Approaching the home straight - Jim

I think that this year for me has been a challenge, more so than last. There have been many ups and downs in the class (that I think mr Tait can relate to) and I have found the working conditions a bit hard at times. I really enjoyed art week as I do every two years but this one was special. As we have just learned mrs Owen is leaving so it was great to have one final event. I hope next term will be anbit better and Im lookimg foward to finishing my presentation and delivering it.

Approaching the Home Straight!! - JOSH

What? Less than 50 more days of primary school? So scary to think how fast life is going! I believe that I have grown! I think I've developed an opinion on many things and that I feel like I can contribute instead of being told exactly how to do things. The thing that has stretched me the most is how to manage my time. I've always met deadlines and managed my time previously but I would say I had a quarter on than what I previously had. Trying to juggle Wellesley's got Talent, Student Council, Marlborough House, T.O.M reigionals, T.O.M. nationals, T.O.M. pacific final, Two hockey teams, Independent Study, Rock Band, WNB, speeches and all the 7/8T tasks! One thing that I am glowing about is my achievements in Tournament of Minds especially as I put so much effort into it. I am exceptionally pleased with my WNB as I put my heart into every piece I did! (That sounds very dramatic... Yet it's true)! I like these holidays as it's two weeks to focus on Independent Study and just Independent Study!

Approaching the home straight - Andrew S

To me, there are a few areas of school that make me feel proud, but the main one is probably academics. I think art week isn't going to be one of the things that I remember about Wellesley - although that might've been because of the activity I was doing. I'm very very proud of my Writer's Notebook this year - it was a lot of fun and quite successful. I'll just keep ploughing through my presentation through the holidays, although I'm going to New Caledonia for the first week! This will definitely be my 'happy place' over the holidays.

Actually, just this morning I was thinking of the concept of picking up and dropping the two weeks of school holidays to the summer holidays. I think this would be a very good idea (although I know it won't happen) as long as presentations are further along the road home.....................................

Approaching the home straight- Will

This year has gone faster then a rocket. It feels like just yesterday I was coming into this class gearing up for a fantastic year as the senior of all seniors. Not only has this year been enjoyable it has been memorable, Whether it has been the Castlepoint camp, 1-11 Football, making house captain or yes dare I say it doing school work this year has been great.

The piece of work I am probably the most proud of so far would have to be my WNB. Not only am I proud of the high caliber writing I produced this year I am also extremely proud of the fact that it didn't fluster me. In fact I almost enjoyed it as ,much as I did some sports. One of my other highlights was making house captain. Not only was making house captain one of my goals this year it was also something that I have wanted to do for a long time. When I was at my old school my brother was the house captain and all the house captains I have experienced have been people that I have looked up to and so this year when I got it I was so happy because it gave me a chance to be one of those people.

The other thing I am really proud of this year has been my work ethic. Last year I was constantly becoming unfocused and forgetting what the real aim was but this year I feel it has been awesome.

Overall what I have done this year has been something I am proud of and I can't wait to get to college next year.

Shotie bergs Taitertots... I'm happy with... (That is very cheeky)

Approaching the Home Straight-Judd

I am very proud of my Writer's Notebook as I have worked very hard on it and have not wasted any time getting started on them each week. I do not feel that I need to come up for air, and I could just finish the year two weeks early. I intend to accomplish alot of work over the holidays, and at the beginning of the week I made a small plan to keep the holidays stress free. Some of the information that I have tucked away is getting everything done early ie spelling sentences, WNB... The area at school that makes me glow with pride is probably writing/english because I really enjoy writing stories that would be the reason that I have really enjoyed Writer's Notebook. Something that has stretched me has been adjusting to the new setup of the classroom as the way that everything happens is completely different to other classrooms.

Approaching the home straight - Matt

One thing that has grown in me this year so far is my knowledge of how the process of 78T/independent study works and is done. I am fairly proud of my WNB and in particular my a picture tells 1000 words although some of my WNBs could have been longer. My special place for the holidays will be home.

Approaching the home straight - Tim H

I hope to finish my presentation over the holidays, and do a lot of work on my booklet. I doubt that skipping this holiday and ending school two weeks earlier would be a good idea, because presentations start very soon after we get back, and if we didn't have that break, they would be very hard to do.

home straight- toby c

This has possible been my best school year, 7/8T is just a great class! It was a great to do art week instead of production because it is not as stressful, art week is fun because often once you have finished you can go play sports or have free time. Yesterday for the first time mr Tait confiscated my tablet, apperently I was gaming, to be correct I wasn't gaming I was just looking at a new game! I am ussally a good worker and plan to do alot of work over the holidays even though I am away for a week and a half I will try to make teh most of my time.

