Year 8 Leadership Course

It was a fun two days filled with fun and learning combined. 
I learnt a lot of things that will help me be a better leader. I learnt things like how to support others and my team mates and that to use everyone to their strengths you have to communicate and trust in each other because if you don't nothing will work. I felt that some of the team building exercises could of been safer in saying that they were super exciting , the video of the dead people was very eye opening. Other than that it was a fabulous two day that were very informative. Thank you for sending me.

By Annabel

We had our leadership course in Somerfield School for two days.

On the first day we had been lectured on how a leader should act. Leaders should be role models so that their subordinates would follow their examples. We had a slide show of pictures and they were explained to us.

It was awkward with seven schools all grouped together and no one knew each other. Somerfield,  Christchurch South Intermediate, Sacred Heart, Addington, West Spreydon, Cashmere and Thorington had participated in the leadership course run by the Joshua Foundation. The first day was kind of boring as we all sat there on benches for the whole day. 

We did do a few activities but I felt very awkward when I was paired up with a boy that was two times taller than I was.

We all got sore bottoms from sitting that day.

The second day was more eventful. They had us split into teams. I still remember their names (which is a miracle): Sydney, Ruben, Shawn, Leon, Hsin Yu, Violet (our Violet), Abby, Zefer – or was it Zephier – or Zefar? I think I forgot someone (probably me).

We were the Aqua team with our own merry little theme song, ‘Teamwork’ from the ‘Wonder Pets’. Trust me; I had no idea where that came from…

The activities had involved a lot of communication, planning and (according to our song) teamwork. I had also confessed that I had a fear of falling, as they may have seen me unable to hold the plank while I was standing on top of a barrel, and I was only one metre off the ground!

Anyways, I still look forward to the meetings later in the year…I THINK Mrs Ferguson said that we all would be meeting up throughout the terms.
By Bi Ling

Memorial Prayer Service

The Memorial Service was held on Friday 21 February.

Room 7 started with the sign of the cross and read a few prayers. It wasn't a celebration since the silence was so thick that you could slice it like a cake.

We all still remember what had happened on 22 February 2011. During the minute silence, we all still remember terrible flashback of the ground shaking. Building collapsing on television and people being crushed and hurt. memories that will scar us mentally, emotionally and physically.

It was a day to never be forgotten and a tragic event that would be remembered throughout the generations to come.

The service ended with arranging flowers on the fence that surrounded the memorial tree for Ivy, who had died in the earthquake. We stayed for a few minutes on the field and then quietly left without a word.

By Bi Ling

Last Friday  21st February we had a memorial service to remember the devastating events at 2011 and to remember the loving mother Ivy, who died during the earthquake on 22nd February.  The whole school gathered around the memorial tree and thinking about Ivy.  After Bi Ling's prayer Rommel asked everyone to have a moment of silence to think about Ivy after about one minute we sat down and listened to Daniel's beautiful prayer.  When Willow,Daniel and Charlotte completed the reading Emma and Violet stood up and gave two flowers to each class.T hey put the exquisite flowers around the tree.  After the prayer service was over everyone went back to their classrooms.  By Mart

On Friday we gathered for a memorial prayer service to remember lvy, the twins mother , and all the people who died in the earthquake. we said prayer and put flowers around lvy's tree. it was a sad time for us .  By Emma

February 22, 2011 was the most unforgettable moment to the lives of Christchurch people. It was on this day when after all the series of aftershocks shaken Christchurch and made all the buildings frail. On the midday of that day, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake stroke the land of Christchurch again and damaged some buildings. The biggest effect landed on the CTV building when it did collapsed to the ground. If I were mistaken, there were almost 200 people died on that day. All the people mourn on this horrible incident as there were many lives lost. So, that we had a memorial service on 21st of February 2014 to remember the devastating events.  By Abe

A service was held in tribute of the tragic event that struck Canterbury like a lightning shot which ended in grieving for those who had lost their loved ones in the destruction. The school gathered and prayers were said along with a one minute silence. The service was finished off with members of each class placing a flower letting it nonchalantly rest on the fence around the memorial tree of Ivy Cabunilas.  By Violet

New Year 8 Stories

My Last First day at Sacred Heart School.

I woke up, my eyes adjusted to the sun glaring through my bedroom window, gazing through the glass I felt alive as the birds perched nonchalantly plucking the sunflower seeds.

Memories reminded me of what it was like to be a Year 7 and all this gave me a nostalgic feeling.  Then suddenly my alarm broke the silence, I quickly muted the sound and got dressed as if it was a normal and typical school day.

I was getting emotional before entering the school gates, ‘my last year at primary’.  Mixed feelings flowed through my body.  What was I going to expect this year?

Plodding into the classroom my friends were calling my name, directing me to my desk.  I settled in quickly but was still quite emotional, thinking that this is going to be my last year at Sacred Heart School.

By Violet

First day of Year 8

I woke up to the shrill ringing from my alarm clock.  The bright light blinded me as I peeked through the curtains, it seemed too early for the sun to rise.  I wasn’t excited like last year.  Everything felt emotionless during breakfast.  The cereal was dry and crunchy.  It felt like just another day of the holidays.

I only felt emotion when I actually set foot inside the classroom. I was worried and a bit confused, how was I to find my desk?  Humiliation rushed at me like water as my friends called me from the other side of the room.  I was at the wrong table.

The day went smoothly with a lot of humour.  I was exhausted at the end, my energy had been used up on laughing, running around and mostly talking.  It seemed to be the best last day of primary school.

By Bi Ling