Rimu got its ski on!

Mrs Spragg here. (Thanks Mika for my avatar, I love it).

Last Friday was our Winter Fun Day, and what a fun day it was. Year 4 - 8 students started to arrive at 6:30 am ready for a day on the slopes of Mt Hutt. After a gear check and dishing out of yellow fluro vests for each student it was onto the bus for the two-hour bus trip up the mountain. Excited voices filled the bus and some parents took the opportunity to have a little nap.

Soon the access road was looming and everyone took a collective gasp as we began to drive up the dusty and windy road. I'll be honest, it is not my favourite part of Winter Fun Day.

 

We did arrive safely (thanks bus drivers!) and we unloaded and headed to the toilets and cafe for relief and morning tea. 58 students were hungry (apart from Liam, but more on that later). Our lesson wasn't till 11 am, so we didn't have to rush to get our boots, skis and helmets. Many students exclaimed over how weird the boots feel, particularly those that haven't been skiing before. There was some playing on the learner's slope as we waited. Those who have done it a few times, getting their ski-feet back on. Apparently, it's like riding a bike, but not on wheels ...

Surprise! Mr Matthews, an old YMS teacher, was on the slopes too. Lots of our older students were really excited to see him and he seemed happy to see us too. Mikael and Liam were keen to race Mr Matthews down the quad after the lesson and he wasn't going to avoid the challenge.

The lessons began and many parents took the opportunity to make sure the harder slopes were safe or to make sure the cafe food and coffee was ok. And breathe ...

Everyone made great progress in the hour and a half lesson, with some very capable skiers heading up the quad. Those that have never skied before were soon wedging and french frying like pros ... well, like beginners on the slopes for the first time ... but you know what I mean.

Except for Liam. Ah, Liam. He can tell you a good reason why you should eat your Weetbix and drink lots of water before you throw yourself down a mountain. Halfway through his lesson, he had no more go. In fact, he was particularly white and we ended up sending him to medical to make sure he was ok. I'm sure he will tell the full story on his blog but he informed me that he didn't die because he knows how much paperwork that would have meant. (He wasn't in any danger of dying, just a bit dehydrated and hungry, but it was a funny joke, eh Liam!). Sadly he and his dad did head home to keep an eye on him so he didn't get his race with Mr Matthews.

Soon the lesson finished and children wandered back for kai (food) and water before spending the afternoon going up and down the slopes. Mrs Dods, Miss Adams and Mr Matthews took a number of students up the quad, with a few trying the slightly more challenging slopes.

Check out all the photos and videos:

It was a great day and everyone come back smiling (or sleeping, nawwww, don't they look cute).

We made good time on the road and most of us were home by 5:30 pm. Thanks for such a great day Mt Hutt, parents who helped and teachers who came + Mr Matthews! It was super, duper FUN!