Bring it on!

2020, a new start. This year has already been flying past and so I’m sure I need to set some goals. I actually have a few goals for 2020. One of my goals is to be a good role model for others. As part of being leader for 2020 not just for Kapa Haka but for the school too, I think I should be setting goals to improve my leadership skills. Another goal I have set for myself is to try new things. Things like new sports, new things at home and more. I think that everybody should be able to try new things because sticking to one thing is simple. The world isn’t simple and so why should people be basic and simple? I want to be able to take the risks and reach for the stars!

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My letter to you, Miss Tapuke!

Walt: Write for a specific purpose.

Kia Ora Miss Tapuke,

My name is Jahzara. I’m a Year 8 student at Pt England School. I have been attending Pt
England School since I was 5. As you may know, I am currently 12 years old turning 13 in June! 
I am in fact the eldest female sibling in my family always working hard in the house :)

My favourite subject is writing! The reason why is because I’m able to chuck in any of my
thoughts and ideas. Writing makes me feel calm and free. I feel that my weakest subject is
Numeracy. I sometimes find it hard to understand some of the questions that I get asked, but I
must say that I love to find the Area and Perimeters of different types of shapes.

I enjoy playing netball and cricket. I’ve been playing netball ever since I was 7 years old. I’ve
had amazing opportunities to play netball in the Pacific Cup! I played for Tonga in 2016 & 2018
and in 2017 I played for Fiji. I also played cricket in 2017 and 2018 and decided to take a break
in 2019. Now I’m back and trying to be active with the family or even school teams. 

I absolutely love music. Singing is actually one of my hobbies. I love playing the guitar and
ukulele. I know heaps of tunes and songs. When playing the guitar I enjoy finger picking. It’s one
of the ways to bring more empathy and life into my type of music. I am currently learning how to
play the keyboard/piano. I like to think of it as a splash of refreshment towards my mind. 

I am really interested in gemstones. I love how the gemstones have their own type of power. I’ve
had a couple myself. My personal favourite has to be an amethyst. An Amethyst is known as a
protection stone. It is known to protect you from any spiritual attacks which I find very cool.

I am very excited to be in your literacy class this year. I know it’s going to be a blast, just like
last year! :)

Yours sincerely,

Jahzara.

Task Description:

Room 2 literacy was tasked to write Miss Tapuke a letter, introducing yourself. We were tasked
to make our letter interesting and thoughtful. This letter is to inform others, telling them what I'm
about and what I enjoy doing. I enjoyed this task because well, I like to write! You may have read
the letter already so you must know a lot about me now :)

Enjoy! :)

Holidays :)

Hi blog viewers, sorry I haven't been active this holidays. I've been a bit busy with some family things. I'm actually pretty disappointed that my blog had a bit if issues when I tried to blog. When ever I tried to post a blog post, it went straight to drafts, It was a bit hard to deal with. But then again, sorry for not being active but I know that all of you other blog posters did amazing! Work hard this year, try some new things and don't give up on any of your goals :)

See you all at school!

SLJ (Day: 5, Activity: 1, 2 & 3)

DAY 5: AGAINST THE ODDS

Sophie Pascoe is a New Zealand para-swimmer. This means she is a competitive swimmer with a physical disability. Very sadly, Sophie was run over by a lawn mower when she was only 2 years old. She had to have the bottom of her left leg amputated. However, despite this terrible accident, she was determined to become a competitive swimmer.

Sophie has won numerous New Zealand and world para-swimming titles, including nine Olympic gold medals. She has also won the Halberg Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year three times. Sophie is a great example of a New Zealander who did not let her disability stop her from achieving her dreams. She is truly a ‘National Treasure’. A national treasure is someone or something that is very important to a country.

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Activity 1: National Treasure
For this activity, we would like to learn more about the things that are important to you.

On your blog, please share three things that you treasure and say why they are treasures to you.

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(AGAINST THE ODDS)

Yusra Mardini is a teenage girl who was born in Syria, a war-torn country in the Middle East. She left Syria in 2015 to get away from the constant fighting and became a refugee. During her journey to reach safety in a new country, the engine on the boat she was travelling in broke down and Yusra, her sister and two others jumped out of the boat and swam to get help. Her heroic actions saved twenty people’s lives.

Yusra now lives in Germany. In 2016 she was named as part of the Refugee Olympic Team and she swam for this team in the last summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is now training for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

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Activity 2: Swimming to Safety

For this activity, listen to the podcast of Yusra Mardini, or read her story on her personal website.

On your blog, retell the story of this amazing young woman from Syria.

