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5 Typical Winter Mornings by Janka Volf

6 Arlo by Leo Brooker

7 Fabulous France by Claudia Howell

8 Claw’d the Crazy Crab by Sian Cavanagh

9 BMX Show Down by Tyler Ferguson-Murray

10 Great Grandad Arthur by Hannah Birch

11 Looking After Rabbits by Micaela Steed

12 Surf’s Up by Tim Shepherd

13 Te Mata Bay by Lucy Thompson

14 My Sister Anjali by Anika Rajiv

15 Mt Ruapehu by Rachel Major

16 Victory by Amy Wardrop

17 Hardcore Rugby by Noah Hotham

18 Cooks Beach by Lela Ieremia

19 Easy Peasy Peas by Caleb Wesselson

20 My Mum by Elizabeth Smith

21 Trade Me by Wil Zijlstra-Schmidt

22 The Big Jump by Tyler Ferguson-Murray

23 Game On by Hannah Birch

24 Nothing But Netball by Micaela Steed

25 Ben by Tim Shepherd

26 The Chief Responder by Claudia Howell

27 Go Blue by Leo Brooker

28 Lady and Higgins by Lucy Thompson

29 Silly Lilly by Sian Cavanagh

30 Indian Weddings by Anika Rajiv

31 Never Again by Amy Wardrop

32 Fairy Mary by Lela Ieremia

34 Winter Mornings by Noah Hotham

35 Game On by Caleb Wesselson

Contents

36 Waipu by Rachel Major

37 Veronica by Wil Zijlstra-Schmidt

38 Coromandel by Janka Volf

39 Guinea Pigs by Elizabeth Smith

40 Tux Bay Coromandel by Claudia Howell

41 Kelly Tarlton’s Under Water Adventure by Micaela Steed

42 Snow Skiing by Tim Shepherd

43 Netball Time by Anika Rajiv

44 Grandad by Lucy Thompson

45 My Challenge by Hannah Birch

46 Skateboarding by Tyler Ferguson-Murray

47 My Friend Blue by Sian Cavanagh

48 Whangapoa by Leo Brooker

49 Winter Mornings by Amy Wardrop

50 Colm My Awesome Cousin by Noah Hotham

51 Sleeping in a Boat by Lela Ieremia

52 My Bedroom by Caleb Wesselson

53 My Big Brother by Janka Volf

54 My Awesome Bedroom by Rachel Major

55 Kauaeranga Camp Out by Wil Zijlstra-Schmidt

56 The Haunted Bach by Elizabeth Smith

57 Tuesday Night Netball by Lucy Thompson

58 My Nan Jenny Ferguson by Tyler Ferguson-Murray

59 My Dog Mollie by Hannah Birch

60 Sunday Morning by Claudia Howell

61 Leap of Faith by Tim Shepherd

62 Icy Nightmare by Anika Rajiv

63 Maddie by Micaela Steed

64 Splash by Noah Hotham

65 Monday Morning by Lela Ieremia

66 Mt Eden by Wil Zijlstra-Schmidt

67 My Dad Stuart by Caleb Wesselson

68 The Bomb by Sian Cavanagh

69 Port Charles by Elizabeth Smith

70 My Brother Caleb by Amy Wardrop

71 Oldest in the Family by Leo Brooker

72 Out on the Hay Bale by Janka Volf

73 My Amazing Dad by Rachel Major

74 About the Authors

My eyes fluttered open. My arms were tucked tightly underneath my duvet, but my feet were hanging over the sides of the bed. Cold nipped at my toes. Having no curtains, I gazed out my window at the thick fog wrapped around the tall pine trees, hiding the sun, and looking like a huge, grey cloak. I wriggled further underneath my duvet. Suddenly Mum barged through the door. “Time to get up, it’s a school day!” As I dragged myself out of bed, I heard Dad clanging pots and pans in the kitchen next door. What a dreadful noise! Sluggishly, I grabbed my track pants and threw on a t-shirt and a jersey. Sitting at the table, I wolfed down my porridge and between mouthfuls I mumbled, “We’re gonna be late for school!” Wrapped up in a woollen scarf, big winter boots, and a bright green beanie, I stepped out of the house. Oak leaves crackled under my feet and cold swirled around in the air. It bit into my red cheeks and fingertips. Beyond the spider webs, decorated with droplets of dew, blades of grass sparkled and shimmered in the sunlight. It was just a typical morning at my house. �:ULWWHQ�E\�-DQND�9ROI�<HDU���

Typical Winter Mornings

5

Arlo My one year-old baby brother Arlo is funny. He has chubby cheeks, wide brown eyes and a small mouth, usually shaped into a cheeky smile. His messy blonde hair is starting to curl at the back of his head and although he is only one, he can walk with short strides. He still wobbles a bit here and there but he can go pretty fast. Eight baby teeth, four on the top and four on the bottom, have popped up. Barely up to my thighs, when he wants up, he stretches his hands in the air and gestures me to pick him up. Arlo has a whole range of clothes but my favourite is his crusher t-shirt with a picture of a monster truck on it. Wearing his little trousers and sneakers (if he lets Mum put them on), Arlo is ready for the day. Eating is what Arlo loves to do most of all. He gobbles up anything that is put in front of him pears, rice, small pieces of meat, avocado, sandwiches – you name it, he eats it! When Mum says, “Do you want some more Arlo?” he always nods his head. Although Arlo loves eating, a lot of his food ends up on the floor under his highchair. Mum, who is constantly cleaning up after him, says, “Oh Arlo, did any of that actually make it into your mouth?” Giggling he points for more. Another thing Arlo loves is when my two younger brothers and I come home from school. He points and shouts, “Dah!” and smiles. What does Arlo dislike? That’s easy. He hates it when he has a chance to race outside and he gets stopped. We have a gate that leads to Woodstock and St Josephs School. Whenever my brothers and I leave the gate open, Arlo sprints for it and he’s succeeded a couple of times. Once he took his lawnmower and headed for school. Luckily Mum saw him. “Where are you going Arlo?” she asked. “Da,” Arlo said and pointed to the school. “Are you going to mow the lawn?” “Da,” he said and walked out. Mum turned the lawnmower around and pointed back. “Dah!” he shouted and started running. When he reached the goal posts, Mum picked him up and he instantly started crying. Poor Arlo just wanted to play with the big kids. So what is it like living with a toddler? He puts things in the toilet, empties out drawers and cupboards and turns off the Xbox 360 when I’m playing on it. He wakes us up early and holds us up when we want to go somewhere in the car. But Arlo is the funniest, cutest little guy our family could have. He thinks he’s so cool when he walks around saying, “Dah!” and we think he’s pretty cool too. Arlo is funny, cute, happy and altogether a very good brother to have. :ULWWHQ�E\�/HR�%URRNHU�<HDU���

6

�6*0;.0%�/68+9In August 2013 my family and I travelled to France to celebrate Mum’s 40th birthday. I had not been to France since I lived there four years ago so it was wonderful to finally be back! When people think of France, they think of high fashion, rich Parisons wearing beautiful berets and eating snails and French bread under the Eiffel Tower. This is true but there is a whole lot more to France than food and fashion! You are about to discover why France is one of the best countries on Earth. Facts (5pDOLWLpV��In New Zealand we have around 4.5 million people but in France they have 65.7 million! France also receives a high number of tourists every year. With more than 1,200 museums welcoming over 83 million tourists annually to their 22 regional cities, it is certainly a popular place to visit. Located in Western Europe, France shares its borders with Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra and Spain. The weather in summer is very warm and sunny and in winter, temperatures can drop below zero. Traditional Food (/D�1RXUULWXUH�7UDGLWLRQQHOOH��French food is definitely a highlight. Here are some of their famous foods that you might have heard of.

x� Soupe a l’oignon – a delicious onion soup usually served with a baguette and covered in cheese

x� Beef Bourguignon - a yummy stew packed with vegetables and gravy x� Escargot – a plate of garlic, buttery snails that you have to scoop out with a

special set of gear called escargot tongs x� Mille Feuille – a custard square with delicious icing and thick flaky pastry x� Confit de Conard – a whole duck cooked in duck fat (the preparation of this

dish can take up to 36 hours) x� Croissant – a buttery, flaky pastry named for its crescent shape

Countryside (&DPSDJQH��In the French countryside, you can find anything from fields of magnificent sunflowers, to wheat, to lavender. Quite often, in small villages, you will find flea markets (YLGH� JUHQLHU) with anything and everything for sale. In the middle of nowhere, you usually find deep forests and empty barns and sheds. Sometimes you may come across things like a drift of wild pigs or a mob of deer or a colony of rabbits. Attractions (6pGXFWLRQ��When you go to France, there are many things to see and do. Here are some of the more famous attractions –

x� Eiffel Tower – Built in 1887 it was named after Gustave Eiffel. 300 metres tall and weighing over 10,000 tonnes, the Eiffel Tower is the most visited tourist attraction in the world.

x� Notre Dame – This was where Napoleon was crowned emperor on 2 December 1804. During the French revolution, at the end of the 18th century, many of the cathedral’s treasures were destroyed or stolen.

x� Disneyland Paris – This has about 12.6 million visitors a year and is a fun place to go.

x� Pont des Art – Between 1802 and 1804 Napoleon the first had a nine arch metal bridge built for people to walk on. Couples attach love padlocks to the bridge to show their love will last forever.

There is so much to love about France – the wonderful cuisine, attractions, people, fashion and countryside. It is an amazing place that I hope everyone has the opportunity to explore one day. Written by Claudia Howell Year 6

7

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Claw�d the Crazy Crab

8

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I will never forget my first BMX race at the Cambridge track in 2013, when I was ten years old. Chucking my commando green, freestyle, BMX bike in-to the boot, I hopped into the car with my mum and brother and said, “Let’s go!” I sat in the back seat with a huge smile on my face. When I saw the track, my heart started pumping really fast. I pulled on my full-face helmet, my red and black alpine stars BMX shirt and my long pants and gloves. Then I rode around the track a couple of times just to get used to it. Suddenly the loud speaker boomed, “All racers report to the first jump!” It was time for the show down. I lined up with the other riders and I got ready to start. Glancing at them, I thought I can beat you guys. Beep, beep, beep, BOOP! I zoomed down the steep ramp and flew through the air. With my eyes glued to the leader, I tried to overtake him. Where he went, I went. I pedalled, jumped, wheeled, leaned, everything. “Come on Tyler, you’re com-ing second!” shouted Mum. I loved riding through the mud and getting covered in dirt because it showed that I really rode hard. Riders raced around the berm and shot over the last couple of jumps. “Finished!” I bellowed as I flew over the finish line. “Second place!” yelled Mum. “Way to go Tyler!” I felt great. Second in my first ever race! I was really proud, and I wished I could do it all over again���:ULWWHQ�E\�7\OHU�)HUJXVRQ�0XUUD\�<HDU���

9

Great Grandad

Arthur! Grandad Arthur passed away when I was seven. He was in his late eighties. It was a sad time for all our family and we miss him a lot. Grandad dressed very smartly but his socks always sat bunched around his ankles because he insisted on snipping the elastic bands off the top. He used to say they cut the circulation to his feet. I never believed him though. Nearly every time I visited Grandad for an afternoon snack, he would be wearing a little green golf hat with a flag on top. Even when he was rustling around in his shed making golf clubs for the kids in the neighbourhood, he still wore smart work shirts and trousers. Although his wispy grey hair was always well groomed, his eyebrows, thick and bushy, stood out like big fluffy caterpillars. They almost hid his eyes! Dimples sat on each cheek when he smiled (Nana Mona loved these), and his skin was creased with a collection of character lines. I think his face was so friendly and kind. Grandad wasn’t a ‘sitting around inside’ kind of person. He much preferred to be outside tinkering in his shed. When Poppa Pete, Grandad’s son, was about 20 years old, Grandad started playing golf. After a while he formed a little club to help improve children’s golf skills. Kids of all ages would meet Grandad at the local golf course. He loved it just as much as them. When I was at Grandad’s house one day, he surprised me and said, “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.” “But why?” I asked. “Just do it,” he insisted. I squeezed my eyes shut and held out my hands and to my surprise I felt a golf club being placed into them. Grandad had made it for me and I loved it. What did Grandad dislike? Not much! But if I had to think of something it would be mushy, over-cooked vegies. They were just not his thing. Whenever he went to a restaurant and his vegies were a little bit squishy, he would send them straight back. Grandad always made my sister and me feel special. I loved the way he shared his spare change with us, I loved the way he greeted us with a smile every time we walked in the door, and I loved the way he used to fall asleep on the couch when our family was having a discussion about something he wasn’t particularly interested in. Nana and Grandad always kept a neat and tidy house and whenever we visited them the table was perfectly set, the beds were always made, the lawn was mowed and everything was in its place. I don’t remember Grandad ever talking about World War 2, however I do know he had an extraordinary collection of war medals. He never showed them off though. Grandad Arthur was one of the highlights of my family and I will never ever forget him. :ULWWHQ�E\�+DQQDK�%LUFK�<HDU���

