Wall Display for the Next Literacy Focus

This term our literacy focus is on speaking and writing specific texts to use used in a range of a contexts. We are looking at debates a first up. Our reading programme is giving us examples of debate concepts from which to bounce out thinking off.

This display gives the class a framework from which to work from with key ideas to help construct debate speeches as well present them.

We are working towards class debates, Nepia House debates and then aiming at the School Debate.

The Last Day at Electives in Term Two

Each group of students taking part in the Ovenless Awesomeness elective spent time on the last day creating a set of dishes which we all shared as a lunch. There were a range of  colours, flavours and tantalising treats for us to try. There was very little left to clean up at the end.

Room 17's Sports Captains

Ella and Riley were Room 17's Sports Captains for the first half of the year. 

Together, they supported the lunchtime sports team to victory in the Rippa Rugby season.  They carried out an important role to support their class and teacher in preparing and organising for PE lessons

Many thanks for your support Ella and Riley, to Room 17's sport and PE programme throughout the first half of the year.

A Day Out at Havelock North High School

Ollie and Riley under the guidance of an HNHS student while experiencing different classrooms and experiences recently.



Eden and Melissa collaborating on a task at HNHS during the open day for HNI students.

On Tuesday 27 June, all Year 8 students were invited to spend much of the day at HNHS exploring and experiencing tasks, lessons and student life. This taster enabled the intermediate students an opportunity to explore opportunities that will confront them when they first start their secondary school.

The overall feedback from the HNI students that it was a really great opportunity to find out

• where things were at the high school
• that lessons were timetabled
• where the canteen was
• that they would not be so scared on the first day
• the teachers were approachable
• they were looking forward to their next step in their education.

More Dragon's Den Ideas

Lola, Drew, Oliver and Luke's idea.

Dragon's Den Winning Team From Room 17

The focus for most of Term 2 was Movers and Shakers, this is where we looked at inventors and innovators.
As part of this learning, the class were divided into groups where they created or adapted an invention (as part of their Scamper activity) to develop an item or activity that could be helpful in their world.

The group comprising of Brooke, Connor, Riordan and Renee, created  The Location Clock.  This innovation was designed to help teachers who needed to know where students were during the school day.

The clock very cleverly had a hand for each class member and when the students left the classroom, they moved their named hand to the venue or activity that they were going to. At a glance, a teacher would be able to tell instantly, where the student was.

This group was selected as they had created a totally new innovation from a known product.

They were the first team to present their product to the 'Dragon', (Mr John Newland) but they overcame their nerves to stand tall amongst the winners from other Year 8 classes.

This activity required a lot of teamwork, persistence, grit, determination, collaboration and a shared vision.

Each group in the class had very divergent ideas and stood out in their own right.

Have a look at the following Google presentations to see the range of ideas that were developed in Room 17.

Our Class Whakapapa

As part  of the process of finding out more about ourselves as well as becoming ore skilled in drawing koro shapes as accurately as possible, Room 17 students created their Whakapapa or Family Tree in a diagram form.

The koru allows for a flow of the curve and is very attractive in this format. When looking at families, the students used many different ways to show members, including animals, wshowing a degree is significance as well.

The result looks attractive in a wall display. There were a range of very proud students with their presentations reflecting their families.

Writing a Poem a Different Way

Room 17 students had to create a 'found' poem late last term and  the criteria were clearly set out for them. They just had to read the text on the page and then seek out words that would create a message that flowed down the page.

Asking students to create a poem without the need to make it rhyme and the words were already on the page, meant that there was  a lot less pressure to 'write'. 

The results were an amazing array of messages that were fun to read and listen to as you can see when you read down this poem.

Science Technology

What happens when students from Room 17 go to Science Technology.

Melissa in action with her reading. She has an opportunity to hear a DVD whilst reading by herself in a quiet space within the classroom.

Movers and Shakers Wall Display

This display was designed to challenge student's thinking throughout the term's inquiry topic.

Examples of innovators and inventors were added to the display to help students to get an idea as to the difference between innovators and inventors.

The questions in the display were starters for the concepts that were covered throughout the term.

The end result with the Dragon's Den presentations will help to tie a term of innovation and deep thinking.