Media Studies Project Update

In media studies this term, we have been working on individual or group projects of our choice. My group, Catrin, Siobhan and I, have been working on making Grey High's double page feature in the Grey Star that comes out in July. So far we have organized a couple photos and blurbs for the paper. We plan to show more student work and achievements.

Ms Evans' Reading Challenge (1)

Chapter 1 of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie is a great introduction to a (hopefully) great story. Sherman Alexie uses sarcasm and humour to entertain his audience and make his story relatable to everyone that reads it. Personally, I love how he captivates his readers with lines that make us want to read more. For example, the first line in the book is 'I was born with water on the brain.' Lines like this make the audience want to read more and really captivate readers. In chapter one we are introduced to a boy named Junior and the beginning of his story. We learn that he is a boy that was born with too much cerebral spinal fluid inside his skull. He is 14 years of age and lives on a Native American reservation. As a result of the 'water on the brain' he suffers from brain damage and is a prisoner to occasional seizures and poor eyesight among many other things. I love how Sherman Alexie doesn't give his characters perfect lives because it makes them more relatable and everyone has something in common with them. I am excited to learn more about Junior and his lifestyle. I think I will like this book even though it isn't the style I normally read.

Media Studies - Ajax the Kea Dog

In media studies today we learnt about different aspects of a film. We studied the short film Ajax the Kea Dog.
Go to this link to view it yourself: https://vimeo.com/229067450

Sound

The short film Ajax the Kea Dog, I believe the director uses a range of sound to grasp the attention of the audience. I think he uses a calm and classical underlying soundtrack over the duration of the film to give the overall film a friendly and welcoming effect. I think this adds to the wilderness aspect as a similar soundtrack is played during shows like bear grills. At the beginning of the film, we have a voiceover about Ajax and his story. I think that he did this to be relatable to his audience as dogs are well loved in our community. I also think this is why he made the story about Ajax instead of about finding keas. Throughout the short film, we get different sound effects including bird calls and the zip of the tent to add context to the scenes.  There is also a music change when he changes locations adding to the scene of mystery in the unknown location

NZL - The Voyage Out to New Zealand (letter home)

New Zealand
Date 1848
Dear Mumma,

We survived, Martha and I. We are lucky, many barely survived the first few days. We miss you dearly, but these children need me. You should see them all. Hundreds of them! Martha and I are going to be running the school here! Can you believe that? We miss you. More than words can comprehend. Our finale goodbye will never be enough.

I worry for Martha, she still has nightmares about the voyage over. There were many dead Mumma, dieses overpowered all us. Only a few of us made it, we are really lucky Mumma. Three month’s on the boat. Did you know that Martha has terrible sea sickness? The sail was destroyed a few days after we left. The strong wind ripped a huge hole in it! Luckily the men on the boat knew how to get it down, and many of the women could sew. Do not get me wrong, there were many great things about the voyage too. Martha met a man. His name is Edwin. She is smitten I tell you. They wouldn’t leave each other’s sides. Edwin has a young boy, maybe 2 years old. His name is Leonard. Martha treat’s him likes her own. His ex-wife (Leonard’s Mumma) passed away during birth. They are smitten for each other though Mumma, you should see it!

One day you should come here too. I am sure we will find a house for you, all of us, Martha, you and I. Maybe even Edwin and Leonard too! You would love it here Mumma, you could be a nurse down at the hospital! I know you’ve always wanted to be one! They would train you to. Always needing nurses and doctors around here, especially for the little ones. Sorry you couldn’t come with us Mumma, but I promise I’ll be back for you.

New Zealand is beautiful. The forest engulf’s most of the island. I love it here. It’s nothing like London but we all love it here. It’s not the same without you here. I start at the school tomorrow, I’m teaching the littlest children and Martha teaches the teenagers. We are starting with counting! I love you a lot Mumma. Miss you.
Lot's of love,
Eliza <3

Our New Zealand

Last term in NZL (New Zealand studies), we learnt a lot about identity. We learnt about our identities and the identities of everything around us.






This is an example of this. We learnt about the identity of kiwi's. We drew a kiwi and filled it with different facts.





This term we are learning to express our self through art. We learnt about a famous photographer and why s/he took photo's of what s/he did. We also looked at the different artworks and what symbolic icons are in it.

Wairua Kotuku

Painted by: Shane Hanson

Kotuku, a native bird.

Important in maori mythology, they are believed to be from the spirit world.

Elegant bird

3 foot

Habitat swamps lagoons in 5th island.

When they spread their wings they look majestic and royal.

There is a Koru underneath it.

9MG English : Term One

This term, in English we spent most of it looking into and exploring the hero cycle. The hero cycle is the journey every hero faces to become a hero. There are 12 stages in the cycle. A few stages are: Status quo, departure, treasure and resolution. I enjoyed learning about this a lot. We made posters showing the stages. We also explored people and how they are hero's. I chose to do this on Walt Disney. We created an exhibit showcasing our hero.
This is my slideshow showing all the stages in the hero cycle.


