Term 3 is only four weeks in yet we have been super busy in the Kererū class.

Lots happening!

Year 7 and 8 Hanmer Camp

❄ It was touch and go whether we were going to make it but so glad we did. Described by most of the students as “the best camp ever” we braved the cold to enjoy a magical time in the snow at Hanmer. Here are a few highlights of just some of the things we got up to.

From the Top of the Tree by Tessa Vilain

I looked down. I called to my team, “can you pull the rope a little more please?” Each step got me higher and higher as the rope pulled tighter and tighter. I felt the adrenaline flow in my shaking body. I wasn’t scared but excited. The feeling of being so high and only being attached to a rope. When I finally got to the last step I pushed myself up and the relief in my muscles as I touched the horn felt great.

When I finally got down from the tree and felt the soft snow, I knew I was ready for the next level. A few minutes later I was back up the ladder attached to the rope once again. I was gripping onto the bark as hard as I could. My hands were freezing in the thin loose climbing gloves the instructor lent me. My trembling legs tired as I took big steps to go from block to block and branch to branch.

Until I was at the top, I didn't realise how hungry I was. So when I got down and learned that we were having hot tomato soup for lunch, I definitely felt my stomach grumble. What an epic tree climbing session!

Red Hot by Izzie McDonald

It’s our turn, emotions crasher over me like murderous waves. Wannabe boomed out and without any consent, my feet and hands started to dance. My face burned like the surface of the sun and I was sure that I could melt the snow outside. The two pigtails plonked on my head spiralling round and round. Pink covered me from head to toe and made me look and feel as if I was a flamingo.

Everyone laughed and steered. What was I doing? I knew right from the moment I walked on stage this is the part of camp I will always remember. Out of all the camp games this one had to be the most embarrassing. But mostly I surprised myself. I surprised myself like a turtle that learnt to fly. I was proud though because this turtle flew way out of her comfort zone.

The Conical Thrill by Innes Flyger

I stared at the raft, plunged into the icy grasp of water and climbed aboard. Goosebumps shooting into my arms like pins in a dart board. As the light turned green I closed my eyes and “woo hoo!” I screamed but as the yellow tunnel approached my attitude changed.

This time I screamed in fear not joy. As I approached the final jump I thought about what will happen if I die. But the second I started levitating, I forgot all about it as if I had amnesia. I started screaming in a mix of joy and fear and as we finally hit the ground I felt an adrenaline rush as tall as a skyscraper. When the water jets hit me and the slide stopped I got out as quick as a flash and did it again. But that is a story for another time.