Family Breakfast a half piece or whole piece of fat fluffy waffle drenched in golden syrup a slither of crispy bacon a couple of fat pork sausages a parent and grandparent laughing uncontrollably with the server My tummy rumbling with anticipation I wonder how long until breakfast will be here William Holmes is 8 years old and is a year 4 student at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. So many traditions and celebrations involve enjoying a meal with peopl

My Family and I When Eid arrives my family and I celebrate with our amazing friends Sometimes my mum invites friends to our home Other times, we gather up in a hall filled with many people We eat flavourful biryani and creamy sweet sheer khurma I wear a purple gharara stitched with delicate floral embroidery feeling bright and new But, sometimes I wonder will there be a year I will spend Eid alone? and will the generations after me celebrate Eid? and will my descendants celeb

Easter At Easter we go to the beach My family and I Mum tells me of when she did the cold plunge in Antarctica I wonder if the sea in New Brighton is as cold as Antarctica Jessica Pollard is 10 years old and is a student at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Visiting the beach sounds like such a fun and unique Easter tradition! Why does your family choose to celebrate the holiday this way? What kinds of things do you do at the beach together? How cold i

The Warmth of the Diya The vibrant diya It’s light flickers from the winds trying to extinguish it My hands shields it from the harsh winds coming for it It’s light shines in the cold darkness of the night Signifying the warmth of my loved ones Helping me through the darkness of my life I set it down outside my doorstep Luring good luck and love towards my house It’s light shines brighter now I think it’s gained strength And can now handle the cruel winds tormenting it Holi F

on the last day of school on the last day of school me, my brother and my dad go out to the scrumptious avonhead tavern I smell lovely fish’n’chips floating to my mouth I feel drool s l i d i n g down my chin I see people gobbling delicious doughnuts I hear people yapping as

there’s always something to do at a hockey game a crowd full of loud cheering a ball getting hit hard into a goal a team of speeding players a coach who encourages us to play like professionals on the field team mates running like 100 gazelles with me Kieran Beckingham is 8 years old and in year 4 at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Your poem wonderfully captures the energy and collaboration of a team sport. Why did you choose this topic as the focus

Chinese New Year a festival in spring the start of the year everyone celebrating people from around the world come back home to eat and share delicious beef dumplings happy children hopping away with red pockets from the elders filled with money and their best wishes Everyone laughing Everyone having a splendid time Ryan Cui is 8 years old and in year 4 at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Your poem wonderfully demonstrates the way traditions bring joy

Better in Nature As night turns into day, And the sun shines through the trees The sound of a squirrel Scampering through the forest With a fruit in its mouth, Dropping the seed, The start of a sprout Drops of rain, Pitter Patter Giving rise to the growth of a tree As the wind rustles through the leaves And the bees pollinate the flowers Something magical happens Signs of life Every force of nature Working together to create A beautiful ecosystem For us to enjoy Zara Furnitur

Lollie Say What? by Harper Thayn One fall mid-morning, my friend, Zoe, my two-year-old sister, Indie, and I went to the park with my Grandma Winnie. When we were playing, Indie started yelling my name. “Harper! HARPER!!!” she yelled. When I went over to her, I saw something very mysterious. I told Zoe to come over to me to show her what I found, green goop on a sparkly, glowing tree! With little pops of colorful smoke, lollipops began appearing on the tree. “Pease?” said Ind

Lionfish by Isabelle Paruzel-Gibson Reef for One, and Reef for All. by Isabelle Paruzel-Gibson When most people think about supporting their community, they likely imagine helping an elderly across the street or picking up litter. Those are both great ideas but, have you thought about helping life below the surface? I’m talking about the underwater life that lives on earth. One of the many ways of making a positive impact is lionfish hunting. People are always saying fishing

Us Together We link together, Like trees intertwine, To show the passion We share, Hand and hand, A Sweet Flowing Symphony. We are a Team, As our puzzles connect, The powerful memories, Make a masterpiece, Of a Million Years Together, And Forever. 

 I Run I run through the forest, I run through the meadow, Just looking for you. We can be a dream The strength of power With your smile, My day is like the colors of a sunset. Me alone; I am those fields Of rights And wro

Coffee Shop our local coffee shop is not closed it is open but no one is at it at least, no one who cares. the food is good, so that’s not why we don’t go there anymore we like the baristas and the music but we don’t like where the money goes at least, no one who cares. mum says it will be forced to close soon, or change without any business, no money to pay the rent more importantly, no money to give to career politicians or big corporations people we don’t tolerate, too, li

Riley T. is seven years old. She is going into 2nd grade. She likes to play tennis. She also enjoys crafting and reading. One day, she...

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Blue The ocean water With many animals living in it Big strong waves Crashing everywhere in the oceans The light blue sky With a little...

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