Well, school had started again and I have resurfaced as a year 8. I know it may sound boring, but being a year 8 at Te Awamutu Intermediate is actually a great experience! For starters, you get to apply for jobs like Class Councillor and House Captain, you can boss around all of the year 7’s (just kidding =]), and there is the great celebration of the year 8 ball at the end of term 4!!! The ball is one aspect I cannot wait for.

So far this year, I have signed up for these jobs:

Leader of the school magazine,
Cat monitor (feeding the school cats),
Staffroom monitor (cleaning the teachers’ dishes ),

And I have written my applications for Class Councillor and House Captain. I really hope to achieve one of those, and a role in the school production! (I personally think everyone’s a bit out of character in the run up to the decision of House Captain etc, if you know what I mean, so I can’t wait for the decisions to be made so we can get back to normal!) But anyway, so far this year has been pretty good; watching the year 7’s settle in, swimming in our school pool and doing lots of sport, catching up with everyone after the holidays, and lots more. I think that 2009 is going to be great!

2008 has been one of the greatest years I’ve had so far, I think! I have been involved in so much, and everything has been very rewarding. Some of my highlights were speeches, Wearable Arts, ski trip, and the Shoemaker and the Elves. This year feels like it has gone so fast, but I can’t wait for 2009 to start. Because next year I will be a year 8, so everything will be twice as busy! I’m not complaining though, everything is rewarding in the end. (By the way, I’m sorry I haven’t updated my blog in a while, I have just been so busy this term with athletics, my dance production, Christmas preparation, lip sync and magazine work).

Some of my goals next year are…

Getting a role in the school production,
hopefully achieving class councillor, then head student (or maybe house captain),
going on the Ski Trip again,
making the school magazine twice as good as this year (if that’s possible),
being a good role model to all the new year 7’s,
continuing my music lessons with the trombone,
continuing participating in school drama,
and maybe joining another cultural option like Jump Jam or dance.

Wish me luck!

~ To help finish the school magazine on time, and put as much of my input in as possible.

I can do this by helping organize and collect the articles/pictures.

~ To learn and master my dance for jazz dancing before the end of year show.

I can do this by concentrating in lessons, and not continuing until I have mastered each step.

~ To try to the best of my ability in Athletics and hopefully make it into the interschools.

I can do this by training hard and trying out for the sports I am most able in.

~ To balance school and home work effectively and hand them in on time.

I can do this by prioritizing with due dates, and working hard.

~ To perform well with my drama group in the grandparent’s concert.

I can do this by rehearsing lots, and avoiding stage fright.

Academic:

~ To not get distracted when doing my work, and to manage my time effectively. I can do this by ignoring distractions around me, and getting my work completed early.

I think I did okay with completing this goal. I have gotten most of my work in on time this term, without too much stress!

~ To work hard in Maths and try to get into the top group. I can do this by concentrating hard, and asking for help when I don’t understand something.

I didn’t manage to get into the top group, but I discovered that this is because I am a year 7, and still have a year and a half left at TAI. I have been asking for help when I need it.

~ To make the most of my time in each Tech Art. I can do this by putting my all into the different subjects, and trying hard.

We have done hard materials, music, and cooking so far for tech arts. I think I made the most time out of cooking, because I tried hard to make my food taste nice, and to make invitations and posters for our taste testing expo.

Social/Cultural:

~ To help more with the T.V. show with my role as a producer. I can do this by helping the rest of the group when we do filming, and offering ideas and suggestions.

I haven’t really completed this goal, because there hasn’t been much action with the TV group lately. but when we start to work on it again, I will help as much as I can.

~ To get into the class softball team and try my hardest. I can do this by learning all of the rules of the game, and remembering to bring my P.E. gear! 

I didn’t manage to make it into the softball team, but the season’s over now anyway. But soccer has started, and I am in the class team for that!

~ To put more effort into helping my group in the ICT club. I can do this by getting more involved, and putting my ideas in.

I have helped a bit more with the ICT club this term than I did last term, because I helped my group take photos and film people using ICT.

Personal:

~ To perform well with my part in The Elves and the Shoemaker. I can do this by remembering all of the script and songs, and practising them.

