Biography - Walt Disney

Nearly every child in America or New Zealand has heard of Walt Disney or Maybe Mickey Mouse. His full name is Walter Elias Disney, and he was born in Chicago on December 5, 1901. Walt spent most of his youth on a farm near Marceline, when he was 16 years of age he studied art in Chicago, he continued to study until1920, where he joined the Kansas film ad company. Walt helped make advertisements for cartoons, but in 1923 he decided to move to Los Angeles to become a film producer or director. He was unable to find a job, so he returned to producing cartoons; his first studio was in the back end of a real estate office. Walt went through a tough time where he struggled to pay his expenses, until he struck success with the first cartoon to star Mickey Mouse; Disney himself performed the high-pitched voice of Mickey Mouse. Another Brilliant cartoon of his was “Flowers and Trees” this cartoon set a major milestone in cartooning history because it was the first cartoon to use full technicolour. From 1929-1939 he produced “Silly Symphonies”. It starred Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the rest of the gang. In 1937, he set another major milestone in cartooning history where he released the first ever fully animated feature film to be produced by a studio. After the war Disney decided to focus on his feature films, with real actors and animals. Sadly, Walt Disney died December 15, 1966, aged 65 but his memory will live on. Walt Disney became one of the most famous film producers of all time; and created some of the most lovable and ingenious characters of all time. This man should be loved and cherished in the memories of our childhoods.
by Joshua, Weymouth Intermediate

The kite of Tamapahore

Long ago there was a lady named Rua Rangi. She had two sons named Tamapahore and Tamapahure. The two brothers had a kite contest in Manurewa and the whole village was watching. Eventually Tamapahore became the winner. In jealousy Tamapahure recited a karakia-kikino (bad omen prayer). After this had happened Tamapahore’s kite got tangled and he lost control. It drifted away high up into the sky. Tamapahore and some of his family searched and asked others if they had seen his kite. Finally, after a long time the kite was found at Pukekotaretare in Oahei. The district is now called Te-Whenua-Kitea-Te-Manu-o-Tamapahore meaning ‘WHERE THE KITE OF TAMAPAHORE WAS FOUND.’ This area is near Tauranga. Te-Manurewa is the area from which the kite of Tamapahore drifted.

By Taina, Year 5, Manurewa South

Rama's Tuna Time

One day I went fishing for tuna .
That day I caught a terrific slimy tuna. I put it in my kete.
I gathered wood and twigs and made a special place to smoke my tuna. I lit my fire, but it kept going out.
I got hoha and looked in my kete, but the Tuna was no longer there.
I wondered what was happening and what I had done wrong. I thought long and hard.
I realised I had not recited the karakia to Tangaroa and to Mahuika, Goddess of Fire. I then recited karakia to Tangaroa and Mahuika. I looked into my kete and WOW! My terrifically slimy tuna was there.
That night I smoked my tuna with no problems and had a good kai.
By Rama, Year 5, Manurewa South

Being Naturally Inquisitive

It was 1996 when the fire happened; approximately at around midnight, at Capstick Road. We rushed in our cars and vans and got ready to go see the scene.

When we got there, we heard sirens and noises of people crying and screaming to help them and their children. We saw the house on fire.

We got out of the van, got our cameras ready and shot the scene. It was terrible hearing people shouting out for help to save them.

Firefighters were trying to put out the fire, saving the parents and their children and helping them escape out of the house. Children were badly burnt and were rushed to hospital. It was painful seeing people getting hurt.

The people in their neighbourhood were devastated looking at their neighbour’s house on fire and losing their valuable belongings. The fire was an unforgettable tragedy that should have never happened.

Eventually, the fire was extinguished. People were standing there and could not believe that their neighbours’ house has been turned into ashes.

Months later the family recovered, and a new house was built. They did not know how the fire started. The owner said, “I am sure we turned off everything before they went to sleep.”

Gladly the family fully recovered from their ordeal and is enjoying their new home.

by Weymouth Intermediate

Fighting

What’s fighting?
Well, fighting only causes more fights which creates a bad influence on younger viewers who follow their example.

In my opinion I think it’s to prove they are stronger than others or to prove that they can push others around. Fighting to them is to attract attention and to prove that fights are cool.

Well they not! So think to yourself - will fighting really solve my problems or will I cause more chaos?

So fighting won’t solve problems, whats the use of fighting when you’re going to get in trouble? Are you trying to act tough in front of your friends so you can join in the group?

But why is fighting so entertaining?

I think its because people who cheer on the fight record this on their phones and take it to show to friends and then stick it on to You Tube to show to the whole world, which can spread real fast like a virus. Then once others view it they will think it will be cool to fight.

How would you like it if you got smashed and got posted on You Tube?
Would you like to be recorded onto You Tube?

Well you wouldn’t, would you? Because if you saw yourself on You Tube, you would you want to delete it?

Well you couldn’t because there is one reason… Once you stick it on You Tube you can’t go back! It is like a virus that can’t be cured.

So keep these questions in mind
Will fighting really solve my problems?
Would you like it if you got put on You Tube?
Does fighting ever solve problems and chaos.

My opinion is that fighting won’t solve problems but discussing it in a gentle manner will be helpful. So why fight when you can just talk about it?
By Niome, Weymouth Intermediate