Optical Illusions

For the past few weeks, my class has been learning about how to draw optical illusions and how 3D perspective works. Most optical illusions must consist of straight lines and shading has to be on point. 3D perspective art must have straight lines co-responding to the direction they're coming from and once again, shading must be on point.

I have really enjoyed drawing out different types of optical illusions. From drawing 3D stars that trick your mind to a twisty, 3D heart. I think the hardest one for me was the star because there were so many lines to keep track of and they just ended up going everywhere.

Celebrating Samoan Language Week

On Sunday the 26th of May was the beginning of Samoan language week in Aotearoa. There are many events happening around the country to comemorate the Pacific culture. Acording to KiwiKidsNews, Samoan language week is the first of the seven Pacific cultures to be celebrated this year.

The theme for this year is "Weave an environment for a better future." I am Samoan myself so I feel like this week my culture really gets to shine. I also love the fact that we, as students, are encouraged to embrace their true colours culturally. Take for example, my school. On Friday our principal, Mrs Hamilton, is allowing all Samoan children to wear their traditional cothing.

I love learning and celebrating all sort of cultures.

Lalaga le si'osi'omaga mo se lumanaʻi manuia!

🙌🤝👍

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Riiana, Leanah and I presented the teachers with 6 different posters based on New Zealand Sign Language Week.

Not only did we present some NZSL posters, we also made 3/6 of our own. One poster entirely made specifically for Mrs Brough, another with words the juniors commonly use and the last one filled with signs the seniors should learn based on their learning criteria.

We presented the teachers with our posters during morning tea. Riiana and Leanah did all the talking while I repeated in sign language. It was challenging and fun learning NZSL. I had to learn many different signs according to what was being said. 

In the video below, we are displaying two posters which we coloured in. We also printed out a small poster with medical signs for Mrs Shortland. Our first presentation was on Monday:

On Tuesday we presented the teachers with the posters we had made for the students.

Then there was another... on Wednesday Riiana and I presented Mrs Brough with her very own poster. It consisted of words such as, thank you, boss, email and other computer and manner phrases. 

Hard Material Work at Tamaki College

Today at Tech was very hectic. There were students walking all over the place, tools everywhere and one very busy teacher.

Like I have mentioned in one of my previous posts, I am making a key rack. It is so close to being complete! I just need to think of something I could add to it to use up all the excess pieces of wood. Although this isn't necessary, it feels like my project just needs something extra. Today I was able to screw hooks on with the help from Mr Grundy, of course.

Mr Grundy also set us up with another task for when we're waiting for his help or if we are waiting for our glued projects to dry. Our new task is, in simple terms, "Write instructions on how you made your final design". I decided to change it up a bit by writing how to make any design in general.

Hopefully by next Wednesday I've come up with an idea for the extra piece of wood and how to put it to good use.

Ruapotaka's ANZAC Service

Ruapotaka School held its very own ANZAC ceremony. It was hosted by the student leaders Riiana, Leanah and myself. When we have our services we welcome parents and family to join us. We also invite people from the RSA to watch us and give us their feedback.

I started our ANZAC service with our school prayer followed by our school waiata. After that, I lead the singing of the National Anthem. All the students, teachers and parents joined in. I then invited Mrs Hamilton to the stage to read out the Declaration.

We had three different ANZAC contributions. I was a part of this. I wrote a soldier profile. Flight Lieutenant T. G. Culling. Each class made a wreath that was laid out in front of the crosses we had displayed.

Following the laying of the wreath, I introduced Riiana to the stage to recite a poem called "In Flanders Fields". After that, we had our second and third ANZAC contributions. We had a new student from Room 10 who read out a narrative about being a child waiting for their father to come home from the war and two lovely students from Room 6 who read out why we have The Last Post. Straight after that, everyone stood for the playing of The Last Post and then we stood quietly for the one minute silence.

Lastly, I welcomed Leanah to the front to recite the Remembrance poem and to close the service. It was a major learning experience hosting something so important. Our service was a complete success too! The lady from the RSA said “This is the best school service I’ve been to.” Which was really nice to hear considering all of us worked so hard to fulfill high expectations.