Writers cafe 2015 Book

Writers’ CafÉ 2015 Unlocking | Exploring | Extending | Sharing Our voices | Our words | Our stories

Woodstock School Enrichment Writing Programme

With Special Thanks to Mrs Rochelle Porteous Mrs Claire Blomfield and Woodstock School

Writers’ CafÉ 2015 Contents 6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

My Special Place by Joe Brooker Frost by Yuan McCallum-Tan I Love Tairua by Amyleigh King-Marshall At Anzac Cove by Eva Donkin Isabel Patridge by Tu’ifua Paunga The First War by Jackson Edwards That Was Summer by Maddison Hansen That Night by Rebecca Yuan Gallipoli by Abby Surridge Ana by Takalangi Katoa My Amazing Bedroom by Alisha Mohamed Food of Italy by Bethany Cavalcante The Sleepover by Ethan Johnson Best Friends by Maddison Hansen Modi by Asmau Farouk My Awesome Bedroom by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker Scar Wars by Korbin Goodin Ride Of My Life by Bethany Cavalcante Sleeping at Nanas by Ella Wilson My Nan.E. by Olivia Proffit Boat of Doom by Alisha Mohamed Frost Possum by Eva Donkin Pepperoni To My Pizza by Abby Surridge Cicadas by Yuan McCallum-Tan Nala by Korbin Goodin My Best Mate Ethan by Jackson Edwards Stan The Man by Joe Brooker Playful Pet Mice by Abby Surridge Grandma by Rebecca Yuan My Best Friend Annalise Wells by Bethany Cavalcante Days To Remember by Asmau Farouk The War To End All Wars by Ethan Johnson The Cliff by Joe Brooker

39.

40.

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

70.

My Bedroom by Rebecca Yuan The War To End All Wars by Takalangi Katoa The Night That Lasted Forever by Maddison Hansen Poppa by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker Feathers by Takalangi Katoa Anzac Cove by Bethany Cavalcante The Wind by Asmau Farouk On The Shores Of Anzac Cove by Olivia Proffit The House That Once Belonged to Me by Tu’ifua Paunga Awesome Amy by Eva Donkin My Cousin Miko by Alisha Mohamed The Cruise Gone Wrong by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker Sleeping In A Garage by Abby Surridge Wind by Takalangi Katoa Conquering The Night by Jackson Edwards We Will Not Forget Them by Korbin Goodin Backyard Cricket by Ethan Johnson My Special Mother by Yuan McCallum-Tan My Special Grandma by Korbin Goodin The Best Dad Ever by Ethan Johnson Guinea Pigs by Eva Donkin Rockets by Alisha Mohamed Poppie by Maddison Hansen Heavy Koalas and Hungry Kangaroos..

What Could Go Wrong? by Rebecca Yuan Dad’s Honor by Asmau Farouk Big Nana by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker Turtles by Yuan McCallum-Tan Show Time by Ella Wilson My Wellington Trip by Joe Brooker The Wedding by Jackson Edwards About the Authors

Racing out of the hot car, the familiar surroundings of Whangapoa and our comfy old bach, welcome me. This is my favourite place.

We throw our clothes in the drawers, pull on our togs and race over the sand dunes to the water’s edge. Sweet, salty air rushes past me, sending a wave of joy through my body. The hot sand burns my feet and I jump up and down till I reach the shoreline. Tiny waves pull at my legs, tempting me to dive in. Overhead, rude seagulls screech at the bright orange crabs clambering over the rocks. The waves crash one by one over my torso, but I keep going deeper and deeper into the freezing cold water. Ducking into the icy mass of bubbles, I feel the waves rocket over my head like enormous trains. Finally I pop up for air.

Beyond the waves, dotted throughout the ocean, are tiny islands. I stand there in the cold water and hope that tomorrow is as good as today.

Written by Joe Brooker

6

7

I

Tairua

As we pulled up to the car park, I wriggled in my seat with excitement. My mum, aunties, uncles, brother and cousins jumped out of the cars and we piled into a huge, white bus to take us up the hill overlooking my favourite place in the world, Tairua beach. Then we began the long walk down to the sand. “How long is this going to take?” I asked Mum as we wandered along.

“About an hour,” she replied. After sprinting up and down hills, walking past humongous trees, a short bridge, many birds and signs leading to different beaches, I could finally see Tairua beach.

There was a long line of stairs to go and we were there.

“Hurry up!” I yelled to my family. We raced down the steep stairs and stepped onto the warm sand. Waves crashed against the hard rocks in the distance and footprints were scattered along the shoreline. Although it took a long time to get there, it was worth it.

I rushed into the cold water to have a quick swim before lunch. My cousins Brianna, Kytel Nathan and I jumped in the surf while my brother Carter played on the sand. Waves crashed against us then we ran to our towels to warm up. After that we had a picnic of crackers, chips, hotdogs, coca cola and lemonade. While we were eating, the wind kept blowing sand all over our food. It was so annoying!

After lunch we ran back to the water with the boogie board, so that we could take turns riding the waves. “There’s an awesome wave coming!” I shouted to Brianna. Whipping the board around, she lined herself up and waited. In no time at all, the massive wave pushed her all the way to the sand.

“That was fun!” she yelled. Then it was my turn. Grabbing the boogie board, we raced into the bubbling water again.

Exploring was next on the agenda. A big cave caught our eye so we raced inside. It was quite dark and I could only faintly see in front of me. My skin filled with goose bumps. Even though I was scared, we pushed on. After walking for a while, I was relieved to see sunlight. I could hear people yelling in the distance and I thought to myself, where are we? When we finally made it out the other end of the cave, I was confused. I said, “We are back at the beach!” But I was wrong. We had walked all the way to another beach! The water was still and calm, boats surrounded the harbour and people played in the distance. My cousins and I built a sandcastle.

We filled up the blue and red buckets to make the castles, then collected sticks, rocks and seashells to decorate them. We built a barrier to protect our castle from the sea. Then we walked back through the long cave to our beach.

Finally it was time for the part I always loathe – leaving! We packed up the blankets and towels and Aunty Emily explained that half of us would travel back by boat and the other half would walk back to the bus. Us kids got to go on the speed boat. It was awesome when the water splashed everywhere. Suddenly a wave crashed inside and all the people yelled, “Ahhh!” After we arrived, we piled into the car and drove home. I thought of all the things I had done that day. Have you ever had an unforgettable day like that? I felt so, so tired but happy.

Written by Amyleigh King-Marshall

8

At Anzac Cove We arrive, They start to fire, Without warning, Along the beach at Anzac Cove.

Men scramble up the shores, Not wanting to be killed, Desperate to escape the shrapnel, Hailing down on them at Anzac Cove.

Trenches ready, We climb down, A zigzag pattern dug deep into the earth, Our home at Anzac Cove.

I’m crouching, eyes darting, A sniper with my gun aimed across the land, Ready to shoot the enemy, If they cross the sand at Anzac Cove.

Now poppies grow all calm and quiet, Between the rows of crosses, So we can remember our brothers, Who fought and fell, At Anzac Cove.

Written by Eva Donkin

9

10

The First War

The First War

Under the cover of darkness, Our rafts headoftowards Under the cover darkness, the beach.

Our raftsbreaks, head towards the beach.

Dawn Dawn breaks, Without notice the Turks start their assault.

Without notice the Turks start their assault.

We fire our rifles up the cliff, We fire our rifles up the cliff, Gunpowder smoke ourand vision andour chokes Gunpowder smoke blurs blurs our vision chokes lungs, our lungs, Shrapnel threatens to tear us, Shrapnel threatens to through tear through us, Friends around me. me.

Friendscollapse collapse around Our trenches zigzag through the Earth, Our trenches zigzag through the Earth, To protect us from advancing enemies, Toplace protect us cover from from advancing enemies, A to take the bombs, A place to mud, takedisease cover and from the bombs, But lined with death.

But lined with mud, disease and death.

Today poppies grow in the old warzone, Marking the place where men fought and fell, Today poppies grow in the old warzone, So our world may have peace.

Marking the place where men fought and fell, Written Jackson Edwards So ourby world may have peace.

Written by Jackson Edwards 11

That Was Summer | Have you ever tasted summer?

Sure you have.

I remember Taking that first lick of my raspberry ice block, The sweet taste of the juice, And how the ice froze my teeth and my tongue, And made my fingers sticky.

I remember it was the perfect way to cool off, Mmm ‌ tasty.

That was summer.

Have you ever felt summer?

Sure you have.

I remember The sun attacking us, And unleashing its heat onto our skin.

We slipped on sunscreen, And those UV rays didn’t stand a chance.

I remember the boiling heat, The endless blue sky, And how the sweat rolled down our faces.

That was summer.

I remember Standing on the wooden duckboard at the end of our boat, Fizzing with excitement, I took one giant leap, And fell through the air like a broken plane, Hitting the lake with a massive SPLASH! I remember how the icy water pulled me under, And refreshed my skin.

That was summer.

And if I try very hard, I remember Walking down the hallway like a zombie from the dead, Tiredness getting the better of me.

I stumbled up the ladder to my bunk, But it was too hot to sleep.

I remember tossing and turning and kicking off my blankets, And feeling desperate for a cool breeze.

That was summer.

Written by Maddison Hansen

12

That Night Camping. Never liked the sound of it and never would. This year, I was determined it was going to be different. Or at least I hoped it would be. Once we arrived at Camp Papamoa, my three besties - Olivia, Maddi and Eva - and I began searching for dormitory four. We dragged our luggage down the hall then here we were, looking at our home for the next 24 hours.

Two sets of metal bunk beds, so high I struggled to climb them, stood on each side of the cramped room. I was on the top left bunk; Eva had the top right, while Maddison and Olivia were in the bunks below. Hanging above the chest of drawers, which leaned against the cream coloured walls, was a glass mirror. We settled in for the night.

Maddison, who kept hitting her head on the rail of the top bunk, made me laugh out loud. It was 9.00 pm. Teachers poked their heads in and out of dormitories, making sure the lights were out. Olivia switched our light off and everything was pitch black.

For the hundredth time, I tossed and turned over. Eva’s toy clown, which kept rattling noisily, got on my nerves BIG time. “Pssst, Rebecca! Are you awake?” asked Eva. “Well, duh! How could I be asleep with all that noise coming from your clown? By the way what’s the time?” I whisper-shouted.

“It’s 9.45 – two hours and fifteen minutes till midnight!” Eva replied. The only problem was she forgot to whisper this time. Oh no, a teacher heard us and was coming our way.

There was a distant sound of footsteps, each one becoming louder and clearer.

“Teacher’s coming!” Eva whispered unnecessarily.

I already knew that, I thought to myself and forced my eyes shut.

It was midnight (or at least Eva said it was). “Do you still have the SSOL?” asked Eva. Sliding my hand under my pillow, I felt for the Secret Stash of Lollies.

“Yes, I’ve still got them. They’re under my pillow,” I replied.

“Good, let’s go wake up the other two,” suggested Eva. After being shouted and yelled at for almost five minutes, Olivia was awake. The three of us tried literally EVERYTHING to wake up the ‘Sleeping Beauty’, Maddison. We shouted her name until our throats were sore, threw pillows and teddies at her, pulled her hair but she continued to sleep.

The next morning, exhausted from the night that seemed to drag on forever, we chewed on our lollies (we decided not to have a midnight feast since Maddi didn’t wake up).

Now that we were awake, we braced ourselves for the growling which was heading our way. This is why I HATE camping!

Written by Rebecca Yuan

13

Gallipoli Dawn breaks and we face the enemy, Bullets rain down, Bombs explode around me, Smoke chokes my lungs.

What am I doing here?

My heart pounds, Blood leaks around me, Shouts and screams echo through the trenches, Wounded soldiers lay throbbing, Death greets them.

The smell of gunpowder lingers in the air, Silence creeps over the muddy battlefield, More soldiers gone, Lost in the middle of nowhere, Death is in the atmosphere.

Although blood is still spilling, Friends are still falling, And soldiers are still fighting, I cling to peace, Still somewhere in my heart.

Written by Abby Surridge

Remember

Remember

Remember 14

ANA When I turned five, my little sister Ana was born. Anastasia Fotu He Ofa Fetuao Katoa is her full name. She can only spell Ana and that’s what we call her.

Five year-old Ana has dark, chocolate coloured eyes and a little bubble nose, followed by a cheeky grin full of baby teeth. Her thin, curly hair flies everywhere as she skips around the room. She is absolutely irresistible when she asks for lollies; people just can’t say no to a kid like Ana. One time, when we were doing the grocery shopping, her request for a treat was a complete failure. She moaned all the way home and then said, “I’m just so sad! I bet those biscuits at the supermarket would cheer me up.” Putting on an irresistibly cute face, she tried to convince us to go back.

Dance is Ana’s number one passion. She loves dancing in her room to the radio but she doesn’t like anyone watching her. She says, “Just go away and then I’ll start again.” For a little while, Ana attended dance classes but soon stopped. She said it wasn’t as much fun as dancing in her room.

Dressing up is another thing she likes doing. From skirts to dresses, zigzags and spots, stripes and rainbows, headbands and socks, Ana will never come out of her room looking like the other kids. ‘Budda Bwed’ as in ‘butter bread’, ‘fegot’ as in ‘forgot’, and ‘va’ as in ‘the’ are words Ana commonly trips up on. We don’t care though and just let her carry on talking.

What does Ana dislike? That’s easy. She has a few issues with food. If she chooses something we don’t have for breakfast, she will keep asking for it, over and over again. She dislikes eating vegies, all of them except broccoli. And if her toast is cut the wrong way, she says, “Do it again or I won’t eat it!”

When people visit, they always say how cute Ana is. But beware, she can be a bit cheeky! Being her older brother means I am always the person she pushes at playtime. So I would say that although she can hypnotise people with her cuteness, she will never lose her streak of naughtiness. Overall she is unique in every way, she makes me smile and she will always be special to me.

Written by Takalangi Katoa

15

Hanging out in my bedroom is something I love doing. My drawing of Doge the Superhero Magician dog and his sidekick Cool Banana Dude, greets me as I wander through the old wooden door. A huge window dominates one whole wall, allowing light to fall onto the old, slightly worn out carpet.

A white dressing table and mirror decorated with stickers, waits patiently for my return. On one side of the mirror, my tiny closet struggles to hide my massive collection of Pumpkin Patch shirts and dresses. On the other side, a tiny bookshelf stands full of books, stickers, Lego and toys. In one corner, an old play kitchen is crammed with toys, once played with, now forgotten. A little chair by the door holds other random things. Whenever I have a mini concert on my bed, my audience of stuffed teddies cheer for me a.k.a. world-renowned pop star Alisha! Right beside my bed, my nightstand is crowded with other treasures – a pile of books, the nightlight and a tissue box.

When it’s bedtime, I can hear the neighbours’ dogs howling in the night. The cool breeze of my fan blows around the room, ensuring I don’t get too hot in the summer heat. At other times of the year, my blankets wrap me up in their warmth. Pinky, my favourite teddy bear, cuddles me as I fall asleep.

I love my room; it’s perfect just the way it is.

Written by Alisha Mohamed

16

“Do you like Italian fo especially the food. I best part is it is made

g about Italy in our house, uisines in the world and the will tell you about mealtime n easy and delicious Italian

Food of Italy

“Do you like Italian food?” I am part Italian and we love everything about Italy in our house, especially the food. In fact, Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world and the best part is it is made with only a few staple ingredients. This report will tell you about mealtime in Italy and it will describe some traditional dishes. Finally I will share an easy and delicious Italian pasta recipe for you to try at home.

Mealtime Customs In Italy, meals are extremely important. For breakfast (colazione) adults have a traditional coffee such as cafe latte, cappuccino or espresso. With this, they eat some kind of bread with butter and jam. Cookies are commonly eaten. Children drink hot chocolate and plain or heated milk with a little coffee in it. Pranzo or lunch is the most important meal of the day. Most shops close down at lunchtime. This meal lasts from one pm to four pm. In schools, children have a choice of going home for lunch, they can eat at the cafeteria or enjoy a packed lunch.

Fast foods and takeaways are slowly growing in popularity in Italy but the majority of people still love to cook traditional homemade food. Busy workers don’t always have time to go home for lunch, so instead they go to restaurants or pizzerias. Like most countries, the Italians have afternoon tea (merenda). During this time, they eat quite similar foods to what they have for breakfast. Dinner (cena) is normally a light meal. This consists of soup, broth, delicatessen foods or leftovers from lunch.

Staple Dishes Carbohydrates are a big part of Italian food. This includes pasta, rice and bread. Famous pasta and rice dishes are risotto, and alfredo. Pizza is also very popular. Meat is another important ingredient in Italian dishes. Pork and lamb are most commonly eaten although beef is used in a traditional minestrone dish. Wine is often added to meat dishes. Cheese is what Italian food is famous for. This is used in sauces, on pizzas and with most light meals. Mozzarella is the most widely used cheese in Italy for dishes such as pizza, lasagne and some pasta. Gorgonzola is a blue cheese that goes well with sweeter flavours.

Alfredo Alfredo is a popular pasta dish with both Italians and New Zealanders. Give it a go!

Ingredients ½ cup butter 200g cream cheese 2 cloves crushed garlic 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp nutmeg

2 cups full fat milk 200g Parmesan cheese, grated ½ tsp ground black pepper Fettuccine

Method 1. Melt butter in a medium sized, non-stick saucepan over a medium heat.

2. Add cream cheese, crushed garlic, paprika and nutmeg. Whisk until smooth.

3. Add milk, a little at a time, whisking until all lumps are gone.

4. Stir in grated Parmesan and pepper.

5. Remove from heat when the sauce reaches desired consistency. It will thicken rapidly.

6. Cook fettuccine according to directions on the packet. Drain and return to the saucepan.

Toss through the sauce and serve immediately. It the sauce is too thick, add a little milk.

From mealtime customs to delicious dishes, there is no doubt that Italian food is the best.

Written by Bethany Cavalcante

17

The S L E E P O V E R

My younger brother Ben and I were invited to watch the rugby and have a sleepover at our friends’ house.

The five of us – Ben and me, Jacob and his brother Taylor and our friend James were all super excited!

Colourful beanbags, which were going to be our mattresses for the night, were scattered on the floor.

A full moon shone through the window and onto my pillow. Ben tugged his sleeping bag up to his chin, closed his eyes and fell asleep. The room lit up as a truck drove past but quickly turned dark again.

I was freezing cold. The temperature dropped as the night wore on so I pulled my sleeping bag tightly around me. I couldn’t stop thinking about my nice, cosy bed at home. Luckily I still had my hoodie on, so I tugged it over my head and waited to warm up. Gaming for hours had left me with burning red eyes and crippling writers’ cramp, which was bothering me too.

Waiting for my watch to hit 12 o’clock, I started to feel dozy. Outside I could hear a car whizz down the road and James moved around on his sleeping bag and yawned. Someone else coughed. My beanbag shook as I rolled over. I looked down at my watch. 11.55. “Jacob, James are you awake?” I asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

“Look at your watch,” I said.

“It’s 12 o’clock!” Jacob exclaimed and we watched the dates tick over.

“Let’s have a beanbag fight!” I said and we started to play. Wrestling was great fun until I took a blow to the face. I hit James back. Unless we went to sleep now, I knew we were going to be tired at our rugby game in the morning. As long as nobody touched my sleeping bag, I hoped I would get to sleep.

Suddenly it was morning and we all raced out of bed and had breakfast. Scrambled eggs and bacon, yum! It turned out to be an awesome sleepover and best of all, we won our rugby game.

Written by Ethan Johnson 18

“Maddison come on, we need to go and get Olivia’s birthday present!” Mum yelled.

“Okay,” I replied, walking out the door.

