Welcome to the blog of the Russley Writers’ Club. Here, we will showcase outstanding writing from our wonderful Russley Writers.
Wow! Congratulations to Elise Mackay whose writing, based on the the theme 'Kaitiakitanga', has been published in the November 2022 edition of the School Journal!
An incredible achievement to be published in the iconic journal alongside established adult writers, we are so proud of you Elise!
You can read the journal online at the link below:
Check out the latest issue of Toitoi, featuring the following Russley writers:
The iconic School Journal is the world's longest running serial publication for children, with contributions from many well known New Zealand authors such as Margaret Mahy, Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop.
Congratulations to the following students, who have had their creative writing selected for publication in the next issue of Toitoi.
 |
| Toutouwai | South Island Robin photo by Izak Koster |
Paula received hundreds of poems from students from all over Aotearoa New Zealand. She has published some of her favourite poems including those by Porou, Lachlan, Bryn, William and Elise.
You can read them on the Poetry Box blog HERE.
Paula has selected Porou to receive a book prize. Congratulations to all our poets!
The Tūī
black small feathers
ruffle against its body
short wide wings spread out ready to soar
black beak ready to feast
by Lachlan T, Year 5 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
The Kea
As cheeky as a 4-year old stealing a doughnut
the Kea is a very intelligent bird
Squawking and cawing
a trickster with flaming orange underwings
gliding across the mountaintops
hail shattering across the sky
Preening its wings with care
it can steal your lunch!
by Porou R, Year 4 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
Albatross
brave albatross flies
above the foggy dark forest
huge wings glide
through puffy clouds
yellow beak pecks
at fish like chopsticks
fast albatross dives
smelling its prey 12 miles away
by William H, age 9 Year 5, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
Fantail
brown chest beating
swaying side to side
black white feathers fan out
chirps like cracking chips
white banded face brushes on fern
By Elise M Year 5 / Age 9 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
Ruru
Yellowish-green eyes
stare into nothingness
Dark brown
Huddling in the shadow
Shark hook
Piercing your food
Yellow feet
Stuck to the tree
Dark brown
Spotted white feathers
Creamy brown breast
Stands out in the darkness
The call of more-pork
Fills the forest
Hidden in a
bush
You sleep
I wake
by Bryn D, Year 7 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School
We have been experimenting with List Poems. We each picked a category - some chose a colour, some chose 'tiny things', some chose 'fast' or 'slow' things.
We brainstormed to come up with a list of objects that fitted into that particular category. We then added some detail to each object. An adjective (describing word), a verb (action word), or perhaps a simile.
I learn so much from my wonderful writers... they never cease to amaze me with their wealth of knowledge and experience, and their unique way of looking at the world. I love the way they weave these treasures into their writing.
This week I learnt that a John Deere 9R-540 tractor has a 13.6 litre engine and that the super giant star called Rigel is 860 light years from Earth! I absolutely love the simile from Desmond, comparing lines in a school exercise book to human veins. Brilliant!
Check out some of our list poems, hanging on the wall in the Writing Club Room:
