Here's some of the highlights of the year from 7/8BB.

Caleb Mears

Highlights/ Top Moments: I really enjoyed the Wellington trip as there was a variety of activities and most of them I had never experienced before. One of the highlights of my year would also probably be Koru Games, it was my second year making the football team and it was my first time playing goalkeeper, it was a great experience playing Football with all my friends.

Challenges/ Tough Times: It was challenging being goalkeeper for the first time, as I had no experience, I had to quickly learn the skills and develop quick thinking that I needed to use being the keeper. Also, I played my first ever shootout and I experienced it from the perspective of a keeper. I went to the Cantamaths competition with Marcus, Xiyi, and Rani: That was fun and challenging.

I am grateful for: I am grateful for all my three teachers as they have helped me advance through my learning this year. I am also grateful for Matua Rihari because he has taught me Kapa Haka this year also for the previous four years. He is a great teacher and I hope he stays with Oaklands School Kapa Haka.

Jun Li

Highlights/ Top Moments: I really enjoyed the Year 7 camp, all the fun activities.

I like doing Korf Ball because it’s was very fun. I feel like I now know a new world of sport and all so I like doing Koru Games because it like a whole new level for it sport. I like to play with my friends it feel great playing.

Challenges/ Tough Times: I tried my best at high jump, it was the most challenging one of them all from me and Shot Put it hard to push it it feels like a 10 kg ball for me.

I am grateful for: My three teachers because they let use to have a fun week of Swimming it very fun learning about swimming and learning about all the tools in a bag and how we dive.

Riley Reynolds

Highlights/ Top Moments: One of my highlights was Year 7 camp because I got to work and hang out with my friends and I also got to know my three teachers a bit. Another one of my highlights was training for Koru Games with my friends I didn't go to Koru Games because I was away on holiday.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Two of my challenges were doing the cross country and run bike run another tough time was when I had to get up the top of the ropes at camp because they were really high up.

I am grateful for: My teachers this year because they have helped me out in learning I am also grateful for Mr Brown who has got me in to Kapa Haka because I have really enjoyed it.

Dannielle Ratahi

Highlights/ Top Moments: My top moment was at Koru Games were I won for my team for spiking. Camp was definitely one of my top moments when I went Kayaking because I won the race and have never rowed a kayak in my life.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Was getting my student led conference done because I hadn't finished most of the learning.

I am grateful for: The three teachers for putting in all the paperwork for the year 7s so that we could go to camp. And for all the time that you had to wait on people to do the right thing.

Aysha Henderson

Highlights/ Top Moments: My Highlight of 2019 was going to Wellington Camp and getting to travel there by train and ferry. My other highlight is getting to have an amazing year with my friends and teachers and also getting 3rd place in Koru Games for Volleyball.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Something that challenged me this year was my Maths because I had to ask for help more because I didn’t know how to do some of the activities. Something else that challenged me was when we were playing for 3rd or 4th place in Koru Games.

I am grateful for: This year I am grateful for Mr Brown, Mrs Baker and Mr Muller for always helping me when I needed it and just being amazing teachers overall.

Rose Brorens

Highlights/ Top Moments: One of my highlights for 2019 was Year 7 Camp to Wainui because I enjoyed getting lots of new and fun experiences. Another one of my highlights for 2019 is the ⅞ Formal because I really enjoyed learning a lot of new dances and it was very fun on the night.

Challenges/ Tough Times: One of the most challenging things for me this year was probably picking the right friends, dealing with problems between friendships and not getting sucked into fights that I wasn't a part of. Also another thing I found challenging was hard core fitness cause we did not fitness like that in year 6. In year 6 all we did was a fitness game or relays 1 or 2 times a week but now we go for a 3k run 1 or 2 times a week.

I am grateful for: This year I am grateful for having three amazing teachers that have done so much for me and our hub this year like the Runners Club, the Formal, Cantamaths and lots of other things that if I listed this would be a few pages long. I am also grateful for getting to move into our new space in Term Four and being part of the first class to use this amazing new space.

