Year 7 and 8 students recently had the pleasure of a day of learning outside the classroom. The Year 8 students attended the Athenree House Homestead where they were met by Hugh and Adela Steward reliving the year 1879. Hugh and Adela showed us around their palatial home which was kitted out with many relics from the early settlers days. They were on the hunt for a new maid and farm hand so had students shovelling manure and polishing silver. After the tour we spent an hour or so enjoying the beautiful gardens whilst playing 'old fashioned games'.

We also got to experience the Martha Goldmine Experience where students dressed up in hard hats and high visibility vests whilst being taken through an interactive exploration of the mines. Each student panned for gold, hunted for precious metal deposits and solved problems to unlock the treasure. The whole experience was fascinating, engaging and very fun. Phil Salmon, our educator, told great stories from Waihi's past.

A massive thanks to all of our parents who gave up their time to transport and supervise students. It was a fantastic day.