It was the 25th July and Mum and I had just left her work in search of a birthday present for my best friend Olivia. We decided to go to Diva at the shopping mall. Earlier in the year, Olivia and her family had moved to Gisborne to live so I needed to find a present I could post. We walked in and started looking. I could see necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bags, hair accessories and more. What would I choose? Studying everything on the shelves was exhausting and confusing, and then we found some earrings. “I think Olivia has sensitive ears,” I said. So Mum whipped out her phone to check with Jo, Olivia’s Mum. She said yes. “Better not get earrings then,” I said.

We searched some more and finally found friendship necklaces shaped like dream catchers. Two delicate silver chains held tiny pendants. A small tag displayed the word ‘best’ on one necklace and on the other it said ‘friends’. Hanging from the pendants were two silver feathers and two tiny blue heart shaped moonstones.

“Perfect!” I told Mum. “One necklace for Olivia and the other for me.”

“Okay if that’s what you want then we’ll get it.” The lady at the counter asked which case I liked. As soon as we were finished, we headed to the post office and I popped my parcel into a bag. All that I needed to do was write on the card and add the address.

Done!

Ring, ring … I was waiting for Olivia to pick up the phone. It was the 29th July and I wanted to ask how her birthday was going. “Hello!” I instantly recognized the voice on the other end of the line.

“Happy birthday to you!” I sang the birthday song to my bestie.

“What did you get for your birthday?”

“Well, I got a guitar, your necklace and lots of other stuff. BTW (by the way) thanks so much!”

“No prob Bob,” I replied, grinning.

Now when I wear my necklace it reminds me of my special bestie.

Even though she lives far away, I know we will be friends forever.

Written by Maddison Hansen

19

B e s t F r i e n d s

Modi My brother Modibo Farouk is the middle child in my family. We all call him Modi. He is autistic which means he sees the world in his own special way. His cheerful spirit lights up everyone’s day.

Modi is a causal kind of boy who always wears jeans and his favourite adventure time shirt. With his long, long legs, and slim body, Modi is taller than most 12 yearold boys. Mum says he is going to be taller than Dad one day. He is already up to his shoulders! When he is in a playful mood, his big, dark brown eyes widen and he jumps and claps his hands at the same time. Modi’s hair is out of the ordinary. Like cabbages in a vegetable patch, it scatters on his head in tiny bunches.

Collecting CDs and stacking them in his suitcase is Modi’s number one hobby. He loves turning his karaoke set on full blast and jumping happily with his hands in the air. He gets so excited he almost touches the ceiling! Although I like music, he plays his CDs so early that I yell, “Turn the music down!” He only turns it down a few notches and that gets me annoyed. Sometimes I grab a microphone and sing along to our favourite pop songs. After he’s finished, he stacks his CDs back in his suitcase and rolls it into the garage. Then he does it all over again the next day.

Although Modi enjoys listening to music a lot, he loves cooking even more. He happily sits and watches food programmes on TV for ages. Modi is a great help when we are in the kitchen, gathering the ingredients we need to get dinner ready. Rolling dough is his favourite job. Cookie dough, pastry dough, bread dough, any dough! I say, “Modi, do you want to come and roll?” Sometimes he races over but sometimes he can’t hear me over the noise of his music!

What does Modi dislike? That’s easy, lights. Every time we leave the lights on, he rushes around and turns them off. “Light off, light off!” he always says. When it is really dark, I turn the hallway light on. Then I walk to the restroom and lock the door. Before long, I hear the hallway door open, the light switch clicks and I’m left in the pitch black. Agitated, I yell, “Modi!” The light immediately reappears like it never happened.

Modi’s room is his pride and joy, filled with all his precious possessions – a stereo, food magazines and his beloved window. They all have their own special place.

Modi loves windows, opening and closing the one in his room over and over again, day and night.

Modi is like the glue that sticks our family together. Without him, our house would feel empty. Whenever he isn’t shouting and being loud, we always say, “Where’s Modi? What’s he up to?” We usually find him sitting in his favourite spot on the windowsill in his room, watching the birds fly by, and listening to his music.

Sometimes he can be very annoying and stubborn, but mostly he is funny, cheeky and nice. He’s my brother and I look after him so I guess that means I love him!

Written by Asmau Farouk 20

Hanging out in my awesome bedroom Hanging out in my awesome bedroom is one one of of my my favourite favouritethings thingsto todo. do. is When my my family family first first viewed viewedour ourhouse, house, When all the the rooms rooms were were filled filled with with the the all owner’s furniture.

To me it looked like owner’s furniture. To me it looked like aa movie set set from from the the 1980s!

1980s! Soon Soon after after movie we bought bought the the house house and andthey theymoved moved we out. out.

Creamy wallpaper, wallpaper, decorated decorated with with Creamy dozens of of black black cats cats and and butterflies, butterflies, dozens greets me me when when I I wander wander through throughmy my greets bedroom door. door. AA funky funkyred redand andorange orange bedroom rug covers covers the the matted matted brown brown carpet. carpet.

Facing a a window window isis the the shelf shelf that that Facing struggles to to contain contain my my massive massive struggles collection of of stuffed stuffed toys. toys. Completely Completely collection covering covering the the opposite opposite wall wall isis aa large large window window that that allows allows light light to to flood floodonto onto my bed.

Beside bed.

Beside the the window, window, aa chocolate chocolate brown brown chair chair waits waits patiently patiently for Dad and his night time stories.

Dad and his night time stories. My My bed, bed, which which Mum Mum says says isis always alwaysmessy, messy, sits slightly slightly to to one one side side of of the theroom roomand and is only tidied when friends come over. is only tidied when friends come over.

Then Then it’s it’s spotless! spotless! My My first first ever ever doll doll Elizabeth, rests on my colourful pillows, Elizabeth, rests on my colourful pillows, sleeping sleeping peacefully. peacefully. With With its its mixture mixtureofof bright bright yellow yellow and and dark dark grey grey triangles, triangles, my duvet is super cool.

I love my duvet is super cool. I love to toflop flop onto it when I arrive home from school. onto it when I arrive home from school.

My Awesome Bedroom

These These are are some some of of the thethings thingsthat thatmake make my bedroom awesome. my bedroom awesome.

Written by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker Written by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker

21

Scar Wars “Are you sure this is going to work? I shouted.

“Yeah this is going to be awesome!” my friend Dantaei replied. I loaded the catapult; Dantaei was at the ready. Our catapult was looking perfect when suddenly he fell off the pile of bricks and a piece of wood flew straight into my forehead and across my eye. At first I didn’t know what had happened.

My friend and I were hanging out at my dad’s work for the first time. We had used a plank of wood, bricks and a big stone to build a catapult and we were going to use little rocks as ammo. Only now my head ached, blood poured down my face and I had turned pale. Everything from my neck up was throbbing. “Dad!” I screamed with all my might, holding my head in my hands.

He came running and said, “We need to get you to A&E so you can get stitched up.”

Before I knew it, we were on our way to the hospital.

In the car, Dad’s workers had to keep me awake. “How many cows can you count Korbin?” they asked. I counted 111. When we arrived at the emergency room, we didn’t have to wait long to see the doctor because I had a serious injury. “I can see you have been in the wars today,” the nurse said. “That’s a pretty decent cut you’ve got there.” She gave me a cloth and told me to wipe the blood away from my eye. Heart pounding, I waited to hear if I needed stitches or not. I hoped this wasn’t going to hurt too much. Finally the doctor arrived and examined my face.

“I can’t stitch that wound because it is too close to your eye. Butterfly clips should do the trick,” he said. Relief flooded through me. It hurt a little when the nurse put these on. She gave Dad a bag of butterflies to take home.

“Change the clips every night,” she told us.

Once we left A&E, Mum was so happy to know I didn’t have brain damage.

Written by Korbin Goodin

22

Ride Of My Life Wondering out of the line, Ree placed her bag in the cubbyholes and we found a seat. Little did I know, the indigo coloured wheel was about to become a wheel of torture! A metal bar was raised from behind us.

Moments later, we realised this would be the only thing holding us in place. Were they crazy?

How was this little bar meant to keep us safe? My heart was blown up like a balloon and my brain was swearing – beep, beep, beep!

Finally the ride slowed down.

Ree jumped off pretty happily. What? If you had been on a ride like this, I’m betting you wouldn’t hop off like nothing had happened! It took me a couple of minutes to feel steady on my feet.

Confusion was the only thing running through my mind then, “Woo hoo! I did it! I did it, yeah!” Her Royal Highness Queen B had just ruled The Invader. Well kind of. I was so proud and after all of this, I couldn’t wait to tackle the ride again.

Once a year Mum’s fiancée Ree and I spent the day together. Last year we decided it would be fun to go to Rainbow’s End but only on one condition – I must go on every ride I was tall enough to go on (apart from the Power Surge because that was just crazy).

There was a ride I was particularly worried about, The Invader. So what is the Invader? It’s a large, rotating disc, on an 80-metre track that reaches heights of 15 metres. I was definitely concerned about my safety!

Written by Bethany Cavalcante

Suddenly the ride started to move, my body tensed and my life was in their hands. Soon we were going faster and faster then … “Aah!” We were spinning rapidly and climbing so high in the air.

My brain was telling me to open my eyes but they refused. Apparently this was one of the scariest rides at Rainbow’s End. They weren’t wrong!

It felt like we were on this torturous ride for hours. North, south, east, west, now which way was next? “When is this going to stop?” I screamed. “I can’t do this anymore!” I was a strong girl and I didn’t want to be remembered for dying on a silly ride at a theme park! Why did I do this?

23

Sleeping At Nana’s The time my brother Dylan and I stayed the night at Nana’s house, I wondered if the night would ever end.

Dylan and I shared a room; my bed was by the window because I liked to have some light and his was by the wall. I stared at the dusty ceiling and noticed a big cobweb in the corner. I shuddered.

I was cold. My double sheets, which were about to rip, were the only things covering me up. I could feel the heater that Nana had put on rising the temperature of the room, but it wasn’t happening fast enough. Since it was so cold, I decided to pull on a jersey. Finally I started to warm up.

Thankfully my pillow was soft and snuggly.

I could tell that Dylan was asleep because of his snoring. Suddenly he rolled over, stopped for a moment then started up again. The TV from the lounge was ringing in my ears, but I tried to ignore it. Outside the trees smashed on the window; the wind was working hard that night! As I lay in this unfamiliar room, trying to drift off to sleep, I heard Nana getting ready for bed.

The door creaked open, giving me a fright. “Nana?”, I whispered.

“Yes honey,” she said.

“I can’t get to sleep.”

“Has the wind kept you awake?” she asked.

“Yeah and Dylan snoring and Grandad with the volume up on the TV!” I told her.

“Okay, if you want, you can come down to the other room.”

“Oh I would love that, thank you!” I half whispered, half shouted. As soon as I was settled in my new bed, I closed my tired eyes.

After that I woke up feeling much better. I actually had a fun time with my grandparents and Dylan.

Written by Ella Wilson

24

My Nan.E. My grandmother, Beverly Erasmuson, has one of the brightest personalities I know.

We call her Nan.E. Nan.E. was born in 1954 in Invercargill. She grew up with an older sister named Pamela and twin brothers Bruce and Ian. Nan.E. had no technology in primary and intermediate school, but learnt to be a typist in high school. In her early twenties, she was engaged and married and started a family of five as Mrs Erasmuson. They moved to Hamilton in 1989. Sadly her brother Ian died early last year.

Always neatly brushed, Nan.E.’s faded ginger hair frames her face. Underneath her friendly hazel eyes is a petite nose and a huge glowing smile, which stretches from ear to ear whenever we visit. This always makes me smile too. Many different sophisticated outfits hang inside her wardrobe but she prefers to wear knee length shorts, a light top and a cardie in summer. In winter its jeans, a long sleeve top and a bit of colour. A beautiful gold watch rests on her wrist and her golden rings sparkle in the sunlight.

Knitting is one of Nan.E.’s favourite activities. Whenever we come and visit, she is always knitting something new, whether it’s a warm scarf for my cousins, a vest for my brother Mason or a jacket for me. My favourite is a soft pink wrap around cardie that she knitted for me when I was eight. Even though I’m ten now, I’m happy to say it still just fits. One time she even taught me how to knit. I only made one fifth of a scarf but I was really excited; I couldn’t stop talking about it for weeks! Nan.E.’s knitting bag, full to the brim with wool and knitting needles, sits at the end of the couch. “Pass me the skinny grey needles?” she always asks us, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

Like a bright sunflower, Nan.E. is drawn to the warmth of the sun. “Would you like to go for a walk?” she always asks. “It’s beautiful outside.” She loves relaxing with family and friends, pottering in her garden or listening to the waves crashing on the shore at Whangamata beach.

Nan.E. is such a positive person it’s hard to find something she doesn’t like. But when it comes to creepy crawlies, like spiders and cockroaches, she totally changes. One time she was in Fiji and had just returned to her room after having a swim. Suddenly she spied two fat, black geckos crawling up her wall. “Ahhh!” she cried. Each one was at least ten centimetres long. Horrified, she refused to go inside her room, thinking they might have clambered into her bed or crept into her suitcase. She ended up going to dinner in her sarong and togs that night.

Nan.E. is smart, kind, understanding, brave and amazing in everyway. She supports me in assemblies, at netball and when I’m doing my jazz and hip hop performances. Nan.E. always knows how to make me smile. Whenever I’m with her I feel love, happiness and warmth and I know I can rely on her to be there for me. Nan.E. is such a special person to everyone in my family.

Written by Olivia Proffit

25

Boat of DOOM Boat of DOOM

The time I had to sleep on a boat with my mum, dad and grandma was the worst night of my life.

The time I hadto to sleep boat with Arzaan, my mum, We were going visit on mya cousins, dad and grandma was the worst night of life.

Ardhaan and their half brother Zaanmyon We were going to visit my cousins, Arzaan, Kulhudhuffushi Island in the Maldives.

We Ardhaan and their half brother Zaan on decided to take an overnight boat there from Kulhudhuffushi Island in the Maldives.

We Malé, decided the capital of the Maldives. to take an overnight boat there from Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

Blue mattresses were neatly arranged in rows acrossBlue the floor.

It was so dark all Iarranged could see mattresses were neatly in was rows across the floor.

It was so all I could seeme. was the grimy ceiling a couple ofdark metres above grimy brought ceiling a couple of metres me.

Luckilythe I had my teddy and above blanket.

Luckily I had brought my teddy and blanket.

With every sway of the boat, I hugged Pinky and With every sway of the boat, I hugged Pinky and hoped my dinner didn’t come back out. Mum, hoped my dinner didn’t come back out. Mum, who was struggling to fall asleep, rolled around who was struggling to fall asleep, rolled around on theonrock, hardhard mattress, trying to tokeep the rock, mattress, trying keepher her dinnerdinner downdown too. too.

Unfortunately sheshelost Unfortunately lostthat that battle,battle, grabbed a bucket andand let let it all out! grabbed a bucket it all out!Why Why do this? couldn’t have just taken did wedid dowe this?

Why Why couldn’t wewe have just taken a plane? boat so small?Why Whywas was a plane?

Why Why was was the the boat so small? the sea so rough?

Why, why, why? the sea so rough? Why, why, why?

Waiting for my eyes to close, I listened to

Waiting for my eyes to close, I listened to everything that was going on around me. A fly everything thatOther was going aroundand me.moaned.

A fly buzzed. peopleon groaned buzzed.

Other people groaned moaned.

Waves crashed into the sides ofand the boat.

I lay Wavesthere crashed into the sides of the boat.

I lay for what seemed like hours. there for what seemed like hours.

I must have dozed off into la-la land because the I knew, the la-la ride was Relieved, I must next havething dozed off into landover. because the I walked off that dreadful boat and hoped I would next thing I knew, the ride was over. Relieved, I never see itdreadful again. I boat ran towards my cousins and walked off that and hoped I would gave them a great big hug.

never see it again. I ran towards my cousins and gave them great big hug.

Writtenaby Alisha Mohamed Written by Alisha Mohamed

26

Under the cover of darkness, the frost creeps on silent possum paws.

It’s sharp teeth rip into new growth, leaving plants looking sad and miserable.

Settling onto everything it passes, the furry mammal leaps nimbly from paddock to pond.

It’s bushy tail coils into crevices, as the pest looks for a new victim.

Written by Eva Donkin

Frost Possum 27

Pepperoni Pizza Pepperoni To My Pizza Emily friend and and EmilyPenrose Penroseisisamazing amazinginin everyway. everyway. She She isis my my best best friend she shealways alwaysmakes makesme mesmile. smile.

Although looks about about AlthoughEmily Emilyisisolder olderthan thanme me(I’m (I’m ten), ten), she she actually actually looks seven or eight.

The scent of her bubble gum body spray greets seven or eight. The scent of her bubble gum body spray greets my strawberry mynose nose whenever whenever we we hang hang out. out. A A waterfall waterfall of of strawberry blonde hair falls down her back and her oak brown coloured blonde hair falls down her back and her oak brown coloured eyes gleam brightly when we’re having fun.

She wears a uniform eyes gleam brightly when we’re having fun. She wears a uniform totoMarion leggings.

Marionschool, school,but butmuch muchprefers prefers aa flimsy flimsy t-shirt t-shirt and and leggings.

Emily’s beams Emily’sfavourite favouriteplace placeto to be be isis at at the the gymnasium. gymnasium. Long beams are from the the arepositioned positionedaround aroundthe theroom room and and ropes ropes hang hang down from ceiling back wall. wall. ceilinglike likehuge hugevines. vines. The Thebar barstretches stretches alongside alongside the back Emily train 24/7.

24/7.

Emilyand andI Ido dogymnastics gymnasticstogether together and and itit feels feels like we train Clappingthe thepowdery powderychalk chalk and and squirting squirting water water from the spray Clapping spray bottleinineach eachother’s other’sfaces facesmakes makes us us laugh. laugh. She especially loves bottle loves tryingout outnew newroutines routineson onthe the spring spring floor. floor. “Watch “Watch me!” she trying she says says shetumbles tumblesthis thisway wayand andthat. that. Back Back flips, flips, front front flips, cartwheels asasshe cartwheels andflick flickflacks, flacks,Emily Emilyloves loves itit all. all. In In fact, fact, whenever whenever I am around, and around, sheis isoften oftenupside upsidedown downpractising practising her her moves! moves! “Let’s go on she on the the trampoline!”she shealways alwayssays. says. trampoline!”

“Wecan canplay playAdd AddOns!” Ons!”I Isay sayand and we we race race out out the the door. door.

“We Emilyand andI Ialso alsolove love taking taking selfies selfies on on her her iPod iPod or or my Emily my Polaroid Polaroid camera.

Striking random poses are what we are experts camera. Striking random poses are what we are experts at. at. “I’m “I’m going to run out of film soon,” I laugh.

We love going to the going to run out of film soon,” I laugh. We love going to the dairy dairy togethertoo. too. Our Ourtongues tongues turn turn crazy crazy colours colours when when we together we suck suck on on our lollipops and slurp on our slushies. our lollipops and slurp on our slushies. mytongue tongueblue?” blue?”Emily Emilyasks. asks.

“Is“Ismy “Yes!” I reply and we giggle.

“Yes!” I reply and we giggle.

Emily and I can’t get enough of animals. We just love them.

Emily and I can’t get enough of animals. We just love them.

Whenever I go over to play at her house, one of our main ideas is Whenever I go over to play at her house, one of our main ideas is to visit the pet shop. We love holding as many of the animals as to visit the pet shop. We love holding as many of the animals as we can. As soon as a potential pet catches her eye, Emily asks, we can. As soon as a potential pet catches her eye, Emily asks, “Can we get it Mum, please?”

“Can getwe it Mum, please?”

“No we Emily, already have six animals at home and we don’t “No Emily, we already have six animals at home need anymore!” her mum replies.

