NZ Playhouse- Toby M

NZ Playhouse- Rise of the appliances is the best show I have seen in school. When I saw the start with Stalin/the pig shooting the horse and the sheep I thought they were going to reenact Animal
 Farm but thank god I was wrong, because that would be boring. I recognised the characters from the book and the movie and thought it was very well written. It was really hilarious and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Some teachers thought it was a bit inappropriate but I don't care.

NZ Playhouse - The Corrupt Dictator of a very nice small country (William)

I really enjoyed the NZ Playhouse play based on Animal Farm. I love Animal Farm and I'm sure everybody can agree with me that we all love household appliances so putting Animal Farm with a twist of household appliances was highly enjoyable. My favourite parts were probably the adverts when the "Dictator" said "I'm the Corrupt Dictator of a very nice small country" with a greatly portrayed Russian accent at the start of the ads. That was very amusing for all boys. I think it was age appropriate mainly for year eights because may I say that some year sevens were not too sure what "spooning" was so it would be quite awkward for them. Perhaps the year sevens should've had a different play... Animal Farm is my favourite novel already and I have only read one and a half pages!

NZ Playhouse Hugh

I agree with you Mr. Tait it was an extremely good performance. I do not in any way think it was a spoiler, it didn't even give a lot about about animal farm and if it did anything, I think it added to the animal farm experience. My favorite part was defiantly all the parts when the man with the stubble/the really funny man came on. I also really enjoyed the add breaks! I think the funniest moments were when the actors kept on referring to Dougal throughout the performance. I would recommend this performance to all year 7 and 8 people, and I think it was age appropriate! Overall, I really enjoyed this performance.

Noo Zeelan' Playhoose - Callum Benfell

I think the NZ playhouse show was really good, the best bits being the Total Totalitarian advert and the Russian accents. The show definitely added value to to the Animal Farm story as it introduced you to the Russian Communist Revolution, and highlighted some of the finer points of the story.
I think it WAS age appropriate for year sevens and eights, however, you COULD show it to juniors, but they would not understand the joke and puns, like Napoleon shouting 'respect mah authorah' and David Guetta's Titanium as Napoleon's theme song.

However, one thing I did notice about the show is that the actors seemed to be making things up WAY too much, and adding in loads of pointless stuff.

But, all in all I think it was a 5/5 performance.

NZ Playhouse - Ben

I don't think that the performance was a spoiler in any way, shape or form. I paticuarly enjoyed their assosation with the audience eg. They made multiple refrences to Dougal who was sitting in the front row. I think the show added a lot of value to the whole story because it gave us yet another view on the Russian Revolution and anything that comes from a different view point gives value.

If I had the chance I would ask the actors how much time it took to perfect the show as I think it was very complex. I would highly recommend the performance to anyone who wants to have a good laugh. I think that it was age appropriate for Year 7's and 8's. Others might disagree with me because of some "terms" that were mentioned throughout the show. Overall I think it was great show for 12 year olds like me and its great for anyone who wants a good laugh.

NZ Playhouse-Harry W

I particularly enjoyed the way they combine a great old novel with a  current 21st century topics such as Big Brother and the way the referred to the struggle in Russia and Ukraine and Mikey Cyrus. One of the biggest challenges the actors had to overcome was, how to make an audience of year eight boys laugh and they succeeded. A lot of the over performances that have visited the school have been childish and only made the juniors laugh but this one was different (in a good way). The funniest moment was probably the crazy rich guy who came on during the ads and boxer. I think that the show was mostly for entertainment and it didn't add a lot of value to what I already knew about animal farm but that is a good thing. I would probably ask the actors how long they had been acting for. I would definitely recommend this performance for 12 and up.

NZ Playhows-Jorje

This show was great. Seeing as we had just seen the movie it was great to see all the references to the movie. The best part was either the Total Totalitarian ad or the Napoleon song. I liked how Napoleon was someone from another movie and Boxer was Arnold Swartznegger. The play was (just...) age appropriate but would not be ok for any younger. It was great when they dissed Google+ as what they said was completely true. There was good communist messages. Yep, it was a spoiler but I still think it was O.K as the real spoiler was the movie but it was a good movie so what evs! I was nervous because apparently the middle school show sucked. All in all, 9.5/10

This shows the greed of Pigs!

