College picnic big surprise for nearby school

Tauranga Girls' College students organised a teddy bears' picnic for Gate Pa children yesterday with lots of fun activities. Ellie Happe, 17, Daniel Sherry, 6, Kastro Kerei, 6, Tiulipe Atuake, 6, Mary-Jane Te Hauwaho, 6, Flynn Olsen, 6, teddy Brooklyn Walker, 17, and Tessa Adams, 16. Photo/George Novak

Tauranga Girls' College was awash with colour and teddy bears as the students hosted Gate Pa School children for a teddy bears' picnic.

The event was held yesterday lunch time and was organised by girls in the college's arts council.

The girls read stories to the children, took them on a treasure hunt, played statues, painted their faces and threw teddies in the air with a giant parachute.

Organiser Tessa Adams, 16, said the arts council had based this year's picnic around St Patrick's Day celebrations.

This was the third year the council had run the event.

"We had leprechauns running around. We wanted to get the kids inspired and let them have fun."

Tessa said organising the event was a way for the girls to give back to the community and was a way to build a relationship with the neighbouring Gate Pa School.

Gate Pa student Daniel Sherry, 6, said he liked the treasure hunt the best: "I found a chocolate and a lollipop."