This term is a busy one for our ākonga and our kaiako. We have a number of assessments underway, and a range of learning opportunities happening in and around the akomanga.
In Year 9 English ākonga are working on their first formal assessment of the year. They will be creating a film poster and completing a short write up to accompany this. The milestone is due on the 15th of May and the due date is the 23rd of May.
In Level 1 English, ākonga are preparing for their oral language assessment. This requires ākonga to write and present a speech. Public speaking is a wonderful skill and we are always impressed with the range of topics and modes of presentation. There are two milestones, the 11th of May and the 17th of May leading up to the due date the 22nd of May. Our annual Geraldine High School Speech competition will be held on the 8th of June.
The Level 2 English course is providing ākonga with different pathways. Some of our ākonga have opted into a Unit Standard course. This allows them to develop practical reading and writing skills and gain credits at Level 2. Our mainstream English classes are working on a study of the acclaimed novel ‘The Book Thief’ in preparation for their upcoming examinations.
Level 3
It’s been a hard-working start of the year for the Level 3 English course. Ākonga have just finished an assignment on analysing a director and showing their understanding of specific directorial styles. Students are working on both their writing skills and oral presentation skills, which will be presented from the 29th of May. We have an interesting programme planned for this year that will involve learning a mixture of new concepts and ideas.
Ākonga and kaiako are enjoying the opportunity to read at the beginning of every period. This is a chance to take a breath, build up our reading miles and develop our reading and writing skills. A great way to support your child’s learning and achievement is to encourage reading at home.
We are excited to work with Ms Neill who is offering an extension writing course this term.
Kia ora e te whānau,
I am very excited to be working alongside Ms Heitkōnig to offer an extension writing class for our top achieving students between years 9-13.
This is run on a rotating system once a fortnight, and sees students coming together to work towards entering local, national and international competitions. During this time, we extend their creativity, innovation and understanding of what writing can be. It is a chance for our academically gifted to be enriched in this learning opportunity.
Here is a glimpse of a students’ work from our warm-up activity last week, where we answered the question “How would the world change if the ocean turned to a jelly consistency?”
Squelching across the atlantic and down under near the pacific, the world takes pause to demonstrate the disbelief of this inconceivable appearance.
Foundations of slimy mess distracts ships from their routine and halts their transportation on the now bouncy sea. School kids rip themselves from the struggle they call school. The world pauses and takes a deep breath to comprehend the reality in which we now live . People are shocked at the unstable way this has unfolded alongside the new look of this inchorrent view.
Wow! We love seeing the creativity coming from these sessions already!
Nga mihi, Ms Neill
Te Reo Māori
This year we have Whaea Jordyn, Ms Neill and Ms Heitkōnig teaching Te Reo Māori.
In year 7 Māori students are very eager and excited to be learning all about Matariki this term. On top of this we are developing our understanding of sentence structures, specifically learning "Ko te aha tenei rā?" What is the date today?
If you're the first person to answer the question correctly to Miss Neill in the morning there is a treat up for grabs.. EVERYDAY!
Talk about a buzz of excitement! Ms Neill
In Year 8 we are learning about our whanau, our mihi and how to use simple sentence structures.
In Year 9 Māori we are learning to describe weather patterns using ingoa Māori for locations across Aotearoa. Our ākonga are approaching their next speaking and listening assessments in Week 5.
The Māori akomanga has been full of creative energy lately, with a group of students working hard to finish off their pouwhenua designs, which will be hung in the hall foyer very soon. Each pou depicts a local myth or legend. We can’t wait to see the finished products and appreciate all your hard mahi. Tau kē, 3kōtiro mā!
Last term students of 10O and 10T had to use their creativity to work in groups and create poems out of book spines during a visit to the library.
Here are some of the wonderful examples ākonga came up with!
ESOL
In ESOL this term, our International students have been exploring different styles of writing. Here, one of our students, called Gear, has written a recount, telling us a story about something that happened in the past. She has worked hard to create a sense of mystery and fear, using a rich vocabulary. Looking at her piece, it’s difficult to believe English is not her first language, isn’t it?!
Who could he be?
Last year, I hung out with my friends at the mall and we watched a movie together. After that, I needed to walk from the sky-train to my mom’s car. It was around 6 p.m. so it was dim light and I felt very exhausted. I needed to use the overpass to cross the street.
There were only a few people on the footpath. When I walked out the stairs of the overpass. I saw one old man sitting on the floor. He looked like a beggar. He was wearing an old and dirty outfit. It was the first time that I had seen him, I was so scared. I walked quickly and held my bag carefully so he wouldn’t get anything from me. I walked to the end of the overpass, I walked to the stairs.
Meanwhile, something popped up in my brain that I should look back. I found out that the old man wasn’t sitting over there anymore. He was gone. I didn’t know if he had walked down the other side or not. But it was only for a few seconds. It was hard for an old man to stand up and walk down the stairs. It wasn’t a time to think about it. I was very scared and my heart skipped a beat. I ran quickly down the stairs to the place that had crowds. WHO WAS HE!?! I thought about it all night!
A story by Gear Srisitipunthaku.