We could stay inand the we pet don’t shop need anymore!” her mum replies.

We could stay in the pet shop for hours. for hours.

What does Emily dislike? That’s easy. She loathes bees. When What does Emily dislike?

That’s easy.

She bees.and When one crosses her path, she screams at the toploathes of her lungs runs one crosses her path, screams of her lungs and runs a mile.

One time weshe were playingatatthe mytop house and I spotted an ainnocent mile. One time were at my house and I spotted little beewe sitting onplaying the grass.

“Look out Emily!”

I yelled.an innocent the grass. “Ahhh!”

“Look outShe Emily!”

Terrified,little she bee ran sitting inside on screaming, alsoI yelled. despises Terrified, she ran inside screaming, “Ahhh!”

She also spiders. Whenever she spots one hiding in the corner, shedespises tugs on spiders. sheaway. spots one hiding in the corner, she tugs on my armWhenever and pulls me my arm and pulls me away.

Emily makes me laugh. Whenever we tell jokes, we giggle so Emily makes mealmost laugh.fall Whenever we tell weisgiggle so much that we over! Hanging outjokes, with her so much much thatalways we almost over!toHanging withsoher is so fun; she bringsfall a smile my face.out I feel lucky to much have Emily my best friendaand I can’t without her. is fun; sheasalways brings smile to myimagine face. I life feel so lucky to She have the icing tobest my cake pepperoni to my Emily as my friendand andthe I can’t imagine life pizza! without her. She is the icing to my cake and the pepperoni to my pizza!

Written by Abby Surridge Written by Abby Surridge 28

&LFDGDV

Cicadas are possibly one of the loudest and most interesting creatures on the planet.

They are a small insect known for their song. A tiny head sits on its thorax, which is attached to a slim abdomen. Located on each side of its head are two black eyes. Like tiny black holes, these are filled with curiosity. They swivel in all directions, searching for food. Six skinny legs, attached to the thorax, scuttle across branches. Oval shaped wings propel the cicada onto treetops where it perches in the sun.

Males sing their clicking chorus to attract a female. When they get together, their song is like an amazing orchestra, singing their joy for summer.

Written by Yuan McCallum-Tan 29

Stan The Man Stan The Man

The newest member of our family, Stanley Ed Brooker is very unique. He The newest member of our family, Stanley Ed Brooker is very unique. He is the youngest of six kids, five boys and one girl, in our chaos filled is the youngest of six kids, five boys and one girl, in our chaos filled house.

The newest member of our family, Stanley Ed Brooker is very unique. He house. is the youngest of six kids, five boys and one girl, in our chaos filled Stanley is 11 months old, and has smudged brown eyes. Wispy strands of house.

Stanley is 11 months old, and has smudged brown eyes. Wispy strands of light brown hair curls on top of his head; we think he looks a bit like Tintin. light brown hair curls on top of his head; we think he looks a bit like Tintin. andsmudged has to go to the hospital lot. He’s Stanley ishas 11 Down monthsSyndrome old, and has brown eyes.

Wispya strands of Stanley has Down Syndrome and has to go to the hospital a lot. He’s usually there because to putwe onthink more so like he’s not light brown hair curls on he topneeds of his head; he weight, looks a bit Tintin. usually there because he needs to put on more weight, so he’s not quite a roly-poly, cheeks just yet.

Even thoughahe Stanley has Downchubby Syndrome andbaby has to go to the hospital lot.is small He’s quite a roly-poly, chubby cheeks baby just yet. Even though he is small and delicate, he is pretty goodtoatput rolling whereweight, he wants to go. usually there because he needs on more so he’s not and delicate, he is pretty good at rolling where he wants to go.

Although Stanley has lots and lots baby of colourful clothing, my favourite is his quite a roly-poly, chubby cheeks just yet.

Even though he is small Although Stanley has lots and lots of colourful clothing, my favourite is his night delicate, time onesies. and he is pretty good at rolling where he wants to go. night time onesies.

Although Stanley has lots and lots of colourful clothing, my favourite is his Stanley loves to sit on the lounge floor and watch Mum move about night time onesies.

Stanley loves to sit on the lounge floor and watch Mum move about while he plays with his toys. Happy gurgles burst out of his mouth and he while he plays with his toys. Happy gurgles burst out of his mouth and he rocks back and we arrive from school, we lie about down Stanley loves to forth. sit on When the lounge floorhome and watch Mum move rocks back and forth. When we arrive home from school, we lie down next to and say, out this skipping rope.

Tryhisand get and it!” He while hehim plays with his“Check toys. Happy gurgles burst out of mouth he next to him and say, “Check out this skipping rope. Try and get it!” He absolutely His little body to thefrom beatschool, the instant wedown start rocks backloves and it. forth.

When we moves arrive home we lie absolutely loves it. His little body moves to the beat the instant we start playing music.

And when Mum says, “Stanley it’s time for your bath,” he next to him and say, “Check out this skipping rope. Try and get it!” He playing music. And when Mum says, “Stanley it’s time for your bath,” he smiles and loves coos. it.HeHis loves nearly as much as he loveswe playing absolutely littlebath bodytime moves to the beat the instant start smiles and coos. He loves bath time nearly as much as he loves playing with his toys. around the bath is hisit’s happy place. playing music.Splashing And when Muminsays, “Stanley time for your bath,” he with his toys. Splashing around in the bath is his happy place. smiles and coos. He loves bath time nearly as much as he loves playing Whathisdoes dislike? answer not very place. much. He has a with toys. Stanley Splashing aroundThe in the bath isis his happy What does Stanley dislike? The answer is not very much. He has a contented personality and doesn’t actually cry very often. contented personality and doesn’t actually cry very often.

Occasionally things annoy likeanswer high-pitched He jerks What does Stanley dislike?him, The is not noises. very much.

Heand has his a Occasionally things annoy him, like high-pitched noises. He jerks and his bottom lip wobbles.

Then and the tears roll down his cheeks. contented personality doesn’t actually cry Unfortunately very often. bottom lip wobbles. Then the tears roll down his cheeks. Unfortunately some of his treatments upset lot. He has noises. ultra sensitive and Occasionally things annoy him,him likeahigh-pitched He jerksskin and his some of his treatments upset him a lot. He has ultra sensitive skin and doesn’t like it being messed with.

However, with everything he has to bottom lip wobbles. Then the tears roll down his cheeks. Unfortunately doesn’t like it being messed with. However, with everything he has to endure, remains upset very bright some ofStanley his treatments him aand lot.happy.

He has He’s ultraamazing! sensitive skin and endure, Stanley remains very bright and happy. He’s amazing! doesn’t like it being messed with. However, with everything he has to Living with Stanley is cool,very butbright tricky and too. happy.

His feeding is huge and endure, Stanley remains He’sprocess amazing!

Living with Stanley is cool, but tricky too. His feeding process is huge and one day of meals can take 20 hours! A nurse comes to our house at one day of meals can take 20 hours! A nurse comes to our house at 7.30am every morning to but helptricky Mumtoo. andHis Dad with his feeding.

Despite Living with Stanley is cool, feeding process is huge and 7.30am every morning to help Mum and Dad with his feeding. Despite all this, Stanley is our bubbly, bright baby brother.

When one day of meals can take 20 hours! A nurse comes to our house at all this, Stanley is our bubbly, bright baby brother. When he’s happy, gives to us help exquisite, 7.30am everyhe morning Mum toothless and Dad smiles, with his feeding. Despite he’s happy, he gives us exquisite, toothless smiles, which brightenis our bubbly, days. bright I am baby proud of my When all this, Stanley brother. which brighten our days. I am proud of my brother and Ihe can’t waitustoexquisite, watch him grow up.smiles, he’s happy, gives toothless brother and I can’t wait to watch him grow up. which brighten our days. I am proud of my Written by Joe Brooker brother and I can’t wait to watch him grow up.

Written by Joe Brooker Written by Joe Brooker

30

Have you ever wondered about keeping mice as pets? Mice are really easy to look after and also great fun. They are nocturnal mammals, which means they sleep in the daytime and come alive at night. This report will explain what mice look like, what they eat and how to care for them.

Appearance Mice come in a wide variety of colours and sizes. The most common colours are white, brown and grey. Most mice range in size from six to seven centimetres and their tails are exceptionally long. They have a pointed snout, a furry body and little rounded ears. It is most common for them to have black or red eyes. Although mice can see most colours, they can’t see red tones.

Diet Who are fussy eaters? Mice! Although they eat around fifteen to twenty times per day, their diet consists solely of vegetables, seeds and grains. It is widely believed these animals love to eat cheese when in fact, they don’t eat dairy at all. Mice are similar to most other animals; they like to eat their food out of a bowl. Ideally they should be given two tablespoons of their food mix daily. They pick up their food with their mouths, sit on their hind legs and hold it in their two hands to eat. Ensure fresh water is available in a dish or bottle.

How to Care for Mice Choosing the right cage is important. Some people believe the wire pet shop cages are great, but they are actually quite unsuitable. They don’t have enough room and scurrying mice can slip through the bars and injure themselves. It is better to have a large fish tank or a customised plastic bin cage.

There are many different items that can be placed in a mouse cage. Hide huts are important. This provides them with an area to hide when they get scared. Mice also need a place to sleep and specialised huts can be purchased at pet shops. As mice like to build nests, try putting some soft materials such as tissue paper or wool in their cage. Wheels are a must. Mice need to get their exercise, so having an appropriately sized wheel for them to run on is important. Chews are also required.

Their teeth never stop growing so they need something to chew on to wear them down. Having the right bedding is essential and there are different brands to choose from. Stay away from pine or cedar bedding as it can cause diseases and even cancer in mice. Try wood shavings or care fresh, which is a bedding of coloured, compressed tissue paper.

Clean the cage about once a week. Firstly take out all of the dirty bedding. Next clean the base of the cage with a surface spray or a water and vinegar solution and wipe it down with a paper towel. Finally, fill the cage with three centimetres of fresh bedding and return the accessories to their original positions.

Mice are really fun to keep as pets. They are not hard to look after and are very entertaining to watch.

Written by Abby Surridge 31

My Best Mate Ethan My best friend Ethan Johnson is a very funny and sporty kind of guy. He always makes me laugh with his hilarious jokes.

My Best Mate Ethan

Ten year-old Ethan has blond hair and blue eyes. Unless he has a bad sleep, his short hair is always styled perfectly. He has lightly tanned skin with several freckles scattered across his face.

Like most boys, Ethan loves to wear shorts and a t-shirt, even on cold days. A shiny blue and yellow watch sits on his wrist.

My best friend Ethan Johnson is a very funny and sporty kind of guy. He always makes me laugh with his hilarious jokes.

Tackling is Ethan’s favourite activity. I guess that’s why he loves to play rugby. Whenever Ethan grabs Ten the year-old ball, heEthan runs and smashes if Ethan dumped on the has blond hair his andopponents blue eyes. over.

Unless But he has a badis sleep, his short hair ground, is always styled He has lightly tanned skinhis with several freckles scattered acrossfor histhe face. he places the ballperfectly. firmly in the gate and covers head with his hands.

Calling ball, he most boys, loves to wear shortsand and supports a t-shirt, even on cold days.noA matter shiny blue and “Pass placesLike himself in his Ethan number eight position his team mates what. yellow watch sits on his wrist. it! Pass it!” he yells.

Tackling is Ethan’s favourite activity. I guess that’s why he loves to play rugby. Whenever Ethan

Ethan grabs lovesthe to ball, run.heHe always wins sprint races and the school cross country, and he is the runs and smashes his opponents over. But if Ethan is dumped on the ground, fastesthe player in our rugby It’s like legs his are electric! to for bethe theball, best, places the ball firmlyteam. in the gate andhis covers head with hisDetermined hands. Calling he Ethan alwaysplaces completes kilometre runs for rugby homework. wins shouts, “Wahoo!” himself his in his number eight position and supports hisWhen team he mates nohe matter what.

“Pass it! Pass it!” he yells.

There isn’t much that Ethan dislikes but some of the little things that irritate him are cockroaches Ethan loves to time run. in Heclass, always wins was sprintaraces and thecrawling school cross country, he towards is the and chores.

One there cockroach across the and tables us. fastest player in our rugby team. It’s like his legs are electric! Determined to be the best, Ethan All of the people at our group, including Ethan, screamed, “Ahhh!” and ran away from their always completes his kilometre runs for rugby homework. When he wins he shouts, “Wahoo!” desks. Eventually the cockroach was captured and taken outside and we all continued working.

Sometimes when Ethan is given major jobslittle to things do, like moving theare dirtcockroaches from the garden There isn’t much that Ethan dislikes but some of the that irritate him or cleaning the shed, refuses do them.

“Do I have that?” he grumbles. and chores.

One he timemoans in class,and there was a to cockroach crawling across to thedo tables towards us.

All of the peoplefrom at our Ethan, gives screamed, and says, ran away After much nagging hisgroup, mum,including he eventually in but“Ahhh!” he always “Benfrom hastheir to help!” desks. Eventually the cockroach was captured and taken outside and we all continued Sometimes whenEthan’s Ethan is favourite given major jobs toisdo, moving the dirt from the garden Other working. than the rugby field, place his like small bedroom.

Pieces of Lego are or cleaning the shed, he moans and refuses to do them. “Do I have to do that?” he grumbles. scattered in every corner and are hard to find. His Minecraft poster hangs on a big white wall After much nagging from his mum, he eventually gives in but he always says, “Ben has to help!”

by a large window. Ethan’s bed sits in the back left corner and is always neatly made. Beside this, two shelves his most creations.

“Hey Jackson, shallPieces we set the remote Other than hold the rugby field,valued Ethan’s Lego favourite place is his small bedroom. of up Lego are control train?” he often says.

Then we love to design spectacular train crashes. scattered in every corner and are hard to find. His Minecraft poster hangs on a big white wall

by a large window. Ethan’s bed sits in the back left corner and is always neatly made. Beside shelves hold Lego Jackson, shall wegiven set up me the the remote Ethan this, is a two great friend to his memost andvalued has had a creations. big effect“Hey on my life. He has courage control train?” he often says.

Then we love to design spectacular train crashes. to start playing rugby and so far I’m enjoying it. We have great chats and we help each other

do our work. So I guess that means he is always there for me when I need him. Friendly, caring, Ethan is a great friend to me and has had a big effect on my life. He has given me the courage kind, funny an all around nice guyenjoying – that’sit.my friend to startand playing rugby and so far I’m We have Ethan. great chats and we help each other do our work. So I guess that means he is always there for me when I need him. Friendly, caring,

Writtenkind, by funny Jackson andEdwards an all around nice guy – that’s my friend Ethan.

Written by Jackson Edwards

32

Nala Nala, American Staffordshire Staffordshire Terrier, Terrier, was was the themost most Nala, our our two two year year old old American playful, could ever ever want. want. That Thatis,is,until untilone oneday, day,I I playful, happy happy dog dog anyone anyone could found her lying in our vegetable garden howling.

As I watched, she found her lying in our vegetable garden howling. As I watched, she vomited. to Mum, Mum, “Nala’s “Nala’s sick, sick, Nala’s Nala’s sick!” sick!” I Iwas was vomited. II ran ran screaming screaming to trying to get Mum to come by pulling her arm and saying, “Come on, trying to get Mum to come by pulling her arm and saying, “Come on, come know how how much much II care careabout abouther!” her!” come on on it’s it’s Nala!

Nala! You You know Mum said, “Get a blanket under her stomach and put herininthe thecar. car.

Mum said, “Get a blanket under her stomach and put her Quick!”

Quick!”

ItIt took into the the car car but but after aftershe shewas wassettled settledinin took a a lot lot of of effort to lift her into the to school school to to drop drop my my sister sister and andme meoff. off. the back back seat, seat, we headed to “Please don’t let Nala die Mum,” I pleaded, cuddling my dog.

Then “Please don’t Mum,” I pleaded, cuddling my dog. Then Mum me thinking thinking about aboutNala Nalaand andhoping hopingshe she Mum drove drove to to the vet, leaving me would home. would still still be be there there when I got home.

That afternoon, afternoon, as soon as I raced That raced in in the the front front door, door,I Isaid saidto toMum, Mum,“Is “Is Nala still alive?”

Nala still alive?”

She said, said, “Yes, “Yes, she is out the back.”

She back.” II sprinted sprinted down downthe theside sideofofthe the house and saw her walking around.

She saw me.

I stared into her house and saw around. She saw me. I stared into her brown eyes eyes and and she wandered wandered slowly brown slowly away. away. That’s That’swhen whenI Iknew knewthings things were still bad.

Usually she was so excited to see me that she leapt were still bad. Usually she was so excited to see me that she leapt about, wagging wagging her her tail tail and about, and licking licking me. me.

The next next day day the the vet vet came came over The over early early and and said saidthat thathe hehad hadsome somebad bad news.

He told us that Nala had a disease called Parvovirus and news. He told us that Nala had a disease called Parvovirus andififwe we wanted to try and fix her, we would have to pay thousands of dollars. wanted to try and fix her, we would have to pay thousands of dollars.

Even then, then, she she probably probably wouldn’t Even wouldn’t survive. survive. II said saidgoodbye goodbyeto toNala Nalafor foraa very long long time. time. II cuddled cuddled her very her and and stroked stroked her her fur. fur. I Ihugged huggedher herone one last time and then I let the vet take her away to be put down. last time and then I let the vet take her away to be put down. loved Nala with all my heart and I will never forget her. She was a I I loved Nala with all my heart and I will never forget her. She was a good dog. good dog.

Written by Written by Korbin Goodin Korbin Goodin

33

Grandma Grandma Baixu, Baixu, mymy grandma, grandma, is special is special in in everyway. everyway.She She is my is my favourite favourite person person and and does does everything everything with with me. me.

Although Although Grandma Grandma is is in in herher late late sixties, sixties, she she certainly certainly acts acts aa lotlot younger. younger.The The highlight highlightof ofherherface faceis isherhereyes, eyes,which whichare area arich, rich,dark darkbrown. brown. Whenever Whenever Grandma Grandmais isreading, reading,writing, writing,knitting knittingor orcooking, cooking,she shewears wearsherhergrey greyglasses. glasses.

Streaked with white, herher ebony hair is always styled short and curly and nothing is is Streaked with white, ebony hair is always styled short and curly and nothing better than herher magical smile. though she eats more lollies than I do, herher better than magical smile.Even Even though she eats more lollies than I do, teeth are pearly white. seen Grandma in in many different outfits, but mymy teeth are pearly white.I’ve I’ve seen Grandma many different outfits, but favourite has to to bebe herher black Jacquie dress and herher colourful scarf (she has a love favourite has black Jacquie dress and colourful scarf (she has a love of of scarves).

Grandma is around, herher rose scented perfume tickles mymy scarves).Whenever Whenever Grandma is around, rose scented perfume tickles nose. nose.

Grandma was born to to bake. herher apron on,on, she whizzes around the kitchen, Grandma was born bake.With With apron she whizzes around the kitchen, looking forfor ingredients. masterpiece is is she going to to create thisthis time? looking ingredients. Which Which masterpiece she going create time?

Something chocolaty? despises chocolate. wouldn’t use it it Something chocolaty?I wish.

I wish.Grandma Grandma despises chocolate.She She wouldn’t use even if itif was the last ingredient onon earth! long, fruity smells waft through even it was the last ingredient earth!Before Before long, fruity smells waft through the house, casting a spell onon me. watering and tummy growling, I sneak the house, casting a spell me.Mouth Mouth watering and tummy growling, I sneak into the kitchen. are you looking forfor young lady?” she says.

I turn into the kitchen.“What “What are you looking young lady?” she says.Slowly, Slowly, I turn around. around.

“Nothing much …”…”

I reply.

“Nothing much I reply.

