Year 7 News March 2017 

The 9 Year 7 classes all had a fantastic time at school camp!   The rationale behind going to camp so early in a school year is for the classes to develop a connection and the concept of a class community to develop also. All the activities we undertake at camp Waihola are chosen for this purpose - to challenge our learners, to develop the skills of perseverance and resilience and of course to strengthen and develop communication skills and friendships.

The classes enjoyed the 15km hike from Taieri Mouth to John Bull Gully and return, this tramp is the perfect amount of difficulty and challenge while still being enjoyable. The other rotations the children experienced were zooming on the flying fox through the giant trees, archery and rifle shooting, conquering the confidence course and working together as a team during the initiative course, erecting tents, building rafts at the lake, and usually a favourite - cooking pancakes on the individual camp cookers!  Some classes were even lucky enough to have a giant waterslide and mud fights.  This is an activity that we will be looking into establishing permanently into our camp rotations. 

As always, these wonderful EOTC experiences cannot happen without the support of our parent and whanau community - we thank you all for your support and help on the Waihola camp.

As you know, the Winter sports season is approaching. It is so pleasing to see so many Year 7 pupils sign up for and trial for a Winter sports team.  This is just another way for our students to demonstrate the school values and to focus on  the Super Six - aiming high, being organised and working collaboratively ! Well done to all of our Y7 team who have  signed up to play! 

As always, please don't hesitate to get in touch with your child's class teacher or myself if we can be of any help.

Beth Downie and the Year 7 team.