At the start of every lesson we do something called a big question. The big question is an activity set up by our teacher Miss Evans. She will give us a question, topic, or anything really and we have 5 minutes to write 100 words about it. My favourite one we have done is where Miss Evans gave us 5 random words and we had to turn them into a story. The words were: Sponge-bob, Tuesday, ice cream, Music, & however. This is my story:
It was Tuesday night. I was craving a huge bowl of ice cream, however, my music was distracting me. I decided to turn on the t.v. My favourite childhood cartoon was playing, Spongebob. Suddenly I wasn’t thinking about ice cream. I was thinking about how Spongebob has changed my life. I flick off the t.v hastily, my mind filled with anger and sadness, knowing I will get addicted to it again. I shut my eyes and try to sleep. I sit there for what feels like forever, but my brain just wouldn’t shut off. Seconds led to minutes, minutes turned to hours. Eventually I give up trying. I flick the t.v back on and spend all night watching the Spongebob marathon.

At the end of every lesson we do something similar to the big question. It's called the success ticket. Each day we end the lesson by reflecting on our learning. We have a success criteria we refer to. It's not always about reflection, sometimes she asks for suggestions on games and other things.

In the past week we went on a year 9 day trip to Kumara. Before we left I wasn't really that keen on going, when I got their though I really enjoyed myself. We learnt so much about the history of this small town. We learnt about how the gold rush affected this, at that time, non-existent town. We also did a few team building games. We split off into groups with our mentor classes and travelled from activity to activity. My favourite thing we did was the London Dairy Rock bush walk. The rock was huge! It was quite a few tonnes. It was so cool and made me feel so small. A tiny fantail followed us around the walk. Overall I really enjoyed this trip and hope to do more things like this.

This term I have been quite successful. I have completed all my work too a high standard. I have further developed my literacy skills. I have also grown more use to high school and how we move about. Next term, I want to become more confident in my learning and continue to adapt to high school.

Home Links - Quick Write

Him - Present Day

He heard the musical song of sorrow again, he’s been hearing it since the day of the accident. I Love You Bruce, Do you love me? He heard this repeat over and over again. It grew louder, and louder. He tossed and turned on his pillow. Screaming at the top of his lungs. Then it all ended. He sat up in his bed and threw his head in his hands and he sobbed and sobbed. He’s relived that day over and over. He knew it was her ghost singing to him. He had seen her once before, she had a sad look on her face and murderous eyes. He knew all too well that no matter what other’s say it was his fault. She was dead because of him.

Her - 1 Week Before

She knew her time was short. A tear rolled down her cheek as she signed her name. She put down her will and sobbed to herself, silently. He couldn’t know. He wouldn’t understand. “It’s for everyone’s own good” she said to herself over and over. Then she did it. She stood out on the edge of the balcony. “I love you Bruce” She called out. Then she stepped forward. Off the edge. And too her death.

Him - 1 Week Before

He ran to her as fast as he could. He heard her scream something out. He ran to the living room, he saw the door leading to the balcony was open, letting in a cold draft. He ran over, he knew something wasn’t right. On the way he stopped when he saw a beige coloured envelope sitting in her chair. He walked over to it slowly, not sure what it was. He griped it tightly in his fingers and carefully undid the top. He reached inside and grabbed the piece of paper. He undid the three folds and saw that it was a list of all her positions and who they wanted to go to. Something was wrong. He dropped the piece of paper and ran through the open door. He reluctantly looked over the edge and saw something that made him his skin crawl. Mia was down there. And she wasn’t breathing.

Tornado Poem

We have been learning about some natural phenomenons. I learnt about the tornado. Here is my poem I wrote.

I see my Chance
The winds have aligned
It’s my time to show them what I can do.
I’m twirling away growing bigger by the second.
I see no one around except the daredevils I know.
They eye me up looking all around.
They don’t see the real me.
I am a tornado but they look at me as though I’m a gust.
I’m going to prove to them,
I’m not a thrill or a game.
They will regret judging me.
They are only storm chasers.
I am a tornado, they are nothing compared to me.
I run through their town,
destroying everything in my path.
I rip roofs off building and throw trucks apart
.I’m unstoppable.
At least for now.

Advertisement - Shortstreet Land

WALT: Create an Advertisement to advertise a product. 

We created a advertisement for a 'new' season of Shortstreet Land. I think it was a good ad but we had too many people in the group. It was hard to give everyone a job and/or scene it also made it difficult to make decisions since everyone had a different opinion. Our filming was good but in the future I would improve my editing skills. I think we used a lot of persuasive features. I don't think we did that good a job of advertising the product because we were focused on the filming, costumes and props more. Overall it was a lot of fun to make and film but we need to lower the amount of people in the group.

Home Links - Quick Write

Home Links

I felt something cold touch my shoulder and slowly started to turn around… The sight was enough to make me faint. Let alone the sound it was making. A horrific growl like sound escaped the creature's mouth. I don’t know whether it is human or monster. I realise it’s both…

I was walking back from school late one day. I had to stay back longer because I got detention. It was probably about 8pm. I decided to take a shortcut home so I cut through the alley. This was mistake number one.

