The Destruction!

The sun shone in the deep blue sky, as the white fluff clouds stood still. The blue waves were no more. They had turned into a black thickened sea.

As I went on my usual morning flight over Maketu beach, I saw something strange, and unusual…it was black and bubbly. Something I had never seen before.

Suddenly. “GRRRR!” My hungry tummy growled at me as it forced me to eat. I wasn’t sure if I should, but I did.

I swooped down into the black bubbly sea and I… Suffocated I…I…I got terrified. I didn’t know what to do or where to go.

The black bubbly oil covered me all over. I couldn’t see, the oil covered my eyes and before I knew it, I was gone.

By Kiri

Where Am I?

The golden sun shimmered on my chocolate brown nest and the early birds sang sweet melodies just like every other beautiful morning. I used these birds as a wake up alarm to get food for my family. So I got up and it was another normal day, wait a minute, what’s that honking noise? I set out to find out what it was. Oohh I should have known it’s just a boat but it’s not any ordinary boat. I will fly down and check it out. As soon as I got down to the boat I saw a tag saying R.E.N.A. The boat was on a lean and it was humongous! It also had lots of containers on it and lots of them were red.

Nooo!! One of them had oil on the top of it and I put my feet on it and it fell off into the pitch-black water. I know that’s a bit weird. Water isn’t black. Anyway I fell into the black water. I got all sticky and I couldn’t feel my feathers because they were stuck together. I didn’t know what this black stuff was but I had to get out of it.

It was mushy and gooey and I couldn’t even see because the black water was all over me and I was petrified and scared. Hey I think I know what the black water is! It is oil from the Rena ship.

Ouch, ouch it’s starting to get rocky. Argh! I can feel sand. Yahoo! I’m on shore I think. Yes, yes I can hear kids and adults. Aaahh! Someone is holding me. What? I can hear a car and it sounds like a cage shaking. Where am I? I heard a person say we are at the vets now.

What am I in? It feels like water. Mmm! I can feel and smell shampoo. Yaay! I can see now! Wow! I do smell like shampoo! Next the humans took me back out to the sea and released me back into the wild. Once I got back home I told my family everything about my day.

Hopefully no other birds got washed up in that disgusting oil like me.

By Katy

The Oil Damage

I swooped down in the cold breezy wind. The point of my toes tiptoed on the ice cold water.

Suddenly Bang! I was stuck in oil. A wave reached the oily feathers on my body. The waves pushed me up on to the beginning of the dry, hard, thick sand.

As I started to lift my head up I felt homeless, hopeless, petrified and disgusted. All I could hear was waves crashing and also banging on the rocks and cans. It looked like I was in a black as black town. I felt strange…
I felt different and also I felt like it was a mysterious midnight.

I went to move my leg but strangely it wouldn’t move at all. I was scared. I tried to reach out for my Mum but I could not resist the pain of moving, when suddenly this voice called “birdy, birdy birds!” A man carefully picked me up, wrapped me in a blanket and gently washed me down. In no time I was happily flying in the sky, but very carefully this time.

By Emily

Oil Spill

I was soaring through the thick morning mist as I suddenly hit a giant log floating in the sea. I dived into the dark blue ocean then all of a sudden I was in a type of black goo.

Squawk, squawk! I’m stuck help me! I desperately flapped my wings with rage trying to get a gasp of air when suddenly I fainted. The next thing I knew I was stranded on Maketu beach. I was terrified about what had happened to my beautiful home. There was nothing I could do but be stuck and hopelessly wish someone would come and save me.

Splash, splash waves crashed over me as I tried to escape from this car wreck of a beach. Help, help please save me! No one heard. So it was time for me to perish.

By Kaia

Rena Oil Spill

We have been discussing the Rena oil spill. We wrote stories from the birds perspective. We were looking at how the bird would feel and think. We tried to paint a picture in the readers head so they could imagine they were the bird and effected by the oil spill. We hope you like our stories.

Happy Holidays Space 17

Hi Space 17,

I hope you are all having an awesome holiday and having a nice break from a very busy last term!

I have been enjoying watching all the rugby and I am very excited for Sunday night's final! Go the All Blacks!

I am looking forward to next term, it is going to be very busy and the last term for our year 6's!

Hope you are all having a good holiday and would love to hear about what you are all doing!

From Miss Williams

PS. See you all on Wednesday next week - remember Tuesday is a Teacher Only day! =)

Teachers Vs Seniors Rippa Rugby Game

The teachers played Rippa Rugby against some of the senior students on Friday. it was lots of fun and both the teachers and students played very well! It was a tough and close game with the senior children scoring early and slipping passed the teachers and dodging the rips! However the speedy teachers came back and scored some amazing tries and got some good rips! In the end the teachers were the champions....thanks to Whaea Jonnina losing track of the score and the teachers scoring the most in the second half! It was an awesome game and everyone had lots of fun and played really well!! Ka Pai to everyone who took part and to all our wonderful cheerleaders on the side lines!

