Social Studies: The Great Depression

In Social Studies, we learnt about the 'Great Depression' and its massive impact on the economy, such as unemployment rates, incomes, plummeted prices, and all sorts of things. I also learnt about extended information such as the war, the 'Treaty of Versailles', the impact on different countries like New Zealand, Japan, the US, Latin America, and Germany.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression erupted from late 1929 up to 1939. It was the longest-deepest and worst economic downfall in history that affected countries across the world. Overproduction, executive inaction, bank closures, bankruptcies, fall in demands, lack of credit and many more of these triggered “The Great Depression”. These events made a devastating impact on the economy, such as unemployment, homelessness, debt, bankruptcies, suicides, poverty, hunger, job loss, evictions, wage cuts, and dejection. These led to the despair of local communities, businesses, and people. The United States and Europe were particularly affected the most during this crisis, mild hit in Japan and Latin America. The country that suffered more damage was Germany during the Great Depression; due to its major factor, which was the “Treaty of Versailles”.

The "Treaty of Versailles" was signed by several major countries in 1919. The countries before-mentioned were France, Germany, Britain, Austria-Hungary, Japan and the USA. The purpose of the treaty was to achieve peace between nations. Although Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, they did not participate because of indignancy; They did not believe they started the war. Germany had no choice but to sign the treaty and accept the guilt for commencing the war. People claimed that the treaty “had stabbed Germany in the back” by ending the war. The terms and conditions of the treaty were unfair on Germany's side as they are very damaging to the country and its economy. The terms included a reduction of German troops, territories stolen, and many more.

Hitler’s dominion, along with his Nazi movement national party, and the stock market crash on Wall Street, New York stocks began to fall rapidly; shares of prices plummeted, which led to further “panic-selling” (A situation where people begins to sell their company stock in fear of its value declination), consequently, American investors withdraw their loans to Germany. Germany’s debt was amounted to around an estimation of 29 billion dollars. By 1932, 24% of the German workforce were unemployed during the Great Depression. The percentage of unemployed Americans are about the same numbers as the Germans.

From 1930 to 1933, New Zealand agricultural export prices began to plummet by 45%. New Zealand suffered from a short yet deep depression. When the prices changed, demands for goods and services fell. Approximately, 12% of unemployment fell in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Within two years, export prices in New Zealand fell by 45% and the national income dropped by 40% in three years. These disheartening circumstances were truly unbearable.

Resources:

https://www.britannica.com/story/causes-of-the-great-depression

https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/great-depression-history

https://alphahistory.com/weimarrepublic/great-depression/

http://www.american-historama.org/1929-1945-depression-ww2-era/causes-of-great-depression.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression

https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/The-end-of-the-republic

https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Great_Depression

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zsrwjxs/revision/4

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+panic+selling&rlz=1CAUHAI_enNZ782NZ783&oq=what+is+panic+selling&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59j0i271j69i60j69i65j69i60j69i61l2.2214j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/greatwar/g5/cs2/background.htm

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/the-new-zealand-legion/origins

https://spartacus-educational.com/GERunemployment.htm

https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/history-economic/page-7

Music: The Meaning of Music

 Have you studied music before? or have performed? 

I've studied music before back in year 8, as well as performed. I learnt about different bands and researched them. My class explored a lot of music genres such as pop, rock, rhythm and blues, etc. I learnt that music makes a big impact on someone's life. Music brings people together, builds relationships, and it can express one's feelings and emotions.

What type of music do you listen to? 

I listen to a lot of genres depending on my mood, mostly, I listen to pop. Most of the time, I listen to RnB, I also listen to some rock. 

Name 3 bands/singers your like and why?

I have a lot of singers and bands that I really like. But if I were to pick my top 3, it would be...

1. Rex Orange County

2. Apo Hiking Society

3. The 1975

What would you like to learn in music this term? 

This term in music, I would love to learn and explore more about different genres of music. I also want to learn the story behind the music. What I really want to learn is using instruments and performing using them.

Why did you choose music?