“Well in in that case, you probably won’t bebe interested in in the cake that’s justjust come “Well that case, you probably won’t interested the cake that’s come out of of the – “– Without giving herher aa chance to to finish, I race towards the dining out the “ Without giving chance finish, I race towards the dining room. right in in front of of me, is one of of Grandma’s masterpieces, herher upside room.There, There, right front me, is one Grandma’s masterpieces, upside down pineapple cake. bite and I’mI’m in in heaven.

I said, Grandma was down pineapple cake.One One bite and heaven.Like Like I said, Grandma was born to to bake. born bake.

What does Grandma dislike? easy. can’t stand owls because in in What does Grandma dislike?That’s That’s easy.Grandma Grandma can’t stand owls because Chinese culture, owls are thought to to bring bad luck.

Owl necklaces, bracelets, Chinese culture, owls are thought bring bad luck.

Owl necklaces, bracelets, stickers, pens or or justjust plain owls, she avoids them at at allall costs. time, when I I stickers, pens plain owls, she avoids them costs. One One time, when was visiting Grandma, I wore mymy owl necklace.

“Do you likelike it?”

I asked. was visiting Grandma, I wore owl necklace.

“Do you it?”

I asked.

“Is“Is that anan owl?” she said.

“Please take it off dear, owls are bad luck.”

Reluctantly, that owl?” she said.

“Please take it off dear, owls are bad luck.”

Reluctantly, I removed the necklace and haven’t touched it since.

I removed the necklace and haven’t touched it since.

Grandma is a fearless riskrisk taker. matter where she is, is, she is always ready to to Grandma is a fearless taker.NoNo matter where she she is always ready take onon a challenge. craziest yetyet was to to ride the Fear FallFall at at Rainbows End. take a challenge.Her Her craziest was ride the Fear Rainbows End. “Of course I’ll I’ll dodo it,”it,” Grandma said. watched in in awe asas she buckled herself “Of course Grandma said.We We watched awe she buckled herself in.in.Slowly the machine raised Grandma high into the air.air.Up, up,up, upup and upup it it Slowly the machine raised Grandma high into the Up, and climbed.

Then without warning, she was plummeting straight down.

Everyone but climbed.

Then without warning, she was plummeting straight down.

Everyone but Grandma was screaming. the ride was over, guess what Grandma said?

Grandma was screaming.After After the ride was over, guess what Grandma said?

“So what else dodo you dare me to to gogo on?”

“So what else you dare me on?”

Grandma’s favourite place to to bebe is her garden. neat and tidy vegetable Grandma’s favourite place is her garden.Her Her neat and tidy vegetable patch sitssits in in one corner, rows of of rainbow coloured flowers line the edge of of the patch one corner, rows rainbow coloured flowers line the edge the path, and her mandarin tree, full of fruit, stands proudly by the fence.

Whenever path, and her mandarin tree, full of fruit, stands proudly by the fence. Whenever wewe play in in herher garden, she always says, “Mind mymy flowers!” around, with play garden, she always says, “Mind flowers!”Pottering Pottering around, with herher hat onon herher head, hose in in one hand, and picking out weeds with the other, is is hat head, hose one hand, and picking out weeds with the other, Grandma’s idea of of paradise.

Grandma’s idea paradise.

Grandma colours mymy world.

Whenever herher and I raid the lolly jarjar in in the pantry, wewe Grandma colours world.

Whenever and I raid the lolly the pantry, always runrun and hide soso mymy brother doesn’t see us us eating them. bubbly always and hide brother doesn’t see eating them.Her Her bubbly personality makes herher almost asas cheeky asas me. paints aa smile onon mymy face personality makes almost cheeky me.She She paints smile face and wewe always have funfun together. is the most important person to to me and always have together.Grandma Grandma is the most important person me and it isit impossible to to imagine lifelife without her. and is impossible imagine without her.

Written byby Rebecca Yuan Written Rebecca Yuan

34

My Best Friend Annalise Wells

My best friend Annalise Wells, also known as Chicken or Chicky, has a bubbly personality. Even though she is athletic, she has a passion for sleep-ins and lollies!

Almost like twins, Annalise and I have birthdays only three days apart. We don’t look like twins though. She has honey coloured hair with little flicks at the ends.

Since it is quite long, she normally ties it up in a ponytail. Annalise is very fond of her light brown freckles and reckons that she wouldn’t be herself without them. We love making jokes together. I especially like it because she has a very contagious laugh!

She is quite relaxed about walking places but when running enters into the conversation, she says, “Sayonara!” and disappears within the blink of an eye.

Masses of clothes line her giant chest of wooden drawers. She has two main casual outfits – her Ridgeline blue camo gear, or a favourite t-shirt and mini overalls. When she needs to get dressed up, she wears a blue skirt and formal t-shirt. Occasionally you’ll see her wearing a flat-cap or her fake pink glasses.

“Zzz, zzz …” Annalise loves sleeping. With her pillows and purple duvet, she is ready to go to the land of nod. I’m an early riser so when I try and wake her up, her response is, “Not now.” Then she rolls over and turns her back on me.

When she acquires loose change from family or friends, Annalise heads straight to the dairy to buy lollies. Her favourites are sherbet straws, lollipops and candy sticks.

Because she has a sweet tooth, one of her favourite times of the year is Halloween.

Last year, the weight of all her candy was nearly the same as her! If you ask for some you’ll get the occasional, “Okay.” But sometimes you’ll get hit in the heart with a definite, “No!” Annalise’s bugbear is tomato sauce. I don’t think I’ve seen her eat it once. She much prefers steak sauce and I’m pretty sure this is the only kind she likes. Anything that says ‘tomato’ is banned from her plate. “Euw!!” she says, screwing up her face.

In Hamilton today, especially around Heaphy Terrace and Bettina Road, there is beautiful sun and a light breeze … this means it is a perfect day for scootering! With a lolly in her mouth and her hands on the handlebars, Annalise rides to the dairy then cruises home again on her bright yellow and black MGP. Her scooter is her prized possession. She was given it for Christmas last year and she takes it everywhere. “La de da!” she sings quietly as she scooters along.

Together Annalise and I have conquered so many fears. We’ve jumped through electric fences, broken the pool rules at a campsite, been inside a haunted house and done tons of stupid stuff at the playground. She makes me feel brave and happy. No matter how outrageous life gets, we stick together like glue. She is the best chicky in the world!

Written by Bethany Cavalcante

35

Days to remember We charge, Bullets crack one by one, We dive for cover, Soldiers fall, Blades slash, And still the enemy advances.

Wind rushes past my face, Again we charge, The enemy shoots, Gunpowder blurs my vision, How it burns my lungs.

Will it ever end?

Bombs fall, Soldiers collapse, The enemy stomps towards us clutching murderous guns.

Bullets whizz in the air, I feel my heart race and know I’m still alive, For now.

Finally we retreat.

Anger pumps through every vein, And tears fall for my brothers who will never return.

Written by Asmau Farouk

36

THE WAR TO END ALL WARS THE WAR TO END ALL WARS Enemy snipers are hidden on cliff tops, Enemy snipers arepast hidden on cliff tops, Their bullets whizz our faces, Their bullets whizz past our faces, We dive for cover, We dive forhail cover, As another of bullets falls around us.

As another hail of bullets falls around us.

We haul ourselves upwards and push through bushy gullies, We haul ourselves upwards and push through bushy gullies, Until we reach a deadlock, Until we reach a deadlock, Then we dig to save our lives.

Then we dig to save our lives.

Days drag by in those filthy trenches, Days drag by in those filthy trenches, Bombs explode and shrapnel threatens to tear through our bodies.

Bombs explode and shrapnel threatens to tear through our bodies.

The smell of death drifts all around us, The smell of death drifts all around us, ItItisisunbearably hot and the air is thick with flies, unbearably hot and the air is thick with flies, Days Daysturn turninto intomonths. months.

It’s soldiers fell, fell, It’sbeen beenone onehundred hundred years years since since our our brave brave soldiers Now Nowpoppies poppiesgrow growbetween between white white crosses, crosses, Marking Markingthe theplace placetheir their blood blood was was shed. shed.

We Wewill willnever neverforget forgetthem, them, Those Thosemen menthat thatbattled battled in in the the war war of of Gallipoli.

Gallipoli.

Written Writtenby byEthan EthanJohnson Johnson

37

The Cliff Cliff

My family and I were at My family and I were at Kauaeranga Valley campsite Kauaeranga Valley campsite in Thames. We were on a four in Thames. We were on a four night camping trip and we night camping trip and we were doing this because, well, were doing this because, well, who doesn’t like a summertime who doesn’t like a summertime camp with their family? We had camp with their family? We had tramped and tramped through through the the forest forest and ended types ended up up at at the the lake. lake. Different Different types of wonderful trees littered the cold, of wonderful trees littered the cold, flowing but what what flowing river river with with their their leaves, leaves, but caught that towered towered caught my my eye eye was was the the cliff cliff that over to jump jump off off its its over the the lake, lake, tempting tempting me me to rocky rockyedge. edge.

Climbing trickled from from Climbing up up the the dirt dirt wall, wall, sweat sweat trickled my The cliff cliff face face my hands hands onto onto the the branches. The beside tall. II kept kept beside me me stretched stretched ten metres tall. scrambling higher and higher.

“Was I really going scrambling higher and “Was I really going to perched at at the the top, top, to do do this?” this?” Finally Finally I was perched gripping towards the the beautiful beautiful grippingthe theedge edgewhere where itit started started to curve towards scenery thought to to myself, myself, scenerybelow. below. As AsI I glanced glanced down down at the lake, I thought wow!

I was ready to take the three steps to my doom but wow! I was ready to take the three my doom but after after looking down down at at the the water, water, my my heart dropped dropped into looking into my my stomach. stomach.

Pacing around around the the cliff cliff top, top, II mumbled, mumbled, “This isis it.”

Pacing it.” My My hair hair was was saturated with sweat and encouraging voices bombarded me from saturated with sweat and encouraging bombarded me fromall all sides.

Mum, who had the camera ready, shouted, “Jump Joe!” sides. Mum, who had the camera shouted, “Jump Joe!” “Hurryup upJoe!” Joe!” my my brother brother Leo Leo yelled, yelled, frustrated frustrated because “Hurry because I I was was holding holding him up. up. The The minutes minutes ticked ticked past past like like hours. hours. II decided him decided I I had had to to jump jump because there was no point going back now.

Anyway, what did I have because there was no point going back now. Anyway, what did I haveto to lose?

I took a running start and jumped. lose? I took a running start and jumped.

Thewind windwhipped whipped against against my my face face at at speeds speeds II never The never imagined. imagined. For Foraasecond seconditit allwent wentblack, black,then thendark dark blue, blue, and and then then bubbles bubbles formed all formed around aroundme meuntil untilI Igasped gasped for breath.

Finally colour kicked in and I could see the scenery – the dark for breath. Finally colour kicked in and I could see the scenery – the darkgreen green trees and the sandy bank.

I floated there in the cold water and shouted, trees and the sandy bank. I floated there in the cold water and shouted, “I“I conquered the the cliff!” cliff!” Even Even though though II knew knew itit wouldn’t conquered wouldn’t be be so so hard hard next nexttime, time,deep deep down I hoped I wouldn’t have to do it ever again! down I hoped I wouldn’t have to do it ever again!

Written by Joe Brooker Written by Joe Brooker

38

My Bedroom My Bedroom Being in my room makes me truly happy. Each time I step Being in my room makes me me truly happy. happy. Each Each time time Istep step Being Iinam mygreeted room makes inside, by all of mytruly favourite things.

AlwaysI neatly inside, greeted by all of my my favourite favourite things. Always Alwaysneatly neatly inside,Imy I am ambed greeted of made, sits in by theallcorner like a childthings. in timeout. My snow made, my bed sits in the corner like aa child childin intimeout. timeout. My Mysnow snow made, my bed sits in the corner like -white duvet cover, splattered with blue, abstract red and pink -white cover, splattered with blue, blue, abstract abstractred redand andpink pink -white duvet duvet cover, splattered flowers and lush green grass in with the background, makes my bed flowers and lush green grass in the background, makes my bed flowers lush of green background, makes bed look likeand a work art. grass All ininathe row, sitting proudly andmy waiting look like a work of art.

All in a row, sitting proudly and waiting look like aare work art. Alleager in a row, sittingto proudly waiting patiently, myof teddies, for night come.and Their heads patiently, are my teddies, eager for night to come.

Their heads patiently, are my teddies, eager for night to come.

Their heads are full of memories and dreams. A wooden chest of drawers are of and dreams. dreams. A A wooden wooden chest chestof ofdrawers drawers are full full of memories memories leans against my bed.and On top is a pale blue alarm clock, which leans against my On top isis a a pale pale blue bluealarm alarmclock, clock,which which against my bed. bed.

Onof top isleans always off, and a photo me when I was little. isisalways off, and a photo of me when I was little. always off, and a when I was little.

Tucked away in a corner near the windows, a white wardrobe Tucked the windows, windows, aawhite whitewardrobe wardrobe Tucked away away in in a a corner corner near the displays a colourful rainbow of my carefully selected clothes. displays of my my carefully carefully selected selectedclothes. clothes. displays aa colourful colourful rainbow of My computer is placed on a desk with a black glass surface, My computer is placed on a desk with a black glass surface, My computer is placed desk with a black glass surface, while the keyboard and mouse are hidden on a slide board while the the keyboard keyboard and mouse while mouse are are hidden hidden on on aa slide slideboard board below. Several large windows are my binoculars into the world below. Several Several large large windows are below. are my my binoculars binocularsinto intothe theworld world outside; I spy through them every now and then.

At night, outside; I I spy spy through through them every outside; every now now and and then. then. At Atnight, night, looking through my binoculars becomes aa whole whole new new story. story. looking through my binoculars becomes looking through my becomes a whole new story.

Things vines wanting wanting to reach reach out and and Things like like flowers flowers look look like like vines Things like flowers look like vines wanting to to reach out out and choke me and trees look like goblins coming to kidnap me. choke me me and and trees trees look look like choke like goblins goblins coming coming to to kidnap kidnapme. me.

Every night this isis what frightens me the the most. most. So So I I pull pullthe the Every night this what frightens me Every night this is what frightens me the most. So I pull the curtain just like like that. curtainand and it’s it’s all all gone. gone. Vanished, Vanished, just curtain and it’s all gone.

Vanished, just likethat. that.

My white. Hanging Hanging abovemy my bedisis Mywalls walls are are light light blue, blue, almost almost white.

My walls are light blue, almost white. Hangingabove above mybed bed is aapink, glittery ballerina, with mauve butterflies fluttering around pink,glittery glittery ballerina, ballerina, with with mauve a pink, mauve butterflies butterfliesfluttering flutteringaround around it.it. Ballerina dance gracefully gracefully in a gentlebreeze. breeze.

Ballerina wind wind chimes chimes dance it. Ballerina wind chimes dance gracefully inin aa gentle gentle breeze.

Their different colour colour –– pink, pink,purple, purple,blue blue Their frilly frilly tutus tutus twirl, twirl, each a different Their frilly tutus twirl, each a different colour – pink, purple, blue and andwhite. white. and white.

Being in in my my room room is what makes Being makes me me the the happiest happiest girl girlininthe the Being in my room is what makes me the happiest girl in the world. world. world.

Writtenby byRebecca Rebecca Yuan Yuan Written Written by Rebecca Yuan

39

1914, The war to end all wars began, Thirty countries, Almost 65 million soldiers, Central Powers verses Allied Forces.

Each country standing in their trenches full of slush, Each side determined to take over, Every soldier scared of loss.

Shells exploded and bullets flew with tons of force, A non-stop raging noise, Days out in the pitted and ruined landscapes, The memories will never fade.

Least we forget, The soldiers who fought for our peace, Will history repeat?

For us they fell.

War. Written by Takalangi Katoa

The War to End All Wars 40

“Are you awake Maddison?” asked my annoying little brother Ryan.

“Shhh! I’m trying to sleep!” I replied.

“Stop squirming Liam!” shouted Jayden, my younger cousin.

“Be quiet and go to sleep!” said Aunt Miranda who had just burst through the door.

My cousins Liam and Jayden, and my brother Ryan and I were camping in our nana and poppa’s garage. My cousins were in a blue tent by the garage door, Ryan was in a green tent with the toys in the corner, and I was next to my brother, inside my tarpaulin tent. Since the boys wouldn’t stop talking, I couldn’t get to sleep. I stared up at the roof. Boring.

When Aunt Miranda shut the door, the boys fell silent for about a minute. Would they ever stop? As well as the voices echoing around the garage, my slightly deflated airbed, which seemed to be getting flatter and flatter as the night wore on, didn’t help me sleep either.

I felt hot. Even though I was only in a sleeping bag, it was summer so the heat rolled in.

I tossed and turned and kicked my legs out. My loveable teddy, which never stopped hugging me, thankfully helped me drift off to sleep.

When I woke up, I had a frightening thought. That was only the first night and I still had six to go! Ahhh!

Written by Maddison Hansen

41

POPPA My grandfather’s name is John but I call him Poppa.

Like lots of men his age, Poppa always wears a check shirt with faded brown trousers. A cap covers his thick silvery hair. Poppa’s skin, especially his large workingman’s hands, is tanned and weathered from years of working outside. Silver-rimmed glasses frame his electric blue eyes.

Poppa loves the farm. Tall trees line the race; luscious green grass engulfs hilly paddocks, while cows and horses graze peacefully.

When he’s not working at the implement shed or driving his horse and cart, the cow shed is where you’ll find Poppa morning and night, milking the herd of cows. When I’m staying he says, “Eleanor do you want to come?”

“Sure!” I say.

He enjoys driving around the farm on his four-wheeler and sometimes he takes me along for a ride too. The four-wheeler is dark blue and he has used it so much that he had to duck-tape the seat to keep the stuffing in. Most of the time I help him put up fences, shift the cows and fix things. Other times we go just for fun. We drive up the massive hill, me on the back and Poppa sitting on the seat in front. Sometimes I yell, “Wahoo!” and throw my arms up in the air. It’s awesome.

What else does Poppa like? Easy! He loves relaxing in front of the TV, his massive jar of lollies by his side, an open packet of cookies on the table, and the remote in one hand. Crunch, crunch is all you hear from his side of the room. Sometimes I even get hungry and join him.

Poppa loathes salad. In fact he has a nickname for it - rabbit food. When he serves his food he never chooses salad, not even a trace of it.

Why is Poppa the best grandpa in the world? I really enjoy being with him; in fact, I value every moment. Although he has Parkinson’s, it never stops him from doing all the things he enjoys.

I love his jokes that no one gets but everyone cracks up laughing anyway. He loves me and I love him back more.

Written by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker

42

Feathers One my family family decided decidedto toget getsome somepets. pets. Not Notone, one, Oneday, day,when when II was was about about seven, seven, my not kid. “Are “Are you you getting getting aacat cator oraadog?” dog?”people people nottwo, two,but but three. three. One One for for each each kid. asked them was was not not what whatthey theyexpected expectedto tohear. hear.We We askedme. me.But Butwhat what II said said back back to to them were it sounds sounds pretty pretty odd odd to to have have poultry poultry inin your your were getting getting chickens. chickens. II know know it backyard, lived in in town, town, but but they they really reallywere weregoing goingtotobe be backyard, especially especially because because we we lived the best pets. the best pets.

The build and and this this meant meantwork. work.We Weneeded needed The coop coop was was the the first first thing thing we had to build some would go go to to Bunnings Bunningsor orMitre Mitre10 10but butluckily luckilywe we somewood woodand and fast. fast. Most Most people would had gave us us some some wood wood for forfree. free. With Withthe the had aa friend friend who who lived lived on on a farm who gave building supplies supplies sorted, sorted, construction construction started building started straight straight away. away. Dad Dad hadn’t hadn’teven even planned how how the the coop coop was was going to look planned look and and II was was wondering wondering how howhe hewas was working so fast.

