CHRISTMAS TREES !

There are a lot of trees in New Zealand and when Christmas comes around there is a competition for the biggest Xmas Tree.
In Hamilton the night sky is sparkling as its giant Christmas tree is switched on nightly.The tree took over 10 days to be assembled.It's believed to be the largest artificial tree in the country, standing at 25 metres and boasting 130,000 lights and 4000 baubles.

Here is one we found - seems pretty big to me, growing by the sides of the lake and decorated with giant baubles.



The 'upside-down Christmas tree' was invented here, as you can see. There is a tree farm in Onehunga that sells these particular trees. You have to ask yourself why - because we're upside-down of course!!

UPSIDE DOWN CHRISTMAS !

Carol our Christmas, an upside down Christmas;
The snow is not falling and trees are not bare.
Carol the summer, and welcome the Christ Child,
Warm in our sunshine and sweetness of air.

Sing of the gold and the green and the sparkle,
Water and river and lure of the beach.
Sing in the happiness of open spaces,
Sing a nativity summer can reach!

Shepherds and musterers move over hillsides.
Finding not angels but sheep to be shorn;
Wise ones make journeys whatever the season.
Searching for signs of the truth to be born.

Right side up Christmas belongs to the universe,
Made in the moment a woman gives birth;
Hope is the Jesus gift, love is the offering,
Everywhere, anywhere, here on the earth.

Carol our Christmas, an upside down Christmas;
Snow is not falling and trees are not bare.
Carol the summer, and welcome the Christ Child,
Warm in our sunshine and sweetness of air.

SANTA ON THE BEACH !

Santa - who is he? He's different all around the world of course!We did some research to find out, since letters arrived from him today!

In...

Austria: Christkind ("Christ child")
Armenia: Ձմեռ Պապիկ ("Grandfather Winter")
Bulgaria: Дядо Коледа ("Grandfather Christmas")
Canada: Père Noël ("Father Christmas")
Czech Republic: Svatý Mikuláš ("Saint Nicholas
Denmark: Julemanden
Estonia: Jõuluvana
Faroe Islands: Jólamaðurin
Finland: Joulupukki
France: Père Noël ("Father Christmas,")
Germany: Weihnachtsmann ("Christmas Man)
Greece: Άγιος Βασίλης ("Saint Basil")
Hungary: Mikulás ("Nicholas")
Ireland: Santy
Italy: Babbo Natale ("Father Christmas
Latvia: Ziemassvētku vecītis ("Christmas pop")
Liechtenstein: Christkind
Lithuania: Senis Šaltis ("Old Man Frost")
Netherlands & Flanders: Kerstman
Norway: Julenissen
Poland: Święty Mikołaj ("Saint Nicholas")
Portugal: Pai Natal ("Father Christmas")
Romania: Moş Crăciun ("Father Christmas")
Russia: Дед Мороз ("Grandfather Frost")
Serbia: Дедa Мрaз("Grandfather Frost")
Spain: Reyes Magos (Biblical Magi)
Sweden: Jultomten
Switzerland: Christkind
Turkey: Noel Baba ("Father Christmas")
Ukraine: Svyatyy Mykolay
United Kingdom: Santa Claus
United States: Saint Nick
Wales: Siôn Corn
Brazil: Papai Noel ("Father Noah")
Chile: Viejito Pascuero (Christmas old man)
Mexico: Santo Clós (Santa Claus)
Colombia: Papá Noel ("Father Noah")
Asia: Santa Claus
Japan: サンタクロース (santakurosu)
Hong Kong: Santa Claus
South Africa: Sinterklaas
Egypt: Papa Noel

What do you call him?

SANDCASTLES !

The girls spent the day at the beach making sandcastles and playing scatterball, continuous cricket, T ball, beach flags, vortex (dangerous) and having a picnic.



It was a school day and this was one of their activities! How lovely to take 200 students to the beach for the day! There was even a wedding on the beach. Bet the bride didn't expect that many onlookers.. they all stood up and clapped for her!



We all caught the sun and ate far too much chocolate and collected loads of lollies.

SCRUMPTIOUS !

Jessica made a double chocolate and strawberry Celebration Cake for Sophia - you'll just have to imagine the chocolaty smell and soft, creamy taste!! CONGRATULATIONS to our Honours Girl!!

HONOURS STUDENT !

Prizegiving was today, the last day of term and winners had a ceremony in the Hall, parents were invited, bagpipes and orchestra played. Teachers were in their gowns and students received certificates or book prizes for their achievements over the year.



Of course we were invited as parents because our youngest had won THREE prizes!!



Sophia walked away with the English Prize, The Memorial Literature Prize and Honours Prize ( for being in the top twenty students,out of two hundred!!) Very proud parents in the audience!!



Here she is, getting her handshake from the Headmaster, for the third time..

MOUNT RUAPEHU !

My form have just returned from Field Centre at Mount Ruapehu and they were exhausted. There was still a good amount of snow, so I thought I'd share some of the more wintry pictures with you!



Ruapehu, is an active stratovolcano in Tongariro National Park. The last eruption was in October 2006..
It is one of the world's most active volcanoes, along with White Island, where we're going on Boxing Day!
It is also the largest active volcano in New Zealand. I decided not to accompany my form and climb the mountain.. I felt I was needed here!



It's a magnificent view though, as you approach it - you'll recognise it as Mount Doom in the 'Lord of the Rings' film - out of the family, only Jess has climbed it; Sophia's turn is next year!