Teachers Vs Students - free slideshow

Rugby Skills Afternoon

Our whole school had a fun afternoon where we learnt and practices some passing, kicking and throwing rugby ball skills. We were in teams and rotated around a range of activities. As senior school students we helped out the younger students and helped them to practice and learn the new skills. We had lots of fun and were excellent senior role models for our younger students!

Rugby Skills Afternoon - free slideshow

Production Night

Production night finally arrived and we had an awesome show! Well done Space 17, you were amazing and all your hard work paid off!! Very proud of all of you! You looked fantastic and your dancing was astounding!!

Production Night - free slideshow

Production Rehearsal

All geared up and ready for our final dress rehearsal before we have a real audience!

Fluoro Disco

We had a Fluoro/Circus themed Disco to raise money for our school production! we had lots of fun and raised lots of money!! Here are some cool snaps from the Disco!

Flouro Disco - Free Slideshow Maker

Hockey Winners!

This week Ivan discovered that over the years, from 1998 - 2010, 3 members of Space 17 have been recipients of the Most improved Maxi B hockey trophy!! Well done to Miss Williams, Shevon and Rebecca!

Game Zone

Yesterday the 'Game Zone' roadshow was in town. Lots of children from Space 17 went and had an awesome time and took some photos! Cool Photo Ivan! Also thank you to Isaac H who got some signatures for me! I hope you all had a fun afternoon, we had a quiet afternoon at school!

Museum Trip

Yesterday our class went to the the Amazing Rotorua Museum. We got to see the new Don Stafford Wing, it was outstanding!
We learnt about some of the Myths and Legends from the Te Arawa Region. My favourite legend was Hinemoa and Tutanekai because we got to touch a replica of Tutanekai's flute.

Another highlight was seeing Mrs Edwards as Miss New Zealand and we got to see her gown, trophy and crown! She is so beautiful and a wonderful person!!

While we were at the Museum we saw the movie about the Rotorua region and volcanic activity that surrounds it. When the chairs started to shake it was really fun, some of us got a fright!

We had an awesome time at the Museum and I think that you should all go check out the new Don Staffford Wing and Museum.

Kiwi Quiz Question

What famous New Zealander was killed in the Amazon by pirates in 2001?
Clue: Sir Peter...............

Our new bridge routine

Today a group from our class has been trying a new bridge routine for our dance. We persevered and in then end we did it! What do your think of our bridge so far?

Human Sculpture Dance

We have been learning and practicing our Human Sculpture dance for the production. We still need to change a few things and add some more parts. What do you think on our dance so far?? How could we improve our dance?? We would love some nice constructive comments!

Human Sculpture

Well Done for the awesome effort with our dance today Space 17!! Your all persevered and worked so hard!! Very proud of you all!! Kia Kaha with the rest of the dance!!

Wilbur the Piglet!!

Mr Sinclair's piglet came to school for the day. We were lucky enough to have him in our class so we could play with him!! We had lots of fun!!

Wilbur the pig - slideshow with music

Space 17 supports the All Blacks!!

Go the All Blacks!!

The Blaikie Whanau looking beautiful in Black and Mackenzie supporting the All Blacks!

Go the All Blacks!!

On Friday we had 'show your support day' at school!! We were all rocking our All Black colours!! Go the All Blacks!!

What am I?

I have razor sharp teeth and scaly green skin. I have an exceptionally large mouth with four stumpy feet. I like to eat lots of fish or meaty things that come my way. I spend my day lying around on the river banks and slide in for a quick dip into the murky water from time to time...... What am i?

Who am I?

I am usually seen with a gun. I always wear black and I also work for the police but I am only used for serious crimes. I have to go through a lot of training to do my job and I help to keep people safe. Who am I?

Fitness

Production

In Space 17 we are learning our production songs and are beginning to learn our dance! We still need some more exciting dance moves for our song, so if you know any fun and easy to learn dance moves we would love to know them so we can trial them! Thank you to Kerry who is already helping with our dance!

Spring Time

As the blossoms bloomed in the once bare dead trees the soft baa of the lambs echoed out of the blossoms.

The swish of the wind silently filled the big sheep farm and the sway of the trees creaked on the farm.

The little creek trickled with crystal clear water as the ducks slowly paddled down the extravagant creek.

I sat at the window waiting for my baby kitten to rise from a mysterious hole in the earth. I looked down into the hole. "Meow!" The kitten was half way up my back. "How did that happen?" I thought.

It was a typical spring day.

Spring

Golden rays of sun gleamed in the gentle breeze. The clouds were different shapes and sizes as they stood in the blue sky. The grass was cut and laid out like a bed. Everything was amazing.

Me and my cat Tilly were staring at the trees that were starting to blossom and the animals who were jumping wired fences.

The birds chirped sweet melodies as the swooped down for their prey but the cat smashed them with her sharp fangs. The cows started trotting to a huge shed ready to be milked.

We strolled around the place once more until we were greeted by the warm heaters inside our small cottage.

Iv'e got to say, it was the best part of spring I had ever seen!

Spring Time

The crisp morning air soon broke into a gentle breeze that drifted along past the fields as new born lambs frolicked over the long luscious green grass.