I chose music because I want to improve my knowledge of music, I want to learn more about it because I find it intriguing and interesting. The reason why I chose music was because I want to improve my vocals. I also like to sing when I have free time, when I'm bored, while I'm doing the dishes, while I'm in the shower and while doing the laundry. Music has been a big part of my life because growing up, my mum would play music on the radio and we would sing together. 

Social Studies: Reducing Trash in Our Ocean

The ocean covers about 71% of the planet and it is the home to species and ecosystems, the majority of those species and sea plants we consume as food. Others, such as shells and sandstones, we use for decorations, jewellery, etc. 

Saving the ocean means we are giving back to our natural environment. It can be an overwhelming task to do but when we reduce trash from the ocean, we reduce the risk of species in the state of extinction, habitat loss, ocean acidification and many more. In order to protect the ocean, we need to reduce food waste, reduce trash and establish limitations to fisheries, etc. 

 What families can do to reduce everyday people from trashing the ocean? 

• Ways we can reduce trash from the ocean:
• Demand plastic-free alternatives
• Reduce carbon footprint
• Avoid ocean-harming products
• Eat sustainable seafood
• Vote on ocean issues
• Make sure to put rubbish in the right bin
• Pink up rubbish when you see one
• (4R) Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and Repair
• Participate in water conservation such as rubbish clean-ups
• Spread awareness 
• Bring your own shopping bag
• Use reusable containers
• Don’t use items that exploit the marine life
• Travel ocean responsibly
• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste

What can you do in your own home to reduce the rubbish?

• Put rubbish in the right place
• Use reusable items
• Store leftovers 
• Upcycle glass containers
  

In Social Studies, we had to create a drawing, illustrating our sub-topic which was "Reducing Trash in Our Ocean". We needed to include the answers to questions which was assigned to us to answer and do research about. In addition, I added a few explanations about why we should protect our ocean; What it means to protect our ocean and how we can help reduce rubbish in the ocean. 

This is the drawing I created as well as the list of the ways we can protect the ocean. 

Unfortunately, the words cannot be read clearly as they are a bit small but I added them around the first part of my blog, they are written in bullet points. 

My drawing has an explanation written in an informative and clear way, it's straight to the point and understandable. My drawing illustrated the issues of our ocean well, I drew images that are related to ocean pollution and bycatch, this includes a rusted can, bag of chips, rotten apple, a turtle stuck in a net, plastic and more see plastic. 

Science : Forces & Motion - Speeding Past School

Speeding Past School Experiment 

Instructions: As a group, decide how you are doing to carry out this investigation. Then present your idea to your teacher. Once your teacher has approved your method, carry out your investigation. You will need to write up your report so it is able to be presented to the principal. 

Aim: Investigate if people speed past the school or if people drive more than 50 kilometres per hour. 

Method: 

1. Measure the distance of Power Pole to Power Pole = 50 m

2. Time how long it takes a car to travel this distance.

3. Collect 10 times.

4. Calculate speed in m/s and then covert it to km/hr.

5 Are there any speeders?

Roles: 

- "Flag" is the person that indicates when the car passes their pole.

- "Timer" is the person starts when the car stops and when the car passes their pole.

- "Writer" is the person who is writing down the time.

Result:

Speed: 