Approaching the Home Straight - Ben

I feel horrified that there's only around 50 days left in 7/8T. It feels weird that two years ago I was being greeted by a grinning Mr. Tait, telling us how the classroom functioned, and describing the day ahead. Three booklets later, and here you have me. The holiday problem would be strange, and I think the break is necessary, but it would be really nice to have a extra two weeks at the end of the year.
The WNBs this year have been great. I had a really hard time picking my favourites, and that's saying something. Poor Mr. Tait had to judge those every week. I'm pretty sure everyone here is proud of their WNB. Maths this year has been fantastic. Mr. B is a really good teacher, and has helped tremendously with my learning. He's also hilarious, especially when he gets worked up over problems.
Next term will be a gem. The year sevens won't know what hit them. It'll be great...

Approaching the home str8- James

I definitely need a 2 week break. Without it I think that I would crumble. I need it to refresh and be ready for a BIG term four. Personally the best thing about art week is the three days of mufti we get not the art. I think I have grown massively this year already and I hope to change more in term four. Overall I am definitely looking forward to a relaxing holidays.

Approaching the home straight - William

As pointed out by Mr T, there is only 18 weeks until I, and a miscellany of other boys that happen to be Year 7's in 7/8t,  become the 'Mentors' of this class. Height and size wise I have grown this year, but the biggest department in which I have grown is my thinking and working department. I have now completed my WNB, done large amounts of work on my Independent Study and survived Maths with Mr H (so far) which is an achievement in itself. Having recently done Art Week, it has made me wonder about the importance of Art at Wellesley. I have now come to the conclusion that Art, and Art Week itself is an integral part of Wellesley and it's learning. I intend to work through the holidays, and not rest until all my school work is done, ideally 2 or 3 weeks before the end of the year.

Approaching the home straight - Noah

I am quite proud of my WNB but I think that I don't have as many pieces of writing as other people in the class. In the holidays I will try t complete my SOLO and some of the activities on it. My "happy place" in the holidays will be going to Rarotonga with my cousins. I think that I need a break now and work right up till the end of school. 

coming on the homeless bend- HIGOHUGI

I am really nervous about my independent study and I'm pretty sure I'm not behind, but I still just feel nervous. Unlike speeches, you can't just adlib a independent study. I hope I get time to work over the holidays and I can't wait for next year, where I'm the top dog* and get pav lunches and stuff like that. I also can't wait to finish my independent study and just relax for the rest of the year.

*Or am I the Snoop Dogg 

Approaching the home straight - Tom A

In terms of what I will do differently next year the list is endless. I will start a lot earlier and aim to get my green light by the end of term 1. I am proud of my WNB but I don't think that I have much chance of winning the Peoples Choice Award. In the holidays I will do a lot of sleeping but I will hopefully get a lot of work done.

Moving slowly to the home where straights live - Ned

I really wonder where the home straight is. Like, is it in California or Moscow or Canada?
I really don't know.

So! It seems to me that we are approaching the home straight. Now, that means we are
a) free from year 8s
b) we can rule 7/8t
c) we shall know how to Independent Study
And I think I haven't grown too much. I'm still the guy I was in year 6 except now I don't talk about minecraft with my friends. Also, at the start of the year I think I was being really weird. OR, as Mr. Tait puts it, "letting go."

I realise to let go was not a good idea because I am very capable of making the stupidest and/or funny  blogs and WNB, so I should stick to the person I am now, because people seem to like me like that.
And finally, being in 7/8t is fun because I dunno. It's just fun, and I'll be sad when I have to leave Wellesley and go to Cool-age.

Joke: (THANKS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEBIT CARD BATING)
Two peanuts walk down the road. One was a salted.
- Josh

Aproaching the home sraight-GusM

Wow, term tree is over already! Only fifty days of primary school left. And then I'll be going to high school, wher I'll be able to read stuff that is meant for year thirteens. Finally I would be able to challenge myself. Not that I haven't challenged myself already. Such challenging thing likemy Independent study, which I'll be able to do much of during the holidays. I don't think I'd be able to finnish on time if I didn'thave thattwo week space to do work. But once school is over for the year- that will be quite something to blog about!

Approaching the Home Strait - Luke

This holidays I am going to Mt Ruapahu and I will be starting and hopefully finishing my presentation. One thing that really made me glow with pride was the south island tour in week three of this term. I think I played really well and made a difference to the team.

Approaching the Home Straight - Anish

I have learned that to get a lot of information it is all about getting your green light before the end of term 1. Then I get about three terms to do and form my booklet and presentation. Also not to leave the I.S to the last day.

I am going to Sydney for the first week so not much to do in that week. But in the second week I will be trying to tick everything in my S.O.L.O list so then  am done with the writing and ready to put it all together.

Approaching the home straight - Archie_c

Having a writing task every week has kind of stretched me because I don't really like writing but it has grown on me. I am not to proud about my WNB but the standard of writing got a lot better I think as the year went on. I think it is vital that I do a big chunk of work over the holidays because I am a bit behind. I would want to go straight through the holidays and end two weeks earlier but I don't think I could cope.

Approaching the home straight - Max A

I have grown 8 centimetres this year. I am proud of my writing and maths, as they have both progressed really well. I am really proud of almost all my WNBs this year, the only bad ones have been when I had no ideas for the topic. I intend to get most of my independent study done over the holidays. I think we should get a couple of days off and then keep going (this is a great idea).