Hunter Hira.

Highlights/ Top Moments: One of my highlights for 2019 was hanging out with my friends because I had lots of fun, another one is moving different classroom because it feels new.

Challenges/ Tough Times: One challenges that I have faced in the year was getting used to the new environment because it's not like the other classrooms that I have been in.

I am grateful for: Having Mr Brown as a teacher because he has helped me along the year and I am very grateful for that.

Jex Laws

Highlights/ Top Moments: Was the Koru Games because it was the first time I was in a real tournament. The highlight in Koru Games was I scored 3 Goals. The best part of the Koru Games was the bus because the seats were leather and you can change where the seats go where you want them to go and the bus was smooth.

Challenges/ Tough Times: The challenge in Koru Games was when we were against a tough team.

I am grateful for: I am grateful for Mr Muller for coaching the Koru games team.

Jennifer Xu

Highlights/ Top Moments: One of my highlights of the year was Year 7 Camp. This is because the activities we did were tough, challenging and fun. Another highlight was Formal Dance because I really enjoyed dancing to the dances we learned. Also getting to have fun with my friends. Koru Games is one of my top moments because I got to play Volleyball which I have never played before, I really enjoyed training every Tuesday, it would usually be the highlight of my week.

Challenges/ Tough Times: I found dealing with friendship problems really challenging as they were really close friends to me. Sometimes they were big , sometimes they were little , it was also so hard for me to choose a side between my friends. Fitness was definitely really tough for me because last year we didn’t even do much fitness , but then this year I joined Mr Brown's fitness group which pushed me even harder.

I am grateful for: This year, I am grateful for the three teachers that are in the 7/ 8 Hub, they have helped me with a lot of learning and just in general, they always made me laugh and supported me in anyway that I needed.They always made school really fun which made my 2019 enjoyable. I am also grateful for the new friends I have made throughout this year that have now become my closest friends, and how they make me laugh everyday, smile, and just make me happy.

Emma Fui

Highlights/ Top Moments: My top highlight was when I came second in the South West Zone because I’ve never been to Zones and Canterburys.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Something I found challenging is Maths because it was quite hard with some Math questions on IXL.

I am grateful for: The year 7/8 teachers for being really kind and helpful for the students and always helping me when I find something hard

Kyra Cattermole

Highlights/ Top Moments: My top moment is Year 7 camp because it was my favorite part of the year so far. My other top moment is swimming in Week Eight because it was teaching us water safety.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Formal dance because I haven’t done it before an I am not used to holding boys hands and I do not have comfordence with dance with boys.

I am grateful for: Formal dance because it gives me confidence to dance with other boys that I have known for nearly 1 year.

Maria de Schot 

Highlights/ Top Moments: Koru Games, where it was a tie between two teams, and I served the ball over the net and it fell on the other side. We ended up winning the game. :)

Challenges/ Tough Times: When I did a Kapa Haka performance, I was very nervous, though in the end it was actually really fun!

I am grateful for: Formal Dance, because it is really fun, especially the Snowball and the ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ line dance.

Sam Iffland

Highlights/ Top Moments: One of my highlights would be Koru Games because I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends and we did well with coming second. I also really enjoyed the Year 8 Camp to Wellington. I have really enjoyed doing Formal Dance because it has been fun learning some new steps.

Challenges/ Tough Times: A challenge this year was my Novel Study because I would always get behind with my pages and activities. Another challenge was playing against STC at Koru Games because they were a really good team.

I am grateful for: My 3 teachers because they have helped me so much with all my learning and I am grateful for them putting in so much time and effort for our learning and camps. I am also very grateful for all my friends because I always enjoy hanging out with them and having a good time.

Ana Rafaely Ribeiro Kroll

Top Moments: My top moments were …..

1. Koru Games: I had a lot of fun learning a new sport and learning to play and a team. I also had so much fun making new friends and having fun with other people, they were really funny.

