Summer Learning Journey Day 2 Week 4

Summer Learning Journey
Day 2


Activity 1 - Over the past 17 years New Zealand has experienced a number of sporting highlights, perhaps none larger than the back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. In both competitions our national rugby team, the All Blacks, was captained by a man named Richie McCaw. He is arguably one of the best rugby players of all time. A movie called Chasing Great was recently created to document his incredible rugby career.

Please watch the trailer for Chasing Great and read about Richie McCaw online. On your blog tell us three things that you learned about Richie that you did not know beforehand. What else would you like to know about Richie?

3 things I did not know before...

1. He has written his own books

2. He starred in a movie about himself!

3. He was born in Oamaru

I would like to know why Richie was so passionate about Rugby League.

Activity 2 - In 2015, a kiwi golfer named Lydia Ko became the youngest woman in the world to reach the #1 ranking.  She was only 17 years old. Many people from here in New Zealand and overseas really admire her and think of her as a modern-day sporting hero. Who is your sporting hero? They can be a famous athlete, or even a member of your family or community. It’s completely up to you.

On your blog tell us about your sporting hero. Who are they? Why are they a hero? Include a photo of them in your blog post.

My sporting hero is Lisa Carrington. She is an incredible rower, and last year she was awarded the prestigious  Lonsdale Cup for her amazing results in 2016! She spends hours training, and I think her commitment to her sport is inspiring.

My sporting hero is Simone Biles. Biles is a fantastic gymnast who won a gold medal in the individual, all-round, vault and floor comp. She is an American lady and is very passionate about gymnastics!

Bonus Activity - In recent years, many New Zealanders have embraced a new form of exercise called Zumba©. It was developed by a man named Alberto Perez who lives in the country of Columbia. He created Zumba by bringing together many different dance styles including: cumbia, mambo, hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, tango, merengue and mambo.

            The Merengue                                      The Tango

Choose one of the dance styles mentioned above and click on the name to read more about it. Once you are done, post three interesting facts about the dance style on your blog. In which country did it originate? Who originally created it?  

The Tango

1. The tango was originated in Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

2. It is not completely verified (whoever created the tango) but it could be an American - African, or a European that did!

3. The tango is very popular in Spain, and even children do the tango!

Hello readers! I haven't posted in a while and I just managed to remember that I had 4 more Summer Learning Journey activities to do before time runs out, so here you are! Read and enjoy...

Summer Learning Journey Day 1 Week 4

Summer Learning Journey
Day 1


Activity 1 - In 2000, the country of New Zealand celebrated when Russell Coutts and his sailing team won their second straight America’s Cup. This was the first time that a team from New Zealand had won back-to-back championships! Many people celebrated the victory with their friends and family.

On your blog, tell us what you and your family do to celebrate special events, such as birthdays. Do you have a special meal or go to a specific place? In our house, we usually make a pizza and bake a special cake. What about you?

In my family, on special occasions, we celebrate by having all of our closest friends and relatives come over. They each bring something that can be either a gift, meal, or something to do throughout the day.

Activity 2 - Arguably one of the most famous movie trilogies of all time, The Lord of the Rings, was filmed in New Zealand. All three movies were directed by a New Zealander named Peter Jackson. The first movie was released in 2001, the second in 2002 and the third in 2003. The movies cost an estimated $300 million to produce!  

Imagine that instead of spending the money on the movies, Peter Jackson decided to give all of this money to you. Lucky you! On your blog, tell us what you would do with $300 million dollars. How would you spend it? It is a lot of money so please think carefully about it and spend it wisely :-)

If I had as much money as 300 million dollars I'd probably give most to a charity of my choice. (most meaning 150 million / 1/2.)

I'd give part of the remaining money to my siblings and parents and save the rest for myself, in my bank! What a way to use 300 million dollars!

Bonus Activity - Although most of you are quite familiar with the idea of taking a ‘selfie’ (picture of ourselves), this was not always the case. In fact, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that people started talking about the idea of a selfie, taking selfies and posting them online.

In honour of the rise in popularity of the ‘selfie,’ take a selfie and post it on your blog. Try to show us at least one of your hobbies or one your favourite things (maybe a special toy or book). For example, here is a selfie of Hazel drinking a big mug of tea, and Rachel with her son, Aronui, attending a Paw Patrol show!

I took this photo with my godsister, We used one of our favourite apps, Snapchat to do this.

