In the last week of Term 3, 24 of the Tall Poppies took part in a variety of different experiences while the rest of our class were at Sports Camp. Initially, ours was called the Alternative Camp, but since our numbers have grown, the camp now has a character of its own. We decided to rename it ‘Experience Seekers’, as a catch-all for everything that we did in the week.

On Monday, the first day of Experience Seekers, we had a guided tour of The Elms, a significant site in Tauranga’s history as we know it now. We sat in the tiny chapel, heard stories as we walked around the landscaped gardens, and got to go inside the Mission House before spending some time outside sketching the new TECT Heritage Garden pavilion. We then walked down to the Tauranga Art Gallery to be inspired by their Matatoki exhibit, before we had the opportunity to do our own embossed tinfoil art with a sea theme. Before heading back to school, we had lunch and some fun down on the Waterfront.

I liked that we got to do art as well as seeing art. - Brooke McKernon, Year 7

My favourite part of my day was when we went to The Elms and they told us the shells were from what people in the olden days ate. - Meyah Davies, Year 8

I liked the Art Gallery because the art was very delicate. - Shelby Adlington, Year 8

I liked how we looked at all the old houses at The Elms. - Amy Walters, Year 7

On Tuesday, we had a leisurely walk around the base track of Mauao (The Mount), then spent a couple of hours at The Mount Hot Pools, before heading over to Copenhagen Cones for ice cream cones.

I really enjoyed walking around the Mount because I got to see baby seals. - Dency Tasi, Year 8

It was really fun especially when we stopped for lunch and we were playing on the rocks. - Luke Jones, Year 7

On Wednesday, we went to the Adrenalin Forest. Adrenalin Forest is a multi-level aerial obstacle course, built up into the treetops. We were kitted out with harnesses, went through the safety briefing to learn how the clip system worked, and started to climb. It’s all based on ‘Challenge by Choice’, so we all tested our boundaries to see how far we could challenge ourselves.

Today was really fun because you got to choose your own limits. - Taite Howard, Year 8

It was great. I feel like I faced my fears. - Max Gorman, Year 8

I loved the flying foxes and I loved that I went and finished level three. - Laura Wood, Year 7

I found today quite hard at the end, but it was really fun. - Pippa Wooding, Year 8

I really liked today, but I reached my limit. - Zurich Curtis, Year 8

I felt really brave! - Anne-Ley Grobler, Year 7

On Thursday, we stayed at school for a Science Day with Mrs Steptoe (see separate newsletter).

And finally, on Friday, the last day of term, we wrapped up our week of seeking experiences with a chilled movie day together, and pizza!