End Of Peer Support

Every Friday mornings, the year 9 students of Pakurunga college have been having peer support. Getting to know one another, playing games, discussing in a group about the various topics (smoking, drugs, alcohol), ways of improving in our learning, building confidence, and all kinds of things. Sharing and knowing about all this knowledge helps us in so many ways.

So this Friday (16th of march) was our last peer support. ‘Ohhh,’ as I groaned. In a group we decided to have a shared lunch to celebrate the last few moments of peer support.

If I had to choose what was the best thing about peer support that I learnt about would have be: getting to meet and know more about my peers in my colour (Pohutakawa), getting some advice on mixing with the right crowd (people you can trust), and just having FUN!

In the morning we strolled down near the swimming pool, set the tables and food out. Then digged in, everyone taking piles of food and at the end a majority of food was leftover. Anyone could take whatever they wanted. So many great memories we had and I can’t wait to see if I will be a peer supporter?

First Year 9 Camp I've Attended at Pakurunga College

Annually at Pakurunga College they always plan a camp for the year 9 students. By doing this it encourages the students to connect with their own peers in their houses. There are 6 houses, Pohutakawa (my group), Matai, Nikau, Rimu, Totara and Kauri There’s 5 different camp sites which means that two houses had to share, these various camp sites are all spread out and are away from Auckland . So it required quite a bit of traveling.

Our camp site was held at Cambridge which took 3 hrs to get there. Unloading all of our luggage, we got settled, had our lunch and prepared for our very first activity. By the way, it wasn’t a pleasant weather experience, pouring down with rain wasn’t a great start. First activity we had was prussiking and mountain biking. The other activity’s we participated in were kayaking, archery, Waka ama, cultural games, top team, and during most of my free time I would rush down to the gym and play basketball every time.

My supreme highlight would have to be mountain biking and waka ama, even though a majority of people dreaded Waka Ama. It was a delight participating in mountain biking, low light was riding up the steep hill which was killing my legs. Racing down the hill, with the wind in my hair, butterflies streaming through my stomach, and just rushing down the hill was awesome. Waka Ama my hands started to feel weak, reaching out in the water, pulling back with my paddle was a tussle. But in the end our team was able to beat the waka ama record between our groups, I was really proud!

Overall I had an outstanding experience, the food, activities, cabins, games etc, were a great opportunity for me. I didn’t want to go home, it was enjoyable and I was able to mingle around with the peers in my house. The camp was fantastic, it just didn’t reach Pt England’s standards. Pt England was by far the best camp I’ve experienced!

This Is It

‘Really, do I have to!’ Mixed emotions is what was running through my head. Starting fresh at college, I didn’t know what to expect. Though I did hear some rumours that high school was a jungle and, that it’s filled with plenty more of students then primary and intermediate had. I was pretty upset that none of my friends were going to the same college as I was. So really it was a challenge, seeing as I stayed at Pt England for both primary and Intermediate.

All dressed in my uniform and already hopping on the bus (by the way not an expert at it), I had the butterflies, but I managed to stay calm. Reaching Pakurunga College I thanked the bus driver as I stepped foot on the pavement. Walking around not knowing anyone, made it more awkward. Luckily as year 9 students we were placed into colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple), so I was able to mingle with a few pupils in my house colour.

A powhiri was organized by the year 13 students and the staff, which I found really entertaining. Part of the staff introduce themselves and welcomed us into their school. Divided into our house colours (Pohutakawa- Orange my house) and then split into the different rooms we were put in. Along with all of my peers, teachers and year 13 students in our house.

We were then selected into our peer support groups. Now peer support was suppose to help the year 9 in my group to get to know each other, and share a bit my about ourselves. Touring around the school which at first I found completely complicated, because I’m not use to such a massive school and area such as this.

Eventually as I was educated on the way and memorized where all my classes were. Day by day I managed to find my way around and I’m so glad! Currently I’m taking the core classes like, maths, social studies, english, gym, technology and maori. I’m just really eager for when the sports trial finally arrive. So far I’m alright, I’m hanging in there. I really miss Pt England intermediate!

