Writing Sample: It happened to me...

Snorkling In Fiji

I had always wanted to go snorkling (properly). In deep water where there is actually fish, not just murky water. When I went to Fiji I got that chance, twice. The first time was probably the best.

We took a boat ride from Denarau (where we were staying) to a small island. That was really just a small heap of sand with a coral reef around it.

When we got there we had to jump from the boat into the water. I was slightly scared, but mostly excited. The water rushed around me and I felt the cold water surround me but then it became warm because I had reached the surface.

When I got to the shallow parts I was amazed by all the little fish who were swimming around the coral caves. Some looked like they were playing tag.

One of the guys showed us what happens when you put a piece of bread in  the water, all the fish swim up and attack it basically. He gave us some bread each. I swam off and fed some fish, there was the tiniest fish about the size of a button, it was so cute and I got so close to feeding it but it got scared and swam off.

I also got scared once, because of a Parrot Fish... In my defence I had been told they have bitten peoples fingers.

I really enjoyed snorkling, it's a memory I will remember for a while.

-Shannon

Matariki Panels

Matariki, a cluster of stars also known as Pleiades. Matariki is also a festival that signals the nearing of the Maori new year. Do you celebrate Matariki? In my class we made Matariki panels. There are three thirds to the panels, each represents something. First New Growth, second you, and third Matariki.

For my first third (new growth) I had three koru, each different shades of green. Light green, olive green and a dark green.  I used this because the koru represents new life, so I used it to represent new growth.

For my second third (you) I had a Irish pattern that is like a weaving. It has four lines that weave into a X. Two are two shades of red, and the other two are two shades of green. The pattern represents me because I am part Irish from my Grandad. Each line is a main person in my family, Mum, Dad, Penelope (step mum) and Michael (big brother), there is also a little gold square in the middle that is my baby brother Otis (who isn't born yet.)

For my last third I had the star cluster Matariki. Seven blue stars that kind of look like eyes because Matariki translates to 'little eyes' or 'eyes of god'. I thought this was a good way to show Matariki because it has Matariki, the translation and what is looks like, all in one.

I think I did okay with making my panel. I maybe could've  cut it out better but otherwise I think I did okay.


-Shannon

quote

Be your self, everybody else is taken.

This is by Oscar Wilde.

What I think it means;
To be yourself and don't try to be someone your not. Wear, say and act like you, not like everybody else.

-Shannon

Our protesting

So as most of you know, the government is going to bring up our class sizes, reduce our school budget and deduct SPEC. This means that next year, school won't be as good for all of this years year 7's. So teachers have been protesting and maybe even striking. Me, Callista and Ryley in my class (with and idea from Ms. T) came up with a song, it's a remake of a song 'Another Brick in a Wall' by Pink Floyd. Here are the lyrics.

Another Brick in The Wall
We don't need no crowded classrooms
We don't need no stressed out souls
No deductions of the spec rooms
Hekia leave us kids alone 

Hey Hekia leave us kids alone 
All in all it's just another bad decision
All in all you're just another bad politician

[chorus at end by pupils from the Fourth Form Music Class Islington Green School, London]

We don't need no crowded classrooms
We don't need no stressed out souls
No deductions of the spec rooms
Hekia leave us kids alone 
Hey Hekia leave us kids alone 
All in all you're just another bad politician
All in all you're just another bad politician

-Shannon

Quote

One shall not be afraid of the darkness...
For it is in our darkest moments, that our stars truly shine.

A quote by S.C Harris.
teps
What I think it means;
That even it the worst of times, don't be afraid because in those times is when someone steps up and helps make it better.

-Shannon

Quote

As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.

This quote is by Ben Hogan.

What I think it means;
That you have to take your time and enjoy life, because you only get one life. Don't rush through things and miss a whole lot of opportunities, but instead take chances, challenge yourself and live it to its fullest.

Quote

Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.

A amazing quote by a website called Sevenly.org.

What I think it means;
That you can't change everything you try to change, but you won't be able to change it (if you can) without trying.

-Shannon
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The website is for charity s, each week there is a different charity and for each charity there are clothes designed to support the charity and $7 from each sale goes to that charity. Thought I'd explain encase you want to take a look, they have some pretty cool charity s and designs.