to compete against 142 other Year 5 and 6 teams from around New Zealand. 

Students competing were Isaac M, Carolyn X, Mia W, Emily P, Alyssa B, Calvin A, Olivia C, Isabelle G, Cooper B, Tessa M, Nanji C, Hannah H (from Year 6) and Celina K, Jackie W and Ben B from Year 5.

Huge congratulations to the Year 6 team of Isaac M, Mia W and Carolyn X, who gained 1st equal place in the Y5/6 division of this competition. 

The Year 5/6 team of Emily P, Celina K and Alyssa B gained 9th place.

 Our other 3 teams were placed 34th, 35th and 58th so these were spectacular results from these students.

Extension Writing Successes

Over the last few weeks, Emily P, one of our Extension writers has had her works published in the Otago Daily Times Extra! June Magazine and also received a Highly Commended award for her entry in the Air Force Museum “My name is Henry Fanshaw” book launch competition, with a short story about a hero in her life.

Air Force mascot Henry B. Fanshaw, one of the most iconic, and well-loved artefacts in our collection, is now the star of his own book! Author Gillian Torckler and illustrator Adele Jackson have brought Henry to life in a beautiful hard-covered children’s book, which tells the story of his old Squadron – No. 75 – during World War Two.

On 20 April we celebrated the official launch of 'My name is Henry Fanshaw: the true story of New Zealand's bomber squadron' here at the Air Force Museum.

Emily wrote about her brother and you can read her paki poto (short story) and her ODT poem below.

This is Nature

The sound of the flowing stream murmurs in my ear.

The whirling wind whispers all around.

The tui sings its soothing chime.

Brooks with mossy rocks that bubble like soda.

The veined leaves rustle and trickle down from the ancient kauri trees.

This is nature.

By Emily P (Year 6)

My Hero

Poking my nose around the door there is a familiar stale sock and sour smell of teenage feet and hairy underarm.

In the mornings I hear his heavy tread down the hall, singing with booming volume. I sigh, maybe one day I’ll sleep in.

Everything about him makes me feel bad and good. He sings at home all the time, yet I start humming the new songs he learns. He shouts, but he looks after me making sure I don’t go wrong. He smells when he hugs me. I close my nose or turn my head and make a ‘ugh gross’ face.

Tall, wide and round he towers over me and pushes past me. His eyes are deep blue, bright and challenging. Dark hair spikes up where he has slept. Solid, white and strong thighs jut-out from faded denim shorts, worn all year, even in frost.

I see no fear when he steps on stage. Colourful lights circling him, microphone in hand, eyes shut tight. The sound is sweet and warms me. I am amazed, captured by the bliss. I close my eyes too and sink into the beauty he can create.

My loud, shouty, smelly but very brave brother.

By Emily P (Year 6)