Parliament and Elections 2014

Our current topic in class is the Elections 2014 for NZ. We have just read a page from a book about the history. The Elections 2014 will be held on the 20th of September.

The Parliament in New Zealand, also known as the Beehive, is divided in four different buildings.In this picture the tall rounded building is the Beehive, but formally it is called The Executive Wing. The closest building in the picture is the Parliament House. It is connected to The Executive Wing and the Parliamentary Library, where important documents is kept. And the last building that is less noticeable as part of parliament is the Bowen House which is across the road from Parliament.

Important things I already know are:

- General Elections happen every3 years.

- John Key is the present prime Minister.

- You have to be at least 18 years old to be able to vote.

- Woman can vote in New Zealand.

- You are not required to vote.

In recent lessons we have been taught about the Government as the winning party, which currently is National, with John Key as their leader. And that Parliament has more power than the Sovereign, the Queen in England, to control New Zealand.

Later on in the term we will have a school trip to Parliament exploring the rooms and learning more about it. This topic is worthwhile for me since it is important and is for the country.

Reading Challenges

In intermediate at my school, we have Reading Challenges given to us at the start of each of the four term. I am doing an average job at completing challenges. Out of seven challenges, I have completed 3. There is a Random Book Challenge where you pick a book of the shelf without looking. I did this in the new book section in the school library. The book I had picked was Four, an extra Divergent book. I finished the Series Challenge where you have to read 3 books from the same series. The series I read was the Ranger's Apprentice. And the last challenge I completed was the Family Challenge where you have to read a book recommended by a family member. The book I read was the Ranger's Apprentice.

Basketball

I like this sport because it is really fun and enjoyable, when you win your game. But if you lose it is easy to learn what you need to improve on. Basketball is not all about your physical strengths or how fast you can run. Mental tactics and planning plays a vital part of basketball. And if you can communicate with your team mates quick and easily, that will make passing more efficient. And this is what makes basketball fun for me.

I think everyone should play this sport because the skills you learn while playing it can relate to real life problems. Anyone is capable of playing basketball, whether a girl or boy. In every team I get put on to play for St. Benedict's there is at least two girls. Others would think this was a disadvantage because girls that would try playing basketball originally play netball. But using their stregths you can create a great team. 

Production Dance

My school is having a School Production as they always do every two years. This years theme is space, as in asteroids and spaceships. As well as the main acting scenes we need to practice the dances. I guess I can catch on pretty quick. I don't have many problems with the dance. But having do it over and over again is agonising. But I guess it's part of practicing. Any way with a few more weeks until the actual opening night. The teachers are frantic to get everything perfect. And that means heaps of listening and waiting and redoing. But I guess it's worth it.