Of course I was helping out too, although I didn’t know what working so fast. Of course helping out too, although I didn’t know whatI I was doing. doing. I I just just did did what what Dad told me was me to to do do and and tried tried not not to tomess messthings thingsup. up.

Finally, after after what what seemed seemed like hours, our Finally, our brand brand new new coop coop was wasfinished. finished. I Ibet betif if anyonesaw sawour our glorious glorious new new chicken house, anyone house, they they would wouldbe bebegging beggingfor foraacouple couple of chooks.

Then it was time for the fun part, picking up our pets. of chooks. Then it was time for the fun part, picking up our pets.

MumGoogled Googled where where to to go go so so we we actually Mum actually knew knew what what we we were weredoing doingthis thistime. time.

We drove out of Hamilton and into the country.

The scent of freshly cut We drove out of Hamilton and into the country. The scent of freshly cuthay hay drifted through our open windows as we entered the farm and parked the car. drifted through our open windows as we entered the farm and parked the car.

Walking across across aa paddock, paddock, II spotted spotted what Walking what could could only only be be our our new new chickens. chickens.

“G’day, how are ya?” we heard as a friendly looking man approached “G’day, how are ya?” we heard as a friendly looking man approachedus. us. I I guessedhe hewas was the the owner. owner. “Are “Are these these our guessed our new new chooks?” chooks?”we weasked askedexcitedly. excitedly.

“Sure are!” he said.

“Sure are!” he said.

We reached home after what seemed like ages of work. Dad was ready to have We reached home after what seemed like ages of work. Dad was ready to have a sleep on the couch but us three kids were definitely not. We couldn’t wait to a sleep on the couch but us three kids were definitely not. We couldn’t wait to name our first pets. “I’m going to call mine SpongeBob!” Adriana said. name our first pets. “I’m going to call mine SpongeBob!” Adriana said.

Then Ana came up with her name. “My chicken is going to be called Helena,” Then Ana came up with her name. “My chicken is going to be called Helena,” she said proudly. I was the last one to decide. Come on Taka, I thought. I she said proudly. I was the last one to decide. Come on Taka, I thought. I needed a name and fast or my poor chicken was in danger of being called needed a name and fast or my poor chicken was in danger of being called Chook for the rest of its life. “Feathers!” I said. My pet had a name. Feathers Chook rest of its name life. “Feathers!”

I said. a name. wasn’t for thethe most original for a chicken but I My waspet onlyhad seven.

At theFeathers end of wasn’t thethe most original name a chicken but II had was a only end the day, name didn’t reallyfor matter because littleseven. buddyAt to the keep meof the day, the didn’t company forname the next few really years. matter because I had a little buddy to keep me company for the next few years.

Written by Takalangi Katoa Written by Takalangi Katoa

43

ANZAC COVE April 25, 1915 Gunpowder swirls swirlsaround aroundthe thedead dead Gunpowder bodies, bodies, Could that that be beme? me?

Could Shells boom and bulletssputter sputteroverhead, overhead, Shells boom and bullets Dear God God please pleaseprotect protectus. us.

Dear

Our Oursoldiers soldiersarrive, arrive, The Turks The Turksare areready, ready, The first gunshot The first gunshotrings ringsthrough throughthe the air, air, Our hearts are set on fire, Our hearts are set on fire, Shrapnel Shrapnelrains rainsdown, down, Death greets some.

Death greets some.

Wrong place, place,wrong wrongtime, time,wrong wronglife. life.

Wrong

Wrong Wrongplace, place,wrong wrongtime, time,wrong wrong life. life.

Today we we still still remember, remember, Today We We remember rememberthat thatyou youfought foughtfor forour our nation, nation, For For this this generation, generation, We remember We rememberyour yoursacrifice, sacrifice,courage, courage, endurance, endurance, bravery, bravery, EE noho noho ra, ra, Rest in peace, Rest in peace, Rest Rest with with your yourpoppies, poppies, For the next one For the next onehundred hundredyears. years.

Strongersoldiers soldierspush pushthrough throughthe the wild wild Stronger storm, storm, Intothe thetrenches, trenches,into intothe thetrenches trenches we we Into go, go, They’regruesome, gruesome,bloody, bloody,muddy, muddy, They’re Filled with innocent soldiers and Filled with innocent soldiers and disease. disease.

Wrongplace, place,wrong wrongtime, time,wrong wrong life. life.

Wrong

Written Written by

by Bethany BethanyCavalcante Cavalcante

44

T h e W i n d

The wind sprints with claws extended; he’s the fastest cheetah of them all.

He runs around freely, searching for an innocent victim to attack.

Eyes gleaming, he marks his target and races to devour his prey.

Leaving a trail of dust behind him, he rushes into the distance.

Written by Asmau Farouk 45

On the Shores of Anzac Cove At the break of dawn our boat landed, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

Bullets whizzed and spun past me in all directions, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

Shrapnel rained down, smoke suffocated, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

For you we fought, we fell and died, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

Although we won we also lost, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

Now poppies grow, By the crosses row on row, Symbols of the love we felt, And our grief for the soldiers who remained, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

Their courage, bravery and sacrifice, Will forever be remembered as they lie, On the shores of Anzac Cove.

46

Written by Olivia Proffit

The House That Once Belonged To Me

Grandma’s old fāle in Tonga, which my brother Sione and I were born in and my grandpa died in, will always be the most special place in the world to me.

The peachy coloured house sits on Tofua Street, which is over the road from the beach. My big brother Joe, my little brother Sione and I used to love racing through the tall, black gate, past the red door and into the long hallway. Cool blue tiles, which looked like they had water splattered across them, stretched all the way to the little window that overlooked the back garden. Four bedrooms opened off the hallway; perfect for Grandma and my cousins to rest till morning.

When I was a little girl, I remembered delicious smells greeting me as I entered Grandma’s huge kitchen. Pots and pans sat cluttered together on open shelves covering one whole wall. Before she cooked dinner, Grandma lined up all her ingredients on the bench. My whole family, all thirteen of us, used to gather together in the small dining room to eat. Across from the kitchen was a door that led to the big lounge. Four couches and three chairs leaned against the peachy walls. The huge television sat above the fireplace.

Round the corner was the back door that led to the pig barn. I remember how those pigs used to grunt continuously, to tell us they were hungry. Joe had the job of feeding them and they devoured all the food scraps from the house. Dad’s old tool shed, filled with everything you could think of for the garden, stood right next to the pig pen.

Beyond this was the fence, that finished the house, that once belonged to me.

Written by Tu’ifua Paunga 47

Awesome Awesome

Amy Amy

Amy hypo but but loveable loveablelittle littlesister. sister.

AmyDonkin Donkinisismy myseven sevenyear-old year-oldbubbly, bubbly, cuddly, cuddly, a a bit bit hypo Amy’s it a a cute cute teddy teddy bear bear look. look. When Whenshe sheisisininaa Amy’sshortish shortishbody bodygives givesthe theround round face face attached attached to to it happy mood, gleaming blue eyes light up her face like spotlights.

A toothless grin smiles outfrom from happy mood, gleaming blue eyes light up her face like spotlights. A toothless grin smiles out underneath hair isis perfectly perfectly beautiful beautifuldown, down,she shealways always underneathher herlittle littlebutton buttonnose. nose. Although Although her her blond blond hair has or a a braid, braid, Amy Amy always alwaysstands standsout outininaacrowd. crowd. hasit ittied tiedup upneatly. neatly. Whether Whetherit’s it’sin inaa ponytail, ponytail, pigtails pigtails or Unless day with with aa pair pair of of trousers trousersand andaat-shirt t-shirt Unlessit’s it’saaspecial specialoccasion, occasion, Amy Amy will will be be ready ready for the day (usually she runs runs down down the thehall hallshouting, shouting,“Eva, “Eva,I’m I’m (usuallypink pinkand andgirlish). girlish). InInthe themornings, mornings, even even in winter, she ready there in in aa flimsy flimsybutterfly butterflytop! top! I Igive giveher heraa readytotogo gototoschool!” school!” I Iturn turnaround around to to see see her her standing there look. ordinary. But But there there you yougo, go,that’s that’sAmy Amyfor for look. “What?”

“What?”she sheasks, asks,as asififthere’s there’s nothing nothing out out of the ordinary. you. you.

Readingis isone oneofofAmy’s Amy’sfavourite favourite things things to to do. do. Comic books, Reading books, easy easy chapter chapter books, books,picture picturebooks, books, anything. She Shereads readsanywhere anywhere too. too. We We will will be be in the car, on anything. on the the way way home homefrom froman anactivity activityand and sittingbeside besideme meisisaabent, bent,blond blond head, head, nose nose stuffed in a book. sitting book. Her Her favourite favouriteauthor authorisisGeronimo Geronimo Stilton.AsAsif ifreading readingisisher herhomework homework (it (it isn’t), isn’t), she she will read anywhere, Stilton. anywhere, anytime. anytime. Even Evenininbed bedand andinin the mornings before school.

Everyday I have to poke my head around her door and shout, “Get the mornings before school. Everyday I have to poke my head around her door and shout, “Getup up Amy!” Amy!” “Oookaaay,”she shereplies, replies,but buteven even then, then, in in order order to to get get her “Oookaaay,” her out out of of bed, bed, I I need needto tobasically basicallyjump jumpon on her until she puts the book down! her until she puts the book down!

Eventhough thoughAmy Amyhas hasallergies, allergies, she she loves loves to to cook. cook. When When Mum Even Mum asks asks her, her, “Amy, “Amy,do doyou youwant wanttotodo do some baking?” she always says, “Yeah!” and runs to the kitchen.

Blueberry muffins, coconut some baking?” she always says, “Yeah!” and runs to the kitchen. Blueberry muffins, coconut macaroons,chocolate chocolatechip chipcookies, cookies, she she will will give give anything anything a macaroons, a go. go. On On the the weekend, weekend,Amy Amyraces racesup up the hall when she hears Mum clattering around making breakfast. “Can I help you Mummy?” she the hall when she hears Mum clattering around making breakfast. “Can I help you Mummy?” she asks. Mum always says yes unless she’s in a rush. “I might just be a chef specialising in gluten free asks. Mum always says yes unless she’s in a rush. “I might just be a chef specialising in gluten free food when I grow up,” she always says. food when I grow up,” she always says.

What is Amy’s pet peeve? Now that’s easy. She despises us arguing in the bath but unfortunately What is Amy’s pet peeve? Now that’s easy. She despises us arguing in the bath but unfortunately we do it almost every night. It always starts with something small. “Stop making waves Eva!” she we do it almost every night. It always starts with something small. “Stop making waves Eva!” she whines. whines.

After living with her for seven years, I know her arguing ways so I throw back a cunning retort, After livingA with for seven years, ways so II grin. throw a cunning retort, “Why?” frownher creeps over her face.I know Uh oh, her Amyarguing is getting angry.

Bigback mistake.

“Why?” A frown creeps over her face.

Uh oh, Amy is getting angry.

I grin.

Big mistake.

“It’s not funny! It’s annoying!” she cries, whereas I find it almost enjoyable!

“It’s not funny! It’s annoying!” she cries, whereas I find it almost enjoyable!

Whatever she is doing or wherever she is, Amy surrounds herself with people - her parents, friends or Whatever wherever she is, Amy surrounds herself people - in herthe parents, friends even just she me.is I doing guess or you could say she’s a people person.

Verywith occasionally, evenings, Amyor even just me. guess youbathroom could sayunless she’s Horsey a people person. occasionally, Amy will refuse to Igo to the comes withVery her (Horsey is me in or the Dadevenings, on four legs will refuse to to gobe to a the bathroom comes with she her shouts (Horseywhen is meI become or Dad on four legs pretending horse).

“Andunless don’t Horsey run away Horsey!” fidgety or pretending to be a horse).

“And don’t run away Horsey!” she shouts when I become fidgety or bored. bored.

Amy makes me laugh. A lot. She is so silly that I couldn’t count on one hundred hands how many Amy makes memade laugh.me A double lot. Sheover is sowith silly that couldn’t count on one times she has tearsI in my eyes.

“What?

I’m hundred not tryinghands to behow silly!”many she times has she made me she double over to with in my eyes. not twists tryingMum to beand silly!” she says.she When senses is about gettears in trouble, I watch“What? in aweI’m as she Dad around her she littlesenses finger. she Sometimes, onget Sunday afternoons, weinwill be as hanging around and have says.

When is about to in trouble, I watch awe she twists Mum and Dad nothingher to little do. Boring.

Amy willon come along and ask, “Eva, do be youhanging want to play dolls?”

I around finger. Then Sometimes, Sunday afternoons, we will around andand have will be to sodo. thankful because I waswill just about to die ofask, boredom. know I wouldand do I nothing Boring.

Then Amy come along and “Eva, doI don’t you want to what play dolls?” without She isbecause a funny, loving, cheeky andtosometimes naughty sister, and I love her with all my will be soher. thankful I was just about die of boredom.

I don’t know what I would do heart. without her. She is a funny, loving, cheeky and sometimes naughty sister, and I love her with all my heart.

Written by Eva Donkin 48 Written by Eva Donkin

Guinea Pigs My Cousin Miko My Cousin Miko Is thatMy a hamster or a guinea pig?

People often askPig! this That’s question though guinea Peppa whateven elseMiko Miko loves.

My baby baby cousin cousin Mikaeel Mikaeel Ageel Ageel Kisan Kisan Peppa Pig! That’s what else loves. pigs are quite different from hamsters.

Guinea pigs are small mammals usually kept has With the the colours colours and andthe themovements, movements,it’s it’s as has aa bubbly bubbly personality. personality. For For a a one one With baby aa comedian, pets inyear-old New Zealand.

However, they which are also alike popular dish in South American countries like a babies babies dream world!

Thesecond second year-old babyhe’s he’s comedian, which a dream world!

The totome coincidence because he heThis hears the words, words, “I’mPeppa Peppa Pig,” he pigs such as Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. report will explain whatPig,” guinea meisisaa coincidence because he was was he hears the “I’m he born on April Fool’s Day. He’s like a runs over to whoever’s putting the video look like, what and how He’s to take of one. born on they April eat Fool’s Day. like care a runs over to whoever’s putting the video baby babybrother brotherto tome me and and II love love him him with with all my heart. all my heart.

Appearance

on. II love love itit when whenhe hedoes doesthat. that. on.

Since he’s he’s smaller. only one, one,Floppy thereare are notmany many the Since only there not Guinea pigs look a lot like hamsters, only hamsters are ears, usually AtAtthe age of one, Miko looks like his big things Miko dislikes.

Just one little thing the age of one, Miko looks like his bigjust behind things Miko Just one little thing same colour as their body, are positioned theirdislikes. black eyes.

Guinea pigs have brother Mishaal; both are tall for their stands out. out. Omelettes, Omelettes,he heloathes loathesthem. them. brother Mishaal; both are tall for their fourteen claws altogether – three on each footstands at the back and four on each foot at the age.

Whenever we we try try to to encourage encouragehim himtoto age. His His unruly unruly hair hair sweeps sweeps over over his Whenever front. coffee Commonly digging cleaning,one, the he claws are attached to padded brown eyes.

With jeans and either turns awayororspits spits coffee brownused eyes.for With jeans and and a eat one, he either turns away itit paws.short Their comes in different textures; some even have no fur ororfur long sleeved shirt, isis ready short long sleeved shirt, Miko Mikocolours, ready lengths “Come on Miko, Miko, justone onebite,” bite,” his out. and “Come on just his at all!for Guinea pigs brown, black, white ordaddy grey. says, Some hair down to the floor day amber teething for day care. care.areHis His amber teething daddy says, buthave Mikodoesn’t doesn’t budge. but Miko budge. like the Peruvian and Merino guinea necklace a treasure treasure he’ll neverpigs. take Others, like the Abyssinian and Sheltie, have necklace isis a he’ll never take off.

Whenever spot him him wearing wearing off.

I I spot his short, tousled fur.Whenever More commonly, they have slicked hair favourite like the places.

American Miko has so Of has so many many favourite places.

Of and orange ‘Dude’ shirt and sunset course orange ‘Dude’ course there there isis his his little little bathtub bathtubthat thathe he Himalayan guinea pigs. shirt and sunset

coloured shorts, shorts, aa big big grin grin spreads spreads loves so coloured so much. much. Then Then there’s there’s the thestairs. stairs. across my face.

Miko constantly has Even though it’s a bit dangerous, he’s though it’s a bit dangerous, he’saa Diet across my face. Miko constantly dribble down down his his chin. chin. When When II ask daredevil and just climbing them. dribble and just loves loves climbing them.

Did you know guinea pigs eat on and off daredevil for sixteen hours a day?

They have a Daddy Bappa, my uncle, why he has so With all his toys scattered on the ground, Daddy Bappa, my uncle, why he has so With all his toys scattered on the ground, humungous The greatest portion ofthe their diet isis the greens, suchroom as chickweed, much appetite. saliva everywhere, everywhere, he always always much saliva he the lounge lounge is the messiest messiest room inin his his clover, says, dandelions and hay.

Guinea pigs cannot livehe without fresh grass andhiswater.

“Because he is going to be super house but just loves it.

“Hi Miko,” says, “Because he is going to be super house but he just loves it. “Hi Miko,” his They also need vegetables like carrots, silver beet, cucumber, kale, beetroot tops, celery, smart when hegrows growsolder!” older!” daycare smart when he daycare teachers teachers say say when when he hearrives. arrives. corn and broccoli.

They like fruit as well, though not as much because fruit cause I’m not sure what the baby dribble has Melody Childcare is another total I’m not sure what the baby dribble has Melody Childcare is another can total dowith withanything, anything, but II always always reply favourite of gas and mouth sores.

Another part of their diet is nuggets.

Chewing on these helps totodo but reply favourite of his. his. with, “Just like me.”

‘Daddy,’ ‘bubbles,’ prevent their teeth from becoming too long. with, “Just like me.”

‘Daddy,’ ‘bubbles,’ and ‘B.B.’ (a.k.a. big brother) are some When and ‘B.B.’ (a.k.a. big brother) are some When Miko Miko giggles, giggles, we we all all giggle giggle too. too. of Miko’s favourite words to say.

Even We are in awe of him; he is the glue that Caringoffor Guinea Pigs words to say. Even Miko’s favourite We are in awe of him; he is the glue that though he is cute, calling my dad sticks our family together. He puts the he is cute, calling my dad sticks He puts the cold Takingthough care of guinea pigs is quite a big task.

They our canfamily catchtogether. diseases from being ‘Daddy’ is a total no-no. He’s mine! biggest smile on my face every time I ‘Daddy’ is a total no-no.

He’s mine! biggest smile on my face every time I and having a wet bottom so their house needs be warm dry at all that times. amto around him. Iand am so grateful he That am around him.

I am so grateful he means Miko changing theirgo sawdust andtogether. hay every day. pigs eatwith sawthat and baths really well is my Some cousin guinea and I love him alldust my so do Miko and baths go really well together. is my cousin and I love him with all my not buy the dyed or woollen variety.

If eaten those materials will make them sick.

“Aaah!” he giggles when he’s ready to heart.

“Aaah!” he giggles when he’s ready to heart.

Right until it’s timeears, to hop out bottom, clear shiny eyes and they are active.

Healthysplash. guinea pigsuphave warm a dry splash.

Right up until it’s time to hop out bath, hepeople, keeps splashing andneed Written Alisha Mohamed In orderoftothe bond with guinea pigs a lot by of attention.

They do not like being ofsplashing. the bath, Thank he keeps splashing and Written by Alisha Mohamed goodness his mum stuck in their cageThank all day, preferring to run around and play. splashing. his instead mum puts his baby bath goodness in the shower.

After puts baby bath the shower.

