Intermediate Swimming Day

On Monday the 29th of November, the Intermediates went to Papakura Massey Park Swimstation. We went there to learn all sorts of water safety skills including getting out of a tipped kayak, flotation skills, diving and what to do in a survival situation.

After assembly in the morning, we gathered our gear and hopped on the buses. Everyone was buzzing with excitement and wondering what the day ahead would be like. When we got to the pools, we quickly got changed then met by the pool where we put our gear away and got into groups of around 15 people. Then we started rotating around the 6 activities.

They were flotation, diving, rescuing others, getting out of a tipped kayak, life jackets and survival scenarios. Each activity was half an hour long and was run by one of the swimstation instructors. We got to work with flutterboards, pool noodles, life jackets and the small kayaks.

We did four activities before having a break for lunch, outside in the sunshine. We had a surprise of getting hot chips, which was organised by our teachers. After eating and talking with our friends, we did a quick tidy up before completing the last 2 activities.

When we had finished, we changed back into our uniform, gathered our gear and assembled outside. The teachers did a head count to make sure no one was missing and then we got onto the bus. Once back at school we gathered in the hall for a quick talk. After thanking the helpers and organisers and listening to some quick messages we went home.

This day was fun and everyone enjoyed having a day out. We learned a lot of water safety skills and working as a team.

Here are some comments by a few people who went and enjoyed the swim day:

Gagan: It was fun. I really enjoyed the kayak and life jacket activities.

Ameleigh: I really enjoyed the swim day. It was a great experience and we learned a lot.

Gulnoza: I thought the swim day was really fun. My favourite activity was working with the life jackets. I would've preferred the pools to be a bit warmer though.

Here are some photos of the fun day:

By Gulnoza & Katelyn

Our New Tadpoles

Yesterday, our teacher brought in some tadpoles. We have eight of them and they are quite big. They are kept in a large, transparent tank which is supported by a plastic bowl in our classroom. There are oxygen weeds also and some bugs in the tank too. We feed them with a small amount of fish food now but when they become frogs they will start eating insects. We will enjoy seeing the tadpoles slowly transforming into adult frogs.

Here are a few photos of the tadpoles:

Looking down on the tank.

The tadpoles.

The life-cycle of a frog.

By Gulnoza, Ameleigh and Katelyn.

As you know, the intermediates have been writing and presenting persuasive speeches. In Kea 1, our base topic was Planet Earth. People chose a range of topics - from animal cruelty to tourism.

Everyone in our class has presented their speech and Mrs Whitehead then chose the nine best speakers. These 9 students then had to present their speech again in front of the class. Afterwards, the five semi-finalists were chosen. The people who will be representing our class are: Ezra - Evolution; Tracey - Dog Abuse; Connor - Tourism in Antarctica; Jenna - Whaling and Ameleigh - Recycling. The semi-finalists will present their speeches to Ms Gifford and Mrs McCarty next Monday. Then ten people from the intermediates will present their speeches to the whole team. We wish all the semi-finalists good luck for the finals.

Also this week our decorated blocks of wood were put onto a metal pole, which is now in our garden. They all look colourful and this has made our garden look more eye-catching. We would like to thank Mr Fowler for drilling a hole in the blocks of wood and for assembling the pole in the Kea garden.


Here are some photos:

By Ameleigh and Gulnoza