Rotorua Girls' High School graduated from the Cactus programme with the traditional fire truck pull along Fenton St. Photo / Ben Fraser
Rotorua Girls' High School graduated from the Cactus programme with the traditional fire truck pull along Fenton St. Photo / Ben Fraser
Eight weeks of early starts might have been enough to prepare the Rotorua Girls' High School Cactus intake, but it didn't prepare them for the rainy weather that hit their Longest Day.
The school took part in the Combined Adolescence Challenge Training Unit Support for the first time, completing thepolice-run programme on Saturday with the traditional Longest Day.
Rotorua police City Community Constable Peter Riordan, who was one of the police officers training the students, said there was a lot of determination among the 21 girls, despite the weather.
"We were a bit worried about the storm front but it didn't get too bad, it was towards the end it picked up," he said.
"It was really emotional at the finish, a few were crying. They were relieved to have finished, but also happy they completed the eight weeks.
"The highlight for me was the effort the girls put in. We had a couple of injuries but they kept on battling through it. They could have easily pulled the pin and taken the easy option but they did everything all the other girls did."
Rotorua Girls High School graduated from the Cactus programme with the traditional fire truck pull on Fenton St on Saturday PHOTO/BEN FRASER
This was the first time Rotorua Girls' High School had taken part in Cactus, and principal Ally Gibbons was the first principal to attend all the early training sessions and complete the Longest Day, Mr Riordan said.
Completing the course has inspired one student to think about a career in the police force.
"It was hard work but the experience was great," said Chelsea Pita, 15.
"The highlight was getting through the whole day and not giving up.
"Being able to pull that fire truck with my team was a great way to finish it off.
"This has really inspired me to maybe think about joining the police in the future."
Cactus has been running in Rotorua since 2011. The programme brings together police, schools, businesses, community associations and local trusts to help youth achieve something that will change their lives.