Approaching the Home straight - Sam

I think I have grown a lot this year. I have been stretched by my independent study. Art week isn't too vital. I am only a bit proud of my Wnb because some of the pieces of writing I wanted to go better on and had way better ideas that I gave away to other people. I intend to accomplish a lot in my independent study over the holidays probably at least 60 pages of my booklet and get my booklet all planned out as well as almost all of my presentation. My happy place will be my holiday house. I don't think I could work through until two weeks before the holidays.

Approaching the home straight - Mr T

Good morning boys.  Three terms complete.  For year 8s... under 50 primary school days left.  For Year 7s...only 18 weeks until you assume the role of 'mentor' in the classroom.  How have you 'grown' this year so far?  What has stretched you?  What is the one area of school life which makes you glow with pride?  What is it that you observe about others in this classroom that you 'tuck away' for later and use as fuel for your learning?  How vital is Art Week to the life of Wellesley?  How proud of your WNB are you?  What do you intend to accomplish for your Ind. Study over the holidays?  What will be your 'happy place' in the holidays?  Do you feel as if you need to come up for air or could you work through and finish the school year two weeks earlier?  

The genius of Zusak-Tim H

 I think that having death as the narrator is very clever, because you keep forgetting about it but every now and then there is one ore two sentences that dont make sense, and you think about them for a but and then you remember who the narrator is and it suddenly makes sense.

I think that the book is so memorable because of the location (Nazi Germany) and the narrator (death). If it had been a normal book (not narrated by death), the book would be almost completely different.

the genius of zusak - matt

I think that it is a good book and I am enjoying it. Zusak's writing style is very good. I have forgotten about who the narrator is many times and have been reminded just as many times. Is the longest (and best) book we have read this year (in my opinion) I would rate it 8/10.

The genius of Zusak-GusM

When Mr Tait is reading a book that is set in wartime, itgives me theopputunity to show off my amazing intelect when Mr Tait asks me to explain what the Holocaust was, for example. So thank you Mr Zusak, thank you for letting me show off my immence intellect.

I find Mr Zusak's work interesting, because he often has such interesting people narrating his work, and the whole class is gripped by his work. Well, I know I am...

The genius of Zusak - Tom A

I think that The Book Thief is a great book and and interesting, abet lengthy read. The fact that it is narrated by Death makes it unique. Zusak has a interesting writing style and It is my favourite book we have read so far. I would rate it 9 out of 10.

The Genius-Will

So far I have really been enjoying this book. Not only has it been interesting but I have found the style of writing intriguing. At the moment I am really enjoying this book and can't wait to hear the end of it.

Zusak is a genuine genius-Sam

This is a very clever book and amazingly thought through it is my favourite class book this year and can't wait until they runaway.

The genius of Zusak - Jim

I think that his writing style is really interesting. I like the narraration and he uses a lot of big words. He kind of strays from the normal writing style by giving away huge moments with the characters like deaths and love and makes it seem like just normal part of writing. I think the charaxters are really interesting and diverse each having different personalitys and goals and each apoearing in different parts. I find it hard to remember some of those characters when they dont appear for ages. It is a clever book and although it is going to take us a long time to read it it is interesting and I'm looking foward to seeing how the story develops.

the genius of zooozak- archie_c

I know that Toby c doesn't agree with me, but I am enjoying the Book Thief a lot because it's style of writing is something I really enjoy. I would rate it 9 out of 10 because it is writtin well with humour but with a seriounuess note.

the genuis- toby c

 I think what I am about to will be the opposite to what the other 23 boys in my class would say, I AM NOT ENJOYING THE BOOK THEIF. The book oi writen in a fantastic way and is very clever but it is just not my tupe of book. Other books that Mr Tait have read have grabbed my a lot more han the book theif has.

The Goonius of Zusak - JOSH

I've read Zusak's book The Book Thief before and I absolutely love it. The ending is so amazing and I know that many 7/8Ter's will have mixed emotions about it. The way that Zusak portrays it from Death's point of view is kind of scary and mysterious yet the way he narrates is actually kind of beautiful. It's an odd thing to narrate from the point of view of a way of life but Zusak did it absolutely superbly and that's why he got all the recognition, awards and the movie because he did something different. He told a story about WW2 (which is a common topic) but he did it from a new angle that really put him out there and it was a big risk but it paid off marvellously. The characters were spot on and it made it a beautiful book in a very ugly time in history and that's why it is so popular. The Book Thief shows the beauty in the ugly truth and I know that I love this style of writing and this book.

The genius of hiding from Zusak - Ned

Is Zusak death? It seems so. He recounts the book thief as DEATH. I HAVE EXTREME SUSPICIONS.

The genius of Zusak/the genius of hiding from Death.

But in all seriousness he made a good book. It's really good at recounting what happened back in Dee Nartzi Dais, and it's very gripping EXCEPT FOR WHEN DEATH RUINED THE BOOK BY TELLING US THE RUDY DIED. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT! Anyway, Leisel is also really tough. Like, really tough. Tough as a punctured watermelon. And the book is very happy in moments. Although the book has a lot of deadyness. Like Rudy. Dea- I mean, Zusak spoiled it for us. I would go and make a complaint to him, but uh,

He's dead.

