To be or not to be...

Today we headed to Wellesley to see the performance by a talented group of performers called "As you write it". Their performance was based on the works of Shakespeare but was entirely impromptu. After consultation with the audience they had to include:

Set – Dark ages Britain

The Hero – A Flying Hero

Theme – Finding Nemo

They were very clever. The show was extremely funny and enjoyed by everyone.

Te Papa Visit

Yesterday the Senior School visited Te Papa Museum. We went to the European Masters exhibit and studied all the art in preparation for Arts Week. We also went to Blood, Earth, Fire to learn about the history of New Zealand. Then we went to the Treaty of Waitangi and studied some of the history of that to help us with some of our inquiry. Lastly we went to the Brian Brake exhibit to see the whole purpose of his photos. Brian Brake is a New Zealander who is world-famous for his photos.

Rights Vs Responsibilities

Over the past few days room 21 has been exploring its rights and responsibilities at Muritai School. This ties into our current Inquiry of 'Words to Live By". My favourite (although not necessarily accurate) one was "that I have the right to do what I want"

Putting on a show

On Wednesday 4th November some of the students from the Year 7/8 Kapa Haka Roopu went to Days Bay Playcentre to perform to the adults and children. This was a great way for the group to relax after a number of high expectation performances. It also allowed the year 7/8 students to relax and form closer bonds with the community.

A whole lot of running, jumping and throwing

Athletics day information:

• It is Thursday (all day) 11th November with the following Monday (pp day) 15th November.
• It is different to previous years as it is to be held at the Petone Rec and not the Eastbourne Rec.
• We will kick start the first of 6 rotations at 9:45am and finish with relay events between 2-2:30pm.
• We are traveling by bus to and from.
  
• We’ll be returning to school at 2:45pm.

	1 LONG JUMP	2 DISCUS	3 SHOT PUT	4 SPRINTS	5 HIGH JUMP	6 VORTEX	7 FREE
9:30 – 9:40	Buses arrive, Teachers take students to assembly area directly in front of grandstand for debrief. Event leaders to lead groups to first event.
9:45 – 10:15	Year 3A (29)	Year 3B (30)	Year 4 (49)	Year 5 (42)	Year 6 (49)	Year 7 (48)	Year 8 (33)
10:15 – 10:45	Year 8 (33)	Year 3A (29)	Year 3B (30)	Year 4 (49)	Year 5 (42)	Year 6 (49)	Year 7 (48)
10:45 – 11:15	Year 7 (48)	Year 8 (33)	Year 3A (29)	Year 3B (30)	Year 4 (49)	Year 5 (42)	Year 6 (49)
11:15 – 11:45	Year 6 (49)	Year 7 (48)	Year 8 (33)	Year 3A (29)	Year 3B (30)	Year 4 (49)	Year 5 (42)
11:45 – 12:15	Year 5 (42)	Year 6 (49)	Year 7 (48)	Year 8 (33)	Year 3A (29)	Year 3B (30)	Year 4 (49)
Lunch break (12:15 – 12:30pm)
12:30 – 1:00	Year 4 (49)	Year 5 (42)	Year 6 (49)	Year 7 (48)	Year 8 (33)	Year 3A (29)	Year 3B (30)
1:00 – 1:30	Year 3B (30)	Year 4 (49)	Year 5 (42)	Year 6 (49)	Year 7 (48)	Year 8 (33)	Year 3A (29)
Small break as we pack up each individual event and organise relay teams
1:40 – 2:15	Class and House Relays

I spy with my little eye...

On Tuesday Jason from Industrial Research Ltd came in to speak to us, as part of our current unit. Jason is at the cutting edge of new research.


He first gave a brief overview of insulin, what it is, why we need it and outlined why some people don’t have the gene.


Then he talked about other animal sources that people used to get insulin, about genetic engineering, putting insulin gene into bacteria to make it. He discussed gene therapy for people to add insulin gene.


Then basically showed the progression from using natural products from animals to genetic engineering bacteria to genetic engineering people.


We also got to look at bacteria under microscope, what bacteria looks like on agar and small centrifuge to spin down cells.

WALTer

WALTer talks about Inquiry this term.




Get a Voki now!

Going the extra mile...

Today for wacky hair day we managed to raise over $1000 and as a result the locks had to come off. So for the first time in 9 years I now have a respectable hair cut. As part of our efforts to raise money for Ferndale School we had a couple of students who pledged to support me through my recent traumatic hair removal. Here is a little movie showing the before and after shots:

Raising money for Ferndale special needs School

Burglars have broken into a Christchurch school (Ferndale), a school for students with special needs and stolen thousands of dollars worth of equipment from the students struggling to come to terms with Saturday's earthquake.

So we are going to raise enough money to pay for some of their loss, by having a wacky hair day and a gold coin donation for the school. Mr Chadwick is even going to raise money by cutting off his dreadlocks, which he has had for over 9 years, if we can raise at least $1000. This occasion is going to take place at Muritai School on 24 of September 2010.


We are hoping to raise at least 1000 dollars which will hopefully pay for some of the equipment stolen. We are also hoping people throughout the community will join in and help us get to our mark.

Here is the link to the video created by the herald about the burglary:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_cid=1&gallery_id=113812

Cutting some shapes on the dance floor

Today Muritai School was lucky enough to have the Royal NZ Ballet Company come and perform two shows to the students. The dancers were incredibly talented individuals who put on an amazing display of what it takes to be in the Company. Their flexibility, strength and dancing ability was breath taking. Makes me want to get out my dancing shoes...

Oh to be literate...

