School News

"I’ve only ever been on one school camp and that was in my 4^th form (year 10) so I was nervous in anticipation of what the week would hold.  My nervousness showed up right from the word “go” when the truck behind me, waiting for me to turn into the school, suggested I move along in what was a less-than-polite manner.

Once we were on the road my nerves started to settle and I had the pleasure of discussing books on Roman History with my well-informed travelling companions.  I look forward to finding more out about those times.

We got to the camp easy enough and the weather held out despite threatening to rain.  I got to meet the other Dads and my survivor challenge team, The Blue Dynamite! BE EXPLOSIVE!  All the Survivor Teams had their own “chant” – I even tried joining in once with my team and I did so well I got promoted to Mascot.  Apparently the Mascots are so highly revered that they don’t do the chant J.  All the chants were FANTASTIC, The King of Hearts with all the Pow-ow-ow-wer from his Red Robins, the Piranha Bandits “HEY” and the Orange Warriors hiding in the grass (we all know what comes next!).

We were hosted at the YMCA camp by Lee, Beki & Mel, with Beki and Mel each taking 2 of the teams each for the challenges.  The activities included a climbing wall where lots of kids made it to the top, as did Katie – the only adult to do so!  We went tubing down a river where a new discovery was made – that Ollie and Emily can leap as far as man can on the moon, but in Waiwera, and that Anna and Samantha can actually giggle for an entire journey across the mud, down the stream, through the Mangroves and back to camp – UNBELIEVABLE!

While we were out with the kids having a complete blast, the Mums worked amazingly hard to deliver delicious sustenance and this continued throughout the week with Catherine, Debs and Claire – GREAT WORK!  Catherine also did a great job of being medical advisor with a few camp occurrences, but we started and finished with a full complement!

The teams built rafts where paddles where found to be less effective than human outboard motors and went orienteering with some awesome views on the hills between Waiwera and Wenderholm.  Everyone learned to Kayak, some standing up and some learning to dive off a Kayak … and still Anna giggled!  Add that to the essential skills of knowing how to cross a river leaving us all well prepared to go camping around New Zealand’s coastlines and rivers.

There were a number of other challenges and all the while Tez and Katie monitored the kids to see that they were using the morals and principles that are taught as part of their education. As a parent I was very proud and impressed with how all the children interacted and supported each other, regardless of what team they were in – they were an absolute delight.

My highlight, though, had to be the time at the Waiwera pools, where I saw fun, laughter, kids overcoming fear, innovative slide techniques, classmates cheering each other on and everyone REALLY enjoying the bonding that comes from being on camp together.

Personally, I loved the week, the kids, the way they treated everyone, the other parents, the teachers and the staff at YMCA, as well as all the challenges.  What I can say to other parents is that it is worth the wait if you haven’t got to go on a trip yet – it’s a blast.

Thank you to Tez, Katy and the team that run the Montessori unit for allowing me to be part of Zac’s camp trip.  By the way, Zac and I did the smoke-art trick to his Aunties, Uncle and Grandparents and are now available for paid performances J

Steve Holley (Blue Dynamite Mascot and Zac's dad)