School Camp

Last week we went to Okains Bay for our school camp. It was so much fun! Here is an article that I wrote with my friend Leo for the local news paper. Hopefully next week when the news paper comes out I will be able to take a photo of it to post on my blog!

Campground Closure Works In School's Favour

Okains Bay locals generously came to the rescue by opening the school grounds for use when the storm damaged campground was temporarily closed. It was such a relief to many of the Wairakei School pupils when it was announced that the Year 6's would still be able to go to Okains Bay for their school camp as planned, only with a slight change of tenting destination. "I was so grateful when we were overwhelmed with Okains Bay's kindness," admits Wairakei School teacher Kate Olliff, "it really was welcoming of them to allow us to use their school grounds for four days!"

A fun filled four days would have definitely occurred for the students and teachers as they enjoyed some relaxing time away from the classroom. They did many challenging activities from playing at the beach and going to a Maori/Colonial Museum to setting up their own tents and cooking their own meals. It was a great chance for the children, being the oldest in the school, to use their leadership skills and to prove what great role models they can be to the younger ones whom look up to them. Year 6 student Teagrae says, "I really enjoyed camp but most of all I feel it really helped me to step up because I had to cooperate well with other people and I don't usually work in a group."

Despite the fact that they had to tent on a school ground everything went as planned and in the end, the change actually worked in their favour. "It was great to be camping in the centre of the Okains Bay Village because the children who go to the school there were able enjoy the opportunity to spend more time with different children," agrees Wairakei School principal Shane Buckner, "the use of the Okains Bay School pool was also much appreciated!" The year 6's are now back at Wairakei School and are carrying on their school work as per prior the camp. 

Persuasive Letter

Today I wrote the most hilarious persuasive letter to Mr Willy Wonka. Well, I didn't actually send it to him but it is really funny! Please have a read and leave a comment!

7 March 2014

Mr Willy Wonka

24 Jellybean Lane

Choco Falls

Candy-land

Dear Mr Willy Wonka,

I hear you have recently let Charlie Bucket work in your chocolate factory. I am very disappointed in you! Just think of all of the other children (like me) in the world who could take much better care of the factory than poor old Charlie. Oh, how I could do with a job like that. Why don't you just fire Charlie and let me help out in the factory? Please listen to me. I assure you that you will feel much regret after reading this letter!

Firstly, I have a great sweet tooth. Anything I see which looks like a lolly I'll grab at right away. Just think how happy all of those shop owners who are consistently running low on stock in candy because of me would feel. If I came to look after your amazing candy-land I would have an endless supply of lollies, candy, sugar and more!

Secondly, yes Charlie is poor but why doesn't he just busk for his money?Wouldn't he earn more money that way than doing voluntary work in your marvellous factory? As for me, my family doesn't need much money and both my Mum and Dad work so I would not expect any money off it. I would just do the work for free. Plus, you don't know this kid neither do you know what he could get up to in your sugar full wonderland!

Last but not least, I have many great ideas that could improve your factory and make it more enjoyable for people to visit which would make it a great attraction of your city. You would make a lot more money for your factory and even more money for you to spend on yourself with not having to pay me.

So Willy Wonka you see, it's not all about how people look on the outside but it's also how they appear on the inside and Charlie, although his family is poor he looks nice on the outside but I can tell you now that he is not the best fit for your factory. Please get back to me with a positive answer because it is known without doubt that it would benefit your factory if you got rid of Charlie and took me. After all, the only reason you let him work in your factory is because of one silly little golden ticket!

Yours sincerely,

Sophie

Book Review

Hello! Here is a book review I've written on one of my favourite books. I hope you like it!