My Trip to Alaska by Hannah

We left Auckland and we had to sleep on the plane and then we arrived in Vancouver in Canada. First we went to Aunty Eileen and Uncle John’s house, we had tea and after that I went to bed. The next afternoon I met my cousin Eden and Zoe. Once we arrived in Alaska we got on the train we set off for the Royal Caribbean cruise, we had to have a seat pass. The seat pass tells you what room your in, like my room was 3610 and it's also a room key. The first day of the cruise we went for a walk around the cruise boat and we found the kids club. I went there every day and I met a new friend her name is Thea. Thea sat at the table across from us for tea. Once we arrived in Los Angeles the first thing we did was go to Disneyland and get our tickets. The next day we went to Disneyland and went on heaps of rides, my favourite was Splash Mountain. Later on in the week we went to Legoland. In Legoland everything was made out of Lego. We went on heaps of rides. The next day we went back to Disneyland and did some more rides. Then we went to the Lego shop and bought my very first Star Wars Lego set. The next day we went to the Cook Islands. In the Cook Islands we did Swimming, shopping and we went on the glass bottom boat and I learnt how to snorkel. After the Cook Islands we went home. It was a fantastic holiday and I will never forget it!

Mini Olympics at Saxton Stadium

On Monday 1 August, we entered 4 teams of Year 3/4 children into an inter-school Mini Olympics event, held at Saxton Stadium. The children were in teams representing some of the competing countries. Saint Paul's teams were: U.S.A., Indonesia, South Africa and Argentina. We had to march into the stadium just like the actual Olympic athletes. The events that were organized were great fun. They involved lots of fast running, ball skills and team-work. Some of our favourites were Weightlifting and Equestrian. Although we took part for the fun and friendship, it was a big surprise when the medals were presented in a ceremony at the end. Saint Paul's teams were placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd!

A trip to Wellington by Emily.

On Friday I went to Wellington it was the first time I had been on a plane for six years. We traveled with Jetstar, it was fun. When we arrived in Wellington airport it was huge! My sister, my mum, my dad and me went on the bus to the James Cook Hotel. We were on floor 15. The next day we meet up with my cousin Carys to go to Te Papa museum. After we had seen everything but the Gallipoli exhibition, we went there. When we got inside we saw fake but life- like people . You could see the sweat, the tears, the blood and even the hairs on the arms. There were stories about the war and you got to shoot a gun into a trench. When we were near the end we went through a trench and there was a short little movie and at the end there was a dead person, it was sad. Almost near the end we got to make a poppy and throw one in and you could go back and make another one and take it home. After we came out we went to a cafe and I had a caramel slice and a hot chocolate. After I had finished my hot chocolate and my caramel slice we went to get a souvenir. I got a dog and my sister got a penguin. I named my dog Spot because she has a spot on her tail and my sister named her penguin Eric. On the last night of being in Wellington we went to see the rugby it was Wales vs New Zealand the score was 36- 24. Dad said that it was a good game.

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.