THE+YEAR+THAT+WAS

This year I decided to let some of our students share their highlights of the year and to review 2014, instead of me. Read on to see what an amazing job they have done. There have been lots of achievements this year at Ardgowan School. After a successful science fair, we had 3 children win first placing in the AVRACS speech competitions. Our gifted and Talented group created some amazing artworks and we had 2 of our talented writers published in the ODT extra as winning poets and reporters. We certainly value academia and challenge our students to be the best that they can be. Here is a description of one of the academic highlights of a Y8 student. My lips twitch in hopeful anticipation as my eyes dart from my teammates, Ayla and Alyssa, to our science board, to Miss McDonald holding her piece of paper. Consulting it briefly, she lifts her head to see the flushed, nervous faces of the children and the expectant gazes of their parents. Smiling, she declares, “And the winner of the 2013 senior Science Fair is…” and as she opens her mouth to deliver the news the suspense twists painfully in my stomach and I flashback to the events that led me to this moment. Nine weeks ago at the start of Term 3, my teacher was telling us about the Science Fair. Two weeks later we were sitting on the damp grass, talking urgently.
 * __ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS __**
 * __ Science Fair __**

“We //need// a topic,” said Ayla. “We should just do the one with the balloon.” “But you already know how that one works!” I protested. I ransacked my brain for an alternative. “Why don’t we grow some mould?” Overriding the sceptical questions, I continued, “We could do it on bread. And – and – add water, see if it makes it grow better. I even have a title: //Bready Steady Grow//.” There was a pause. Then Alyssa grinned. “Good idea.” And that was that. A few days after that, I had a cramped hand and blistered fingers from hurriedly scribbling down a draft of our aim, apparatus, hypothesis, variables and method. Most of the other groups were already decorating the science boards on which their information would be displayed. Some had even completed their experiments. Biting my lip anxiously, I said to Ayla, “We’ll have to start our experiment soon. Mould takes time to grow. If we do it too late we won’t get any results.” Three weeks later, we finally began the experiment. We filled bags with bread and various amounts of water. Then we put each bag on the windowsill in the staffroom. Relieved to have done this, we left our experiment there, basking in the sun until the following day. Our experiment lasted a week. Each day we came in and made observations. For three frustrating days, nothing happened. Then, overnight, huge spots of mould appeared, each one furry and revolting. Our results and conclusion were completed and our board looked fantastic. But there was still so much to do! We spent the day in constant panic, sprinting around, frantically applying the finishing touches to our project. We were stressed and short-tempered all day, but when we filed out of class at 3 o’clock everything was ready for public presentation. Eyes riveted on Miss McDonald, I think about the blood, sweat and tears that went into our little cardboard science project and hold my breath. She clears her throat and for a moment the words teeter on the edge of her lips. Then she proclaims: “Yes, the winner is… //Bready Steady Grow//!” And in that instant, I know that all that time and effort was worth it. Bronwen Ardouin – age 13yrs

For a wee rural school we offer a huge variety of sports. This year we became mini ball champions, had winners in the North Otago athletics and cross country, had soccer, t-ball, hockey and touch teams to name a few. We could well be looking at a future New Zealand champion. Here are two of the sporting highlights from one of our senior students.
 * __SPORTS__**

