Over the first weekend of the holidays the Sweeping Beauties curling team travelled up to Auckland for the National Secondary Schools' Curling Championships.

With only five girls teams, three of them from Auckland, the competition was bound to be tight. Challenging ice conditions, demanding game times and tough competition meant positivity, perseverance and hard work really were the keys to success. A draw shot by fellow team member Mhairi-Bronte Duncan qualified us for the final by only 0.3 of a millimetre. We had a worthy opponent of Epson Girls' Grammar School, who previously won against us in the Round Robin. But in the end, after a good game and all in the spirit of curling, Otago Girls' High School were once again National champions with a final score of 9:6.

Thanks to Mrs Hokianga for being so supportive and giving up her time to help us achieve our goal.