NZ playhouse - Andrew

Wednesdays show was very humorous. It was a reasonably long play, so it would have been hard for the actors to keep it all together, also they had to change characters quickly. Funniest moment? It was all very funny so it's hard to pick the funniest moment but maybe the vaccum machine strangling people? I've watched the movie of animal farm but still, it expanded my knowledge of it. Yes, I would definitely recommend this show to anybody it's one of the very best that I've seen.

NZ Playhouse- Nicholas

I think that rise of the appliances was a really good show and it tied in well with our performing arts session that was straight before. I actually thought the start was pretty funny the way it was purposefully unrealistic with the animal masks and the paper Stalin mask, I thought it was pretty funny too when they lampooned Dougal. But when they introduced themselves and the real thing started I got really hooked. I especially liked they way they kept the storyline the same, yet, it was completely different to the farm concept and was a modern version where the contestants were trapped on a TV show and there was an ad break for Totalitarianism dictators, now that was funny. Anyway as the show went on the acting was really good because they had to change characters quickly. I do think it was definitely age appropriate for 99% of the audience but maybe a couple of kids didn't understand. I liked the age approach because most other shows are a bit too childish for some children's liking.  So, all in all I'd give it a 8/10.

The NZ playhouse!!!!!!!/Gus

This week was quite exciteing, (well, okay, it was just wendsday) because some actors came to our school and did a play similar to Animal Farm, called Rise of the aplliances. The actors faced the chalange of there being nine characters, and only tree of them. They also faced a little glitch in their equipment. It was also very funny, with everyone cracking up laughing. One of my favourite moments was the add of "How To Be A Dictator Like Joe Stallin." The dictator looked most like Napoleon Bonappart out of Him, J.Stalin and Adolf Hittler. I was quite shocked with the words in the play like "spooning" which I thought was s@$. Overall, I thought this was an age opproprate show, and should be seen By people of 10 up.

NZ Playhouse-Max

I particularly liked the more 'grown-up' references such as "respect mah authoritah" from south park and social networking because it wasn't so much a little kids show. Some of the challenges that they would of faced would be switching costumes fast and keeping in time with the soundtrack. I think the funniest moment was the respect mah authoritah part. I think the show didn't really add value. I would definitely reccomend this to someone who was at least 11 or with the maturity of one.

NZ Playhouse - Henry C

This show was amazing. It added funny to fact to fiction and it really was very special. It definitely is one of the funniest shows and up there with Zebong for shows I want to come back to Wellesley his year. It was age appropriate because we are seniors and it actually wasn't that rude/bad. Probably my biggest question would be if Luke could drive the tour van.

NZ Playhouse-Ben S

In my opinion, that show was very clever and well constructed. It was really funny, but the funniest parts would have to be the adds for stamping out a democracy, with the "corrupt leader from a very small nice country". Second place would be when they introduced Snowball. What an energetic fellow. The play was well thought through, and I think it was only just age appropriate. Mrs B certainly didn't approve for some of it, though.

NZ Playhouse-esuohyalP ZN Tim H

I especially enjoyed the funny moments because they were funny to the extreme. The funniest moment was probably when Boxer (aka Arnold Swartzenhagger ) died because he was referencing all of his movies.
I would definitely recommend this as it is a hilarious yet somewhat serious in the some respects.

Also RESPECT MA AUTHOITAH

nzplayouse-sam

The whole show was funny  but it was not age appropiate. At the start it felt like it was going to be like a normal show at wellesley very babyish but in the end it definitly wasn't.

New Zealand Playhouse - Noah A

At the start of the start of the show I was hooked in until the end. It was funny, and it was all a 12 year old boy would want to see. All of the people had great acting talent. It was very cool and interesting to see how they  changed characters. I think it was more for the year 8's with all the restricted talk and stuff, overall I loved the whole show. They put the play together so well and I would go to see it again.

