Tauawa Times
Journalists I Photographers I Podcasters I Radio Presenters
Journalists I Photographers I Podcasters I Radio Presenters
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You've come to the right place if you would like to read some great writing by our Years 7 & 8 students. You can choose to read the stories or click on the play button to listen to them or you can do both! We hope you enjoy reading our writing.
2026
Some exciting writing in progress......come back soon
2025
I want to be a Peer Mediator because I would love to help people work out their problems.
Today I have learnt how to act and be professional and how to sort problems well.
By Ben
Journalist: Amber & Daisy
Date: July 2025
I would like to be a Peer Mediator because it is fun and it makes me feel good when I help others, plus I'm good with kids.
I have learnt how to help people who have conflict with each other.
Journalist: Amber & Daisy
Date: July 2025
I want to be a Peer Mediator because I think I would be good for this job by listening. I have a good memory and can sort out people's problem , and a cool way to sort out problems and give teachers a breath and be a role model.
I have learnt how to make people be heard, to know different feelings. knowing what it is to live and be heard.
Journalist: Amber & Daisy
Date: July 2025
Excitement washed over all of us as we admired the smooth, translucent ice rink from afar. As we slowly headed towards the renting section I was marvelling at the beautiful view above us, with shiny eyes. The ice skates were really tough to put on, but it was a tight fit. I slowly and steadily waddled towards the glistening rink. And as soon as I stepped on, I felt my feet wobble , it felt like I was a fish flopping around on an ice rink.
I felt so unsafe on that ice. So I speedily snatched a metal ice skating supporter, and I clutched onto it like my life depended on it. Soon enough, from my perspective it looked like I had gotten the hang of skating, so I carefully slid the supporter to the side while I grasped the side wall.
Somehow I gained enough courage to let go of the wall and I started to waddle towards the center of the rink.
People were zooming around like we were playing crossy roads in real life, and I was the chicken trying to get to the other side. Halfway to the middle, I wanted to turn back. It felt like my feet were going to slip and I would crack my head open like a watermelon.
Saki’s hand was reaching out for mine. I took a hold of her hand, and immediately I felt so much safer. By the time I had actually gotten the hang of skating, I had soggy pants, soaking gloves, and aching feet. When the announcement came on to tell us that our session was finished, I somehow managed to hastily squeeze in a very rushed lap around the rink to make the most of my time here.
As my shaky feet stepped onto the soft styrofoam, I felt at ease, no more risks of dying. It was really tough to take the skates off, but thankfully I had friends that helped me. After we were all ready, it was time to embark on the journey to the cozy hot springs!
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
Crash! My knees slammed into the cold, hard ice as I tumbled during my very first attempt at ice skating. The impact sent a jolt through my body, and icy wetness soaked through my clothes, making me shiver. The cold bit into my skin, but instead of feeling embarrassed, I started laughing. That awkward, clumsy fall turned into one of the most memorable moments of my camp, and it was only the beginning. That’s how my 2 day school camp at Tekapo kicked off, slipping and sliding like a penguin trying to dance. I had been nervous before we arrived. The idea of being away from home, sharing a bunk room, and trying new things was both exciting and terrifying. The ice rink quickly became my favourite part of the camp. At first, I moved stiffly, arms out like blades, legs doing their own thing, and my balance was not in time with my body. I probably looked like a robot made of jelly. But as time went on, I wobbled less, and eventually, I was gliding across the ice like a bird soaring across the sky. The ice rink echoed with the scratchy sound of skates cutting through ice, laughter echoing off the walls, and music playing faintly in the background.
As fun as skating was, the Red Tarns Walk at Aoraki/Mount Cook gave me a completely different kind of thrill. On the morning of the hike, we woke early, packed our daypacks, and bundled into the bus, all buzzing with energy. The sun was shining but the air was crisp, and the mountains leaned in the distance. As we arrived at the track, I remember looking up to see where the trail led. We began to climb with determination. The track was steep right from the start, winding up through wooden stairs and rocky steps that challenged every muscle in my legs. My backpack felt heavier with each step, and before long, my breathing became louder than my thoughts. But the views were amazing. Every few minutes, we’d stop, not just to catch our breath, but because the view was beautiful. Behind us, the valley spread out like a living painting, green and gold and dotted with patches of snow. We spotted tiny streams sparkling in the sun, birds soaring below us, and glaciers gleaming like blue diamonds. Halfway up, my legs felt like jelly. My water bottle was nearly empty, and the snacks in my pocket started calling my name. My friend, Cecilia, donated me some water so I could stay hydrated. So we pushed on, encouraging each other with cheers, jokes, and the promise of an incredible view at the top. And we were right. When we finally reached the Red Tarns, I stopped in my tracks. The tarns were perfectly still, like a pool of melted glass. They reflected the peak of Mount Cook so clearly that it looked like the mountain was staring back at us from beneath the water. The sky above was deep blue, and the clouds seemed to hover quietly, not wanting to disturb the peace. We sat on rocks near a big bush, munching on the snacks we brought in our daypacks. Some of us layed back with our eyes closed, listening to the wind as it whispered through the grass. At that moment, I didn’t care about sore legs or aching feet. I just felt calm and proud, like I had achieved something bigger than I’d expected. Although nothing crazy happened in camp, it was still one of the best weeks of my life. Every day was filled with laughter, fresh air, friendship, and adventure. Whether we were ice skating, hiking, secretly ate snacks in our cabins, or just talking under the stars at night, there was always something to enjoy.
