What a fantastic time our Year 6's had at El Rancho last week.   The sun came out the second the bus pulled into Waikanae on Wednesday morning.

After setting up our cabins we enjoyed raft building, a camp surviving task, slip 'n' slides, swimming in the pool, crate stacking, rock climbing and go karts.

These activities we managed to do in the rain on Thursday but it didn't stop our fun!

The earth shook for us but we knew what to do - Drop Cover Hold!   It all just added to the excitement.   The food was delicious and our cabins were lovely and warm.

We were so thankful to all the parent helpers who came with us and made it possible for us to do all the cool activities.   Leanne Parsons, Tim Lucas, Doug Muir, Marianne Archer, Khouanchai Adams, Tracy Taoro-Ahsin, Carly Pointon, Jacqueline Wright, Chris Malcolm, Danielle Crooks and Joel Middlemiss.

A big thank you to our awesome staff members Jacinta Kelleher, Khaylen Huriwai, Grace Mulvihill, Miranda McMahon and Ang Strand.  What an awesome opportunity for our tamariki.   We made memories for life and are looking forward to an awesome year ahead.

ARCHERY - BY LARISSA TIPPER

"Next" the parent helper called.  It was my turn as I walked into the field surrounded by waving trees.   I had nervous butterflies but I also had a feeling like I was walking on rainbows, although above all I was wondering if trees could dance.  I mean, they could wave and sway so why can't they dance?  When I unhooked the bow a strange sensation came over me I felt incredamazing.   I slotted the arrow in the slot, white tail sticking up I pulled the string back with my three fingers all the way to my cheek.   I felt ready as I let go the arrow lept forward with terrific speed it whizzed past the trees and bushs and then.....   "Thang" it hit the target centermetres away from the bulls eye.   So close.   Cheers echoed around me so I tried to block out the noise.   I loaded another one in and "thang" close still.   When I  was about to let the string lose a thought came over me..... did penquins wear tutus.   I smiled and let go.   Thang!

ROCK CLIMBING - BY HEATH ARCHER

When I entered the room I knew this would be fun.   There I was hooked up and ready to go and in no time I started.   I went at a good pace, but I know I started to slow down, I stopped to get my breath back.   After a little bit I continued, everybody was cheering once I got my foot on the green I new I would make it.   In a matter of seconds I made it, I felt so happy the next thing I did was jump down unhook and I lined up for the next one.

KAYAKS - BY WILLIAM WATTS

"so get in a boat, the blue ones are the stronger and the yellow, red and orange ones are fast but can tip easily" said the instructer.   hmmmm which one?   Oh I know the blue one!   I really don't wanna fall in the yucky mud water.   As she pushed me in I wondered what we are going to do.   I heard splash after splash, each one came from a boat hitting the water.   As I went under the bridge I saw I was heading straight for a spiky berry bush, HIIIYA!  I used my paddle to hit it and change direction.   Then we played a game where you are a country and if you tag the back of someone's boat they become your country.   I went from my own country, aka Argentina to Greece, then Brazil.   It was fun!