English review

Hi. This will be my last school post ever. Which to me feels very scary as it feels like not that long ago I got this blog and was forced to post. I will admit, posting on my blog hasn't been very fun, but I have made it interesting enough and hopefully, it has been interesting to read. 

Now on to why I am actually posting today, A review and evaluation of my work in English this year. Personally, I think I have done quite well in English this year, even though I had a few bumps at the start of the year. I have passed all my assessments and for me, that is good enough. I have enjoyed being in this class, and we have had some interesting conversations. I think I have my Ue literacy at this current point in time. If not, I'm going to get it shortly with my writing portfolio. That is if I pass but I better. The pieces of work I wrote are very good and I'm quite proud of them (even if Mrs Truter made me shorten them) 

Some advice I have for students taking level 3 English next year is to put your head down and work, and to ask questions. Don't sit there till the last minute because you don't know what you are doing. The longer you wait, the more annoyed the teacher will be and the more stressed you will be. It's very easy to screw yourself over, and I would highly recommend you don't. Year 13 is stressful enough without having to worry about classwork. 

I will miss this school and this class, but I'm excited about what the future will bring. 

Thank you for being a part of my learning journey through the years. 

<3

The virtue hero

 Hello Welcome to my one and only blog post for Heath! Woo! 

Anyway, in health we are looking at the ethical approaches to an ethical dilemma. An Ethical Principle is a RULE or FOUNDATION that guides a person or group’s thinking about ethical matters. Ethical Principles get to the heart of people’s attitudes, values and beliefs and therefore are a useful framework

I and my partner (the wonderful Ruby) had the ethical approach of Virtue. And the task was to create a hero based on this approach. So we made this little dude "Virtud" He has a set of scales to weigh up what the best course of action is for each scenario, which fits the approach as being a person of virtue requires you to analyse the situation and do what is best for everyone. =D

Potatools

 Hi, I'm not dead=D 

In Biology today we made stone tools out of potatoes =D. It was fun. 

Our tools =D

In order from left to right, we have examples from the Oldowan, Acheulean, Mousteruan, and Upper Paleolithic eras. 

The Oldowan tools are associated with Homo Habilis and possibly (but controversially) late Australopithecines in east Africa. They appear from 2.7 - 1.7 million years ago. These are the first pieces of evidence of tool use we have. However, it is likely earlier hominins would have used tools made out of wood as it was softer and easier to manipulate. However, these don't fossilise very well, so that is just a theory. The Oldowan-era tools were made by striking two stones together to get a sharp edge. As you can maybe see in the picture, they are very rough and have lots of the original stone shape. They were made with fewer than 5-6 blows. They were used for cutting and scraping meat off of animal carcasses, or cracking open bones to reach the marrow, giving them access to food that other species did not. This would help them get more energy which could be used to evolve further. =D

The Acheulean tools are next. these are associated with Homo Erectus and Homo Ergaster. These were found across Africa and much of Asia and Europe around roughly 1.7 million - 100,000 years ago. These tools are fully shaped and used ~50 strikes. They required more planning and time than the Oldowan tools which implies that they were developing some form of patients.  They also required precision which shows the hominins getting better with their hands. These tools allow for better processing of meat (e.g. carving meat for transport), access to different food sources and potentially it gave them defence from predators. All these things would allow both physical evolution and possibly cultural evolution. 

Moving to the Mousterian era (600,000 - 40,000 years ago), we see tools requiring around 150 blows. They are associated with the Neanderthals who had learned to be picky about the rocks and used primarily flint as it flakes and chips in a predictable manner. Tools from this era have well-worked edges often made with tools made for making other tools. The Cognitive abilty (Planning, learning, and teaching skills) and technical skills required to make these tools advanced and became more robust as the Mousterian period deveolped. This would mean that the hominins were getting smarter and were having some form of commuictaiton. 

The Upper Paleolithic era saw a huge and diverse range of tools being made. This time period of tools is associated with Homo Sapiens begining approximately 50,000 years ago. These tools where finly worked, requireing more than 250 blows per tool. This is also when Hominins started using other things with their stones to create tools (Wood, Ivory, Antler, etc) Many tools where created with very fine detail, creating things like fish hooks and sewing needles, or worked into specific shapes in order to fit into another component. (stone arrow heads or spear heads to go on wooden handles.) The materials to create these tools were often transported over long distances which implies a need for commuincation and orgniseation. It could also be showing communication between groups of H. Sapiens. 

Boom! Facts haha. Making these Potatools was really fun, even if I made Miss debate wheather or not she should give me a knife >=) 

I would love to do this again with actual stones, but I know we can't in school. =( oh well. 

