School Journal Level 3 August 2020
Look inside this issue
Waiting
by Nadine Anne Hura, illustrations by Zoe Hannay
This is a gentle story with a twist, which is revealed in the final illustration. While most School Journal stories are set over a few hours or days, this piece has an unusually long timeframe: nine months. During this time, Bella learns a more positive way to count the days – by noticing the seasons change and trusting that something is happening, even though it may appear otherwise.
The Polterheist
by James Brown, illustrations by Josh Morgan
“The Polterheist” is a comic story, deftly handled and with a tight focus, spinning great entertainment from a context many students will recognise – a school gala day. It provides a good model for student writing: taking the everyday and exploring its imaginative possibilities, with closely observed characterisation and a heavy reliance on dialogue to move the plot forward.
Star-gazing
by Maria Samuela, illustrations by Rebecca ter Borg
“Star-gazing” is a fantasy while also being based, in part, on a traditional story from Mangaia, the second largest island in the Cook Islands. The “no place like home” lesson is spiced up with sassy dialogue and combative personalities, deepening its contemporary feel and appeal.
Born to Run
by Lucy Corry
Arthur Lydiard was a New Zealand runner and athletics coach whose approach to training has left a lasting impact on the sporting world. Using speed and endurance-building techniques that he developed through trial and error, Lydiard coached several high-performance runners to Olympic success. A firm believer that anyone could be a champion, Lydiard played an important role in popularising jogging in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. “Born to Run” includes a profile of Lilly Taulelei, a year 10 student who has played for the New Zealand basketball team. She was also selected for an Asia-Pacific basketball team that played at the Global Championships in 2019. She shares her thoughts about what makes a good coach.
Roar
by Kathryn Mercer
Hunting is hugely popular in New Zealand’s rural communities, and it’s often done within families. This article will be welcome reading for students who already hunt, giving them the opportunity to share their knowledge with classmates. Those unfamiliar with the past-time are introduced to the basics, especially the “why” of hunting and the different skills and pleasures involved.
The Art of Aute
by Matahana Tikao Calman
Little is known about the history of cloth-making in Aotearoa. This article is a useful introduction to a tradition that’s found across the Pacific. Nikau Hindin has led the way with its recent revival in New Zealand – both learning a cloth-making practice that’s been around for centuries, then using this cloth for her art.
Tuālima
by Tusiata Avia
Tusiata Avia writes from the child’s perspective as the narrator’s mother receives a tuālima (a tattoo on the back of the hand). Arranged chronologically, the author details particulars of the ceremony, sometimes using gagana Sāmoa terms, and sharing the attention equally between what’s happening and the emotions felt.
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