Adventurous end to school year

Students and tramping club members at the Waitahinga Dam. Photo/Supplied

Exams have finished, reports are being proofed and students are itching to start their holidays, but what can a boarding school do?

For the teachers at Wanganui Collegiate School the question was what could be left out, as their end-of-year programme offered the school's Yr10 students a packed schedule of adventures around the city.

As well as tikanga at Putiki, a DiveHQ open water PADI course and flying with the Wanganui Aero Club, one highlight was a trip to the newly opened Waitahinga Trail, according to teacher Mark Collins.

The track, prepared by Baz Hopper and the Wanganui Tramping Club, is set in the bush 11km past Bushy Park which meant it was a shorter trip for the students to experience a decent day tramp, Mr Collins said.

He said the students thoroughly enjoyed the five-hour round trip which offered beautiful scenery, a challenging climb and a swim in the dam.

"Students were also able to support the tramping club through helping lay 30 metres of shellrock in softer places along the track.

"Three picnic tables built and funded by the students, with some support from Mitre10, were left to support the great work continued by the tramping club," he said.

Mr Collins said the remainder of the local outdoor education and service programme included UCOL food safety, canoeing the Rangitikei, mountain biking at Harakeke, sailing at Pauri, shooting at the gun club, community service, and a safe party day.

He also thanked the Wanganui locals who were "so kind in sharing their slice of Wanganui with us".