Cinquains by Huia 1

 A cinquain is a poem of  five lines and 22 syllables.   

This first line has 2 syllables

The second line has 4

The third line has 6

The fourth line has 8 

and the fifth line has 2 syllables

or

Line 1:  one word (usually noun)

Line 2: description of noun

Line 3: action 

Line 4: feeling or effect

Line 5: synonym of initial noun 

Here are some of our cinquains. Can you find the poetic devices and figure of speech we used?

Rainbows

vibrant colours

arcs lurking in the sky

a vivid sight of happiness

bright streaks

Caitlin - I used assonance, rhyme, personification, metaphor

Mornings

sleeping, sleeping

sunshine's seeking my eyes

my hand lands hard on my face. Smack!

Awake. 

Tonu - I used assonance, alliteration and repetition

Earthquake

is newsworthy

rumbling belly

anxious for  deadly destruction

Beware!

Karnjeet - I used a metaphor, personification  and alliteration

Water

dazzling di'monds

evaporates skywards

a satisfying crystal drink

sky-blue

Karnjeet - I used a metaphor, alliteration, imagery

Night

silver plate

lurking behind clouds

stars dancing like fairies

Blanket

Lauren - I used metaphors and a simile

The Ball

winter wardrobe

spinning, twirling, whirling,

sweets, treats and pastries to savour

Narnia

Shayla - I used alliteration, rhyme and repetition,

Apple

crunchy, crispy

red like a fighter's blood,

exploding juices into my mouth

spit pips

Flynn  -  I used alliteration, simile, assonance  and  imagery

Moonshine

blooms light through night

gleaming reflecting

silver steps ripple the harbour

glist'ning

Hoani - I used a metaphor, alliteration, imagery, assonance and rhyme

The Moon

icy cold ball

glist'ning on calm water

arriving slowly and slowly

solid

Jupman  - I used repetition, metaphor and  alliteration

Soccer

need energy

need to pass

running, jumping and shooting

football

Akjot - I used repetition and assonance

Fireworks

blare vividly

ignite the inky sky

like gaudy clouds raining

vibrant

Alisha: I used - a simile, assonance and alliteration

Autumn

swimming in leaves

leaves falling like soft snow

leaves golden like the sandy beach

Dive in!

Jackie - I used an extended metaphor, repetition and  a simile

Summer

multi-coloured

well-illuminated

exuberant joy ev'rywhere

blazing

Renae - I used assonance and consonance

Cyclone

the end is near

time has come for mercy

serial killer on the loose

Prepare!

Rudadiso - I used imagery and personification 


Red Rose
petals bursting 
raindrops splash and settle
fresh, fragrant, soon fading away
ruby
Ramandeep - I used assonance, metaphor and alliteration


Ice-Cream
wrinkly snow hill 
slip sliding down my chin  
avalanche of cookies and cream
lick it

Cameron White - I used metaphors,  alliteration, assonance and imagery 





 
 

Intermediate Ball Part 2 - After the Ball is Over . . .

More before and after stories from Huia 1:

(Before)  . . .I am most nervous about the dance after the grand march. I don't want to ask a girl to dance with me, but other than that stuff, I'm very excited to go to the ball because it's my first ball I have ever been to.

Hopefully, I don't sweat too much. I do not know what to bring to the ball for food. I am wearing something I bought this morning. I think it looks good because it looks original for me. The reason I got it was it is different. Hopefully nobody has the same idea as me.

I wish I can still dance next to my friends. I don't want to mess my new clothes, but to have fun you have to get dirty, right?

(After) . . . I was very nervous in the car. We were nearly there until Fili reminded me that we forgot our tickets, so we did a U-turn and got our tickets . Thankfully that was our first and last mistake that I made that night.

I was relieved when I saw Karwyn and he just got out of the car. Yes, I wasn't late. The grand march flew by quickly. One of my favourite bits was the statue waltz. I was partnered with Julienne. We were going fine until we got muddled up on the One Direction pose. I said to her to be the singer and I would be the fan, but she dis a pose of a fan and  I did too. So I quickly did a pose of a singer stroking my hair, but I was too slow and Miss Griffin caught me moving. I was gutted, but it was fun, so I didn't mind.

Also, one of my favourites was eating, of course. I was so lucky to be in Tawa because Miss Griffin was handing out napkins and asked, "Who was in the marathon?" I put my hand up, and she looked away. Then she said, "Who's in Tawa?" I put my hand up and she gave me one. I didn't care if any one was looking. I got some food from the table, tested it, then grabbed some more. I was on thirds when it was time to ask someone to dance with me.

I didn't bother asking someone, so I sat down, put my legs on another chair and started kicking back. Some of my friends were getting up to dance, so I dance with Alex. I noticed I was the girl because it felt weird in the position, or was it because I was dancing with a boy? I don't know. Then we got split up and I danced with Kylah. Tonu


(Before)  . . . I am nervous to ask someone to dance or to get asked. I love all the dances so I am going to have a great night. I'm bringing strawberries dipped in chocolate.