10

My sister Maddy and I have two Dwarf rabbits called Sparkle and Bilbo and it is our responsibility to care for them. Looking after rabbits can be hard work. But don’t worry, in this article, I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about how to have happy, healthy bunnies. 7\SHV�RI�'ZDUI�5DEELWV�Dwarf rabbits, as their name suggests, are the smallest types of rabbits, and in my opinion the cutest. There are many different types of Dwarf rabbits. Here are some of them – Dwarf Hotot, Netherland Dwarf, Dwarf Lionhead, Dutch Dwarf, Dwarf Lop, Mini Lop, American Polish, Britannia Petite, American Dwarf and there are even more! �%HKDYLRXU�There are as many rabbit personalities as there are rabbits! Some are very intelligent, social and cuddly and others can be quite strong willed and aggressive. Rabbit behaviour can sometimes be violent, especially from late winter to mid spring. This is normal. They might seem like they don’t like you anymore, but they do. The reason for this is because it’s the mating season. Don’t worry though, you’ll get used to it like I did. �)HHGLQJ�Rabbits are vegetarians, which means they live on a diet completely of plant food, including grasses, fruit and vegetables. Maddy and I feed our rabbits two carrots and a piece of fruit or vegetable every day. Do not feed rabbits meat, dairy products or too many leafy greens. Also try to avoid nuts or seeds. Citrus is okay to feed them and Sparkle loves it. Make sure you feed your rabbit hay and grass because they can’t live without it. Rabbits love pellets and as a special treat you can give them dandelion flowers. �([HUFLVH�Rabbits need lots of exercise. They love to run around and jump about. Going through holes and tunnels is a favourite thing to do. A cardboard box with holes big enough for your rabbit to fit through would be great exercise and fun as well. Taking your rabbit for a walk is also a good idea as long as you don’t go anywhere near cats or dogs. Leads and harnesses for rabbits can be purchased from a pet store. +XWFKHV�Getting the right hutch for your rabbit is important. It should have a closed in area as well as lots of space for the rabbit to run around in. My family purchased a small hutch, and then Dad made a run to add onto it. After school we put them in the courtyard (you can put them in any enclosed, outdoor area) so they get some time outside and a bigger space to run around in. Cleaning their hutch is not as hard as it sounds. Move the hutch once a week for every rabbit you have, e.g. one rabbit needs to be moved once a week, two rabbits move twice a week, and so on. Also give them fresh hay every time you move their hutch. Now you know how to look after rabbits. Even though it can be hard work, it is definitely worth it.

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O Looking After Rabbits O

11

In the summer I always go surfing at Pauanui Beach. The bright sun shines from above as I change into my wetsuit. Ben, my older brother, helps carry my surfboard to the water’s edge. As we race down the sand dunes I always say, “How big are the waves today?” He always says, “Check for yourself!” I lie on my surfboard and paddle out. Above me, seagulls fly across the sky. Bush covered islands sit far out to sea and surfers ride past me. I feel great. Ben pushes me and I stand up, balance, lean forward and wobble slightly. Fresh ocean breezes blow past me. Suddenly another wave appears and I fall. I am tossed and tumbled under the water but I don’t care. Quickly, I hop up and race out to have another turn. Over and over Ben pushes me onto the waves. Finally we walk back up the sand dunes. Ben helps me carry the boards to our beach house. I dry myself with a towel and say, “That was great!” Surfing is a time when I know I try my best. :ULWWHQ� E\� 7LP� 6KHSKHUG�<HDU���

Surf’s Up

12

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Te Mata Bay, a tiny holiday spot tucked along the Thames Coast, is the best place to hang out on a hot sunny day. As we pull into the driveway of Grandad’s bach, young quails hop across the concrete welcoming us. A narrow, winding road separates the bach from the beach. Golden sand stretches around the bay calling us out to play. Our jandals squeak as they skim over the dry sand. I could wander along here for hours exploring the treasures left by the sea – shells, broken glass, tangled seaweed and fish skeletons. Large rocks crowd the water’s edge, hiding little pools filled with crabs and oyster shells just waiting to be discovered. Climbing the rocks is the best part, until cold water nips at our toes making us jump back in fright. Tiny stones cover the shore, ready to be thrown and skimmed across the water. Pohutukawa trees, heavy with red flowers, decorate the hills above. Grandad’s old red tractor putts along the road, pulling the *LQ� 6OLQJ, his flash fishing boat, behind. Watching Grandad’s boat I think how lucky I am to spend my holidays at Te Mata Bay. To me, it’s the best place on Earth. :ULWWHQ�E\�/XF\�7KRPSVRQ�<HDU���

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13

My Sister Anjali My big sister Anjali is my role model, the one I look up to. Thirteen year-old Anjali is in Year 8 at Fairfield Intermediate. Wearing a blue polo shirt with a yellow collar and a dark blue skort, Anjali is ready for school. In the weekends she usually wears a plain top and pants, except for special occasions when she wears her favourite dress decorated with tiny colourful flowers. A while ago I gave her a thin purple anklet and she never leaves home without it. Although our family is from India originally, Anjali and I were born in New Zealand. She is really slim with ebony black hair, just like me. Our hair is cut to shoulder length and we both have brown skin, black eyes and we wear golden hoop earrings. We definitely look like sisters! What does Anjali like? That’s easy. Playing on her phone is her favourite thing to do. She can’t stop! All day everyday, she plays a game called 3RX (except for school time of course). Our family have tried everything to keep her away from her phone like hiding it and putting a lock on it. Even I try to distract her. She just says, “Don’t touch my phone … or else!” Anjali hates home baking. She says, “Just buy it ready made from the shops. It’s always better and always easier.” If she smells one whiff of our baking she sprays the whole house with her Cool Charm perfume. Cookies, cakes, muffins - you name it, she won’t touch it. Some people think she’s fussy but I think she simply has no taste! Anjali always makes me laugh. Watching her trying to do a handstand cracks me up. Once Anjali is upside down standing on her hands, things go a bit wonky. She kicks her legs frantically in the air, slowly curls her fingers into a fist and ‘thud’, she falls face first onto the ground. I start laughing hysterically. “You do it!” Anjali always yells at me. “Fine!” I answer. Without another word I do a perfect handstand and land in a bridge. She gets cross because I can do it and she can’t. Anjali loves hanging out in her bedroom. It is one of the plainest rooms I have ever been in. Very light grey wallpaper covers the walls, a queen-sized bed with a dark grey duvet sits in the middle of the room, and a tall lamp glows faintly near her bed. She just says, “I like it simple.” Anjali is the most sensible, responsible person I know and I admire her for that. Written by Anika Rajiv Year 6 �

14

As the snow-covered roof came into sight, a shiver ran down my spine. Tramping on Mount Ruapehu with my Grandad was awesome, especially when it snowed and Grandad always carried Minties and scroggin with him. But sleeping in the Whakapapaiti Hut was a nightmare! As we reached the hut, I peeked through the cracked window to see if anyone else was staying there. The first thing I saw was the pimply face of a teenager. Oh-no! There was no way I was sleeping on the same premises as that zombie! “Well Rachel, it looks like we’ll have to bunk in with this lot of young-uns,” Grandad said cheerfully. I was about to object but I knew there was no changing his mind. Thankfully there was a side room in the old hut containing one bunk, which we quickly settled into. Finally dinnertime arrived. It was tradition for us to eat Grandad’s famous rice risotto. After that it was time for bed. I lay on the top bunk and stared at the mouldy, damp ceiling. I had to sleep on the top because of Grandad’s bad back. The moth-eaten mattress was lumpy, stiff and impossible to sleep on and cold air stung the tip of my nose. Pulling my beanie down over my face, I wriggled further and further into the dark depths of my sleeping bag. Outside people were chatting, shouting and laughing. Would they ever go to sleep? Beneath me, Grandad was snoring softly. Eventually, the comfort and steadiness of everything led me to shut my eyes. Then in what felt like five minutes, the sun shone through the window and glistened on the snow outside. I groaned. “Rise and shine sleepyhead!” Grandad called. At least he had slept well. As I sat up, I banged my head on the ceiling and bits of plaster fell onto Grandad’s head. It looked like dandruff. Thankfully the roof didn’t collapse! “Ouch,” I said. This wasn’t going well. “I’ve made breakfast,” Grandad said, hoping to cheer me up. “Weetbix and porridge surprise, your favourite.” “Thanks!” I said happily, grabbing the warm bowl full of grey gloop. Digging my plastic spoon into the slippery mixture, I took my first mouthful. “Mmm, it’s delicious,” I managed to mumble. “Well, we’d better ski-daddle,” Grandad said, putting the dirty dishes into a plastic bag. “Okay Grandad,” I chirped as I packed my Kathmandu tramping pack. As we headed out the door, we waved good-bye to the teenagers and set off down the track. Even though I was really tired and glad to leave the hut, I still loved camping out with my grandad. I’ll never forget it. :ULWWHQ�E\�5DFKHO�0DMRU�<HDU���

Mt Ruapehu

15

�One Saturday, for the first time ever, I got ready to play in a hockey tournament. Mum dropped me off at the Gallagher’s hockey field and I raced to meet my team. It was a foggy morning but that didn’t stop me from feeling excited. My team, the Strikers, were going to sleep inside the pavilion that night. It was going to be great. After I shoved my mouth guard in, I was ready to start my training drills. Warm up activities always got me pumped up for the game. I practiced hitting, sweeping and trapping. Then I knew I was ready to play hard. It was Aces vs. Strikers. “We’re going to win,” I said to myself. First I watched the ball then passed, trapped, hit and chased. Before long, I had swept the ball into the goal. �

“Go Amy!” the crowd yelled. Grinning from ear to ear, I did a cartwheel. “Another one Amy,” said my coach. When I got subbed off I swallowed some water and waited to get back on the turf. “Come on Strikers!” I yelled. Finally the game was over and we won! My whole team were puffed but victory filled us. When we sat down to watch the other games I felt so proud of myself. I couldn’t wait for game two. Written by Amy Wardrop Year 6�

16

Uniform on, mouth guard in, water bottle filled and I’m ready for rugby. It’s great getting off to sport on a Saturday morning with my family. Once we arrive at the fields, I huddle with my team. “Just go hard and play your best,” my coach always says. I can’t wait to get on to the field and score some tries. I kick off and wherever the ball goes, I go. I run everywhere. If the opposition gets the ball, I tackle them down and drive them back into their half. I run, pass, kick and score. I play my hardest. When I get thrown down into the mud, I know I’m trying my best. It’s great. After the game, my team shakes hands and we say, “Good game,” to each other. The coach announces the player of the day; each week someone different gets it. When I get home Mum says, “Have a shower and don’t forget to put your uniform in the wash!” I love playing rugby on a Saturday morning. It’s awesome. �:ULWWHQ�E\�1RDK�+RWKDP�<HDU���

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17

&RRNV�%HDFK� One summer, my family, some cousins and I drove to Cooks beach for a swim. When my big sister, Ariona and I wandered along the shore, silky sand dusted our ankles. Sharp shells hurt our feet but we didn’t care. We looked back to see Mum and our cousins, Eden, Milan, Luana and Sanjay smothering themselves in sunblock. Finally Ariona bounded into the salty water with a huge smile on her face. My cousins zoomed straight past me, bombing into the waves but Mum stayed on the beach sunbathing. Walking slowly to the water’s edge, I jumped back as little waves nipped at my toes. Inch by inch, little by little, I tiptoed in until the water was up to my knees. Wait, was someone behind me? My cousin Sanjay was creeping along the sand with a sneaky look on his face. Suddenly his hands wrapped around my legs and he pulled me into the icy ocean. “Ahh!” I screamed. My heart beat faster than ever, goose bumps crept up my arms and before long I was frozen stiff. Chasing Sanjay was tiring, but I wouldn’t stop until I got my revenge. Written by Lela Ieremia Year 6��

