Small Country. Big Costs.

The problem in New Zealand today? The rate of obesity and diabetic issues that our country is known for. Most of this effects the Polynesian society. Suburbs with big amounts of Pacific residents like Otahuhu, Mangere and Glen Innes, are known for the large quantity of fast food restaurants. I believe that we should shut down most fast food restaurants, due to the vulnerability of Pacific children and parents.

          It is most likely that McDonalds, Carls Junior and Burger King were built in our communities to make the Pacific youth used to the lifestyle of regular bad eating habits. Most of our society don’t know what’s really in our food, better yet care, but statistics show that the rate of obesity levels from Polynesians increased by 20% over the last year.

          Statistics in 2007 and 2008 showed that Pacific children aged 2 – 12 years, did not have breakfast at home every day. I think this is because they were most likely to buy it from local takeaways and fast food restaurants. Polynesian teenagers are not as academically advanced as Pakeha students, and it’s caused by the lack of focus in class from bad eating habits, to not even having breakfast. Crusader Faletagoai, a local school boy, says that McDonalds posters almost cry to him every morning on his way to school.

          It is most likely that Pacific children are 3 times more likely to get diabetes rather than other New Zealanders. Parents waste money buying takeaways, while being too lazy to make their own healthy choices for their family. It is known by everyone that vegetables are cheaper than buying pre-packaged, disgusting and expensive junk food.

          In conclusion, I believe that we should shut down fast food restaurants in Pacific communities. It is important to maintain a good lifestyle, but best to have a healthy one as well.

My Most Important Interview EVER

In May 2012, my parents and I had one of the biggest events of my life. I was having an interview at St Mary’s College for a spot this year. As always, I was unsure that I wanted to do this. Arriving at the school, a racing heart was heading towards the office, hoping for a GREAT interviewer. I couldn’t stop talking to my parents about how scared I was.

                First off, we waited for about thirty to thirty-five minutes until it was our turn.  We chatted to a couple of people to practically warm our voices up. I could tell that my mum was nervous too, but my father just wasn’t really talking though. I was then startled, when Mr Nolan called us for our interview.

                Almost as sweaty as a pig, my brain went blank, thinking about my old school and friends. The interview was basically just learning about me and my family, and the history of St Mary’s.

“So it’s Juanita, right?” Mr Nolan mentioned- as everyone would say my name.               “Um, JO-nita, sir”, I replied calmly.

“So WHY do you want to come to St Mary’s Jonita?”                                             

 “Well. Because of the great learning facilities and stuff. You know?” I said, trying to think of something smart.         

                As Mr Nolan wanted to know more about me, my parents anxiously told him about my family and brothers. LUCKILY, he was able to sustain interest. (I think)

“So I’ll tell you what. If she wants to, we’ll accept her ”, he stated.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Hitting my arm, my mother was obviously over emotional.

“Yes, yes!”, I exclaimed.

                I was probably getting over excited myself too. Walking out of the office and bursting with tears of joy, I was already ready for my St Mary’s journey.

Leaving my old school-Pt. England Primary- was real heart-breaking but getting into St Mary’s is a HUGE honour. But overall, the experience was half and half. At least I know I’m going to love it here.

My First Trip to Maraetai Beach

Last week, I had one of the most AMAZING beach trips of my life. My uncle, his girlfriend and my auntie and I went to Maraetai Beach with a few of my aunties cousins. To be honest, I didn't really expect to go anywhere on THAT lazy Saturday. The night before was really busy, and I was tired but it was worth it.

            First, me and my aunty got our things ready after I had my cake for breakfast. Then, we picked up my uncles girlfriend from her house. Then off to Maraetai we went. A few stops to supermarkets and gas stations, but just for some more food:)

            When we FINALLY got there after about one and a half hours, I rapidly ran down to the sea shore. Why? Because I got broke my jandolos at SuperValue supermarket. I had to run because the concrete was really rocky. Arriving onto the soft nude sand, i was relieved.

            Greeting all of my uncles fiance's cousins, we ate, and then SWAM:)) Dipping my feet into the frigid water, I hacked the feeling of numbness in my legs and jumped in. Literally. We swam for about 3-4 HOURS!! I know right. After swimming, me and my uncles jumped off the jetty. It was a high tide so it was really deep too. Luckily, I'm a great swimmer.

            Overall, this trip was amazing. I ate great food, met soon-to-be family members of mine, and spent more than I could wish for with my family. I would love to go to Maraetai Beach again, ANY TIME SOONER.

Mistletoe Press

Guess what guys?! I have just made my FIRST ever site for Christmas. Hope you check it out!

https://sites.google.com/a/ptengland.school.nz/mistletoe-press/   

Thinking Hats: Reflection on Netbooks

Pt England School, the home of digital learning. Netbooks are very helpful learning tools with much to provide for us. I think it would be much harder to learn at school without them.

