Monthly Archives: October 2020

“Anton’s Microscopes” by Celia Berrell

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Anton’s Microscopes  

Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723)

A Dutchman named Anton

was someone you’d count on

to tell you precisely

the things he could see.

A microscope maker

and shopkeeping draper

discovering life that’s

as small as can be.

He magnified beasts that

he scraped from his teeth

and watched as they swam

like some creatures in seas.

Learning there’s animals

formed from just single-cells.

Seeing that even a

flea can have fleas!

Finding bacteria

in our interior.

Sending this news

across the sea.

Anton astounded us.

What he had found in us

started the science

mi-cros-co-py.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

What is Wind? By Charlize Fairbairn ( Year 7 )

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What is Wind?

Wind-

It can be a summer breeze,

Or blow up pollen that makes me sneeze.

In the Winter it’s a gale,

That brings lots of rain and sometimes hail.

Wind-

It can be a dangerous thing,

It can even cry out and sing!

I can knock over trees and destroy powerlines,

Even chime in with the birds at times.

Wind-

Seems to go on forever,

When will it end, I say never!

Sometimes it’s only just a draught,

But nevertheless, still there, and will always last.

Written by Charlize Fairbairn, 12, year 7

“Hey dude, look at my hair!” by James Aitchison

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Hey dude, look at my hair!

How’s that for hair

Pointing up in the air?

It feels real svelte

Out here on the veldt!

I look so cool

Hyenas drool.

While zebras stare

At my rocker hair.

No silly old lion

Has hair like mine!

Don’t I look starry

When I’m on safari?

Africa gapes

At my hairy shapes,

They look so high-tech,

Who needs a long neck?

“Tufty Giraffe“ by Celia Berrell

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Tufty Giraffe  

Giraffe, giraffe,

a cow and calf.

Both have horns

called occicones

with tips 

of hairy follicles.

This photograph

has baby calf

with horn-tufts

that have grown so long,

it looks as though

his hair’s gone wrong!

But male giraffes

use fighting crafts

where heads and horns

get bashed and worn.

Long hairs get snapped,

rubbed-off, impinged,

removing all that

flaunty fringe.

Read more giraffe facts here:

https://www.animalfactsencyclopedia.com/Giraffe-fight.html#:~:text=Even%20aggression%20between%20adult%20bulls,eachother%20while%20drinking%20or%20napping.

And watch two male giraffes fighting here:

“Rebellion – Punk Revival “– By Louise McCarthy

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It’s just a phase, 

An episode,

A rebellious turn,

Part of the road.

It’s just a stage,

The youths are idle,

Unexpected – 

You’ve lost the bridle,

Then you screech

“If I’ve told you once…” 

The same old speech…

Like talking to the fence.

Suspended talk, mid litany – 

You take a long, deep breath.

Then comes this weird epiphany,

And you storm off down the street!

Five hours later you reappear,

The family’s really missed you.

“We’re starving…” Yes – they make it clear,

Unplugging from their gadgets.

They tear away from cyberspace,

Reality’s for ancients.

But then they see you sitting there,

All calm – relaxed and quiet.

“Mum! What’s happened to your hair?

It really looks a riot!”

You deal a punk rock “I’m so cool” stare,

More striking than your monologue.

A flashback to those teenage years – 

Rebellion seems a distant fog.

“Now listen…” And there’s not a sound,

Then the stylus hits the vinyl…

The record spins around and round,

Rebellion – punk revival.

 

“Giraffe Challenge” by Monty Edwards

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Can you draw a tall giraffe,

Followed closely by her calf?

Make this mother twice as tall

As the calf, who’ll still be small.

Please be sure their necks are long:

No-one likes to get that wrong!

Give them spindly legs: quite thin,

Next put markings on their skin.

Make the ground beneath them flat;

Add some grass to go with that.

Not too lush though – rather sparse:

Let the earth show through the grass.

Each giraffe should face a tree

Where the leaves they eat will be.

Can they reach those leaves to eat?

Then your picture is complete!

“Birds Eye View” by Toni Newell

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Birds Eye View

Sitting on a branch up high,

In the Serengeti plain,

I spot a giraffe and her calf,

Crossing the dry terrain.

As a bird of prey,

They’re of little interest to me,

However, the calf looks hilarious,

He’s as funny as funny can be.

Galloping with an earnest face,

Long hair straight in the air,

I haven’t ever seen that before,

So, I thought I just might share.

 

“Choosing Shoes” by Pat Simmons

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Choosing Shoes

 

Gum boots when it’s raining

Sports shoes when I’m training

Sparkly shoes for dancing

Riding boots for prancing

Sandals for a summer’s day

High heeled shoes for dress up play

Then sadly comes that time of year

When Mum says, ‘Let’s go shopping dear.

Your feet keep growing, time to choose

A nice new pair of (yuk!) School Shoes.’