On Thursday a group of intrepid Year 7 and 8 CACTUS students embarked on their first “Longest Day” challenge.

The day started by working as a whole group to use map reading skills to navigate their way to challenges – firstly, running towards Cass Square carrying a large rope. When there, they were met by a 6-tonne fire truck which they had to pull up Weld Street. After this they ran towards the beach and had to use clues to find two hidden logs. These were then carried back to school, in two teams. After a quick bite, they had a sandbag pull around the field, in small teams. 

From there students ran towards Jollie Street steps and endeavoured to run these 7 times, trying to make their last run the fastest. From there students ran down the hill, through the racecourse to Prosser’s Bush. Then they had another quick bite while taking shelter from the weather then on to find hidden stretchers in the bush. Once found students worked in two groups to carry the stretchers, with a sandbag ‘patient’ on, back to school. 

 The CACTUS group are very grateful for the Fire Brigade volunteering their time and appliance and also the staff in Te Whare Atawhai for giving us shelter to eat our lunch in!