A visit from Stu Duval - NZ author of children's books

On Monday each of our three syndicates was entertained by Stu as he told some of his stories and showed us how to draw cartoons and illustrate stories we have written. He drew two pictures in chalk pastel and the syndicate that answered the most questions correctly about his story won the picture. Kea Class won! Good listening to the story! On Tuesday, Stu ran some writing workshops. He showed us how to generate ideas to write about and how to give stories the "wow" factor that makes people want to read the stories. One of his top tips was to have an ideas scrapbook. Every time time you see something that interests you, you should save that idea in your ideas scrapbook. Take a photo, draw a picture, cut the idea out of a magazine, write it down! His other top tip was to take an ordinary everyday object and ask yourself what are twenty things this could be? The middle syndicate turned a desk leg into a magic flute that could make people do whatever you wanted them to do! We all enjoyed and were inspired by Stu's visit.

A trip to Awaroa Beach By Ben

My little sister and I went to Awaroa Beach. I saw Dolphins jumping up in the air, one even jumped right up at the front of the boat! When we arrived at the beach I found a swing and a hut I went in it.After that I went to a restaurant on the beach and I ate fish and chips for lunch It was really tasty. When we were heading back I saw the Dolphins again doing Dolphin Dives. It. was really cool watching them jump up in the air. I enjoyed the trip.

On Tuesday I went to a Hockey  Tournament with Spencer Kate and Kiera. My team was Caleb Spencer Rayah Bianca Zac Madison  Ayla Holly and me. We won two games and drew two and lost two! So we couldn't go to the finals.

The other Saint Paul's team got into the final but they lost to Henley.

We were disappointed and sad but we all had fun.

By Ben 

A holiday in Thailand by Ronin

We went on a holiday to Thailand.

The Tiger Kingdom My best day was the Tiger Kingdom. I got to lie on the tigers there are only 3. I got to see the big and biggest tigers but I got to go inside the smallest tigers cage and I got to get a souvenir and it was a little tiger. The elephant riding On the other favourite day I got to ride an elephant and I got to feed the elephant after the ride. It eats the bananas with the skin on and its trunk was rough. We had to take our jandals off and I got to ride on its neck it was a bumpy ride After the ride I got to feed him and he grabbed my arm but I got free. Dinosaur golf We went to Dinosaur golf I saw a lot of dinosaurs and we played all night. We had some dinner I had a big coconut with ice cream and vegetables. I liked it and I drew with my sister and the score was 28 all.

The skating competition by Kate

On Sunday I did a skating competition. Artistic skaters from Christchurch came for the competition. When  I got there my best friend from skating Jemima's was there. My mum did my hair and Jemima's mum's sister did my makeup. In the competition there are three dances. I competed against one person her name is Hannah. Hannah did her dance first it was a great dance. After that she came out of the rink and the man upstairs in the sounds room called  me onto the rink . After I finished the competition the judge called my score out. After that I want to my mum She told me my score. I got just about the same score as Hannah. Then I had to go too the far end of the skating rink where  we got a medal.