Ext(reme) Writers - Awesome Moments

Some of the Ext(reme) Writing students were inspired by Neil Pasricha's writing, 1000 Awesome Things.  They have written their own collection of Awesome Moments: 'Raroa's Book of Awesome'.

Please enjoy their writing in the e-book version.  Thanks to our resident student cartoonist, Walt Hamer for the amazing front and back cover.

Raroa Second at Mathswell

Raroa 2nd at Mathswell Competition

Congratulations to the Raroa Mathswell Team who came to 2nd in the  Wellington Mathematics Association's Problem Solving Competition, known as 'Mathswell'.   

Thanks for representing Raroa: Tuhina Sambhus,Sarthak Singh, Cameron Pryde, Sebastian Pratt, Scarlett Stallworthy and Michael Ling. Thanks too to Trijal Pednekar who acted as reserve and co-coach. Trijal and Tuhina have recounted the event below.

MathsWell Yr 7&8 Competition - 22nd August 2018

By Trijal Pednekar & Tuhina Sambhus

As the seven Raroan’s arrived at Tawa Intermediate with 33 other Year 7/8 teams. The air was filled with buzzing, chittering and nervousness. Wednesday was the night and we were all prepared to give our A game. The clustered hall gave a sense of calmness yet so much pressure and competition.

The clock struck 7pm; the head judge read out the rules for the competition. The problem solving team went first. They got 15 minutes for 13 difficult questions.

There were also three Kahoots in the competition. At an average, Raroa came 5th in the kahoots at the end.

As soon as the first Kahoot was finished the problem solving test had started. 15 minutes of high tension had pressurised the problem solving team a lot. In the first round, the problem solving group got 1 correct on second try, 1 wrong on both tries, 1 passed and 10 correct on first try.

The multi-choice team got 4 wrong in the first test. The pressure was on one minute and 2 questions left; when the crowd started the countdown our blood curdled. Everyone had their fingers crossed when they started to announce the top ten who would go into the next round. A pang of relief filled us as they said that Raroa was in the top ten out of 32 schools. After that, we had another test before the second round started. For the second Raroa was competing for the cup which was in the shape of a cube.

When the second round started, the problem solving team got 2 questions correct on the second try, 1 pass and 10 correct on first try. The multi-choice team got 4 questions wrong on the second test.

After one more Kahoot, we had the prize giving. First, the main judges gave the prize for the plate and then the cup. We came 2nd for the cup and Newlands Intermediate came first. Even though we came second, we showed our ASPIRE values throughout the competition. Next year, our Mathswell team will be so strong no one will be able to outclass us ( we hope, especially Newlands)!

Busy Times...

A busy time has been had by all since the last post...

The three Tournament of Minds teams have been hard at it getting ready for Tournament Day on Sunday.  We wish you all every success as you present your solutions to the judges.  We have been so impressed by your perseverance, creativity and teamwork over the last 6 weeks.  We can't wait to celebrate your achievements!

Our Mathswell Team came 2nd at the Wellington Mathematic Association's Problem Solving Competition.  See the next post for a summary of the evening!  Quite an achievement as there were 32 Year 7 and 8 school's competing.

The NIWA Science & Technology Fair is coming up this week - with set up on Wednesday and judging on Thursday.  Our students have been finalising their science board presentations and we wish them all the best at the Fair.  Thanks to Paula and Sharon for transport and parent help.

Ext(reme) Writers are exploring the language of Shakespeare... initially through his use of 'in-your-face' insults for characterisation. And now we are unpacking the themes and language of some of his plays.  It is providing many laughs and insights into a older but thought-provoking time.

Most Mathlete groups are focusing on algebra still - playing around with the equations and expressions and looking to transfer that new knowledge to everyday situations.  Team 5 Mathletes are moving from Statistical Literacy to discovering Probability - experimental and theoretical.

Week 8 will be the start of new programmes that will continue over into Term 4... Philosophy and Springfire.  Springfire is the chance to find out more about Giftedness - how to make the most of it and how to lessen the impact of any challenges.  Students will be made aware of these programmes this week, in case they are interested.

Link to 'Nurturing Gifted & Talented Children' booklet

The NZ Ministry of Education has developed this book to provide parents of gifted children with information that could be useful to them as they help to support and guide their children’s learning.

Congrats to Izzi!

We just received notification that Izzi A was shortlisted for the Elsie Locke Writing Prize for her story 'No Survivors'.  Great achievement, Izzi.  See the previous post to read her story...

Collection of writings: 'NZ 2118'

Recently, some of the Ext(reme) Writers submitted short stories to the Elsie Locke Writing Prize.  The topic for this year’s competition was Life in a Changed Environment. What might it be like to live in New Zealand 100 years from now?

We hope you enjoy their writings:

Week 2 behind us...

Thanks to all the families who came to Student-Led Conferences last week.  It was great to hear the students discuss their learning and how they are finding the GATE programmes.  A second conference evening is being held this Tuesday (7 July).  All appointment times are booked so please email Lynne, l.dunn@raroa.school.nz, if you'd like to meet up at another time.

Also coming up this week:
Monday:   Mathswell Trials
Tuesday:   Shorter Manawanui meeting due to Conferences
Thursday: Raroa Showcase
               : Author Brian Faulkner visiting Raroa

Coming up in Week 4:
Tuesday 14 July: ICAS Maths - if you would like past papers for practice, please see Mrs Dunn

ICAS Science Results

Congratulations to the 64 students who recently sat the 

ICAS Science papers through UNSW Global Assessments.  

The skills assessed were in the key scientific areas of: observing and measuring, interpreting and applying data, investigating and the use of higher-order skills such as reasoning and problem solving.  Raroa students excelled in Predicting and Concluding, Investigating, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving when compared to other schools, and were at the expected range and median levels for the other areas.

Special congratulations go to these students who gained a High Distinction Award (in the top 1% of NZ participants in their Year level):

Nathan A, Alex H, Seb P, Simon B, Trijal P and Charlie W

Congratulations also to these students who gained a Distinction Award (in the next 10% of all NZ participants in their Year level):

Izzi A, Avin C, Ellen H, Tait K, Tuhina S, Arabella T, Alex V, Tom J, Jessica K, Michael L, Daniel S and Aidan W

And to Charlotte H, Dmitry J-D, Richie M, Jan M, Ben N, Louis O, Sarthak S, Ben A, Adya B, Harry C, Ethan C, Brian D, Matthew D, Georgia G, Namie N, Thomas N, Orla O, ALi P and Alicia R for gaining a Credit Award (in the next 25% of all NZ participants in their Year level).

All students who participated will shortly receive a certificate and an individual report detailing their own results in each scientific area.