I have done pretty well with my part in Elves and the Shoemaker. We are now doing dress rehearsals, with lights and makeup and everything, and it’s a lot of fun! Our two week run of the real show begins this Saturday at the Woolshed, so we have been rehearsing like mad!

~ To get into the Senior Band with my instrument. (Trombone) I can do this by practising every day, and trying my best.

I got into the senior band and the jazz band after some practise! We are learning lots of new pieces, and some of them are pretty challenging, so I am getting better.

My eyes slowly gazed up at the thin pole before me, taking it all in.  Behind me, belayers were fastening my shoulder harness.

“Okay, you’re ready to go!” one of them instructed my already retreating back. I walked over to the starting point and began my climb. Wanting to show everyone that I could catch the trapeze, I was full of confidence and very excited! But my mind slowly blanked itself of all thought as I made my way up the staple pole. Left, right, left, right, left right…

Suddenly, my hands grazed something. I glanced above me, and was jolted from my repetitive dream world and back into reality when I realised that I’d already reached the metal platform. My trembling arms reached up to grasp the grippy metal. Now I wasn’t sure if they were shivering from excitement or nerves. I hoisted myself up, legs flailing like an upside-down turtle. One knee after the other, I clambered until the only thing supporting me was this seemingly weak sheet of steel. Gingerly, and gripping the handholds tightly, I raised my legs one at a time until I was squatting.

Why had I been so enthusiastic about this? Why is my confidence slipping away with every passing second? And how in the world am I going to be able to catch that trapeze that seems a million miles away? Thoughts ran through my mind as I let go of one of my reliable handholds. The platform wobbled dangerously as I let go of the other. The wind stung my face as I raised myself to a standing position. Now I no longer felt confident. Instead, my feelings were flecked with fear and nerves. My legs felt like jelly, and my head felt like lead. I braved a downward glance, and gasped loudly at the huge ten metre height. I also spotted some colourful dots, ready to tug on the wires. The wind carried their encouraging shouts to my ears. My eyes watered as more cruel wind whipped across my goose-bump covered skin.

Right then, the multicoloured specks down below yelled that they were going to begin the countdown.

My voice shook as I called out “Okay!” I did a double take. Hold on – I’m supposed to leap all the way out there? The wind must be getting to me… more thoughts jumbled my brain as I spotted the distance between the trapeze and I again.

“Three!” Oh no…

“Two!” Help!

“One!” All thoughts and worry were blown from my mind as I jumped. I forgot about the trapeze as my feet left the platform. Flying through the air, I felt like a (loud) bird, my screams of adrenalin blocking my ears from the words of encouragement down below. My feelings of worry were quickly traded with excitement.

Suddenly, I gasped. Every last scrap of air was ripped from my lungs as the harness cruelly tightened against my pounding chest. I struggled to draw breath as my belayers lowered me to the ground. I didn’t mind though, because I could barely feel it through the happiness radiating from my body. I let myself descend lower and lower until I was on my hands and knees, finally in contact with firm ground. Legs shaking like leaves in a tornado, I raised myself to a stand. Then, grinning at everyone around me, I asked;

“Can I go again?!”

Monday 12th May – day 1

I groaned as I looked ahead and saw the remaining distance that I had to lug my weirdly heavy bag and trombone case over. It was a cold and foggy Monday morning, and I wasn’t the only one complaining. I looked around me and saw other TAI students struggling with their luggage and instruments. We were packing the school trailer, and buses, with instruments and bags. It was the day that we were to be leaving for Totara Springs. More and more students arrived, each one shivering as they passed their bags to the parent helpers. At last, some hour later, we were all set to file into the buses and begin the trip. The bus ride took a little over an hour. We arrived at the camp and spotted Matamata Intermediate, who were staying with us, arriving too. After a lot of confusion, everyone had unpacked and settled into their pre-arranged cabins. But not for long! Soon after, it was said over the loud speaker that the first rehearsal for the followings night’s concert was about to begin. There was going to be a presentation from the Junior Band, the Senior Band, and the choir. The three groups walked over to start practising. The rest of the day carried on with 2 more practises, some free time, mealtimes, and a little sing-a-long session after dinner.