2. Formal dance: I enjoyed learning dance and because I wanted to be a dancer since I was a kid. It was also really nice having that experience, I had a lot of fun.

3. Wainui Camp: It was really fun! I had so much fun and I learned a lot of stuff in the camp. It was also such a nice experience. I love it because the wainui camp was my first camp ever.

4. Swimming (water safety): I really like swimming and I had a bus ride with my friends, it was so much fun.

Challenges/ Tough Times: my challenges were….

1.Wainui Camp

When me and Danni went kayaking and we both had a shower because the water was cold and we were freezing. There was only 1 shower so we had to share the shower. And the worst problem was that washing a girl’s hair in a trip will take forever.

2. Koru Games

It was really hard to work as a team, but with a little bit of hard work and here we ended up getting it.

3. Formal dance

It was really hard because sometimes my partner is really annoying and I had to make him dance.

I am grateful for: This year I am grateful for all our awesome teachers who made everything happen this year!

Brook Kenyon

Highlights/ Top Moments: Koru Games because it was fun climbing trees and playing volley.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Maths because I’m not very good at times tables

I am grateful for: My friends for being there when I need them and making me laugh.

Ella Wilson

Highlights/ Top Moments: Going to Wellington because it was fun and I liked visiting Te Papa. Getting a Bronze Medal for Volleyball at Koru Games. Getting to represent Oaklands School at lots of different sports events, like Cross Country, Run, Bike, Run, Swimming, and Athletics.

Challenges/ Tough Times: This year I found maths challenging because I had to learn lots of new strategies. Also doing lots of sports events because they were challenging to complete.

I am grateful for: Getting Leavers Hoodies because we were one of the only year groups so far to get them. Moving into our new space because it is so nice and I like the kitchen. Making lots of new friends with the Year 7s because now I have heaps more friends. Being Deputy Head Girl because it gave me lots of opportunities. Having the three teachers that we have because they are the best teachers ever and have helped me so much these past two years.

Amber Moates

Highlights/ Top Moments: My top moments/highlights of this year was when we had the swim day because my friends and I dressed up to the house event expectations, we all had an amazing time. I also enjoyed doing Formal practice because not only did I get to see my friends have a lot of fun, but I got to learn new dances that are quite advanced. Luckily we had the teachers their to help us if we got stuck or confused on any of the steps. Another one of my highlights was Year 8 Camp in Wellington because hanging with my friends in the bunkrooms, spending time with my classmates and teachers, and visiting all of the important places in Wellington.

Challenges/ Tough Times: The toughest times in the year was probably Athletics because I had something called “Bursitis” in my shoulders, but I was fortunate enough to get through trials and zones and still come a place, And I came 2nd in discus and 3rd in the Shot put

I am grateful for: I am grateful for Mr Brown and Matua Rihari for giving me the chance to be a kaea in one of the songs for our routine and Mr Brown for being a great teacher of 2019.

Zoe Calderwood

Highlights/ Top Moments: I enjoyed doing Koru Games because it was my first time doing volleyball.

Challenges/ Tough times: Some tough times I have had this year was we were doing Novel Study because it was hard for me to keep up with the activities.

Daniel Doyle

Highlights/ Top Moments: My top highlight/moment was taking part in the Technology programme, located in Lincoln Primary School. I enjoyed Technology because of all the fun activities and rotations that we would partake in.

Challenges/ Tough Times: A challenging time for me was having to sit through assemblies where it’s super hot and boring.

I am grateful for: Being able to participate in the exciting extracurricular activities, such as Te Hapua or Technology

Cordell Brown

Highlights/ Top Moments: Is Swimming at Pioneer and spending time with Wiremu Gray.

Challenges/ Tough Times: I was challenged by Maths but I felt I improved.

I am grateful for: The new building we get to learn in.

