One hundred and twelve children, 22 parent helpers and four teachers from Team 7/8 headed off to Porters for our annual ski trip. It was great fun - Please enjoy some of our photos and writing about the day!

Snowflakes falling, landing on my tongue. The sun burning down on the white landscape. The wind blowing through my face. The sounds of laughter as people tumbled down the intermediate slope. Smelling the caffeine from the cafe and the warm and exciting feeling inside. Kids full of energy all around. This was the feelings of the kids and grownups on our ski trip to Porters.

Falling down was my first step, as I have not been skiing for a long time. As I slowly remembered the skills, I began to improve. My parents and peers decided we were ready to go up on the chair lifts. My friends held my hand. Going up the chair lift laughing, we see the steep mountain around us full of advanced skiers, and that is when the nerves kicked in.

As soon as we started, Dasha zoomed off but I went slowly with caution. As I got closer to the end I got the hang of it and zoomed off the next time. At 11:30am we hurried over to the blue flags - I was super excited because we were starting our lessons. First we went on the intermediate slope and practised our turning skills. I felt really good because the cold wind was blowing in my face. By the end of our fourth time down the intermediate slope we all decided to go on the chair lifts as a group. This made me a little nervous because I wasn't too good at it, but I keeped it inside and got through slowly.

Skiing is a fun experience with your family and friends so I really enjoyed skiing down beside my best friend. What fun we all had, even the teachers.
By Katya K

I got up at 5.30 in the morning to get ready for the ski trip. My mum was awake, and my dad was also getting ready because he was coming as a parent help. My sister was still asleep. I got dressed slowly because I had a lot of layers to put on. I went and had some breakfast and dad had his too. Then I said bye to my mum and got our bags and put them in the car. We drove to school and met in the hall. I found my friends, and we waited around before finally getting onto the buses. We were off! My dad went in his car with some other parents. We drove through the mountains and drove up the snowy hill to Porters. After over an hour we got off the bus and got into our ski groups. I was with all my friends except Mehual :(. Our tutor was Charlie. He took us to the beginners slope which was really gentle. The ski boots were so hard to walk in and were extremely uncomfortable. But we all got our skis on and did some skiing or snowboarding. The magic carpet was really fun and after our lesson we had free time. We did snowball fights, caving and more skiing. After that we all went home on the bus.
By Ben M

I first arrived at the hall at 6:30ish, and from there we loaded into the buses. It took about an hour and a half to get to Porters; my bus was the last one to arrive. The mountains around were covered in a thick layer of snow, thankfully it was sunny and there were no clouds in sight. The person there gave us each a small blue tag that held our number, and the name of the person that would lead our first lesson. I was number 25, so I trod into a small building and walked up to the people handing out ski and snowboarding boots. Telling them my number, I was handed a pair of ski boots. I took a couple of minutes trying to get them on but eventually managed it. I then headed towards the exit to get a helmet, once finding one that fit me I headed out.

As I exited I was given a neon yellow band that said “Avonhead” it was strapped along my arm although I ended up losing it later. I then waited for my skis and the rest of my group. Once everyone was ready we headed to the beginners slope for our first lesson. We learnt how to stop properly and how to turn. At the end of the slope there was a conveyor belt that took you back up to the top. Once we had finished our lessons we got free time, then was morning tea. I ate then once I was full I headed back to the slope.

After a bit of playing around it was time for lunch. Wiping off the water that had gathered onto the wooden seats I sat down. I ate outside of the cafeteria as there were about six long wooden tables for everyone to eat on. After eating, I went skiing again. Although I finished skiing about half an hour earlier as my feet were getting tired and sore. Everyone once again loaded onto the buses and we were heading back. We then finally arrived back at Avonhead at 5.30ish, we loaded off the buses where everyone’s parents were waiting to pick and drive us home.
By Evangeline E

On Thursday, the fourth day of Term 3 our team went on a ski trip. At 5.30am, I had to wake up. I was feeling so tired, my bed was warm. I was warm but that was soon going to change. I hopped out of bed, chucked my ski clothes on then drove to school. We waited patiently in the hall. I talked to my friends before we got instructions. Shortly we hopped into the bus and we were off. We couldn't see anything. It was pitch black! The bus ride was very long but it had an amazing view of all the countryside. Finally we arrived at Porter Heights. There were snowy mountains surrounding the area, moving chair lifts and snowboarders and skiers dotted the white powder. I hopped out of the bus, collected my skis then went over to Paula for my lesson. I felt the crisp air hit my face as I slid down the beginner slope. I laughed with my friends as we raced down the hill.

About an hour later our lesson finished and we were free to do whatever we wanted, so I went towards the big intermediate slope. So steep and very scary, nerves filled inside but I was going to do it! I skied towards the poma and got the thumbs up. Up,up I went till I finally let go of the poma and slid down the hill. Lots of twists and turns were made as I zoomed down the mountain. Over and over again I skied down until we had to finish up and go.

Sadly it was time to leave. I put my ski boots and gear away at the hut and said thanks to Paula, then hopped on the bus. I said my last goodbyes to Porter Heights as we drove down the steep snowy roads. It was a pretty long drive back to school, the sun was setting on us and kids drifted off to sleep. After about an hour and a half we made it back to Avonhead school. I met with my dad and headed home, it was a brilliant day.
By Isabel B