My thoughts on English

 The first post of 2023 let's go! (I love how I write most of my posts as if people outside of my teachers actually read them haha)

This post is about what I think about English and what I'm like (I think. I wasn't paying 100% attention) (Sorry ms)  

I think English is interesting, however, I struggle to dive deeper into my ideas. I can say "This is the main point" But I struggle to come up with why it's important. I also struggle with putting my ideas into words that make sense. I may know what I want to say, just not how to say it. I like doing creative work/writing and to be completely honest, it's one of the only things I really enjoy about English. I also stick to my ideas a lot and can be slightly stubborn. One of my other favorite topics is novel study. Mainly because I get to read a book.

Something about me is that I like to listen to music while I do my work. I find it helps me to drown out what others are saying and the tapping of keys. My Dad says I'm addicted, but eh, I just like music over chatter. 

(I have been given more information on what I'm meant to be writing. Back on topic for us then =D ))

My expectations for this course are to struggle with all the essays I have to write, and hopefully, end up with a merit at the end of it. 
My understanding of English is that it's teaching you how to think critically and how to write reports and essays efficiently. 

Behold the classic example of I have the ideas but I can't expand on them =D

((This was meant to be posted on the 9th of Feb but I ran out of time and kept forgetting to post it. But better late than never I guess haha))

Final art post

 In this art post, I am going to be talking about the differences/similarity in Giorgio de Chirico's and Tracey Tawhiao's use of grids. I will be using these two pictures as my examples 

In de Chirico's artwork, he uses quite a loose grid. If you overlay a three-by-three grid, you see that some lines/points match up. he also uses unique perspectives. Normally artists have one vanishing point but it looks like de Chirico has at least 3. 

On the other hand, Tracey Tawhio uses quite a strong grid. She works over the top of newspapers, which naturally has a grid, which she can use as a guide for her artworks. 

These are the differences in Giorgio de Chirico's and Tracey Tawhiao's use of grids that I can find.

Egg drop

In science we are looking at forces and motion, so we did an egg drop. Why? I'm not 100% sure, but it was fun nonetheless.

We had a foam spongy thing that had a hole in it where we put the egg, then had a fiber pad thing under that, and fluffy cotton on top. We wrapped all that in bubble wrap, and then added skewers as leg thingys. Then lastly we made a parachute and attached that. It weighed 105.30 grams. Pictures will be coming when they come though.

We dropped in T9, and....... the Egg broke. *Sad face* Na it survived. *Happy face* Most did, I think only one broke. afterwards the boys were being..... boys, and were kicking it as if it was a football/rugby ball.

financial literacy (part 2)

In math we have been looking at Financial literacy, (And yes, this time, I have something to write about)

SO! We have been looking at Percentages and how to work them out. SO! Here are the equations we have looked out

"To write an amount as a percentage, write it first as a fraction and then convert it into a percentage"

(top ፥ bottom x 100 or amount ፥ total x 100)

For example 

3 out of 25.

3 

25

3 ፥ 25 = 0.12

0.12 x 100 = 12 

12%

"To calculate an certain amount, use this rule"

(Percentage ፥ 100 x amount)

FOR EXAMPLE! 

25% of 66

 25 

100

25 ፥ 100 = 0.25

0.25 x 66 = 16.5

25% of 66 is 16.5

"For percentage increase, multiply the original amount by"

(1+ percentage ፥ 100) 

SO! For example 

A 15% increase for $40

115

100

115 ፥ 100 = 1.15 

1.15 x 40 = 46

LOOK! I DID MATH THIS TIME! BE PROUD OF ME! It is kinda boring though. Time to spice things up! So... Pictures or random shiz? Both....? *evil smirk* LETS GO! Pic's first! 

Sooo. I got distracted and can no longer add random shiz here, SO HAVE SOME BEAUTIFUL BOYS (and girls) INSTED 

Maths - Financial Literacy

In Math we are looking at financial literacy and things to do with that. There's not much to say about if though, we started looking at it this week. Soo.... there's not really any reason to make this blog post, but here we are.A blog post. With no meaning. Why is it here? What is its purpose? I'm having an existential crisis for the blog post! What is wrong with me!? A lot. A lot is wrong with me. Like this blog post that I had no need to make, and has gone off the rails of what it was meant to be, a post about math. That was only really the first sentence and I didn't really say much. What is the point of this.

I could just stop, stop and do Mathletics. But this is more fun. But my teacher is probably going to read thi- never mind he is going to read this, and see why I did no Mathletics. Because I like writing random sh-stuff, instead of doing math.

This post was going to be of math..... but..... there was nothing to say....... so........ normal people would stop writing the randomness that is this post, and do Mathletics (because it's 'fun' or what ever) But not me. Nope! I like doing this and making random, hopefully funny, Blog posts to brighten your day.

