Time

In Maths, we have been learning about time. Here is Mia's slide of some different ways of measuring and telling the time....

STRIKE!

On Friday 17th March, STRIKE percussion group performed at HNI. The year 8 classes were privileged to attend a workshop with one of the performers.

This is Room 16 performing " What's the Time Bro, I Don't Know" - A Jimbo (James) original

Room 15 and 16 Camp

NEPIA HOUSE

2017 Swimming Sports Champions!

A big thanks and congratulations to everyone who got involved and helped bring our house to victory!

Highlights from the week!

Nepia House students writing our house chant

Practicing our cricket skills for lunchtime sport

Finding our top swimmers to represent Nepia
 at our school swimming sports (week 4)

Beach Ed

On Tuesday, Room 8 and Room 7 had a great day at Westshore Beach. We learned about spotting rips, the 10 surf rules, the role of a lifeguard, and got to have some fun in the water too.

Before the Flood...

As part of our Inquiry unit, we are learning about weather patterns and climate change.  Students watched a documentary called 'Before the Flood'. We created a padlet to share our views and responses.

Athletics training

This term we have our school Athletics day. Nepia house have begun practicing the throwing events and long jump. 

Punctuation Potions

This task was to work as a pair or individually, to research a piece of punctuation. We had to find out the correct use and give an example. Each pair or individual then reported back to the class and added 2 questions to a class kahoot! The collaboratively created slide is below.

The first Blake Young Leader Award recipient

Our Leadership themed Assembly saw our first Blake Young Leader Award presented to Year 8 Ruby - a very deserved recipient. The award is presented in partnership with Westpac to celebrate young people whose outstanding leadership uplifts their school community. Congratulations Ruby - we are all very proud of you.

Social Dancing!

This term we are privileged to have Mr Fullwood in to teach us some awesome dances. Check out some snapshots below.....

Science Tech

Technology challenge

While half the class were away on the Masterton exchange, those of us who remained took part in a class technology challenge. The task was to make a boat that would stay afloat holding the most chocolate bars. The only materials they could use were 5 straws, 1m tape, 30cm tinfoil, and 1 piece of paper.

Alfie, Jed, and Max's design blew away the competition by holding 32 chocolate bars. Second place went to Jess and Cassie whose simple design held an impressive 14.

PE with HNHS

The year 8's are super lucky at the moment to be involved in PE lessons run by Year 12 students from HNHS. Their focus is on fitness, and our students are loving all the fun little games that the year 12's are teaching us. Check out one of our groups doing a circuit involving sprints, squats, burpees, press ups, and more....

Matariki Kite Flying

We had an awesome response to the Matariki Kite homework. Friday was the day we got to test them out. The day started out promising with the sun shining and wind blowing. With the whole school out in force, we took our kites to the sky (or at least attempted to!). Unfortunately, the afternoon was cut short due to rain. We didn't let that dampen our spirits though! Check out some pictures of the spectacle below...

The Digestive System

Our inquiry focus this term is 'The Human Machine'. Together as a class, we learned all the different parts of the digestive system and how they work. We took notes and will turn these into an explanation writing piece. We are using cooperative learning to create visual, labelled diagrams to demonstrate our understanding.

Lunchtime sport final!

Today was the finals of lunchtime sport: non stop cricket. After sneaking in some extra practices yesterday, we were ready to take on the undefeated room 5. Nepia v. Nepia. The team were set and the supporters came out in full force. Room 5 called the toss, but lost, so room 8 took the advantage and fielded first. Some great bowling by Ruby, and catches from JJ. A few room 5 kids made it to retirement, but we didn't let it phase us. 

Then we batted.

Some massive lobs by our leftie max, and Jed kept the fielders on their toes, always finding a gap. We were off to a good start then BAM, 1 out, 2 outs, 3 outs. The end of the game was drawing near, and there was no clear winner.

Then the announcement was made.

"Room 5. 54 runs." Our hearts began to sink as the opposition grinned.

"And Room 8.........58 runs."

It was a close game, with lots of good skill and tactics from both teams.

Kotahitanga week

Kotahitanga Week: 21st-24th March

This week is Kotahitanga week and we are immersing ourselves in Maori culture. Monday began with a spectacular whole school powhiri, and the sharing of each classes pou design. Nepia house has a rotation where students can practice koru designs, weaving, and learn rakau.
On Thursday we are heading off to Matahiwi marae. Students will each post a blog about this week, so stay tuned....

Room 8's Pou design

Our Homework in week 6 was to design a class Pou to be displayed in the hall. Students needed to consider what symbols and images could represent our class. We had many wonderful, creative designs to choose from. We voted as a class and after shortlisting our favourites, we selected Ella's design to work with. We all contributed by painting and making our handprints for the Pou. This is Ella's description of what the design represents:

Our pou represents all things about us.The kiwi shows that we are a New Zealand school. The sun rising shows that we are bright and ready to learn. Te Mata O Rongokako and the tuki tuki river for our landmarks which our school are nestled in. The rugby ball and goal post symbolise George Nepia, our house hero. The message bubbles identify that we are a digital school and show that we all have different cultures. HNI is our school. The music symbols recognise the music, school song and the many other cultural opportunities Room 8 are involved in.The lollipops are our friendship. 

Tent pitching

On Monday, Room 5 and Room 8 practiced pitching tents for camp. It was a big learning curve for some students. They were encouraged to be working together as a team, overcoming challenges, and experience learning in a hands-on environment. Hopefully we will be quicker at it by the time camp arrives!

Canteen

Our canteen has had a change this year by introducing heaps of healthy, nutritious, and delicious foods. We have wraps, pizza, popcorn, watermelon icies and choc dipped bananas. Yum! Keep an eye out for more new foods and bring along your spare change for a healthy treat.

The Flag Debate

At the moment, Room 8 are exploring the current flag debate! We showed a range of perspectives through the use of drama! Some very entertaining yet informative shows.

Room 8 meets Room 9

Room 9 heard our beautiful waiata through the wall, and decided to come join us! Here you can see Ethyn teaching the Year 7's 'He Honore'. I am very proud of Room 8 building relationships with the younger students and demonstrating their leadership skills. Next week we could teach them the school song!

ASB- Get wise

Today we took part in a 'scientific test' to see if we were good with our money!

We had a presentation from ASB teaching us about how to set CAT (clear, action, time) goals and took us on a trip to Hawaii. Students were in groups and had to make decisions regarding their holiday. Cash or credit? Travel insurance? Food? Surf lessons? We had to assess risks and had unexpected events along the way, but some groups still managed to get home with some spare money! 

What it means to be a Kiwi

Our Inquiry topic this term is Aotearoa: Unity in Diversity. We discussed what it meant to be a New Zealander. Check out our awesome responses on the padlet.

Created with Padlet

Technology

Kiwi ingenuity and innovative ideas were the themes for our introduction to Technology. This inspired students to look at a range of applications for innovative technology, technological thinking and put some of our kiwi innovators in the spotlight: Burt Munro, John Britten, Bill Hamilton, Glen Martin and Paul Beckett.

Some exciting kiwi inventions,such as the zorb and the blokart, got everyone thinking. For close-up scrutiny were a blokart and one of Burt's bikes, an 'Indian'.

Students now move into their respective specialist science and technology programmes. They will explore each technology area for one term during 2016

Off to a great start.....

Room 8 have had a fantastic start to the year. Heaps of learning, PE, art activities, and so much more! Everyone is supportive of each other and demonstrate our REACH values consistently. I can tell we are in for a great year ahead. Way to go Room 8.