NZ playhouse - Jim

I thought the play was really funny and well acted out. I thought that the writing of it and how they brought a new modern perspective of it but still keeping it true to the original story. I also liked how they came in and out of the story and had the ad breaks. I thought that it was clever that they used big brother which is a character in his other book 1984. Over all I thought it was a fantastic and would be happy to watch their other work.

NZ Playhouse - Josh

The show that we saw on Tuesday by NZ playhouse was the best show I've seen at Wellesley College. I thought the way that they interpreted Animal Farm in a modern way. It was extremely funny and very clever. My favourite part of the play was probably at the end when Big Brother told Napoleon that he had turned into him. I think the hardest part for the actors was the fast costume changes. I think that the play would be appropriate for year 8/9 and mature year 7's.

NZ Playhouse- Will S

My favourite part about the show was how they made the connection between big brother and animal farm I also thought it was really cool how the three cast members played eighth characters and pulled them off i a really sharp manner.
I also really liked how they made it age appropriate for us because it really kept us hooked on the show for the full duration of it.
On the whole I thought it was a really great performance that gave us an idea of what the book was going to be like.

NZ PLAYHOUSE-Luke

I think that the show we watched was very special and I think that the show was quite rude with all of the spooning going on. My views are that we saw a really good show and it's one of the best show going round Wellington. This was one of my favorite shows I've ever seen!

NZ Playhouse - Toby C

I think this show was very funny for all. One of the hard things for the actors was, having to change character all the time and their different voices. I was glad we watched  it on the computer before the show because  I had never heard of  of Animal Farm before the show. I enjoyed the show a lot and the still got the whole message across with some funny jokes.

NZ Playhouse

I think that the Animal Farm parody by NZ Playhouse we saw on Tuesday has been my favourite show I've ever witnessed here at Wellesley College. The actors and the plot were just amazing, and if thought it suited our class very well, it was extremely funny. With lesser actors, it might've been rather lame to have them constantly switching costumes, but the three actors did it perfectly, making it an addition to their comedy, not a problem they had to overcome. After watching Animal Farm, I could appreciate it a lot more, so I'm very glad Mrs. Hook showed it to us beforehand. As for whether it was age-appropriate, I think it was. It was at the point where it's inappropriate enough to be hilarious, but not inappropriate enough to stop us viewing it.

NZ Playhouse - Mr T

Boys!  We were treated to a show on Wednesday which, in my humble opinion, was quite special.  You may agree or disagree.  In some ways we could argue that it acted as a spoiler (in tandem with your Performing Arts work this term) for what will be our first novel of T2.  However, in many more other ways, it will complement and enrich our understanding of the very complex topic which is Animal Farm.  What was it that you particularly enjoyed about Wednesday's performance?  What were some of the challenges that the three actors had to overcome?  What was the funniest moment?  Did the show 'add value' to what you already knew about Animal Farm?  What would be a question that you would ask one of the actors if you had the chance? Would you recommend this performance?  Was it 'age-appropriate'?

The Resolution - Toby Marks

As you all know in 7/8T we are up to the final few chapters of the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. I find the plot is changing quite frequently starting as, who killed Wellington? Then to who killed mother? After what happened to Mother? And now Christopher is on an adventure through London nearly getting run over by the underground for his rat Toby. For some reason I thought that the woman with the guitar was his mum. I have a sort of gut feeling that he is going to run into his dad because he hasn't been in the story for a while and I am suspicious that he is following him.

Da Rezzalooshinn-Jorje

As I have read this book already I know what happens (no spoilers on what sort of ending) but it is quite a good way to end it. It is a great book and really gives good insight into the life of a boy with quite severe aspersers. The plot is great and I think it is right for our age group as younger readers would think it is dumb and confusing. Is the story realistic? Well, it is what I call an overdramaticisation of real life. Many people have wives cheating but they don't (usually) pretend that they are dead. Also, I know he sort of can detach his mind but still, waiting for approximately five hours is kind of unrealistic. The book with the best resolution in it would have to be LOTR because Sauron dies and all the evil guys run away into the caves in the mountain, all the elves go back to paradise and the kingdoms of men and hobbits are left to pick up the pieces and start again.