Tuesday 13th May- day 2

The day of the concert was upon us! After such a ‘long’ wait! As you can imagine, nerves began to build up as the day progressed to the evening. Me being the only trombonist in Junior Band, I was definitely feeling some pressure too! There were 3 more rehearsals throughout the day, along with free time, meals, and tuning up. The junior band had prepared 4 pieces, but one was cancelled at the dress rehearsal due to timing issues. The Senior band had prepared 6, and the choir had about 5. We couldn’t wait to show them off! Later that afternoon, we were all in the lecture theatre for tuning up. But then, the unthinkable happened- the fire alarm went off! Since nobody had heard about a fire drill, panic was definitely in the air. We all had to assemble out by the hockey field. I can understand why we were told to bring our instruments- can you imagine the cost if they all got burnt!? Anyway, after much confusion, we were told that everything was okay. Apparently, one careless cabin had left a towel on their heater. But someone had stepped in to help, and soon we were all back in the lecture theatre. There was a little pep talk, and then we all piled into the auditorium. The audience was still chattering away about the previous ordeal! I waved to my parents and Grandma as I walked past. Once we had all sat down and shut up, Mrs Germann began her introduction. 

The night breezed on by without a hitch. (If you don’t count the microphone breaking right before a choir solo, and the fire alarm fiasco!). My little solo in ‘Geronimo’- a junior band piece – went well, as did the rest of the junior and senior band pieces, and the choir. There were some extra performances including a talented drum group from Matamata, a flute duet by two older girls, and a violin group (from Matamata). The Salvation Army band also made a guest appearance! After the concert, the students met up with their parents/friends/relatives/etc and then it was time for bed.

Wednesday 14th May- day 3

D-day. Well, not really, but it is the day that we were leaving. Not too much happened, except that both schools got to have a turn on the outdoor hydroslide and other activities. It was one of the parts of camp that people had been looking forward to the most – including me! The ‘other activities’ were shooting, archery, and 3 wire rope walking. The only one of those that I went on was the 3 wire rope. It was okay. Although I was pretty freaked out, especially when it started raining when I was halfway across! I managed to get down alright though. But the best part of the day was definitely the hydroslide. The water from the hot pool was used for it, so it was very warm! Most of us went on it at least 3 times. There were rumours going around about some ‘ghost boy’ that slows you down when you go around a certain corner, but I chose not to believe that. Mainly because most of the corners were extremely fast! Anyway, after everyone had gotten dressed, we started to pack the bus and prepare lunch. We ended up having it on the floor of the dining room, because the tables had been packed up! So there were a lot of crumbs, as you could probably guess.

We arrived back at school around 2:00, to find our bags were being put in the hall. But everyone managed to find their luggage okay! (I think!). Overall, I really enjoyed this camp, not just because of all the free time we got, but because of the new skills I learnt on my instrument, and the new friends I made. I think I have improved a lot on my trombone! Also, I would like to thank all of the parent helpers and teachers that made this trip possible.

Day 1: Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, the students of Rooms 3 and 7 all arrived at school in mufti clothes, much to the envy of the rest of the school! We had our luggage all packed and ready to go. The parents, teachers, and students departed for Ohope beach at about 10:00 am. We arrived at Lake Okataina, which is on the way, around lunchtime. We had lunch there, and walked part way around the lake and back again. After that, everyone jumped back into the cars for the remaining car trip to Ohope. We arrived around 3 o’clock. When we arrived at Ohope Christian Camp, everybody started unpacking and exploring the campground. We went for a short trip to the beach, and we also went for a swim at the Whakatane Aquatics Center. Bedtime was around 9:00.

