Xmas Trees

People using pineapples instead of Christmas trees!

November 12, 2017

This year, pineapples are making a comeback – as a replacement of Christmas trees.

People are saying goodbye to the traditional bauble embellished branches for large pineapples, decorated in fairy lights and ornaments.

Baubles are being hung from the head of the pineapple to create a Christmas tree effect – and we’ve got to admit, we’re in love with the idea.

Not only is it a super cheap alternative to
Christmas trees, it’s more interesting than a tiny tree and both smells and tastes better. People have been taking to Instagram to debut their pineapple trees, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites.

I think that they are easier to take down.

I think it's weird because the pineapple might go rotten.

I think it's weird because you can't fit your presents under the tree.

I think it's cool because you could eat it after it has been a xmas tree.

I think it's cool they can make a pineapple look like a xmas tree.

I think it looks beautiful with all the lights.

I think you could use other vegs and fruit for decorations.

I think it's good because it won't be so expensive.

I wonder where they got the idea from.

I wonder they got all the decorations to stay on.

I wonder how they got it to stand up.

I wonder how many people will use that crazy idea.



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Balloon Ride

Man does 100-balloon camping chair flight

October 26, 2017

A British adventurer has flown 25km across South Africa suspended from 100 helium balloons.

Tom Morgan, from Bristol, reached heights of 2,438m while strapped to a camping chair.

The 38-year-old spent two days inflating balloons ahead of the flight, which he described as “magical”.

The challenge moved to South Africa on Friday after several failed attempts in Botswana.
“The problem was finding a good weather window and it was difficult to protect the balloons as they kept bursting,” Mr Morgan said.

With just enough helium left for one more attempt, the adventurer and his team moved their base to just north of Johannesburg.

Describing the experience as “unbelievably cool”, Mr Morgan also admitted feeling “somewhere between terrified and elated” as he rose in the air.

Mr Morgan runs an adventure company, wants to eventually set up a competitive helium balloon race in Africa.
“We will have to avoid areas with lots of spiky bushes though,” Mr Morgan said.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article?

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Bee Beard Record

Man sets bee beard record

September 4, 2017

Juan Carlos Noguez Ortiz has no fear of bees, and on Wednesday in Toronto he proved it.

Ortiz set a new Guinness world record for wearing a bee beard.

He wore the bee beard for 61 minutes in front of a crowd at Yonge-Dundas Square, beating the previous record of 53 minutes, 34 seconds.

Ortiz said he practised the stunt only twice before the official attempt.

“I wanted to show people that they don’t have to be scared of the bees,” said Ortiz.

Peter Dickey, the master beekeeper at Dickey Bee Honey Farm, provided the bees for the stunt.

“We brought 100,000 bees with us, so there are more bees with us today than ever.

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Spider named after NZ biologist

August 14, 2017

A  native species of spider has been named after New Zealand biologist Professor Simon Pollard .

The new species is a Trite pollardi is a small, flat jumping spider about 5mm long and commonly found on buildings and in gardens in both the North and the South Island.

The spider was previously called Holoplatys sp. as it didn’t have a species name.

However, Polish taxonomist Marek Zabka, who spent three months in New Zealand studying native jumping spiders, revised its status.

It was placed in the genus Trite and renamed in honour of Prof Pollard.

An award-winning author, Prof Pollard spent much of 2016 advising Te Papa and Weta Workshop on the $5 million Bug Lab science exhibition, which is touring internationally.

He was also the advisor for a spider sequence on the BBC’s David Attenborough series The Hunt.

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Hot air balloons break record

August 2, 2017

Hundreds of hot air balloons took to the skies in pursuit of two world records at a biannual festival in France.

A total of 456 balloons simultaneously floated in a line during the Mondial Air Balloons festival at an airbase in Chambley-Bussieres on Friday.

Poor weather in the area postponed the record attempt twice throughout the week until the colorful balloons representing pilots from 45 different nations successfully launched at about 9 a.m., the Local reported.

It took about 45 minutes for all of the balloons to rise into the formation as they attempted to set records for number of balloons aligned and number of Cloudhoppers, or one-person hot air balloons.

The team successfully broke the record they set at the festival two years ago, when they launched 433 balloons.

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3. Where did this event take place?

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Ape that went to college dies

August 9, 2017

Chantek, one of the world’s most famous apes, had passed away.

The male orangutan was among the first apes to learn sign language, could clean his room and even went to college to study. However, he died on Monday at age 39, at Atlanta Zoo.

Chantek, who was taught by a trainer who raised him like her own child, was being treated for heart disease.

He is one of the oldest male orangutans in North American zoos and was born at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Atlanta.

He was among a handful of primates who could communicate using American Sign Language.

8 year old breaks Kilimanjaro record

August 2, 2017

An 8 year old named Roxy Getter has become the youngest girl to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro.

Roxy and her family, including her 10-year-old brother Ben, USA, tackled the 19,341-foot mountain earlier this month during a family vacation to Tanzania.

