Making Clay Faces

One of our reading Groups read an article about how to make clay faces to hang on a wall. During Term 1 we learnt about drawing portraits so we were able to use this information to make our clay faces. First we rolled the clay into a ball and then flattened it out so it looked like a plate. It was hard work! Finally we pinched and poked the clay to make the hair, eyes, mouth, nose, eyebrows and lashes.
During the holidays our clay faces are being fired in a kiln and we can't wait to see what they will look like when we go back to school.

Room 5 Museum Visit

Yesterday morning Room 5 went to learn about Appo Hocton. When we got upstairs at the Museum we sat down in a big circle. Imo said that these information blocks are we are going to retell about Appo Hocton's life. Appo Hocton was born in about 1820 and died in 1920. Appo Hocton jumped ship when he was 22 years old, because he didn't have any soap or water to clean his clothes. His family were peasant farmers and grew peanuts, sugar-cane, chinese cabbage, rice, sweet potatoes and tea in China.
Appo had built houses for his three children but Albert got shot by Louis, he also had one girl as well. His mother had written a note to him and it said, "please come home," but he never went home. He kept the note for ages and ages till he died. Appo was naturalized in 1853 and he became a citizen so he could then own land in Nelson. He became a house keeper for a doctor, next he became a carter and then a builder. Finally he was back to being a farmer.
He married Jennifer Rowling then she died of T.B. Then he married Ellen. Appo came from China then to England. He was a farmer in Dovedale and and had cattle. His mother's name was Pee-See-Ting. He came from the Province of Canton.
The best part out of everything was making things out of koros to see what's special about NEW ZEALAND. We had 5 people in a group and Imo gave our group a name of a child who had come from another country. My group had Ricky. We made a football because it is apart of New Zealand. It was a fun trip. Aleisha

Variety Bash

On Wednesday the Variety Bash came to school. They had old cars but they were so awesome. Winnie the Pooh and Piglet came to Brightwater School, they handed out lollies. They also handed out chips, book marks, mouth watering chocolates, stickers and magnets. The friendly Variety Bash people also handed out rings, pens, honey popcorn and balloons. There was a derby car and at the end we got sprayed by orange and pink coloured water from the fire trucks. This stupid magician called Super Herbert showed us some silly magic tricks about M T. He showed us a bunny magic trick and Jessica Kelly said "You turned it around." Super Herbert turned it around and it was the bunny's bottom. I think she was embarressed. When he held up a sign that said M T
we all had to shout M T!!! It was fun because we were given free treats. Jodie and Olly

Life Education -Happy and Healthy

It felt weird when I was lying on the mat. I was at the Life Education caravan learning about feelings like happy, sad, angry and scared. We also learned about our body language.Room 5 was there with Victoria. Harold came out of his room and blew kisses and gave us presents of books and posters.
I felt nervous when I started Brightwater school at the end of last year. Oren

Swimming in our Clothes

Hi, my name is Ben. Four days ago the Middle Syndicate went swimming in our clothes, but we had togs underneath. You try it with sandals on! It's almost impossible to kick. We had to fall in so it was like we fell out of a motor or normal boat. There was a huge splash! when people held their noses and jumped in. We tried to swim but a quarter of us totally could not, would not swim. When we got out we were dripping from head to toe. (literally) Ben

Man! Was I never nervous. Last Friday the whole Middle Syndicate (70 something kids) had to bring some old clothes to school because we were going to swim in our old clothes. We were pretending to fall out of a boat out at sea.
I walked into the changing shed. It was chocka-full. I managed to find a gap but it was quite squeezy. I got dressed as fast as possible and walked out not feeling confident. Room 5 were last to hop in. "Room 5 go to the side of the pool." So I did. I stood up to jump in. Splash, I jumped in. Boy, it was hard to swim. I kept on practicing to swimming. My clothes were all soggy and heavy. Yeah! free-time. Zak

Swimming at Wakefield Pool

Super. We went to Wakefield School Pool and the whole Middle syndicate did. We raced to get changed. When we where walking our feet went slip slop. Then we sat on the seats and the teacher told us what to do. I went to the long blue noodles first and it was really awesome. When we got on the flash colourful boogie boards, I tried to surf on them. It was mint. Next we got to the life-jackets and I jumped off the sides a couple of times. Then I got sooooo bored of it that I walked to the changing rooms and got dressed. It was a fun day. Reggie

Wow, this is out of this world because I was floating with a noodle and other things at the Wakefield School Pool. I put the noodle under my feet and it looked like a tank. The best part was, I put my legs on top of the noodle and I hung upside down like a monkey. I Like playing with a noodle because you can swim and float with it. Tynan

Myia my puppy came to school today. My puppy is very greedy. She jumps up on the table. She is a Hunterway Cross Beardy.