Pale light shone through the clouds in a weak attempt to make this day better. However, nothing could and it seemed as though nobody would even try to lighten the mood. Today was the day I would leave home perhaps forever. Today was the day I would become a soldier. “You’re making us proud.” My mother whispered in my ear as I boarded the train that would lead me to my new life. My sister pressed a brown package in my hands crying bitterly. Then I was pulled inside and I was left, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. I stumbled back into a seat and pressed my hand against the window waving goodbye. “That might be the last time you ever see them.” A harsh voice in my head whispered. The train moved slowly through the countryside, giving me plenty of time to think. What lay ahead? Cold winters? The sound of guns firing? Screams of pain? The train screeched to a halt. We had arrived. I was ushered towards a room containing eight beds, this was a prison it occured to me. We were on deathrow, destined to suffer. I peeled the brown tape off of the small parcel revealing a memory. I clutched the frame to my chest and flopped back on the bed and thought of what was to come.

Reading Recorder

Over the last week you have been working hard consolidating your skills in reading. Some have jumped many levels on Readtheory - congratulations. Please write a few lines identifying a skill that you have developed or improved this week and explain, with evidence, how this skill improvement has helped you! Skills to think about: inferencing, re-organising, predicting, skimming and scanning, re-read/read-on, evaluating, clarifying, questioning etc

Vocabulary Wizard!!

You have had a list of words to read, learn and understand. Your challenge is to create a short paragraph for any purpose (entertain, persuade, explain etc). You must use these words carefully and skilfully!!! Good luck!

The media is an inconvenient part of the modern world!
Individuals or groups of people play a major role for their company; to ensure they get as much information as possible out of a famous or infamous person. Using this information they have extracted, the company then alter it all it sound very dramatic, adding in false references to try and back up their (now) false information. This style urgently needs to be evaluated and reconstructed as it is destroying peoples lives.

National Champion

Congratulations to Pascale and her achievement in being named the national junior dog handler of the year. It is so great to see her hard work paid off with this success...

Go to the link to find out more about her wonderful achievement.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11340396

Swatting

Just a reminder of the testing that is coming up. Remember to work on and consolidate the learning from earlier this year. I have attached the class brainstorm of what might be needed for the end of year testing...

Have your vote!!

#100 Days Of Learning Day One

#Day 1 I learnt  that their are security cameras almost everywhere. #Spooky        

                                                       

Room 19 - Reading Survey

Every time you finish a book, please take the time to fill this form in. It will give insight to the books that you read and your thoughts on the book and author. This will be ongoing for the rest of the year.

Surveillance Society

Surveillance is growing at an exponential rate across the globe. While there are many supporters of this advancement there are many who are critical of the use of this ever-growing technology. Please debate the impact of surveillance digitally through the comment windows below to contribute to your teams oral debate. points will be given for valid points based on evidence from your readings.

Let the debate begin!!

All year eights please fill out!!!

From the shadows...

Today Rm 19 had their first session in the Life Ed van. It was great to finally begin the lessons and as always, the learning was memorable. 

Please comment below with something you learnt or thought was important in our first lesson.

Year 8 Yearbook

Surveillance Power

So far this term we have been exploring the idea of a Surveillance Society. It seems that everywhere we turn there is some system or technology that is tracking, monitoring or watching us. With the claim that there is 6 000 000 CCTV cameras in action in the United Kingdom and that the average person is captured approximately 300 times per day by these same cameras, it is timely that we investigate what systems of surveillance are in use. 

Comment below by discussing a different surveillance method. You must include information about the positive uses of this surveillance, the negative uses and the possible challenges that may occur.

What will you do differently?

I found this video really inspiring. I hope you do too. Comment what you will do differently!

Totara Movie Clip

During Term 2 a group of Totara students planned and created an interactive movie clip to illustrate the diversity of Totara. We wanted to showcase what it means to be part of this historical house.

NZSO 'WOUNDED HEARTS'

Recently (Just before) I went to the Baycourt central Theater to a concert presented by the New zealand Symphony Orchestra called 'Wounded Hearts.' Apparently, a cellist from America came a long way to play a couple of concertanates with the NZSO.

Firstly, they started with Manfred Overture Op.115 composed by Robert Schumann, followed by Sinfonia Concertante in E minor, Op. 125 1,2,3 movements. Then for the second part, They played Symphony No.1 'Titan' Movements 1,2,3,4 composed by Custav Mahler, and Symphony No.6 'pathetique', Op.74.

I personally thought that the symphony No.1 the titan was pretty amazing as it was composed in late 19th century and early 20th century. Also at first how they set their groups were interesting. However, as I went through the concert, I realized that cello was the main instrument that night .

Just Watch It!

My dad showed me this after coming home from Wellington for a couple of weeks. Its crazy how you don't even realize what's going on when your focused on one specific thing!!!! Ella

Since we have The FIFA world cup going on, I thought that some soccer failure would be good. Enjoy! and Adu!

Some rugga

I just thought that with all the soccer it might be nice for some rugby