After he’shis lifted out, weinhave to endure at Guinea pigs areout, delicate but to fastendure creatures.

They are a handful to care for but tamed he’s lifted we have at least three minutes of crying until he’s properly, they make great who will reward you with many years of friendship. least three minutes ofpets crying until he’s back downstairs with his toys.

He’s a back his toys.

He’s to a greatdownstairs little walkerwith too; when he wants Written by Eva Donkin great little walker too; when he wants to go fast, he really takes off! go fast, he really takes off!

49

Bzzz … “Ugh,” I signed and rolled over. I was on one of those family cruise holidays. You would think cruises were cool and fun but this was a cruise gone wrong already.

It was night time and Mum and just tucked me in. “Good night, sleep tight,” she said. I lay there for a moment then the air conditioning from the neighbours’ room started to drive me crazy. It wouldn’t stop buzzing! With every minute that passed, I willed myself to sleep. Sighing, I gave up and tiptoed into my parent’s bedroom. Mum, who was annoyed by the humming sound too, was tossing and turning in her bed. As soon as I walked in she whispered, “What are you doing honey?”

“The air conditioning in my room is really loud,” I moaned.

“Nothing we can do about that honeybun,” she answered. Sleepily, I wandered back to my skinny little bed and cuddled up, trying to stay warm.

Again I closed my eyes. Please, please go to sleep, I pleaded to myself. No use, this was hopeless. Unless someone on this crazy boat turned off the air conditioning, I would never get to sleep. The dreadful noise was ruining my holiday. Annoyed, I let my eyes wander around the room. A tiny wardrobe sat in the corner and a massive chest of drawers covered one whole wall. The room was really tiny. Then all of a sudden, the noise stopped. “Thank goodness,” I mumbled and let my eyes close.

The next thing I knew, sunlight was streaming onto my bed and I realised I must have fallen asleep. I peeked in Mum and Dad’s room. “Hey,” I whispered.

Mum rolled over, clutching the iPad. She’s been playing games again I thought. I wondered if that was because Dad had been snoring! “Good morning darling,” she said.

“Morning,” I responded.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked.

“Yes, when I finally got to sleep!” I exclaimed.

After that first night, we were moved to some new rooms down the hall and the cruise got better and better. In fact, it ended up being the most perfect holiday ever.

Written by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker

50

Sleeping in a Garage The time I slept in my grandparents’ garage with my brother and three cousins was hard work. It was Christmas Eve and I knew it was going to be a long night.

Our half inflated airbeds were lined up against one another. It was dark and cold.

There were no torches, just the light from the moon that was peeking through a little window. We all hopped into our cosy sleeping bags. I sunk onto my airbed and was immediately stuck in an uncomfortable position. As the night became darker, I could feel a chilly breeze nip at me through a gap in the garage door. It was silent but not for long.

“Good morning everyone!” my cousin Harriet shouted. We all cracked up laughing. Chatting and giggling, we fell into a conversation. I could hear the parents talking and the noisy TV echoing in the living room. My three cousins, who were telling a constant stream of silly jokes, made it impossible for me to fall asleep.

Pulling my pillow over my head, I tried to block out the noise.

My brother Oliver, who was struggling just as much as me said, “Can you please be quiet?” He rolled over. My little cousin Henry was fast asleep on the other side of me. About an hour later, I was still awake. Reaching under the pillow for my iPod, the flashing screen showed the time – twelve thirty!

“Seriously!” I mumbled to myself. My blanket, which was thick and frayed, kept slipping onto the floor. It was driving me crazy.

Suddenly there was a loud bang on the roof above us. “What was that?” Harriet gasped. “Do you think it’s Santa?”

“Maybe,” my cousin Lucy giggled.

“Come on guys, let’s actually get to sleep!” I announced.

After what seemed like forever, we awoke to Christmas day. At about six o’clock we crept into the lounge and grabbed our Santa sacks. Hopping back into our sleeping bags, we started feeling our presents. All was good after that. Although it was a mission getting to sleep, camping in the garage was actually kind of fun!

Written by Abby Surridge

51

Wind Wind beats its hooves into the ground.

It dashes across the countryside, sweeping dust from the earth.

The Black Stallion leaps over hedges and whirlwinds its way through dead branches and stones.

On its mighty legs, it races into the distance.

Written by Takalangi Katoa

52

hopped under a thin blanket. Determined to fall asleep, I shut my the rain pound the walls of the tent. Luke, who was struggling just a over and started talking. “Can you hear that Jackson?”

“What?” I replied tiredly.

“The lightening!”

I heard lightening strike down behind us. “Yeah that’s loud!” I sa really loud too. The campsite was on the hill beside the Mount an surf crashing onto the beach in front of us.

The time I stayed at Tauranga campgrounds with my Aunty Raewyn and cousin Luke

Conquering the Night!

was a very memorable experience.

The mattress felt cold, hard and lumpy and air was slipping thro

Although it was late, I knew it was going to be a mission getting to sleep that night. Our windows. It felt like it was trying to freeze my face. I’m sure it was t tent was a small one that could barely fit a mattress in it. Night fell and the three of us our small, hopped under aunheated thin blanket. tent.

Determined to fall asleep, I shut my eyes and listened to the rain pound the walls of the tent. Luke, who was struggling just as much as me, rolled over and started talking. “Can you hear that Jackson?”

Staring up tiredly. at the murky coloured roof, I wondered how many “What?”

I replied “The lightening!” around up there. Would this night ever end? Although it was pitch I heard lightening down behind “Yeah that’s loud!”

I said. to TheLuke. waves Aunty were get to sleep.strike I turned over us. and continued talking Ra really loud too. The campsite was on the hill beside the Mount and we could hear the quietonto butthe we didn’t listen. surfbe crashing beach in front of us. “What do you want to do tomorrow?

“Let’s get ice cream,” Luke whispered excitedly.

The mattress felt cold, hard and lumpy and air was slipping through tiny gaps in the “Do you think she’ll let us have one?” windows. It felt like it was trying to freeze my face. I’m sure it was ten degrees below in our“Definitely!” small, unheated tent.

My aunty, who we thought wasn’t listening, said, “If you don’t be qu Staring up at the murky coloured roof, I wondered how many spiders were lurking creams for anyone!” around up there. Would this night ever end? Although it was pitch black, I still couldn’t

get to sleep. I turned over and continued talking to Luke. Aunty Raewyn yelled at us to beFinally quiet butthe we didn’t “What do you to want do tomorrow?

I asked. rain listen. slowed down a todrizzle.

I closed my eyes and w “Let’s get ice cream,” Luke whispered excitedly. again, was streaming through the gaps in our tent. Reliev “Do you thinklight she’ll let us have one?”

“Definitely!” conquered the night.

My aunty, who we thought wasn’t listening, said, “If you don’t be quiet, there’ll be no ice creams for anyone!”

Written by Jackson Edwards

Finally the rain slowed down to a drizzle. I closed my eyes and when I opened them again, light was streaming through the gaps in our tent. Relieved, I realised I had conquered the night.

Written by Jackson Edwards

53

We Will Not Forget Them

April 25th 1915 in Anzac Cove, We land and row the boats in.

The Turkish wait silently.

We creep onto the beach.

Suddenly shrapnel rains down on us, Bullets burst my eardrums, Gunpowder swirls around in the air, Blinding my sight and burning my lungs.

I hear my comrades moaning in the mud, Thousands of our brothers died, Trying to defend our country.

Crosses and poppies stand where the brave soldiers fought.

We will not forget them.

Written by Korbin Goodin

54

Backyard Cricket Backyard cricket is a game my family and I love to play all summer long. After dinner my brother and I set up the wickets and beg our parents to come and play with us. Follow these instructions and you will become an expert at backyard cricket too.

Equipment Needed  Cricket bat  Lots of tennis balls (some may go missing)  Two sets of stumps (rubbish bins or upside down buckets will do)  A pitch (mow with lawnmower)  Players (3 or more) Set Up  Position stumps 6-10 m apart at each end of the pitch  Chose players and positions – batter(s), bowler, fielders. arguments, make sure everyone gets to bat!

Take turns!

To avoid

Rules

 Batters can’t go out on the first ball (if an adult is batting then that’s okay).  A fielder/catcher can get the batter out by catching the ball. It’s okay if it bounces off

the roof.

 If stumps are hit, the batter is out.  When the ball is hit over the fence or house, the batter is awarded 6 runs. If the ball

stays within the boundary, the batter(s) can run between stumps as many times as possible until the ball either strikes the wickets or is returned to the bowler.  No LBWs (legs before wicket). It’s too hard for the little kids (although you can if you really want to).  It is all a bit of fun but when the sound of smashing glass is heard, it’s game over! Last man standing takes the blame, so ditch the bat and get out of there!

Variations of Backyard Cricket – Bat Down Rules

 After the batter hits the ball, a fielder picks it up. Then the batter places the bat down

on the ground. He or she can point it directly at the fielder or side on to the fielder.

Note: players can only point the bat at the fielder once. If the fielder hits the bat, it’s their turn batting. (If dads are playing, watch out because they may cheat!)  If the batter hits the ball and it lands close by, they can do something called tick-tock.

This is when players slowly swing the bat from side to side in the air, making it harder to hit.

Backyard cricket is an awesome fun game for the whole family to enjoy.

Give it a go!

Written by Ethan Johnson

55

My mother Te Aroha (which in Maori means love) is the best mother My Mymother mother TeTeAroha (whichinpersonality. inMaori Maorimeans meanslove) love)is isthe thebest bestmother mother ever.

She has aAroha nice,(which happy ever. ever.She Shehas hasaanice, nice,happy happypersonality. personality.

Mum is 46 and has curly, black hair just like me. She usually wears it

Mum is is4646 andMaori has has curly, curly, black black hair hair just justlike like me.

She Sheusually usually wears wears it it rohaMum (which in means love) isherme. the best mother out with aand slight fringe that swipes over forehead.

When I arrive outwith withaaslight slightfringe fringethat thatswipes swipesover overher herforehead. forehead.When WhenI arrive I arrive home frompersonality. school, her brown eyes welcome me. Mum has many nice,out happy home homefrom fromschool, school,her herbrown browneyes eyeswelcome welcomeme. me. Mum Mumhas hasmany many mixes and matches of clothes but when she goes to work at Te mixes mixesand andmatches matchesofofclothes clothesbut butwhen whenshe shegoes goestotowork workatatTeTe Whanau Putahei Childcare, she usually wears some comfortable Whanau Whanau Putahei Putahei Childcare, Childcare, she she usually usually wears wears some somewears comfortable comfortable curly, black hair just like me.

She usually it pants and a warm puffy jacket. pants pantsand andaawarm warmpuffy puffyjacket. jacket.

has fringe that swipes over her forehead. When I arrive Zumba is Mum’seyes favourite workout. me.

Every Monday and Friday Zumba ool, Zumba her brown welcome Mumand has many Zumba is isMum’s Mum’sfavourite favourite workout. workout.Every EveryMonday Monday and Friday Friday Zumba Zumba isison on ininthe the Frankton School hall.

“Zumba today!” she reminds me.I do do onin theFrankton Frankton School School hall. hall.“Zumba “Zumba today!” today!” she she reminds reminds me. me.

I Ido chesiseverything of clothes but when she goes to work at Te to get out going.

Although thehall hallis isisfilled filled with everything everythingII can Ican canto toget getout outofof ofgoing. going. Although Althoughthe the hall filled with with ei Childcare, she usually wears some comfortable people, she has no problem spotting her five friends.Then Then they talk people, people,she shehas hasno noproblem problemspotting spottingher herfive fivefriends. friends.

Then they they talk talk from start to finish.

I usually sit on the sidelines. rm puffy jacket. from fromstart starttotofinish. finish.I usually I usuallysitsiton onthe thesidelines. sidelines.

Mum loves television show called Bones.

Itis is isabout aboutaaateam teamofof of Mum Mumloves lovesaaatelevision televisionshow showcalled calledBones.

Bones. It It about team

favourite Every Monday and Friday Zumbawe forensic anthropologists who solve murders.

Everyafternoon afternoon we forensic forensicworkout. anthropologists anthropologists who who solve solvemurders. murders.

Every Every afternoon we watch the programme and we love to guess who the murderer watchthe the programme programme and and we welove loveshe totoguess guess who whothe the murderer murderer ton watch School hall.

“Zumba today!” reminds me.

I do is.is.is.

Mum always gets right.

Then she says, “What’s for dinner?”

Mumalways always gets gets itititright. right.Then Thenshe shesays, says,“What’s “What’s for for dinner?” dinner?” n to Mum get out of going.

Although the hall is filled with “Salad, chips and eggs!” reply.

“Salad, “Salad,chips chipsand andeggs!” eggs!”I Iusually I usually usuallyreply. reply. no “Sure problem spotting “Sure thing,” she says.

“Surething,” thing,”she shesays. says. her five friends. Then they talk h. I usually sit on the sidelines.

Mum’s favourite place our church. filledwith withrows rows of red chairs, Mum’s Mum’sfavourite favouriteplace placeisisisour ourchurch. church.ItItis isfilled rows ofof red red chairs, chairs, aamassive massive stage at the front and little waterdispenser dispenserthat that sits in a massivestage stageat atthe thefront frontand andaa alittle littlewater dispenser that sits sits inin aaa elevision show called Bones.

It is about a team of corner.

We go to church every Sunday andTuesday.

Tuesday. On OnSunday Sunday corner. corner. We Wego goto tochurch churchevery everySunday Sundayand Tuesday.

On Sunday mornings mornings she shesays, says, “Hurry “Hurry up upYuan, Yuan,you you need getready ready quickly!” quickly!” mornings she says, “Hurry up Yuan, you needtotoget ready quickly!” pologists who solve murders.

Every afternoon we

ramme and we love to guess who thethe murderer is.

Mum Mumisisisthe theboss bossof ofour ourhouse. house.Every Everytime remote, she she says, says, Mum the boss of our house.

Every timeI grab I grab the theremote, remote, she says, ts it right.

Then she says, “What’s for dinner?”

“That “Thatwill willbe befive fivedollars dollarsthank thankyou!” you!”

“That will be five dollars thank you!”

“Sorry “Sorry I’m I’m broke,” broke,” I reply.

I reply.

“But “But I won’t won’tbe betomorrow tomorrowwhen when II get my my “Sorry II’m broke,”reply.

I reply. “ButI Iwon’t tomorrow whenI get get my d eggs!” usually pocket pocket money!” money!” pocket money!” says.

“Have “Haveyou youdone doneyour yourhomework?” homework?”she sheasks. asks.When WhenI walk I walkoff offtotodo domy my

“Have you done your homework?” she asks. When I walk off to do my schoolwork, schoolwork,she sheturns turnson onBones Bonesand anddoesn’t doesn’tlet let me the lounge lounge until until schoolwork, she turns on Bones and doesn’t letme meinin inthe the lounge until we we have have to to go go to to one one of of her her work work meetings, meetings, where where I literally I literally fall fall asleep asleep we have go to one of work meetings, where literally fall asleep place is ourtochurch.

It her is filled with rows of Ired chairs, every every time. time. every time.

at the front and a little water dispenser that sits in a My Myfavourite favourite time timeof ofthe theday dayisisand isat atbedtime bedtime when whenMum Mum and I share II share the the to church every Sunday Tuesday.

Onand Sunday My favourite time of the day at bedtime when Mum and share the highlights highlights of of our our day. day.

She She sits sits on on the the blankets blankets and and if if I’m I’m lucky, lucky, she she ys, “Hurry up ofYuan, youShe need to the getblankets readyand quickly!” highlights our day. sits on if I’m lucky, she

sings singsme meaaasong songon onher herguitar guitaroror orreads readsme meaa story the Grim sings me song on her guitar reads me astory storybyby bythe theGrim Grim Brothers.

Brothers.I love I loveher herand andshe shealways alwaysputs putsaasmile smileon onmy myface. face.

Brothers. I love her and she always puts a smile on my face.

of our house. Every time I grab the remote, she says, Written Writtenby byYuan YuanMcCallum-Tan McCallum-Tan dollars thank you!”

Written

by Yuan McCallum-Tan ,” I reply. “But I won’t be tomorrow56when I get my

My Special Grandma Grandma Lynne is the jolliest person in the world. Every time she comes over, she brings our favourite board game Yahtzee. We love playing with her.

When you think of grandparents they are usually pretty old, but my grandma is only in her fifties. Her curly brown hair bobs up and down as she walks around the house. Greyish, blue eyes greet me kindly when I walk into the room and her black glasses help her to read, write and look into the distance. Unlike Poppa who leaves his glasses all over the place, Grandma looks after hers very well and keeps them in one spot. When it comes to height, Grandma is not very tall. In fact, she is only one centimetre taller than me! When it is a hot day outside, Grandma wears a singlet and shorts, but when it’s cold, she dresses up like she is going to the snow.

What does Grandma love? That’s easy, hot spas after dinner on a cold winter’s night. She says, “You guys hop in first and I will come soon.” After we’ve played for a while, she hops in too and settles in her favourite spot. A brandy and ginger ale is always placed carefully on the side of the pool. Putting on the bubbles and soaking her bones, is what she enjoys most.

Grandma also enjoys gardening, growing her own vegetables and cooking. Fishing at Fantail Bay with all the family is another favourite pastime. In fact, when it comes to family, Grandma is always there for us and we are there for her too.

Grandma loves her home in Thames, which Poppa built 25 years ago. Out of all the rooms being refurbished, the lounge is the place she loves the most. A giant portrait of my cousins, my brother and sister, and me hangs on one wall. Black tiles make a border around the fireplace and her favourite black leather couch sits in the middle of the room. A little wooden bar is tucked to one side, filled with dozens of bottles of ginger ale.

She just loves it!

What does Grandma dislike? She doesn’t like Mynahs because she says they eat her vegies. “Shoo you pesky birds and never come back!” she yells as she runs out on her deck. She says possums are a pain because they eat her fruit, rabbits eat the grass and dig holes everywhere, and she absolutely loathes rats that die and go all smelly.

I love it when Grandma comes over for a visit; she makes me smile. She plays cards with me, she drives me to school sometimes, and she let’s us have treats from the lolly jar when we’re good. Grandma is the funniest, happiest most thoughtful person in the world. She has a special place in my heart and I will never forget all the things she does for our family.

Written by Korbin Goodin 57

My dad Vaughan Johnson (we call him V.J.) is the coolest person in the world. He is someone I look up to.

Dad is 43 years old. With his short, spiky hair, I think he looks cool. “Your hair makes you look tough Dad!” I always say. His blue eyes stand out from his slightly tanned skin.

Although he is on the short side, his shoulders are very broad from all the swimming he does. After he puts his Hamilton Boys High School t-shirt on, along with his track pants, he is ready to teach physical education for the day.

More than anything, Dad loves spending time with our family. His favourite activity is to take us on a trip to the beach in his 1968 Ford Mustang. Dad loves this car almost as much as he loves us! It is loud and black with a white stripe down the middle of the bonnet.

Sometimes he lets me start it up. He took about a year to fit a new motor, which has made it much faster. I always like to take the caps off to make it louder too.

After we park at the beach, Dad dives into the water. Then we better run fast before he tries to grab our legs and pull us to the bottom! He likes to lie on a towel with his head down and the sun on his back. When we sprint up from our swim we say, “Give back our towels!”

“No way!” he yells.

Dad loves sport. That is obvious because he is a P.E. teacher. He lives and breathes it everyday. Can you guess his favourite sports? It’s snowboarding, kayaking, scuba diving and of course rugby. If I mention rugby he can’t stop giving me helpful tips like, “Lower your centre of gravity and push into the tackle.” He always inspires me to do my best because he was an awesome rugby player when he was younger.

What does Dad dislike? That’s easy. If we forget to shut the door, he knows straight away and he says, “Who left the door open?”

