On day one of the term, the two Year 6 classes headed to Hanmer for the annual 3 day camp.

I have to admit to being a little low-key worried about going on camp on the first day of term, but I was so impressed by the way the Year 6's organised themselves and had everything ready to go. What a great experience was had by all! 

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the parents who came on camp and to those who made the round trip to Hanmer to transport students to and from Hanmer.

Also, a huge thank you to Blackwells who lent us the Blackwells community van, allowing us to save money by not having to hire a vehicle.

Here are some things that our tauira (students) wrote about their experience:

Aimal -"Going to Hanmer Springs was a good camp experience."

Ty - " I enjoyed mountain biking the most because of the heart-stopping drops and going down steep up-and-down hills."

Yule - "I gazed up to see the gigantic tree I was about to climb shining under the bright sun. I stopped and checked my safety rope and I started jumping from branch to branch."

Sava - "My favourite thing about camp was swimming because we got to go on the hydro slides and the Superbowl, the spas, and the lazy river."

And I will leave you with this poem written by Serena which sums up the camp:

My Camp Experience

A brilliant, scintillating sun embraces me -

smiling and radiating, bringing happiness

Bright laughter erupts

Sharing of activities in conversations

swirl in my head

Flaring flames dance in front of my eyes

the warm, welcoming gestures of Mother Nature

green as emerald

colourful as rainbows

ahhh- the sights of camp

Sweet whispers of the wary wind

Soft clinking of our plates as we devour our meals

Bubbly bunkmates getting told off

Annoying sounds of bug sprays going

pssssst

Swishing sounds of the arrows being released

Puffing noises as we climb our nightmare trees

Encouragements are heard

The squelching of mud beneath our bikes

Ringing in my ears

The cheerful chirps of morning birds

ahhh- the sounds of camp

Wrinkling skins of our handmade tents

Cool, moisturising flow of water

Guiding me down the hydroslides

The hard lumps on the tree trunks

Firm, circular handles of my mountain bike

The feeling of cooperation

in team building

ohhh- the feels of camp

Camp was fabulously fun

Completing activities under the blazing sun

ohhh- what a sight

everything that I like

ahhh- the sounds

Not a thing not found

ahhh- the feels

A bucket full of potato peels

(yum)

Camp was amazing

and now I need a bit of lazing!