Car 1 - Time(s): 4.69 m s-1: 10.6 km/hr-1: 38.16

Car 2 - Time(s): 3.59 m s-1: 13.9 km/hr-1: 50.04

Car 3 - Time(s): 4.50 m s-1: 11.1 km/hr-1: 39.9

Car 4 - Time(s): 4.40 m s-1: 11.3 km/hr-1: 40.18

Car 5 - Time(s): 5.40 m s-1: 9.25 km/hr-1: 33.3

Car 6 - Time(s): 4.13 m s-1: 12.10 km/hr-1: 43.2

Car 7 - Time(s): 6.07 m s-1: 8.21 km/hr-1: 29.5

Car 8 - Time(s): 3.17 m s-1: 13.2 km/hr-1: 47.5

Car 9 - Time(s): 3.43 m s-1: 14.5 km/hr-1: 52.2

Car 10 - Time(s): 5.02 m s-1: 9.96 km/hr-1: 35.8

Time: Average - 4.504

m s-1: Average - 11.402

km/hr-1: Average - 46.01

Conclusion: The result are all different, some are in the line of 30 up to 50, some of those cars do go past the speed limit of 50 km/hr but only for a few seconds. My own hypothesis for the time was going to be around 4 seconds because a few of the results are around 4 seconds or more, the result of the average time was close to my hypothesis. Though, I did not expect that the average speed was 11, I thought it would be more than 11, like maybe 12 or 13. For the average speed per hour, It was a bit difficult for me to make hypothesis because the numbers are far apart from each other but I guess 46 km/hr is fair. 

Salo - Salo Night

Last night was the night where "Salu-Salo" was celebrated. There were varieties of performance and entertainment involved. 

The performers presented a show about the history of the Philippines and the colonization of Spain. There were also games to entertain the audience, the hosts asked a few questions about the history of the Philippines such as what does "KKK" stands for, the full name of a famous author in the Philippines, "Jose Rizal", and more. 

There was also a performance about "Tinikling", a dance where bamboos are used. The performers were amazing, it was a breath-taking sight. There was also a fashion show where traditional Filipino clothing was presented. I was actually pretty amused at how many clothings we had in the Philippines, I didn't even know half of the traditional clothing, I learnt a few things about my own culture. 

The food was exceptional, as expected, haha. Everyone was having fun and enjoying their night. 

Business Studies: Two New Zealand Entrepreneurs

 Karen Walker

Karen Walker was born on the 4th of December 1969. She grew up in the Auckland suburb of Remuera. Walker attended Epsom Girls' Grammar School to pursue a career of becoming a fashion designer. After graduating in 1995, she launched her first two boutiques, with only a hundred bucks. 

Karen Walker is a New Zealand fashion designer. She began her fashion label back in 1987 and opened her first store in Newmarket, Auckland. As time went on, her business grew, Walker started selling off her clothes in Barneys, New York, in 1988. It was the same year where she presented her first runway collection.  

Walker’s sales soared when Madonna, an American singer-songwriter and actress, also referred to as the “Queen of Pop”, wore one of Karen Walker’s designed clothes. When Walker’s sales soared, she became well-known. Walker has designed clothes worn by famous actresses, actors, singers and more. Artists such as Bjork, Sienna Millar, Natalie Portman, M.I.A, Alexa Chung, Beth Ditto, Michael Haneke, Liv Tyler, Rihanna, Claire Daines, Zooey Deschanel and Jennifer Lopez. 

In the 2000s, Walker became the first New Zealander to have a solo show at New York fashion week. Karen Walker was also appointed as the “Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit”, for her services and contribution in the fashion industry during the, "2004 New Year Honours." In 2007, Karen Walker received the prize of, “Prix de Marie Claire” for best creative talent. Later on, in 2009, she was awarded the “World Class New Zealand Awards”. Ten years later, she was promoted to “Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit,” for her excellent services in fashion designs. 

In my opinion, Karen Walker is a hard-worker designer. For instance, in her interview for the online magazine called Fashion NZ, a reporter asked how she dealt with failures and the challenges she faced during the process. Karen Walker stated, “Well, it’s not easy to build a brand or a successful business, especially over three decades. Not everyone succeeds in this way, and we’re very aware of this. Over 30 years, we’ve faced thousands of challenges and continue to. When there are failures, it’s best to embrace them, and learn from them.

The fashion business is based upon the premise of constant change and, whilst this is, in part, our reason for being, it’s also one of the major challenges. We have to be constantly living in the future and pre-empting and managing changes that are out of our control.” She could’ve given up during her 30 years of service in the fashion industry, on top of that, she had a lot of competitors who could be more creative than her, but she didn’t. In my point of view, she was ambitious, she strived to do more, to be better, to be more successful, and to prove to everyone that she is not just any entrepreneur. 

