Hopes were high for Aoraki in 2019 after surprisingly winning the House Shield in 2018. Newly voted in House leaders Henry Eden Mann and Annie Kennedy-Aitcheson were keen to repeat last year’s success.

The year started with peer mentoring of Year 9s and the always hilarious fashion parade using newspaper and sellotape.

Houseday went smoothly as always and the combination of organised sports, chanting, sand castles and tug of war always leaves us in good spirit at the day’s end. Taieri Mouth was a great venue.

We won the chants at Athletics Day but just did not have the running talent to overtake Omimi who continue to dominate this event.

A first in dodgeball was followed by a close agonising last minute second place in netball and commendable finishes in futsal and the cross country.

Overall it has been another solid, happy year. Students continue to thrive and be themselves within our House system.

Next year due to roll growth we welcome a new Group 3/7 made up of volunteers from existing groups and next year’s new Year 9 intake.