Final Assembly 14th December 2012

Well done to all the Room 4 students for their efforts throughout the year, A fantastic group of students to have worked with.
Congratulations to the following students who received excellence awards in the Final Assembly today
Sammy Hall - Academic and Citizenship Excellence
Jess de Beer - Academic and Citizenship Excellence
Devon Allen - Academic and Citizenship Excellence
Stephanie Rowe - Sporting and Citizenship Excellence
Mariette Devereux - Academic, Sporting and Citizenship Excellence
Molly Parker - Academic, Sporting and Citizenship Excellence






Damian Soo - Mathematics Excellence


Tegan Parks - Excellence - Workshop Technology
Jess de Beer - Excellence - Fabrics Technology
Mariette Devereux - Excellence - Foods and Fabrics Technology
Stephanie Rowe - Excellence - Fabrics and Food Technology
Molly Parker - Excellence - Fabrics Technology
Devon Allen - Excellence - Fabrics and Food Technology

Well done to everyone for their efforts and a big thank you to all parents for the support and help you have given throughout the year.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas break and wish students all the best for the start of high school in 2013 and successful futures in whatever path you pave for yourself.

Remember to take on challenges and give everything your best effort -  if you never step outside your comfort zone and try you will never know what you are truly capable of!

Andrew Sloan

UPDATED 7.20am Friday 7th December - Challenge Day Out 7th December

Hi Everyone

UPDATE 7.20AM FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER - With the weather the way it currently is an after talking with Adventure Masters who run the programme for us it has been decided that we will not go out for our "Challenge Day" today (Friday) with the interests of safety and student enjoyment being our main priorities the weather today will not guarantee us both of these!We have the option of going on this trip on Monday - this will be confirmed by 3pm Friday 7th December.

Cheers
Andrew Sloan


Hopefully the weather for our Challenge Day out is fine... If the Weather in the morning is not going to be good enough for us to go on this trip, I will post a message here and students will just come to school as normal. A message will be on here at around 7.30am and possibly on the radio too.

Challenge....

Assembly Award - Tinelle

A super effort put into all that you do, Great Efforts Tinelle (Photo Soon)

Rhianna Robinson - Little Blue Eskimo Boots

You can read Rhianna's story below, it has been modeled off the 300 year old fairytale 'Little Red Riding Hood" with a twist on the setting and characters.
Rhianna Robinson - Little Blue Eskimo Boots

Sammy Hall - Little Blue Clownfish

We have been writing and retelling a twist on the traditional fairytale "Little Red Riding Hood" which did you know is around 300 years old! You can read Sammy's underwater twist of this fairytale below!
Sammy Hall - Little Blue Clownfish

Holly Mason - Little Red Space Ace

We have been writing and retelling a twist on the traditional fairytale "Little Red Riding Hood" which did you know is around 300 years old! You can read Holly's modern fairytale below!
Holly Mason Space Ace

Our Morning of Art & Challenge at the Art Gallery

Term 4 Week 3 Assembly Award - Rhianna

Rhianna - some great efforts and results in our recent 'Algebra' work in maths, great stuff!

Week 2 term 4 Assembly Award - Taine

A great amount of effort and skill shown in refereeing our class touch games and trials, great stuff Taine!

Assembly Award - Ben

A great effort put into your inquiry project work - Great Stuff!!

Mariette Devereux - Vivisection (animal testing)

Don’t you just love the scratching of the rodents in the walls? No, no one does so why is it different when we want to use them to save our lives? Yes I’m talking about animal testing?

Human beings are the most valuable and important forms of life on earth. Nothing is worse than the suffering of a human being, nothing at all. I agree with animal testing because what have we got to lose if for every 10 rats that die 10,000 human lives are saved?

Without animal testing we wouldn’t have been able to cure many diseases that we now are lucky enough to found antidotes for. Here is just a small selection of the major medical breakthroughs made possible by animal testing:

·         Asthma

·         Meningitis

·         Parkinson’s disease

·         Penicillin

·         Blood transfusion

·         Tuberculosis

·         Insulin

Not only human benefit comes from animal testing but there have some benefits for animals also for example heartworm which has saved many dogs lives.

Animal testing is the most accurate way to ensure the safety of drugs and medicines. Our scientific knowledge about medicine has improved a lot because of animal testing.

