So... I'm hanging up the teacher's hat this morning (a rare weekend without any school work) and heading off to Hastings to photograph the jet sprint racing boats over there. It's actually part of one of my other jobs - photographer's assistant - and I love the change of pace.
I'll spend Sunday in the pit area, taking photos of the racers and crew without their race helmets on, catching the intense concentration that they have as they wait on the starting grid for their turn on the track, and grabbing some choice quotes for the race report that I'll write on the way home late tomorrow night.
I'm totally NOT a petrolhead, but this is a lot of fun, and the people in the racing community are great. It is also a perfect antidote to a tough week in the classroom as it requires total concentration and there's no space for any of my class to float into my head when I'm supposed to be relaxing!
If you would like to see more of the jetsprinting, check out www.jetsprint.co.nz
And if you're near Hastings on Sunday 8th, pop out to Crownthorpe and see the action for yourself. Bring a picnic, sunscreen and a smile... but no work!
Friday, March 6, 2015
Monday, March 2, 2015
The power of the written word
We all know how powerful the written word can be - it can make you laugh out loud, it can make you cry buckets, it can transport you through time and space, and allow you to be anyone you want to be. The two guest bloggers I shared my page with last week were not so sure about the power of the written word - they see writing as something you do at school, and it might have some relevance when you leave school but it might not. They are becoming avid readers, but don't see themselves as writers. Or at least, they didn't see themselves as writers until Monday.
On Monday I showed them the responses to their blog posts. They were amazed that people who they didn't know, and would probably never meet, would take time to read their writing and respond to it. These girls grew in confidence, right in front of my eyes. And since then, they have referred to themselves as writers.
So thank you to those who took the time to read their recounts. And thank you a thousand times over to those who cared enough to comment. You have made their day - and hopefully have paved the way for them to have a rich writing life too.
I may not post here very regularly (no change there, then) because now I have to set up a class blog - they all want a go. And I will, because the authentic audience is one way for them to share their own authentic voice as a writer.
Watch this space!
On Monday I showed them the responses to their blog posts. They were amazed that people who they didn't know, and would probably never meet, would take time to read their writing and respond to it. These girls grew in confidence, right in front of my eyes. And since then, they have referred to themselves as writers.
So thank you to those who took the time to read their recounts. And thank you a thousand times over to those who cared enough to comment. You have made their day - and hopefully have paved the way for them to have a rich writing life too.
I may not post here very regularly (no change there, then) because now I have to set up a class blog - they all want a go. And I will, because the authentic audience is one way for them to share their own authentic voice as a writer.
Watch this space!
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