Wait, what?! He's not dead?

Excuse me while I go and complain.

Joke: (THANKS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEBIT CARD BATING)
Why did de person explod??
bcos he was dynimate

- Max

The Genuis of Me, er...Zusak - Ben

I have been enjoying this book tremendously. There's so much you learn from reading (or listening to) a book the second time through. His writing style is fantastic. Sometimes, I feel as if I am watching Liesel and Rudy. As if I'm really there. It's great. I think the narrator is very good, but I have never forgotten who he (or she) was. Of course, there are reminders, like: "My workload increased significantly from that day forward for the next six years."

The book carries a certain feeling around with it. One of sorrow, loss, hope, joy. And then the cycle begins again. Nazism is ever present when you read it, and the book seems to be leading up to a climax. I know what that is, of course. But as we all  know with a good book, the protagonist cannot be happy forever. Who will the narrator meet first in the Hubermann household?

The cool guy zusak-Hugo

I think that Mr Zusak has a very good writing style. Having death as the narrator has added quite a lot to the book. I am really enjoying the book and am wondering how true the movie will be to the book. Anyway, I am really enjoying the book and like Monsieur Zusak's style. The characters are good and the plot is good.  My prediction. I HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK OR SEEN THE MOVIE is that Liesel is going to tell someone and they are going to get found out. Now to finish up,
-_- Meditation Face. (-)(-) Frog Eyes and last but not least, Snoop Dogg. Special thanks to Matt for putting together this GIF.

The Genius of Zusak - Andrew S

In general, i don't really like books to do with wars, so the Book Thief isn't really something I've been thoroughly enjoying, although it is starting to pick up a little bit in the past week or so. I've actually already seen the movie when it came out in the cinemas, but i can't remember too much. I think 'death' narrating it is a very cleaver idea especially seeing as the book is set in a time when people are getting killed. Zusak also uses this very well.
I see the best ending well for Leisel, but maybe not for others.

The genius of Zusak - Toby M

I think that Zusak has done an amazing job portraying Nazi Germany.
I think that it is very clever the way it is narrated by death himself.
I think that the book has a very good plot and I think that Frau Hermän is a Jew.
I think that Rudy is going to find out that the Hubermans are harbouring a Jew and that they will have to "take care of him".
I think that making watching the movie would increase the value of the book as I think that it would be quite easy to make a good movie out of this and stick to the original storyline.
I think that The Book Theif is very well written and I think that it should be rated 4.5 stars.


I think that I have put in too many I thinks. I think you do too.

The Genius of Zusak - Mr T

Good morning boys.  We have not yet even reached halfway through Markus Zusak's The Book Thief but I would be picking that, for many of you, this book has got 'under your skin' (of course, it may not have and that is OK).  What is it about this book and Zusack's writing style in particular that is making it memorable?  Is it the range of characters that he slowly reveals?  Is it the ever present stench of Nazism and realistic portrayal of persecution that sits in the background?  Is it the yin and yang of Leisel's toughness and vulnerability?  The supporting cast (Rudy or Rosa maybe)?  Are you nervous about seeing the movie and the fact that it may not add value?  And what about our narrator? How clever is that?  How many times have you forgotten and then been reminded?  Do you see this book ending well?  

The Art of Stillness - Guru Adams

I think that mindfulness, or in regards to the new books Mrs Kent showed us, nothingness, will be a very useful ability in the upcoming weeks. I think it will add value to the classroom because it will teach us to slow down in a world of constant movement and noise. I think that one more thing that would help would be playing soothing, meditation music.

The Art Of Stillness- Jame$

Why I Decided Not to do Mindfulness

Personally I opted out of Mindfulness. I think that I am calm enough I could use the 10-15 minutes that kids use to relax by getting my sentences done of getting ahead on my Independent Study. Doing this in the long run will make me more relaxed than if I had wasted an hour a week doing nothing productive.

 

Another reason I opted out of Mindfulness was because if I was to want to take 15 minutes out of my day to relax I would do it at home when I have some spear time not a busy Friday. For these reasons I have decided to spend my time in my opinion on a much better cause.

The ancient art/practice of Stillness - Josh

I think since we are coming to the bottle neck which is Term 4, 7/8T this could really add value to our classroom schedule. I know especially for me this year that I get stressed really easily so this is useful for me. I like how it allows me stop and get into a comfortable position, especially since most of the day I'm hunched over a desk. If I were to become a teacher and introduce something new I would probably do it something like this- Me/Mr. K.W: Everyone on the ground now. I said now. Move, Move, Move. Faster I say. FASTER... Okay now lets just calm ourselves right now boys. Deep breaths. What are you guys all acting up about.
(I'd make a great teacher!)
Finally I think that MNDFLNS could help the class because everyone in the classroom kind of goes at 100 miles an hour and we just need to stop asking.