By the end of the week, I was exhausted. My legs felt like they ran a marathon, and I felt like I haven't slept for days. On the bus ride home, I leaned against the window, watching the mountains fade behind us and thinking about everything we’d done.
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
My very first step with the ice skate felt as unusual as can be. But every step I took to the rink I felt more anticipation blasting through my body. I cautiously place my heavy skate on the bitter ice, cautiously as I have not done this activity in what feels like a millennium. I maneuvered my other skate on to the ice rink. As I glided through the frigid ice more and more gracefully, it helped me get the hang of it even more.
The serene nature here made this activity feel peacefully calm. The frosty breeze brushed my face as I got faster on the ice.
Each graceful glide on the ice felt like I was storming through the rink. More and more frosty breeze soon blasted on my face rather than brushed. After a while of zooming through the ice, I started to get slightly exhausted. Soon all this fun came to an end and I had to get out, which was sad but not too sad, since I got to soak in the warm cozy hot pools.
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
My body clicked instantaneously as soon as I crossed the threshold of solid, grippy land and pellucid, frigid, frozen terrain; some kids stumbling and skidding around like newborn giraffes. I observed them flail their arms around frantically and then collapse and scramble back to their feet again to give it another go.
I gracefully glided over the ice, a bird in the sky, a fish in water.
Around two years ago I had done the same thing. The first time I did it, swiftly maneuvering through flailing newborn giraffes, winding in spirals in the winter wonderland with my companions. Bliss.
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
On the second day of camp we went to ice skating and hot pools. So me, Oscar, Justin, Jayden, Divesh and Harjass went over to the bigger pool to sit down. When we walked in the warm water tingled against their skin, and the smell of sulfur settled into our noses. Everyone else was in the lower pool which you were allowed to put your head under.
Soon we got bored and decided to play charades. Me, Harjass and Devesh were on a team, and Oscar, Justin and Jayden were on a team. The other team went first. We watched as they huddled in a circle deciding who should go and what they should do. Jayden went first.
“Um Spiderman” Devesh guessed.
“Yes” Jayden said with a sigh.
“Well that was easy” I said a little disappointedly. We took turns for a few rounds until a lot of people were watching us, so we left.
We went to the other side of the pool where no one was, and sat down. There were low walls all around us except for the back. Still, some people followed us. This time we let them play, and instead of playing charades we played gang up. When we started we jumped over the wall, hid behind objects, constantly get in and out in and out. In the end Japman won (mainly because most people didn’t know he was playing).
We relaxed for the last 20 or so minutes, then came the worst part GETTING OUT. We were so relaxed but then we had to go into the freezing cold winter afternoon and go ice skating. I think I would have preferred going ice skating first!
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
The sun, a relentless eye in the afternoon sky, beat down on the dusty track. Each step, a deliberate, aching movement, dragged me further up the mountain. The air, thin and dry, burned in my lungs. Muscles screamed in protest, reminding them of every uphill stride. The summit, still far out of reach, seemed to mock their exhaustion.
It was the icky feeling that I HATED. Socks drenched, clothes sticky and wet. Walking up a mountain on a chilly afternoon sounded horrible for most people, and I was one of them.Although I was up the front, my legs were aching, hands clawing the air. I kept on telling myself “Almost there” but I knew that was a lie. Mr Blackie told everyone to stop and wait for the others to catch up, which was a relief because I wasn't stopping on my own anytime soon. I was aiming to be the first girl to the top.