(After) . . . What was cool was just the Year 7 and 8s there - and the teachers. It was awesome because the parents could stay and watch, then  came early at watch the dances at the end - which I liked. . .Tegan Year 8

(After) . . . My favourite dancer was probably Divya because she had soft hands. We started with the grand march then we did the opening waltz. My favourite dances were Cotton Eye Joe and The Gay Gordons. In the statue waltz, my partner was Karwyn. We were professional until Karwyn mucked it up for us. We could have taken that competition. The night was young, the songs were boring, but being with my boys was what made my night.
Hoani.

(After) Last night was quite exciting. When I first arrived, they had started. The music was pumping and it was an amazing atmosphere. At first, I was really anxious and I was wondering how I was going to dance with my right ankle injured and strapped. I really felt like I was in a scene from Narnia, and that I had walked into a wardrobe and entered an unknown world. Then I saw a couple of my friends and we started talking.

We did a range of dances  we had learnt throughout the year. I thought that the best dancer of the night was Hoani, and he looked very elegant.  All of a sudden, the music went silent and a familiar song came on  - Gangnam Style. Everyone in the hall went off and started to dance to it. Rudadiso 

(Before)  . . . I am wearing my adidas shoes, my dark blue jeans, my square striped shirt and my black jacket. Zaid and I are coming together. We are getting dropped off close to the school and will walk the rest of the way. I am confident about the snowball waltz and I know who I am going to ask.

(After) . . . The ball last night was really good because of the freestyle dancing. To start the snowball waltz, Mr Yates picked some people and he put me with two girls, then he put Te Amo with the second girl. I  thought the best dancers I danced with were Kristina, Jessica, Madison and Lisa.  My favourite dances were Cotton Eye Joe and The Gay Gordons.  Trent 

(Before) . . . I'm really nervous about dancing in heels. I'm still pretty nervous about askingf boys to dance. I can't wait to freestyle dance with my friends. I have really improved i confidence this year. I think the teacher have noticed too.

(After) . . . The girls looked great in dresses and their shoes. Parents and teachers took photos of us. We had to smile a lot. I was so scared about dancing in heels becasue they were pretty tall. Miss Murphy asked me how I danced in them.


We had freestyle dancing, starting with Gangnam Style by Psy. Everyone started screaming when the song came on. People danced in groups of friends. After a few dances we had supper. I love the strawberries with rich chocolate dipping sauce. There were so many sausage roll, samosa and spring rolls and chicken nibbles. Some of the fudge brownies were really nice. The punch was absolutely divine.

After supper we had some more dancing. Now I have the song "I'm Elmo and I know it" stuck in my head because it's really catch. .  . Lauren

Having a Ball - 2012 Part 1

It's Intermediate Ball time again:

Here's some pre- and post-ball thoughts from Huia 1:

 (Before) . . . At first I didn't want to go, but then Shayla, Renae, Tegan and Kylah wanted me to go, so I am going now. For my sweets plate I am bringing rainbow cookies. I am looking forward to the waltz and Cotton-Eye Joe . . .

(After) OMG, last night was amazing and good. At first I was nervous, but once I saw everyone enjoying themeselves I enjoyed the ball too. My dress was black poker dot. My hair was out and straightened but I made little twirls on both sides. 

First we did the grand march, then we did Neville's Waltz as the opening waltz. My favourite dance was the grand march  because it was just awesome. My most favourite one was All Around My Hat - I just love that dance. The hardest one was the Maxina because I didn't remember some of it.  

After that we had some punch and then went into freestyle dancing. My favourite song was Gangnam Style because I just love that song, and everyone was jumping up and down when they played it. Renae and I were really tired but we still danced. After the dance we ate some food. I ate one chicken wing and one kebab that had marshmallows and strawberries and grapes. then we did freestyle again. 

Overall, I can't wait until next year, and I'm so excited for that. I'm just so happy, and I loved it. But, the time went so quickly - I wish it will be longer next year. 
Ramandeep Year 7. 

(Before) ... It is the first ball I have been to in my life. I am going to wear a yellow dress with a black cardigan, I am going to bring a plate of lamington cakes. I am going to get my mum to braid my hair just for tonight. . . . 

(After) When I entered the hall, I thought the decorations were amazing; for example, the white snow flakes we made were on the wall, the white, turquoise and silver balloons that we blew up and tied with string were in a net, and there was a cupboard like the one in Narnia. 

I felt nervous and excited at the same time because this was my first ball, but I also thought it would be enjoyable for us to dance and have a lot of fun. 

When we started the dancing, I liked all of them, but the ones I liked the most were Gay Gordons, Cotton-Eye Joe and Mueve la Colita. I liked them better than the rest because they were the first dances I learnt to do.  