They had originally intended to sign up for a safari when a friend suggested they look into hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro.

The family has also never done an overnight camping trip before, and ended up spending nearly a week on the mountain.

Roxy spoke in a video on the day she completed the hike. “I made it up and that was hard. I was so tired. I could barely even walk,” she said. The same video shows their first day, where her mom Sarah comments that the tent was “a bit chilly.” The temperature was only seven degrees at the top.

MOUNT KILIMANJARO FACTS
Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania.

It is the highest mountain in Africa, and rises approximately 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) from its base to 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level.

The first persons known to have reached the summit of the mountain were Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller in 1889.

The mountain is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park and is a major climbing destination.

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week 2 term 2 Antartica ice berg breaks free

Trillion tonne ice berg breaks free

July 25, 2017

A giant iceberg has broken away from Antartica after the enormous crack that scientists have been closely watching finally gave way.

The giant block is estimated to cover an area of roughly 6000 sq km, which is roughly three times the size of Stewart Island!

The crack was near to an important scientific research station, which was based at the Brunt Ice Shelf. The research station has had to move to a new location.

Now, the block of ice has broken away from the icy continent, forming one of the biggest icebergs that has ever been recorded, weighing a whopping TRILLION tonnes!
It is believed the iceberg finally broke away at some point between Monday and Wednesday.
It has not caught people by surprise though. Scientists have been monitoring the crack for more than 10 years and expected that this would happen at some point.

It will be important to see what happens to it now as it could get in the way of ships’ routes, depending where it travels to.
Chris Borstad, from the University Centre in Svalbard, says: “At this stage, we really don’t know whether there is some larger-scale process that might be weakening this zone, like ocean melting at the base of the shelf, or whether the current rift was just a random event that was bound to happen at some point.”

118-year old painting discovered in Antarctic hut

June 15, 2017

An “almost perfectly preserved” watercolour painting has been discovered in an historic hut in Antarctica, dating back more than 118 years.

The painting, dated 1889, is of a ‘Tree Creeper’ bird. It was painted by scientist Dr Edward Wilson who died alongside Captain Robert Falcon Scott and three others on their return from the South Pole in 1912.

It was found at Cape Adare and was originally discovered in September last year among dust, mould and penguin excrement.

The find was kept confidential until now to allow the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust to preserve more than 1500 other artefacts.

The Antarctic conditions were the perfect way to preserve the painting.

Water colour paintings are particularly susceptible to light so the fact this work has spent more than a hundred years tightly packed between other sheets of paper in completely dark and cold conditions is an ideal way to store it.

Trust general manager Francesca Eathorne says it is a poignant reminder of the legacy the early explorers left behind.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article?

2. What was the key event from the news article?

3. Where did this event take place?

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School Cross Country

Sunday, 11 June 2017

School Cross Country

Guess what? Today it’s cross country day! I’m feeling proud, challenging other people and I’m also happy that people can try their best. Caleb  

I feel nervous because I get scared when people watch me running- Sophie

I feel proud because we have been training for five weeks. Maddie

I feel proud because I have been practicing for five weeks and I have been looking for this day. Cathy

I feel very proud because I have been training for 5 weeks. Micah

I feel nervous because I might not win but I hope Keiren wins too. Connor

I feel nervous because my mum is going to be there and Alaska is going to watch me. Millie

I feel nervous because I don’t want to get beaten by Curtis. I feel weird because I’m

excited but I’m not. Niall  

I feel nervous because I don’t know what place I will come. Oliver

I feel very proud because I could come first. I also feel nervous because all the parents are watching me. Daniel

I feel nervous because I might come last. Makayla

I feel nervous and happy because I am going to give it my best shot and just do my best. Katie

I feel nervous because parents are watching me as I run my three laps. Emily

I feel nervous because I feel like I’m going to get last. I feel proud because we have been training for five weeks. Casey

I feel nervous because there is a big crowd. I feel nervous that Ben might beat me. Curtis

I feel nervous because I might come last. Sophia

I feel glad because it is finally over because it was tiring doing the training. Nico

I feel nervous because all the people are staring at me. Tayla

 

  

Pupu Springs

Golden Bay springs gets water protection order

June 7, 2017

Te Waikoropupu Springs are located in Golden Bay, near Nelson. They are a hot spot for tourists, and are thought to be some of the cleanest and clearest water in New Zealand.

The Springs will have the highest possible protection for a water body – a Water Conservation Order (WCO).

The Government says WCOs are the equivalent of National Park status for a water body.
There are currently 15 WCOs in New Zealand – 13 rivers and two lakes. This is the first application for a springs.

It’s a long time coming for local iwi Ngati Tama, who have been fighting to get protection for the pristine water system, and consider the springs wahi tapu, a sacred place.

Environment Minister, Nick Smith said “These springs are part of what gives Golden Bay, Nelson and New Zealand a strong environmental reputation, and we must ensure they are protected for future generations.”

