Article by Scarlett & Alisha

Cold, wet squishy grass every step of the way. At the start of Term 2, the whole of Westmere School trained for our Whole School Cross Country. We trained for three weeks. Each day, in the cold mornings, everyone would meet at the top court for our daily training. While running up the steep Larchwood hill, it felt like we were running a marathon. The air was so cold it made our bones shiver. When we were running it felt like the actual Cross Country was going to be impossible to finish!

Everyone was excited for Monday 20th May to come. Once we arrived at Cox’s Bay Reserve, we sat on the tarpaulin waiting for the races to begin! The Year 2 girls took their marks at the starting line. They sprinted off to a great start when Whaea Waina called GO! The races were finally on! Throughout the day certificates were given out to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners.

Everyone pushed themselves to do their very best. You could tell because of their bright red faces at the end. However, everyone was smiling because they made it across the finish line. We would like to say a big thank you to all our parent helpers who marshalled and cheered us along the way and to the teachers who organised this event. We all had an awesome day.

We went out to interview children across the school. Here are their responses:

What did you think about cross country?

Dylan, Year 1: I found it tiring at the end, but it was fun.

What did it feel like before your race?

Emma, Year 1: Before Cross Country, I was scared because it was my first time doing it.

Are you excited for cross country next year, and why?

Orsa, Year 4: Yes, I'm excited for next year because I want to improve and do better than I did this year. I'm happy to do even more running.

What did you feel like when you were running?

Lee, Year 5: I felt tired and exhausted, but I pushed myself to get a place.

How does it feel to go to interschool?

Ashlin, Year 6: It feels great because I get to represent the school in running and that is an honour for me.

Results

Year 0-1 Girls:

• 1st - Sophie C (LS2)
• 2nd - Anais B (LS2)
• 3rd - Maire S (Tēina)

Year 0-1 Boys:

• 1st - Leon W-F (LS2)
• 2nd - Harry M (LS1)
• 3rd - Presley M (LS2)

Year 2 Girls:

• 1st - Tilly J (LS3)
• 2nd - Cleo C (LS3)
• 3rd - Izzy R (LS3)

Year 2 Boys:

• 1st = Harry D (LS3) & Jaxon C (LS3)
• 3rd - Orlando L (LS3)

Year 3 Girls:

• 1st - Holly B (LS4)
• 2nd - Sailor D-S (LS4)
• 3rd - Jade P (LS4)

Year 3 Boys:

• 1st - Toby K (LS4)
• 2nd - Flynn H (LS5)
• 3rd - Elijah M (LS4)

Year 4 Girls:

• 1st - Zadie D S (LS4)
• 2nd - Pipiana R (LS5)
• 3rd - Tully H (LS5)

Year 4 Boys:

• 1st - Isaac R (LS5)
• 2nd - Gary D-M (Wai Rua)
• 3rd - Billy H (LS5)

9 Year Old Girls:

• 1st - Lexie C (LS6)
• 2nd - Olive W (LS6)
• 3rd - Georgia M (LS7)

9 Year Old Boys:

• 1st - Ashton K (LS6)
• 2nd - Oscar D (LS7)
• 3rd - Humzah B (LS8)

10+ Year Old Girls:

• 1st - Stella E (LS6)
• 2nd - Katie B (LS6)
• 3rd - Peggy R (LS6)

10+ Year Old Boys:

• 1st - Ari H (LS8)
• 2nd - James M (LS8)
• 3rd - Tom C (LS8)