Obesity Report

By 2020, one third of us will be obese. However, many Americans are already there. Many people have bad diets and there are too many fatty food places and restaurants like the Heart Attack Grill. Compulsive over-eating and food addiction are what effects lots of people in America, particularly a place called Evansville, Indiana.                             

Obesity is a disease that affects many people who are very fat or overweight.  

Obesity causes major health problems like being short of breath, knee pains, pneumonia, heart disease and heart attacks. Just some of the many things being obese can do. The lack of mobility and quality of health can both be hard and embarrassing when out in public. Proper diets and exercise can help prevent obesity.

In America, there are coffins that can fit up to 3 normal sized people in them! They are special caskets designed for extremely overweight, obese people. The sad thing is that people as young as 11 years old have had to use the coffins.

1 in 5 children in New Zealand are overweight. 1 in 12 are obese in the whole of New Zealand. We can reduce this statistic if we are committed to encouraging children to exercise and eat less junk food.

What's really in Our Eggs?

New Zealanders eat two and a half million eggs per day which adds up to 920 million each year.

Most eggs (89%) are laid in caged farms. Chickens are kept in tight,  cramped cages that can hold up to 6 hens. The hens don’t exercise and aren't able to do what everyday hens do. In the cages they are held in, there is a little electric wire at the front of the cage that prevents the hens from getting to the eggs when they are laid. The cages are on an angle, so that the eggs can roll onto the conveyer belt. Hens have to grip the cage so they don’t slide to the front and get shocked.

9% of eggs are free range or organic. The hens are able to live in big open spaces allowing them to have their daily exercise to keep them healthy. They have access to grass as well as chicken feed. The hens are kept on fields surrounded by gates to keep them from running away. When they lay their eggs, it is picked and packed by human hand.

Barn raised hens have the space to perch, dust bath and nest. The hens aren't able to run around though as they are all packed into the barn. They are the least common bought eggs at 2%.

Colour agents are put in the chicken feed to brighten the eggs yolk. New Zealand yolk is naturally darker in colour. However, it doesn't have an impact on its nutritional value.

Free range eggs are better to eat but it is very expensive. Caged eggs are cheaper but how they are raised are horrible. The environment that free range farms have is a more better living space.

Fia Fia 2013

Fiafia went down on the 18th of March, the last day of school. The event started of with food stalls at 4:30pm and then all of the performers going to their changing rooms at 6:00pm. And to make it even more exciting, the stage was outside on the field!

The Niuean group were held in room 13. I got changed into my costume and anxiously waited. Huelo-Ata, Ashleigh and I wanted to go on stage so badly and get it over and done with.

My group was sandwiched in between two other fiafia groups on the soft carpet that was laid on the concrete for us. It was chilly because we sat outside, on the hard-courts. There were eight groups before us and I just couldn't sit still.

First up was the Kapa Haka group and they were awesome! There were more groups after them including the Tongan boys and Girls. They were pretty cool as well.

The Uni-cyclists were up and it was time for us to line up. I was bouncing around, trying to get rid of the nerves. Their performance was done and they cleared the stage. The MC’s, Gabriel and Vivienne walked on-stage. 

“Introducing the fierce Niuean group!”

I walked on stage and was greeted by the lights. I got ready and the senior boys came through the crowd. The crowd was cheering as they walked threw, spears in their hands. Then the rest of the performance went went by really fast. They stood at the front of the stage and yelled “ the people are coming, the people are coming!” in Niuean. The girls responded with “ “Tell them to come tell them to come!” we repeated it twice and Miss Lavakula hit the drum. The intermediate boys came onstage and Kingston did his Niuean speech. Then came the Niuean dance the Hopo and we sang a song called ‘Ka Fisi Niue’ When we did the Niuean haka called the Takalo, our mission was to break the stage. Sadly, our goal was not achieved but we still had a great time.

My BORING Holiday

The Holidays. Something that I had been waiting for when I started term 1. Now, I actually want to go back to school! I haven't really been anywhere during our school break so it has been really boring sitting around at home.

During the first week of the holidays, I had gone to school to take my sister to her netball training, played on our PS3 and my family and I have used our new Vulcan EBF- 25 nerf gun to shoot down plastic cups.  It was AWESOME! But that was about the only fun things that we did. Other than that I just sat at home doing nothing.