You a big reader and unsure of what to read next? Then check out the following book reviews by the students of room 21 and 23 and maybe you'll find your next all nighter.

If only...

Has your wish been to be green? Then try http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/365024
Are you a super hero in disguise? Then try http://marvel.com/create_your_own_superhero
Always wished to create your own lego character? Then try http://devbook.com/charactercreators/lego/
Wanted to be the character in a game? Then try http://devbook.com/charactercreators/sonic/

I've always wanted super powers...

Silent Scream!

Can you feel her terror? What could she be afraid of? What happens next? Read on to find out what some think happens...

The Eyes of Terror

As I was staring into the eyes of hell my heart started to pump faster, faster, faster. Then it stopped. There in the shades of the room there was a scream. The lights turned on. She was gone! Just as I was turning around I heard a whisper, "you are going to die tonight". I quickly ducked to the ground and turned to face the voice there was no one there! I was breathing heavily now and I couldn't hear anything it was too quiet to quite be true then the lights went off...

By Brodie

Building up a sweat

As a finale to this week we have had the opportunity to participate in an indoor sports competition. This involved students being mixed into teams and competing against each other in a variety of different indoor sports. It was fantastic to see all the students running around and participating in the wide array of available options.

Kicking up a storm..

Tuesday the 10th saw an exhausting afternoon of rivalry and cooperation as students battled against each other in the Sportzone organized football competition. With all students getting stuck into the spirit of participation, it was clear to see that this was a highly successful event. See below for the tongues out concentration required to take and save penalties and the scenes of celebration.

Riley music

In Room 21 this week we have had a nimble bunch of students that have knawed away at learning the choreography for their production dance. For the Riley group this has required dexterity, coordination and boundless amounts of enthusiasm...and that was just from the teacher. If you are in this ratty group and want to use the music, it can be located at http://www.box.net/shared/ls73bdju0q

Singing a powerful song!

Last Friday the year 7/8 students began to practice the song "Life of Riley" for assembly. This song will also be used during our upcoming production "The short but incredibly happy life of Riley", which is a book by Colin Thompson. Check out our musical talents and feel free to sing along:

Who's got the power?

This terms Big Idea in inquiry is: In order to function and be a happy contributing member of society it is important to understand the value and power of the 'word'. Through exploring the idea of 'owning your words' the students will become more aware of the impact that words - negative and positive - can have on peoples well-being, society, religion, politics and in particular advertising.

In class today we were looking at the Big Questions:

• What 'words' influence you?
• What influences your choices?
• What words do you use to boost another person up?
• What words do you or others use to bring someone down?
• Who do you listen to the most?
• How do you respond in different situations?

What would your answers be?

Celebrating Matariki

Last week (Monday 14th June) saw the start of Matariki, the Maori new year. To celebrate this the students who attended kapa haka on Wednesday participated in a range of making activities and learnt how to play whai (string games).

The year 7/8 students made tukutuku panels using the traditional materials of raupo and harakeke. The year 3 and 4's learnt whai and the 5/6's learnt how to weave putiputi (flowers).

This was yet another fantastic opportunity for the year 7/8 students to be leaders and teachers of the juniors. Check out the photos above of all the cool activities that the students were involved in.

Run run as fast you can...

Yesterday the year 7/8 Hutt Valley Interzone Cross Country finally took place on a slightly soggy Trentham ground. As always this event was only possible with the help of the parents who provided that much needed transport.

Muritai had 23 runners brave the conditions and show what they can do. It was amazing seeing all the students achieving the best that they could be. Notably Georgia who came second, Kenzy and Clara who came 5th and lastly Scott and Ryan who came 8th and 9th respectively. Excellent effort guys.

The dirty truth about nappies

It's a $4billion industry in the USA and there are over 1000 patents on how they are designed and constructed.

Nappies are quite incredible.
Their ability to absorb and retain moisture is very clever. Using synthetic polymers, today’s state of the art disposable diapers will absorb up to 15 times their weight in water. This phenomenal absorption capacity is due to the absorbent pad in the core of the nappy. This pad is composed of two essential elements, a hydrophilic (water loving) polymer and a fibrous material such as wood pulp.

After a bit of research on the history, technology and science as well as an explanation on what polymers are, we experimented with nappies looking closely at the chemical reactions that take place when water meets nappy.

Exploring the final frontier

On Tuesday the Yr 7 & 8's trekked off to boldly go where no other School has gone before......the newly re-opened Carter Observatory. We were treated to an exciting workshop which looked in detail at the different conditions, and statistics of each of the planets in our solar system.. Did you know that Pluto is now called a dwarf planet? And there are at least 35 other dwarf planets out there which are the same size as Pluto!!

After the workshop we went into the planetarium, this is a high-fi digital movie theater where the ceiling is the screen and you feel as though you are flying through space! We looked at the physical stress astronauts go through when in space, and at our very own unique view of the night sky. The photos were amazing and the educators were really interesting. The kids came back buzzing with questions and debating the existence of extra-terrestrial life in the universe! Another knowledge gathering success!

Budding scientists...

Today as part of our Science fair scaffolding, Room 21 explored the question, Which bread is best? We created a hypothesis (a guess of what we think the result might be) and then we set about testing the bread on a variety of variables; What it cost, how long it lasted, how healthy it was, the texture and most importantly what it tasted like...

Exploring the unknown...

‘Becoming Meaning Makers’ - Term Two Science unit

Take a bit of the world….

Play with it, poke it…

Observe it - Watch it, listen to it, touch and smell it (maybe taste it)

Explain, discuss, examine and question. Predict and test..

This term’s unit is about ‘thinking with evidence’