Day 2: Wednesday

Today, Room 3 went to the High Ropes and Amazing Maze n Maize, and Room 7 went Fishing, Kayaking, and walking over the hills to Shelly Bay. The High Ropes were a lot of fun. Firstly, we stayed on the ground and did some trust exercises and group activities. Then, after lunch, we braved the ropes. They involved climbing up poles, jumping for trapezes, walking across logs in mid air, jumping from platform to platform, jumping across swinging tyres… you get the idea. Of course, these were all supervised by professionals, and we had to wear helmets and harnesses. After all of this, Room 3 trudged on over to the Amazing Maze in Maize. This is, as it implies, a maze in maize. We had to navigate our way through the sweetcorn mazes, to find little snippets of Kiwiana information dotted through the fields. It took forever, with many confused walks around the same area, but my group managed to find most of the asked pictures and questions! We found the exit about 3 times in a row, and this was before we had had enough. Room 7 had fun with their activities too. In the evening, we went to the Whakatane Aquatics Center again.

Day 3: Thursday

This day, Rooms 3 and 7 swapped activities, so now Room 7 was headed to the High Ropes and Maize, and Room 3 was headed for the Fishing, Kayaking, and Walking to Shelly Bay. My group went to Shelly bay first. The walk over there and back was extremely tiring! But it was worth it, for the amazing views, and pretty shells. The next activity was wharf fishing. There was a man there. I guess you could call him a mysterious stranger, because he didn’t say much about himself, apart from that we should call him sir. He made sure that everyone caught at least one fish, rescued us from hungry bees, baited our hooks, and taught us heaps about fishing, which I thought was extremely nice of him. Next was our final activity, kayaking. It was held in the Ohope Beach Harbour. Tiring, because we had to paddle against the strong currents. Painful, because I, along with everyone else, got covered in rashes and windburn. But very fun, because we played ball tag with the kind instructor, Kenny. In the evening, everybody attending camp went over to the Awakeri Hot Pools. The teachers allowed the kids to buy junk food at the shop there, which probably wasn’t such a great idea in my opinion. Everybody went a bit crazy with the sugar!

Day 4: Friday

This was our last day, so we didn’t have enough time to do much, except have breakfast and pack up. On our way back, we stopped at Te Puke, and had lunch there. Since us kids were allowed to spend their money there to buy lunch, most people bought Subway. Including me! We came back to T.A.I at about 2:00 pm.

This camp was a lot of fun, and I think the highlights for me would have been the High Ropes and Amazing Maze in Maize. I would do them again any time!

Last night, (Wednesday), the school council held a disco. They had been organising it for a few weeks, and the outcome was great! The theme was “dancing with the stars”, so everybody had to dress up as their favourite star. This part was a little disappointing, because half of the people that attended had gone as themselves! I did as well, so I can’t say much. But, the people that did dress up as stars did a good job of it! There was a James Bond, a Johnny Depp, a Paris Hilton, and a Nicole Richie to name a few. James Bond won a prize for best dressed. The night included dance competitions, food and drinks, and singing competitions. The disco went from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Nobody was allowed to leave the hall until their parents arrived, for safety reasons. Which was fair enough, I suppose.

Although I didn’t win a prize, (my dancing was pretty crazy), I still had a great time!

Academic:

~ To not get distracted when doing my work, and to manage my time effectively.

I can do this by ignoring distractions around me, and getting my work completed early.

~ To work hard in Maths and try to get into the top group.

I can do this by concentrating hard, and asking for help when I don’t understand something.

~ To make the most of my time in each Tech Art

I can do this by putting my all into the different subjects, and trying hard.

Social/Cultural:

~ To help more with the T.V. show with my role as a producer.

I can do this by helping the rest of the group when we do filming, and offering ideas and suggestions.

~ To get into the class softball team and try my hardest.

I can do this by learning all of the rules of the game, and remembering to bring my P.E. gear! 

~ To put more effort into helping my group in the ICT club.

I can do this by getting more involved, and putting my ideas in.

Personal:

~ To perform well with my part in The Elves and the Shoemaker. (See below)

I can do this by remembering all of the script and songs, and practising them.

~ To get into the Senior Band with my instrument. (Trombone)

I can do this by practising every day, and trying my best.

Sorry Mrs Crowe, I kept forgetting to put this on!

