Room 7 Clock Out for 2021

Today is the last day of school in 2021 for Ruapotaka . I have successfully completed one year at only my second school to ever teach at. It has been a challenging, testing but FUN time as one of two Year 7&8 teachers. 

I would like to thank the students in Room 7 for making our class one of the best places to be in 2021. I got to know a very different group of people from where I last taught. I learned how much Room 7 loves a laugh, card games, sport, art, music, food, gaming, sleep and learning - all things which I love just as much. One of my best memories was the Y7&8 sailing trip at Okahu Bay. 

Lockdown really tested our patience and persistence with being online and completing home learning. Some people enjoyed working to their own time, while many of us missed being in an actual school or classroom. It's probably fairer to say we really missed seeing each other. 

While we are now back at school to finish the year, only eight of a possible twelve have been able to return. Those who have been back have enjoyed playing Monopoly Deal, the waterslide, free milk, volleyball and hanging out with friends (DJ, Renei, Ocean, Hone, Willie, Sonny, Malachi). Those who have remained at home do so to limit their contact with possible covid cases, a decision we all accept with great understanding. Huge thanks to those students who have been able to remain in contact and I hope to see you all again in the near future (Pita, Sosefina, Krista). If anyone sees Jairus and Solomon, please pass on our well wishes to them. 

The 2021/2022 Summer Learning Journey begins this week. Be sure to register and keep up your blog posting. There are some really cool ideas to help keep your writing levels up during the break. 

My thanks goes also to those who have helped me in my path this year to help Room 7 be the best versions of themselves in 2021: the school community of Ruapotaka; our Manaiakalani tutors; Belfast School as our Tuhi Mai Tuhi Atu partner school; Y7&8 Tamaki College Technology teachers; Ruapotaka School Board of Trustees. 

What have we been up to? 

Friday Fun Day took place last week. Class bubbles rotated through activities like the waterslide, sponge bucket relay, volleyball, dodging water balloons and a fan favourite - the bouncy castle! We had bbq sausages for lunch and an ice bl0ck to end the day. 

The Year 8 Day Out was a great way for our most senior students to let their hair down and have some fun. Mr O'Brien, Mrs Cardoza and I took a seven of the lads out to Okahu Bay where the boys played on the massive playground, some touch and rugby on the fields before cooling off in high tide. We brought the boys back to school where they had sausages for lunch and were hosted in the multipurpose room. Karaoke, Jumanji, milkshakes and the new playground were the order for the day. 

After a hectic day out, several members of the school staff had another surprise planned for our Year 8 students - Drive By Graduation! Level 3.2 means we still cannot have parents and families on site to school. Our principals planned an awesome evening where we would drive to each of the families of our Y8 students to celebrate their end at primary school, and moving on to high school. Parents knew we were coming but the seniors had no clue! We were like a little party crew of teachers, complete with a loud speaker, placards, decorations and party attitude like no other. We would park up at each student's house, blast the speaker and sing "happy graduation!" to the students. Many of those students were genuinely taken by surprise, each person a mix of excitement, embarrassment (the neighbours and police came out at one point), pride, humility and honour. Also a bit of fatigue from the day out of school. 

Congratulations, Y8 class of 2021. It has been a true pleasure watching you grow more comfortable in your own skin, gain confidence in yourselves and your abilities. Each of you has shown a considerably positive shift in your effort to become responsible, young adults. All the best for your years at high school! 

We recently had the 2021 Ruapotaka School Prize Giving Ceremony. This was a fantastic event which honoured many students for their high effort in class and home learning, as well as citizenship at school. Room 7 is proud to present DJ, Renei and Malachi as the newest Room 7 school prefects for 2022. All three students have displayed great teamwork and potential for leadership in the time I have gotten to know them. Something I really like about our prize giving is that student nominations for awards are shared at the ceremony. Ocean mentioned in his blog post that although many did not get an award, it is still important to recognise that all of us has made many achievements in 2021. Sometimes these go unnoticed but we still need to be proud of those moments. 

On behalf of Room 7, we wish you all the best for your summer holidays. Take care, look after yourselves and your families! Mr N