I am really looking forward to school next week because I can't wait to see all of my friends and teachers. Also i really want to know what this terms theme is.

Term 1 Reflection

This term has been packed full of wonderful events and being a prefect, I got the opportunity to join in way more activities. We have had a wacky hair day and karaoke session at lunchtime which was really fun.

We have also had culture group practices to prepare for our end of term Fiafia night. Every single person in the school was given a group to participate in. I have been given the to be in the Niuean group and it has been a great experience. I can’t wait until the night arrives.

Joshua Iosefo came to our school to teach a few people from each class about poem writing. I was one of fortunate people to work with the amazing poet. He taught us how to be confident and more about spoken word poetry. Joshua is a really inspiring person and I was really lucky to be able to work with him.

I play for the Netball team and the softball who went to the Auckland champs a few weeks ago. It was really awesome to be apart of the softball team and I think that the teams were supportive and had great sportsmanship.

The highlights of my term were all very fun and exciting experiences. My overall favourite was poem writing with Joshua. I learnt more and I really enjoyed working with him. I can’t wait to see what is installed for me next term.

The Lotto Ticket

Wilson grasped the lotto ticket in his hand. He walked into his home, hoping for a win. The results were set to be announced on Saturday and couldn't wait! He had a long wait though as it was only Tuesday when he got the ticket. The days had gone past so quickly and it was Friday when he decided to go for a swim. 

He tucked the ticket in his jeans pocket and went for a swim in his swimming pool. He did ten laps in the pool and went to get a drink. In that time, the wind picked up and the water became more rough. " I don't care!" Wilson dived in the water, doing the backstroke up and down the pool.

The sky grew grey but he kept on swimming. The manager of the pool soon came out to tell him that there was a storm and that he needed to go home as they were closing. He gathered his belongings and went to his car.  

He was stopped by the view from the harbor bridge. He starred in awe, praying that he would win Saturdays big draw. The wind blew furiously and he held his ticket close to his chest. He loosened  his grip which was a very bad idea. the ticket was ripped out of his hand by the wind and sent him flying over the edge of the bridge. 

As he was falling, he grabbed the ticket and excepted that he was about to die. He was still foolishly holding the ticket and praying that a miracle to happen. " Please don't let my obsession over that one ticket determine my fate!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

But to his surprise, he landed on a boat that was travelling to Rangitoto and he was safe! Wilson was so thankful and happy that he had landed on that boat. He still had the ticket in his hand though as he explained what had happened to the couple on the boat. They took him back to their home and he washed up. 

The very next day he sat in front of the t.v looking at the lotto numbers. 35, 67, 18,22 all numbers on his ticket. The last number was called and he nearly fainted. The numbers on his ticket were a match! He speed to the nearest lotto shop. Wilson was over the moon and felt like the luckiest guy in the world!

Easter Holiday Hunt

What is the significance of Easter? Easter is really about how Jesus died on the cross. He sacrificed himself to take away our sins. However 3 days after his passing, he resurrected back from the dead. Now Easter is celebrated in many different ways. People attend church or have a big family outing together like me.

There was five awesome days off school. Friday and Saturday had gone past so quickly. I sat on the couch, waiting for everyone to gather together in the lounge. Our clues were scattered around the house and I was eager to find out what my first one was.

“ Ok. So I am going to give you your bags and the clues inside will lead the way.” My aunty Rachel handed me the bag with my clue in it. I know, I am a bit too old for Easter but I was included anyway.

Everyone sprinted out the door, hunting for their second clue. I found mine straight away, in the letter box. I shoved all of the lollies into my bag and read the next clue. “ That's the bench downstairs!” I raced down the side of the house to find a silver bench with a clue underneath. I read the clue in my head. “ The Blanket CUPBOARD!” The clue proved to be hard but I got through it.

To be honest, I didn’t know what linen was so I was confused when it said ‘ Its near the linen and blankets.’ So I asked mum for help. While she was talking the clue was poking out of a flower blanket. “ Never mind mother I got it.” It ripped the clue from the sheet and went to get another clue.

The two clues I had found were hidden under the picnic table and in a blue bin full of toys. We all had to assemble in the lounge again to get our mega prize. A big Cadbury chocolate bunny. YUM! That Easter we had a big lunch/dinner and dessert. It was a very nice Easter and I really enjoyed it.