The Art of Stillness - Jim

I think that the mind fullness subject has been introduced to this class because some of us need to take five minutes and just be in the present and just think and relax. Sometimes things in class and even the stress of an independent study can fill our heads with all the things we need to accomplish and we just need a breather. I think it will help the class because it makes us all more settled and relaxed, making it easier to work. I think it will help me in particular with making sure that I don't get stressed about any upcoming thing or whether I've finished this or that and just breathe. I'm looking forward to more sessions and learning more ways to relax.

The Art of Stillness - Andrew

As many of us have realised, this year, 78t can get very restless and distracted. I think our recent practise of 'mindfulness' is absolutely perfect for not only just the people who actually are distracted (not to name anyone) but also for everyone else to 'be in the moment' especially in busy term four!
I enjoyed being calmer and more relaxed. I also enjoyed almost hearing real silence in the vibrant room of 78t! I believe something like this will definitely improve our classroom's productivity and help us become less distracted.
 

The Art of Stillness-GusM

In class we are being tought mindfullness. Apparently it is meant to stop us getting stressed, but if that's true, why didn't we do it last year? It's also kinda meant to be a legacy to Mr Owen, who's the one who suggested it in the first place. But what is midfullnes really? It's verry much like meditation, exept with Mr Tait talking about some weird little person with a ladder. Which is kind of creepy.

The Art of Stillness - William

It was a Tuesday afternoon when Mr Tait introduced us to the concept of 'Mindfulness'. This involves closing your eyes, focusing on your breathing and imagining your mind like a highway of thought, thoughts whizzing around. We repeated this exercise on Wednesday and Thursday and for me personally, it made me, and a usually boisterous 7/8T a very calm, relaxed class. I think that a calm classroom woks much better than a rowdy one, and I think that 7/8T, and myself will benefit hugely from these three sessions, especially during what will be a very busy T4.

The art of stillness_archiec

I think mindfullnes has been introduced to 78T because it helps you calm down and work with less disruptions. I think it will help the class have better USSR p-list pecause it will create a quiter learning environment. I really like mindfullnes because it is realaxing. I think it might help me by getting me in a zone.

The Art of Stillness - Toby M

I think that this mindfulness thing that Mr. Tait has introduced to us will be very useful later in the year. For example in term 4 say we have had a day full of P List and we are absolutely wasted then Mindfulness will help us to relax and cool down.
The three sessions we have already have all been different however they all have the same sort of process. Breath in. Breath out. Empty your mind. Ignore all of those ideas bouncing around in your head and focus on one individual thing at a time.
It is very peaceful and I think it is also very good for Mr. Tait seeing as he can get so stressed. The art of stillness is a good quality to possess and I think that it will prove very useful in good time.

The Art of Stillness - Ben

The Art of Stillness could add quite a lot of value to the classroom. For example, it keeps Luke (you know which one) quite for longer than a minute, which is a great achievement. I believe it is that during a session of MNDFLNS,  7/8T is the quietest it has ever been, with that number of people. MNDFLNS is great, because it helps relieve stress, and draws you back to the present. I'm not sure how it would fare in Term 4 (when I say that, it would obviously be helpful, it's just that I would much prefer doing work in the 5-7 minutes, which would also relieve stress).
It's a fun thing to do, though. And I also believe that it isn't just good for us. Maybe Mr. Tait gets something out of it, too. Like the only 5-7 minutes of quiet in a day, Luke.

The Art of Stillness- Will

This year I feel the class has been slightly more unsettled than last year. I am not sure wether it is because there is so much going on or people feel like they can get away with more, maybe even it is because I am a year eight and I am sitting in a totally differen't seat to last year. Something that I truly believe in is the fact that you need a break. At the start of this term I had so much going on. I was playing my soccer, trying to get certain school work done, hanging out with friends and then the little thing that I sometimes forget about my Independent Study. Which is why it's nice to have a break and just reel yourself in a little bit. For me something that has really calmed me down this term has been my ski trip last weekend. It wasn't just fun but it took my mind of things especially the fact that I realised I had completely forgotten that we had to do a presentation as part of our I.S.

Overall I think that taking a break is not just all right but necessary because it not only lets you relax but it also slows you down and gets your head out of the gutter and into line.

"the time to relax is when you don't have time for it."

-Sydney J. Harris

The Art of Being Still. So Do it. - Ned

oh mee gourd, speaking without capitals means I AM BEING VERY LAZY.
Not that I don't know how to speak. Or grammeraterize.

Anyway, Mndflns. It's a good abbreviated thing that Mr Owen set for us. It's really quite relaxing, and I'm pretty sure there is no little man opening hatches on my head. Mndflns will add relaxationizing to our personality, and a lot of focus on tasks. It's a really good option for relaxing and all that stuff, but the only problem is that you shouldn't do it in the hall. Why? Because it hurts your head, lying down on the ground for like five minutes really doesn't help the fact that you just did like 20 minutes of French 'n' English. Although, it may not seem like I did, I enjoyed the sessions a lot. They made you feel really relaxed, and I've found I can focus on things a lot easier.
This is Ned, signing off I guess.