“Not us,” we whisper, hoping he won’t hear us.

“Shut it!” he says. “The air conditioning is on. We’re not trying to cool down the whole of Hamilton!” In the morning, if my nine year-old brother Ben or I don’t make him and Mum a coffee he says, “No more pocket money for you,” or, “That’s one dollar off your pay, two, three, four …”

“Okay!” we say as we race to the kitchen.

Dad always makes us laugh. When our family plays bat down, I try to get him out but he constantly moves the bat. Sometimes we have play fights, he blocks us off in the hallway or he tries to give us a fright by hiding somewhere and jumping out at us! These times are so fun. I think my dad is an awesome, funny, interesting person. He is definitely the best Dad in the world.

Written by Ethan Johnson

58

Appearance Guinea pigs look a lot like hamsters, only hamsters are smaller. Floppy ears, usually same colour as their body, are positioned just behind their black eyes. Guinea pigs h fourteen claws altogether – three on each foot at the back and four on each foot at front. Commonly used for digging and cleaning, the claws are attached to padd paws. Their fur comes in different colours, lengths and textures; some even have no at all! Guinea pigs are brown, black, white or grey. Some have hair down to the f like the Peruvian and Merino guinea pigs. Others, like the Abyssinian and Sheltie, h tousled fur. More commonly, they have short, slicked hair like the American a Himalayan guinea pigs.

Diet Did you know guinea pigs eat on and off for sixteen hours a day? They hav humungous appetite. The greatest portion of their diet is greens, such as chickwe clover, dandelions and hay. Guinea pigs cannot live without fresh grass and wa They also need vegetables like carrots, silver beet, cucumber, kale, beetroot tops, cel corn and broccoli. They like fruit as well, though not as much because fruit can ca gas and mouth sores. Another part of their diet is nuggets. Chewing on these h prevent their teeth from becoming too long.

Caring for Guinea Pigs Taking care of guinea pigs is quite a big task. They can catch diseases from being c and having a wet bottom so their house needs to be warm and dry at all times. T means changing their sawdust and hay every day. Some guinea pigs eat saw dust so not buy the dyed or woollen variety. If eaten those materials will make them s

Guinea Pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea Pigs

Is Isthat thataahamster hamsterororaaguinea guineapig? pig? People Peopleoften oftenask askthis thisquestion questioneven even though though guinea guinea Is that aquite hamster or a guinea pig? People often askare thissmall question even though guinea pigs are different from hamsters.

Guinea pigs mammals usually kept pigs are quite different from hamsters. Guinea pigs are small mammals usually kept as as pigs are quite different from hamsters.

Guinea pigs aredish small mammals usually kept as pets petsininNew NewZealand.

Zealand.However, However,they theyare arealso alsoaapopular popular dishininSouth SouthAmerican Americancountries countries pets in New Zealand.

However, they are also a popular dish in South American countries such suchasasPeru, Peru,Bolivia, Bolivia,Ecuador Ecuadorand andColombia.

Colombia. This Thisreport reportwill willexplain explainwhat what guinea guinea pigs pigs such as what Peru, they Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.

This report will explain what guinea pigs look like, eat and how to take care of one. look like, what they eat and how to take care of one. look like, what they eat and how to take care of one.

Appearance Appearance Appearancelook a lot like hamsters, only hamsters are smaller. Floppy ears, usually the Guinea Guineapigs pigs look a lot like hamsters, only hamsters are smaller. Floppy ears, usually the Guinea pigsas look a lot likeare hamsters, only hamsters are smaller.

FloppyGuinea ears, usually the same colour their black eyes. pigs have same colour as astheir theirbody, body, are arepositioned positionedjust justbehind behindtheir theirblack blackeyes. eyes.Guinea Guineapigs pigs have same colour their body, positioned just behind have fourteen claws the back and four on each foot at the fourteen clawsaltogether altogether–––three threeon oneach eachfoot footat atthe theback backand andfour fouron oneach eachfoot foot at the fourteen claws altogether three on each foot at at the front.

Commonly used for digging and cleaning, the claws are attached to padded front.

Commonly used used for for digging digging and and cleaning, cleaning,the theclaws clawsare areattached attachedtotopadded padded front. Their Commonly paws. fur comes inindifferent colours, lengths and textures; some even have no fur paws.

Their fur comes different colours, lengths and textures; some even have paws. Their fur comes in different colours, lengths and textures; some even have nonofurfur atatall!

Guinea Some have hair down to the floor Guineapigs pigsare arebrown, brown,black, black,white whiteor orgrey. grey. Some Somehave havehair hairdown downto tothe thefloor floor at all! all! Guinea pigs are brown, black, white or grey. like the Peruvian and Merino guinea pigs.

Others, like the Abyssinian and Sheltie, have like Peruvian and and Merino Merino guinea guinea pigs. pigs. Others, Others,like likethe theAbyssinian Abyssinianand andSheltie, Sheltie,have have like the the Peruvian tousled fur.

More commonly, they have short, slicked hair like the American and tousled fur. More More commonly, commonly, they they have have short, short, slicked slicked hair hairlike likethe theAmerican Americanand and tousled fur.

Himalayan guinea pigs.

Himalayan guinea pigs.

Himalayan guinea pigs.

Diet Diet Diet Did sixteen hours day?

They have Did you knowguinea guineapigs pigs eat eat on on and and off off for for sixteen sixteenhours hoursaaaday? day? They Theyhave haveaaa Didyou youknow know guinea pigs eat on and off for humungous diet greens, such as chickweed, humungous appetite. The Thegreatest greatestportion portionof oftheir theirdiet dietisisisgreens, greens,such suchas aschickweed, chickweed, humungousappetite. appetite.

The greatest portion of their clover, dandelions and hay.

Guinea pigs cannot live without fresh grass and water. clover, dandelions dandelions and and hay. hay. Guinea Guinea pigs pigs cannot cannotlive livewithout withoutfresh freshgrass grassand andwater. water.

They also need vegetables like carrots, silver beet, cucumber, kale, beetroot tops, celery, They also need vegetables vegetables like likecarrots, carrots,silver silverbeet, beet,cucumber, cucumber,kale, kale,beetroot beetroottops, tops, celery, celery, corn and broccoli.

They like fruit as well, though not as much because fruit can cause corn and broccoli. broccoli. They They like like fruit fruitas aswell, well,though thoughnot notas asmuch muchbecause becausefruit fruitcan cancause cause gas sores.

Another part of their diet is nuggets.

Chewing on these helps gasand andmouth mouth sores.

Another part of their diet is nuggets.

Chewing on these helps mouth sores. Another part of their diet is nuggets. Chewing on these helps prevent preventtheir teethfrom frombecoming becomingtoo toolong. long. theirteeth teeth from becoming too long.

Caring Caringfor GuineaPigs Pigs forGuinea Guinea Pigs Taking catch diseases from being cold careofofguinea guinea pigs quite big task.

Takingcare guineapigs pigsisisisquite quiteaaabig bigtask. task. They Theycan cancatch catchdiseases diseasesfrom frombeing beingcold cold and warm and dry at all times.

That wet bottom so their house needs andhaving havingaawet wetbottom bottomso sotheir theirhouse houseneeds needsto tobe bewarm warmand anddry dryat atall alltimes. times. That That means Some guinea pigs eat saw dust so do changing their sawdust and hay every so do meanschanging changingtheir theirsawdust sawdustand andhay hayevery everyday. day.Some Someguinea guineapigs pigseat eatsaw sawdust dust so do not or woollen variety.

If eaten materials will make them sick. notbuy buythe thedyed dyed or woollen variety.

If those materials will make them sick. dyed or woollen variety. If eaten those materials will make them sick. guineapigs pigs have warm ears, aadry dry active.

Healthy clear shiny eyes and they are active.

Healthyguinea pigshave havewarm warmears, ears,a drybottom, bottom,clear clearshiny shinyeyes eyesand andthey theyare are active. bond with people, guinea pigs need being InInorder attention.

They do not like being ordertotobond bondwith withpeople, people,guinea guineapigs pigsneed needaalot lotofofattention. attention.They Theydo donot notlike like being stuck in their cage all day, preferring instead to run around and play. stuck in their cage cageall allday, day,preferring preferringinstead instead to runaround aroundand andplay. play.

Guineapigs pigs are delicate but fast creatures.

Guinea aahandful handful to care for but tamed Guinea pigsare aredelicate delicatebut butfast fastcreatures. creatures. They Theyare area handfulto tocare carefor forbut buttamed tamed properly, they make great pets who will reward you with many years of friendship. properly, properly,they theymake makegreat greatpets petswho whowill willreward rewardyou youwith withmany manyyears yearsof offriendship. friendship.

Writtenby by Eva Donkin Written Written byEva EvaDonkin Donkin

59

Rockets...

How could such a fun time turn into a disaster in just a few seconds? One minute we were racing around with sparklers in our hands and the next we were running for cover. Guy Fawkes night had quickly turned from the best night ever to the worst.

Across the road from our house, is a small patch of concrete where our friends and family gathered for cracker night. With big packs of fireworks, including sparklers and many different types of rockets, we were ready for some fun. Or so we thought …

Letting three teenagers, Haisam, Yaz and Vazin, take charge of the crackers was supposed to be a great idea but wow were we wrong. That’s when it got ugly. The boys set up a rocket on the ground, lit it and raced back. Suddenly, without warning, it fell over and zoomed our way. Mum and Shafiya dhaththa, one of our friends, were standing right next to me when the disaster occurred. “Run!” Shareef beybey shouted. Shafiya dhaththa picked me up and the three of us took off. We ran for cover. We ran for safety. We ran for our lives!

But what happened next was definitely the worst. Mum tripped. She tried to get up but it was too late. The cracker hit her straight in the back, leaving an angry red mark on her skin. “Mummy!” I screamed, wailing into Shafiya dhaththa’s shoulder. From the other side of the road, we watched as some friends helped Mum up and we headed inside. Everyone else continued with the fireworks.

Mum went straight to her room to examine the damage, while I stayed in the lounge watching TV to distract myself. Even though she had a small bruise on her back, we were relieved to find out she was okay. Mum made her way back outside (even after what had just happened!) but I stayed inside, too scared to have anything further to do with the fireworks.

After finishing the crackers, everyone made their way back to our house. All the dads got a big telling off from mum, since they were the ones who put kids in charge of setting up the fireworks. “You should’ve been more careful!” Mum shouted in dhivehi.

Finally we ended the crazy night with a midnight feast.

To this day, I will never forget that night and I am still deathly afraid of fireworks.

Written by Alisha Mohamed

60

Poppie Poppie Poppie also loves his cream chair in the Poppie cream sits chair in the its lounge.also Hisloves royalhisthrone beside lounge. His royal throne sits beside its identical twin. It can recline and is very identical twin. It can recline and is very comfy. When winter arrives, his chair is comfy. When winter arrives, his chair is nestled by the fire and in summer it’s in nestled by the fire and in summer it’s in front of the television, next to the ranch front of the television, next to the ranch slider. Sadly Sadly the thechair chairisisold oldand andhas hasa a slider. couple of rips and is a bit grey in places. couple of rips and is a bit grey in places.

Whenever we we sitsit on onit,it,he hesays sayswith witha a Whenever twinkle in in his his eye, eye, “Hey, “Hey,what whatare areyou you twinkle doing in inmy mychair?” chair?” We Welaugh. laugh. doing

Allan Holdaway Allan Holdawayis isthe thebest bestPoppie Poppie II could could ever wish for.

The way he cares for ever wish for. The way he cares for us us is is amazing. amazing.

I guess I guessPoppie Poppieis isininhis hissixties. sixties. When When he he removes removeshishiscap, cap,short shortgrey greyhair hair and and big big brown browneyebrows eyebrowsare arevisible. visible. His His skin skin isis a a mediumtan tanand andhe hehas has beautiful beautiful blue blue medium eyes.

With his favourite old blue singlet eyes. With his favourite old blue singlet andblack blackCanterbury Canterbury shorts shorts on, on, he he is and readytotorelax relax on on the the couch couch at at the the ready weekend.

I never get to see what he weekend. I never get to see what he wears workbecause becausehe heleaves leaves before before wears totowork sunrise.

Poppie has an extra special sunrise. Poppie has an extra special feature.He Heis isaawelder welderand andone one time time the the feature. index finger on his right hand got stuck index finger on his right hand got stuck between two pieces of iron and he had between two pieces of iron and he had to go to hospital. Unfortunately he lost to go to hospital. Unfortunately he lost the top of his finger! Poppie’s favourite the top of his finger! Poppie’s favourite trick is to take out his teeth (dentures of trick is to take out his he teeth (dentures of course)!

Sometimes does it while we course)!

Sometimes does it while we are watching TV. It’she very funny. are watching TV. It’s very funny.

What is Poppie’s favourite treat? That’s What is Poppie’s favourite simple.

He loves glow treat? heart That’s lollies. simple.

He loves glow heart lollies.

Sweet, tasty, red heart delights. Since Sweet, delights.weSince these tasty, lollies red are heart his favourite, give these are for his favourite, themlollies to him Christmas we andgive his birthday every for single year. When he them to him Christmas and his opens his present, says with a big birthday every singleheyear.

When he smile his on present, his face, youa very opens he “Thank says with big much!”

Sharing?

No way! smile on his face, “Thank you very much!” Sharing? No way!

Poppie calls calls my my cousins cousins and and I I hishis Poppie mokopuna. Whenever Wheneverwe wearrive arriveatathishis mokopuna. house, house, he he always always says, says, “Hello “Hello my my mokopuna!”

That is the perfect way to mokopuna!” That is the perfect way to be be welcomed. welcomed. Calling Callingusushishismokopuna mokopuna is aa is Poppie’s Poppie’s thing; thing;like likecalling callingsomeone someone friendly nickname. friendly nickname.

Poppie Poppie and and pasta pastaare arenot notgood goodfriends. friends.

Whenever Nannie says, “We’re having Whenever Nannie says, “We’re having spaghetti hehe sighs spaghettibolognaise bolognaisefor fordinner,” dinner,” sighs and drags himself to the dinner table so and drags himself to the dinner table so he doesn’t disappoint her. Sometimes he doesn’t disappoint her. Sometimes Nannie buys treats like apple pies, Nannie buys treats like apple pies, Magnums and ice cream. When these Magnums ice cream.

When these are on offer,and he always eats up his pasta areheon offer, hedessert. always eats up his pasta so can have so he can have dessert.

I love my Poppie and he loves me back.

I love my and hewe loves me and back.

When we Poppie play games, laugh Whenfun we play games, Poppie we laugh and have until it’s bedtime. is kind, have fun until it’s bedtime.

Poppie is kind, caring and funny.

Helping and loving us caring and funny. Helping and loving us is his speciality. is his speciality.

Written by Maddison Hansen Written by Maddison Hansen 61

                                                                                                                           

62

Dad’s Honor The Thesun sunshone shonedown downon onthe thewell-crafted well-craftedbuilding buildingand andaashallow shallowpool pool full fullof ofclear clearwater watertwinkled. twinkled.I Igasped gaspedat atthe thegorgeous gorgeousscene scenebefore before me. me. Walking Walking towards towards the the gigantic gigantic entrance entrance way, way, we we gave gave our our invitations invitationsto toaawoman womanstanding standingnext nextto tothe thedoor doorand andwalked walkedinside. inside.

“Please “Please sit sit down,” down,” she she told told us. us. “Soon “Soon you you will will be be escorted escorted to to your your seats. seats. You Youcome comewith withme,” me,”she shegestured gesturedto tomy myfather. father. Dad Dadfollowed followed her her and and they they both both disappeared disappeared through through an an open open door. door. We We were were shown shownto toour ourseats, seats,which whichwere werethree threerows rowsback backfrom fromthe thestage. stage. So So why whywas wasI Ihere? here?

Today Today was was the the day day my my Dad Dad was was being being presented presented with with aa Queen’s Queen’s Service Service Medal Medal for for his his service service to to the the community community and and particularly particularly for for the the leadership leadershiphe he has has given given to to Muslim Muslim people. people.He He helped helped organise organise the thebuilding buildingof ofaamadrasa madrasaininHamilton, Hamilton,an anIslamic Islamicschool schoolfor forchildren children to to learn learn about about their their religion. religion. He He speaks speaks to to Muslims Muslims about about how how to to better betterthemselves themselvesand andabout aboutthe thegood goodthings thingsthey theyshould shouldbe bedoing. doing.

Basically Basicallyhe heisisan anexpert experton onall allthings thingsIslamic!

Islamic! AAmedal medallike likethis thisisisonly only presented presentedto toaasmall smallnumber numberof ofpeople peopleeach eachyear, year,which whichmakes makesititaa really really big big honour honour for for anyone anyone who who isis invited invited to to receive receive one. one. As As I I waited waitedfor forDad’s Dad’sname nameto tobe becalled, called,I Itried triednot notto tobecome becomerestless. restless.

Suddenly SuddenlyI Iheard, heard,“Mustafa “MustafaFarouk.”

Farouk.” Dad, Dad,who whowas waswearing wearingaalight light brown, brown, finely finely detailed detailed Fulani Fulani robe robe and and black black and and white white turban, turban, made made his his way way to to the the platform. platform. The The Governor Governor General General read read out out information information about about him him like like where where he he was was born, born, when when he he came came to to New NewZealand Zealandand andwhat whathe hegot gothis hisdegrees degreesin. in. I Ilearnt learntlots! lots! Then Thenhe he was waspresented presentedwith withhis hismedal. medal. Smiling Smilingat atthe thecamera, camera,Dad Dadand andthe the Governor GovernorGeneral Generalhad hadtheir theirpictures picturestaken. taken. Then ThenDad Dadwalked walkeddown down the theisle, isle,took tookhis hisseat seatand andwaited waitedfor forthe therest restof ofthe thepeople peopleto toreceive receive their theirawards. awards.

After Afterthe theceremony, ceremony,we wewere wereinvited invitedto toeat eatcakes, cakes,little littlesandwiches, sandwiches, chocolates chocolates and and drinks. drinks. We We spoke spoke to to the the Governor Governor General, General, the the pianist pianistand andthe thephotographer. photographer. We Wetook tookloads loadsof offamily familyphotos photosand and talked talked to to lots lots of of people people before before itit was was time time to to go. go. I I felt felt very very happy happy and and proud proud of of my my Dad Dad and and the the honour honour given given to to him. him. I I will will never never forget forgetthis thisday. day.

Written Writtenby byAsmau AsmauFarouk Farouk

63

Bgi Nana The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my great grandmother, or Big Nana as I called her, is her cheery smile and happy face, as she would greet me at the door.

Once when I was staying with Big Nana, I woke from a nightmare to find her sitting at the end of my bed. She told me all would be okay and gave me a hug. I felt safe, secure and loved.

Nana and I used to have conversations about all sorts of things. Some topics were very random, like when we were eating dinner we would talk about our favourite breakfasts and other times our favourite lollies.

My name Eleanor, is a special family name. Big Nana had a black and white photograph sitting on top of her television. It was of a baby girl wearing a little dress. That girl was Eleanor, Big Nana’s sister, who died in 1918 during the influenza epidemic.

Big Nana despised pukekos. They used to climb up her orange and feijoa trees and eat all the fruit. It was a family joke to buy her a pukeko themed gift every birthday or Christmas. Every time I see a pukeko, I think of her.

Behind her house, there was a creek that bordered the school next door. When we visited her, I would go down to the creek and look for bits of broken pottery. I used to carry a small green bucket and when I spotted a bit of colour I would shift the stones and collect my treasure. Then I would climb back up the bank, cross the bridge into the school grounds and play on the playground there.

At the age of 87 Big Nana died. Her heart got tired and couldn’t pump anymore. She really wanted to make it to age 88; two fat ladies she called it.