Resources: 

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Walker_(designer) 
• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/seven-world-class-kiwi-entrepreneurs/UR5VWAG6NAXQXNMTTKJK3LMLXY/
• https://www.famousfashiondesigners.org/karen-walker
• https://fashionz.co.nz/karen-walker-on-30-years-of-her-eponymous-brand/ 
• https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/12-02-2020/karen-walker-on-why-she-closed-the-department-store-after-10-years/
• https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/my-heels-are-killing-me/story/2018651799/karen-walker-the-gate-keepers-have-gone

Ray Avery

Sir Raymond John Avery is a successful New Zealand scientist, entrepreneur, inventor and author. He was born in Kent, England and grew up without having parents. He’s spent most of his childhood in orphanages to foster homes. At the age of 14, Avery used to get in trouble with the police, he slept in the streets of London, eventually, he found sanctuary in the library. Avery spent most of his time reading books, he discovered fascinating things, from there, he developed an interest in science, furthermore, he was able to educate himself. 

A teacher in London who found Avery encouraged him to attend an agricultural college. From there, Avery studied at Wye College and graduated with a degree in science. He eventually became a scientist, where he began to conduct his experiments. 

1973, Avery settled in New Zealand, where he became a citizen, from there, he continued his experiments in Auckland. Consequently, Avery took a role as technical director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals. Years later, Avery moved to Fred Hollows, where he concentrated on issues such as treating blindness. 

Motivated, Sir Avery worked blood, sweat, and tears. Because of Avery’s perseverance, he’s gained, multiple supporters. He was able to publish his first book of autobiography about his life in 2010, called “Rebel with a Cause”, where he wrote his story about living in an orphanage, following his dream and making his dream into reality. 

Sir Avery said in an interview that surviving his childhood was the hardest thing he’s ever done. From childhood, Avery suffered from mistreatment of others and abuse. He’s also had difficulties such as dyslexia and hearing problems which made his life more difficult than it ever was. 

I strongly believe that Sir Raymond Avery is a strong man. I can’t imagine myself without a mum and a dad, furthermore, a family, and Sir Avery must’ve been longing for the love from his parents, yet never received it. I don’t know Sir Raymond, I’ve just discovered him from my research of New Zealand entrepreneurs, I feel pity for him, I pretended I was in his shoes during his childhood. It was sad and lonely, walking in the streets of London, starving, crying, resentful. Sir Avery had nothing but only dreams, but he was brave, he had a strong spirit. He was able to educate himself, he wanted to learn and be out of misery, because of this, he became the successful man he is now.

Resources:  

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Avery_(scientist)
• https://www.newsroom.co.nz/who-is-sir-ray-avery#:~:text=From%20an%20orphanage%20in%20England,mistreatment%20and%20%E2%80%9Csystematic%20abuse%E2%80%9D.
• https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/kerre-mcivor-mornings/audio/ray-avery-more-creativity-needs-to-be-put-into-curriculums/
• https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/11-09-2018/why-is-sir-ray-avery-is-trying-to-take-down-the-news/

Social Studies: Who is Greenpeace?

Who is Greenpeace? Greenpeace is an independent international organisation campaign that uses non-violent action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promotes solutions to the environmental issues that is essential to make our future better. Their vision is to improve a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet. 

What have they done to make positive change? Greenpeace makes positive changes in the world because of its hard work on investigating environmental crises, documents, and data. Their investigation provides a search and evidence and their perpetrators in order to give out information to people and enable their campaigns. Greenpeace encourages and persuades those who are in power to help make a change, to provide support such as financial support and manpower. Greenpeace reaches out to people such as business leaders and politicians to make these demands come true and make positive actions so that they can improve the environment and enhance the lives of the people. They engage local communities who can help out to make changes to the planet. Greenpeace exposes to the world the causes of environmental destruction and what the outcome would be if it is continued for a long time. 

What are they doing now to help protect our oceans? Greenpeace addresses serious threats to our oceans, from climate change to pollution, to mining, to overfishing. Greenpeace is taking action with its new rescue plan by creating a global network of ocean sanctuaries, (A general type of marine area where a limit from human activities is placed). 

Resources: 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greenpeace

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/greenpeace

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/about-greenpeace/

https://www.greenpeace.org/international/act/protect-the-oceans/