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There once lived a girl who enjoyed swimming. It soon became a hobby then turned into one of her own dreams. Before hand, she had a pretty rough past.

Introducing, the story of Yusra Mardini......

Yusra lived a pretty normal life at first. She grew up in Damascus Syria and even went to school there. But, Yusra didn't swim. While all the other kids swam, she would always stand close to the edge of the pool. Sometimes she would just stare into the deep swaying water. Yusra could hardly see the bottom. The pool water gave her excitement but Yusra's fear would always take over.

One day Yusra looked at the water in the pool. She wanted to do something very shocking and completely unexpected. She leapt immediately into the water. Covering the whole body in the water of the pool. A few seconds before she lifted her head out of the water to breathe, Yusra knew that she was swimming at last! She grew into a very skilled and talented swimmer.

A few years later, a couple of issues arose. Some from the crowd were not happy with the government. The government fired at brave people, and demonstrations that spoke their minds. This was a big issue that didn't affect Yusra at first. But the violence had become so bad at the age of 13, that it turned into a civil war. Large protest groups gathered around Syria fighting together against the government

At first, Yusra and her family stood safe. While they were staying in a quiet part of Damascus, Syria's capital. But the battle soon closed on them. Bad news was heard every day, and deterioration continued. One day while Yusra and her father walked to practise in the pools. They saw that the pool in front of the bombing was left in ruins and Gun fights. Yusra could no longer train, her dreams, ruined. They had nothing left and nowhere to go. Yusra's house was destroyed too. Innocent people were killed.

They were forced to go into hiding from Yusra's family and they lived in fear every day. No idea whether they will be able to see the next day live. At Yusra's age of 14, she only saw 1 way out. They have had to leave Syria, seeking a better life. Yusra's parents said no to the idea of going aboard, as it would be too hard. Especially with the little sister of Yusra who was no older than a child. After a while, Yusra's mother planned to send Yusra and her older sister on a risky trip to Europe, with her 2 cousins. They had no choice, it was unclear whether the rest of the family would make it, but it was the best way forward for now.

Yusra flu to Berlin, Germany, where many other Syrian refugees had left. They could start a better life there and maybe Yusra would start swimming again. She could train well in Germany with many other great swimmers. Yusra left Syria with a cell phone and some clothes, and a little money. The money was going to be used to pay smugglers, as refugees are not allowed by most countries. Yusra abandoned one of her perilous journey into Europe.

They flew first to Lebanon then to Turkey in Istanbul. They were afraid as they went on their journey that they might get caught by the police. Surely the police would have sent them back to Syria, where the war was still going on. They went south from Istanbul to a coast in Turkey, near a Greek Island called Lesbos. The smugglers were waiting at the coast to get them on board a dinghy for the right time, which would take them to the island. It took 2 attempts until eventually at nightfall they forced the dingy out to sea.

They shrank in the landscape as they quickly drifted into the depths of the Mediterranean sea. They left the coast less than 20 minutes later. The dinghy's engine began to clang louder and they began to slow down, before they eventually came to a halt. The dingy started sinking, it was only supposed to carry just 6 passengers, but instead the smugglers fitted 20 people. Everybody panicked and started tossing desperate things overboard to keep it afloat. None of this helped as they kept sinking in the middle of the Mediterranean sea.

Just 4 of the 20 people on the dingy knew how to swim. They tried to save the dinghy in many other ways but nothing succeeded. Yusra, her older sister and the four swimmers jumped into the water and began to pull the dingy. Yusra used one arm to grip the rope at the front, and the other to help her swim. They started moving slowly but surely. They started to swim, the dinghy was heavy, Yusra was sick of numbness, and her eyes burned from the salt water but, she kept swimming. She knew that if she did not do it, the rest of the refugees would die without a doubt.

Yusra and the other swimmers sighted land after 3 and a half hours. There was no way they were going to give up, now with an eye catching sight of the finishing line. Eventually, the refuges and Yusra made it out of the water and onto land. Two swimmers dragged the dinghy onto land. The refuges and Yusra camouflaged themselves in the cornfield where they decided to wait until the time was right to make their move by. Approximately at nightfall.

They were unfortunately caught by police when they began. They were taken by police to a refugee camp not so far from where they had landed. When Yusra and her sister were being moved they began to laugh. The police commended to know what they found so amusing. Yusra answered in her head, "We were almost about to die at sea and now the police think we should be frightened of them." Yusra left the asylum camp with her sister. Of course, they had made it to the island, but their destination had not been met. They continued their trip, traversing nine more nations. After a month, Yusra and her sister entered Berlin Germany. Conditions weren't the easiest so Yusra had to work very hard.