Mistake number two was worse than number one. There was a light off in the alley. I walked towards the light that was off. I was really confused, I walked this alley most days and all the light glow. I walked towards the only light in the alley that was off. I Then the light flickered. I saw a shadow of something then it was gone. I froze with fear. Then I made mistake number three.

I ran over to where I saw the shadow. Only nothing was there. I begin to shake all over and a chill runs down my spine. I saw something. I know I did. I’m not crazy… I think…

After the dark thoughts left my mind a cold hand drifted past on my shoulder. I slowly turned around, Behind me was a mix of human and monster. It had big read eyes that bulged out of their sockets and a green slime covered its body. It let out a low moan that sounded like a zombie gone wrong. I screamed and ran. I ran and ran and ran.

I have never gone down that alley again. I don’t think I ever will. Since then I have never seen anything like it, sometimes I think it is a dream. But then the image of the zombie like creature returns and I know it’s not… It’s out there somewhere. And I know I will see it again.

Home Links - Advertisement

For Home Links I write an advertisement on a pencil that will never break.

Here it is

Home Links - Short Stories!

Flanders Fields Poem Response

We have been learning how to write responses. We got to choose anything to write about. I choose the poem Flanders Fields. Here is my response.

Flanders Fields is a poem by John McCrae. It was written on May 3, 1915. The poem is about how the poppies (small red flower) blew in the field where the soldiers from World War 1 are buried. John got inspiration to write this poem after one of his friends was killed in the war and put to rest in Flanders Fields. Flanders fields is a real place located in Belgium and the red poppy is now a symbol of war remembrance.

This is a great poem that is very complex. It has a heartfelt meaning behind it.

The poem paints a good picture in the reader’s head. Although the poem is short it is straight to the point. It is like a story with scarce detail. It paints a great picture in the reader's head of Flanders Fields with the poppies and the crosses. ‘In Flanders Fields the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row.’

The poem gives off lots of emotions. The overall mood of the poem is quite sad. In the second verse the line, ‘Loved and were loved and now we lie in Flanders fields’ means that they loved others and others loved them and they were killed in the war and buried in Flanders fields. This is one of the saddest lines. The poem is still a good poem just gives off a sad mood.

Overall the poem Flanders Fields is a fantastic poem that paints great pictures in the reader’s head. It has a sad mood but is still a remarkable poem. I think everyone should read this poem and other war related poems as most have very complex meanings.

'On the Wallay Track' Artwork Response

On the Wallaby Track Response

On the Wallaby Track is a realistic painting that captures a struggling family. It was painted in 1896 by Frederick McCubbin.  In the foreground there is a women holding a baby, slumping against a tree and in the middle ground a man is cooking over a flame. In the background there is a blue tent hidden behind a bush.

On the Wallaby Track is a fantastic piece of artwork that has a lot of detail.

I find the colours to be very interesting. I like the use of pink, orange and yellow in the background. It makes me think that it is a sunset or a sunrise. The colours in the foreground are mixes of greens, yellows and browns. The colour choices impact the mood greatly, with the brighter colours lightning the otherwise gloomy painting.

I think the family in the painting has been through alot. When I first viewed this painting I thought the family were camping; after viewing the painting more closely I realized that the family looks very stressed. I began wondering are they really just camping? I now think that the family is staying there longer than I first thought because of the tired look upon the woman's face and her clothes look as though they haven’t been washed in a while.

Overall On the Wallaby Track is a very complex painting that has an intriguing story to tell. I recommend for everyone to go to this website to see more of his fantastic paintings: http://www.the-athenaeum.org/  

Home Links - Wk 5

Book Response Creation

We have been learning about writing a response. We chose a book that a class mate made and reviewed it. Emily, Catrin and I did a role play of a Book Club. Here is our creation.

Dance Styles

This term we have been learning about The Art of communication and how people communicate. We have investigated the characteristics of different dance styles and what the communicate. We also practiced our note taking ability. We created our own dance sequences. 

Home Links - Wk 1

Draco - Narrative

This term we have been writing narratives. I really like writing narratives because there is no limit to what you can write about. Next time I would like to add more control to my story. I think that my story has good detail. This year I would love to continue writing narratives.
Here is my video of me reading the story.

Home Link - Wk 7

For home links this week I practiced show don’t tell. I did this to improve my skills for our narrative writing.

1: She was mad.

She felt the hatred flow through her body as her face started to turn red. Her hands clenched into a fist as she let out a loud yell.

2: He was happy.

His face brightened up and the dimples in his cheek showed.

3: The girl was happy when she found out she got a kitten.

The girl’s face was overflowing with joy as her new four legged pal, purred in her arms.

4: The boy had a sore bleeding knee.

The boy sat on the ground, screaming with tears rolling down his cheeks, as the gash on his knee bled.