I stepped off the bus along with all of the other nervous faces. One sniff and I knew I was in the country; the sweet smell of fresh air filled my lungs. “Ardgowan, line up over here please.” The teacher called out to us. I join the end of the line and listen to the usual chatter that happened every year. The “I’m so nervous.” “I’m going to lose.” “I feel sick.” That made me feel worse, even though I thought that was impossible. I tried to listen to the teacher while she explained what was going to happen. She told us all that the five year olds would go first and the thirteen year olds would go last. I did some quick maths in my head. “Right,” I thought to myself. “If the thirteen year olds go last, then that means that I am going to be in one of the last races.” That is the worst part about having the last race, the wait. You have to stand around for what seems like years while the thoughts of how you are going to place race though your muddled up mind. This year it was different. My race came around fast, too fast. One minute I was day-dreaming, the next minute I was standing at the starting line listening to the clappers go off. My heart pounded to the same beat as my feet. I lifted my body over the un-even ground and made myself think positive thoughts. My bones started to ache like I had been running all my life. “You can do this,” I thought to myself. “just keep going and you’ll be fine.” I looked down at the ground to make sure I didn’t sprain my ankles in any holes. I kept my head down for a while as I was too afraid to see what was coming up. Suddenly I started to hear kids chanting my name over and over again. I looked up to see the finish line just a couple of meters in front of me. I released the last little bit of power I had into my legs and arms and flew over the rope that was lying across the ground. “Done!” I thought to myself. “Thirteen year old girls’ free-style!” The tall man spoke clearly through the mega-phone. I stood up, feeling my body shake fiercely. Under all this fear I knew there was some excitement, I just couldn’t find it at the moment. I gingerly walked down to the opposite end of the pool. It felt as though everyone was watching me.
 * __Cross country.__**
 * __Swimming.__**

I looked down at the ground and fiddled with the straps on my goggles. I stopped staring at the ground and fixed my gaze on my opponents, they seemed fit and ready for the race, just what I didn’t want to see. The butterflies inside of me turned into nasty eagles that dive bombed into the walls of my weak stomach, making me want to throw up every five seconds. I scanned the crowd looking for the big group of familiar faces. They all stared back at me with smiling faces and supporting comments. I threw a long forced smile back at them until I heard the dreaded words: “On your marks!” the same man yelled. In my mind I begged him over and over again to stop. “Get set!” He yelled again, I quickly got into the diving position. “Go!” I leaped into the water along with all of the other 13 year old girls, and swam as fast as I could. By Amy McLeod – aged 13yrs

One of the things I love best about Ardgowan School is the fact that we have a great community. We work together to offer events for the children including camps, trips, talent quests, end of year production and much more. We also enjoy spending time together at family picnics and get togethers. Here are some highlights from two senior students.
 * __EVENTS__**

Salty scents waft slowly upwards into the air, bringing with them the smell of seaweed too. I start to feel thirsty but I have not brought a drink. People bravely take the plunge, screaming in shock as they enter the freezing Pacific Ocean. Even those in full wetsuits utter yells of “Cold!” as they splash into the ocean. People sprint fearlessly to the edge of the wharf and take flight, becoming airborne for just a few seconds before falling helplessly into the icy water below. Finally my turn is here. Stepping up to the edge I take a deep breath and splash. I sink slowly as the Pacific envelops me. I try to breathe but I am still semi submerged and salty sea water floods into my mouth. When the surface is finally reached I spit out the foul tasting liquid leaving a weird lingering taste. These moments are vivid details that I remember from the camp Wainui wharf jump
 * __CAMP – WHARF JUMP__**

By Charlie – age 11yrs

The 2013 Pet day had a great turnout. Almost everyone brought a pet, so the whole school was jam-packed with crazy animals – dogs, lambs, calves, goats, chickens, birds – even fish! The day itself was extremely busy, from presentations by vets Dave and Abby, to a shearing demo by Justin Meikle, also calf club and the various art competitions. To greaten the excitement (if that was possible) you could enter the lamb drinking race, the dog obstacle course, or the best dressed pet. These competitions in particular livened up the animal parade with pets in tutus and rugby shirts. The end of the awesome day was celebrated with the awards ceremony and the cool prizes! It is a shame pet day is only once every two years. One of the highlights of the year was the Kahurangi Dance Troop; a team of 6 talented Maori dancers who came in and performed for us in term 2. We all crowded into the mulit-purpose room with the other visiting schools, Five Forks and Maheno. We filed onto the stage and watched the show. The troop entertained us with a variety of interactive songs, traditional dances and Maori stories accompanied by poi, string things and costumes. They also showed us how to use a taiaha. The whole performance was really funny and well polished. It was a great afternoon (well it sure beat school work anyway!)
 * __PET DAY__**
 * __KAHURANGI DANE TROOP__**

By Joshua Gibson – age 12 yrs