Guest Post by Georgia - Taradale High Sport

Each year at Taradale Intermediate, several classes are lucky enough to have sports tuition by some students from Taradale High School, which is right next door to us. 

We choose a sport and we then go over to the high school and have 4 sessions with two Year 12’s who are an expert in that sport.  They coach us for extra credits in NCEA.  The sports were Cricket, Handball, Soccer, Netball, Hockey, Softball, Problem Solving ABLs, Touch Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, and Hip Hop and Jazz dancing.

Taradale High Sports are a great way to learn a new sport or improve on one you already play.  I think that the Taradale High sports are great and give people the experience they need.

Does your school have an exchange with any other schools? 

Or do you do an event with another school annually? 

From Then til Now - 100 Medals

Have a look at New Zealand's 'All Time Medal List'.  It's a wonderful occasion to celebrate the successes of our athletes from the fourth modern Olympic Games in 1908 until now.

Each medalist has been a leader in their own right and has gone on to inspire others after them.  We know these champions lived the Olympic motto:  "Citius Altius Fortius" - Faster Higher Stronger.  These words encourage them to give their very best.  

The Olympic creed complements this and promotes having a character full of integrity, respect, and kindness:  "The most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well."   We know this creed also promotes humility as the victors recognise the efforts all competitors have invested.

Who are your stand out Olympians?

What impact have they had in your country?

Abstract Art

Earlier on this year, Room 24 viewed the awesome artwork of the students in Huzzah, a class in British Colombia.  They entitled their work "Eye Candy" - and we thought it looked pretty scrumptious.  Three weeks later, we saw some more artwork that was almost identical to Huzzah's Eye Candy.  This time it was called "Blob Art" and it was the stunning work of the students in Room 6 @ Halcombe School, New Zealand.  

We'd thought about doing some pieces of our own after seeing Huzzah's masterpieces but after seeing the powerful finished products of Room 6 we decided it was time to stop thinking and start doing.  With two classes artwork in front of us, we had the privilege of being able to spend some time examining and analysing what was before us.  

We highlighted what different techniques both classes used to make their art effective before reaching a consensus as to what we were going to incorporate into our compositions.  What an opportunity it was to exercise our Habits of Mind and higher order thinking skills!  We decided on the name "Abstract Art" for our creations because while we were viewing the other classes' work many of us commented how we could see different things in the various pieces.

We'd like to thank both Huzzah and Room 6 for their inspiration.

What does our Abstract Art remind you of?

What is an art project that you've completed recently that you're proud of?

Do you have a favourite artist or favourite style of art?

Celebrating the Year So Far ...

Congratulations NZ2012!

It's Saturday morning and across Aotearoa, New Zealanders either went to bed last night elated or got up this morning to the brilliant news that our team had won two Golds and one Bronze in the space of just over six hours!


This is what we're looking like on the Gold table:

CONGRATULATIONS to the Rowers and Track Cyclists for their achievements!  We're so proud of you and so happy for you and your successes.  Lauren Boyle also knocked three seconds off her personal best and came fourth in the final of the 800m Freestyle.  Although that's not a medal, we think that's pretty outstanding!


You can follow the medal map and see current medal standings at any time.  Thanks to Mrs McKenzie and B4 for originally posting the link to this map on their blog.

Who are the NZ Olympians that have won medals?

Other than the codes mentioned above, what events were they in?

Do you know which athletes from Team NZ2012 have beaten a New Zealand record or a personal best?

How are you celebrating the Olympics at your school?  If you're from another country, how are your Olympians doing?