Learning with Netbooks makes sharing, editing and information much more easier. Even though school finishes, our learning hasn't, when we can still learn maths, writing and reading at HOME. I couldn't imagine school without Netbooks.

Collecting and sharing information is much more easier and important now. Unlike writing with a pencil and paper, it is much more faster and neater with our laptops.

Unfortunately, our netbooks don’t have enough or ANY animation or movie making studios for us to use. Pt England is very creative. Animating and movie are a big part of our learning.

Sharing internet with T.C. (Tamaki College) is a real pain. Managing to connect to Maths Whizz was a real pain..
My solution to ALL this nonsense is for the school to get each student from Year 5 & up, their own  mouse which will help us with animating. As for movie making, I reckon that we should upgrade to Apple Software instead of Ubuntu.

My Camp Highlights

Hine

This painting is called Hine, by Robyn Kahukiwa. If you look closely, you will see that the color changes from light to darker on the forehead going. Also that the painting is dyed on the forehead from the noticeable blotches. 

My favorite bit about this painting is the details, like feathers and moko. I like them because of the colors and how semetrical they are.

The Kawau Experience

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.......... I guess it's over. Yeah, Camp Bentzon was AMAZING!! Kayaking, bombing, SAILING, (Well that's a first timer) and abseiling.

My overall favourite activity was bombing off the wharf with my friends. I'm not bragging too, but I was pretty good for a first timer on Tuesday. I was really scared at first because I really sucked, but then I starting getting use to it. "TASI, LUA, TOLU, FA. JUMP!", I shouted to Tyla-Marie before jumping. Splashing into the water, feet first, a gulp of sea water went into my mouth.

Hiking into the bush was my LEAST favourite activity. Not just because I'm not athletic, but also because it took us about two or so hours just to go to a "beach", well not really a beach. It took about two hours to get half way, when Isara said a speech with a stone picked from the beach. But it was still great exercise:))

MY OVERALL EXPERIENCE THOUGH THE ANNUAL YEAR 6 CAMP BENTZON IS A 10/10. IT WAS REALLY FUN, AND I TOTALLY WANT TO GO AGAIN:D

Thanks to Erin, Peter and all the teachers and helpers who came and helped us at Kawau!

My Camp Facts

YEEEEEEYYY!!! In just ONE more day, it’s going to be the Yr 6 Annual Camp at Kawau Island. It’s called Camp Bentzon and I'M going! I can’t wait!!

On the way to the island, it takes and hour and a half, JUST TO GET TO THE SAND SPIT. And then 30 minutes to get to the island on the ferry.

There is also a variety of activities, from a Burma trail, to kayaking in stingray bay. There is also LOTS of bunks, inside the cabins. There are usually five people in one cabin:)

The thing that I’m MOSTLY looking forward to is spending huge amounts of time with my friends. I’d like to do that because not only I'm leaving nek year, but in our cabins, that’s the only REAL time we spend with our friends. Well, I was told that by one of our teachers.

The biggest challenge at Camp for me would have to be the raft making. I think because I'm not really good with making essentials with just random piece of wood. So that’s about it!

Wish me good luck on CAMP!! Expect more interesting and fascinating stories nek week!

Thanks to the Camp Bentzon site for this photo of the activity map!

My Couplet Poem about Summer

Summer

In Summer,
It gets even funner,
When we eat ice-cream,
And shout and scream,
But when the end comes to Summer,
It’s a real bummer

 

My Couplet Poem about Camp

Camp

At our Year 6 Camp,
I would like to tramp,
And also eat marshmallows,
And swim in the water that isn’t shallow
And having fun
While running in the sun

Operation Flax

Mrs Harper, Freya and her mother's next door neighbour wants to cut down the flax bush along their path. Unfortunately, that is the bush that Freya’s mum plates her kete with, and the bush that Freya feeds the tui’s syrup with.

Freya and her mum try to think of other solutions, but none of them ended with good results. Luckily, Mr Harper (MRS HARPER’S HUSBAND) enjoys watching the tui’s drinking the syrup that Freya makes and then they take the plants down, but then plant another flax bush at the Harper’s backyard:)

Triathlon

Walking in the cold morning air, Room 17 walked to the field for the first day of our triathlon. With my heart racing, I fully opened eyes ANNNNDDDD.............................. This was it:(


I was hoping for something more challenging, but that was good enough.

Suddenly, I spot two old men, one of them running towards us. Noticing that he was more energetic than I thought, he explained to us about the rules and facts of triathlons. Then we finally got to work.