Andrew - The Resolution

The resolution of the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime is (for me) very difficult to guess as the plot has many layers of meanings. But if I had to, I think that Christopher Boon will not find his mother and have to go back to his fathers place. There, his mother will come and find him because he has not been answering her letters and his father will have to explain what had happened. This will not end happily so then the mother tries to take Christopher boon back with her, and that is when Christopher boon starts to go to his mothers for 6 weeks and then his fathers for 6 weeks. So I guess that not a very happy ending.

It is possible that somebody could be in that situation though not very likely.  If Christopher boon was in my family I would treat him with respect but at times it would be hard but I would probably get used to it.

The resolution/Gus M

We are only a couple of chapters away from finishing 'Curious incident of the dog in the Night- time'. in a way it's been a adventure not just for Cristpher, but for all of us. I wonder if Cristopher will see his mum again, or go back to his dad to get murderd like "that stupid dog." Mr Tait says that not all resolutions are happy, so I should probably be prepared. Or Mr Tait said that to throw me off. Like Cristopher boone, you miht never understand Mr Tait.   The way I hope it ends, is that Cris finds his mum and they live together until he gose to university.

The resolution- Callum Benfell

The book is really different, focusing on the point of view of a 15 year old child that is ’different'. Every story has a problem and then has a resolution. The problem in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is that Christopher Books finds a dog that is dead. He tries to find out who killed the dog, but partway through his investigations, finds out his mum had an affair with another man, but his dad had said to him that she died.
The plot thickens as he finds out that his dad was the person that killed the dog, and Christopher thinks that his dad will try to kill him, which is probably NOT how a normal mind would work.
Christopher travels to London to live with his mother. We are currently up to this part, but I predict that Christopher will arrive at his mothers house and then his father will turn up at his mothers house as it it logical that Christopher would go to his mum.

I think that the plot will go back to the dog, maybe Christopher's dad buying him a dog to make up for it, and the parents will get together again, and the story will have a happy ending, just like other books.

By Callum Benfell

The Resolution - Jim

I am really enjoying the book and think the writing is amazing. I think his mom is going to find him and he will go back to living with his dad but she will tell him it is okay and he will be fine with his dad. I am not sure it will be a happy ending because Christopher does not understand what is going on in his life and it probably won't work out the way he wants. I think the story is pretty realistic and with someone as brave as Christopher it is possible but still probably unlikely. It would depend on how I knew Christopher because if he was in my family I would be protective of him and would undersand him more than if I was his friend or classmate.                                                                                                              

The Resolution- Theo

I am really enjoying The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and can't wait to see what happens in the end. Judging by what Mr Tait said, it seems that it might not be a happy ending. I think Christopher might not find his mother and that he'll get lost. I believe the story is realistic but also not realistic at the same time.

If Christopher Boone was in my family, I would try to stay out of his way or just try not to upset him. I might even get quite angry with him like his mother if he didn't treat me or my belongings well.

I think Lord of the Flies definitely had a memorable resolution.

The Resolution Hugh

To be honest with you, I'm really not enjoying The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night Time, and I'm really not that tuned in as when I was really lisening intently, I was really not enjoying the whole idea, the whole cdoncept and the way it was written. Plus given that I'm out of class alot with sport, I have missed heap of big parts of the book, and given no one was willing to explain it to me, I never got informed on big things in the book.

The Resouloution-Sam

I did not think that this book would have such a big and complicated plot. It is a great book and I can not wait to hear about what happens next and I think the outcome will be he moves in with his mum and goes to a new school and his dad finds out and tries to bring him back to swinden.