18

�Peas are easy to grow and yummy to eat. This spring Dad bought me some seeds from Bunnings and I have grown a great crop of peas. Have you tried peas fresh from the garden? They are delicious! You are about to discover just how easy it is to grow your own peas. +RZ�WR�*URZ�3HDV�All you need is an open, sunny spot in the garden protected from high winds. One packet of seeds will produce enough peas for a family of four. First dig the soil to aerate it. Next place the seeds three centimetres deep under the soil and approximately five centimetres away from each other. Then cover them up with more soil and give them plenty of water. Be careful not to over water or they will rot. Continue to water the plants every day or so and never let the soil dry out. Everyday after school, I check my peas and do you know what? They get bigger each day! It takes about 70-80 days for the pods to fully fatten up. Then you can pick the peas. Harvesting them regularly helps more to grow. �)DFWV There are lots of interesting facts about peas. Did you know the average pea weighs between 0.1 and 0.36 grams? Peas are best eaten while they are still green and young. An over-ripe pea is more yellow in colour and becomes really starchy and dry. It is probably best not to eat them. Pea leaves are considered a special treat in China. Wow! Only five per cent of peas grown are sold fresh. Most are either frozen or canned. Five per cent – not much! Peas contain vitamins K, E and A. They are also a good source of fibre. Three quarters of a cup of peas contains more protein than an egg or a tablespoon of peanut butter. Peas can be eaten on their own or used in salads, soups, casseroles, risottos and much more! �

7\SHV�RI�3HDV�There are lots of different types of peas, for example, snow peas, sweet peas, Chinese peas and sugar snap peas (these are particularly sweet and delicious!) Hopefully you will have a go at growing your own crop of peas because they are easy peasy to grow and yummy to eat! :ULWWHQ�E\�&DOHE�:HVVHOVRQ�<HDU���

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My Mum colours my world. Although she won’t admit it, she’s still a kid at heart and I love that. Mum is a young, thirty-three year old woman and her face has no wrinkles what so ever. Long eyelashes, coated with mascara, frame her hazel-green eyes and her warm smile could melt Antarctica. Mum is a contract manager who works with roads, so her everyday clothes are a checked shirt, blue jeans and steel cap boots. I’m no fashionista but it’s pretty hideous! So what are her favourite clothes? That’s easy. She loves her silky grey mullet top which falls to her knees, her midnight blue jeans and knee high boots. These clothes look like they’re been mixed and matched from a fashion magazine. Shopping is what Mum loves to do most of all. She says, “Hop in the car Elizabeth, we’re going to the mall.” I’m not a shop-a-holic like Mum so I dread these events. One time, when we were on a mission to buy a last minute gift, Mum walked past a shoe shop then reversed and raced in. “Oh these shoes are perfect! I must try them on.” I was left sitting there thinking, can we go home? In clothes shops Mum asks, “Do I look okay in this?” I say, “You look really nice in that Mum. It’s so pretty.” Then Mum says, “No I wouldn’t wear that if it was the last piece of clothing on earth!” After trying on about a hundred items, Mum finally makes a purchase. Mum dislikes lots of things, like my brother Ben grizzling or my messy bedroom (it’s a bombsite). But what’s on top of her least liked list? Cockroaches! If she sees one, her high-pitched squeal fills the house, torturing our poor ears. She grabs the fly spray and kills it quick as a flash. With a shaky voice she mutters, “Is it dead?” If I was her I would be afraid of mice or rats, not silly little cockroaches. Mum really is extraordinary. My Dad left when I was little so she has become a Mum and a Dad – two in one. People like to be around her and she is super kind too. When we moved from Gordonton to Woodstock, she bought me a pet so I wouldn’t be lonely. She loves me with all her heart and I love her as well. Mum works really hard but when she’s relaxing at home her favourite place to be is lying on the couch. Snuggling under a blanket, reading a book, with a cup of tea on the coffee table, is like a dream come true for her. She likes reading books that have danger and action so her facial expressions change every few minutes – it’s funny to watch. Mum is a colourful person in every way. She brings a smile to my face and I love her rain or shine. :ULWWHQ�E\�(OL]DEHWK�6PLWK�<HDU���

20

My family has been using Trade Me for years so I am going to tell you what it is and how to use it. :KDW�LV�7UDGH�0H"�Trade Me is a website used by people to buy and sell goods and it is incredibly popular. Did you know that over three million people have a Trade Me account (users need to be 18 years old or over to have an account), there are over two million listings on the site and around 700,000 people visit Trade Me every day? +LVWRU\�A young computer consultant named Sam Morgan founded Trade Me in 1999. Sam designed Trade Me after a frustrating experience buying a heater. He built the site and ran it out of his small Wellington flat. By 2011, one million members were logging into Trade Me each month. Sam sold his web site to Australian media company Fairfax in 2006 for over NZ$750 million! +RZ�WR�8VH�7UDGH�0H�Using Trade Me is actually quite simple. If you are looking to buy something all you need is access to the Internet and Trade Me. Once on the site you can make your own account if you are over 18, or use someone else’s account with their permission. Sellers: You can advertise any items you would like to sell on Trade Me. Firstly take a photo of the item you would like to sell. You don’t have to use a photo but it is highly recommended. Secondly choose the category for your item, e.g. home and living, books, gaming etc. Give it a title and describe it. Items may be sold using buy now or in an auction. If the item doesn’t sell, you can relist it or offer the watchers a fixed price. Watchers are people who put the item on a list, called a ‘watch list’. Buyers: Search for what you need in the browsing box. As I already mentioned, there is at least two million listings on the site so there should be at least one person selling what you are looking for! The seller will give you the option of placing a bid on their auction, or hitting buy now. Placing a bid is when you pledge some money then hope that no one else places a higher bid, which means they will win the auction. Buy now is a quick way of purchasing goods instead of waiting for the auction to close, which can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week or longer. 3RVLWLYHV�RI�7UDGH�0H�Trade Me has a variety of good points. It can teach people how to make transactions, how to describe things, post things and it is a quick, easy way to sell goods. 1HJDWLYHV�RI�7UDGH�0H�There are a couple of negative things about Trade Me. You have to pay seven per cent of everything you sell as a success fee to Trade Me, there is no guarantee of getting a refund from a dodgy seller and if you are a buyer waiting for something to arrive in the post, it can sometimes take up to three weeks! Trade Me is a crucial part of our family; our main source of income comes from selling goods on the site and we have been using it for as long as I can remember. So next time you have some bits and pieces you would like to get rid of, why not give it a go. It’s fun and maybe you can boost your back balance as well! :ULWWHQ�E\�:LO�=LMOVWUD�6FKPLGW�<HDU���

21

In the middle of winter, just before lunchtime, on a cold, cold Friday, we biked down to the creek with our trikes strapped to our backs and our sliding sacks tucked into our bags. “I’m going in first!” I shouted. We were at Ruapuke Camp Grounds, just Dad, my little brother Caleb and me. Caleb liked the main waterhole by the road because it was not that deep but I liked the creek, our secret spot, a couple of kilometres away. The creek’s waterhole was as deep as anything and you couldn’t even touch the bottom. It was filled with slippery, slimy eels that would slither past and squeeze your legs like Anacondas. Gazing up the hill, I saw the gigantic slip that led to the three metre high bank above the waterhole. Yesterday we placed a log on top of the bank and covered it in dirt and mud. It was our jump – our gigantic, fantastic jump. After we climbed to the top of the slip, I sat on my trike and looked out over the creek. The trikes blue alloy frame, covered in monster energy and red-bull stickers, glistened in the light. “Go!” shouted Caleb. Eyes facing forward, hands gripping the handlebars, I took a deep breath and released the brakes. Whoosh! Zooming down the slip like a down hill mountain biker, I bumped from side to side then suddenly I soared into the air. Throwing my trike into the shallows I squeezed my eyes shut. Splash! The cold, murky creek water pulled me down deeper and deeper. I opened my eyes and desperately attempted to touch the ground with my feet. Nothing. I couldn’t even see the ground. Then something moved. What was it? Uncoiling itself and showing its true form was an eel. It slithered around my legs but I didn’t have time to admire it. I was running out of oxygen. My chest was aching as I kicked towards the surface, my legs pumping like the pistons on a car. Suddenly a glimpse of light shone overhead and with one more big kick I burst into the air. Swimming to the shallows, I retrieved my trike. “Victory!” I said, grinning. Caleb shouted, “You went high as! Now it’s my turn!” :ULWWHQ�E\�7\OHU�)HUJXVRQ�0XUUD\ <HDU��

22

In the middle of summer, on a hot, hot day, Mum, Dad, my two sisters and I got ready to go to my first touch tournament in Rotorua. The car ride was long, tiring and stuffy, especially the last few minutes, but I felt excited. By the time we arrived at our destination, my 16-year-old sister was fast asleep on my lap. I stumbled out of the car, dying for fresh air. Now where was my team? “Found them!” my sister yelled, almost bursting my eardrums. “No you haven’t, that’s not even the colour of my uniform!” I shouted back. Finally Mum spotted the Under 11 Waikato Reps tent. It was so awesome trying on my new black, red and yellow uniform. Over the next two days, we competed in five games. It was great fun. Before every game, our team linked arms and told each other we were going to win, even though we never did. During the whole tournament I had mud on my face, blisters on my feet and my heart was racing, but none of those things ever stopped me from playing my hardest. “Get in their Hannah!” Dad shouted over and over again from the sidelines. Where my team went, I went. I watched where the ball flew and chased it all over the field. After the tournament we had a well-deserved water fight with our drink bottles. Then we travelled back to our motel for one more night. It was an awesome experience. Written by Hannah Birch Year 6

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23

Nothing But Netball

Every Tuesday afternoon, no matter how cold it is, I play netball at Minogue Park. It’s so much fun. When the bell rings, Mum picks me up and we race home to get ready for the game. Mum, who is also the manager of our team, always yells, “Get your uniform on Caela! Where are my netball papers? Eat up Maddy, we can’t be late!” I’m not sure why she stresses so much because we’re always on time. As soon as we reach the courts, I run over to our coach and wait for the rest of the Woodstock Marvels to arrive. We warm up and she hands out our netball bibs. Sometimes I’m an attacker and sometimes I’m a defender, either way I love it. Running into position, I check out my partner. You’re going down, I think. Then I’m ready. The referee blows the whistle and everyone moves. I run after the ball for the whole game. Where the ball goes, I go. Sometimes I trip over but I don’t care. I run, leap, catch, pass, everything. I really make a game of it. Mum is always yelling, “Get the ball! Mark your partner! You can do it!” We know we can. By the time the game is over, everyone’s faces are about the colour of our uniform tops, but we think that just makes it even better. Whether we win or lose, we always have smiles on our faces. Then we gather around for player of the day and a couple of lollies to celebrate our hard work. After that it’s time to go home and I can never wait to tell Dad about the game and how much I loved it. :ULWWHQ�E\�0LFDHOD�6WHHG�<HDU���

24

Ben, my sixteen year-old brother, is helpful in every way. I think he’s great. Ben is tall and slim and his skin is tanned from all the time he spends outside. During the summer holidays, his brown hair lightens up and goes curly. He has a slightly deep voice and a few pimples scattered across his face. Wearing a grey polo shirt, along with equally grey shorts that reach his knees, and black sandals, Ben is ready for a day at Boys High. After school he throws on casual clothes such as a t-shirt and board shorts. Ben loves surfing and skiing. He has been surfing at Pauanui and Piha since he was about twelve. In the summer holidays I like watching him standing up on his surfboard catching huge waves. He’s awesome. “I’ll see you in two hours,” Ben says as he paddles out into the ocean. In the winter he goes skiing at Turoa on Mount Ruapehu. He has been skiing for fourteen years so he’s pretty good. When the weathers bad and he can’t go he always says, “Man I want to go skiing!” or “Don’t you wish you were skiing right now? I do!” Ben also loves playing on the tramp, bouncing up and down, flipping forwards and backwards. He is really good at doing tricks like side flips and back flip one-eighties. I like the way Ben protects me from my thirteen year-old brother Sam when he tries to fight me. “Go away Sam!” he shouts. Once I was calling Ben names and he crawled under our pool table and tried to grab my legs. It was fun. I like it when he practices soccer with me and helps me with my homework. It’s good that he’s always there to help me. Ben is a cool big brother and I hope I can be as good at surfing as him one day. I think he’s great. :ULWWHQ�E\�7LP�6KHSKHUG <HDU���

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�7KH�H[FLWHG�SLORW�RSHQV�WKH�SURSDQH�WDQNV�DQG�IOLFNV�WKH�LJQLWH�VZLWFK���7KH�&KLHI�5HVSRQGHU�URDUV�LQWR�OLIH���7KH�&KLHI�ULVHV�DQG�GULIWV�LQWR�WKH�RUDQJH�VXQULVH��DZD\�IURP�WKH�ZDYHV�DQG�VKRXWV���7KH�EXUQHU�FOLFNV�RQ�DQG�RII��VRXQGLQJ�D�ELW�OLNH�0RUVH�FRGH�������7KH�&KLHI�5HVSRQGHU�WHDVHV�WKH�GRJV�DQG�WKH\�EDUN�IXULRXVO\�LQ�UHWDOLDWLRQ�����7KH�EDVNHW��PDGH�IURP�VWURQJ�ZLFNHU��SURWHFWV�WKH�SDVVHQJHUV�DV�WKH\�SDVV�RWKHU�EDOORRQV���)LQDOO\�WKH�5HVSRQGHU�IORDWV�DZD\�LQWR�WKH�FORXGV��XQWLO�DOO�,�FDQ�VHH�LV�KLV�IDLQW�UHG�KDW�����:ULWWHQ�E\�&ODXGLD�+RZHOO�<HDU����T

he Chief Responder

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Every Saturday morning, in winter, no matter how cold it is, I play soccer. I get my shin pads, socks, boots and Wanderers uniform ready and I’m all set. I usually go in the car with my friend Tim to the game. When we arrive at the field, we do a warm up first. We stretch then run to the other side of the goal box and back. Before long, the game starts and I can’t wait to get on the field. “Go Blue!” the adults shout. Although I’m a defender (sometimes mid) I have had attempts at goal. I dribble, kick, pass, side step, everything. Whenever the opposition tries to score, I turn the ball around and kick it to the attackers. I do some of the throw-ins when the ball is in our half. No matter how much I puff or sweat, or whether I win or lose, I don’t care just as long as I play hard. When the game finishes we shake hands with the other team. I go back home and take off my sweaty gear and have a shower. I drink what’s left in my bottle and I feel really good. Playing soccer is the best. :ULWWHQ�E\�/HR�%URRNHU�<HDU���

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In April 2013 my family and I travelled to South Africa and stayed at a game farm in Worchester just out of Cape Town. It was there that we met Lady and Higgins, two unfortunate white rhinos who had suffered terribly at the hands of poachers. /DG\�DQG�+LJJLQV�Poachers lit a fire on nearby mountains to distract the rangers. While the rangers were tending to the fire, the poachers shot tranquilizer darts into the rhinos to put them to sleep. Drugged and lifeless, they hacked off their horns with a machete and then left them to die. The next day, the rangers found Lady on her side hardly breathing and completely dehydrated. Later they found Higgins stuck in a ditch, holding himself up between two trees. Vets were called to treat them and for three months it was hard to know if they would survive. After a long time it was confirmed they would live but they would never be the same rhinos as before. Higgins is nearly blind and both of them are defenceless without their horns. Scarred for life, the brave rhinos still stand strong together. The great news is Lady is expecting a baby! 7KUHDWV�WR�5KLQR�6XUYLYDO�There are multiple threats to the survival of rhinos and humans cause almost all of them. At the start of the 19th century, there were around one million rhinos. In 1970, there were around 70,000, and now there are less than 24,000 rhinos surviving in the wild. Rhino population has drastically dropped over the last few decades because of the illegal trade of rhino horns. Poachers break into reserves and saw off the horns then sell them on the black market (an underground economy where goods are illegally sold). 6DYLQJ�WKH�5KLQRV�What should be done to save the rhinos? Most rhinos are kept in conservation parks so they can be protected from poachers who want their horns. Lowering the price of rhino horns on the black market would stop people from poaching because they wouldn’t get as much money. Sometimes rhinos are put to sleep by vets and their horns are removed so poachers can’t hack them off. There are a lot of websites where people can adopt a rhino. Money used from programmes like this go towards supporting conservation efforts. Lady and Higgins are special rhinos because they survived a very horrendous attack; many are not so fortunate. Killing or hurting rhinos just for their horns is cruel and wrong and it needs to stop. Rhinos are beautiful animals that deserve a chance. The world is a better place with them in it. �tƌŝƩĞŶ�ďLJ�>ƵĐLJ�dŚŽŵƉƐŽŶ�zĞĂƌ�ϲ�

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My best friend Lilly is so awesome. Freckles dot Lilly’s ten year-old face and a long ponytail drapes down her back. Her big smile always stands out and her fringe, which sweeps to the side, is often tucked behind one ear. With fair skin, blue eyes and blond hair, people say Lilly and I look a lot alike, but she’s about 10 centimetres taller than me. Wearing a fancy t-shirt, hoodie, some jeans and a pair of chucks, Lilly is ready to go. Lilly loves her bedroom; it’s like her safe haven. A messy bed sits in one corner and her T.V. is on the opposite wall so she can see all her favourite shows. Her fish tank sits right alongside this. Most of the time you’ll find her there sketching the base of a new painting. She often mutters, “Whoops,” then erases parts and draws them in a different style. Once Lilly’s finally ready to paint, she rests her canvas on her precious easel (don’t even joke about touching it!) and starts mixing colours and dotting her piece with paint. When she’s finished, she has a masterpiece ready to hang on her wall, making it look like a giant scrapbook. My favourite is a picture of Lilly and I. When I praise her for the magnificent art she does, she always says, “I’m not that good. Your art is way better than mine!” I say, “Yeah right Lilly. All I can do is a stick man with a smiley face.” Lilly finds her big brother Griffin really annoying. He always tries to take me away from her by letting me play with his iPod. Lilly yells, “Go away Griffin! I invited Sian over. If you want to play with her, call her yourself!” Whenever Lilly’s brothers want to come in to her room she says, “No boys allowed!” Lilly’s great to be around. She finds a way to make me laugh even when I’m down. She tells funny jokes and her bubbly, positive attitude makes everyone smile. Lilly is an awesome person and I just adore her. She’s a brilliant best friend. :ULWWHQ�E\�6LDQ�&DYDQDJK�<HDU����

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,QGLDQ�:HGGLQJV�A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to attend our friends’ Indian wedding in Hamilton. You are about to discover what happens at an Indian wedding and why it was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. My Experience As soon as I entered the temple doors, I was dazzled by the colourful decorations that filled the huge room. On the walls, hung pictures of Indian gods like Krishna, Shiva and Ganesha. Above me, the roof was decorated with coloured fuzzy string. Long statues of other Indian gods stood before me. But what I remember the most was the big crowd of people. My family and I sat down and I got a glimpse of the bride. She looked very pretty in her red sari. Mum told me that Indian brides wear red or white saris or ghagras. A sari is a length of fabric that wraps around a lady’s body. Beautiful makeup (lipstick, eye shadow, eye liner, etc.) covered her face. The amount of jewellery she was wearing was astounding! Gold earrings, necklaces and bracelets – she had it all. The groom was wearing sherwani kurta pajama, which is also kind of like a dress. Rituals There are many, many types of rituals performed at Indian weddings. The one that I remember was when the couple circled around a fire throwing food. The fumes of the fire were supposed to keep a positive, happy relationship between the couple. After they circled around the fire, they raced back to their seats. It is believed that whoever reaches their seat first will be the head of the house. Food The food at an Indian wedding is vegetarian. No root vegetables are served, so no potatoes, carrots, onions and more. Eggs, meat and alcohol are also not allowed. When I went for dinner, I ate Sambar, which is a spicy soup, and poori, which is a flat piece of bread. Types of Indian Marriages There are many types of Indian marriages. In a Brahma marriage, the father finds an educated man and proposes the marriage of his daughter to him. Daiva marriage is where the father gives his daughter to a priest to be married. In an Arsha marriage the groom gives the father of the bride a cow and a bull in exchange for his daughter. Prajapatya marriage is where the couple agree to get married by exchanging some Sanskrit mantras or vows to each other. We attended this type of ceremony. These are the types of marriages that are considered appropriate for Hindus. Going to an Indian wedding was an experience I will never forget. Written by Anika Rajiv Year 6

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Late at night, when the moon was high in the sky, a strong wind whipped my skin making me shiver. All my friends, Micaela, Hannah, Amelia and Mia were sleeping over for my tenth birthday party and we were heading to my neighbours’ house for a late night swim. Standing on top of the ladder, I gazed into the water wondering what it would be like. I was kind of dreading this swim. Finally I mumbled to myself, “Three, two, one, dive!” What felt like ice snatched my breath away. I asked myself, why was I doing this? I must be crazy. My wet arms, hovering over the water, were sprinkled with goose bumps. Shivering uncontrollably, I tried anything to keep warm, like dipping my shoulders under, swimming lengths and sitting on top of the ladder but none of them worked! With blue lips and shaking limbs, I staggered out of the pool and wrapped myself in my nice, warm towel. “Much better,” I said. A late night swim – never again! Written by Amy Wardrop Year 6�

Never Again

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�“Wake up, it’s almost 8 o’clock and I need to get to work!” Mum shouts to me every morning. When I wake up, my blankets have always fallen off my bed and the cold air nips from my toes up to my chest. It’s freezing in my room! Mum slides the curtains back and I stare at the bare fig tree leaning over the edge of my back yard, fully covered in frost, looking like white feathers on a goose. I think it looks cool. Sluggishly I crawl out of bed, have a shower, pull on my shorts, t-shirt and jacket, then eat my bowl of rice bubbles. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth!” Dad reminds me every morning. I grab my lunch, slide it into my bag and walk down the stairs to the car. “Hurry up Noah, I’m going to be late!” Mum always says. “Coming,” I reply. As I hop in the van I notice the misty fog covers the road, making it hard for Mum to see where she is driving. When we park outside school, some of my friends are wandering across the white grass and into the front gate. Beanies are pulled down over the ears. I love winter; it’s my favourite time of the year. Written by Noah Hotham Year 6��

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Every Saturday morning, in the winter terms, I play soccer. “Hurry up Caleb!” Mum always yells. I don’t know why she gets so stressed. I quickly pull my blue and white Wanderers t-shirt on and my shorts and then we’re off. Once we arrive at the grounds most of my team is already there. “Come on Caleb!” Conner shouts. “The game is about to start!” I’m always ready to go on and play hard out. I don’t even mind if the weather is hot or cold. I still have fun. The ball goes everywhere and I chase it all over the field. Wherever it is, I’m right there. I sprint, kick and shoot. I love scoring goals! At half time the coach always says, “Keep them out of the goal box so they don’t score!” Then we’re on again. Once I have mud all over my legs, I like it because it shows that I’ve really tried hard for my team. After my games are finished I always have sore, red knees. But I feel great b e c a u s e I’ve had a good run around. Then we have the player of the day. I can’t wait to go to school on Monday and tell my friends all about the game. I really like playing soccer. �:ULWWHQ�E\�&DOHE�:HVVHOVRQ�<HDU���

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Waipu is a settlement of Scottish origin, 40 km south of Whangarei. It is one of my favourite places to visit and I am going to tell you more about it. +LVWRU\�Waipu has a very interesting background. In 1853, Scottish Nova Scotian pioneers first came there, following the Reverend Norman McLeod. He was their leader. Around 900 pioneers arrived in six ships, all represented on a monument that greets visitors on arrival. :DLSX�7RZQVKLS�The reason I visit Waipu is because my Grandpa lives there in a rest home. We often go out for a walk in the village, passing the Waipu Presbyterian Church. Built in 1871, it is the oldest continuous Christian community in New Zealand. The church seats around 250 people, even though it’s not huge and looks quite fragile! +LJKODQG�*DPHV�Every year, on the first of January, is the Waipu Highland Games hosted by the Waipu Caledonian Society. There are competitions in Highland dancing, piping, traditional field events and athletics, which are what I participate in. I run in the sprint races and usually win! The prizes are – first place 50 cents, second place 20 cents, third place 10 cents. I make a lot of money on New Year’s Day! So if you find yourself travelling up the North Island, pop into Waipu – a small town with a big heart. :ULWWHQ�E\�5DFKHO�0DMRU�<HDU���

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Guinea pigs are cute, cuddly and so adorable you want to squeeze them all day long. If you have a guinea pig or are thinking of getting one, read on to find out how to take care of them. Mum gave me a guinea pig when I was seven years old. His name is Peter, he is three years old and is crisp white with big patches of ginger, black and brown. He is very, very big and fat; in fact, he is 20 cm long and 10 cm wide! I think he is completely adorable! Appearance Guinea pigs have shaggy fur and eyes. Their fur helps keep them warm in winter. They can be many different colours – solid black, brown, ginger, tan, or a mixture of these colours with white patches. Guinea pigs have a large head, small ears, short legs and a plump body. Females give birth four or five times a year, each litter containing three or four young. The average life span of a guinea pig is four to eight years. Are Guinea Pigs Really Pigs? The big question is - are guinea pigs really pigs? No! They are actually rodents and are not related to pigs at all. I think they are called guinea pigs because they eat a lot, like a pig! �Grooming Guinea pigs need to be groomed once every two months. This includes bathing and defleaing. How do you wash guinea pigs -

Step 1: Wet the guinea pig and start rubbing defleaing shampoo into its fur. Step 2: Rinse the shampoo off and dry the guinea pig. Step 3: Apply defleaing powder and release the guinea pig back into its cage.