The house was old, abandoned, and dusty, as if the occupants had deserted the house a long time ago. The floor she was standing on creaked as she walked. Then the front door loomed up. It was marked with brutal stains of the past. The moonlight gleamed through the cracks, and through the window panes on either side of the door. The burgundy paint was peeling, giving off the sense of neglect. The brass keyhole was situated in the dead centre of the wooden door. Her eyes gazed around the room she once knew. Photos of happy memories littered the moth eaten shelves. There he was, with his wife, laughing on the beach with the wind in his hair. Those days were gone. It was unfair of them to take him like that. Her eyes flicked back to the door. Did she imagine it, or did she just hear something outside on the gravel? She could hear faint, ghostly, footsteps coming up the stairs. There was a silhouette of a broad shouldered man now blocking the light of the half moon. The shrill doorbell pierced the silence. Her heart beat with the excitement and anxiousness that had been bottled up for years. She threw open the door and saw him. He was standing there in his camouflage uniform, which was never to be used again. He had crinkly eyes that portrayed sights he should never had seen. His hair was speckled with grey, and he had walked with a limp. But all of that didn’t matter. He was there, and that was what counted. She shrieked and ran towards her son, with a hug that should have followed many before it. The door swung beside them, and squeaked on its rusting hinges, as though it too, was laughing with joy.

Okay, so this is how the story goes: (Skip this part if you like)

There was once an old shoemaker, that made good shoes, but they took him a long time to make, and he sold them for very little money. So he and his wife were pretty poor. One night, the shoemaker left the next day’s leather on the bench, and went to bed. The next morning, he woke up and discovered a ready made pair of shoes, beautifully crafted down to the last stitch, where the scraps of leather had been. A customer walked in, and paid well over the usual price for the leather shoes. With the money, the shoemaker bought twice as much leather, and put the leather on the bench for the following night. The next morning, two pairs of top quality leather shoes sat where the leather had been. The shoemaker was delighted! He and his wife sold the shoes for top dollar, and bought twice as much leather to lay out on the bench. This pattern continued, until one day, the shoemaker’s wife decided to find out who was making these shoes, that were bringing customers in from around the country. So that night, she set out the leather, as usual, and hid behind a curtain in the corner with her husband. They stayed there until the clock struck midnight. Then, a window above the working bench creaked open, and in climbed two of the tiniest people the shoemaker and his wife had ever seen, crept in. The sat down in front of the leather, and set to work. They crafted every pair of shoes with great care, as if by magic. When the elves had finished and left, the shoemaker and his wife crept back to bed, but only to lay awake pondering about their little friends. The following morning, the shoemaker’s wife set about sewing together some little clothes for the elves, to replace their ting rags. She left these clothes on the workbench, instead of leather, and waited for nightfall. That night, instead of finding leather, the elves spotted the clothes. They looked at them in amazement, and cautiously put them on. The smiled at each other, and hopped out the window. That was the last time the shoemaker and his wife ever saw the elves. But good luck remained with them. They became very rich, sold every single pair of shoes everyday, and lived happily ever after. 

This fairytale, you might already know this, is being made into a musical. (Showing in August) The auditions were last Saturday, and I was one of the nervous people that tried out. But I made it through! I got a part as one of the elves. I thought I was just going to be acting but it turns out, singing and tap dancing are a part of the deal as well! It was very nerve-racking, (auditioning) but I’m glad I did it. I used to do tap when I was 6, up until I was 9. So I know the basics. Apparently there are 9 other elves, unlike the story. I hope it will be fun!

I got this version of the fairytale from ‘A Lothian Book’ titled ’The Elves and the Shoemaker’

Publishers: Oyster Books Ltd 

Today I finally got my trombone! It’s kind of big, and coloured gold. I can make a horrible sound on it. (Yay?!) Lessons start next week, so I’ll probably get better. I also had my first hip-hop lesson today after school. It was fun, and half of the moves were almost the same as my jazz ones, so I picked up on it quickly.

My name is Hayley. This is my second week at Te Awamutu Intermediate as a year 7, and I am loving it! I am in the accelerate class, and so far we’ve done Tech Arts: Design, P.E. , Swimming, and Visual Language. I am part of a T.V. Show committee, and we are going to be putting the finished project on our class blog (room3tai.edublogs.org) when it’s done, so watch out for it! I am also going to be in the band, playing the trombone. I’ve never played anything apart from the piano before, so it’s pretty much all new to me, but I should be alright =)