The Resolution-Max

I think that the story will play out with Christopher and his mother returning home to his father. And that the story ending will be happy but not from Christopher's perspective. I think that the story is realistic because it involves a real world scenario that could happen but would be rare and because of this it's very adult. I don't know how I would deal with Christopher, but I would probably try to understand him and his mind better. And my final word is that a story or book with a memorable ending would probably be Artemis Fowl or Time Riders.

The Resolution.noituloseR ehT- Tim H

We are nearing the end of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. I think that the resolution could have something to do with Mr Shears doing something bad to Christopher or he meets his mum and they have an argument and he has to go back to Swindon or something like that, I don't think that this book will have a happy ending. Its too sad and stuff.

The Resolution - Henry C

It would be very hard to live with Christopher just because of how different he is to other people. Being not able to touch or eat things that are yellow or brown Christopher is missing out on a lot of things in life. Such as: Bananas, chocolate, pineapple, pineapple lumps (which are brown and yellow.) He is missing out on some of the best things in life because I know that me personally could not go a week without eating something that is yellow or brown. To make a movie on this book you would need an actor and a voice person to basically read out the whole script because most of this book is in Christopher's head and if it was just like a normal movie!!

The Resolution-Ben S

The problem in 'the curious incident of the dog in the night-time'  is that Christopher has no idea what he's doing. But, he is being pretty brave going on the train to London, but he has left for the wrong reason. He thinks because Father has killed Wellington, he thinks that Father isn't safe, and will kill him, too. I can't help but feel sorry for Father, though. But Christopher is going on a pretty big adventure, so I hope in the end he can start trusting people, and learns more about the outside world. And maybe he meets his Mother, and stays with her for a while. That would make a really nice, warm ending. But, I reckon that the police are going to take him back to Father after a while. But, Christopher will probably run away again. Or, his mother will stand in the way of the police, but I have no idea. There will probably be a really dramatic and unexpected ending. I know that much. But, there is still a long way to go, and a lot to find out.

The Resolution - Callum H

I think that the curious incident of the dog would work best with a sad/happy ending. If Christopher goes to his mum and discovers that she doesn't actually want to own Christopher. Then on his way out Christopher's dad rushes up to him and embraces him in a hug not fanning his fingers, then Christopher gets rid of his silly fears and becomes quite normal and then they live happily ever after.

© 2014 Callum Hancock book ending company.
® All rights reserved.

The Resolution-Harry W

I think that the resolution will end with everything working out and Christopher understanding why people do the things they do. I think that when [or if] Christopher meets his mum she will explain what happened and then Christopher will understand but he will still have his own views and he won't go back to his dad. I think it will be a happy ending where he will end up with his mum. This story may not be realistic in the eyes of us but I think that it is realistic for someone with asburgess in that situation. If Christopher was my brother then I would try and teach him that moaning doesn't help anything but I would have to be really patient with would be a huge challenge. I love the ending in Ender's Game as it ends one story but starts another and that creates a sense of anticipation almost.

The resolution-Will

At the end of the book I think that Christopher Boone is going to find his mother and she is going to be happy that he is here but after a while remembers why she couldn't handle him and will be sent back too his farthers house but on the way he is going to escape and live with the teacher chevaughn and or just make a run for it. I also think that the rat he thought was toby wasn't because chris said he had trained toby and toby bit him, Also if I was apart of christophers family I would probabley try to be as supportive as I could and would try to really help him out.

Nicholas- The Resolution

Wow, this book is not quite like any other book I've read. I am really enjoying it yet. Christopher Boone has had a few weird encounters with policeman and members of the public. It's really neat the way that it's written because the author makes the plot seem at its peak but actually the book has had a lot of 'peak' points: Wellington being killed for example this point of the story seems to be the main scenario but actually it changes after the mystery,'Who killed Wellington?' the main focus turns to Christopher's mind and the situations he is in at the time like the people in his life. We first see sings of asbergus sindrome when he hits the policeman at the start of the book. I first thought it was just a spasm but as the book goes on it's quite obvious that he is disabled. I think that the way its written is cool because the author puts in a lot of situations which makes it exiting and tense. I don't know about you but I personally feel sorry for young Christopher as he doesn't know any better. So that concludes this weeks post.

