Stories from schools

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 20

Stories from schools

For “School Week” , we have a number of stories written by children from ■three different schools — Heaton Intermediate, Rolleston and Thorrington. All but one of the stories are about outdoor education. They give us an idea of the many exciting and interesting experiences to be gained from three-day social studies trips. The other story is about activity clubs which give children an opportunity ot follow their interests and develop their own special talents.

Dean Barkle (aged 12) of Rolleston School has drawn, some amusing cartoons to ishow us what happens during club sessions. The writer’s name, age and school appears at the end of each, story, as you will see below: School camp Between March 19 and March’ 21 the three classes r r syndicate X, Form 1, Heaton Intermediate 'School enjoyed a camp out at “Blue Skies,” Kaiapoi. We took part in activities designed to improve our self-reliance and outdoor skills. These included compass work, fire=light-. ing, first aid, tent-pitching. We slept in the bunk house or tents, regardless of the weather, including an electrical storm on the second night. All the children visited 'the local museum. (By Tim Morris, aged 11, Heaton Intermediate School.) Club time The teachers of the senior section of Rolleston Primary School decided to organise something that would involve senior pupils in an activity of their choice. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday we have activity clubs. The teachers have made up a range of different activities. Parents are invited to participate in the training of the pupils in the clubs. Notices are sent out at the beginning of the term. The pupils choose their three favourite subjects and the .teachers try to

put the pupils in their most favoured clubs. Some clubs we have had are pottery, oil painting, marching, “let’s make it,” knitting, animal, care, cooking and pony care.

Parents have a chance to involve themselves with the children, and the children have a change from every-day school. They >also have a chance to learn something new. Clubs are an enjoyable pastime. I think we all like them very much. (By <. Milija Van den Akker, aged 12, Rolleston School.) Store house The Maori store house is about two metres high. It was put on stilts to keep out wild animals. It is surrounded with beautiful carvings, each probably part of some story. At. the top is a sort of . carved god warding off evil spirits. '(Jonathan Steenwijk aged' 10, Thorrington School.) QUICK TRIP After walking and arriving at the splinteiy wharf we boarded a fishing boat. The catch for the day had been good, so the fisherman had to take us for a ride. The boat was fairly new and it had a cabin. We bounced up and down on the waves. Sea gulls swooped down over us looking for fish, but with no success. Waves lapped strongly against the boat as we sailed further out to sea. On the way we passed Kaik Point. The trip was quick because we had to .be back in time to catch tHe bus. (By Simon Mulligan, aged 10, Thorrington School.) AKAROA MUSEUM One of the few French houses that has been redone but still looks exactly the same is the Akaroa Museum. Round the back is an old-fashioned bedroom and lounge with everything in it that you would have exnected to see in the olden days. You walk in the front door to an area of maps, pamph ets all pinned to the left..

Then you go through the next door to see more

interesting articles, such as weapons and greenstone. They showed weapons made from human bones, and a very old necklace that was brought in a sailing ship to Akaroa. Even though it is similar to a rope and

stone it is quite valuable. There are other extremely valuable stones as well. There’ are also, butter churns, old rocking chairs, writing desks and many other wooden articles. At one end of the room are dummies of ladies. They are dressed in oldfashioned clothing. You see the kind of clothes soldiers wore as weilj.

(By Melissa Gilmour, aged 10, Thorrington School.)