The Talent Quest

The Talent Quest

“Are we next yet ? “ I asked. Mr Coakley came in front of the crowd announcing that we were next. My heart started pounding as I walked to get a chair.

It was Rachael, Latai and I that were performing. We were singing a song called ‘Lean On Me’.
Sitting down with my hands on the ukulele shaking. I looked at Rachael, wondering when to start. Rachael and I started strumming. I just kept looking at Latai so she could start on time. I turned to focus on strumming to make sure I have the right cords.
Latai started to sing. I heard her voice wavering. Next I noticed tears came rolling down her eyes. She stopped to wipe it away. Amazingly, everyone started to sing along with her. I felt like I was going to cry too, but I kept on strumming.

by Hifo

Making a Tauaga

Room 7 is learning about Procedural Writing - Writing Instructions on how to make or do something. Our group read Washing up in Samoa and transfer the information to write an instruction on how to make a tauaga - a scrubber made from a plant. It is a very useful. People of Samoa use it for washing the dishes, bath fannel, scrubbing clothes and many others.

MAKING A TAUAGA

You need: a sharp knife
1 stem of laufao plant

1. Cut a big stem of laufao plant .
2. Peel off the outer layer of the stem.
3. Scrape the sticky flesh part of the stem away.
4. Pick the longest strand/fibre with a knife.
5. Peel it slowly from the stalk .
6. Continue to peel off each fibre until it’s finish.
7. Rub the fibres together.
8. Spread the fibres on a sack.
9. Leave the sack with the spread fibres on a sunny spot to dry.
10. Scrunch the dry-out bundle of fibres.
11. Wraps the bundle around your hand to make a roll.

BY GROUP 2 LITERACY GROUP - Sivi, Ema, Teinakura, Raelene, Seini M, Lovely

TRULY INSPIRING

TRULY INSPIRING

What inspires you the most? To me it would definitely be my friends. Why? Let me tell you.

There I was sitting nervously at the corner of the hall,
“Hifo, Latai and Rachael to the stage please”, came Mr Coakley (our principal). It was obviously our turn.
“Oww”. I had a sick feeling. My stomach seemed to sink. I found it hard to get my voice out. “Nerves”.

We organised ourselves. Mr Coakley gave us a starting nod. First strum. Second strum. We all started to sing. I began to feel emotional. I couldn’t helped myself. Tears welled down from my eyes.
“Oh no”. I tried to keep going. I didn’t want to let my friends down by ruining our song. Rachael and Hifo both turned to me and gave an encouraging nod. “ Sometimes in our lives” I continued. My voice was wavering. I found it hard to continue but I tried again.
“We all have pain”. I continued to sing. “We all have sorrow”. I could not help myself. It was impossible to carry on. “Oh no, my friends”, was what in my head.

It was halfway through our song. I was meant to lead the chorus. I couldn’t let anything out. Not even a sound. All I did was crying.

“Lean on me”. I heard a voice came from the side of the stage. It was Moli (friend). I couldn’t
believe it. The crowd was singing. My friends were singing. I stopped crying and listened.

“Truly inspiring, friends are beautiful. Beautiful like gardens of love.” I thought to myself.

Friends need to be valued.

BY LATAI

Cross country

On Monday, the school had Cross Country. It was a sunny day and the race began with the 13 year olds, then the 12 year olds followed behind the 13 year olds, just 10 metres away.

Getting up the hill was pretty tiring for me and the boy I stuck with through the whole race. When the two of us got up to Mrs Tui, we got a mark on our hands and then we sprinted like fast wild animals. Soon we were right behind the two fastest 13 year olds. Me and Mikaele planned when to pass Isitolo and Shainane. When Mikaele and I passed Room 5 and then the two 13 year olds, I felt like Luke McAlister from the New Zealand Maori Rugby team, beating almost everyone.

I picked up my pace as my heart pumped like a gorilla pounding his chest. When I reached Mrs Oldfield, I saw a group of Room 7 girls walking in front of me but I didn't care. Mikaele and I ran past them as the two of us raced on. When we reached the hill, I sprinted fast and my legs felt as if they were going to pop. I felt proud as I finished first.

Then we watched the juniors running, cheering for them. When everyone's events were finished, Mr Coakley announced each First, Second and Third place. I had reached my goal of winning the race.

by Saufoi