This year marks the 10th time we have been able to provide our students with the opportunity to participate in the Amazing Race Mathematic trip to Wellington. This trip allows the students to develop their key competencies and consolidate the Mathematics they have been learning in class, not only this year but also the knowledge and skills they brought through from their previous primary school.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to the senior students who came on the trip, some for their second and third times. Without you, this trip would not be the massive success that it is. Massie Harvey, Tabitha Anderson, Mallory Olsen, Connor Thwaites, Dante Taylor and Jene Tait. You are a credit to yourselves, your family and our school.

These students were exemplary and fantastic role models for our juniors. Likewise, I would also like to thank Mr O’Sullivan who again organised and ran challenging and fun activities for the three days. Every year Mr O’Sullivan comes up with new activities to put our students, both juniors and seniors, outside their comfort zones. To Kylie and Mrs Belk, thank you both for the contributions you make on this trip. And lastly, thank you to parents for entrusting us with your children for three days.

I know our students appreciate the opportunities this trip provides them and I have included some of their reflections from the trip.

“My favourite activity was the buses because it was fun to get on and get off them. It was funny because we ended up with the same bus drivers and they were looking at us like what are you doing and we were laughing all the way, that is my favourite activity.” Amy Parfitt

“I think this trip helped to build teamwork/problem solving amongst the activity groups and let us use math skills in a more practical way/in the real world. It also taught/let us practice useful skills we might not have known before such as understanding directions, reading maps and using public transport.” Hana-Rose Reilly

“My favourite activity was the orienteering because once we had finished at Te Papa I then went and saw some history of World War 1 and the types of things that happened during that time. I also liked the free time at the camp to do many things around the area. A skill I developed was to communicate and use other people's skills over only mine.” Troy Rolfe

“My favourite activity was taking the busses through Wellington because we had to think not just where the busses were but where they would take us as well. And it required a lot of thinking. And also we had a lot more freedom than other tasks like we could buy things along the way if we wanted.

I think the best opportunity to develop relating to others is when we had to get all of the “radioactive” items into the bucket because it required a lot of talking and not just keeping to yourself.” Finn Pickworth

“My favourite activity was the one where we had to draw our path of the weed spraying because it was simple, it didn’t take us too long and we got it done fairly quickly. I 100% reckon you should still offer this in the future because it was an amazing experience I wish we could do it again. We could’ve stayed longer though. Like maybe a week instead of three days. To get a good taste of Wellington. Especially if some students have not been to Wellington before. Indianna Bambery

“My favourite activity was the bus battle. The bus battle was fun because it required us to think about strangers and how we fit into the system. Also figuring out how the buses run. And having to ask for directions.”

Niamh Hicks

“My favourite activity on the maths trip was catching 5 busses for a minimum of 5 minutes because it taught me how to use public transport. I found myself stuck in quite a few activities but in the end, my team helped me through it. This trip teaches you that math isn't what you really think it is.” Keara Cutter

“I think the orienteering was my favourite part because I learnt how to use a map and it took me out of my comfort zone. The five busses under five minutes were the fun part because it was cool to learn about public transport and talking to strangers, it was a really cool experience.” Jada Betty

“My favourite activity was when we had to take 5 buses and use them for only 5 minutes and get to the cable cars and go to the Botanical garden. This was my favourite activity because we got to go around lots of parts in the city and see different things. We also got to see how busy and quick transport was. The best opportunity to develop a skill/thinking skill was the Friday morning activity when the teams had to get all of the things in the bucket. This was the best opportunity for our team to work on our thinking skills and figure out how to get them in the bucket while under constant pressure from other teams.” Anthony Jennings-Penman

“The bus activity was my favourite activity of the maths trip. It was my favourite activity because of all of the opportunities we had to learn life skills. Another reason why I liked this activity was because it was the first activity we could roam freely around Wellington.” Renata Lloyd

“The reason why 9FH should continue to do the maths trip is because my experience was life-changing. I did stuff that I never had done before like going on a ferry and gaining life skills which I would never have learned in a classroom.” Andrew Fredrickson

“The trip improves students overall compatibility with group activities and social activities outside of school. It gives them a chance to show their learning throughout the year and rewards their hard work! Lastly, it lets the students know just how hard Ms Frith works throughout the year to prepare us for the activities on the trip! “ Taishan Larsen

“My favourite activity was the bus activity because it was a simple activity but was quite challenging/thrilling because we didn’t know which buses we should have been catching and we didn’t know if some groups were ahead or behind us. I also probably looked quite stupid on the buses holding the mathscot. This activity required thinking because we had to plan/have an idea of where we were going and had to find out which bus was the best to take. I also think that most/all of the activities required participation and contribution which would turn out to be great teamwork.” Enya Thwaites

“ I thought the game on Friday was really hard and fun, it was a good game because we all were so frustrated but when we were calm we got the objects in the bucket. Our group worked well because we didn’t give up and we kept on trying. A situation that was challenging for me was having to run long distances and run up steep hills, but when I was running I didn’t give up i just took my time and made sure I was doing my best. “ Jorja Anderson

“My favourite activity was the orienteering down Mt Victoria to find all the lettering that was around the area. Best opportunity to develop a skill was when we had to navigate through the area of Mt Victoria.” Lenard Frampton

“My favourite activity was going around Mt Victoria to find all the lettering that was on the mountain. The activity that improved my teamwork was the activity on Friday when we had to put all the items in the bucket.” Rickie Hoitinga

“My favourite Activity In the Maths Trip was when we were orienteering on Mt. Victoria. I liked this activity because we learnt skills of finding the most efficient route to our destination whilst finding all the markers. I also liked how we were able to walk through nature and have fun. “ Cameron Purches.

Lisa Frith

9FH Homeroom Teacher