Joke: (THANKS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO "Debit Card Bating")

A pirate walks into a bar. "Ow" he says. It was an iron bar.

-Hugo

The Art of Stillness-Anish

When I say still I think about all the the possible things I would be doing in the future, like being a billionaire, owning a mansion, being a cricket player , being a soccer player, etc. My mindfulness is thinking in the future, but it is also really good thinks in the future. So when I grow up I already have my plan in my head from now. So if  you were me you should think of good things to do in the future.

The Art of Stillness-Judd

I think this has been introduced into the classroom because it relaxes everyone as this classroom has lots of pressure in it. I think this will improve my class work because it will relax me make me focus on one thing at a time. It could help this classroom in term four by giving everybody some rest during class time and giving us time to do something other than listen to presentations. It will add value to the class by keeping it quiet and relaxed. What I enjoyed about the three sessions that we have is the that everything is still and quiet.

The art of Stillness - Luke S

Mindfullness will not help the class because the people who actually take it seriously do not need the mindfullness thing at all. the class shows an improvement for about five to ten minutes after the sessions, but after that it is back to normal. A room, or should I say cage, of craziness does not care whether or not there is a little man or a mental flashlight, unless it is somthing hey can tell totheir friends to make them laugh.

The Art Of Meditation - H_U_G_O

I am really liking this new mindfulness thing has been really good for me and I think it has been helping me I think. It is a good way to relax and generally calm down. I would probably bring it in the same way as Mr T has and am really liking it.

 Meditation Is Good.

                            

The Art of Stillness - Luke

I find the mindfulness very relaxing and calming. It is a fun way to sit still and relax. I think it will come in handy in term four when the stress is on.  Be in the present. Mindfulness has really helped me focus on my work this week. I have even use the stuff we have learnt in class and used it at home.

The art of stillness-Sam

I have really enjoyed having mndflns sessions so far this week. I think that they can help me focus better. I think that it will make our class a lot calmer and relaxed. I think it will help our class relax more during term 4. If I had to introduce this to a class of year 7/8 boys I would tell them it would help them work better and focus easier. 

Teh Art of Stihlness - Max

It has been introduced because some of us REALLY need to calm down/stop what we are doing and focus. I think having "the mental flashlight" will really help with focusing on my schoolwork, and even in sport. If everyone in  the class focused it would make being "anchored" a lot easier. I enjoyed being able to "chillax" in class. It would definitely help in presentations (last year we were really loose).

The Art of Stillness - Noah

I think that it was introduced to the classroom so everyone calms down and gets on with work. I think it will add value to our class so everyone calms down and relaxes. I enjoyed juslying down in class ahaving a rest. I thinmight improve how fast i work. I think it will help the class in T4 by getting everyone to calm down and work without too much stress

The Art of Stillness - Mr T

Good morning boys.  This week most of you took the opportunity to dig a little deeper when it came to sitting still (for a short period).  Why do you think this has been introduced to the classroom?  How will it add value to you personally?  How will it add value for our class?  What specifically did you enjoy about the three short sessions that we had (call it mindfulness, stillness, emptiness, whatever you like...).  If you had to introduce MNDFLNS to a classroom of Yr 7/8 boys then how would you do it?  How do you think something like this might (emphasis on 'might' not 'will') improve your performance in this classroom?  How could something like this help our classroom during a very busy T4?

an after note - Nud lootins

about 10 minutes ago I released "debit card bating"
it has been regarded as the worst blog so far
I have two things to say.

1. sorry m8s
2. all my blogs are meant to be lame, cringeworthy and funny in the sense as it's bad.

so don't be the lord of the tryhards
be a naval officer
like me
and avoid danger

Debating - Tom A

I really enjoyed the debating and thought I did ok. I liked being 3rd speaker and rebutting. I thought that the way the debating "chamber" was set out was interesting espeally the ajudicators position. Next year I would like to do the QMC debate and I think a good topic for this year would be about the flag change.

Debating-Wiliam

I really enjoyed the experience of debating yesterday, and I'm already looking forward to next year. I argued the affirmative for 'Ender Wiggin was a Hero', a rather relevant topic as 7/8t has read the book 'Ender's Game' earlier in the year. I thought that I got the good side of the topic as I thought that Ender was a hero. Even though I am not year 8, I think that a good topic for the debates against QMC would be regarding the gun laws in America.

The Debating Extravaganza - JOSH

I really enjoyed my debate this year. I think I added a powerful ending to my teams argument this year. My topic had reasonable difficulties especially since we read the book a while ago but I really loved The Lord of the Flies so I felt I had a certain advantage. I agreed with the topic I argued for even though there was some points that I didn't agree with. I've done debating since I was in Year 5 so I knew the debating set up and how it was going to pan out which was helpful. I think the adjudicators did a fine job at judging us all though there were certain things here and there that I disagreed with. I wouldn't mind giving debating a shot this year. Here are some debating topics for QMC day:

Kanye West should become president in 2020.
Flappy Bird should be uploaded to the App Store again.
Snapchats should be made longer.
QMC and Wellesley College should merge.
Katy Perry is a good role model.

