Yaldhurst – The Manaiakalani Network Blogging

so it the end of term 1 and science of this term and I quite liked science and I hope term 2 is better than term 1! It was a good term some ups and downs but you know we are kids but we tried our best, even though we were loud that just what we do!

what is science about?

science is about learning to be careful in a lab and mix chemicals, doing experiments and making really cool things like the solar system and learning about the periodic table and cells and so much more!

what did I find the most interesting?

well that would be the experiments that we did, the one we did on the 7.4.25 was so fun, what we did was we got some water some paper and felts and did a little drawing and put some water on it and it was really cool because it made the felts blur pretty much and I hope to do it again and there are so many cool things in this room!

what did I learn the most?

well what I learnt the most was not to play with acid and bad chemicals and not to talk over the teacher there are a lot of different sciences like biochemistry and physics I love physics!

what would you like to know more about?

probably the chemicals that we will use and how to handle them!

what was my behaviour like, could I do better?

my behaviour was pretty good some ups and downs but still good and maybe I could get better at not talking to my friends a lot in class and be careful when walking with equipment and chemicals hopefully I’m better in term 2!

I have some questions for the teacher!

why did you decide to teach?

why did you become a scientist?

why did you become a chemistry teacher?

why did you want to teach at HHS?

what is your favourite thing about science?

how many experiments have you done?

how much do you like science?

goodbye!

by: Felicity in CHR HHS

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Hey yallllss today you are learning the Irish dance -_-!

Irish dancing was born from the rituals and folk dances of the celts and druids. Irish dancing was also influenced by the Norman culture when they invaded and settled in Ireland in the 12th century. It was around the 18th century that Irish dance became more formalised and it was common for a dance master to travel from town to town holding lessons for peasants.

When the Gaelic League was developed in 1893 to promote Irish Culture formal competitions, lessons, and rules for Irish dancing were developed. With the creation of the Irish Dancing Commission in 1930, the genre evolved into the style we see danced today

Irish dance is popularly known for the restriction of arm and upper body movement whilst employing quick precise footwork with steps such as cuts, overs, lifts, and sevens. Irish dance is commonly called a step dance because when you put enough of these steps together you get a ‘step dance’ or ‘sean nos’.

Two other common Irish dances are set routine and social or ceili. Based on the French Quadrille, or couples dancing in squares, Ceili dances can get quite complicated with different step patterns being danced whilst swapping sides or partners.

Irish dance is also compared to tap and ballet pointe dance. This is because Irish dancers learn to dance on their toes in fibreglass-covered hard shoes or heavies. The fibreglass helps to create that familiar tapping sound that Irish dancers make with their feet.

Irish dance is generally taught at a school that specialises only in that genre. Teaching is fairly regulated with global rules such as no pointe work for under 12’s being followed in competition and exam work. That being said step vocabulary can differ from region to region especially as the style evolves.

Here’s where the Irish dance comes from and more!

Irish dance, with roots in ancient Celtic traditions and pagan rituals, evolved over centuries, influenced by travelling dance masters and European folk dances, becoming a significant part of Irish culture and nationalist movements.

Here’s a more detailed look at the origins and evolution of Irish dance:

Ancient Roots:

The origins of Irish dance are believed to be rooted in ancient Celtic and pagan rituals, with some evidence suggesting circular dances around sacred trees performed by the Druids.

The Celts also had their own folk dances, and some scholars believe that these early forms of dance influenced the development of modern Irish dance.

One of the first documented references to dancing by Irish people is from 1413, when the Mayor of Waterford visited Baltimore, County Cork, and people gathered to put on performances, including singing and dancing.
Influence of Travelling Dance Masters:

In the 17th and 18th centuries, travelling dance masters played a crucial role in the development and spread of Irish dance.

These masters would travel throughout Ireland, teaching local people the techniques and styles of dance, contributing to the development of regional variations.

The rise of Irish traditional music also coincided with the rise of these dance masters, and the two cultural expressions became intertwined.
European Influences:

Irish dance was also influenced by European folk dances, such as the Quadrille, which was a popular square dance in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Quadrille, with its set formations and sequences, is thought to have influenced the development of Irish reels and other dance forms.
Modern Irish Dance:

The Gaelic League, founded in 1893, played a significant role in the revival and promotion of Irish culture, including Irish dance.

The Gaelic League organised formal competitions and rules for Irish dancing, which later evolved into the Irish Dancing Commission in 1930.

The establishment of these organisations helped to standardise and formalise Irish dance, leading to the development of the modern Irish dance competitions and styles we see today.
Key Features of Irish Dance:

Irish dance is characterised by its fast-paced, intricate footwork and the dancers’ upright posture with arms held stiffly at their sides.

The music that accompanies Irish dance is typically lively and upbeat, with a strong rhythmic pulse.

Irish dance is performed both solo and in groups, and it is a popular form of social, competitive, and performance art.
Irish Dance Today:

Irish dance continues to be a vibrant part of Irish culture, with numerous schools and competitions around the world.

The sport has also seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with the rise of stage shows like “River-dance” and “Lord of the Dance”.
Irish dance continues to evolve, with new styles and techniques emerging while still honouring its rich and diverse history.