At the refuge camp, Yusra slept on the floor. Although she really wanted to attend a swimming club. She was out of shape when she first tried it out, and could not do her best. Surprisingly, the Coach saw something rather special in Yusra. Yusra's technique was strong but Yusra could be better with some preparation. She planned to awake at 6:00 am so she would be able to train before her classes. Yusra was eager to achieve her goal.

Yusra has been asked to join the first refugee team at the 2016 Olympics. She competed in the butterfly race of 100 metres, and won. Yusra is currently training for the 2020 Olympics. Nothing will get in the way, nothing will stop Yursra from meeting her goals.

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(AGAINST THE ODDS)

You have now made it to the end of Week 1 and have the chance to choose your very own sportsperson or explorer who you think has changed the world. There are no right or wrong choices for this activity, so find someone who interests you and tell us about them on your blog. It could be someone from your family, church, community or someone famous who you admire.

Here are some starting points in case you get stuck:

Jessica Watson

Tanielu Tele’a

Sachin Tendulkar

Ann Bancroft

Kelly Slater

Tamatea

Laura Dekker

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Activity 3: Own Choice

For this activity, please choose one person (a changemaker) and read all about them.

On your blog, provide us with:

The name of the person
A description of the work they do/have done
An explanation of how they/their work has had an impact on the lives of others

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I decided to choose my aunty (my dad's sister.) 

My aunty was a netball coach. She enjoyed the sports and was an amazing coach. My aunty was very kind. She cared for a lot of people and helped some too. She cared very much for her family. My aunty was also very popular around school. All of my cousins (her kids) attended Pt England. My aunty fought through cancer and unfortunately lost her battle. I am actually named after my aunty! She helped feed kids at school by preparing sandwiches and other type of foods for them. 

I reckon my aunty helped a lot of kids. A lot of the children she coached for netball are still playing netball. I think some are even in the top teams. My aunty fed a lot of kids that didn't have any lunch. She had a great personality and a kind heart for anyone. A strong faith in our lord up above and a strong fighter who never gave up. My aunty taught  my siblings, her children and I a lot of things. Wanting us to use them in the future. She influenced a lot of people to be brave and to achieve the things they want to achieve.

SLJ (Day: 4, Activity: 1, 2 & 3)

DAY 4: INDIVIDUAL PURSUITS

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Billie Jean King, Venus Williams, and Serena Williams are three exceptional, female tennis players. They are not only outstanding athletes and some of the best tennis players in the world, but they have fought for women to be recognised as equals to men in the game of tennis. Billie Jean King famously beat a male tennis player, Bobby Riggs, in 1973, to prove to the public that women could compete at any level in tennis.

Billie Jean King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was recently awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year - Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Activity 1: Making a Racket

For this activity, watch these videos about Serena and Venus Williams.

On your blog, tell us three things that you learned from watching these videos, as well as one thing you would still like to know.

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(INDIVIDUAL PURSUITS)

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest boxers of all time. He started boxing when he was 12 years old and went on to become the World Heavyweight Champion numerous times in the 1960s and 1970s.

Muhammad Ali was an African American man born with the name Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. When he was a young man, however, he became a Muslim and converted to Islam. When he converted, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. During his life, Ali gave a lot of time and money to various charities. He also helped to feed more than 22 million people across the world who didn’t have enough food. Despite all of his charitable work, Muhammad Ali is still best known for his agressive boxing style, his confident personality and his inspirational quotes.

Changing your name is a big deal! If you were to change your name, what would you change it to?

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Activity 2: What’s in a Name?

For this activity, imagine that you were allowed to change your name to anything that you wanted.

On your blog, tell us what you would change your name to and why you would choose that name.

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I wouldn't change my name at all. I really like my name and enjoy the fact the my name is very unique. Although people do get the pronunciation wrong a lot, other's get it right the first time. I know that my name is a hard name to pronounce and so I'm not bothered if others get the pronunciation wrong. The meaning of my name is Princess. Pretty cool right?!

I reckon my name is perfect the way it is. I'm happy my name is Jahzara <3

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(INDIVIDUAL PURSUITS)

Dame Valerie Adams (half sister of basketballer, Steven Adams) is a shot put champion from New Zealand (NZ). She has won the World Championships four times as well as both gold and silver medals at the Olympics. Here, in New Zealand, she has won the Halberg Award for New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year seven consecutive times (2006-2012)! She is a bit of a legend both in NZ and in her homeland of Tonga.