I should do work, but.... I'm not finished. Or am I? Am I writing random shiz because I have it all planned in my head? Or am I just writing without a plan? Guess you'll never know. I mean, you could guess, but..... that takes work. And if you are like me, and a lazy lazy person, you don't have time for that.

You may have stopped reading ages ago. Or you're still going with a smile on your face, or a frown that's ok (No it's not. SMILE! NOW!! thank you, ok you can go back to reading) If you are still reading, why? There is going to be nothing more about Math. That bit is over. You want to see where I'm going with this? Why I'm going nowhere!? I'm just talking about random stuff that has no meaning. You're not going to learn anything new. Anything at all really. Just how much I can babble.

Gods this is long. Yes, I said Gods. No I don't mean God. I mean Gods. Why? GREEK MYTHOLOGY! I like the Greek Gods (Zeus is an arss who can't keep it in his pants, Hera Yeeted her baby off of Olympus just Because he{Hephaestus} didn't fit her image of a 'perfect family', Back to Zeus again, one of his punishments for someone was to be hung on a mountain side, and have a vulture eat his liver every morning and for it to regrow every night. Fun! Aphrodite interferes with everyone's love life, and I could say more, but I can't think of more myths) Can you see why I like it? I also like the Percy Jackson series. And all the ships! Like Argon ll and that one raft Percy left on. OH! And The Princess Andromeda and Clarisse's ship from her father, that was maned with skeletons. Well The Princess Andromeda was maned by monsters soo... I will go with Clarisse thanks. Wait no, Leo. On the Argon ll. I like Leo. NOT LIKE THAT YA NASTIES! 

I have to go now sadly. Math is over. If you don't remember what this was supposed to be about let me tell you, we are looking at financial literacy and things to do with that. There we go. You could have stopped there but you didn't. you read all of this. Well done. Sooooooooo............... Bye I guess. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
SIKE! I'M STILL HERE SUCKERS! Sorry that was rude. You're not suckers. You are all beautiful people. Yes that is a fact and you can not change my mind. I will have to go though sadly. Bye. =,( 

British migration to New Zealand.

In social studies we are looking at migration. one of the things we are looking at is the british migration to New Zealand. these are the questions we had to answer.

Page 1: Where did many choose to go instead of NZ and why? - North America, it was a shorter, cheaper passage across the Atlantic.

Page 2: How would people feel on the day they left? Sad, lonely Drearry, and unhappy

Page 2: What did they do for entertainment and distraction? Looking at the wild life, if you where in the higher calpra of people you would have books, cards and other things to pass the time.

Page 3: Describe the conditions in steerage. Poor. “Writing of the conditions in steerage, one cabin passenger commented, ‘Poor creatures, it is a horrible place between decks, so many people in such a small space, I wonder how they live’. Steerage passengers slept in tiers of bunks. They were provided with mattresses, but not bedding. Bunk space was cramped, and tables and forms occupied the spaces between tiers.”

Page 4: What were some of the issues people faced in storms, with food and hygiene? In storms, some beds were constantly wet, some people half-drowned in their bed. Food was tossed overboard even when it was still edible. Men were hosed down, and were allowed to go swimming, women were not given this privilege. Fresh water was also hard to get ahold of

Page 5: What were some of the sicknesses you got on board? Measles and scarlet fever.

Article we read. https://teara.govt.nz/en/the-voyage-out. 

Sam Morgan

In business we are looking at different New zealand entrepreneurs. I have already looked at Peri Drysdale, now I looked at Sam Morgan. 

In early 1999, 23-year-old Sam Morgan was looking for a second-hand heater to help him survive a draughty Wellington flat.  Being computer-savvy, Morgan turned to the internet to help with his quest, but couldn't find what he wanted on any New Zealand websites.  That experience inspired him to create Trade Me. There was still plenty of room for an entrepreneur (even one on a Kiwi-sized budget). “I literally sat on the couch and built the site on a laptop over a five- or six-week period." Once the site was completed, Morgan scraped together $8000 through overdrafts, credit cards and savings and launched Trade Me into the wilds of cyberspace.  Success wasn't exactly instantaneous. 

Morgan persevered - but didn't give up his day job. After a few months, Trade Me started to gain a little bit of traction, signing 5000 members and attracting some 200,000 visitors. At that point, Morgan started getting offers for the fledgling business.  In typically cheeky Kiwi fashion, he listed Trade Me for sale on eBay, with a "buy now" price of about $1 million. He didn't attract any bids before eBay withdrew the auction.