After she died, I felt like I had a hole in my heart. I didn’t feel complete anymore. I still love my Big Nana.

Written by Eleanor Flintoff-Baker

64

Have you heard of a turtle with red ears? Red-ear turtles are reptiles that live in a solid shell made of a bone like substance.

This report will explain what these turtles look like, their life cycle, what they eat and how to care for them.

Appearance Red-ear turtles look like most other turtles except for the following features. They are a medium to large size, with two red blotches on both sides of their head. The top of their shell, called the carapace, is dark green. The margin is the main part around the shell. The pleural sits around the spine which is protected by the vertebra. The underside of the shell is called the plastron, which is split into the gular (tip of the shell), humeral (second segment), pectoral and abdominal chest, and femoral and anal groin. The under belly is bright yellow.

All six parts of their oval shaped body, the head, four legs and small tail, can tuck into their shell. Although red-ear turtles have two small eyes located on each side of their head, they have poor eyesight. With their webbed feet and long sharp claws, they can dig holes in the sand for their eggs.

Life Cycle There are many stages to the red-ear turtles’ life cycle. They start life as an egg. After 60-80 days, the turtles hatch using a special egg tooth to break their shell. Red-ear turtles reach adulthood after seven to nine years but can breed after five to six years. Breeding takes place in March through to July.

Following this, the female will dig a hole, lay her eggs and bury them.

Diet Red-ear turtles eat a variety of food. Like most turtles, they are omnivores which means they eat meat and vegetables. For protein, they eat snails, shredded chicken, worms, crickets, small fish and shrimps. They also enjoy many fruits including kumara, bananas, plums, tomatoes, melon (without pips) and water plants. They are messy eaters and can take a while to register which foods are edible. When hunting for food, they lock on to their target and snap at it until it is captured.

Caring for Turtles Given the correct care, a fresh water turtle is sure to be the best pet you ever have. Firstly, it requires a glass tank 4 to 120 cm long, 18 to 45 cm wide and 18 to 45 cm tall. In winter, this needs to be heated to 30-35 degrees Celsius. Once a week, use a special vacuum to suck up food residue, shedding and excrement from the gravel. To keep its shell healthy, the turtle needs natural sunlight or UV light and every once in a while, take it out for a run. Like most animals, feeding is a turtle’s favourite thing to do. In summer, it needs to be fed once a day but in winter, once a week is all that is required. Half fill its tank with water and ensure it has a place to dry off. A small floating island or stack of bricks works well. Also include some gravel along the bottom of the tank, so it has somewhere to shed its shell.

Turtles are simple to care for and lots of fun to watch.

Written by Yuan McCallum-Tan 65

Turtles

This is the day that everybody gets to see my face shining with light, and my dance moves as I perform on stage, I thought to myself as Mum drove Maddison and me to the Founders Theatre. I could tell Maddison’s heart was beating just as hard as mine.

After we arrived, one of the mums said, “Get into your gangsta costumes girls!” Mum helped me get ready.

Sliding my legs into the baggy, black pants, I pulled on my stripy t-shirt. It was terribly uncomfortable. Hairspray drifted in the air and glitter seemed to sparkle on every surface. I watched all the magic happen. Then one of the mums did our makeup. Gently she rubbed on some foundation, then a little bit of mascara and finally some red lipstick. Our makeup was finished almost as fast as it started.

Next Miss Louise, our dance teacher, arrived in the room and shouted, “Do we have the gangsta bees?

Okay girls, you’re on next.” Whispering and giggling, we made our way down the long corridor to the stage.

As we passed our friends in different dressing rooms, they all said, “Good luck!”

It was almost time to dance. Waiting backstage, my group watched the other performances; they were amazing. I could see the group before us was almost finished. A wave of nerves crawled up my body.

Goosebumps prickled on my skin. I took a deep breath. The lights faded. One of the helpers said, “Run on girls. Do your best.” Standing in position, I could feel the tension rise in the air. Quickly I revised the steps in my mind. Jump there, step there, walk there. Would I remember my steps? We would have to wait and see.

All at once the music started and the stage was flooded with light. Everyone was dancing beautifully and stepping in time with the music. We danced amazingly for our siblings, parents, caregivers and friends. “Go Ella!” I heard my father yell at the top of his lungs. Then suddenly the lights dimmed and our performance was over.

“Well done girls!” the backstage helper said.

“Incredible!” After the show, I saw my parents and my brother Dylan.

“Congrats darling!” Mum beamed.

“Amazing!” commented the boys.

“Dad, you had to embarrass me didn’t you!” I said.

“Honey, it’s part of my job!” he replied.

I love many things but dance is always going to be my number one!

Written by Ella Wilson 66

Show Time!

Suddenly I heard the familiar honk of their car. I rushed inside to tell Mum and she came out with my two younger brothers. After quite a long good-bye and a hug, we were off to the airport. On the way, we talked about the various things we were going to do in Wellington and in no time at all, we were inside the terminal. We walked to the check in counter, tagged our bags and placed them on the conveyer belt.

As time ticked by, I became more and more excited until finally a small Air New Zealand plane cruised down the runway. I figured out it was our plane and I was out of my seat like a rocket. Then we lined up to board. It was intense!

Quickly I climbed the steps and started looking for our seats.

Wandering down the aisle, I found them and we all sat down.

Then a woman’s voice came over the loud speaker, “Please have your seatbelts fastened, your trays upright and prepare for take off.” It wasn’t long before the aeroplane started to pick up speed. It felt like my whole body was being forced backwards.

Faster and faster it zoomed along the runway until it reached top speed and we started to lift off. Soon we were so high, the cars looked like tiny ants rushing around the streets. Then we rose higher than the clouds and the land beneath us disappeared. I sat back and relaxed; it was like we were flying in another world.

After no time at all, the loud speaker was switched on again.

“Prepare for landing,” a voice boomed. I can’t wait to see Wellington, I thought to myself. It was going to be amazing. My tummy flip-flopped as the plane descended lower and lower in the sky. Suddenly, bump! We had landed. Unbuckling our seatbelts, we thanked the cabin crew and walked across the tarmac to meet my grandfather’s sister, Mary. The wind that blasted me was freezing! At first I thought it was made by the planes coming and going behind us, but then I realised it was just the wild, Wellington weather. We battled our way through the wind and into Mary’s car. After another bit of trouble finding the motel, we eventually made it, placed our bags on the floor and settled in.

That night, as I lay on my bed, I thought about the adventures we were going to have over the next two days and I couldn’t wait!

Written by Joe Brooker

67

My Wellington Trip

The sun shone down on the early morning dew, as I waited impatiently on the cold, hard doorstep with my heavy bags in my hand. My grandparents were on their way over because today was the day of my first plane trip. Every two years, when one of my siblings is nine or ten years old, our grandparents take us on a plane trip to Wellington. Today it was my turn.

The Wedding The Wedding One of the most memorable moments of my life was when my mum and dad got married. I was ten and I liked this idea very much. It wasn’t until several days before the wedding I found out it would Rarotonga.

My moments sister Brooklyn I jumped down and got smiled from ear to One ofbe theinmost memorable of myand life was whenup myand mum and dad married.

I was ear.

We were very excited! ten and I liked this idea very much. It wasn’t until several days before the wedding I found out it

would be in Rarotonga. My sister Brooklyn and I jumped up and down and smiled from ear to The day the very wedding was bright and sunny. After lunch, Brooklyn, Mum and I laid out our suits ear.

Weof were excited! and dresses. Mum helped Brooklyn into her pink dress and pinned a flower in her hair. I quickly pulled blue t-shirt and black shorts. After Mum lunch, disappeared into her and bedroom andour putsuits on The dayonofmy thelight wedding was bright and sunny.

Brooklyn, Mum I laid out her make up.

When she came out she looked beautiful with her white dress partly sliding across and dresses. Mum helped Brooklyn into her pink dress and pinned a flower in her hair. I quickly the floor. said,t-shirt “you and look black amazing Mum!” pulled on “Wow,” my light Iblue shorts.

Mum disappeared into her bedroom and put on “Thanks Jack, you look great too,” she replied. her make up. When she came out she looked beautiful with her white dress partly sliding across

the floor. “Wow,” I said, “you look amazing Mum!” Then Dad andyou thelook photographer Dad looked smart in his white t-shirt and black shorts.

“Thanks Jack, great too,” arrived. she replied.

“Move to the left young man,” the photographer directed. Flash! Snap! “Perfect. Now I’ll have the bride he said. “Right in! looked Now, stand your t-shirt Mum,” heblack said to me.

Then Dad and and groom,” the photographer arrived.allDad smart behind in his white and shorts.

“That’s to great!”

Snap, snap, snap! will see you after the bigFlash! event!”

“Move the left young man,” the“I photographer directed.

Snap! “Perfect. Now I’ll have “Thanks!”

Mum said. the bride and groom,” he said. “Right all in! Now, stand behind your Mum,” he said to me.

“That’s great!” Snap, snap, snap! “I will see you after the big event!”

Finally it was time for the ceremony. My heart raced as I walked across the beach, over a little “Thanks!”

Mum said. bridge and back onto the sand. Rows of people focused on me, just me. I saw Dad waiting nervously for time Mumfor tothe come.

Then a My song started to as play.

Ba dum ba dum!

Ba dum baadum!

Finally it was ceremony. heart raced I walked across the beach, over little Mum walked out with Poppa and stood by the priest.

At last it was time, I thought.

Butterflies bridge and back onto the sand. Rows of people focused on me, just me. I saw Dad waiting swirled in my “Do you take JamestoNepia Edwards to be Ba your husband?” nervously for stomach.

Mum to come.

Then a Nathan song started play. Louis Ba dum ba dum! dum ba dum!

“I do.”

Mum walked out with Poppa and stood by the priest. At last it was time, I thought. Butterflies “And do take Melissa Frances Carson to be your Nepia wife?”Louis the priest said.to be your husband?” swirled in you my stomach.

“Do you take Nathan James Edwards “I do!”

Dad said.

Then he leaned over and kissed Mum. “I do.”

“Yay!”do the crowd “And you takecheered.

Melissa Frances Carson to be your wife?” the priest said.

“I do!” Dad said. Then he leaned over and kissed Mum. The next part was cheered. the best. Food! We ate beef and chicken with vegetables. The cake was five “Yay!” the crowd stories high with a monarch butterfly on top. We took this cake home to share with family in New Zealand.

After allthe of best. the boring theand party started. music wasThe loud and many The next part was Food! speeches, We ate beef chicken withThe vegetables. cake was five people were prancing around the dance floor.

Then something even more exciting happened. stories high with a monarch butterfly on top. We took this cake home to share with family in New Dad got up andall started Everyone the clapped then he satmusic down.was “Wow,” Mummany said, Zealand.

After of thedancing. boring speeches, partybut started.

The loud and “you never dance!” people were prancing around the dance floor. Then something even more exciting happened.

“It’s our Dad laughed.

Dad gotwedding!” up and started dancing. Everyone clapped but then he sat down. “Wow,” Mum said, “you never dance!”

The party finally came an end. “Everybody’s happy,” Mum announced. “Thanks for being so “It’s our wedding!”

Dadtolaughed. good you guys,” she said to my sister and me.

“Piece of cake,” I said.toThat most unforgettable ofannounced. my life.

The party finally came an was end.the “Everybody’s happy,” day Mum “Thanks for being so good you guys,” she said to my sister and me.

Written of bycake,” Jackson Edwards “Piece I said.

That was the most unforgettable day of my life.

Written by Jackson Edwards

68

About the Authors NAME: JOE BROOKER AGE: 10 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Soccer, drawing, reading, playing outside, writing My favourite piece of writing in the book is The Cliff because I 'showed' rather than told and used descriptive language. The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is learning different ways to write and structure each piece.

My goal is to always clearly express what I want to say.

NAME: BETHANY CAVALCANTE AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Music, netball, photography My favourite piece of writing is My Best Friend Annalise Wells because it shows true friendship. The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is the people, the magnificent writing we read and produce, and most of all the opportunity I have been given to improve my writing. I have learnt to use different literary devices and sentence structures and I now grow my ideas in lots of detail. My goal is to use more sophisticated vocabulary.

NAME: EVA DONKIN AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Swimming, hockey, gymnastics, ballet, reading, music, art, maths, cooking My favourite piece of writing is my weather poem called Frost Possum because it's short and effective. You get the feeling that the possum is being sneaky and quiet. The best thing about Writers' Cafe is that we do a variety of different kinds of writing from poems and memoirs, to character descriptions and factual reports. In terms of writing, my goal is to describe my ideas in depth so my stories are interesting for the reader.

NAME: JACKSON EDWARDS AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 Netball, touch rugby, soccer, t-ball, baseball, writing, spelling INTERESTS: The piece that I like the best is my poem called The First War because I used activated nouns and complex sentences. I enjoyed writing this as part of the 100th year anniversary of Anzac day. Being in Writers' Cafe has helped me improve my writing style and the way I use different sentence structures. My goal is to grow my ideas with detailed descriptions.

NAME: ASMAU FAROUK AGE: 10 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Music, dancing, swimming, reading, maths, writing, spelling, science My favourite piece of writing is my poem about the wind because I like the personification I used. I'm also proud of my character description about my brother Modi because I love him a lot and I like the different sentence starters I used. Writers' Cafe has helped me to be a better writer. I have focused on not repeating words and using different sentence structures which has helped to make my stories more interesting. My goal is to add lots of detail so my readers can picture what I am trying to say in their head.

70

NAME: AGE: YEAR: INTERESTS:

ELEANOR FLINTOFF-BAKER 10 years 6 Horse riding, drawing, playing on the trampoline, having friends over, swimming, playing on the computer, violin, music, writing, maths, technology My favourite pieces of writing are my character descriptions because I loved describing people who are special to me. The best thing about Writers' Cafe is the writing we do because Mrs Porteous always gets the best out of me.

My writing has improved a lot and I've learnt so much. My goal is to be the best writer I can be.

NAME: KORBIN GOODIN AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Rugby, Minecraft, YouTube My favourite piece of writing in our book is my description of my grandma because it took a lot of thought and lots of research. I also like my recount called Nala because she was my first dog and I loved her. The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is learning new ways to write sentences and how to use different sentence starters. In terms of writing, my goal is to use the right punctuation in the right place.

NAME: MADDISON HANSEN AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Netball, judo, soccer, hip-hop, knee boarding, wake boarding, Minecraft My favourite piece of writing is my recount called The Night That Lasted Forever because I like the language features and dialogue I used. Here is an excerpt from this piece As well as the voices echoing around the garage, my slightly deflated air bed, which seemed to be getting flatter and flatter as the night wore on, didn't help me sleep either.

Writers' Cafe has helped me improve my vocabulary. I have learned how to write a good introduction and how to write paragraphs. My goal is to use all these excellent techniques outside of Writers' Cafe.

NAME: AGE: YEAR: INTERESTS:

ETHAN JOHNSON 11 years 6 Rugby, running, water skiing, touch rugby, swimming, backyard cricket, go-carting, fishing, Lego, muscle cars My favourite piece of writing would have to be my character description about my dad because I used complex sentences and interesting sentence starters. The best thing about Writers' Cafe is spending time with other experienced writers and it has helped me use different types of sentences. Some of my goals for writing are not repeating words and making sure I set out speech correctly.

NAME: TAKALANGI KATOA AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Soccer, rugby, athletics, bike riding, piano, drawing, Writers' Cafe, cars, armadillos My favourite piece of writing is my poem called The Wind because it is short and simple and has good personification. The best part of going to Writers' Cafe is sharing my ideas and stories with others. Writers' Cafe has helped me to find my mistakes and fix them and to craft my writing so it sounds better. My goal is to get my work done faster so I have more pieces to choose from when I am publishing.

AMYLEIGH KING-MARSHALL NAME: AGE: 10 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Shopping, swimming, Minecraft, YouTube The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is that I get to write more. Writers' Cafe has helped to improve my writing by showing me how to write introductions and how to grow my ideas. My goals are to write better conclusions and clinchers.

71

NAME: AGE: YEAR: INTERESTS:

YUAN McCALLUM-TAN 11 years 6 Animals especially snakes, Viva Pi単ata and Minecraft, drawing, jumping up and down, playing like a cat with a big ball My favourite piece of writing is my poem called Frost because I have compared the frost to a snake which is my favourite animal. The best thing about being in Writers' Cafe is having the challenge of writing something really great. It has helped me learn how to write a good introduction and detailed paragraphs. My goal is to continue using complex sentences.

NAME: AGE: YEAR: INTERESTS:

ALISHA MOHAMED 11 years 6 Netball, gymnasics, violin, art, maths, reading, writing, swimming, Minecraft, playing with kids, YouTube, being crazy My favourite piece of writing is my character description about my cousin Miko because I was able to add so much information. I love going to Writers' Cafe because each week our lovely teacher Mrs Porteous is always there to help us learn. In terms of writing, my goal is to add more speech to my memoirs and descriptions.

NAME: OLIVIA PROFFIT AGE: 10 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Netball, jazz, hip-hop, kapahaka My favourite piece of writing is my character description called My Nan.E. because I like the way I have used different sentence starters. I can't wait to show my family. I really enjoyed Mrs Porteous' Writers' Cafe this year. It has helped me become a better writer by teaching me how to show not tell and how to use descriptive techniques like activating the noun.

NAME: ABBY SURRIDGE AGE: 11 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Music, gymnastics, netball, shopping, YouTube, animals, sleeping My favourite piece of writing in this book is my character description called Pepperoni To My Pizza because I loved writing about someone very special to me and I used a variety of vocabulary. I have learned a lot since being in Writers' Cafe. It's been especially great to work on my writing in a small group. I would love to continue with my writing and as I get older I hope to get good grades in this subject.

NAME: AGE: YEAR: INTERESTS:

REBECCA YUAN 11 years 6 Dancing, swimming, art, drawing, reading, writing, baking, playing the piano and guitar, hanging out with friends and family This year I have really enjoyed attending Writers' Cafe. The programme has challenged me to become a better writer and has helped me learn many new writing techniques. I especially like the way I use complex sentences and questions in my writing. My favourite piece in the book is my character description called My Grandma because it was great to write about someone I really care about and to let her know I appreciate what she's done for me. My goals are to use different hooks each time I write.

NAME: ELLA WILSON AGE: 10 years YEAR: 6 INTERESTS: Sports like netball and touch rugby, dancing, hip hop, writing, spelling My favourite piece in the book is my Hip Hop story because I used a lot of information and detail. The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is meeting every week with other Year 6 students who like to write. Writer's Cafe has shown me how to add detail to my writing and how to make it sound interesting.

72

Writers’ Cafe 2015 was written by a talented group of students in Year 6. The students, who met once a week, worked in depth on their writing and focused on developing: The content and ideas in their writing • Stating their ideas clearly and developing the content of their stories, by adding detailed descriptions, examples and evidence The structure of their writing • Thinking about the purpose of their writing and selecting the most appropriate style to communicate their ideas • Organising their ideas into paragraphs including the introduction, body and conclusion of a piece Sentences • Writing a variety of sentences, e.g. different sentence starters, complexities, forms and lengths Vocabulary • Using a range of precise nouns, strong verbs and adjectives Language features • Adding features for interest, e.g. similes, metaphors, repetition, alliteration, personification Punctuation • Using a range of punctuation correctly Spelling • Ensuring spelling was proofread and accurate Grammar • Knowing the rules and relationships of language, e.g. staying in a consistent tense Presentation • Designing effective layouts and using graphics, fonts, colours and borders to create eye-catching presentations Most significantly, the students learnt they have stories to tell - pieces of their lives that are valuable and important to record. Each young writer has a personal voice, a unique, special way of communicating his or her experiences, interests and feelings.

This book is a wonderful collection of the students’ best pieces of writing for 2015.

Cover art by Rebecca Yuan, 2015