Cyberbullying Poster by Abby S and Bailey E

Sea Snake Advert By Bailey E

WARNING! Poisonous Sea Snakes!

Yellow Bellied Sea Snakes are found in the north island.

There has been another sighting of a yellow bellied sea snake in northland. In NZ we now have a higher chance of sea snakes washing up on northlands shore. DOC says that we may have more and more sightings every year.

DOC advise all people stay away and report the snakes if they see one. These snakes have a deadly poison. It is said that one sea snakes venom can kill up to 8 humans. DOC also suggests that you warn beach goers about sea snakes if you see one because they are highly venomous and can breath on land. They say that you can’t kill, harass or possess a sea snake without a permit. Sea snakes are considered native in these parts which is why those things are illegal. Stay away from these creatures, they also deserve a nice life, just like we do. Make sure you keep well away from them as they are quick and vicious. If you find a sea snake or krait keep well away and call 0800 DOC HOT.

Learning German!!!

Arctic Ecosystem Poster by Bailey E

Francis Brandywine By Bailey E

Francis Brandywine

Every year, we go up to Quetico park for a holiday. It used to be my favourite place and then I heard what happened to a girl called Francis Brandywine.

Francis was 17 at the time, dark haired with a reckless nature. She and her family were at Quetico park camping alongside an ancient lake. One silent night, whilst her parents were sleeping, Francis crept out of the tent and grabbed a lantern and her journal. She tiptoed down to the family rowboat and rowed out onto the lake meaning to find a nice quiet spot to sit down look at the night sky and write in her journal.

When Francis was satisfied that she had passed the deepest part of the lake, she lay down and gazed at the stars. As time ticked by, Francis was just drifting off to sleep a knock echoed out from the bottom of the boat. Francis sat up scared and peered out over the sides of the boat. She saw nothing. She lay back down and told herself that she had imagined it. Silence went on for another 10 then 20 minutes. Suddenly, the second series of knocks came.

Francis jumped up and grabbed an oar and adapted a fighting stance, looking anxiously around. She saw nothing. Francis sat down and looked out of the boat. She put a cautious hand into the water and her throat went dry. She had to go. She picked up the oars and began to row dropping her lantern at the same time. After 20 minutes of frantic rowing, she looked around. She should have been back at shore by now. On the verge of tears, she hugged her knees. Something was keeping her in the middle of the lake.

When the third series of knocks came, Francis was thrown around in the boat. She peered out over the sides again but saw nothing except for the dark murky water. Her first thought was to lower one of the oars into the water to see if there was anything that she could touch. As soon as the oar broke the surface, Francis felt a strong tug and the oar was pulled under. Horrified, she jumped backwards, causing the other oar to float out of her reach. All she could do now, was sit and wait until morning. She passed the time by writing in her journal. It was because of this journal that we knew what happened that night. Francis can’t tell us because she was never seen again.

The next morning we found the rowboat containing only the journal. It was filled with Francis’s messy handwriting, all but the last page. Four words were written with what looked like a muddy finger. It held the words, “I did knock first.”

By Bailey Everest

Inquiry ~ Arctic Ecosystems ~ By Bailey E

The Dragon Slayer by Bailey

  The Dragon Slayer

                                By Bailey E

It was a cold rainy night. Not the best night to go off hunting dragons, thought Caleb as he rode his horse down the rocky track. As he neared his destination, Caleb came across a blacksmith stall and had to fight the urge to buy that new sword that the blacksmith was making. Reluctantly he carried on. Dawn came and the rain stopped, Caleb finally reached the home of the dragon! He entered and he saw the fully-grown dragon at the far end scratching it’s back on the rocky walls. The dragon’s body was was a pale yellow and it’s eyes were a glinting black.

Caleb’s silver armour gave a clink as he swung off his horse and grabbed his sword and shield. He stoked his shield lovingly. He had engraved numbers onto it showing how many dragons he had killed. He yelled and ran at the dragon who immediately charged roaring furiously. The dragon breathed fire but Caleb’s shield was fire proof. He swung his sword, but the dragon dodged the blade. The dragon lifted her claws and she almost took off Caleb’s helmet. Caleb rolled away and came up against the wall. He lifted his sword but it got caught on a branch and wouldn’t come free. Anxiously, he looked up. The dragon was coming closer! The dragon opened it’s mouth and finally Caleb’s sword came free. He yelled triumphantly and dodged the flames. He planted his sword in the dragon's belly and the dragon roared in pain. He withdrew his sword, and the lifeless creature fell to the ground. Caleb went back to his horse. He stroked his beard and put his sword and shield away.  

Suddenly, a noise from behind made him jerk around. Fire was coming out of the bush. Angrily, he grabbed his sword and advanced on the bush. A baby dragon came out to meet him. He turned away to leave, but the baby dragon held onto his legs and he toppled over. Annoyed at the dragon, Caleb yelled at it and made it shy away in fright. Caleb got back onto his horse, prepared to ride off, but his horse wouldn’t move. Caleb looked at the baby dragon who was over by the one he had just killed. The baby looked at him, scared. Then when the baby dragon burned his hand, he roared like a dragon and made the baby think that he wasn’t scary after all. The baby followed Caleb and eventually Caleb let him come with him. But what he didn’t realise, was that the baby dragon had two sisters! They were playing with each other but soon spotted Caleb. Caleb reluctantly let them on his horse but it was going to be a slow ride home because there was no room for him on the horse so he would have to walk.

That all happened years ago and now the dragons have grown up. They still are a bit of a nuisance, but Caleb still loves them and they help him in lots of different ways.

                                                   The End

By Bailey.