I’m going to conclude by saying that I am an animal lover, animal rights activists are doing good by doing what they think is right and trying to protect animals but really tell honestly do you value a rats life over your own?

Michael & Mitch

Proposed Fiordland MonoRail - Ben Martin

The decision for the Fiordland monorail to be built through a national park shocked everyone. MDL (Milford Dart Limited) wishes to construct an 11.3km tunnel linking the Hollyford and routeburn roads. This will spoil tons of native forest, and will destroy many animals’ homes. The whole monorail track will be 43kms long. The journey crosses Lake Wakatipu to Mt Nicholas Station, travels up and across the Von River valley and then crosses the Mararoa River to pass around the southern of the Snowdon Forest and finishes at the entry to Fiordland National Park at Te Anau Downs. The MDL are planning to use a tunnel boring machine, to cut the tunnel through a mountain. I strongly disagree with monorail being built. Not only does it cut through Native Forest, it also cuts through hunting grounds, and beautiful untouched land. The effects of a no hunting zone will turn into a deadly cycle as follows:

The Monorail gets built

A large no hunting zone will be issued

This will mean that animals will breed and prosper, destroying native plants and animal nests

The tunnel is for bus use only use only, this would mean that the people on the bus would miss out on most of the nature and scenery that they were on the bus for!

New Zealand has maintained a clean green image for a long time, but building a large monorail and a tunnel, will put a dent in our Image of cleanliness. Artists descriptions and other things, depict lush fauna hanging over the train tracks, but really they won’t be able to because of potential damage to the train and tracks.

The tunnel boring machine MDL wish to use, rips a hole a massive hole in the side of the mountain, destroying many animals homes, it piles through the mountain, leaving a mass of rock of rock in its wake. Finally it rips out the other side. This has major affects on the environment. You don’t want that do you???

People may say that having a monorail and a tunnel will connect Queenstown to Milford, and it will, but MDL say it will take approximately 4.5 to 5 years for the tunnel to be built and then who knows how long for the tracks! I strongly state the we should NOT build the monorail and tunnel.

Week 8 Term 3 Assembly Award - Jenny

Well done Jenny, a super effort put into all that you do in all areas of your learning.

Berwick Camp

LINK FIXED - CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL 677 PHOTOS

What a super week away at camp Room 4 had, below is an album of pics taken of pretty much everyone. Check back here in the next week for some more post camp stuff and even some videos! There are just under 700 shots here, they are in reverse order from Friday to Monday, you can click through to photobucket to download and save any pics easily.

Red Cross People Savers Course

Today all of room 4 had Jacqui form the Red Cross instructing us on First Aid. At the end of the day everyone was awarded with a "Qualifies People Savers" Certificate. Some great skills and knowledge were shared and hopefully these skills will never have to be put into real use but if they do Room 4 students will be well prepared. This has been part of our final preparation for our class camp next week.

Week 2 Term 3 Assembly Award - Tinaye

Well done Tinaye - some super moves and great involvement and enthusiasm in our class social dancing sessions, great stuff!

Camp Info

Hi - here you can click on links to the camp gear list and also the latest newsletter (24th July) if you have not seen them appear from the school bag yet!!!...
Camp Gear List
Newsletter 24th July 2012

Impact Challenge - Homewok week 2 term 3

Week 2 Homework is to carry out the impact challenge card that students have. This card has various tasks that allows them to earn points for reducing their impact on the environment.

Assembly Award Week 1 Term3 - Steph

Well done Steph, you are a super well mannered student and a reliable class messenger, keep up the positive efforts with all that you do.

IMPACT!

Impact

“What impact do we have on the environment

and can I make a difference?”

This term we will be looking at and investigating the above statement through our topic study. Over the coming weeks we will be looking at many different environmental issues, happenings and information relating to the impact we have on the environment we live in, from the very small and personal issues close to us right through to global issues. Get your thinking cap on and be prepared to bring along ideas and anything you come across to share .

Music Term 3

We have had our first Marimba lesson on Tuesday and everyone started off by shown some good ability to follow patterns. We will have a lesson each week with Mrs Mepham.