Nicholas

The Resolution - Noah

The book is very interesting and cool. The title shouldn't be what it is, it should be more like "The curious incedent of Christopher Boon". I think in the end Christopher's dad will be at his moms house, and when Christopher enters the house his dad murders him infront go his mom. And his dad will go to prison and all will be fine. And I think Chistopher's book will remain un finished. I can't really think of any other story that relates to this book. 

The Resolution - Ben

I think that Christopher will find his mother but his father will come and find him in London and the entire family will have one more conversation that will end very spectacularly. I think that this story is pretty realistic because there is nothing supernatrual about any of the characters and there is a chance that one day this might happen.

If I had a son like Christopher I would try to be as patient as possible. I see father's fustration because he isn't allowed to mad at anyone while Christopher is around. It would also be tough for father because you have to explain things to Christopher that he has skipped because of that stage of thinking that he misses. 

I think that another series that has a problem and a resolution could be the Harry Potter series. The problem is that Tom Riddle (Voldemort) has come back and wants to pure all the blood of wizards and witches. The resolution is that Harry stops Tom and all is well. 

The Resolution - Mr T

Good morning boys.  We are a few chapters away form the end of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.  What a story it has been so far.  If you think about most stories that are told, that we read, that we hear about, there is always some sort of problem then some sort of resolution.  We know what the problem is in this novel (complex and multi-layered as it is).  How do you think the resolution will play out (or, if you have already read this book, how did it play out...?).  Do you think it is going to be a 'happy' ending?  Is this story realistic?  How do you think you would deal with a person like Christopher Boone if he was part of your family, or a friend?  What is another story which has a particularly memorable problem/resolution?

Independent study.yduts tendnepednI

My topic is providing plenty of stimulation for me as it is about video games. If I couldn't do my topic (for some strange reason) I would probably go with the future of transport.The TSM process has been quite hard, as video games not a likely subject to be chosen for an independent study.

independent study

hi sam here my independent study is on gallipoli i want to know what others are and i am interested in josh's max's luke's noah's henry's and william durkin's independent studies. I like the look of other independent studies from recent years

Independent Study-Luke

Wow! I can't believe how far I'm into my Inderpendent Study!
I got my TSM done, my PQ's done and my BSWQ finished. I can already foresee the fun I'm going to have with my study.

Independent study-Max

My topic holds lots of stimulation and I'm really excited to get into it. I think it's going to be a sloew burner because it might take me a while to get into a groove and also new eco-friendly designs all the time. If I had to choose another topic it would have to be Nanotechnology (even though Ben has it). I don't really enjoy coming up with questions for other people but some I do enjoy, Also I like it when someone puts up a good question for me but a lot of them aren't very good.

Independent Study - Henry C

My topic, in my opinion is the best topic in the class. Sorry to everyone else with good topics but mine is the best. I also think my topic is suited to me because I am more of a laid back kind of person and Harry Houdini is the kind of topic that you don't have to do a amazing amount of work to make it a decent booklet.

Independent Study- Nicholas

This year has been a slow start topic wise, not in a bad way. I'm just taking my time selecting my topic. I was first thinking of the space shuttle and then on to Palestine. Palestine would be a slow burner if I did it. But now I'm having doubts about doing Palestine and I am moving towards something else like Boeing, the steam train or Sea-Shepherd.
I think it is good if you picture your I.S. on the shelf and your presentation and what will be in it. Think about whether you'll be happy with the finished product. I am really looking forward to some of the topics the children have chosen. I am enjoying writing up my peer questions and my TSM is coming along slowly but surely.
This year I aim to get the bulk of my I.S. done in terms two and three and have my green light by the end of the term.

Nicholas

Independent Study-Toby M

We're finally getting into our Independent Study. I'm not sure if the Duke of Wellington will be a 'slow burner' or an 'instant hit' but I'm sure it's going to be a good topic. I'm really interested in other boy's topics like Josh's topic on the 1981 Springbok Tour and Callum's study on triathlon.

