Exploring Fiji

“I was very lucky to go to Fiji with my family and I got to try snorkelling for the first time.

I saw a big, bright blue starfish which was just incredible. '

I think Fiji is an amazing place because it's so beautiful and warm, and the people are very friendly. They all say ‘Bula!’ every time you walk past.

We were allowed to visit the local school and I couldn't believe how different it was from my school. They didn't have as much as we have, but the kids were so happy anyway. They were really welcoming too.

I loved Fiji, I hope I can go back one day.”

- Boston Davis (10), Manly

Amazing Wanaka

“Wanaka is such an amazing place to be, with lots of highs and lows… you can do anything.

While it's winter you can do Snowboarding or Skiing or any other winter sport.

While it's summer you can do Swimming, do Water Sports or play at a playground.

In Wanaka, you can do anything!”

- Mia Reardon (10), Wanaka

Fun at the Fair

“We went to the fair. It was so cool!

There was like a game where you had to throw a dart at a balloon. There was also a game where you had to put some balls in the clown’s mouth, and besides that was a game where you had to throw a beanbag at cans.

Dad was so good at that game.

There was also a bouncy castle!”

- Mackenzie Cornish (9), Gore

Fascinating Facts - The day of the dead

“The day of the dead started around ago in the early 1500s. Roughly 3000 years ago, amongst the Aztecs, Toltecs, and Mayans.

Death and the dead were seen as a natural part of life that should be honoured and celebrated, rather than mourned.

It is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November.

The celebration is to celebrate those that have passed rather than mourn them.

When it is the day of the dead the family of those who have passed cook food like pan de Muertos (bread) and cookies. This is cooked to remember those they have passed.

The holiday, which is celebrated mostly in Mexico can also be celebrated in places like Guatemala and Central America.“

- Isaac Herman (11), Mt Roskill

Shared Experience - being “the new kid”

“I just moved to Hawke’s Bay and was the new kid.

I was very nervous to start at a new school.

I thought it would be a good idea to bring a soccer ball to school, and then a bunch of kids started to play with me!

It helped me be brave and make lots of friends.

Sports really helps me and other kids have fun together.

I can't wait to play Futsal for the first time and hope we win.

I mostly enjoy making new friends and playing Soccer!”

- Caleb Gillot (8), Havelock North

Best teacher of 2022!

“Shout-out to my teacher Mr Parker! He is so nice and he has the funniest teacher jokes ever!!!

He lets us play outside with a ball after doing heaps of work. We are in a special class for autism and other behaviour issues with kids and every Friday we do a cooking class and make pancakes!

Shout-out to Mr parker! :D”

- Bianca Webster (12), Tauranga

Lower the voting age!

“In my opinion, I think the voting age in NZ should be lowered to 17 instead of 18.

People who are 17 should have a say in their future!”

- Mia Reardon (10), Albert Town

Shout out to Best Start Gisborne!

“I would love to shout out to the amazing Koka at daycare, Best Start Gisborne, and my friends there.

We have the best fun while mum and dad are at work and they feed us yummy kai.”

- Willow White (2) and Mum, Gisborne

Reducing our carbon footprint…

“Cars use petrol to run and that creates carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that helps trap heat in my atmosphere, which is very bad because that causes climate change!

Not many people plant plants anymore, and plants are key to life!

First of all, we need plants to breathe, but they also suck up all of the greenhouse gases that we create.

To reduce your footprint you could use your car less, eat less red meat and plant more plants, but these are not the only things you can do…”

- Marley Green (12), Ngatea

Water fun at Anzac Bay

“The sun was as hot as boiling water on my back.

I felt the cold water splash against my face as we zoomed in our little boat around Anzac Bay.

I was there with my friends and family.

We stopped at this little island called Matakana Island - it had the prettiest shells.

We looked around the island and found nothing except a opened wasabi pack!

After that we when back to the beach where all our stuff was.

When the boat took us back to the beach I hopped straight onto the kayak with my friend and we when to a tyre swing hooked to a tree that you can swing off into the water.

I took my life jacket off and climbed up the tree. I grabbed hold of they tyre swing then swung off into the water. That was fun!”

- Lily Higgs (12), Point Chevalier

Stop global warming

“Could you imagine a world with it being as hotter than Mali every day or no winter season or even no autumn?

Well, this is what will happen if we don't stop global warming. We need to stop burning fossil fuels and stop making factories and stop all things that connect to global warming because it's also affecting the ozone layer, a protective barrier around our earth/home.

The first reason why we need to stop global warming is because it is changing the temperature.