Welcome Back... Term 3

I hope everyone has had a good break over the last 2 weeks. Term 3 is underway with lots of interesting learning and activities planned for the term. We have our school cross country coming up on Friday 3rd August and our School Camp Happening from the 6th-10th of August (hopefully!!, please refer to the notice dated 16th July for details on help needed for this to take place). Our 'Big Idea' topic for this term is "IMPACT" - we will be looking at and learning about the impact we have on the world we live in which brings up some great discussions and learning. Once again if you are able t help out with our class camp in week 4 please return the attached form that is with the notice dated 16th July that has come home Monday 16th July.

Week 10 Term 2 Assembly Award - Kaylem

Well done Kaylem, A good attitude and enthusiasm towards your learning shown, keep up the positive efforts.

Assembly Award Wk9T2 Science Fair Certifiate - Sahana

A great effort put into your science fair inquiry throughout the term Sahana, good efforts.

2012 Science Fair Photos

We have had a great morning with people sharing all of their investigations and inventions, some super science and ideas amongst all of the work we have seen so far, Great work Room 4!!

Room 4 Sports Skills Video

With some super skills in a range of sports some boys from Room 4 have put together this short clip showing some of their skills

Room 4 Forensic Movie

Some great work and creativity by a group of Room 4 students went into producing this 'Forensic Movie' based around some of the things we have been learning about this term.

Week 8 Term 2 Assembly Award - Nick

Well done Nick. Some great contributions to the class programme and super efforts in editing and creation of our class 'movie' items. Some good skills learnt and developed here

Assembly Award - Week 7 Term 2 - Mariette

Well done Mariette, your assembly award this week is for being a polite, reliable and organised member of the Room 4 team. Keep up the great work.

The Rhombosome - Tom McFadden

What a super show we had thismorning from Tom McFadden - Tom is a passionate scientist and rap/hip hopper. He has combined his two skills together to showcase the exciting world of science to students. Tom is currently on a scholarship studying at Otago University towards his masters then PHD. A creative was to inspire students about the world of scientific concepts and opportunities!.

Some details on Tom from TVNZ's Close Up Show.

The Phombosome Webpage click here

Forensic Science

Our science Focus for the next couple of weeks has us looking into the work of forensic scientists. Students are learning about the many different aspects of science and ways it can be used in solving crimes and mysteries. We have been using the CSI website to carry out a web quest in learning all the different aspects of forensic science. You can go directly to this site by clicking the link below.

CSI FORENSICS SITE

Some Ideas on How to Present Your Science Fair Board

Well with Science Fair gettng very close, most students are now (or should be) starting to prepare some of their findings and work to present on their Display Board. Here is a power point presentation of some very useful layout tips and ideas.
How to Do the Display of Your Science Fair Board

Science Fair....

SCIENCE FAIR!!!...things should be coming together nicely with Science Fair - those of you who are testing should be well through this now and hopefully starting to think about some of the results you are getting from the tests you have done. If you are "making/inventing" something you should be well through this now and hopefully testing your model or design out. Early next week we will look at ways to bring it all together in order to present what you have done in a fantastic way! The science fair work is due by Monday 18th June at the latest!!!

Week 5 Assembly Award - Sammy

Well done Sammy you have had some great discussions and shown great organisation with your science fair ideas and investigation

Assembly Awards Week 4 term 2 - Molly & Mitchell

Mitchel - A consistently good effort and hard work put into all learning tasks.

Molly - Great to see you challenging the thinking of others and posing good questions in your learning.

Great efforts!!

Assembly Award - Week 3 Term 2 - Garth

Well done Garth for your enthusiasm and efforts in all that you do, keep up the great work!!

Term 2 Science Fair Underway..

Over this week and last it has been great to see everyone is making efforts to select an idea and working on devising some sort of 'Big' question to carry their inquiry work for the Science Fair. We have been having some great discussions in class and it is pleasing to see so many students motivated to get stuck into their work on this - the ideas gathering and getting started is possibly the trickiest park of the whole process!. Remember that there is plenty of time to complete this as long as people stick to the time line we are working to for the steps here at school. If any one is really stuck and struggling to get things going we can discuss and help them with ideas to ensure the Science Fair doesn't become a real chore for students.

Week 1 Term 2 Assembly Award - Holly

Well done Holly as great start to another term, a super effort and attitude towards all that you do!