RANDOM TRIATHLON FACTS:
Did you know that the longest triathlon is the Iron Man. It has a 3.86 km swim, 180.25 km bike ride, and a 42.2 km run.

In Triathlon, Tri means three, and athlon means contest or event

The Iron Man is a test of skill, mental achievement and spirit.

Running to the water slide, I couldn’t wait to start. Getting sprayed by the water, I was getting ready to run before the other. NEK MINNIT. Ready, set GO! I. WENT. last:(   That didn’t put me down though. After five laps of that, I moved onto biking.

Quickly putting my helmet on, I ran out with my bike and raced with my friends. Fortunately, I didn’t come last, but close to that area anyway. After 2 laps with the bike, I ran as fast as I could and then finished.

My Acrostic about Lisia:)

Loyal
Inventive with stuff
Sweet and a sensational singer (REQUESTED BY LISIA)
Invincible
Awesome












Be sure to visit Lisia's blog too! :peslisiam.blogspot.co.nz

My Subject Poem- SAMOA

This is a tapa cloth designed and drawn by myself. I hope you enjoy it!! :D

SAMOA

Swaying palm trees

Hard brown coconuts

Beautiful tapa clothes

Old traditional fales

Hard beating drums

Crawling coconut crabs

Friendly people

Sweet breadfruit

Shiny blue water

Sunny humid weather

My Autobiography Poem

Jonita

Tall, Funny, Musical, Samoan

Sibling of Johnny, Crusader and Tyla-Marie

Lover of music, my family, friends and QLD!!!

Who feels depressed when school ends

Who relies on my family, friends, music and technology

Who gives happiness and laughter

Who fears my siblings and leaving P.E.S!

Who would like to see BRAZIL:)

Resident of Auckland

My Story

Jonita Faletagoai         Writing Sample
October 2012
Narrative


On a cold Wednesday morning when I was on my way to school, something caught my eye. Strolling past, I noticed a suspicious sight with a dozen police investigators in front of the dairy. A body bag was seen too. I was trying to see what was going on, but a police woman blocked me from the view.

I then remembered that when I went to get breakfast earlier on in the morning, there was no investigation sight there. I asked the lady what happened, and she said that a girl was run over. Looking around to see if anyone was coming, I saw the body bag and opened it. I couldn’t believe who was in there.

It was Sydney Robinson, my best friend. Staring at her face, I noticed there weren’t any marks, besides her scar that she had all her life. With only one huge bruise on her back, there were no serious injuries done. Then a thought crossed my mind, was this done on purpose? I was sure to find out.

Eager to know who did the awful execution, I asked everyone if they were the last ones to see her when she was alive. With no results, I forgot about her brother, Cato, then hurried to speak with him. Unwilling to talk to me, I was getting pretty annoyed with him. Until he admitted he’d done something unbelievably horrible. “I did it”, he said with pain in his voice. “Did what?”, I replied. “I killed her.”

Becoming furious, I grabbed him, and dragged him all the way to police station. “He did it! Take him, take him! He even taped himself killing her.”, I shouted. “Thank-you”, he then said. But what for, I kept on asking myself. Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw him, but I never forgot about Sydney.

Jonita- The Bush

It was a hot Summer afternoon when Jessie, Robyn and myself were off to our annual camping trip at the Bushwalk in Otahuhu.

“Jess, you got everything? We seriously have to get going ”, I asked with excitement. “Oh. Of course! Yes, got all our things”, she replied. Driving off, I heard a slight sound of something unpleasant under the car. “Guys, did you hear that?”, I said with curiosity. As always, they ignored me, but halfway there, something terrible happened.

Looking behind the steering wheel, I saw that the red light was on for the gas. Suddenly, nothing was on. Opening the hood of the car, I noticed there wasn’t any gas in the tank. “Everything fine there Nita?”, said Jessie. “NO! Please, come quick.”, I exclaimed. I told them what happened. Unfortunately, the conclusion wasn’t good.

It must have leaked. Trying to figure out where the leakage started, there was no result. “Do you guys know what happened?”, I said. “Nope.”, both of them muttered. Suddenly I remember something. Before driving off, I accidently took out some oil for my fathers car. “Ummmmm. Sorry guys. I guess it was me. I’ll go find help.”

Luckily, Jess had enough bars to call her parents, which got there at around eleven o’clock. I guess I learnt a lesson today.

My Subject Poem About NZ

Pohutakawa
Rugby
All Blacks
Multicultural
Bone Carvings
Rangitoto
Kiwi
Marae
Skytower
Piha Beach

My Season Haikus

Summer

On a sunny day
I love going to the beach
With my closest friends

Winter

I watch the snow fall
Down on a cold winter day
Making me feel sick