Marshall

Highlights/ Top Moments: Koru Games because we did very well and came second, which was the same as last year. Wellington Camp. Moving in to our new hub was good because it’s better than our old one. Just getting more done than last year.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Starting the year and getting my head back in the game after the holidays. Trying to get learning done all the time.

I am grateful for: The teachers because have helped me through the year.

Marcus Anderson

Highlight/Top Moments: I really enjoyed Wellington Camp as we learned so much in such an enjoyable way that I had never experienced before and probably never will again.. I also really enjoyed Mr Brown’s fitness group as we all improved quite a lot in a good way and I really enjoy the running club that we had as an available extension.

Challenges/Tough Times: It was really hard in the middle of the school year as I was constantly getting into trouble and not putting enough effort into my work. I also thought that nearing the end of the year was tough as I really tried to push myself to achieve more in all aspects of learning and Fitness. Another really tough thing was Cantamath which I did with Caleb, Rani and Xiyi we ended up placing about in the middle.

I am grateful for:All of my Classmates and the teachers for helping me achieve and enjoy my learning much more than in my other years at school.

Andre Simpson

Highlights/ Top Moments: Koru Games, and Canterbury Athletics.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Getting beaten by ST Thomas in the final at Koru Games.

I am grateful for: The teachers for a great year.

Ye-young Jung

Highlights/ Top Moments: One of my top moments was in Koru Games when my team and I had to play against a team we had already played against. In the first game we had tied so when we got a rematch I was pretty happy we won against them.

Challenges/ Tough Times: I found it kind of difficult when our team sometimes wouldn’t cooperate with each other because then when we went on to play our game we weren’t able to play as well as we could have.

I am grateful for: The thing I was most grateful for was the teachers for making this such a fun and enjoyable year because they would let us have free time and make activities more fun.

Angel Zheng

Highlights/ Top Moment:

Swimming trial/zones/canterburys:

This year in fitness I am really grateful for swimming, because I went to canterburys for swimming even though this year is my first year for swimming, I didn’t know how to swim since I was 10 years old.

Talent quest and cultural assembly:

The arts is the biggest part of my life, and I was on the stage for the piano twice.

The Wellington trip:

I loved the Wellington Camp, because we learned a lot of stuff, and I hung out with my Year 8 friends as well.

Leadership badges/CARE awards:

I only achieved a Merit Badge last year, but I am getting my Distinction Badge and CARE award gold on Week 10.

Music Festival:

The Music Festival was so good, I got shocked when I went to the town hall. There were more than 1000 people performing and watching, and there was a big band.

Formal Dance:

The night was so fun, we took photos, ate a lot of food and the most fun part is that everyone dressed up and danced.

Getting to level 5 in Maths

When I was level 4 in Maths, I was so upset, because I knew that I could do harder math than that. So I finished all of the activities in level 4 maths and then I got to level 5 which is really good for me. And I proved that I can beat a lot of people too in level 5.

Challenges / Tough Times:

1. Buddy programme

Sometimes I don’t get involved that much, because I don’t like buddy programme that much. So that is the hardest thing to concentrate for the whole year.

1. The Beep Test:

For some reason, every time I do a beep test, I get nervous a lot. But I still beat my old record.

1. Getting our leavers hoodies:

When I was getting my hoodie, I felt a little bit happy and really sad, because I made a lot of friends in Oaklands school, and I have only been to Oaklands school for 6 terms which is a really short amount of time. So I felt a little bit nervous too when the teachers gave us our hoodies.

1. Saying goodbye to everyone in Oaklands school

Saying goodbye to my teachers and friends is a really hard thing to do when it’s the last day of school for the whole year, so I am really nervous about that, and it’s happening soon...

I am grateful for: I am grateful for having a lot of friends and teachers helping me this year, and the chances that teachers gave me to let me go on stages and letting me show my talents.

Blake Castle

Highlights/ Top Moments: Running Club, Sports, Scholarship, and Camp.

Challenges/ Tough Times: Work that I cant do.

I am grateful for: I am grateful for all of the things the teachers do to help me.