I think I would like to debate against QMC.

Debating - Andrew

I enjoyed yesterday's debating. I personally found debating whether Jack Merridew was a good leader or not quite difficult to debate because I very strongly believed that he wasn't, and I was debating that he was. I think I could've made a stronger argument if I wasn't on the positive side.
I was adjudicator for one of the debates and found it a very enjoyable experience. Although if something was to be changed, I think that the marking sheet wasn't that good, because I couldn't really mark down one of the teams for making slightly invalid points.

Debating-HUGO

I think that debating went very well and I am impressed in how everything went. It was very well organised and was a different sort of day to the norm. J** was a great debater and I think that he takes out if school debating lessons.I was a bit nervous since I had been out for the whole week and had no idea what to say. I was happy when I got moved to 3rd speaker and spend the whole time rebutting. That was quite fun yelling at people for getting their facts wrong. Anyway. I think that the WC V QMC debate should be boys are better than girls. QMC argue for and we argue against. That should be pretty funny.

                                                                                                                                                                   

Debating-GusM

 Well, this week we had debating. It was pretty interesting I tell you, debating over what is right and wrong. My team was debating over the fact if Jack Merridew; antagonist of William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Even though we lost, I still think we should have won. All this makes me wonder: should I do debating next year? And should I put my hand up for the debating team this year against Marsden?

I'm not to sure, so mabey we sould debate about it.

Debating - Jim

I thought that the debates were really good. I enjoyed preparing and doing the debate. I think that everyone in my teams worked well together and worked hard to do well in the final debate. I thought I had the better side to argue in the debates because I had a lot of good ideas and points. I do believe that Ender wasn't really a hero and even though it wont happen it would be interesting to see Wellesley expanded into year thirteen. I thought the adjudicators did well as it is not easy scoring the debates especially at that level. I hope to continue debating next year at college as my brother says that it is quite fun. I would be nice to make the debating team and debate against QMC but I wont be disappointed if I don't make it. It also depends a lot on what the topic is for it to be fun but I know that it will be a good one. Good luck for the year sevens debating next year and I hope everyone had fun

Debating - Ben

Well, I'm glad we do debating twice in 7/8T, instead of only getting to do it once. We must be a special lot of year eights, if Mr. Tait breaks tradition for us...

Anyway, debating's a lot of fun. Especially if you are facing a good opponent. Even the audience can have a great time listening to the debates, and I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed them. I think I know who the debating team will be, but it's just a hunch. We had a pretty good topic, about as good as you can get. I was in the negative team for "Wellesley should expand to year 13", and it was such a good moot because the who team felt strongly that Wellesley shouldn't expand. Apparently, some of the opposition felt the same. I think the adjudicators did a pretty good job. They always went for the best team there (but I can honestly say I think William was bribed... But that's just me being biased). I'll try debating in College. It depends if anything clashes. A good topic for the QMC debate (I'll go with the general consensus here) would be "Boys are better than girls" (or flip them, it really makes no difference), and then make the girls affirmative, and the boys negative. I think that would be hilarious.

Debating- Toby C

I have really enjoyed debating, my team was a great team to work with althought we had some mini debates inside our debate team we worked well together on the whole. On the day our team won the debate although I did not get the speaker of the day in our debate I was only second ny one point. As first speaker I got to introduce my group and then end teh whole debate, I think my ending was very strong but opening argument wasn't as strong. I am interested in becoming a lawyer and this gave me an in site to it. I think I will do debating at Wellington College. We were debating about weathe rthe New Zealand flag should be changed and I was the positive side. Will was speaking on the other sid eand he pipped me at the post beating me by one point for speaker of the day.

Debating- Will

Personally I loved the class debating session we had. Honestly at first I was so happy with the side I got put on for our debate The New Zealand Flag Should Be Changed. I was on the negating team and was really pumped because I didn't think that the flag should be changed. Then I changed. After getting into my debate and writing my speech I started to really think and I realised I actually really liked the new designs that the board had picked. In fact my 1st favourite and mr 3rd favourite were both in the top four list. Overall I think the whole setup of the debates was fantastic all the adjudicators, Chairperson's and time keepers did a fantastic job. None of them showed any favouritism and they all took their jobs very seriously. I was extremely happy with my debate and thought the end result was very fair: The other team one. But I got best speaker followed very closely by Toby who spoke very well and could have easily taken the best speaker title.

Overall it was a fantastic experience and if I am given the opportunity I feel I would love doing the debate against QMC or possibly doing it at college

Debating - Luke S

The experience was enjoyable, although it was a little nerveracking, it was an interesting and new experience. My teamates and opposition were well prepared, and delivered a good argument, and was a challenging day.



                                                    

Debating-Judd

I really enjoyed the experience, I found it heaps of fun and found the preperation interesting. I found arguing my topic very challenging bacause it wasn't the side that I would normally argue for.  I thought that the way the debating area was set up very well as you could make eye contact with the other team and the audience. I would like to take up debating at college because it's something that is a bit different to normal topics, and it is a very good skill to learn. I thought that the adjudicators judged the debates very well and fairly to ether side even if their friend was in one. I thought that I added value to the team by introducing the debate, the moot point and helped take notes for Andrew's speech as he was third speaker, but it was a team effort.