They also need to be taken to the vet every so often for a check up. Food Guinea pigs need to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables to stay happy and healthy. They really like celery, lettuce, capsicum, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, green beans, parsley, apples, oranges, and bananas. They also eat grass and hay on a daily basis, which helps their digestive system. Did you know that guinea pigs teeth never stop growing? To prevent their teeth from going rotten and falling out, they need to eat carrots. �Who can resist guinea pigs with their shaggy fur and black eyes, long whiskers, a little pink nose, and tiny paws scurrying around all day? They are completely adorable. Look after them well and they will love you for their lifetime! Written by Elizabeth Smith Year 6 �

Guinea Pigs

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Coromandel is like my home away from home for the summer holidays. When I was little we used to go there every January and it is still my favourite place to camp. A well-known train track winds its way along the hillside overlooking the town, and its gift shop is never very busy because everyone is always on the train. Long Bay is a hectic cove, while Tux Bay, just beyond, isn’t as crowded. There are usually only a couple of other people staying beside us but that is good enough for me because I have my family to play with. We like it there because it’s quiet. High up on the cliff there is a trail that connects the two bays. Slippery gravel slides down as a camper descends from Tux to Long Bay. The track is literally only a couple of metres wide, which is why I hold my breath whenever I race down the steep slopes. Hidden away in Tux Bay is a group of oyster-covered rocks. Nearly every time we go there I make the mistake of clambering over those – ouch! At low tide, we love to crawl around on the wet sand, looking for starfish, crabs and other treasures buried by the sea. “Found one!” we always shout to each other. Coromandel is a very magical place and I love camping there with my family. We always have time to laugh and relax. It’s the best place ever. Written by Claudia Howell Year 6�

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My favourite sport is snow skiing and I bet if you gave it a go, it would become your favourite too. I’ve been skiing on Mt Ruapehu for five years so I’m going to tell you all about skiing and I’m sure you will be dying to get on the mountain in no time! :KDW�LV�6QRZ�6NLLQJ"�Skiing can be a fun and a competitive sport in which people attach skis to boots and use them to travel on snow. Until around the 1860s skiing was used for transporting goods in snowy areas. Before long, it became a competitive sport and was used as a great form of exercise. 7\SHV�RI�6NLLQJ�There are many different types of skiing. Freestyle is doing tricks and jumps. Heli skiing is when a helicopter drops skiers at the top of the mountain and they ski off trail. Ski flying is when you ski off a drop about two metres high with a hang glider. Other types of skiing are cross country, telemark (downhill skiing where the boots are only attached at the toe), ski touring, ski mountaineering, skijoring (being pulled over snow by a horse or dog) and ski jumping. Then there is free riding which is what I do best. It is skiing with no set course, goals or rules. �(TXLSPHQW�Without proper gear, skiers will either end up hot and sweaty or with frostbite or hypothermia. You need to wear warm socks, thermal pants and a thermal top, another warm layer like a jersey, and a waterproof jacket and pants. A helmet is essential for head protection and goggles will shield your eyes in both hot and cold weather. Finally you need ski boots and skis. Some people use ski poles to push into the snow to go faster. I think skiing is the best sport in the world. I love it and I know when you try it, you will love it too. :ULWWHQ�E\�7LP�6KHSKHUG <HDU�����

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1HWEDOO�7LPH����(YHU\� 7XHVGD\� DIWHUQRRQ�� LQ� WKH� ZLQWHU� WHUPV�� ,� SOD\�QHWEDOO���6LQFH�ZH·UH�IRUFHG�WR�ZHDU�VKRUW�EODFN�VNRUWV��P\�OHJV�DUH�DOZD\V�FRYHUHG�LQ�JRRVH�EXPSV��´+XUU\�XS�DQG� ILQLVK� WKRVH�FKLSV�µ�0XP��P\�ELJJHVW� IDQ�� DOZD\V�VD\V���7KHQ�ZH�DUULYH�DW�0LQRJXH�3DUN�����)LUVW�ZH�GR�RXU�ZDUP�XSV���:H�UXQ�DURXQG��GR�VKXWWOHV�DQG� VWUHWFK� RXU� DUPV� DQG� OHJV�� � ,W·V� IXOO� RQ�� � 7KHQ� ZH�WDNH�RXU�SRVLWLRQV�RQ�WKH�FRXUW�DQG�ZDLW�IRU�WKH�ZKLVWOH���:H·UH�RII�� � ,� VSULQW� WRZDUGV� WKH�EDOO�DQG�P\�VKRHV�VNLG�RQ�WKH�FRQFUHWH���6RPHWLPHV�LW�UDLQV�EXW�ZH�GRQ·W�PLQG�WRR�PXFK�EHFDXVH�LW�NHHSV�XV�FRRO���,�MXPS��WKURZ��UXQ�DQG� FDWFK�� � 6RRQ� HQRXJK� ,� ILQG� P\VHOI� LQ� WKH� JRDO�FLUFOH���:LWK�P\�IHHW�VWDSOHG�WR�WKH�JURXQG�DQG�WKH�EDOO�OLQHG� XS� LQ�P\� KDQGV�� LW·V� WLPH� WR� VKRRW�� � 7KUHH�� WZR��RQH�� WKURZ�� � 7KHUH·V� D�PRPHQW� RI� VLOHQFH� DV� WKH� EDOO�GDQFHV�RQ�WKH�HGJH�RI�WKH�KRRS�DQG�ILQDOO\�LW�JRHV�LQ���*RDO�����´%HHS�µ� 7KH� EX]]HU� WHOOV� XV� WKH� JDPH� LV� RYHU���6RPHWLPHV� ZH� ZLQ� DQG� VRPHWLPHV� ZH� GRQ·W�� � 2XU�WHDP� OLQHV� XS� DQG� ZH� KLJK� ILYH�RXU� RSSRQHQWV� DQG� VD\�� ´*RRG�JDPH�µ� �(YHQ� WKRXJK� ,·P�DOZD\V�WLUHG��,�IHHO�JUHDW���� Written by Anika Rajiv Year 6

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2]LYOLO� Grandad Nigel is the most patient and kind person I know. He is in his early seventies and is retired from his job at the map and landscape department. Grandad usually prefers to wear casual clothes when he’s pottering around at home or out and about doing jobs for Nana. Wearing his

loosely hung polo shirt, big silver watch and baggy beige pants held up with a belt, he is ready for the day. He owns quite a lot of shoes, which he

changes often depending on what he is doing. When he gets dressed up for special occasions he always looks really smart. Wispy white hair pokes out the side of Grandad’s favourite black cap. His intensely blue eyes light up as he talks, and when he smiles, character lines frame his face.

Grandad loves hanging out in his garage. His workbench lines one wall with

tins of nails, hammers, tiny bits of wood and sandpaper, scattered on top. A saw sits in one corner and a vice is screwed to the side. Many colours of dried paint are splashed on the floor, making it look like a rainbow. Grandad enjoys messing about with his tools, fixing things and building with scraps of wood. He helps my brother Jack and me make lots of wooden things – flying monkeys, parrots, hearts on stands, jewellery boxes, and more. If something is broken Grandad says, “Don’t worry, I can fix that.” He disappears into his garage and returns a little while later with the broken item all mended. Grandad’s always got a project on the go. More than anything Grandad loves us coming around to visit him. Ever since I can remember Jack and I have been going to his place on Wednesday after school. He looks after us when Mum and Dad are at work. Playing cards, drawing silly pictures, having board game contests, go carting up and down the driveway and enjoying pool or table tennis in his garage are our favourite activities.

There’s not much Grandad doesn’t like, but I do know he can’t stand

cucumber! One time, when we were staying on Norfolk Island for Nana’s birthday, every dish came with a salad and it was always loaded with cucumber. “Not cucumber again!” Grandad groaned. He was so happy when I grabbed the little slices off his plate and

gobbled them up.

I love being around Grandad. He is always happy and bubbly and never gets mad or angry. He makes me laugh with his silly jokes. He is the most patient, kind, wonderful person. :ULWWHQ�E\�/XF\�7KRPSVRQ�<HDU���

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Have you ever ridden a skateboard? Chances are you have because approximately 18.5 million people ride skateboards worldwide. Skateboarding is an action sport that requires a lot of practice to ride and perform tricks. I’ve been skateboarding since I was seven years old and it is definitely one of my favourite pastimes. I like to ride at Raglan, Melville and Fairfield, where I skate around and practice doing tricks. You are about to learn a bit more about skateboarding and discover why it is so popular. +LVWRU\�RI�6NDWHERDUGLQJ�Skateboarding began in the late 1940s and early 1950s when surfers decided to put roller blade wheels on planks of wood. Nobody actually knows who created the first skateboard. In the early 1970s metal wheels, clay wheels and plywood decks were used to make the boards lighter and more manoeuvrable. During the 1990s people started to use extremely hard polyurethane to make the wheels and they were smaller which made the boards lighter. In the 1970s special trucks (axles) were made for skateboards to make grinding more manageable and the boards stronger. 7ULFN�6NDWLQJ�There are many tricks that can be performed on a skateboard. Early skate tricks consisted mainly of two-dimensional freestyle manoeuvres such as riding on two wheels (‘manual’), spinning on the back wheels (‘a pivot’), jumping high over a bar and landing on the board again, also known as the ‘hippie jump’, long jumping from one board to another, and slalom. In 1982 Rodney Mullen created the ‘magic flip’, now known as the kick flip. This is where the rider ollies (the rider and board leap into the air without using of the rider’s hands) and kicks his or her foot out, flips the board 360 degrees and lands. These are just some of the flip tricks – heel flip, impossible and the pop shove it. Also here are a few grab tricks – indy grab, nose grab, tail grab and the air walk. �)DPRXV�6NDWHERDUGHUV�There are many famous skaters in the world and they have lots of supporters and fans. These skaters have practiced since they were young and are really amazing. Here are just some of them – Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Ryan Sheckler, Rodney Mullen, Shaun White, Bob Burnquist, Colin McKay, Corey Duffel, Eric Koston, Bam Magera, and Chad Muska. I really like Tony Hawk because he is extremely skilled and I enjoy playing his skateboard games on my Playstation. 6DIHW\�No doubt about it, skateboarding can be a dangerous sport and you need a lot of gear to keep yourself safe. Skaters use helmets to prevent head injuries. Knee and elbow pads cover these areas so if you land on them you don’t lose a lot of skin. Wrist guards protect your wrist and hands. Skaters also wear skate shoes for grip and comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. Skateboarding, sometimes thought of as a crazy sport, has grown in popularity over time. I think it is lots of fun and is definitely one of my favourite things to do! �:ULWWHQ�E\�7\OHU�)HUJXVRQ�0XUUD\�<HDU���

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47

Whangapoa My family and I were staying in our bach at Whangapoa during the summer holidays. Early one morning, not long after the sun had risen, I decided to go for a dip in the surf, just to wake myself up. It worked. Leaving Mum at the top of the steep, sandy slope, I raced down to the beach. I stopped suddenly when my foot touched the icy water. “This might me harder than I thought,” I said to myself. Glancing back, I saw Mum wave me on. Cautiously, I waded into the ocean. When the bubbly blue sea was up to my waist, the waves started putting pressure on me. I wriggled my legs around and tried to warm them up. Waves splashed against me, shooting droplets onto my face. The only way to get used to the cold water was to dive in. After the next wave had passed I took a deep breath and ducked into the fuzzy world. There was a crash and then the force of a wave pushed me back a bit. Breaking the surface, I ran from the next swell and escaped back to the bach. Only a long, hot shower and my hoodie could warm me up. :ULWWHQ�E\�/HR�%URRNHU�<HDU���

48

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49

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EQ�9O=KGE=�;GMKAF� My cousin Colm is big and super strong. In fact, he is the strongest man in New Zealand! You may not believe it, but it’s true. Colm is twenty-four years old and he trains 24-7, 365 days a year at the gym. He is a mix of Samoan and Fijian so he has brown hair and brown eyes. His hair is short all over and he always wears a big smile. Most of the time he’ll be going for a workout, hanging out on the beach or running outside. I guess that’s why he’s so tanned. With his six-pack abs, bulging biceps, broad shoulders and bulky thighs, he sure does attract a lot of attention, especially from the girls. Wearing a tight training singlet, along with his black shorts (that look too small for him) and Adidas sneakers, he’s ready for a workout at the gym. Colm always wears a black cap on his head; he thinks it looks cool. When he’s not in sneakers, he wears jandals and slaps. Usually Colm has his green and black sunglasses on and I’m pretty sure he wears pink love heart boxes too! What does Colm like? Well that’s easy. When Nana and Pa come over from Australia, he digs into the banana fapapa like a hungry boar. I’m lucky if he leaves me a piece! Playing Xbox is probably his biggest hobby after fighting in the ring. Colm did kickboxing for a sport before he got into strong man competitions and he always said he loved that too. Getting up early in the morning and rainy days are what Colm dislikes the most, but it still doesn’t put him off going to the gym. He basically lives at the gym and he says it’s fun. Sometimes I really wish his car would break down so he could stay home and play with me instead. I love hanging around Colm. He’s very helpful and kind and when I’m with him, no one messes with me because they know he has my back. Colm is always cheerful, social and gentle, except when he’s fighting with someone. He loves fighting and pretending he’s the commentator. “Boom! Colm the unstoppable throws Noah to the ground. But Noah staggers to his feet, jumps on Colm’s back and punches him in the gut. Ladies and gentlemen, I think this will be a close match!” His stories always crack me up. Colm is an awesome cousin. He’s my hero, my role model and my friend. :ULWWHQ�E\�1RDK�+RWKDP�<HDU����

