A cold start to Term Three did not dampen the International Students' spirits. It was great to see their smiling faces on day one, ready to get back into school life.

We are very pleased to welcome Vincent Cabare and Antoine Garbus from France. They are with us for a month. Vincent is a keen kayaker and Antoine plays football. The boys are keen to get involved in school life while here at Shirley, and I am sure our students will make them feel welcome.

Last term, the boys took part in the school mid-winter swim held by the New Brighton pier. It was a great day and the weather was fine.  TV crews came along and there was a fly-over by a Spitfire. The whole school performed a rousing haka before charging into the sea. Money raised from the event was given to the Canterbury West Coast Helicopter Trust.

Over the school holidays, the students took part in various activities. 

Yusuke, Keigo, Jack and Bohan showed their skills and varied techniques at Ten Pin Bowling where Leanne Russ, the International Administrator at Shirley enjoyed introducing her Kiwi whanau to her SBHS International whanau. Her 75 year-old dad enjoyed watching the boys in action and even had a go himself. 

Laser strike proved a hit and the gang got their "rambo" on. Yusuke, Keigo and his host brother Cam, Bohan and Jack proved stealthy opponents. Leanne's nephews were down from Auckland so they joined in the antics along with her dad and sister. 

Liew, Koki and Gus  played Table Tennis and are proving to be quite competitive.

Pete spent time with family down in Twizel. I bet it was cold down there!

Yusuke travelled to the Gold Coast with his wonderful host family and had a superb time. He visited Australia Zoo, Movie World, Sea World, hung out on a glorious beach and went to a super- big shopping mall. I think he has a fan in his host family's two and a half year old grandaughter!

Ryosuke has been with us for three months and is heading back to Japan with plans to attend University and study towards becoming a teacher. He hopes to continue with his Rugby. We wish him all the best for his future.

At the end of last term we also said goodbye to Louis from France. He was with for six months as an AFS student. Louis embraced all that it means to be an exchange student and really got involved in school life. We rarely saw him over in the International room as he was usually out in the grounds with his kiwi mates. 

We look forward to a productive and exciting Term 3!