Our annual Tough Kid Challenge began last Friday when Mr Shalfoon was chatting to Ms Stuckey over a cup of camomile tea. He wasn’t sure how tough our Te Ahi Kaikōmako kids were.

He was very quickly shown just how tough they all are when Rata followed by Totara, Pōhutukawa and then Kahikatea all charged through the obstacle course in full force calling out “he kaha ahau”.
We were very lucky to have the Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade with us for the Pōhutukawa event before they were called away, then arrived back to be called away again. Not before hosing the tough kids down with 20,000 litres of water, they had emptied their tanker! The children all had a blast and it was great to see all the encouragement towards classmates, enthusiasm and committed attitudes. Thanks to all of our school leaders, peer mediators who helped on the course. Thanks to Karysa ourSelwyn Sports Trust Activator for being part of our team and starting the tough kids off. Thanks to the Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade for being part of our day. Thanks to the Ellesmere Lions Club for their donation of pea straw bales. And thanks to all the tough kids who had a blast today!