After what felt like 2 years of walking I started to slip behind, watching all the people behind me slowly make their way to the front was UNBEARABLE but I couldn't stop now…could I? I was slowly starting to regain my strength when I saw.. STAIRS I started to panic. I just wanted this nightmare to end. I put all my strength into those 10 steps and just knew my legs would be aching for days. A while later Mr Blackie generously decided to take a break. I looked down and saw all my friends' heads peeking from a couple tracks below us. I felt tears from the cold wind dripping down my face. My mouth was a spit machine while I took my last steps to the top. It was the most beautiful view I had ever seen. (I promised myself to NEVER walk up a mountain/uphill track again until...)
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
Crunch! Someone's over baked cookie sifted through my teeth like sand. Everyone was eating.
They are baking and preparing for the red tarn walk. The sizzling and steaming sun sent staggering heat across Aoraki village. ̈Camp A! ̈ The teacher yelled, I dreadfully dragged my feet across
the grass hoping it wouldn't be a long walk. They explained that it was a 2 hour long walk, I let
out a long ̈ugh. ̈ sound.
I walked along the bridge and started pushing up stairs like I just soaked up 10 energy drinks, or had a 12 hour nap. I'm going up tremendously high, and still feeling as carelessly confident as
ever. Absolutely and utterly nothing can bring down my confidence, I can definitely do 2 hours of
this!
15 minutes later I'm waist high in pure lava! Every individual muscle in my legs are pumping with pain! At least we're nearly at the top, I say to myself when a parent says as a joke ̈One hour
and a half left! ̈ No one laughs. I silently scream as I pull my foot through the gravel and up over a step.
Later I look down and expect to see blood seeping through my shoes, instead I hear about 20
people aggressively sigh. I look up and see the end of the track, I become bursting with joy but I'm too tired to celebrate so I slumped over to rest ̈Time to go back down! ̈
̈UGH! ̈
Journalist: Team
Date: July 2025
2024
Every so often my dad would take me and my sister swimming at the pools. We loved going but dreaded the first touch of the freezing cold water. Just waiting to rise up and hug me at my waist to surround me in the icy slush.The water, which was practically frozen, surprisingly felt warmer after I tried bathing in it for a while. It was never warm at first, but it never stayed too cold after getting in.
Journalist: Amber & Evie
Date: April 2025
Rain falls from the foggy sky. The windows fog up. A little boy looks out the window looking gloomy. His teal eyes show a look of boredom. A blonde woman drives around in a car with a box of toys. She holds a small piece of paper and quickly skims over it. A little girl in the ocean blue car with a bright pink beanie and ginger braids, then she crosses her arms and has a sulky look on her face. The blonde mum looks back with a sympathetic look on her kind face. The mum exits the car after her daughter sulks and sighs sharply.
The teal eyed boy sees the blond mum with a yellow umbrella and gasps in excitement. They both hop out of the car and arrive at a warm mix of yellow, orange and coral house with a sign- “home for children”. They both enter and a kind lady with a soft smile welcomes them. They carry the box inside and walk down the hall. Drawings cover the walls with bright coloured crayon strokes. The little ginger girl puts the yellow umbrella in the basket. The teal eyed boy peers around the corner and starts to panic when she notices his presence.
She continues walking around. The mum opens the box and a stampede of kids get excited and play with the new toys. Then the ginger girl notices the yellow umbrella has vanished! Then she spots a trail of raindrops up the stairs. She decides to follow the raindrops up the millions of stairs and leave the happy kids.
The water trail leads up to the top floor. She sees the teal eyed boy trapping the umbrella in a dark wooden cupboard and he turns around and sees the glare on her face. She walks up to the boy and stomps with frustration. The boy warns her but it's too late. The boy fumbles and lets go of the cupboard door and stuff comes flying out. The blonde mum and the lady employee hear the noise from upstairs.
The mum and lady go upstairs and find the kids. The girl is really mad and snitches on the boy. He feels ashamed and the mum has a confused look on her face. The shy boy slowly walks to the girl with the yellow umbrella in his arms. Before he is able to pass it to her, she snatches the umbrella off him with a sour look on her face. The mum feels bad and picks a piece of paper off the floor.
The little boy starts to cry and a tear falls on the paper. The time winds back to a time when the boy was walking with a kind man that looked like a father figure, holding an identical umbrella. The memories show him and his dad on a night boat filled with passengers and them sitting on the concrete, homeless, candles being their only light. The umbrella is always with them.
The scene changes.Then they walk through the rain and arrive at the home for children. The dad sadly says goodbye to the sad and confused boy. He wants his kid to be warm and well fed and looked after properly. He gives his son the yellow scarf the teal eyed boy wears everyday, as a remembrance of him. The dad walks off gloomy and the boy stands there heartbroken. The sunny yellow scarf hugs him as he watches his dad walk away in the rain stepping on the soggy autumn leaves.