The earth now has regular tsunamis, droughts, heat waves and ice glaciers melting and when ice glaciers melt animals will lose their habitat.”

- Krishav Kumar (11), Auckland

Why we need to stop polluting the Ocean

“Can you imagine a world with no fresh water and beaches that are practically made of rubbish? A world without marine animals? That will be a reality if we don’t stop polluting now!

I strongly believe that we should stop polluting to save freshwater and marine animals.

There would be no more fish or squid or octopus, no more kina. There would be no more going diving and seeing the wonderful view and enjoying the ocean. It would be devasting, but could soon be a reality.

We need to start making the switch to eco-friendly materials and plastics should be put out of production.

We need to stop polluting the Ocean to protect our future now!”

- Liam Buys (10), Mt Roskill

Minions the Rise of Gru review

“Minions the Rise of Gru is about a small boy named Gru. His dream is to be the best Supervillain so he steals an amulet. However, he gets captured and his minions have to save him - WILL THEY SAVE HIM?

But there's a twist: find out what it is…

I personally think that Minions the Rise of Gru is a great movie for 4 and over, I have watched all 4 movies on DVD and it has tons of emotions like love, anger, shock and happiness. My favourite character is Bob.”

- Lucas Burton (10), Christchruch

Movie review of Descendants 3

“Descendants 3 is a very cool movie rated PG. It is about 4 villain kids who used to live on the Isle of the Lost where all the villains got sent.

Their names are Evie, Carlos, Jay and Mal. They moved to the beautiful Auradon where all their opportunities begin. There is also a girl called Audrey who starts off good but surprisingly turns bad and invades Auradon in an attempt to steal Mal’s place as Queen.

Can the villains and the ex-villains work together to save Auradon?

In my opinion Descendants 3 is a very good movie to watch if you're looking for: adventure, teamwork and a dog that talks. I would definitely recommend this for Harry Potter fans.”

- Eilish Pluck (10), Christchurch

Leadership day in Palmerston North

“I was feeling lucky as I took my seat in the theatre at Palmerston North.

I am deputy head boy at St Mary’s School Hastings and got to go on a trip.

The theatre was packed with children yelling all over the place. Two people from backstage came out and introduced themselves and told us what we were doing for the day.

The first person to come out was Sam Johnson who talked about helping our world by building teams, the next speaker was Brylee who lost her arm in an accident at age 6. She taught us we are different in so many ways but still the same.

The next speaker was a 16-year-old who started her own business making poi. It was a great day and very inspiring!”

- Issac Te Whaiti (12), Hastings

Watch out for Palm Oil

“At school, I am doing a story about palm oil and how it affects the environment.

Palm oil is not good because people/companies cut down rainforests to plant palm oil trees and animals like the orangutan lose their homes and die.

Palm oil is in a lot of food like biscuits and chips, etc... and people eat it without noticing.

Please check the ingredients before buying any packaged foods.”

By Ella Van Stipriaan (9), Auckland

“Hi I'm Graysyn, I am 7 on the 11th of June.

I cant wait for my birthday. My mum took me to this really awesome amazing place called Marshall’s Animal Park in Tauranga where we live.

It was so much fun. All the animals were so cool and you won't believe this but I got to feed some reindeer - you know, like Santa's ones!

The baby one was the cutest thing I have ever seen!

All the animals were so friendly, but be careful because the pigs might bite!

I can't wait to go back there again.

If you are ever in Tauranga this is a place to check out.”

- Graysyn Gillespie (7) Tauranga

Random Acts of Kindness go a long way

“Hi Upstart!

There are three supermarkets ladies who are really, really kind, friendly and caring to me, my sister's and my parents.

They always say hello and ask how we are. They make supermarket trips more enjoyable!

So, last Christmas I decided to do something kind and make them a Christmas card. I also put a candy cane on it.

When I gave them the cards they were so happy and that made me feel happy too! And when we were about to leave the supermarket they gave us some jelly beans and chocolates!

So what I am trying to say here is a little kindness goes a long way.

So don't think that your act will go unnoticed!”

- Charlie Clark (12), Wellington

“Dear Upstarters,

My favourite movie is called Encanto. I think you should watch Encanto because it's a really really good movie for all ages.

It's about a family who all get special gifts, like shape-shifting or being strong, but one girl doesn’t get a gift. So, when the magic starts fading it's up to her to find out what's wrong with it and save her family!”

- Brooklyn Brown (4), Nelson

“Hi Upstart,

How are you doing at Upstart?

I am very good at school but I hate wearing masks.

I hope you are all good at wearing your masks.”

- Candace Barriball (12), Waikato