Independent study - Jim

I am extreamly excited about starting my independent study. For me my topic on comics was an instant hit although I think it will still get better as I work through it. I have found the TSM very useful but it was a bit annoying going back and forth making the smallest changes. I have "nailed down" a BSW question and have started my inspiration so I can start soon.If I weren't doing my topic I would probably do Guses topic the cold war because I am very interested in it but there is a lot more to find out about. I am glad we have a whole year and I'm sure it will be great.

Independent study Will

My topic this year is Al Capone I am really looking forward to studying him but I think that it might be a bit of a slow burner because he wasn't someone I really knew a lot about but other wise I am really happy and I think ill be able to come up with a great independent study that will be interesting 

Independent study -Toby C

My independent study is looking good I have mix feeling about my topic though. I love helicopters for starters but I don't know as much as i would like to know. I think the more i know then the more I will love them.If TSM was like that i can only just imagine what the rest will be like. I have pretty much nailed my BSWQ.

Independent Study- Theo

Ah, back into it again, it's gone so quickly but I'm happy to get back into it. I really like my topic this year as it is something I am really interested in, I would think it would be an 'instant hit'. If I were to do someone else's topic I would want to do London Underground because I am really passionate about trains. The TSM has not been hard but it has been interesting, first I was almost certain I was doing Kiwirail but then it swung to Hornby. I have definitely enjoyed PQ and it seems easier to answer questions this year. I think I'm close to getting my final BSWQ but not quite. My vision for my presentation is a long-ish but interesting and fun presentation. One thing that I have already learnt is that Hornby was bought out by Tri-ang in 1965.

Independent study-Luke

Wow I can't belive that I'm so far into the Inderpendant Study! TSM: done, BSWQ: done,
PEER Q's: done. I'm already foreseeing the fun that lies ahead. I've already got information pouring in left👈, right👉 and center👇. My west coast fundraiser is going nicley.

Independent Study-Ben S

I already know that this independent study would be difficult, so it feels so strange, like when you have been told to run 15 kilometres. The TSM was pretty easy, though. And I need to put some peer questions up, but there will be time for everything (famous last words). But to be honest, if you just churn out a little bit every week it should be done in no time, so I shouldn't be that worried, after all, we have the entire year.

Independent Study - William

This year, my Independent Study has been flowing so much better than last year. It's not an 'instant hit' but I think it's around halfway inbetween an 'instant hit' and a 'slow burner' which is great. Last year my topic didn't hook me in but this year I'm hooked like a Tarakihi. I have finished my final copy of my TSM, finished around eight ideas of a BSWQ. My topic this year is "The Kiwi" and my favourite idea for a BSWQ is something along the lines of "How is New Zealand's Department of Conservation keeping the kiwi from extinction?".

Ind Study by Callum B

I havent nailed down my Ind Study topic just yet, but I am thinking along the lines of Biomimicry or the Future of Design (Biomimicry mean copy nature and putting it into our design to make better things). The Future of Design would also be cool because I could focus on smaller topics such as 3d Printing, design AND Biomimicry.

Please comment on what topic you think I should choose.

I have been enjoying seeing what other people are writing for Peers Questions. Some of them are really good , however some are just plain THICK (e.g. why do Helicopyers go nyearghputtaputtaputtaputtavroomvroom really loud? Or who is the main character in Batman). You get the idea.

Anyway, so far I am enjoying Independent Study and can't wait to get green lighted!

Andrew - independent study

I think the independent study will be hard work but great fun. Although it definitely is a 'slow burner'. Out of the topics apart from mine, Mt Everest Would my prefered one. Thinking of a good PQ is difficult but enjoyable. I am very far away from coming up with a solid BSQW though. Through my research I have found many fascinating things about my topic and I can't wait for more!

