In Week 5, Year 7 got to go on a fun and adventurous aquatics week away from school.

Day 1

On Monday Rooms 3 and 4 went to the Groynes and did some teamwork exercises. Everyone learned how to cross a river safely with and without a partner and we also floated down the river with our backpacks as our life jackets. We worked in teams to make rafts out of rope, sticks and water tubes.

“I found it really exhilarating going down the river with my backpack on. At the end of the river a teacher who will remain nameless (Mr van der Burg) would splash us!” - Olivia (Room 4)

Day 2

On Thursday we went to Sumner beach to learn how to surf and boogie board. It was hot so we had to slip, slop and slap! We played on the beach and dug big holes which caved in whenever the waves rolled in. The waves were just right so a couple of people were able to stand up on their surfboards.

“It was really fun because I got to splash my teacher (Mr van der Burg) and I didn’t get my name on the board because we weren’t at school!” - Zach (Room 3)

Day 3

On Friday we went paddleboarding at Cass Bay, played games and went on a walk up to Pony Point. The water was really still, unlike the water at Sumner.

“I enjoyed the big paddle board because I liked trying to push my friends off during the 'King of the Raft” - Ella (Room 3)

Student Interviews

Zach Horton- Room 3

What would you rate aquatics week? Why?

1 million out of 10 I enjoyed the experience. It was cool because we built rafts. My group snuck a stick on our raft and used it as a paddle.

What was your favourite day?

Surfing and boogie boarding because I'm a beach boy. I liked it because I LOVE surfing and the instructors were nice (especially Josh).

How did you enjoy the day at Sumner?

It was fun because I got to splash my teacher (Mr van der Burg) and I didn’t get my name on the board because we weren’t at school!

What was your favourite part of paddle boarding?

Having a battle with my friends and pushing each other off, we went really deep. On the small paddle boards, I was the best!

Louie Dale- Room 4

What is you're rating of aquatics week? Why?

10/10 because it was active and exciting.

What was your favourite day?

I enjoyed the small standup paddle boarding because it was relaxing and I liked the privacy. It was a challenge because I didn’t know how to turn.

How did you enjoy the day at the Groynes?

I loved the rafting the most because of the teamwork.

How did you enjoy the day at Sumner?

Boogie boarding was fun because it gave me a lot of adrenaline when I got pushed off by the waves.

Ella Batchelor- Room 3

What would you rate aquatics week? Why?

I would give it a 9/10 because it was really fun and I enjoyed going down the river with our backpacks on.

What was your favourite day?

My favourite day was the first day because I liked making rafts and floating down the river.

How did you enjoy the day at Sumner?

I enjoyed boogie boarding with my friends.

What was your favourite part of paddle boarding?

I enjoyed the big paddle board because I liked trying to push friends off during 'King of the Raft’. I found the single paddle boards harder but I enjoyed running across them at the end and jumping off. I enjoyed the view at Pony Point.

Olivia Nelson- Room 4

What would you rate aquatics week? Why?

My rating is probably 9.5/10. I liked stand-up paddle boarding because it was warm and I enjoyed the challenge of trying to stand up. I also enjoyed the view at Pony Point.

What was your favourite day?

My favourite day was paddle boarding because it was relaxing and calm and I like trying new things.

How did you enjoy the day at the Groynes?

That day was fun because I liked working with my team and I liked making the raft. I am deeply sorry to my teammates because I ditched them midway and went on someone else's raft when ours fell apart! I found it scary and fun going down the river with my backpack on because I was scared I would see an eel. At the end of the river, a teacher who will remain nameless (Mr van der Burg) would splash us!

How did you enjoy the day at Sumner?

I loved boogie boarding because I liked jumping over the waves even though I kept on failing to get over them when they got too big but I bounced back and did it again.