End Of Our Year Prizegiving

Overall throughout the entire year, we motivate ourselves and do the best we can to reach the top (succeed). Our motto Strive To Succeed is a really important message, which some of us use to help us to work better.

Prize giving was the most momentous event that occurs annually at the end of each school year. I could feel the butterflies starting to kick in. I had the chills as we began. Reaching the year 8 awards, my heart was beating so quickly that I was getting so sweaty.

As I took a glance over to hear who going to win and this prize. With an absolute shock it was my name being announced for representing our school in the Auckland netball team. Standing up to strut down the red carpet I was feeling pretty glad. To actually get an award felt absolutely amazing.

The last award I received was for coming 3^rd in the academic area. Moses and I tied for 3^rd equal. Tanielu came second and overall Sela came 1^ST, which means she received Dux! She was the top of the school.

I was really proud and hopefully next year I can improve.

Reading and Maths Result

Happy, average, or bad. Exams are something most kids fear, it’s like torture for us kids for some reason. I guess it’s because the room is extremely silent, your not aloud to move around or talk. For our most momentous Asttle test we sit (reading, writing, maths, Icanz), it’s sort of frustrating as always .

But showing my overall marks I did pretty average and improved from the beginning of the term. Receiving my final results gave me the shivers, feeling so nerve racking gave me the butterflies. Hesitating to turn over my paper it finally reveled...’oh wow’, not bad. I mean these results explains to you how well you’ve done, how much you’ve improved, what you need to improve in.

Scanning through my reading and my maths results we were recently given. I just passed and improved in both test which was so relieving. It was unexpected because I was hoping to do better and not to be under the NZ mean. If you are over the average marks then it means that you have passed.

Hopefully that was enough to get me into a good class for next year in college!

Stunning Guy Fawkes Display

Duhh! I just can’t wait until the fireworks begin. Just buzzing over how many boxes were placed on the grass. Approximately 13 going length wise, and round about 16 stood spaced out in a row. Everyone in the crowd counted down from 10. It went a little bit like this,10..9..8..7..6..5..4, then louder 3..2..1!

Assorted colours blended in the air along with the piercing sound of the fireworks. We all sat in amazement as 4 fireworks flew up in the air all at once. They emerged in the air like a group of people huddling, very fast, they spread out quickly and it absolutely turned into some explosive fireworks. It was just extremely impressive how it all worked out.

Really I didn’t want to stop filming for one moment, starring at the fireworks like it was going over us like a rainbow. Couldn't take my eyes of for one second, just couldn’t resist. My eyes glued to the amazing display and made me smile continuously until my mouth started to ache.

Unbelievable, couldn’t get over the majority of fireworks layed out. So much! Sadly approximately ending the 30 minute display actually closed, it was so worth coming here. For sure I’m coming here next year!

Manaiakalani Film Festival

Finally! Hopping out of the bus as we arrived at Sylvia Park. Shivering as I thought to myself, ‘oh no’, our movie is playing in the extreme screen. Manaikalani film festival includes the 7 schools in our cluster (Pt England, Tamaki Intermediate, Glen Taylor, Panmure bridge, St Pius, Ruapotaka Primary, and Tamaki College), where we produce various types of movies to enter in the film festival. Really it could be about anything. This event occurred last week Wednesday.

To me my ultimate favourite movie was Te-News, performed by the students of room 15. It was so original, real comedy and the actor (Brodie Jack) was a natural. Many of the few students who have viewed this hilarious film, would’ve definitely agreed with me. At first I thought, ‘man is this another one’, but just watching a bit more I found it quite entertaining, luckily that happened.

In the cinema we got a chance to sit on the lazy boy seats, and ‘oh my gosh wasn’t that just a dream’. Comfy with my feet up relaxing enjoying the many films the schools had to offer. It was awesome! Until... I peered closely and no, there, stood Tanielu and Sela as they appeared on stage. ‘My gosh please don’t be it’, ‘please’. So our movie showed, sliding down my chair how embarrassing. Especially because me, Sela,Tia and Kezia had to flip our hair in one of the scenes, it was part of the movie ‘okay’!

Overall it was an excellent performance that the students had input in their movie. Interesting to see many students involved in these films and hopefully next year will just be as better.