Mr Brown Is Back

Last Friday Victory students were pleased to see that principal Mr Brown is back at Victory Primary School after a year and a half away.
What they weren't so pleased to find out was that acting principal Mrs Taylor would be stepping down so Victory students and staff decided to throw her a special surprise assembly and give her a big card.
 
by Lewis

Kids make safety ad

This term Room 11 have been filming an advertisement to encourage kids to wear helmets on scooters, skateboards, rollerblades and bikes. The video had to be in by the 28 of June. They got it in successfully. You can watch the film here. The theme is ‘No Helmet. No Brain!’ so kids need to show why they should wear a helmet.

By Sam

Author David Hill visits Victory

New Zealand author David Hill came to Victory Primary School to talk about what it is like to be an author. David told the Victory journalists that his favourite author was Nelson’s very own Maurice Gee.

David also read us some of his own work including a short story about a truck, a bridge and a really good swimmer. David said that he has just published a new book called Sinking. Sinking is about a boy and a crazy old man he sees on the way to swimming training.

New librarian joins staff

Victory Primary School has a new librarian. Her name is Kathy Graham but the students call her Whaea Kathy.

Whaea Kathy likes all kinds of books. "I love flicking through the new picture books. Especially when they arrive all shiny and new," she said. "I also love to revisit old favourites again and again. I never tire of a good story. One of my favourite authors is Michael Morpurgo. He writes brilliantly. I can't wait to share his stories with students."

Whaea Kathy is excited about David Hill visiting Victory Primary School. "Its a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see and hear a famous new Zealand author, ask him questions and find out what inspires his writing." she said.

Year 6 student, Kyan said " I think the new librarian is lovely and will be a wonderful help to the school".

By Sam

New iPads

This term the Juniors are getting new iPads to learn on.

Miss Rapley said,"The main thing the  kids will be doing is touchscreen writing."     

Room 11 will also get one for their class. But they will be used for learning only, so no games.

By Charlie                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Art Walk

For Matariki the Victory Community Centre has organized an art walk. The walk visits various art works by different artists. There are many murals including the one on the side of the Victory School Whare that some Victory Primary School students painted with the help of Lou Darcy and some collage and intermediate students.
You can pick up art walk maps from the Victory Community Centre. On them you can answer a few questions as you walk around Victory finding the different art works.

Aquaponics update

This week Room 11 updated their aquaponics unit by adding foam blocks to the upper part of the I.B.C. The blocks soak up the water and help the plants grow. They also added a solar panel to power the pumping system.      

Room 13's Science Project

Room 13's Science Fair project is germs and germ killers. They are growing bacteria and then they are going to put small paper discs into the bacteria that have been soaked in natural germ killers such as vinegar, honey, curry powder and cinnamon. They have already estimated what natural  germ killer they think will kill the bacteria. Then they will put the small paper disks that have been soaked in the natural germ killers  into the petri dishes that have the bacteria in them and see what germ killers work the best.
By Freya                                         

Matariki

This term the Victory community are doing the annual Matariki walk up the Railway Reserve. At the top there will be fire dancing and drums. The students of Victory Primary School will be making lanterns like they always do and I'm sure they will be good.

By Sam

David Hill Comes To School

On Friday the 21st of June world famous author David Hill will be coming to Victory Primary School.

David Hill is author of such books as See Ya Simon, Comes Naturally,  My Brothers War and many many more. Sam, a student at Victory said, "I think it is awesome because I'm reading My Brothers War and I want to ask him questions."

David Hill's newest book My Brothers War is a finalist at the New Zealand Post Book Awards this year.