Matariki

                                          Matariki  

I look up,  I can already see the dark sky with a million stars. I can feel the cold, open air blowing into me. The fire is already lit. I am at Cook’s beach. My family and my friends are nearly at the camp-fire with Uncle Bob. Then Uncle Bob says to me ‘Hurry up or we will have to wait another year to see those stars.’ I am at the beach to celebrate Matariki.

The moment I reach the fire, I can already feel the warmth of the bright, burning flames. I stare at the sky to find the unique seven stars or the matariki. My shoes sink into the sand , I feel like the wind is actually whispering to me. The sea is like the beautiful reflection from a magic mirror. The sea is calm but i can hear the waves swishing and whistling.

But when I gaze at the dark greyish night, I think about why so many different cultures talk about stars and tell stories about them. I also wonder why the stars are so important to them too.

My Saint

St Bernadette

Hello my name is Bernadette Soubirous. I was born 170 years ago, 17 January 1844. I live in Lourdes, France and my family is very poor. My health is very poor,  because I am suffering from asthma.

One day I am sent to go out to gather firewood with my sister and a friend. But when I pass a rose bush, a beautiful lady dressed in blue and white appears to me and makes the sign of the cross, so I take out my rosary and begin to pray it with her. She is actually the Blessed Virgin Mary. She appears to me 17 more times. I tell my companions but they don’t believe me, so the police question me. I have to undergo medical testing to prove that I don’t need to go to a mental asylum.

After 13 years, I become a nun and I am now called   Sister Marie Bernarde. During my time as a nun, I suffer from ill health, from ailments and afflictions, but I do not complain. It becomes worse so I am confined to bed. After a few moment, I begin to make the Sign of the Cross, and drink a few drops of water. Then I leave my mortal body.

My Praying hands

These are my praying hands. I have been praying for the forests around the world.

Why snakes don't have legs?

                   Why Snakes don't have legs?

Once upon a time, there lived a monkey named James. Her friend was a snake named Daniel. They lived in a 3 storey house with a healthy garden full of bright green beans and rich red beetroot. They had a lot of books and didn't know where to store them.

So one day, they decided to make a book-shelf out of wood so they could store books in the there. Off they went to the shop called Bunnings warehouse to buy the wood. When they started, Jordan the elephant strolled by and greeted them and soon they went back to work.

In the afternoon, they stopped to have a rest and to eat lunch. Soon they started to finish it. When suddenly Daniel’s legs got stuck in the gravel. James tried pulling Daniel out but he was not strong enough. So James quickly called Jordan the elephant to get Daniel out of the gravel. Jordan puffed and huffed, pulling so hard that stretched Daniel and even pulled his legs off. So now onwards Snakes are long and they don’t have legs.

Mary Mackillop Centre

A loud voice booms across the chapel. I can hear Father Peter consecrating the wine. It is the morning and we are having mass in the chapel. A soft draught is blowing through the holes between my toes. I can see the bright red and light pink flowers. The candles beside Father Peter are unlit and are very nicely designed.

Father Peter is wearing a clean, white cassock and a black watch as dark as midnight. I can smell the new painted wall and I can see a smooth wooden tabernacle on the painted wall with something carved on it. On the other table there is a little flask of wine. The sun is beaming through the windows brightly. I turn around and I can see the nuns behind me.

I stop and wonder how people become nuns and why they want to become nuns. Do they have to wear habits even today? I am glad that we have nuns even today because I think they are very caring and generous.

By Amy

Smurfette book review

By Peyo (Papercut)

The book ‘Smurfette’ is about an evil sorcerer, Gargamel who wanted revenge on the smurfs. So one day, Gargamel was making a girl smurf called Smurfette because he knew the smurfs will go crazy with her, but actually none of the smurfs liked her. When she realised she was very fat, she cried in bed.  But then Papa smurf changed her more prettier in his science room. So when she came out all the smurfs fell in love with her. But when that very day happened, everything went wrong and she said she was from Gargamel. The next day, she was judged and became innocent. But she sacrificed herself for them and every smurf was crying.

I like this book because the smurfs are cute and the book is very funny, especially when Gargamel tries to get revenges on the smurfs.

I recommend this book to all ages, especially to people that can read small and miniature words.

Smurfs having a good time!

Judy Moody book review

Rocky Zang in the amazing Mr. Magic

By Megan Mcdonald

This book is about a girl called Judy Moody. She has a friend called Rocky that does amazing magic tricks. He could make a hankie change colors, he could make a flower out of thin air and he could make his own thumb fly across the room. He really wanted to succeed a card trick too.

So Judy becomes his assistant for magic tricks. But when Rocky had a magic trick show only stink came along. But then Judy ruins all his magic tricks like trying to turn a peanut butter jar into a jelly jar but Judy accidentally put ketchup on. The trick that succeeded was making Stink run away. But when he disappeared the dollar that Judy had Judy was so disappointed that she started to call him names. As soon as she reached into her pockets she found it. So Judy and Rocky were friends again!  

I like this book because the characters were so convincing and that the setting grabbed the audience’s attention.

I highly recommend this to people of all ages because it is a funny and interesting book so I hope you enjoy it!

By Amy Zhang