Awesome Animations

Wednesdays are funny days because students are in and out of class attending various Academies.  So, we decided that this would be a good time for all the 'left over' students to do something fun.  Today we looked at some software called I can animate.  We started off with something pretty basic and we'll be starting to develop storyboards and characters during future sessions.  Here's a slideshow of the process and a completed animation by Sheridan, Sean and Rahul.  We love it!  Please leave them some feedback on their own blog.

And here is the actual animation.
A Bugs Tale from Janine Tito on Vimeo.

School Survey WORDLE

Over the last couple of weeks, students at our school were sent a form/survey to have their say about "What makes this school (Tawa Intermediate) cool? These are two Wordles created from the results by our wonderful teacher Miss Warren.  Very cool Tawa Intermediate :)

McKenzie's Rap

Wanna hear a rap? Ok.

Samoan Gama from Janine Tito on Vimeo.

Talofalava I'm a Samoan brother, don't mess around with my ie lavalava. Driving in my car with a ka'e fa'amalama. I like the colour blue but I hate samasama.

Tolafoalava - Hello
ie lavalava - sarong
ka'e fa'amalama - Smashed window
Samasama - Yellow
Kama - boy
Kei Malamalama - Do you understand?

Shannon's Ngati Toa Post

Hey all, This is my recount of my syndicates trip to Ngati Toa Domain. =D

On the 16 of February, Pouakai syndicate at Tawa Intermediate went on a trip to Ngati Toa Domain for a day.When I got to school every one was in crowds admiring each others  mufti. You could feel the excited vibes coming off everyone.

We gathered outside for a talk on rules and behavior, I don’t know how many people were listening because you could hear whispering coming from a few people.

We then marched off to the train station chattering, gossiping and giggling with excitement about the coming trip. I was looking behind me chattering with some friends when I looked back in front of me.... SMACK!!!. I walked straight into a road works sign, giggles erupted from my friends that were around me, I learnt my lesson then.

We continued walking to the train station and once we got there we sat down and counted off. “1,2,4,6,7,3” numbers were being said every where. It was hard to focus on what we were meant to be saying, and when. We all were advised/told to put on sunblock so we wouldn’t end up as red as a tomato.

The train finally arrived and we all piled onto the train like cattle being loaded onto a cattle truck.  Once we were on the train we all sat in seats of three. I was squashed in the middle, yay. The white noise that was muffles and shrieks of excitement were making hard to hear the person next to me. Once the train came to a stop I let out a sigh of relief. I made sure I’d left nothing behind and got up and off the stuffy train.

Once we got there we were told all about boundaries and where to put our bags, oh and how the toilets weren’t working. Yay life. Melissa, Callista, Bex, Zandrea, Nikki and I went and sat on a small rubber mat part. We had a mini shared lunch that was really only some chips and hummus Bex had brought with her. Everyone was either sitting down talking, playing on the playground or on the field playing sports. Laughter and shrieks of joy were all around us as we were just sitting down gossiping and chattering.

Finally the beach was open, most of Pouakai was now going to get changed. A range of colours was coming out of the girls bathroom. As they all had colourful togs. I walked down to the beach with my towel in hand. I laid my towel down with all of my friends stuff. I saw my dad (Mr. O’C) sitting on a log with some of his students. I walked over to them and started to talk to them.

After quite a few hours the whistle blew and it was time for us all to tidy up. Picking up rubbish and gathering bags, the boring part of the trip. Once we were all done tidying up we walked back to the train station, and waited. Once the train came we all piled in again. It wasn’t as noisy now because everyone was tired from the long day. The train finally stopped and we all hopped off the train. Most of us went back to school, but some of us left on other stations I left for home from linden train station, and that was the end of pouakai syndicate trip.

Did you know... Treaty facts.

We have been reading about the Treaty of Waitangi and here are some facts students chose to share with you.

Did you know Treaty facts from Janine Tito on Vimeo.

What can you tell us about the Treaty of Waitangi?

Our Sensational Athletics Day

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr! The wonderful Wellington wind sent shivers coursing through my body while measuring discus throws up on the Tawa College field.  It was the very first whole school 'event' of 2012 here at Tawa Intermediate.  Athletics day!

The commitment shown by passionate and patriotic students to their syndicates were apparent when I scanned the hall in the morning briefing.  I saw clumps of blue, red, pink, green, yellow and purple students dressed to show their support.  Pouakai (my syndicate) wore pink.

So the scene is set... watch our movie, it captures the mood of the day along with some excitement and talent.  Are you one of the talented ones?

TIS Athletics 2012 from Janine Tito on Vimeo.

Thanks to Lasi, Mr O'C and Miss Goldfinch for the photos and footage.

Fale Fale

Talofa lava... This afternoon Lasi Hunt taught us how to count in Samoan. We then had a game of 'fale fale' (housie/bingo) to practice. The students picked it up really fast :) Have a look:
Untitled from Janine Tito on Vimeo.
We can't wait until our next game. Vasega Sefulu Tolu Tofa soifua!

Pinkilicious Pouakai

The students came to school 'Pinked Up' to represent the "Mighty Pouakai" syndicate.   I spent my day with Mr O'carroll up at one of the Discus circles set up on the Tawa College Field.  The cold Wellington wind cut right through my pink Lava lava, skins and merino long sleeve top but I really enjoyed watching our students having fun and giving Athletics a good go.  I'm collating more footage and photos from other staff members to put together a movie of our students striving to do their best during our wonderful Athletics day.  So, watch this space :)

Meet Ryley Bridges

Ryley is definitely one of our talented writers.  I thought it would be a good idea to post a pic of her so you can put a face to her writing.  Hopefully she will accept a challenge to write a book this year or publish some of her work in the next Journal of Young People's Writing.  As you can see she is a lot of fun too.  If you happen to see her, maybe she will share with you what she had written on the stickers on her forehead and school shirt.

Ryley Bridges - Ngati Toa Trip

February 16th. A hot Thursday morning at Tawa Intermediate School. Pouakai Syndicate were going to Ngati Toa Domain. The courts, where everyone lined up, outside of the classrooms smelt like sun screen. People wore hats, sunglasses and bits of clothing that might of been the  latest fashion craze. I stuck with my normal style (T-shirt, shorts and sneakers). The teachers made us shout “POUAKAI!!!” at the top of our lungs. We then walked off down the street towards the train station, chatting among friends.

The train ride was boring but at least we weren’t stuck on the train forever (last year at the end of year picnic, we were stuck on the train for a length of time that felt like hours but was only about an hour). Pouakai syndicate filled up the train and the only other person on the train was some guy listening to music. We chatted about where we could go (and where we couldn’t). I attempted to take some pictures of people walking but sadly, failed miserably.

The playground was as hot as school. The suns energy was focused on us today. After eating, people split up and ran around the not so big playground. Students laughed, talked and shouted all around the place. Some boys went and played rugby on the field. Today was a day for fun in the sun.

The beach was hot and beautful. The water was cool and peaceful. I didn’t go in the water but my friends did and they enjoyed it. Reilly, Jackson and a couple of other boys went crab hunting. They screamed a couple of times like little girls when they saw big crabs. It was pretty funny.

The beach trip ended after hours of fun. Everyone enjoyed it and had the time of their lives. We become closer as friends, as a class and as a syndicate. Best Beach Day Ever!!!