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article?

2. What was the key event from the news article?

3. Where did this event take place?

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Oamaru Penguins

Oamaru builds tunnel to help penguins

November 24, 2016

Oamaru has built a 25 metre tunnel to help their local penguins pass the busy road between the sea and their nests.

Penguins in the town are rare ‘blue’ penguins, the smallest kind in the world, and are an endangered species.

Before the underpass, the birds crossed the road protected only by a “penguin crossing” sign.

The underpass was started in September this year, and was opener earlier this month.

Oamaru’s blue penguin colony is one of the few populations in the world that is actually growing.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article?

2. What was the key event from the news article?
They have built a 25 metre underpass for the penguins to get from the sea to their nests without crossing road.
3. Where did this event take place?
Oamaru- NZ
4. When did this event take place?
September 2016.

My opinion-

I think now that there is a underpass the penguins will have more of a chance traveling from the sea to their nest so they can increase the population- Caleb

I think the penguins were interested in the tunnel because they looked around.- Connor

I think  it was better having the tunnel than having to get run over- Emily

I wonder how long it took the penguins to find the tunnel ?- Niall

learning about insulation

We have been learning about insulation.  We learnt that blubber or fat keeps animals warm, especially animals that live in the sea.  Some whales have blubber that is over 30 cm thick!  Some animals have two layers of fur that keep them warm in the winter like the moose.
We did an experiment that showed that fat keeps us warm.  We used fat and put it on one hand and kept the other hand free.  We put both hands into icy cold water.  The hand with the fat on was heaps warmer than the hand without the fat on it.
Fat is an insulator.

Check out our photos!

current events week 5 Turtle Recovery at Kelly Tarlton

Turtle washes up on 90 mile beac

May 23, 2017

A critically endangered hawksbill turtle is being nursed back to health after being found washed up on Northland’s 90 Mile Beach earlier this month.

It was exhausted, dehydrated, not eating and missing a flipper. While the cause of the amputated flipper was not known, it appeared to be an older wound that had healed well.

Auckland Zoo provided initial urgent medical attention before the turtle was taken to the Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life rehabilitation centre.

Auckland Zoo resident vet Lydia Uddstrom said the turtle had eaten at least one piece of plastic, and it was unclear how much more it might have inside it.

Plastic was an ongoing concern for marine animals, she said.

“We’re getting more and more plastic out there and we’re going to be getting more and more effects from it, and from animals that shouldn’t be eating it, eating it.”

The turtle was showing encouraging signs of improvement after its check-up today.

Once the turtle’s strength had improved, it would be moved to a larger oceanarium to exercise and go about its natural behaviour with the goal of releasing it back into the wild.

Yesterday was World Turtle Day, which aims to increase attention and public support for their survival.

Who: Hawksbill Turtle, Auckland Zoo resident vet Lydia Uddstrom,  Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life rehabilitation centre.

Where: Northland’s 90 Mile Beach

When: Earlier this month

Why: It was found washed up on the shore. 

What happened: A critically endangered hawksbill turtle is being nursed back to health after being found washed up on Northland’s 90 Mile Beach earlier this month. It was exhausted, dehydrated, not eating and missing a flipper. The turtle had eaten at least one piece of plastic, and it was unclear how much more it might have inside it.

My opinion: 

I think it will eat more plastic- Micah.

I think it is sad that people throw plastic into the sea- Makayla

I think a fisherman cut off its flipper- Drew

I think it's good that they are making him healthier and stronger- Charlotte

I wonder how old it is? Caleb

I wonder if it will go back to the wild? Drew

Current Events

Current Events

Pacific Island covered in plastic

May 18, 2017

Scientists have discovered what they say is the worst case of plastic pollution in the world.

They found nearly 38 million items of plastic debris on Henderson Island in the South Pacific – carried there on ocean currents.

The uninhabited island, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest of the four Pitcairn Islands.

Australian researcher Jennifer Lavers said the island had the highest density of plastic rubbish anywhere in the world.

The team calculated there were 671.6 items per square metre on the surface of the beaches, with approximately 68 percent of debris buried less than 10 centimetres in the sand.

Each day, 17 to 268 new items washed up on a 10-metre section of North Beach.

She said the finding was a wake-up call to the world that plastic pollution was as grave a threat to humanity as climate change.

Annual production of plastic has increased from 1.7m tonnes in 1954 to 311m tonnes in 2014.

This has resulted in an estimated five trillion plastic items – mostly less than five millimetres in size – circulating in the surface layer of the world’s oceans.

1. Who is the main person or group of people in this news article? Australian researcher Jennifer Lavers 

2. What was the key event from the news article? Scientists have discovered what they say is the worst case of plastic pollution in the world. They found nearly 38 million items of plastic debris on Henderson Island in the South Pacific – carried there on ocean currents.

3. Where did this event take place? Henderson Island in the South Pacific

4. When did this event take place? May 2017

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