Summer Learning Journey Day 5 Week 3

Summer Learning Journey
Day 5


Activity 1 - In 1990, one of the largest national parks in New Zealand, Tongariro, was listed as a World Heritage Site. It is a truly spectacular place to visit! Thousands of people go to Tongariro every year and hike the Tongariro Crossing. Visit the Tongariro website to learn more about the one-day hike.

On your blog tell us what you would need to pack if you were going to hike the Tongariro Crossing. What should you bring with you? Write a list of at least 5 items.

* Water

* Some snacks

* Whatever clothes are necessary

* Hiking boots

* A rucksack

Other than making sure that you have the right equipment, what else should you do before heading out on a big hike? Click here to learn how to stay safe while you’re hiking.

Plan the hike. Where are you going? What will you do there? Know every detail before you go.

Make sure to notify someone about it.

Activity 2 - In the 1990s, four different individuals served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand – Geoffrey Palmer, Mike Moore, Jim Bolger and Jenny Shipley.

On your blog, write a short profile of one of our former Prime Ministers. Upload a photo of them with your post. Click on this link to find a copy of the template. Click on file and then click make a copy. This will save the blank template to your Google Drive so that you can fill it in. Post the completed template to your blog to earn points for this activity.

Bonus Activity - In 1990, for the first time in New Zealand’s history, universities and polytechnics started charging students money to go to school. Prior to then, it had been free to go to university or to a polytechnic. Since 1990, students have had to pay thousands of dollars to attend post-secondary (after high school) education.

The new Labour government have promised to give up to three years of free post-secondary education to all New Zealanders by 2020!

On your blog, tell us what you think. Should students have to pay money (tuition fees) to go to university? Why or why not?

I don't think people should have to pay because they need the education and the learning that will help them throughout the many years left in their lives.

Summer Learning Journey Day 4 Week 3

Summer Learning Journey
Day 4


Activity 1 - One of the most famous children’s stories to ever come out of New Zealand, Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, was written by a kiwi woman named Lynley Dodd. The book was originally published in 1983. It is now sold in dozens of countries around the world. It features a small dog named Hairy.

On your blog, use the following sentence starter from the original book to finish the story.

“Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy…”

To earn full points, your story should have, at least, 8-10 sentences.

Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy....

He had a bone in his mouth he was wanting to eat

But he thought he'd find a place first, a place that couldn't be beat

He was looking for some peace, someplace with shade and sun

And then finally to his joy, he had found the right one

A spot under the shade provided by an oak tree

What a delight for Hairy Maclary

He was happy, on his own

With his juicy looking bone
He starts to lick
Very quick

Until out from under a bush came...

A teeny tiny rabbit!

Activity 2 - In the 1980s it became increasingly common for students to graduate from high school and take a year off to travel and experience the world. This year was often referred to as the ‘Big OE’ or ‘Big Overseas Experience.’ A number of kiwis headed to places like Australia and England to live and work before returning to New Zealand to finish their studies.

Imagine that you are a student in the 1980s and you’re about to graduate from high school. Where would you like to go on your big OE? On your blog tell us which country you would visit and give us three (3) reasons for your choice. Find some pictures on the internet of things that you would like to see and do in this country.

I’d love to go to Switzerland and spend lots of time in the mountains, learning how to ski!

I would love to visit Australia to explore Sydney, the place I always wanted to go! I'd also go to see all my family members, including aunties, uncles, cousins and grandparents!

It would also be fun to go to the Gold Coast, where everything looks so nice and wonderful!

Bonus Activity - In 1982, Te Karere, a Māori-language news show premiered on television. It has continued to stream live on TV to this day. If you would like to watch it, turn on TV One at 3:55 p.m. each weekday and you will see it. The show is often hosted by a man named Scotty Morrison.

Imagine that you were Scotty Morrison and you were able to interview anyone you wanted. I would choose to interview our new prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. I’d love to know what it is like to be the Prime Minister.  What about you? Who would you choose to interview and why? What would you like to find out?

If I could interview anyone, it would most probably be my famous uncle Lawrence. His face starred in the lord of the rings. If you search up "Lord of the rings cast, Lawrence Makoare", you'll be sure to see my uncle. He was the witch-king of Angmar, Gothmog.

These are three things I'd ask him.

* How does it feel to work in movies such as The DeadLands with James Rolleston, and The Lord Of The Rings, with plenty other movie stars? * What advice would you give to any children or others out there, including me, if they wanted to be an actor?

*Do you ever get tired of all the make-up?

I liked writing about my uncle today. I feel pretty cool that I have family that are either famous, popular, well-known or seen on tv!