The best food I had was the sushi, cakes, sausage rolls and these skewers that had grapes, marshmallows and strawberries. 

Mr Yates chose some good dancers to start the snowball waltz. I was a bit surprised that he chose me as well as other good dancers. I was partnered with Matthew from Huia 2. We started doing a waltz then we had different partners so more people could dance too. 

We also had free dances with music that Kyran and Harrison chose. The most popular song, I think, was Gangnam Style. I liked that style as well as Turn up the Music. 

We finished off with the best dances to show our parents. They were the grand march, the circle waltz, All Around My Hat, Maxina and Mueve la Colita.  Bridget Year 7.


(Before) . . . I am excited for the ball because I had so much fun last year . . . I am inviting two friends over, Ramandeep and Georgina, to get ready for the ball. . . 

(After) . . . The ball yesterday was really awesome because all my friends were there laughing and dancing. My favourite dance was Cotton-Eye Joe because it was a jumpy dance, and if you didn;t have enough energy you could get tired. For the snowball waltz, I danced with Alisha, It was funny because there weren't enough boys. Renae, Year 8.


(After) . . . I think Karwyn had the best style and Trent and Bridget were the best dancers because Mr Yates chose them for the snowball waltz. . . Kyran, Year 7. 

(After) . . . The decorations were really cool. We had a balloon net, and on the left there was a wardrobe. At the front there was a white background as snow. I remember walking in with Georgina and we were amazed at some of the decorations. There were also lots of tables for people to sit at, and on every table there were three helium balloons. They  were held down  by something but it was wrapped in wrapping paper  with a ribbon on it. The whole room looked very pretty. . . Jessica Year 8 

(After)  . . . It was a really enjoyable night. I wish we just danced and didn't stop. That's how awesome it was. . . My favourite dance was the snowball waltz. I was nervous. I waited until the dancers finished, and then the boys that were dancing had to ask another partner to dance. Devaan asked me, and I resistantly said, "O.K." I was really nervous, but after a while I got used to the dance, and then we had to ask another partner. . . I danced wth Nadya until Mrs Vincent said we had to dance with a boy. . .  Kylah Year 7
   
(Before) I am really excited about the ball because I am way more confident than last year. One of my favourite dances is the grand march because it is well practised and will look good with dresses and suits. I am nervous about the waltz because I can't get my feet right. 

(After) . . . When most people arrived we did the grand march, which was a great start because everyone did it in time and looked proud. After that we did Neville's Waltz (from Harry Potter). I was proud because I got my footwork right. . . The funniest part was when we all went different ways for Mueve la Colita, but we laughed  and carried on anyway. . . I was excited to show the parents our dancing. My mum said it looked very good. 

In conclusion, I thought the ball was excellent because we all had fun and we improved our social skills greatly from last year. (Caitlin, Year 8) 

(Before) . . . Tonight is going to be really cool. I'm going to wear blue skinny jeans and a blue shirt. My favourite dances are Cotton-Eye Joe, Maxina and my new favourite, the snowball waltz. I am really confident enough to do it.  . . 

(After) Last night was really cool because I got to dance the snowball waltz and Cotton Eye Joe. I thought the best girls I danced with were Kristina, Abbie, Paige, Tori, Tanya and Julienne. The best dancer, I thought, was Julienne because she knew all of the dances and she didn't make any mistakes. . .  I changed what I wanted to look like and I wore a tuxedo. . .  I wish there was anther ball this year.  It was the best night out at the ball. . .Next year I'm going to come to the ball to see my sister dance.  Jackie Year 8.   

(Before) . . . I am very excited about the ball tonight. At first, I didn't want to go, but then Mrs Vincent convinced me  to go, and now I'm very excited. 

 (After) . . . Man, I was nervous. When we arrived at the ball with Steve and Jasmeet, we saw a crowd outside the hall entrance. . . Before we know it, the ball was about to start, so we ran inside. We were relieved that we were right on time. 

To kick things off, our first dance was the grand march. I was partnered with Tegan. I got squashed up when we joined up to make a line of eight at the end. When I  did the statue waltz (with Jordan or Ineen), we were doing great until Miss Griffin's iPhone flash bugged my eye, making me wiggle, and then I was disqualified from the game.  Karnjeet, Year 8. 

 

Year 7 and 8 art work

These sunset pastels were done by the Year 7 and 8 Art options classes last term. 

First, old pastels - the sort that are covered in all sorts of other pastel colours - were used to cover the paper in mixed  and overlapping colours. The skill was to choose colours which could be seen in the sky at sunset. 

Then, we spent time sketching what we could see on the horizon from the top floor of the Poutama building at school. We could see across the Manukau Harbour to the Awhitu Peninsula - where we went for camp in Term 2. 

Finally, we transferred those ideas, in black crayon, onto the pastel sunset background. We also researched images of sunsets in different places around the world and used these for ideas as well.  

This artwork is  currently on display in the computer area of the Poutama building.