With the company still only months old, he sold close to half the company to several former Deloittes colleagues for $75,000.  As a result he was able to start working on the business full-time. Morgan was working longer hours and earning a lot less than when he was a consultant, but there was always the hope that some day it would pay off.

Even with Morgan's full-time attention, the next year was a struggle.  Listings on Trade Me were originally free, and advertising was expected to pay the bills. It wasn't working.  We had to turn the charging model on. "We did it in a couple of stages: first we introduced premium fees, for bold print and other enhancements to the basic listings. And we had reasonable usage of that but certainly not enough to pay our bills.  "So in September 2000 we introduced success fees [a percentage of the final price for sold items] and that went pretty well. And so that basically saved us from the cliff."

So what does it take to run New Zealand's most popular website? A steadily expanding team of technical, customer service and administrative staff, now totalling 52. And they're not in it for the glamour.  The staff who inhabit this open plan environment don't take themselves very seriously but they are intensely passionate about their work. They're a close knit family but only one is a blood relation - Sam's sister, Jessi, was his first employee back in 2000.  Now she's head of operations for Trade Me - and emails have exploded to 1000 a day - and that's not counting the junk mail, a hefty 10 million pieces of spam every month. And amid of all this chaos - no private office, comrade - sits Sam Morgan, now a couple of hundred million dollars richer, but still the same fellow who used to answer customer service emails at three in the morning back in 1999.

So why sell Trade Me now? There are seven hundred million good reasons. Morgan would have been perfectly happy to stick with business as usual - Trade Me is very profitable, thank you, with projected earnings of $26 million in the 2006 financial year, $44.8 million in 2007. But even with those sorts of earnings, it would still take more than a decade to accumulate $700 million.

Much has been written about Morgan. Pocket snapshot:: born in 1975, left school after UE, spent his seventh form year in Germany, came back with no idea what to do next. The university dropout had three post-university jobs in quick succession, saw a gap in the market (and a chance to develop his web-building skills) and came up with Trade Me. Took on global giant eBay at its own game - and won. Why did Morgan set up Trade Me in the first place? To quote from an Unlimited magazine interview in February 2000: "I wanted something where I could be a high achiever."

Questions:

1. Where did Sam Morgan’s interest in buying and selling come from? He wanted to buy a second hand heater but couldn’t find a site in new zealand so he made one himself 
2. Describe the early days of Trade Me. bad, He didn’t make much money, people were listing things for free, expecting all money coming from ads.
3. How did Sam Morgan turn Trade Me into a multi-million dollar enterprise? “First we introduced premium fees, for bold print and other enhancements to the basic listings. And we had reasonable usage of that but certainly not enough to pay our bills.  "So in September 2000 we introduced success fees [a percentage of the final price for sold items] and that went pretty well. And so that basically saved us from the cliff."
   

  

Peri Drysdale

In business studies we are looking at New Zealand entrepreneurs. I have been looking at Peri Drysdale. Here is the work thingy I did.

Untouched World fashion leader Peri Drysdale has been named North & South magazine’s New Zealander of the year [for 2005]. Ms Drysdale, who has an MBE for services to manufacturing and export, received the award at a function in one of her Christchurch stores.

North & South said Ms Drysdale was a New Zealand businesswoman and entrepreneur who had a vision for the country. She is a successful exporter of top of the range lifestyle New Zealand-branded fashion wear.

North & South editor Robyn Langwell said Ms Drysdale was a ``wonder woman: tenacious [determined], tireless and truly inspiring’’.

``Where others see barriers she just sees fences to climb and opportunities to be grasped with both hands. She has guts and guile [cunning] wrapped in a gorgeous glamour package and her business integrity and conviction stand as a lesson to us all.”

New Zealand Silver Ferns netball captain Adine Wilson said Ms Drysdale deserved the accolade. "This is a fantastic and well deserved award for an extremely hard working person. Peri has great ethos, helps promote NZ overseas and she has an outstanding product in Untouched World.

``She is a real icon of the NZ fashion industry and I wish her all the best for this award.''

Ms Drysdale and Untouched World have been riding high with the Hollywood set. Untouched World is one of 20 luxury products from around the world invited to be presented to A list celebrities at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

It’s just part of the trend for Untouched World since Bill Clinton and other world leaders wore the gear at the Apec leaders’ conference in Auckland in 1999. Clinton has since returned to NZ and bought more UW gear for his family.

1. What does Untouched World produce? -- clothing, 
2. Write down words used in the article to describe Peri Drysdale’s character. -- extremely hard working        --wonder woman: tenacious [determined], tireless and truly inspiring -- businesswoman and entrepreneur who had a vision for the country.
3. Why do you think Untouched World succeeds? -- Because Peri Drysdale see fences to climb over instead of blocks/walls