Term 4 began with a warm and calm weekend at Peel Forest, South Canterbury where Ms Jermy, Mr Hammond, Mr Harlow, Ms Gordon and Mrs Stoop encouraged 23 students working towards their Bronze awards, to lace up their boots and get tramping.

The weekend was a great success as two groups managed to get to the summit of Little Mount Peel – a first for this regular Bronze Adventurous Activity. Well done Luke Brennan, Owen Tsai, Toby Buckner, Campbell Madsen, Will Semple, Anuusha Raazesh, Aislinn Rogers and Leah Albrow, all Year 10 students. The climb was also completed by Mr Hammond and Mr Mark Gordon and young son Nick, who fairly scampered up the hill!! The other two groups found access to the Rangitata river, a great place to cool down after numerous walks through the bush. Total submersions and mud packs provided a bit of variety. Zemirah Koiki, Grace Louie, Sua Oh, Hope Louie, Monica Kim and Joy Louie, all Year 12, demonstrated their awesome outdoor cooking skills. Water was essential after the spices Zemirah added to their dishes. Andrea Cochrane, Elisha Day, Georgina Fee, Jordyn Hasselberg, Muskaan Lal, Sian O’Connell, Meg Rennie and Lily Renwick made up the other two groups of students. Well done to everyone – awesome food, awesome team work, awesome tramping !

This year, two students completed their Gold awards. We were able to present these students with their awards at the senior school prize giving. It is the highest youth award available in New Zealand and the culmination of four year’s effort. Sophie Madsen, last year’s head girl, had her formal certificate presented by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy a few weeks ago. Bonnie Maxwell, Year 13, will be attending a special ceremony at Government House, Wellington, to receive hers. These students have learned new skills, been active through sport, given service to school and the community, and taken part in a five day residential programme with people other than their peers. Perhaps the greatest challenge has been the adventurous activity, involving a tramp over four days and three nights. As part of a Gold adventurous activity group, Sophie and Bonnie tramped from Windy Point Shelter on SH7, through the Southern Alps via the Hope River, Lake Sumner, Harper Pass and Taramakau Valley to finish at Aitkens on the road to Arthurs Pass. An awesome tramp full of memories …….. sandflies, burnt custard, walking passed huts with bunks …… to pitch tents on the grass, soaking in hot pools, and awesome company.

Thanks to all the staff, coaches, music teachers and Deans who continually support these students as they complete their awards.

Thanks also to the parents and care givers whose support is helping mould future leaders within our community.