College students lead charge back in new school year

Mount Maunganui College students (front left) Nikki Wright, 13, Mac Parker, 12; (back left) William van der Beek, 14, George Mano, 13, Bella Akroyd, 12 and Sophie Sandford, 13, had their first day of high school yesterday. Photo / Sonya Bateson

Students across Tauranga and the Western Bay are strapping their school bags on and getting ready for their first day of school.

Back at school already were the Year 9 and Year 13 students from Mount Maunganui College, and students heading to Aquinas College.

Te Puke High School students begin to return tomorrow and most of the region's intermediates and high schools will open early next week.

Year 9 students from Mount Maunganui's sports performance class attended orientation activities yesterday.

William van der Beek, 14, was at Mount Maunganui Intermediate last year and was looking forward to getting into the surfing team at the college.

George Mano, 13, was keen to get into different sport teams, including water polo and hockey, as well as other opportunities the school offered.

Trying out new subjects like social studies was what Bella Akroyd, 12 was looking forward to this year, as was Sophie Sandford, 13, who was also keen to give drama a go.

The sports performance class was a big attraction to Nikki Wright, 13, who liked being in a class of people with similar interests who were likely to be competitive.

Mac Parker, 12, wanted to try new things like graphic design.

Year 9 dean Dani Shepherd said 311 Year 9 students had started at the college this week.