Some Science & Technology Ideas from past years....

Below are some previous science fair projects that have caught my eye, take a look at the topics and presentation of these, it may help spark some inspiration for your work this term!!...Remember it isn't all about testing things, you can create or invent things to make life easier in some way or another.. more specific project outline info will be covered and given out at the start of Term 2.

Term 1 Wrap and .... Science Fair!...Term2

Well Term 1 has flown by! We have had lots of interesting things going on here and students have worked well on all tasks and challenges set to them. It has been great to see so many students getting involved in sports teams, music lessons, writing extension and other extra opportunities here at Balmacewen. Having missed the last 2 weeks of the term I have missed seeing the 'design a sea creature' work and look forward to seeing this at the start of term 2 - I have heard lots of good things from Mrs Bachelor! I am well under way with the recovery from my surgery and should be back to almost 100% by the start of the new term.

Term 2 will be another busy one with the Science and Technology Fair testing out the time management and inquiry skills of all students.

Science Fair.....for many these two words will bring on some stress from the memory of the year 7 Science Fair!! Last year there were some great pieces of work for Year 7 Science Fair. This year students will be building on skills they have developed and learnt from last year's work. Over the holidays is a good time to have a think about ideas that may be of interest for students to use for their science fair work. The hardest part of the Science fair is finding an idea to investigate and use for their work. I will be giving guidance and support especially in terms of organisation and time management throughout the term to ensure everyone is on track and doesn't end up running out of time/doing an all weekend effort the week before things are due! - More info on Science Fair early next term.

I hope all students are able to enjoy some time out over the break and come back recharged for a successful Term 2.

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the successes of the class programme this term. I have appreciated the help that has been given on class trips this term and look forward to working with you and your Son/Daughter all again in Term 2.

Cheers

Andrew Sloan

Hi Room 4 .... On the Mend...

Hi Room 4... Well I hope that the last 2 weeks of the term have been treating you well and you have had lots of fun with Mrs Batchelor teaching you. My Surgery on the 23rd went well with 3 hours of fine work by the surgeon, however I am now nursing a pretty sore cut on my tummy/side . I have been very quiet and pretty much just sleeping,resting and doing nothing physical in order to recover well (something I am not so used to). I have managed to do a bit of reading of some good books and watching how busy Cherie's day is here at home with Oscar and Charlie!!! Anyway, I may make a brief visit into school on Thursday morning to say Hi. In the meantime keep up all the super work and great attitudes towards everything you do, I know you will all be doing this well as Room 4 stars!

Show Not Tell - Michael Johnstone

As I place my hand on the cold handle on the door I look inside and see people sitting at very modern looking wooden tables. I open the and I smell the good smell of  coffee beans and coffee, I can also taste slightly the taste of coffee in the air, I look around and I can also hear the sound of cars outside and people laughing, I approach the counter and see a very happy looking man with short hair , he looks about 35 years old.

Show Not Tell - Mariette Devereux

My feet sunk into the wet sand, my toes digging in deeper, feeling the warmth of the sun. The laughing of children, the crash of the waves, I smell the saltiness in the air, the wind blowing in my hair. I smile remembering the memories made here. 

Portobello Aquarium Trip 15th March

As part of our Rocky Shore/Survivor Study we visited the Aquarium to learn about the different plants and animals in the rock pools and ocean. We specifically looked at "Who Eats Who" and food webs. All students got to dissect a Squid and see the parts of it's body and the adaptations it makes to survive. Check out some of the photos from our trip in the album show below...

Show Not Tell.. Where is the Setting - Sammy Hall

(Described from the Dog's Perspective)

I stick my nose up in the air to smell the foul scent of sheep’s droppings. The tanginess of the pines in the distance wafting through my black nostrils.

I can feel the spongy, muddy grass beneath my paws as I pad along herding up the sheep. There is an occasional cow pat seeping through my claws with a mucky, yet soothing feeling.

I can already taste the juicy, chewy raw meat as I run to my owner, dreaming of a giant bone.

I prick my ears to hear donkey’s bellowing loudly to each other, the horses stomping in the stable, restless after a long gallop.

I look around soaking in the view of trees and fields longing for a refreshing run in the forest. The sun sinking in the sky, leaving a pink and orange glow.