These holidays mark the halfway point of our first block of Ngā Kākano (seeds), the options section of our Senior Wellbeing programme.

Compulsory for Year 12s and open to Year 13s, students have chosen from activities related to wellbeing for one hour of their study time each week. It’s always great to see what students select. This round our activities have ranged from outdoor games, yoga and dog-walking through to Zentangle, 3D model manipulation, and making Matryoshka dolls.

On behalf of the kairui, thank you to our students for your keenness and engagement, especially when you’re trying something new. To our kairui themselves, a big thank you for your enthusiasm and creativity.

One thing we would love to see in the next round of kākano, starting Week 7 of next term, is for students to take more of a lead. A kākano could be an introduction to a language you speak, it could be a sport or hobby you enjoy, it could be a cause you’re passionate about - you could collaborate with a friend, and would be supported by a staff member. So, to Year 12 and 13 students, have a ponder over the break, and if there is something you think might work as a kākano that you could take the lead on, let us know the first week back.

Sakura’s Taskmaster Challenge, based on the popular TV show, is a fusion of ingenuity and physical creativity that keeps students guessing each week.