Independent Study - Josh

I am really excited about getting started with my independent study. I am really looking forward to the things I will learn, not only about my topic but also about how to manage and present my independent study. As soon as I found out that the 1981 Springbok Tour was large enough for an independent study topic it was a topic I definitely wanted to do but I also had another topic I wanted to do but in the end I thought that I preferred the 1981 springbok tour. If I was prevented from doing my topic and I had to choose another topic that another boy is doing, I think I would choose to do Ben Ross's topic which is the Munich Massacre. The TSM process was hard because I had to choose between two topics that I was really passionate about. I am enjoying asking peer questions be because it really gets me thinking. Something I have learnt already about my topic is that the police dropped bags of flour on the crowd and one bag hit a famous all black on his head.

Independent Study- George

My independent study is a bit mixed up. I rushed into a topic but now I am having my doubts about it. I can't wait to start but I am going to wait until I am happy with my topic. Theo's topic is an interesting one because I think it is more of a hobby topic (Literally!) and I think he will have to comb very deep or end up just listing products. The topics I am umming and aahing about are The London underground and The Great western Railway. Which do you think I should use? If I use the GWR I already have a good BSWQ.

Callum H - Ind Study

My topic has really hooked me in and I'm really trying to keep pushing on and get ahead.

I think I'm pretty much there with my TSM I'm just having a few problems printing.
My BSWQ is looking good as well and I'm really looking forward to the year.

Independent Study-Harry W

I think that last year i chose a topic that I didn't really enjoy so this year I have taken my time to choose a really interesting topic that will keep me interested for the rest of the year. I am really looking forward to studying my topic as I love animals even though they are getting killed but I would like to study why and what we can do to stop it. My topic is an instant hit but so was my topic last year and then I grew to dislike it so I hope that it is no the same. I quite like the Al Capone choice our the Springbok Tour. The TSM process has been extremely easy as I just used the template from last year. It is always fun to stand on a desk. I am close to a solid BSWQ but I haven't nailed down what I am going to call my topic so it is a bit hard. My vision for my presentation at the end of year is for it to be a lot better than last year as know I have that knowledge and experience.

independent study/Gus

Since we are nearly in week seven, we need to make a strong start on our independent study. I already have a clear idea what will be on my front page of the booklet will look like, with the famous leaders Kenedy and Nikita Kruchev on it and some Nuclear missiles in the background. I have also nearly finished one page of my Booklet wich has the three main questions, followed by lots of other questions.

I must say, even though I have 21 weeks left to do my independent study, I am worried I might not finish on time so I am a bit nervous. In other (good) news, I have nearly finished my ANZAC Essay, which I like doing, so I might write a book about World War 1. And I have more than a week left to do my Essay, so I do not need to worry.

Independent Study - Noah

This year will be interesting being a year 8. It feels as though you need to do better and if you do worse the your like is not woth it (and no I am not depressed). I wanted to do something instead of someone, because I would like to do each of the genres in the two years I am in this class. It's going to be fun watching the years sevens doing their topics from an older view. 

Independent Study - Ben

Independent Study is a great part of 7/8T. I think that I am prepared for a new year in 7/8T and I'm going to make sure I do more than last year. I think that my topic (Munich Massacre) will be a 'slow burner'. If I were to choose another topic from the class room I would pick Al Capone. This because I have an interest in it. I am very anxious to see Will's presentation.

I am getting closer to getting my BSWQ everyday. Last year I had a pretty easy time finding a BSWQ but this year proves to be harder. By the end of the year I am aiming for a much bigger booklet than last year. Nonetheless I was happy with the size and content of my presentation but there is always room for improvement.

Independent Study - Mr T

Good morning boys.  It is the end of week 6 and we have pretty much nailed down 24 topics for the year. What are your thoughts at the beginning of this journey?  How much stimulation is your topic providing for you?  Is it an 'instant hit' or a 'slow burner'?  What other topics within the classroom would you like to take on if you were prevented from getting stuck into the topic of your choice?  How hard has the TSM process been?  Are you enjoying getting up on the desks for PQ?  How close to a solid BSWQ are you?  What is your 'vision' for your booklet and presentation in November/December?  What is one exciting thing you have learnt already through your topic?