Secondary News T2 W8 2021

Grit and Persistence

What a lesson about persistence I had on Saturday, 5 June. I was fortunate enough to be part of the Faith team conquering the Kokoda Challenge. This was a 48km walk (well actually 51 if you go by Strava) across the hills of Mt Cootha and can I tell you, it was tough!!! You kind of think walking is easy, I do it every day, I can definitely do it, for 10 hours. This preconceived idea of how easy it should be is rapidly slashed to pieces as you get to 25, 30, 40 and 48km. The cramps, the aches, the hunger and the mind games all play into that self doubt of whether you can make it. But with the support of your team you keep putting one foot in front of the other and the distance left reduces until finally you cross the line, an emotional and physical wreck.

As I have reflected on this experience, I wondered if the students who completed the challenge, would be better at dealing with tough times that we all go through in the real world. What lessons they would take from Kokoda that they could apply when they are struggling with schoolwork or are anxious.

For me, it is as simple as taking the next step no matter the situation and always remembering that even in our darkest times we never walk alone. God is always with us on this journey.

End of Term

Our students will be working up until the last day of Term in normal classes. Attendance right until the end is vital to ensure students do not fall behind.

Student Voices

Last week our students came up with some really creative ideas for new activities they would like to see available for lunch breaks. Some of those ideas included horses...... So, this week we decided to delve deeper into this topic from our next student groups.

A games room, a movie room and a Netflix room keep appearing on lots of students lists but they also came up with thoughtful ideas like caring for a school dog, farming and agricultural activities or setting up an aquarium. Some of the more active ideas were along the lines of dance battles, baseball, laser tag or gel blasters and a boxing club. And this week food seemed to everyone's mind, with a cooking club in the Hospitality kitchens, Sausage Sizzle Friday and a KFC cafe being popular.

We are looking forward to hearing more ideas from the depths of our students minds in the coming weeks!

Stuart Needham
Head of Secondary School