Summer Learning Journey Day 3 Week 3

Summer Learning Journey
Day 3


Activity 1 - In the 1970s one of the most common television programmes was called ‘Ready to Roll.’ It was broadcast on Saturday afternoons and hosted by a man named Roger Gascoigne. During the show, Roger would introduce music videos and then play them for the TV audience. He also invited famous people to come onto the show and perform songs that were currently popular.  

Watch the following three clips that were shown on the Ready to Roll programme:

Golden Harvest

Ray Columbus and the Invaders

New Zealand Underdogs

When you have finished, rank the clips in order from your most favourite (#1) to your least favourite (#3). Post your rankings on your blog.

#1 - Ray Columbus and the Invaders

#2 - New Zealand Underdogs

#3 - Golden Harvest

Activity 2 - Fashion in the 1970s was quite unique. Take a look at the pictures of a ‘typical’ 1970s outfit and tell us, on your blog, two things that you like about 1970s fashion and two things that you don’t like about the fashion of the day. I am not a huge fan of the patterned pants. What about you?

I like the women and girls dresses, especially the short summer ones. And I also like those oldern day hats the men used to wear. those hunting caps and mini fedora ones, like the ones Ryan wears on High School Musical.

Two things I don't like about the fashion is the patterned clothing and the poofy skirts girls wear.

Bonus Activity - For much of the past century, schools in New Zealand taught students in only one language – English. In 1972, Ngā Tamatoa member, Mrs. Hana Jackson, submitted a petition to Parliament to ask the government to include the teaching of Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) and Māori culture in New Zealand schools. We still use petitions to this day when we want an organisation (e.g. a school) to make a change.

Think about your school. What is one thing that you would like change. Would you like to learn about different things? Maybe you think school should only be open 3 days a week?

On your blog, write a letter to your principal to try and convince him/her to make the change. Ensure that your letter is polite and respectful.

Mr Hendricks.

If there is one thing I would want to change in this school it would be the school's senior playground. I kindly ask of you to create a whole new playground where our SENIOR kids would have much ore fun playing around on. Maybe, you could add a slide or two, long and swirly ones? Whatever it is that will improve and develop our park... Please?! Thank you for your consideration...

From Jazire.


This was scheduled to the 30th but unfortunately it posted automatically! Sorry readers! Anyways, there's more blogging to be done... CIAO!

Summer Learning Journey Day 2 Week 3

Summer Learning Journey
Day 2


Activity 1 - In the 1960s there was a great deal of change in New Zealand. Technology was evolving and the television was introduced for the first time into New Zealand homes in the 1960s. Popular programmes included Town and Around and C’mon.  Television remains popular to this day.

What is your favourite television show at the moment? On your blog tell us about your favourite television show. What is it about? Who are the main characters? What channel is it on?

Favourite tv show - Spongebob

This show is about a sponge and his best friend, a starfish, going on plenty adventures together. It is a comedy cartoon, I like to say! I watch spongebob on the net at home, but at my aunty's house, I watch it on the Nickelodeon Channel.

Activity 2 - Famous bands also started travelling across the world and in 1964, New Zealand hosted, arguably the most popular band of the time, The Beatles.

People were very excited to see The Beatles, and the hype around the band was known as Beatle-Mania (similar to the modern-day Bieber-Fever)!

Read about their tour of New Zealand below, and then post three interesting facts about The Beatles Tour on your blog.

* One time there was a crowd so big that the policemen had to keep the audience behind a wire fence.

*There was chaos and one of the beatles' cars was shunted backwards!

* The beatles' first performance was in Wellington, NZ.

Bonus Activity - In the 1960s, sport in New Zealand was dominated by the three R’s – rugby, racing and running. The national rugby team, the All Blacks, had a great decade, winning 36 of the 40 games that they played. Many kiwis also spent their week-ends at the local racetrack and, in 1960, Peter Snell won a gold medal in the 800m race at the Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. He followed this up with two more gold medals in the 800m and 1500m races at the 1964 Olympic Games.

Watch this documentary about Peter Snell and then create a one-page poster on Canva* about this famous kiwi runner. Be sure to include a picture  of Peter along with information about his interests and other sporting accomplishments.

*You will need to register on the Canva website in order to use it. To register, first you will need to choose your poster template from the homepage. This will bring up the sign-in page. Click on the ‘Register with Email’ button and enter your details.

I couldn't make a one-page poser on Canva because my home device isn't supported by the site, so I made a drawing.