QMC Student Newspaper - The Golden Lamp Press

The Golden Lamp Press

Issue 2, September 2021

Katie ( Feature Writer), Charlotte (Graphic Designer), Nuala (Feature Writer), Juliet Grotrian (Feature Writer) Kitty Grotrian (Creative Writing Editor and Editor), Isabelle (Activities Editor).

Email golden.lamp@qmc.school.nz

TE REO MYTHOLOGY BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE Opinion

By Charlotte Thomson

For some it is a time in winter when a small cluster of stars appear in the sky. For others its when the fireworks erupt in the sky. But for others it is a reminder of the Maori myth. The story of Matariki starts with the earth goddess Papatūānuku and the sky god Ranginui (Rangi for short) were separated by Tāne Mahuta the earth god. The Maori legend says that the stars are Matariki and her children. Matariki is a time for reflection and thinking about your ancestors. But its only recently when the celebrations have started happening again. Ever since Captain Cook came to Aotearoa he brought along other religions and ideas along with him. And since then, Te reo mythology has taken a backseat. But instead of Guy Fawkes we celebrate the clusters appearance with fireworks and hangi. This holiday is a special part of New Zealand’s identity. Next year Matariki is going to be a public holiday. This holiday becoming official is just one step towards educating today's youth about Te Reo.

Lockdown: The Ups and the Downs

Report By: Juliet Grotrian

Lockdown. Is it good or is it bad? Personally, I believe it is a mix of both. But what did the Newspaper team think about the ups and the downs of lockdown? Here are their testaments…

Kitty (the Editor Supreme) said that lockdown was great because it was peaceful (no noisy classrooms and corridors!) but that she would have liked to be able to see her friends. In contrast, Katie (Rainy Day Activities organiser) said that sleeping in was the best thing about lockdown, while the worst was not getting to see her friends, similar to Kitty. Nuala (Feature Writer) replied that spending time with her family and her animals was a highlight (her animals appreciated the lockdown because they got heaps of attention!) along with baking delicious treats, but not seeing her friends was a downside like the other Newspaper contributors. Charlotte (Feature Writer) said that it was easier to do school in lockdown and that sleeping in was great, while being isolated from literally everyone and everything outside her bubble was a (major) downside.

So, what did you think of lockdown? Send your answers in to golden.lamp@qmc.school.nz and they might be published in the next issue of the Golden Lamp Press! Please include your name, your year and a photo of something you did in lockdown!

Canva.com

The Golden Lamp Press

Issue 2 September 2021

YEAR 12 FUNDRAISER Review By: Isabelle Mak A few month's ago, there was a wonderful fundraiser with a variety of activities that could please almost anyone. There were hot chips, Domino's pizza, a chocolate coin toss, and sponge throwing at teachers. The brains behind this event were the year 12's.

It was the time of Lent and Maia Mariner came up with the idea of having a fundraiser as an activity for lent.

The class leaders and Maia did some research on what charities they could raise money for. They decided KidsCan was an excellent choice. KidsCan provides Kiwi kids with the learning essentials (stationary, food, and shoes etc.) so they can learn and get out of poverty.

They decided that the event should be held at lunchtime on the tennis court outside Hobson on the 24th of June. Unfortunately, we were thrown into alert level 2 because a man from Australia had been touring Wellington and had tested positive with Covid-19! For the safety of the students and staff, the event was postponed to the 2nd of July. Fortunately, there was no transmission, and we were soon back to alert level 1.

On the 2nd of July, the turnout was massive. Students flocked to the tennis court with money rattling in their pockets to the teachers' dismay. There were queues for every event, it's not every day you can buy a slice of pizza or get revenge on your teachers!

The year 12's goal was to reach $460 to support 15 Kiwi kids but they ended up raising $1224.80 which will support 40 children! The year 12's are overjoyed with this outcome and their hard work. They would like to thank the whole school and especially the teachers who took part in the sponge throwing!

Great Barrier Island

golden.lamp@qmc.school.nz

Review By: Nuala Pearson

Great Barrier Island (GBI), or Aotea as it is commonly known, is one with nature, a private location with sun filled weather.

88 kilometres north of Auckland, GBI is a four-hour boat trip to a piece of paradise or a half hour flight from the bustling city of Auckland. If you want to escape the brutal winds of Wellington, GBI has a summertime temperature of 26 degrees.

The island has a range of native New Zealand birds such as the Brown Teal, the Pūkeko, the iconic Kiwi, the Tui, the Banded Rail, the Paradise duck, the Spotless Crake, and many other species of native birds. They flourish on the barrier due to the island being opossum free and because lots of other predators such as stoats and rats being proactively managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Great Barrier is filled with native plants including the Yellow Rātā, the Pōhutukawa tree, the Kohekohe tree, and the Clematis Marmoraria plant.

This nature filled island is also private due to the dwindling number of residents on the island which is approximately 1000. If you’re looking for noise on the island you can count on the birds to provide that.

Sand bays cover the sides of the island with the beach always nearby when you are looking for a picturesque place to soak up the sun and collect some much-needed Vitamin D. Beyond the sand in the aqua water there is bountiful ocean full of fish including, Kingfish, Snapper, Terakihi, and Scallops. I should mention that the island is off grid so electricity for houses is achieved through solar power and generators. There are some stores and pubs on the island one my favourites are the Irish pub where they have delicious wood fire pizzas. So, if you’re a bird lover a beach goer or a greenie, come and explore Great Barrier! It has something for everyone.

For more information, check out Aotea Great Barrier Island – A world of its own

The Golden Lamp Press

Issue 2, September 2021

Mama Brown Review By: Nuala Pearson

Mama Brown’s has a range of flavour punching American food. Including: Cheeseburgers, Southern fried chicken, Pulled pork, Nachos GF or V, Milkshakes Cara, Waffle with maple syrup, and Chocolate Brownies. This is a family friendly restaurant with baby highchairs.

The restaurant has a 70’s funky look with posters from the 70’s in America. This venue has a birthday deal if you have a birthday around the time, you go out to the venue you the Birthday person will get a free meal! But make sure to bring an ID to show proof.

You can have Uber eats from Mama Browns from here: Mama Brown Takeaway in Wellington | Delivery Menu & Prices | Uber Eats, book a table from this website: Book A Table | Mama Brown Order and pick up from the restaurant through the website here: Order Online in Wellington | Mama Brown or buy a gift card for someone.

My favourite Milkshake at Mama Browns is the ‘Tim Tam’ made from: Chunks of Tim Tam Original blended with caramel sauce.

Mama Brown is rated 4.1 stars by one customer. So do what Mama Brown said “Treat yourself”.

golden.lamp@qmc.school.nz

Reference: Trip advisor.

Reference:Canva.com

The Golden Lamp Press

Issue 2, September 2021

RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES Fun colouring in!

Are you enjoying this newspaper? Please spread the word! :)

By Kitty Grotrian and Katie Haynes

HEY EVERYONE! Got some pictures of lockdown you'd like to share? nd them to goldenlamp@qmc.school.nz along with your ame, your year and what you did and didn't like about kdown and your photo and opinion might appear in the next Golden Lamp Press issue!

golden.lamp@qmc.school.nz

Credit for Crossword: Environment - crossword puzzle worksheet - Free ESL ...

Canva.com