50

“I won!” Noah shouted. Noah, Mary and I were playing cards in my Dad’s boat and getting ready to hop into bed. The boat’s name is Namu 2 and it was parked on our friend George’s farm in Coromandel. Its carpet was soft and its colour was orange. It had a white ceiling and there was a little cabin in the front – that’s where we were going to sleep. A small light hung in the corner and shone brightly. Dad popped his head in and saw us crammed together on the square shaped squabs. “Sorry to interrupt guys but it’s time to go to sleep,” he said. Soon we lay in our sleeping bags, side-by-side, staring out of the rectangular windows and watching the trees sway in the cold breeze. It was a little scary. I saw something crawl across the floor of the boat and a shiver ran down my spine. It was a cockroach. Outside, I heard my dog Hiku bark and Mum asked him to be quiet. Our parents were laughing, playing guitar, singing and getting things ready for the next day. Their singing wasn’t that good! My big sister Ariona and my older cousin Litara were noisy, gossiping, giggling and telling little secrets. It was so annoying. Although it was noisy outside, Mary and Noah went straight to sleep, but not me. Feeling Mary’s legs kick my stomach, I looked at her and sighed. Would I ever get to sleep? A little while later I had to go to the bathroom. Mary got up too. We felt the cold, fresh grass brush our ankles as we raced to the shed. I rubbed my hands together; it was freezing. After that we walked back to the boat shivering. We hopped back into our sleeping bags and finally we fell asleep. “Lela, Mary Noah, wake up please! Rise and shine!” said Mum. It was time for breakfast then we had to pack up because we were heading home today. I had such an amazing time camping with my family and friends. We did lots of tramps, found streams and discovered a secret forest. But most of all I enjoyed sleeping in a boat, parked up on our friend’s farm. :ULWWHQ�E\��/HOD�,HUHPLD�<HDU���

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A painted white door opens into my quiet bedroom. Beyond the door is a huge window, which allows sunlight to shine brightly onto my small bed. An old wooden dressing table, with loads of soft toys piled on top, fills the space beside my bed and above this hangs my awesome MGP hat.

My dusty figurines stand on a tall shelf, waiting for their next battle. Beside this, is an old 27-inch television, with my Xbox 360 underneath. My strong toy box sits on the ground holding an iPod charger, a clock, books, my secret book holder, drawings, pencils and my Writers’ Notebook. I often think how much I love being in my bedroom; it’s my favourite place in the world. �:ULWWHQ�E\�&DOHE�:HVVHOVRQ�<HDU����

52

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53

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Hanging out in my bedroom is one of my most favourite things to do. A rainbow of colour greets me every time I open the old wooden door. My bright green noticeboard, littered with photos, posters and artwork, covers one whole wall. My Ice Age 4 poster dominates the opposite wall, and the windows, framed by my funky curtains, allow light to flood through onto my bed. In the corner, beside my crowded bookcase, my snuggly blue beanbag waits patiently for me (and my book) to come and enter its depths and read for hours on end. Crammed into another corner is my dusty wooden toy box with the title ‘Rachel’s Toy Box’ engraved in gold on the front. It is filled with anything you could dream of – odd bits of Lego, lost marbles and my soft toy collection, once loved, now forgotten. Leaning against the wall is my crimson desk, stacked with books, paper, pens and my S.S.S. (Secret Stash of Sherbet) The Leaning Tower of Dirty Laundry is piled up in the middle of the floor, much to Mum’s disapproval. Another thing Mum is not so fond of is when my bedroom becomes an ‘animal kingdom’. This is when the monarch caterpillars escape from their shoebox home, Spike our cockatiel, preens himself on my lamp, and when our dog Bindi snoozes on my Manchester United duvet. But I don’t mind because these are the things that make hanging out in my bedroom the best. :ULWWHQ�E\�5DFKHO�0DMRU�<HDU����

54

Kauaeranga

Camp Out Camping in the Kauaeranga Valley with my family was never boring. Moonlight shone through a hole in the roof of the tent, making it bright enough to see. Glowing embers floated in the night air, hovered and died. This was the life. In the dark, I could just make out my mum on the other side of the mosquito net. Above me, tiny bugs buzzed and flitted around my head. Wriggling further into my sleeping bag, I tried to block out their irritating hum. Outside I could hear night noises - the river murmuring, crickets chirping, possums hissing and the fire crackling in the barbeque. I could feel the hard ground under my thin mattress and sleeping bag. Exiting the tent for a quick bathroom break, I could tell that the temperature had dropped. Leaves and twigs scratched my face, cold fresh wet grass brushed my ankles and I shivered. It was freezing! Quickly I hopped back into my warm sleeping bag. Although it was 11 o’clock at night, I still couldn’t get to sleep. I tossed and turned a couple of times and hoped for the best. I must have drifted off because suddenly bright light shone through the tent flap and into my eyes. To my relief it was morning. “I must have fallen asleep without knowing!” I exclaimed to myself. Excellent. :ULWWHQ�E\�:LO�=LMOVWUD�6FKPLGW�<HDU���

55

The Haunted

Bach �Sleeping in a Bach at Matarangi with Mum and my little brother Ben was an unforgettable experience. The moon shone through the window like a Scooby-doo movie with a werewolf howling in the background. The alarm clock next to me said it was ten o’clock and I was awake to see it. What interested me most was a little crevice in the wall just big enough for a mouse to crawl through. A shiver ran down my spine. I wondered if

Mum and Ben were asleep.

Suddenly I thought heard a pitter-patter of feet on the lino outside my door. In the cold, dark night the wind moaned, groaned and howled; it sounded like an orchestra but all wrong. “I must be dreaming,” I told myself.

My bed was soft, squishy and creaky and the feather duvet on top was warm and cosy. It was comfortable but this place still gave me the absolute creeps. Then I noticed that above the crevice there was a crack that led to the wardrobe. Curiosity got the better of me. Dragging myself out of bed, I walked over to the wardrobe, pulled open the door and … “Boo!” Ben jumped out. I screamed and my heart felt like it was going to explode! He had been hiding in there the whole time. “What on earth are you doing?” I growled. “Go back to bed right now!” At least I knew the bach wasn’t haunted and I could finally go to sleep. In the morning, I woke up to find Ben poking my arm and saying, “Are you dead?” What a wonderful time I had at the beach … not! �:ULWWHQ�E\�(OL]DEHWK�6PLWK��<HDU���

56

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57

My Nan Jenny Ferguson My Nan Jenny Ferguson is extremely helpful in everyway. Nan is in her sixties but she looks very young. With her pink rubbery crocs, an orange woolly jumper, pitch-black comfy track pants, and thin rectangular glasses sitting on her nose, she is ready for the day. Her short hair is brown with blonde highlights and her fringe goes straight across like a ruler. She is slim and quite tall. Nan’s kitchen always smells like yummy food. There’s a big bowl of apples, plums, bananas and kiwifruit on the dining table. The pantry is full of cereals and snacks that make our mouths water. And I can’t forget the fridge. Fizzy, cold meats and yoghurts fill the shelves. Whenever the bench is scattered with dirty dishes, Nan cleans them up in no time. Baking cakes and biscuits is what Nan does a couple of times a week. She says, “Come and have a slice of banana cake Tyler. It’s fresh out of the oven.” She doesn’t have to ask me twice; I come running! And that’s not all she bakes – ANZAC biscuits, chocolate cake, carrot cake, chocolate brownies, chocolate chip cookies and a whole lot more. As soon as my brother and I get to Nan’s house we ask, “What have you baked for us this time?” My favourite would have to be her scrumptious banana cake and the crunchy honey biscuits. They smell and taste choice as! Nan also loves gardening. She grows a variety of delicious fruit and vegies including strawberries, beans, cucumbers, and juicy grapes. Her garden is the best in the street. What does Nan dislike? Well that’s easy. Nan hates smoking, especially how it pollutes the air and kills thousands of people. She also can’t stand fighting, arguing and yelling (all the bad stuff). When my brother and I go over to Nan’s house and start arguing, Nan shouts, “Stop it you two! Play nicely or go play by yourselves!” Nan also has an objection to video games, violent movies and swearing. Good manners is what Nan values most of all. Being around Nan always makes me feel special. Whenever I go to her house she says, “Sit down Tyler. Do you want an ice block or perhaps a sandwich?” She spoils my brother and me. She buys us toys and clothes, takes care of us and helps us. One time, when I didn’t have enough money for the shoes I had been saving up for, Nan and I went halves. She’s awesome. Nan is extremely helpful and I love her because she is kind and caring. She’s the best Nan ever. :ULWWHQ�E\�7\OHU�)HUJXVRQ�0XUUD\ <HDU������

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When people see a Huntaway they often think it is a scary looking dog that might jump out and bite them. But when you get to know Huntaways, they are not aggressive at all; in fact they are actually very playful and would never hurt you. In 2013 Mum finally agreed to let us have a dog. She’s a Huntaway named Mollie and it’s my job to feed, walk, clean and best of all train her. I would like to teach you all about Huntaways and give you some tips on how to train dogs. Introducing Huntaways Huntaways normally live to around 12 to 14 years of age and most of them keep very healthy. They are intelligent, friendly, very energetic dogs that respond well to worded commands and whistles. Huntaways require a lot of exercise and have great agility and stamina. Many work for days on steep, rough countryside, driving huge mobs of sheep over large distances. Huntaways are well known for being a noisy dog, especially when working. Their bark is deep and repeating, usually with a short pause between barks. This allows them to keep on barking for a very long time. History The origin of the Huntaway can be traced back to early 20th century New Zealand. Scientists believe crossing such breeds as the Black Labrador, Border Collie, Rottweiler and the German Shepherd has developed these dogs. Throughout its history the Huntaway has been most commonly used for herding and driving cattle. These days, they are also companion dogs. It is rare to find the Huntaway breed outside of New Zealand. Appearance Huntaways all look quite similar. They are large, deep-chested dogs that have floppy ears. They are usually about 50-60 cm tall and weigh around 18-30 kg. Their coats can vary in colour but are commonly black, or black and tan with some white or brindle. Huntaways’ coats also come in different textures – smooth, rough or grizzly. Training Mollie Training dogs is a lot easier than it looks. All you need is a handful of treats and most dogs will do anything you want. Here is how to train a dog to jump through a hoop. First hold a hula-hoop out in front of the dog. Then place your hand through the other side of the hoop with some treats in it and say in a high-pitched voice, “ump through!” The dog should follow your hand through the hoop. Then give the dog the treats from your hand. Repeat this process, each time offering less treats. And that is how to train a dog to jump through a hula-hoop. Huntaways are quite possibly to greatest dogs ever. They are smart, playful, energetic and not a bit scary. Have a go following my training tips to teach your dog a new trick – you and your dog will love it, just like Mollie and I do! Written by Hannah Birch Year 6

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“Ahh,” I moaned softly as I yawned and woke up. “Maia,” I whispered to my stepsister on the bed below my bunk. She had the exact some reaction as me. Looking around I saw my duvet had gone astray, pushing my curtains open a little. Misty fog was wrapped around the olive trees in the driveway, looking like a blanket of blue-grey candyfloss. Pulling the duvet off my bed and dragging it into the lounge, I glanced out the glass doors. “Come outside,” Dad said, giving me a fright. “Come quick!” I couldn’t think of anything worse than stepping out into the cold morning but I slid my feet into my slippers anyway. Dad pointed to the wheelbarrow. Ice, glued to the sides, gave way as I touched it with my fingers. Frozen grass cracked under my slippers and my shivering hands made me look like I was in an earthquake. The birdbath was also frozen. How cold was it last night? Overflowing with fog, the gully looked like a bowl of ghosts and it blocked out my view of the overgrown weeds and grass. Quickly I raced back inside. Soon after, Dad suggested we bike into town to get some food for a big breakfast. My bike, which was covered with icicles after being parked outside all night, looked sad and lonely. Making our way down the road, the fog began to lift and the tiny puddles were slowly draining away. The day had begun and we were on our way. :ULWWHQ�E\�&ODXGLD�+RZHOO�<HDU����

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One Sunday morning, in the middle of autumn, my sister Anjali and I were sitting at the foot of a gigantic pool at our friend Taina’s house. The pool, long and clear, stretched ahead of us, daring us to leap in. Slowly I dipped my toes into the pool, shivering as the water touched my ankles. Beside me, I spotted my friend Taina preparing to jump in. “Cannonball!” he shouted, his eyes focused on the water. Quickly I sheltered myself with my arms. Too late. A shower of icy drops sprinkled over me as he swam away. A few seconds later, two sneaky hands reached out from the water and grabbed my ankles. “Aaah!” I screamed wildly as Anjali pulled me from the edge of the pool and down into the depths. I squeezed my eyes shut, pushed my feet off the bottom and rocketed to the surface. Spotting Anjali ahead of me, my face turned red. Time for my revenge! I raced after her, leaving only a trail of bubbles behind. Written by Anika Rajiv Year 6

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My little sister Madeleine is the cutest seven year-old ever. We just call her Maddie. Maddie loves wearing outrageously bright colours. She’s happiest in her stripped dresses, lolly pink cardigans and patterned tights, bounding around the courtyard trying to catch Bilbo, her bunny. Her light brown hair falls down to her shoulders and curls at the bottom (Mum always ties it up), and her leafy green eyes go perfectly well with her bright smile. Playing with her Sylvanian toys is Maddie’s number one hobby. She’s always asking, “Caela, can you play Sylvanians with me?” When her friends are over she says, “I’m in charge of the gift shop!” Maddie has collected two families, five shops, a Sylvanian house and a huge collection of other pieces. She loves it all. Maddie also loves dogs. A while ago my Aunty sent me a book called %HVW� LQ�6KRZ, about how to knit dogs. Maddie studied the pictures for hours! Mum said we could choose something and she would knit it for us. What did Maddie choose? Her favourite - the Dalmatian. Whenever Maddie spies a dog, she always asks the owner, “Please can I have a pat?” What does Maddie dislike? That’s easy. She really can’t stand going on long walks. One time, when our family was on holiday in Taupo, Mum thought it would be a good idea to go on a 45-minute hike through a local forest. Even though it wasn’t that long, Maddie started complaining before we left the hotel. “Can we go to the hot pool instead? I don’t want to go!” she whined, but Mum insisted. “You are coming with us,” she said. Although Maddie complained for the first 15 minutes she soon cheered up when we started playing a game called 'RQ·W�6D\�7KDW�and she won the first round. I really like playing with Maddie. In the weekend, we always make huts. Once we made a hut that was as big as our lounge room. It used up all the blankets (we had to start using towels) and all the chairs. But when it came to tidying up we whined, moaned, begged and groaned. Mum didn’t let us get out of it though. Maddie is helpful, caring and kind but sometimes she can be really annoying. She always asks me, “Caela can you help me catch Bilbo?” “No,” I say. “Please?” “No.” “Pretty, pretty please?” “No!!” Maddie’s most prized possession is her life sized stuffed toy Labrador dog. She used to take it everywhere; she even asked Mum if she could take it to school! Maddie’s proud of it because she saved up and bought it with her own pocket money. Maddie is a very bright little girl and she’s a lot of fun. She is a really cool sister to have. :ULWWHQ�E\�0LFDHOD�6WHHG�<HDU���

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On a cloudy summer day, at Waihi beach, the sea gulls welcomed my brother Tane, my sister Jazmin, her friends and I onto the shell-scattered sand. The ocean, murky and rippled, stretched in front of us. Inching our way very slowly into the water, we screamed as Tane bombed straight in. SPLASH! All of us got soaked. I hate it when he does that! Because I was already wet, I decided I might as well dive in too. The icy water snatched my breath away and swallowed me whole. Goose bumps covered my body like feathers on a bird. Jazmin and her friends refused to get in so I pushed and shoved them until they fell. Diving under a wave, I felt something grab my leg. “Who did that?” I exclaimed, looking around. Jazmin glanced at me with a smile. I knew it was her so I chased her through the waves and seaweed. “I’ll get you for that!” I yelled. �:ULWWHQ�E\�1RDK�+RWKDP�<HDU���

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� *L�"<=F� Clambering up Mt Eden with my cousin Sasha on a Saturday afternoon is one of my favourite things to do. Tall Pohutukawa trees, heavy with red blossoms, dot the narrow dirt track as we wander between them. Beside the track, long grass irritates my legs and I can just make out the distant hum of the city below. Will we ever reach the top? Finally, after about an hour of trudging up hill, we make it to the top. “We did it!” I exclaimed, falling onto the grass. “About time,” Sasha grumbles. We are so puffed we can hardly breathe. From our position on the towering volcanic rock, Auckland city stretches out before us and I can see the harbour in the distance. Rows of launches and yachts sit anchored in the marina. Skyscrapers and shops are crammed into the busy streets. Traffic on the motorway accelerates past the colossal buildings like ants on a footpath. The view is amazing. I gaze on and think about how much I love this city. :ULWWHQ�E\�:LO�=LMOVWUD�6FKPLGW�<HDU���

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�My dad Stuart loves having fun with his mates and me. He’s a really cool guy. He is forty-eight years old and although he is tall, I can reach up to his shoulders. He is strong with lightly tanned skin and green eyes. His straight, salt and pepper hair is cut short. After work Dad loves to pull on his Adidas slippers and chiefs t-shirt. They are his favourite clothes to wear. Dad enjoys listening to his music, especially the old songs. He recognises just about every song but his favourite bands are the Foo Fighters, ACDC and Led Zeppelin. Dad’s dog Charlie is really awesome. He enjoys playing with her and taking her for a walk in the park, even when it’s raining! Dad also loves watching the rugby on the weekend. His favourite team is the Chiefs and he goes crazy about the Super Rugby. Whenever the Chiefs score, Dad screams, “Yeeeees!” Even though Dad prefers rugby, he still comes to all my soccer games on Saturdays. “Go Caleb! Don’t stop!” he yells. I give him the thumbs up. Good on ya mate!” he says and I feel great. What does Dad dislike? That’s easy. If I drop food on the table at dinnertime he gets very grumpy and says, “Caleb, lean over your plate!” Another thing that upsets him is if I lie on the couch with my muddy soccer knees. He says, “Caleb go and clean your knees right now!” I high tail it to the shower as fast as I can because I know he means business. We can’t forget to take our shoes off before we walk inside the house either. If he sees mud traipsed over the carpet, watch out! Dad is an awesome friend to his mates. If they ever need a hand with anything he is always there to help. “Come and give us a hand with the job on Saturday?” his friends ask. “Yeah sure,” Dad always says. Dad works very hard at Norgren selling metal products and he gets on well with his customers. No problem is too big or too small for Stu to sort out. “No worries,” he always says. Dad loves keeping our house clean and tidy and on the weekends you will often find him mowing the lawns, vacuuming or washing clothes. When he’s finished, Dad loves to watch T.V. He sits down in his comfy armchair and switches on his favourite programmes. He says,” Not cartoons!” “But Dad,” I say, “not fishing shows again!” My Dad is an awesome guy. I think he’s the coolest! �:ULWWHQ�E\�&DOHE�:HVVHOVRQ�<HDU���

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Every third Saturday, in the middle of summer, we visited Robert, one of my mum’s friends, at his house for games day and a swim. Their jagged stone footpath, leading to the pool, scratched my feet as I walked on it. Gerwin, another friend of Mum’s, was waiting for me to hop in. As I inched down the concrete steps a cool breeze drifted over me. The water crept up my thighs causing them to tingle with goose bumps. When it caught my hips I lifted my arms so they didn’t get wet. Then I started to do the cold-water dance with my hands in the air! Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed me from behind and pulled me out. It was Gerwin. “Don’t you force me into that water!” I screamed at him. Quickly, he hugged me tight, locking me inside his arms and bombed straight in. This time, the freezing cold water swallowed me whole, sucking my legs, then my whole body and finally my head under. My limbs flailed about uselessly and I was desperate to reach some air. With one big kick, I broke the surface. Ready to take my revenge, I climbed up the ladder and screamed, “Cannon ball!” :ULWWHQ�E\�6LDQ�&DYDQDJK�<HDU���

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Port Charles, it’s my favourite place. Waves dance along the sandy shore. Tangles of seaweed and broken shells lie abandoned at the high tide mark. Stripy beach umbrellas are scattered along the shore like confetti at a parade. Tire tracks are left imprinted in the wet sand. A dusty beach swing, tied onto a tinsel red pohutukawa tree, hangs silently waiting for its next passenger. Salty beach air wafts around your cheeks. Sand castles are dotted along the water’s edge. They are not there for long. Wading into the crystal clear water is paradise. As the day ends we light a crackling fire. Swinging in my blue and white hammock, I murmur, “Awesome day, can’t wait for tomorrow.” This place is Port Charles. ��:ULWWHQ�E\�(OL]DEHWK�6PLWK�<HDU����

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Playing soccer or rugby outside with the neighbours is what Caleb loves to do most of all. When his team is losing he always says, “Hey start again! That’s so not fair!” I say, “We won the game fair and square so deal with it!” I don’t think boys like losing. When Caleb’s not outside, he’s hidden away in his room like a vampire playing Xbox. Fingers flying, eyes fixed on the screen, it’s like he’s in his own little world. Sometimes it even sounds like he’s speaking a different language! He says into his headset, “Hey Quentin, I’m on your map and I’ve got an upgraded sniper.” When it’s dinnertime and Dad calls for him, his response is, “Hang on Dad, I’m busy.” If Caleb doesn’t come, Dad turns off the Internet and bans him for the rest of the week! Caleb dislikes vegetables. He says, “I don’t care if they’re good for me, they are gross! He’s out of luck though because Mum says he can’t leave the table until they are all gone. Caleb also dislikes me going into his messy room. Clothes are scattered everywhere, drawers are open, odd shoes are lying about and don’t even get me started on his bed! Underneath it smells old and dusty; it kind of makes you want to sneeze. Hanging on his wall is his prized poster of Sonny Bill Williams with a signature signed especially for him. His room is exactly how he likes it. “Go away Amy!” he yells. “You’re messing up my stuff.” I don’t even touch his things but I’m banned anyway. Caleb knows how to push my buttons. He steals the remote when it’s my turn to watch T.V. “Ha ha you’re never getting it back!” he shouts. When he comes into my room he annoys me until I’m fired up. He says, “Come on Amy, let’s wrestle now you’re angry.” “You’re on,” I say. Caleb may be a bit of a pain but he is also the funniest person I know and that’s what makes him not boring and kind of cool too. Written by Amy Wardrop Year 6�

My older brother is by far the funniest person I know. People say we look alike but I don’t think so. Caleb’s a typical twelve year-old boy and just like everyone in our family, he’s short and slim. We don’t mind though because everyone tells us good things come in small packages. Wearing his track pants and a baggy shirt, he’s in what he calls his ‘comfortable clothes’. By the end of the day, after he has mucked around outside, he’s always covered in mud. Most of the time he wears his straight, brown hair parted to one side. Long dark lashes frame his hazel eyes and are a stand out feature on his face.

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Are you the oldest, youngest or maybe the middle child in your family? I am the oldest and I am going to tell you all about it. We have five kids in our family – four boys and one girl. Arlo is my one year-old brother (he is pretty funny), Iris is four (she is very bossy), Gilbert is six (he can be a bit crazy) and Joe is my eight year-old brother. I am 11 and I am the oldest. I know what you are thinking – WKDW·V�D�ORW� – and you would be right.