Valerie Adams is a proud Tongan New Zealander. You can see her wearing a ta’ovala in the photo. There are many Tongans living in New Zealand - you may be one of them! The Kingdom of Tonga is a group of 169 islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is located between Fiji, Samoa and Niue. Here are some travel tips about Tonga.

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Activity 3: Worth her Weight in Gold

For this activity, imagine that you were asked to create a travel brochure for Tonga (or a country that is important to you). On the brochure, include lots of great tips about what to see and do in the country.

On your blog, post your finished copy of your brochure.

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SLJ (Day: 3, Activity: 1, 2 & 3)

DAY 3: Team players
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Jonah Lomu was a rugby superstar. He was the youngest ever All Black, selected at just 19 years of age. He went on to have an amazing career that included 63 caps (international games) and 37 tries. Jonah was Tongan, but spent most of his childhood in Mangere, South Auckland. He started out playing touch rugby and rugby league but changed over to rugby union and quickly made a name for himself. He was very tall, strong and fast.

Richie McCaw is another example of a famous rugby player. He was the captain of the All Blacks between 2004 and 2015. Like Jonah Lomu, he had an outstanding international career in rugby union and had many achievements. In fact he was the most capped All Black captain, most capped test rugby player and World Rugby Player of the Year in 2006, 2009, and 2010. He has been given a Halberg Award and made a member of the Order of New Zealand. As well as being an outstanding player, Richie McCaw was also a strong leader and captain.

For many people, players like Jonah Lomu and Richie McCaw are superheroes with extra special ‘superpowers.’
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Activity 1: Rugby Superstars

For this activity, let’s imagine that you could be a superhero for a day. What three superpowers would you most like to have?

On your blog, please list the three superpowers, tell us why you have chosen each one, and tell us what you are going to do with them.

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1: Teleportation

2: Super Strength 

3: Power of healing

1: I'm a super hero for the day and something goes wrong. Someone's in danger and there's violence all around. Being able to teleport to other places is a helping hand. Instead of walking, running, using a vehicle to get to where all the action is. I could just teleport there, it's quick and easy. I could also use my teleportation to teleport the victims who are in danger away from the evil.

2: Of course you would need some type of strength to defeat violence. Without strength, you could be in a lot of trouble. Let's say, you have no idea what the villain is capable of. You then turn up, face to face with the villain and ready for a battle. Now the villain could be strong or could be capable of something else. Using your strength could give you a chance to defeat evil!

3: I chose this power not only for myself but for others too. If anyone get's damaged or hurt. I'll be there to help them. If I get hurt, I could help myself too. I reckon this super power is very important. You're able to use it for those who are in pain, who have been injured or hurt.

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(TEAM PLAYERS)

LeBron James is one of the most famous professional basketball players in the world. He currently plays in the NBA (National Basketball Association) for the Los Angeles Lakers. He has won numerous awards over the years, helping his teams win many important games.

Steven Adams also plays in the NBA, but unlike LeBron, Steven comes from Rotorua, New Zealand and is the half-brother of Olympic gold medalist Valerie Adams. That’s a pretty cool family connection, isn’t it?! Steven Adams currently lives in the United States and plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.

Despite being born in different countries, these two incredible basketballers have a number of similarities. Both men came from humble beginnings. Neither of their families had a lot of money, and neither man grew up with a father at home. Even though they faced challenges, they were able to overcome them. Both men are examples of what is possible when you work hard and believe in yourself.

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Activity 2: Defying the Odds

For this activity, we would like you to imagine that you had the chance to interview LeBron James, Steven Adams or another basketball player of your choice.

On your blog, tell us who you would interview and then provide a list of five questions that you would like to ask your chosen player.

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I chose LeBron James. I don't really watch basketball but I know a little bit about the sports. I chose LeBron James for no specific reason. It was a random choice.

My questions:

1: How do you feel when you're playing on a basketball court in front of lots of people?

2: When did you first have an interest for basketball?

3: Which game would you say you played best in?

4: Any other goals for the future?

5: Have you ever had interests in any other sports?

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(TEAM PLAYERS)

The Silver Ferns are New Zealand’s professional netball team. They are based in Auckland and play against teams from all over the world. Next year they are due to compete in the first ever Netball Nations cup competition in England.

In order to earn a place on the team, each of the players had to prove that they were one of the best netball players in the country. They have all had to work very hard, sacrifice many things, and show dedication and determination throughout their careers. In many cases, they have also had a lot of support from others - their family, friends, teachers, coaches. This support has allowed them to pursue their dreams and to, ultimately, do a job that they love.

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Activity 3: Achieving our Dreams

For this activity, choose a friend or family member and ask them what their dream job would be. Please then brainstorm six ways in which you could support them in achieving their dream job.

