End of Year Comments

This is a page of comments my class and some others wrote about me.

My C.V

                                                             PROFILE

My strengths and qualities lie not only academically, but personally as well. I excel in, and enjoy, writing, english and maths; I have been awarded a number of prizes for each of them. Also, I am quick to pick up languages, and am fluent in Spanish and partially fluent in French. I love reading books of every genre. I love learning new things and excelling at school.

I am self-motivated and set myself achievable goals. I strive for excellence in everything I do. As well as this, I retain a high level of creativity and am able to problem solve effectively. I aim to show respect for myself, others, and my surroundings. I try to be as kind and helpful as I can to others.

                                                         EDUCATION

Days Bay Playcentre 2003-2005

San Antonio School 2005-2007

Muritai School 2007-2012

                                       

                                                     ACHIEVEMENTS

High Distinction in ICAS Writing (2011, 2012)                          

High Distinction in ICAS Spelling (2011, 2012)

High Distinction in ICAS English (2012)

Distinction in ICAS English (2011)

Winner of the RSA essay competition (2012)

Excellence in the Otago Problem Solving Challenge (2012)

Highly Commended in the NIWA Science Fair (2012)

Passed Grade 5 Exam in Piano (2012)

Player of the Year in soccer (2011, 2012)

Muritai Art Ambassador (2012)

Stanine 9 in Writing, English and Maths (2011, 2012)

                                                         INTERESTS

In my spare time I like to play the piano or guitar, climb trees, write stories, read books, do art or play football. I love spending time with my family and friends, and traveling to places.  I love being outside, especially the beach and walking in the bush.

                                                           GOALS

My goals in life are: 

• To get good marks at school and get a good job as a lawyer.
• To travel around the world to all my favourite places.
• To be an author in my spare time.
• To help and be kind to others and the environment throughout my life.

End of Year Asstle Writing

This is my end-of-year Asstle writing test in the genre of persuasive; on why bicycle paths should be compulsary.

Otago Problem Solving

       This is my certificate of Excellence from the Otago Problem Solving challenge this year.

Corporal Punishment Argument

Picture yourself in a classroom. Desks are polished and in straight rows. The teacher has eyes to which his smile never quite reaches and a voice like the edge of a knife. And the children...the children are sitting impossibly straight, petrified; living in fear. A boy gets a question wrong in maths. Trembling, shaking, knowing what is coming, he is frogmarched to the teacher’s desk and whipped cruelly with a leather strap, until welts form on his skin. Disbelief shrouds your mind. Is this really the best way to discipline children? Surely there must be a better way!

It is my firm belief that corporal punishment in schools should be banned. Although it has been abolished in most state schools in 1998, corporal punishment is still legal in some countries. I am writing to persuade you that corporal punishment is wrong, and should be completely abolished. Below are some reasons why. 

My first reason is that children working in schools with corporal punishment work in fear of getting the strap. In a study carried out by experts from the University of New South Wales, it is proven that children’s cannot learn properly when they are immersed in a dangerous and uncomfortable position. Surely you agree that all children deserve to work and play in a happy, fun and safe environment. They should not have to live in fear of being beaten. Abolishing corporal punishment would ensure that children learn the maximum amount possible, while having fun and feeling comfortable at school.

My second reason is that corporal punishment is cruel and inhumane. The Oxford dictionary definition of corporal punishment is: noun- physical punishment of people, especially by hitting or beating. Even the dictionary definition makes it sound menacing, and the actual carrying out of corporal punishment is just that. Research has shown that children living with corporal punishment have an increased risk of decreased physical and mental health. Bruised and battered bodies cannot perform to their peak; whipping and beating could lead to depression. 

My final reason is that there are more ways to control the behaviour of children than physical punishment. Researchers Alistar Lamont and Prue Holzer found, in a report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, that there was limited evidence that there were any positive outcomes associated with corporal punishment. Says Professor Holzer: “I do not see why corporal punishment is still being used; there are more preferable and more effective techniques for disciplining children.” 

Preferable techniques to discipline children include the following: Community Service, or extra chores of some kind- as well as helping others, it is a milder version of physical punishment. Also, writing letters of apology, writing lines, and copying from the dictionary are all a significant and effective punishment. As well as that, leading education expert, Professor Ramon Lewis, suggested that teachers should simply remind children that they do not have the right to interfere with another child’s learning. “This has proved to be more successful than the strap” he says. It might be argued that, in a case severe enough, the strap should be used as a last resort. However, most of the techniques above, owing to the amount of time and effort, can be adjusted to a severe case. Overall, corporal punishment is unneccessary and violent; there are many more effective ways to discipline children.

In conclusion, corporal punishment is unnacceptable because it deprives children of the safe and fun school environment they deserve; whipping and beating is violent and has many ill effects on the health of children; and finally, there are more preferable ways to control the behaviour of children. I believe that corporal punishment should be abolished in all schools in all countries, and after reading this, I hope that you will agree with my opinion.

Constable Julie smoking!

This is a movie of Julie smoking! Although...not real smoking. She is conducting an experiment to see what smoking does to your lungs. The 'lung' is a plastic drink bottle. The 'windpipe' is a narrow tube, with a cotton bud at one end and a cigarette at the other. When the cigarette was lit, Julie squeezes the bottle to imitate breathing. It is amazing how much smoke enters the lungs just from one cigarette; after just a few breaths, we couldn't see through the bottle! Worst of all, when the tube was removed from the bottle, the cotton bud was a disgusting yellow colour. Watch this video to find out more...

Favourite quotes from 'Words of Wisdom'

My favourite quotes from the ‘Words of Wisdom’ are:

1. 'Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that’s why they call it ‘The Present’.

I like this quote because it is basically saying that we should treasure each day as it comes, and I think this has great meaning.

        2.  'Success is a journey, not a destination'

I think this quote is awesome because it is true, and I try to work towards it. It is saying that no matter how good you get at something, there is always more to work towards; in other words, success is not an ultimate achievement, rather the road you take to achieve it.

       

        3. ' No-one can ruin your day without your permission'

I really like this quote. It is putting forward that not one person can make you upset without your consent; you have control over your own emotions.

Constable Julie showed us not only these quotes but lots of other ones- I learnt a lot just from reading them!

Summary of the DARE Programme

The DARE course has been an educational and fun learning experience for me. I started off knowing a little about drugs and alcohol, and ended the course with a heap of knowledge about everything related to drugs and determined to make the right choices in life.

I was moved and saddened by the stories Constable Julie told; however I think it convinced me even more to be careful and safe in later life. I was informed of all the brutal facts of adult life- but also how to avoid and survive them. I learnt how to say no, and choose the right friends. I also learnt about all the drugs, legal and illegal, and the effects they have on your body.

I loved, though, how Constable Julie mixed the sad and factual with the fun and creative. The games we played- such as the Walkway of Whispers, the Evolution Game and the 'Minefield' game were all fun and we all enjoyed it. Also, the dances- the Banana Dance and the dance at the very end were awesome and fun. Of course, we all loved the day at H2O Extreme!

Overall, the DARE programme was fun and I learnt a lot. I loved it!

Favourite DARE Pages

I like these two pages because they are nicely coloured and decorated. Also, they have lots of information and words; I spent quite a reasonable amount of time doing them.

The first one is my 'Cool 2 B Me' page, in which we wrote things about ourselves, our favourite things, etc. The second one is the 'Great Things About Being Our Age' sheet. This was where we had to think of as many positive aspects of being a teenager as possible. It got us thinking!

DARE- My Thoughts

This is a mind map of all that I have learned during the awesome DARE programme.