We were fortunate to have a fine day for our annual athletics competition. The day kicked off with the children rotating around four of the six field events, including; quoits, sprints, high jump, long jump, cricket-ball throw and the shot put. After a quick refuel and break for morning tea the children were straight back into the action with the 400m sprints and the completion of the field events. The day ended with the 800 meter sprint races and house relays.
The children were enthusiastic and showed great sportsmanship throughout the day. It was great to see them encouraging one another and yelling at the top of their voices for their fellow house mates.

Room 23 have been putting together reflections of their experiences at athletics day.
Athletics Reflection for 2011

I Felt…….
The sand digging in between my toes, once I landed in the sand pit after my long jump.
The sun in my eyes so bright.
The relief when the day had finally finished
I Saw…..
Quoits in the middle of the back field.
Cricket balls flying around in different directions.
I Heard….
The yells of children supporting their different houses when the whole senior school watched the house relays.
The thump of heavy shot put balls.
The victory yells of the winners of all the events.
By Alison Kindley

I Felt….
The sun beaming against my skin.
My muscles burning in my arms, as I swang a quoit.
My heart pumping like a car warming up as I jogged to the high jump.
The sweat running down my face.
I saw….
Crowds of parents cheering for their children.
Children spinning their arms around for shot put.
The sun gleaming in my eyes.
I Heard….
Excited kids running to loved ones telling them their scores.
The patter of children racing their hearts out to win the sprints.
By Hannah Watson Room 23

Matakana Trip

The Senior School of 7 classes enjoyed a great EOTC experience on Tuesday of this week.  We all walked one way between the mainland (end of Matahui Road) and Matakana Island.  The other leg was by ferry from Omokoroa.

Rooms 17, 19, 22 and 24, who left from the mainland, experienced deep water in the channel and had to hold their backpacks above their heads and wade in waist deep water across the channel.  This did not deter the children who walked on to the beach, where they were picked up by Eddie, the Island’s bus driver, and transported to the jetty to catch the ferry to Omokoroa.  All children arrived back safely, with only one school bag going over board!  We were very grateful to the Captain of the ferry who turned the boat around and collected the bag!  Phew!!

Rooms 18, 23 and 25, who set off on the ferry in the morning, also had a great time.  There was less water in the channel by the time we got there, so we did not get as wet.

On arrival on the mainland in the afternoon, we were greeted by deep, sticky mud.  The children had a fabulous time, slopping and slurping through the mud.  Many fell over (some intentionally) and ended up rolling around in the mud, like hippos!  Thankfully, there was a trough nearby and most were able to wash off in order to get into parent’s cars to go back to school.

The 7km walk was a great way for us to view the harbor and get a close up look at the environment that surrounds us.  This experience was a great topic for our unassisted writing samples and will provide great learning for our inquiry learning this term.

Melissa Nelson