3RVLWLYHV�RI�%HLQJ�WKH�2OGHVW�What is good about being the oldest in the family? Firstly getting to stay up later than the others. My little brothers are always asking Mum why I get to stay up late and she just explains it’s because I am older than them! Another thing is that I get everything brand new, while my little brothers get all my second hand stuff, like my old t-shirts. Older brothers like me are usually a bit bossy because we have power over the little ones and like to use it. Most of the time I am ordering them to do this and that. Older siblings are also the first to experience new things like going to intermediate or to having a sleepover. Some famous people who are the oldest in their family are Barack Obama, J.K. Rowling and all the actors who have played James Bond. Here are some things first-borns often have in common: they are confident, determined, born leaders (oldest children are usually given responsibility of baby sitting so they get early training in being the boss), and organised. �1HJDWLYHV�RI�%HLQJ�WKH�2OGHVW There are not many bad things about being the oldest but here are a few of them. You always have to put up with your younger siblings, like your bossy little sister, saying things like, “I want to sit there! Move out of the way! Mum said get off the Xbox, so get off it!” I hate that. Another thing is that I am given more responsibilities than the others, like looking after my little brother or doing the dishes. Parents definitely expect more of you when you are the oldest! But really being the oldest in the family isn’t that bad, even if I do have to put up with my younger siblings. And actually doing more jobs than the others and staying up later is pretty cool. :ULWWHQ�E\�/HR�%URRNHU�<HDU���

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In late August 1997, the same week as Princess Diana died, my Dad Glenn was diagnosed with a brain tumour. When I was nine years old, fourteen years later, he passed away at the age of forty-three. He was the funniest, most special person I knew. Dad always had a twinkle in his eye and a lopsided grin; a tell tale sign of his mischievous personality. He had a round face with pale skin (usually shaven) and rosy pink lips - the gateway to a mouthful of straight white teeth. I was very jealous! Freckles dotted his nose and a dimple made a dent in his cheek. Mum always combed his thin, black hair; she was very fussy about it looking nice. Broad shoulders and the fact that he was six feet tall with long arms and legs made him look like a big strong Kauri tree. He had an impressive collection of New Zealand themed beanies and he wore these often. Black rimmed glasses perched on his nose and the smell of cologne lingered around him wherever he went. Wearing a casual shirt and his favourite black track pants, he was ready for the day. Watching telly, doing word finds, and playing cards and board games were some of Dad’s favourite activities. He used to play soccer and sometimes he would come and watch my games. His favourite team was Manchester United, which is mine too. We both liked to watch the All Blacks play rugby and he would shout things at the T.V. such as, “Go the ABs!” or “Aw, c’mon ref!” Sighing I would hightail it down the hallway to my room for some peace and quiet. I loved having fun with Dad. Playing Wii is what we liked to do best because we were both very competitive. Making me laugh till my sides hurt and my eyes were watering was what he enjoyed doing too. Stop it!” I would splutter, giggling as he tickled me. These are the moments I treasure most. What did Dad dislike? That’s easy. Losing. When I played a game with him and won, he would always say that I cheated or he supposedly just let me win, but I didn’t believe him. He loathed spicy food so whenever we went to an Indian restaurant, he would just order mild butter chicken. He also couldn’t stand being cold and would always moan about it. “Heather, I’m freezing here!” Mum would get annoyed. “How can you possibly be cold?” she would say. You’ve got four layers on and two blankets!” Eventually she would give in and turn the heater on. I would roll my eyes. Dad was very naughty sometimes! Dad spent a lot of time in hospital but he didn’t really like being there. Home was where he preferred to be. His Manchester United shirt was his most prized possession. It is red with a logo on the front and on the back are the words No.1 and G. Major printed in white. It’s mine now. Another thing he loved was his Mr Bean plush toy and DVD series, which he watched again and again and never got bored. I often wondered how he did it! Having a brain tumour affected most parts of Dad’s life. He didn’t have a job, he wasn’t allowed to drive, his words came out more slowly and he had to use a walking stick. But none of these things mattered to me. He was my Dad. He was funny, brave, special, quirky, and unique and I was proud to be his daughter. :ULWWHQ�E\�5DFKHO�0DMRU�<HDU����

My Amazing Dad

73

About the Authors

NAME: HANNAH BIRCHAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New Zealand MaoriINTERESTS: Writing, being in the outdoors, training my dog Mollie, making stop-motion animated movies Writers' Cafe has been so awesome. My favourite piece of writing in the book is Great Grandad Arthur. I loved writing this because Grandad passed away several years ago and he was a very special member of our family. The best thing about Writers' Cafe has been our wonderful teacher Mrs Porteous! I have learnt how to write clever sentences and paragraphs, and to craft my writing, as I write. My goal is to relax and let my ideas flow onto the paper. When I do this, my writing sounds awesome!

NAME: LEO BROOKERAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New ZealanderINTERESTS: Lego, Xbox 360, soccerMy favourite piece of writing is my character description about my little brother Arlo. I like the way I started my sentences in different ways and used a variety of sentences like listing and insert. Writers' Cafe has helped to improve my writing so much. I have learnt to make my writing more descriptive by activating the noun and mixing up the complexity, form and length of my sentences. I want to be able to write quickly and at a quality standard. I also want to continue enjoying writing as much as I do now.

NAME: SIAN CAVANAGHAGE: 10 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New Zealander INTERESTS: Hockey, karateMy favourite piece of writing in the book is my character description called Silly Lilly because Lilly was a really cool person to write about, and I used lots of different sentence starters. Before I went to Writers' Cafe, I found writing quite boring but Mrs Porteous made it seem like a hobby, not a hassle. My writing goal is to mix up the form, length and complexity of my sentences in all types of writing, whether it is a report or a memoir.

NAME: TYLER FERGUSON-MURRAYAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New Zealander / Australian / Scottish / IrishINTERESTS: BMX riding, rugby, playstation, drawing, writing, readingI loved being in Writers' Cafe this year. My favourite piece of writing in the book is BMX Show Down because it is really detailed and descriptive. Here is an excerpt from this piece - Where he went, I went. I pedaled, jumped, wheeled, leaned, everything. The best thing about Writers' Cafe is that Mrs Porteous is there when we need help and she is kind and friendly. Writers' Cafe has helped me to improve my writing by teaching me lots of different techniques. My goals are to use strategies like activating the noun and to use a variety of sentence lengths and complexities to make my writing sound great.

NAME: NOAH HOTHAMAGE: 10 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New Zealander / SamoanINTERESTS: All sports especially touch, rugby and athletics, iPads, video gamesI am a very sporty person which means I try my hardest in everything no matter what. My favourite piece of writing is Colm My Awesome Cousin because he is a cool guy and my description is really detailed. I like the way I mixed up my sentence starters and wrote some funny stories about him. The best thing about Writers' Cafe is you get to work in a small group so your writing improves a lot. My goals are to continue to work on my spelling and to always craft what I write, as I write.

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NAME: CLAUDIA HOWELLAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New ZealanderINTERESTS: Netball, flipperball, drawing, laughingMy favourite piece of writing in the book is my poem called The Chief Responder. I like it because it uses lots of activated nouns, similes and metaphors. Here is an excerpt from this piece - The Chief Responder teases the dogs and they bark furiously in retaliation. This is my second year in Writers Cafe and I absolutely love the way it has helped to improve my writing. I have learnt to write clever paragraphs by starting my sentences in different ways and writing different complexities of sentences, like insert and listing sentences. Mrs Porteous is the best because she is kind, helpful and awesome!

NAME: LELA FAASEGA IEREMIAAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: Samoan / Cook Islander / New ZealanderINTERESTS: Animals, travelling with family, playing with toys, hockey, swimming, touch rugby, rugby, water polo, boxing, wrestlingMy favourite piece of writing is Fairy Mary because the story describes how cool and fun Mary is. I like going to Writers' Cafe because we have learnt to write clever sentences and paragraphs, and Mrs Porteous has been really helpful. My writing goals are to check I haven't repeated words and to mix up the form and length of my sentences.

NAME: RACHEL MAJORAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: Australian / New ZealanderINTERESTS: Soccer, futsal, listening to music, singing, guitar, piano, horse-riding, animals, reading and of course writing!In the book, my favourite piece of writing is My Amazing Dad. I really loved writing this piece because my dad was very special to me and this was a good way to remember him. I like the way I wrote - He was funny, brave, special, quirky, and unique and I was proud to be his daughter.Coming to Writers' Cafe gave me the opportunity to write freely about a range of great topics. I have learnt to mix up the complexity, form and length of my sentences, and to include different sentence starters. This has made my writing more interesting to read. My goal is to write in different styles using all the clever sentences I have practiced this year.

NAME: ANIKA RAJIVAGE: 10 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: Indian / New ZealanderINTERESTS: Baking, roller-skating, violinMy favourite piece of writing in the book is my memoir called Netball Time which is about playing hard. I like it because I have mixed up the length and form of my sentences. Writers' Cafe has helped me to improve my writing so much. At the beginning of the year, I wasn't even sure what an adjective was! Now I can start sentences in different ways, write insert sentences, and I definitely know what adjectives, nouns and verbs are! My main goal is to use more interesting sentences at the beginning of my paragraphs so I can hook my readers in.

NAME: TIMOTHY SHEPHERDAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New Zealander / EnglishINTERESTS: Soccer, skiing, surfing, cricket, flipper ball, video gamesMy favourite piece of writing in the book is Leap of Faith because I used lots of descriptive sentences. Here is an excerpt from my story - Eyes facing forward, toes gripping the edge, legs shaking, I leapt. Mrs Porteous helped me learn how to write great paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences, and how to start my sentences in different ways. My goals are to use a wide range of vocabulary, and to include lots of ideas to make my writing really detailed and descriptive.

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NAME: ELIZABETH SMITHAGE: 10 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New Zealander / South AfricanINTERESTS: Flippa ball, horse riding, hockey, cricket, soccer, rugby, skateboarding, writing, reading, drawing, art, talking to friendsI love all of my writing in the book because each piece has some sort of personal meaning. The opportunity to work in a small group with Mrs Porteous has been amazing! I have enjoyed writing about different topics and crafting each piece to make it sound effective. I have learnt to use different sentence starters, lengths and forms, which make my writing sound interesting for the reader. My goals are improve my handwriting and spelling (I know I can do better!) and to continue to write meaningful stories from my experiences.

NAME: MICAELA STEEDAGE: 10 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: English / Irish / Welsh / New ZealanderINTERESTS: I like to read, hang out with my friends, play on the computer, listen to music and play with our bunnies Sparkle and BilboMy favourite piece of writing in this book is my character description about my little sister Maddy. Here is an excerpt - She's happiest in her stripped dresses, lolly pink cardigans and patterned tights, bounding around the courtyard trying to catch Bilbo, her bunny. I like this piece because I have used different types of sentences, and I have activated the noun. Writers' Cafe has taught me lots of ways to make my writing sound better by mixing up the types of sentences I use and crafting my writing. My goals are to write my ideas clearly without using too many words, to write in different styles, and to keep writing about all the things I am experiencing and researching.

NAME: LUCY THOMPSONAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New ZealanderINTERESTS: Netball, flippa ball, fishing, drawing, swimmingMy favourite piece of writing in this book is my character description of my Grandad because he is a really special person and I included lots of details about him. The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is we get to write about our personal experiences. I have especially enjoyed learning how to use different sentence starters and how to craft my writing. I have learnt a lot from Mrs Porteous this year! My goals in writing are to check the sentences I have written and to try to elaborate and add more detail.

NAME: JANKA VOLFAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: Eurpoean (German, Hungarian)INTERESTS: Horseriding, soccer, athletics, animals, singing, piano, guitar, listening to music, dancing, reading, writing My favourite piece of writing in the book is Coromandel because it is about a fun time I had with my brothers and I will treasure this memory forever. Here is an excerpt from this piece - Kicking my legs, I broke the surface, gulped in some air and raced after my retreating brothers, leaving only a trail of bubbles behind.The best thing about Writers' Cafe is when we start writing. We talk about the topic, look at models and try out new technqiues to make our writing sound amazing. Mrs Porteous is pretty cool too! I have learnt to mix up the length and form of my sentences and to start my sentences in different ways. My goals are to continue practicing these techniques and one day I would love to publish my own book.

NAME: AMY WARDROPAGE: 10 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New ZealanderINTERESTS: Hockey, dance, listening to music, being with my friends My favourite piece of writing is My Brother Caleb because I feel like I have painted a picture in the readers' mind in order for them to understand more about him. The best thing about going to Writers' Cafe is learning new things every week, like mixing up the lengths of my sentences and how to write simple, compound and complex sentences. Mrs Porteous is a really good teacher! My goal in writing is to carry on using all the things I've learned this year at intermediate, especially using a range of different sentence starters and explaining my ideas in lots of detail.

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NAME: CALEB WESSELSONAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: Dutch / New ZealanderINTERESTS: Soccer, reading books, Xbox 360, spending time with my dad and friends, cooking, going to the movies My favourite pieces of writing in the book are Easy Peasy Peas and My Dad Stuart. I like these pieces because they are detailed and I really enjoyed writing about these topics. Writers' Cafe has helped me learn to use descriptive words and how to write paragraphs with different types of sentences. My goals are to continue to write funny, interesting stories that entertain my readers, and to use different sentence starters.

NAME: WIL ZIJLSTRA-SCHMIDTAGE: 11 yearsYEAR: 6ETHNICITY: New ZealanderINTERESTS: Minecraft, iPod, Writers' CafeMy favourite piece of writing in the book is Veronica because I enjoyed describing a close friend and I learnt how to mix up my sentence starters. Writers' Cafe has given me many opportunities to express myself in ways I never have before. My goal is to continue to use all my new writing skills at intermediate, like how to write detailed paragraphs, activating the noun and using strong verbs.

Woodstock School has very hard working children,And only a special few are chosen,To go to a place called Writers' Cafe,To learn how to make delicious pate.Alas we don't really make food,Instead we craft scrumptious stories out of our mouth watering words,To create a book for you to devour.

This time we are to share,A fascinating book based on our years,So open up this treasure one sunny day,And we hope our creations will blow you away!

Written by Janka VolfYear 6

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