Poetry Pentathlon

Poetry Pentathlon

Competition run by the School for Young Writers

Last week, Erin, Rory, Olivia, Magnus and Cooper represented St Albans School in
New Zealand’s first Poetry Pentathlon. They gave us various types of poems, with
objects or words as prompts and then we had a time limit of 5-10 minutes to write
each poem. There were 5 rounds: Haiku Hurdle, Limerick Long Jump, Walk with Words,
Poetry Relay and Winners at the Podium. We won one round, the Word Walk, where
you got given 5 words and you had to write a poem of up to 12 lines. I really enjoyed
the competition - it was challenging but fun!

Written by Erin

 

Aoife Maher's published writing

As stated in an earlier post we would like to share Aoife's published writing.

Lonely Eel

I chew on my slurred up dinner and wait for something, or someone. My slimy stomach slides across the rocks as I stare at my surroundings. Just me, myself and I. My black eyes tear up. Why? Why do I not have a buddy to be happy, sad and excited with? Does nobody like the fact that my body is covered with thick, black skin that feels like gooey seaweed? Or is it that I love to chomp on chewy fish? Please, please be my buddy.

Written by Aoife Maher Y6 and published in 'Write on' Magazine, Issue 50

Robocup Regionals Competition 2018

Congratulations to our 3 teams from the Robotics Club who competed in the Robocup Regionals

event on Sunday 19th August.  All three teams were entered into a different category: Theatre,
Soccer or Rescue. Each team created a robot for the specific skills needed for their event. These
included a dancing robot in theatre, a soccer kicking robot in Robo-soccer and a Rescue Robot that
had to follow the trail to find the silver can. Modifications and improvements were needed on the day
with no adult input. The children showed the many skills they have learnt including working together,
problem solving and the practical skills needed to make improvements on the spot under pressure.
Our teams made St Albans proud competing against tough competition and many carefully created
Robots!

Thank you to Simon our tutor, Sam Pelham and our parents for your support in helping to get the
robots completed in time for competition. Your help was very much appreciated.

Teams pictured here with their Robots:

Junior Theatre Team: Charlotte, Rory, Lachlan and Thomas
Junior Rescue Team: Emily, Georgetta and Lachie
Junior Soccer Team: Isaac, Magnus, Tim and Joe

Congratulations Aoife Maher

A very BIG congratulations to Aoife Maher who is a St Albans Year 6 student, for becoming our very own published author.  Earlier in the year Aoife attended the YWW here at St Albans which was run by the 'School for Young Writers.' During the workshop she worked and reworked her writing to create the 'Lonely Eel'. Her work has been published in Write On- the best New Zealand writing by kids for kids:  Issue 50. We will post Aoife's writing as soon as it is received.

Congratulations Aoife, we are very proud of you. 

Term 3 GATE events

Here are our upcoming events for our Term 3 GATE programmes.

• ICAS English: Week 2 Tuesday 31st July
• Australia Maths: Week 3 Thursday 9th August
• ICAS Maths: Week 4 Tuesday 14th August
• YWW(Young Writers Workshop) for our Y5 tamariki: Week 5 TBC
• Robotics competition: Date and time TBC

Any queries please contact Mrs Lidstone

jo.lidstone@stalbans.school.nz 

EPro8 Technology Challenge

In T2 Week 7, 8 children from St Albans Year 5 and 6 competed in the EPro8 Technology Challenge. Team 1: The St Albans Einsteins consisted of Charlotte, Sophie, Magnus and Isaac.
Team 2: The St Albans Wizards consisted of Josie, Erin, Rory and Tim.

Throughout the competition the teams had 2 1/2 hours to complete 4 major challenges which included numerous mini challenges. Both teams had to work collaboratively as a team to problem solve. Congratulations to both our teams who made St Albans proud competing against tough competition and in tough challenges.

Young Writers Workshop

A few weeks ago a small team of Year 3 and 4 students were chosen to work alongside Gail Ingram in the Young Writers Workshop.  This workshop was held over 2 days and their writing focus was on developing their poetry skills. These children beavered away over the two days creating, drafting and re-crafting their wonderful imaginative ideas.

Pictured here are Luca, Hannah, Joey, Harry, Evie, Mikko, Millie, Zena, AJ and Rosie working with Gail. Here is a small sample of some of their awesome poems.

Scribble world  

I see ABSOLUTELY nothing

but arguments. The colours

are screaming and shouting.

Purple yells, “Why am I even here?”

Blue answers, “Because

Joey scribbled you!”

Brown screams, “Stop arguing or

you’ll get rubbed out.”

By Joey Ward Y4 St Albans School

Mad Dad

My dad is very mad,

he’s a beast all the time,

he doesn’t even pat the cats!

he doesn’t let me do a thing,

he has no respect,

agh help! my dad’s tickling me

to death.

By Luca Maxwell Y3 St Albans

Poseidon’s Realm.

Poseidon’s Realm   

under the sea,

it’s 12:00 midday.

It feels happy and cozy,

yet it is

under the sea.

He hugs and smiles,

rolls his eyes,

and gives his son

a call. His wife Nythia,

a water nymph,

smiles at her husband.

In Poseidon’s realm,

you can feel the water

moving, the sea creatures

bob in and out,

in and out,

in and out,

the marble

columns are sea-green

like Poseidon’s eyes.

It’s exactly the right

temperature.

Nothing to

fear, it’s all

HERE!!

By Evie Ryan Y4 St Albans