News

Year 12 Tongariro Trip

In April, the Year 13 Geography class went on the annual trip to Tongariro. The first day started well, with the group setting off for lunch in Taihape. After a good rest, the group travelled to the first data collection site. Here the students' skills were tested, collecting both vegetation and soil data, and soon after they were bound for Mt Ruapehu. Here the group went out to explore the Lord of the Rings setting of Mead's Wall and then settle into the lodge for a good night's rest.

Day two started off with a layer of mist creeping up Mt Ruapehu. The day will be remembered for the sheer amount of rain that fell during the morning! With the Tongariro walk looking unlikely, the group set off to Taranaki Falls with a few stops for data collection. This was followed by a trip to the Takaanu hot pools where the group spent a luxurious few hours soaking in the geothermal pools.

The last day - of course - was bright and sunny. The group spent a few more hours collecting data before packing up the vans and departing for home. By the time the group arrived back, the rain of the previous day was a distant memory, but all were pleased to have a decent shower nonetheless.

Year 12 Hillary Outdoors

On 28 March, a group of Year 12 students set off on an action packed week at the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre in Tongariro. The students got to experience a range of activities including abseiling, caving, white water rafting and alpine tramping. The highlight of the week was the overnight camping trip on Mt Ruapehu where the students outdoor survival skills were tested. Overall it was a fun weekend had by all, with some fantastic memories being created.

Canoe Polo

In Term One, for the first time, Awatapu College had two teams compete in the Canoe Polo Regional Secondary School Competition in Levin - a Junior Girls team and a Senior Open team. Both teams played well, and the Junior Girls team came second. This meant that they qualified for the Nationals; an excellent achievement.

In April the Secondary School Nationals were held over three days at The Lido Aquatic Centre. The Junior Girls, who are Ellan Babbage, Sophia Babbage, Helena McLachlan, Annelies Orme, Tayla Saunders, Addi Sawyer, Bianca Trewick and Molly Turnball, played better than even, and finished seventh. We are very proud of them for this great effort, and look forward to competing again next year.

Awatapu College Canoe Polo is grateful to Mr Greg Sawyer for his excellent coaching, and the time and effort he put in helping with equipment.

Cricket News

Cricket

This year Awatapu College took part in the highly competitive Secondary School Cricket Tournament. Our Awatapu College Black Caps played enthusiastically and with a great team spirit, winning all by one of their games.

Courtesy of some extremely good bowling by Walter Johnson and Kyle McGoldrick, we ripped through the opposing teams and took a promising lead in the tournament. Our wicketkeeper/batsman Tenkyn Hawe-Astwood has consistent games throughout the tournament, and our prolific batsman Ali Muhammad Jawad and Te Manumohio Johnson held onto our terrific run rate with their patient batting. It was also great to see Andrew Hills, Walter Johnson and Owen Keenan blasting a number of boundaries to reach the highest score of the tournament.

Our Awatapu College Black Caps were able to achieve these magnificent results due to their outstanding effort both on and off the pitch. Congratulations and well done, Awatapu College Black Caps, you have done us proud!

Festival of Cultures

On 14 - 18 March, Awatapu College celebrated its 14th Annual Festival of Cultures Week where students and staff celebrated the cultural diversity within the school.

Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to try origami, dress up in Kimono, participate in the Amazing Race and taste food from around the world at the Market Day. There was also a Cultural Soiree where international and Kiwi students joined together to showcase their local and international talents.

The week of celebrations concluded on the Friday (International Dress Day) with a full school International Assembly in the morning and a soccer game in the afternoon. This year we had a record number of entries to the International Dress Day with over 100 students and staff participating. It was wonderful to see so many cultures represented. The grand finale to the celebrations was the ever popular soccer game between the Awatapu College All Whites and the Awatapu College Internationals.

In all, over 30 nationalities were represented during the Festival showing the rich tapestry of culture that makes up Awatapu College.

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