Journalist: Evie and Amber
Date: November 2024
In the heart of a quiet forest, where sunlight filtered through the leaves and a wave of harmonious bird songs filled the air, I felt like I'd stepped into a secret world where no humanity had ever seen or touched. Time seemed to slow down, and every leaf and tree trunk whispered ancient stories from long ago.
I needed peace and quiet from the chaos of city life, and here I found it. The forest welcomed me warmly, the branches on the trees curved and hugged me. I slowly walked along a winding path taking in the scenery as moss softly cushioned my heavy steps, silencing the pitter patter of my shoes.
Up above, the tall trees towered over me, forming a green sanctuary. As sunlight streamed brightly through, it cast light and shadow patterns on the ground. Rays of light illuminated wildflowers, lupines and the golden blooms of buttercups. Butterflies gracefully danced in the warm breeze, displaying their azure and emerald wings.
I continued along the path when I spotted a pair of dark hazel eyes staring back at me. I froze, captivated by the sight. As I narrowed my eyes, I realised it was a fawn, its delicate shape camouflaging perfectly with the sunlight streaming through the dense forest canopy. The fawn stood motionless, ears alert and twitching, while listening closely to the forest sounds floating around us.
I paused briefly by a stream to admire the view. It meandered gently through the forest and the water sparkled like metallic liquid in the midday sun. Fish darted over rocks, while graceful dragonflies elegantly hovered over the surface with their wings catching the radiant light. I submerged my hands into the cool water, feeling it’s calmness soothingly wash away my thoughts and worries.
Later, I discovered a large clearing bathed in the glow of the setting sun. A tall oak tree stood proud and solid in the center, as it's branches stretched towards the sky. I sat under its canopy, feeling it's roots harden against my shoulders.
As night fell, the forest transformed. The lively songs of daytime birds died away, replaced by the loud chirping of crickets and the melodic croaks of frogs. Up in the sky, stars appeared one by one, their luminous glow filling the dark night sky. I watched in awe as a shooting star streaked across the heavens, silently wishing that every day could be as magical as this.
As I think back on my time in that enchanting forest, I realise how deeply it has changed me. I've begun sharing my incredible journey with family and friends, hoping that the story of that majestic forest will reach far and wide. It reminds us that nature surrounds everyone always, and you can never get rid of its beauty and tranquillity.
Journalist: Evie and Amber
Date: November 2024
Are you actively worrying about the past or the future? Looking back on your every move? Ok, put your hand up if you are currently thinking about the future, things like going to school or a sporting event. Ok, now keep your hand up if you are thinking about the past. Things like a disagreement with a friend or even getting told off.
Later we will dive into why the future may not be as good as it sounds and why the past can bring you down. For now I want to tell you some of the minor things that come as side effects of not living in the present, depression and anxiety. These are caused by letting the past drag you down. Or always living in the future.
How the light comes through the present. If you are dreading the future or stuck in the past you may never see the little things along the way. Because you never realised the last time you faked being asleep in the car just so your parents can carry you inside did you? or yelling 'daddy's home' after work and hugging his leg did you?
And you never realised the last time your parents got you out an outfit did you? and you may never realise the last time you say I love you. All I'm trying to say is because you are always looking at a different time in your life, you may never realise...... so next time take it one step at a time.
Staying in the future is not as good as it sounds. Anxiety and depression is caused because we are always worried about what will happen, not what is happening. The future holds many amazing things, don't get me wrong, but how are you ever going to appreciate the future when it comes to play because then there will be something else if you are unaware of what anxiety and depression does to you brain. I will tell you now.
Have you ever watched the new Inside Out 2 movie? If you have, you might remember one of the new emotions anxiety when she was buzzing around the control table. She was doing that because all she was thinking about was the FUTURE. This caused her to go insane so next time take one step at a time.
Why the past can bring you down. The past can bring many different emotions and mistakes from teenage years which has been proven to ruin an adults live even causing suicide. The past gets loaded onto their back and it may never leave.
This causes depression because they think that is all they are but we all know thats not right. We need to start teaching ourselves that many things define us, not just one big mistake, so let's help our peers know their worth .
Conclusion
And that is why living in the present is much better than living in the future or the past. Next time are you going to chose A living in your past, B live nowhere but the future or finally C living in the amazing present now.
It’s up to you! Are you going to let one little thing ruin you day, week or even life? Try just letting it go or see what little things you see when you take it one step at a time.
Once upon a time this speech was my future but now it is my past.
Journalist: Bailey
Date: September 2024