Y7/8 Activity Week Recap
What an exciting and fun-filled week we had during our Activity Week! Here’s a look at the amazing activities our students participated in and their thoughts on the week’s events, that a group of students shared with me.
Monday – Tabloid Sports We kicked off the week with athletic challenges in Tabloid Sports. From the egg and spoon race (with a tennis ball twist!) to the 3-legged races, blindfold guiding, and the dress-up relays, there was no shortage of laughs and competition. The hula hoop chain race and javelin rocket throwing added an extra layer of thrill. Students described the day as “fun,” “interesting,” and filled with moments that had them feeling nervous but excited!
Tuesday – Master Chef Students traded in their crocs for aprons during Master Chef Day, where they created their own mini-restaurants and cooking stations. With 500g of mince, tortillas, lettuce, and burger sauce as the main ingredients, each team had to design a dish and present it to the judges. Judging categories included best table setup, food presentation, teamwork, and overall quality. Some even brought their own spices to elevate their recipes! It was an incredibly enjoyable and creative experience, with students loving the freedom to design their own dishes.
Wednesday/Friday – Native Art with Mrs. M Art day was an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity. Under the guidance of Mrs. M, students created beautiful pieces of native art featuring animals, birds, sea creatures, trees, and flowers on 30cm round plywood discs. The outcome was nothing short of spectacular! The art is of such high quality that we’re now debating where best to display these beautiful pieces around the school. Students are proud of their hard work and excited to share it with the community.
Thursday – Kensington Park Stadium Sports Day was an energetic and enjoyable sports day. Students played Pickleball, a new game that’s a fun blend of tennis and table tennis, using a plastic ball with holes. They also enjoyed games of unihoc and basketball. Students expressed how much fun they had and are thrilled that Whaea Kimmy, we think has ordered a Pickleball set for the school so they can continue to play!
The six Year 7/8 students who shared their experiences, had a different favourite day of the week, but all agreed that the entire week was really enjoyable and full of fun. A big thank you to Miss Little, who was the lead organiser and made the week such a success!
We’re already looking forward to the next Activity Week!
NZ AIMS Games in Tauranga
The NZ AIMS Games in Tauranga was a fantastic experience for our students, showcasing their hard work, dedication, and incredible sporting talent. We extend a huge thank you to Hayley Taylor, the key organiser, for coordinating parent support, accommodation, and information, ensuring everything ran smoothly over the seven-day event. A special shoutout to the many parents who tirelessly helped fundraise, making this opportunity possible for our students.
A heartfelt thank you to Sonja and her dedicated team, who ran the after-school basketball programme to fund the basketball players participation. The basketball team also pitched in by umpiring after-school fundraising games, showing their commitment to making this experience happen. The weekend kicked off with a fast-paced, physical 3v3 mixed basketball event, giving our learners a fantastic opportunity to build confidence. We were so proud of their attitudes and sportsmanship throughout.
Our cross-country runners faced a challenging course, competing against high-level athletes who specialise in running. Y7 Isla Gibson 135/146, Y8 Katie Holmes-Libbis 115/133, Y8 Holly Duffy 71/133, Y8 Jake Butel 70/129. Their gutsy performances in the large, fast fields were a credit to them and their hard work.
Jackson Leigh, our sailor, competed in a different boat than usual, navigating through challenging 20 to 25-knot winds. Over several days, he adapted, steadily moving up the field as he mastered the Optimist class.
Kassidy Taylor represented us in indoor bowls, where I had the pleasure of watching her semi-final knockout round. The intensity in the room was palpable, and her skill and focus under pressure were remarkable. She should be incredibly proud of her achievement.
The 5v5 basketball team fought hard, finishing 47th out of 84 teams. The level of physicality and complexity in basketball at this level was something I hadn’t fully appreciated until now. Our team displayed tremendous skill and determination, matching their opponents in talent and working seamlessly together.
The netball team, like the basketballers, showcased high levels of skill, strategy, and fitness. Competing against teams with players the size of full-grown adults, they responded with clever game plans and determination. As Whangārei Netball's Intermediate top division winners this year, they played their final game against their arch-rivals Kamo Intermediate. Ironically, Kamo placed just behind our team in both the Whangārei competition and at AIMS Games.
Our girls should be incredibly proud of their 35th place out of 136 teams – a huge achievement for both Whangārei teams!
In gymnastics, Mia Ruawhare and Nathan Watts delivered incredible performances. Mia finished 7th on beam, 4th on floor, 6th on bar, 10th on vault, and 5th overall out of 10. Nathan excelled with 4th on floor, 1st on vault and pommel, 7th on rings, and 6th on high bar and parallel bars, finishing 4th overall out of 7. It was amazing to watch them compete at such a high level.
Finally, a massive thank you to the wonderful team of parents and Whaea Kimmy who travelled with us and supported our students throughout this competitive event. Our children had an energetic, high-pressure week and often improved their performances under the intensity of this national stage. They should all be immensely proud of their achievements.