Debit card bating - Ned

Well.
Here we are again, and I'm still in the blogging spot of where I am.
"But Ned, you haven't been in 7/8t this entire time!"

Maybe.
But anyways, debating.
Debating was good, except for the fact that I was the worst in me team, mate.
Now, I'm a pirate.
Arr, debating is ok!

I should probably be a bit more enthusiastic.
Let's try this again.

ELLO, and welcome to my DEBATING REVIEW!
Debating was fun, although I was a little anxious at first. Although once I got into the role of it, I was going pretty well. Rebuttal was also good on everyone's part. And, on another note, I thought End The Wiggles was actually a hero, but researching into it more and thinking about In da piggins help me realise that, Eggdah Mitten, is not a hero.

Death bating was good.

joke?
what do you call a money hungry debater?
a debit-ter

Debating-Sam

Debating is one of my favourite things to do at school. The judges were very good at what they did and I feel that all their decisions were good ones. The set out of the debate was very good especially with the opposite teams half facing each other. I would like to participate in the annual Wellesley vs QMC debate but wouldn't mind if I missed out. I will definitely try to take up debating at Wellington College because I find it fun and interesting as well as controversial. I was arguing on the side I wanted to argue for. My topic was "Was Ender Wiggin a hero?" and I was on the negative team. Debating day should definitely be kept as an annual thing as it is fun and interesting for most people in our class.

Debating-Archie_c

I found quite good fun debating yesterday and I would do it again If I could.  Our topic wasn't too hard and because we had Jack Merrdiewwas a great leader and we were negetive which made it a lot easier than being the positive team. I was arguing of the side I would normally argue over and that madeit easier. I think they were well judged and the adudicators did a fantastic job. I would like to take up debating at college because I found it really fun.

Debating - Toby M

I thought that this years debate ran very well. I was totally with the argument I was fighting for and I believe that Ender was a hero to the heart. I thought that our opposing team did very well particularly their third speaker who came up with some brilliant rebuttals.
I really enjoyed watching the debates despite disagreeing with the choice of the adjudicator on more than one occasion. I thought that we made the right decision changing me from third to second and I think that it really benefited the team.
Overall it was a brilliant experience and one of the main things that I enjoyed was the casualness. If I choose to do a debating course next year at WC then it will be far more serious but I'm pretty sure I will do it.

Debating - Matt

I enjoyed the experience, although I had a little bit of trouble finishing my speech in time. Our topic wasn't very difficult as this was the side that I actually believed in. I think that the set up was very good and worked well. I think that the adjudicators judged the debates well and and weren't influenced by their friends.

Debating - Luke

Yesterday was a very fun day. I really liked speaking first. I don't really want to be in the debating team for QMC day. Even though I don't want to be in the debating team for QMC day I am still looking forward o seeing who makes the team and their debate. I think a good moot point for QMC day is boys are better then girls. But the boys have to be negating.

Debating-Max

I think I had quite an easy topic as I was on the side I liked. I didn't agree with the adjudicators for a couple: Wellesley Should Expand to Year 13 and Ender Wiggin was a Hero. I think I will definitely take up debating at Coll, as I really enjoyed the organised way it was set up. I think a good topic would be "Eating Meat is Immoral" :-1. I would really like to represent Wellesley in the QMC debate (especially with that topic).

Debating- Anish

I had a good team, even though we lost, but we all worked really hard, and perfected our speeches. I wonder how good QMC is with debating and if we could get our trophy back. I also want to see which year 8s get chosen, and when I do I can picture in my mind if they would win or not. Saying said our topic was easy that we finished our points on the first day.

Debating Extravaganza-James

I really enjoyed debating. Our topic (NZs flag should be changed) was really fun. I was lucky that I got the side that I believe in the flag should be changed. I think that a good topic for the QMC debate would be boys are better than girls but boys would have to argue that girls are better and girls would argue that boys are better. I want to be in the team of 3 next year because it would be a good experience. Overall I really enjoyed debating

Debating - Noah

I did enjoy debating yesterday. My topic wasn't especially difficult, but in my opinion we should change the flag and I was debating that we shouldn't. I thought that the debating setup was good. I think that the adjudicators did a good job. I think that I might take up debating in college. I think a good topic would be " the NZ flag should be changed ". 

Debating - Mr T

Good morning boys.  Yesterday's class debating extravaganza was an excellent showcase for your skills.  What entertainment!  Did you enjoy the experience? How do you think you added value to your team?  How difficult was your topic?  Were you arguing on the side that you would normally argue for or were you 'going against the grain'?  What did you think about the formal debating set up?  How well did you think the adjudicators judged the four debates?  After this 'intro to debating'  do you think you would like to take up debating at college?  What would be a good topic for our annual Wellesley v QMC debate?  How strongly do you feel about representing Yr 8 during this debate?