Valerie Vili

On October the sixth 1984 Valerie Adams was born. She lives in Rotorua where she was born.

As she turned twelve she started playing Shot Put after winning a school competition.

Two years later her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and had died but that never stopped her from doing what she loved.

Later on in her life she met her coach Kristen Hellier in 1998. Kristen Hellier was a former Silver  Medalist at Shot Put.

In 2002, Valerie Adams won the Junior Champs with a throw of 17.73 metres and thats when she became world famous.

In the 2008 Olympic Games she got given a Gold Medal and had won for New Zealand. Later that year she met Bertrand Vili and short after they married her name changed to Valerie Vili.

In 2012 we still look forward to seeing her at the 2012 Olympic Games in London!

By Shiroh

MARGARET MAHY

 WHO'S MARGERET MAHY?

A famous NZ author called Margaret Mahy tried to write a book when she was seven because she loved to read books and since she loved books so much, she wrote one herself!

When Margaret Mahy was seven her mum was a teacher and her dad was a builder.

Then a few years later when Margaet Mahy grew up and wrote many books,she started to get some rewards like Best Children's Author and the Esther Glen Award.

Margret Mahy is famous for poems and New Zealand books like 'Down the Back of the Chair'.

I  think that Margaret Mahy is a terrific New Zealand children's author because she is hard working and she writes my favourite books and poems. 

By Christina.

Lynley Dodd

Do you know how Lynley Dodd became an author?

Lynley Dodd is a famous author and she was born on 5th July 1941.

Her place of birth is Rotorua and she now lives in Tauranga. Lynley Dodd is a children's writer, known internationally as the great creator of Hairy Maclary.

Then in 1999 she received the Margaret Mahy award in 2002 and the best thing is knowing that thousands of children (and grown ups) around the world are reading her books. The worst thing about being an author is trying to meet dead lines (she's quite good but still worries about it!)

Lynley Dodd's favourite food is tasty Soup, Strawberries and Mushrooms.

Art was her favourite subject at school but she hated maths! She had many favourite authors as a child like Winnie the pooh,The Dr seuss books and Enid Blyton.

Lynley Dodd's books are amazing because she always uses WOW words like Miss Hughes and is so WONDERFUL!

Lynley Dodd is a famous for Hairy Maclary and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

By Tracey

Margaret Mahy

In 1963 there was a famous author and poet born and her name was Margaret Mahy. Margaret Mahy was born in Whakatane in the bay of Plenty in New Zealand on March the 21st.

Margaret Mahy lives in Governor's Bay at the head of Lyttelton Harbour and moved there in 1965. When Margaret Mahy was older she did not get married and she lives by herself. She loves to look after her two grandchildren who are girls and their names are Alice and Poppy.

Margaret Mahy worked as a nurse's aide for six months before going to Aunckland University College in 1952-1954 and Canterbury University College in 1955, graduating with a BA.

Margaret Mahy has written lots of stories and poems and she wrote a book and a poem called Down the Back of the Chair; which we really enjoyed reading.

Margaret Mahy's work has been translated into fifteen languages.Awards include the New Zealand Library Association's Esther Glen Medal, the British Library Association's Carnegie Medal, the young Observer Fiction Prize and the Dutch Silver Pencil.

Margaret Mahy writes in her bedroom and she writes when she has an idea to make her own books. Margaret Mahy started writing when she was seven and enjoyed reading books by other authors.

I am looking forward to reading new books from Margaret Mahy.

By Leinati

Tim Tipene

Tim Tipene is a famous NZ icon because he is a Warrior Kids facilitator and author. He was born on 12th June 1972. He is now living in Waitakare, Auckland. Tim Tipene grew up in New Zealand and is a famous Kiwi author.

He created Warrior Kids in 1994 and taught kids how to be a Warrior kid. Tim Tipene was known as a famous NZ Warrior because he was Warrior Kids facilitator. Tim Tipene wrote books about Warrior Kids because was the children's facilitator.Tim Tipene also wrote his first book in 1999.Tim Tipene went on to provide the life-skills programme to school and communities throughout NZ for eleven years , empowering thousands of children and families.

Tim Tipene said his most embarrassing moment was when he missed a plane and got so upset about it that he made a scene.

Tim Tipene had written awesome books and most people would maybe learn from his books.

How amazing Tim Tipene is!

By Michelle

Kiwi Biographies

Over the last week, we have been writing biographies about our favourite New Zealand icons. Today we are publishing them so stay tuned to see some of the biographies we have written! Enjoy reading them and don't forget to leave a comment to tell us what you think.

Room 13

Myth - Tane and the Stars

A long, long time ago there was a god named Tane and he was the god of the stars. One day Tane had the stars down with him. He made a bag then he put the stars into the bag then Tane flew into the empty black sky. When Tane flew into the sky he threw the stars into the sky. Everyone was so happy because the sky wasn't empty anymore and it was shining bright yellow into people's eyes. People couldn't stop looking at the stars because everyone was so glad with Tane. Tane was very proud of himself that he did a really good  job. After Tane came back, he went to take a shower then he ate than he went to have a rest and then he went sleep.

Rewritten by Leinati

Athletics Day

Last Tuesday, senior students at Yendarra School had their Athletics Day. It was an awesome day and we got to do sprints, long jump, shot put and hurdles. Luckily, the sun shone for us all day long and we even got a special treat from Mrs Dunlop -an ice block!

Viko

Kiwiana

Hi,
We are the Yendarra School Tuis. We are from a healthy eating school and we are all different cultures.

At the moment our learning topic is about Kiwiana and one of our learning questions are `How did we get the name New Zealand for our country?` Can you help us find the answer?

Shiroh

New Zealand Senses Poem

New Zealand is the colour blue and green.
New Zealand  tastes like healthy food and fresh water.

 New Zealand smells like fresh Pohutukawa trees.

Everytime,NewZealand looks like people helping out picking up rubbish.

Lots of times  in a rugby game people sing the National Anthem.

And I think that New Zealand feels they respect this coutry.

By Mele

Beautiful New Zealand

As part of our Kiwiana Learning Pathway, we wrote senses poems to describe New Zealand.

Beautiful New Zealand

Beautiful New Zealand is the colour green.

New Zealand tastes like yummy Hokey Pokey.

The fresh air smells like delicious bakery food.
Gorgeous New Zealand looks like a blue and green Sting Ray swimming through the deep blue ocean.
New Zealand sounds like Wetas making noises through the night and Tuis tweeting through the day.
New Zealand feels like joy and happiness every morning when I wake up.

By Shiroh