On your blog, present your ideas as a poster or infographic.

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I asked my brother what his dream job is and he wants to be a professional rugby player. He's an amazing player. He's been playing rugby for almost 7 years and he was able to make 11 representative teams. My brother played at PES in his past years, and he still plays while at college.

Click here to see poster

Image attribution

Image attribution

SLJ (Day: 2, Activity 1, 2 & 3)

DAY 1: UP IN THE AIR
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Jean Batten was a famous aviator (pilot) who was born in Rotorua, New Zealand in 1909. In the 1930s she made several record-breaking solo flights (on her own) across the world. In fact, she was the first person to fly solo from England to New Zealand - a huge achievement! She also flew a number of long solo flights between England and Australia/Brazil. When she flew, she always took a silk dress with her so that she could look beautiful at the parties she attended upon her arrival.

Amelia Earhart was an American aviator who lived at about the same time as Jean Batten. Like Jean, she also flew solo. In fact, she was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She flew all the way from Canada to Northern Ireland on her own without stopping. In 1937, Amelia Earhart attempted to circumnavigate (go right around) the world. Unfortunately, the flight ended in tragedy when she disappeared near Howland Island, about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. She was never found.

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Activity 1: Flying Solo

For this activity, compare and contrast these two aviators. You could use this venn diagram.

On your blog, share your comparison between the two women and be sure to include at least three similarities and three differences between these two aviators.

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(UP IN THE AIR)

Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and engineer. In 1969, Neil and his team of astronauts flew to the moon in a spacecraft called Apollo 11. When they arrived, Neil got out of the spacecraft and walked on the moon. He is the first person in history to walk on the moon! As Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, he famously said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

As you can imagine, landing on the moon is a very dangerous task. Many things can go wrong, and a number of astronauts have died attempting to land on the moon. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins (the three astronauts on Apollo 11) must have been extremely brave.

I always imagine that walking on the moon must be like jumping on the trampoline! Do you like jumping on a trampoline? My daughter Laila loves it!

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Activity 2: One Small Step For Man

For this activity, let’s imagine that you were Neil Armstrong.

On your blog, write a short poem describing how you felt when you first set foot on the moon. Here is a link to some different poetry forms.

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The moon
Feeling nervous
First few steps on the moon
Heart pumping, Excitement and Joy
Home time

I decided to do a Cinquain poem. We learnt the rules for this poem in literacy. It's like a pattern, first line has to have 2 syllables. The next has to have 4 syllables. The third line needs 6, then 8 but then we'll have to go back to 2 syllables. Check my other poems out by using this link.

Here!

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(UP IN THE AIR)

Mr Chesley Sullenberger, or “Sully” as he was known, was an airline captain (pilot) for about 30 years. In 2009, he became world famous when he landed his aeroplane in the middle of the Hudson River in New York City. He was forced to make an emergency landing when both of the engines in his aeroplane lost power. Amazingly, all 155 people on board the A320 plane survived the landing. This incredible event became known as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson.’

You can watch a video about it here.

Although Sully must have been scared when the engines lost power, he didn’t show it. Instead he stayed calm, and saved the lives of everyone on board. What a brave man!

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 Activity 3: Miracle on the Hudson

For this activity, we would like to hear about a time when you, or someone you know, was brave like Sully.

On your blog, recount a time when you (or someone else you know) did something brave.

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This goes back to when all the year 6's were at Kawau Island. We were at year 6 camp! There were 4 full teams. In the teams we were split up into group A or group B. Paschal and I were the team leaders for team Mansion, group B. We had a lot of fun!

We were doing one of our activities. Sailing! Now, there needed to be 3 demonstrators. Only 2 people from our team put their hands up and got chosen to demonstrate. There needed to be one more person to demonstrate before we could even start. We waited for a few minutes and I finally put my hand up. Believe it or not, I was the only girl who decided to put my hand up.

Well, I got told to choose a boat with what ever number I would like. I'm sure I chose number 4 because well, it's my favorite number. I sat down in my sail boat and listened and followed the instructions while I demonstrated for our team. One of the instructions I will never forget is, "Always face your back to the wind."

We then got set off to sail with no help. I had an amazing time. For a first time experience I reckon I did pretty well. Actually, I did really good! Being able to be brave and demonstrate when no one else wanted to really payed off. I ended up getting awarded *Best Girl Sailor.* I'm happy I was brave enough to demonstrate for our team.

Even if you think you're not able to do something you've never done before or something you may fear just try. Put yourself in the open and challenge yourself to be brave and believe that you can do anything !