Amisha Sadani 8CH

Fingers flaking, the searing lips of the sun lean over, brushing, scorching. Brown. Brown like the bark of the willow. It's crumbling skin tumbling to the earth. Tongues arching, bending, gently caressing the landscape. A steady stream flowing, banks bursting, engulfing, threading it's way through the maze of grain. Rippling. They shuffle, one foot after the other, imprisoned by the chains of their suffering.

This afternoon, we had David Hill come and talk to us about his career. David Hill is an accomplished New Zealand author who has published many successful books in his time as a writer. He has been an author now for about 30 years, publishing books such as; See Ya Simon, Enemy Camp, Sinking, My Brother's War and First to the Top. Today, David talked to us about his career as an author, his backstory, his books and what they mean to him. I particularly enjoyed when he read us a short story he wrote about Valentine's day. It was hilarious! Afterwards, we asked him some questions. He explained how most of his books are based on things himself or others have experienced. For example; See Ya Simon is based on a time when his daughter's best friend died at a young age, in high school. I really enjoyed reading this book, as it is really heartfelt and emotional. Another example is; My Brother's War, which is based on his great uncle Fred - and his time in the war. At the en

Dust Shiver. He trembles. Small shoulders, up and down, up and down, the waves in an endless ocean. I hold him close, wrapping my arms around him, pulling him in. Shiver. I tremble, as the water sprays up, up into my face. Churning, churning. His pleading eyes, a constant reminder of my home. Lost - lost to dust. To dust and crumbling ruin. On the day my parents died, I sat. Absorbed in my favourite book - oblivious. A slow, soft whistling. Filling the air. Gasp. I sit bolt upright. A stricken face stares wide eyed at me in the window. An emerald glint. But over her shoulder, a white blob. Falling, falling. ‘ELIAS’! Darkness hits. Overpowering. Overwhelming. A void surrounding me, pushing in on me. Choking ... gasping... Eyes flutter open. Blinking. Once, twice, as the darkness fades. Elias, screaming my name, crying. But I don’t hear him. Instead, ringing. Resounding throughout me, a constant moan. His face, a portrait of blood. A river of tears cascading. Down, down

Last Thursday in Year 8 Syndicate Assembly, we had a speaker called Maioro Barton. Maioro is a wheelchair athlete from Cambridge, Waikato. He started off playing sport as a kid, playing rugby for the Waikato Wheelchair Rugby Association. He then got into Wheelchair basketball, playing at high level. He went to the Olympics for Athletics; shotput and javelin. He also went for basketball. He spoke to the Year 8 Syndicate about his life, and his past experiences. He was very inspiring and motivational. He also delved deep into the world of disabled people, and how they might feel in certain situations. He talked about how he would rather stay in a wheelchair than have an operation and make himself walk again. He is content with the life he's got, and he is living it to the fullest!

Term 3, Week 2 On Wednesday, I participated in a fixture in Auckland, playing netball against St Cuthberts. This was a great experience and the games were played with great sportsmanship.  On Thursday, the Year 8 syndicate had two speakers come in.  The first speaker was a man from World Vision. He talked to us about the refugee crisis in Syria and other countries and what we can do to help. The refugee crisis is the biggest problem in the world today. People are being forced out of their homes, displaced, with nowhere to go but sad, empty refugee camps in desolate areas. Money raised by World Vision and the 40 hour famine goes toward helping build child friendly spaces for children, providing food, equipment for the classroom and for play for the children to get over their personal experiences. We also played a few games with the speaker.  The second speaker was a lady called Ms. Parkinson from The Salvation Army. She talked to us about the history of The Salva