Cute birds sit hidden away high in the dark vivid leaves singing their sweetest melodies behind all the fluffy white clouds that look as if they'd been bleached.

A sun as vibrant as fluro colours hid behind them waiting to break free.

Spring is a wonderful place. It is a time when animals can enjoy themselves and feel free in the wind that runs through their newborn fur.

Spring

Yay Spring is finally here! We wrote some amazing spring setting descriptions. We tried to describe what we see, feel and hear in spring time. We hope you like our spring descriptions.

Field Days - Rugby

Our Field Days rugby team placed second in the A division! Well done boys!! Also well done to all our other teams! Our Hockey and minniball also placed second! Go Kawaha!

A big thank you to all our coaches!! We could not do it without you!!!

The Rock Warriors

Our finished product! We hope you like it!

The Rock Warriors

At the beginning of this Term our class was lucky enough to be involved with the Rotorua Public Libraries ‘Big Big Big Picture Book’. This is a big fabric picture book of stories from Rotorua with each page reflecting a different Rotorua story. This book then tours around the Rotorua sharing our stories. This opportunity was open to only 10 schools in the Rotorua Region, so we were very fortunate to be able to be a part of this book. Our class had to make a page for the book on our chosen legend: The Rock Warriors.

Every child in our class worked on creating this page and the final page is a reflection of their hard work.

Thank you to Stacey Hanlen and Jill Cameron who helped to make this possible!! Space 17 thinks you are awesome and are very grateful!

We hope you like our final page! We are currently finishing our own copy for the school library and it will be up there soon!!

Student of the Day!

Well done to Ivan for being a Cool Caring Kawaha Kid!! Ivan worked very hard to day and was an excellent role model for the rest of the class!! Keep up the good work Ivan!!

Snow Adventure

I peered out the glass window and the dark misty clouds started to cover the glistening sun. Then it started. Tiny delicate drops of snowflakes danced in the freezing wind. A soft white flurry of snow flakes wildly drifted in the air.

We all shot for the door and ran towards the fluffy blizzard. It was like a magical wonderland. We all stood in the freezing cold collecting snow on our jerseys. Everyone tried to catch the snowflakes in their mouths.

This was one of the best times during school. But next time I hope it is much thicker.

Snow Stories

After we played in the snow we wrote some exciting snow recounts. We tried to use lots of description so our readers could imagine they were there. We hope you like our snow stories.

Snow

This week we got a real treat, it snowed in Rotorua!! During maths time we had a big snow fall, so the whole school went outside and had some fun in the snow!!

Snow Cartoon

Drop Everything and Read - Book Week

We took photos of people around the school stopping to read during book week!

League Workshop

League

Wearable Arts 2011

Jonathan

Awesome Work Jessica!!

On Saturday morning Miss Williams went and watched Jessica recite her poem for the speech and drama competition. She did very well and should be proud of her efforts!! Jessica received a very highly commended award for one of her poem recitals. Well done Jessica!! We all look forward to hearing of your results on Monday at school.

Space17 is very Proud of you Jessica!!

Slime Fun

We made slime, then we payed with our slime and wrote slimy stories using lots of descriptive words.

Buddy Reading

Wearable Arts 2011

Wearable Arts

Honesty

Perseverance

Cross Country 2011

Cross Country on PhotoPeach

Cross Country

On Friday 17th June the school Cross Country was held at the Aquarius Drive reserve. The ten and eleven year old senior children had to do 3 laps around the course and the nine year olds had to do 2 laps. It was 1.8km if you do 2 laps and 2.7km if you do 3 laps. We all persevered and got some good results.

By Leah

Andy's Visit reflection by Ben

Last week Andy came to visit us and tell us about the Army. He answered lots of our questions we had about life in the Army. My favourite part was when he told us about all the different job available in the Army, most jobs you can think about outside of the Army you can do in the Army. I want to be in the Army when I grow up.

Andy's Visit reflection by Ivan

There was a really nice man who came into Space 17. He taught us about the Army. The Army is about helping people. He taught me that some jobs include taking deliveries to other countries and helping people to be safe and feel safe in their countries. I think being in the Army is a really cool job!

Andy's Visit reflection by Keegan

Andy came from England to teach us about the Army and what the Army is about. I learnt that the Army is not about killing people, it is about rescuing people and helping others. I enjoyed listening to him and learning interesting information about the British Army.

Visit from Andy the soldier

Visit from Andy the Soldier on PhotoPeach

Last year Space 17 students skyped Andy, a soldier in the British army to talk about ANZAC day and the army. They also sent letters to him wished him luck with all his army duties. This year we were very lucky to have Andy come and visit us in Space 17. He talked about life in the army, some of the skills and disciplines you need, what the army is about and he also taught us some very good values. Thank you Andy for coming to our class, we enjoyed listening to you!

Camp Okataina 2011

Camp Okataina 2011 on PhotoPeach

Camp Poem

Okataina Camp 2011 on PhotoPeach

Okataina Camp 2011

In Term one Space's 9 and 17 went to Okataina Camp! We had an awesome time doing cool team building activities, bush walking, swimming, hanging out with our friends and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones. We hope you like our camp photos!