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Home / Whanganui Chronicle

School's out: Your guide to the school holidays in Whanganui

Liz Wylie
By Liz Wylie
Multimedia Journalist, Whanganui Chronicle·Whanganui Chronicle·
16 Apr, 2021 05:00 PM6 mins to read

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Lily Paulger 10, Nevaeh O'Connell 10, and Izabella Malou 9, of Carlton School head for home at the end of term 1. Photo / Bevan Conley.

Lily Paulger 10, Nevaeh O'Connell 10, and Izabella Malou 9, of Carlton School head for home at the end of term 1. Photo / Bevan Conley.

The Whanganui school holiday break looks set to bring mild weather for outdoor activities and there will be plenty of options for the occasional rainy days as well.

While families had to make their own fun at home during the autumn break of 2020 due to the country being in Covid-19 lockdown, this year there will be plenty of opportunities to gather over the next two weeks.

Three pupils at Carlton School are looking forward to the holidays and recall that they were not able to get out and about during the 2020 Autumn break.

"I went for a lot of walks around the block," 10-year-old Lily Paulger said.

"This holidays we are moving house and going to live in Waverley so I'll be changing schools as well.

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"I'll probably spend most of the first week unpacking and then exploring and maybe visiting my aunty in Hawera."

Nevaeh O'Connell 10, said she remembered that she had just welcomed new dog Buddy at this time last year and he kept her busy during the lockdown.

"I remember that it was my brother's birthday as well.

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"These holidays I'll be helping out my Nan at the rock 'n' roll club putting out the tables and things."

Izabella Malou 9, said she remembered doing craft activities at home last year.

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"My dad will be busy doing roofing work these holidays so my sister and I will be going to a holiday programme and we'll probably spend some time at my auntie's as well.

"The holiday programme will be fun."

The fun begins this weekend with the arrival of the Extravaganza Fair at Kowhai Park tomorrow.

The travelling fair offers free entry to watch performers, join old school games like sack races and tug-of-war and there will be stalls and demonstrations for adults. The fair will be open from 9am to 5pm tomorrow and on Sunday.

Tuesday afternoon could be a good time to head to the beach as the temperature is forecast is calm weather and an unseasonal high of 25C.

Warm temperatures promise the possibility of beach visits during the autumn school holidays.

Photo / Bevan Conley
Warm temperatures promise the possibility of beach visits during the autumn school holidays. Photo / Bevan Conley

Some cooler, rainy days are also forecast and the Whanganui Regional Museum has an exciting array of indoor activities lined up for a cost of just $2 or koha for each session.

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Public programmes presenter Lisa Reweti is looking forward to welcoming crowds of children to experience a programme "jam-packed with mysterious, magical and mythical creatures" starting with the opportunity to build an imaginary creature using real animal bones on Monday, April 19.

"We have Wen Xiong of Wen's Story Den coming in to share a traditional Chinese animal story and she will illustrate the story with a Crankie," Reweti said.

"A Crankie is an old school slide show where the images are on a scroll inside a box with a viewing screen."

Older whanau members will not miss out as there will be a family night at the museum next Wednesday when children are requested to "bring your torch and your grownup" and wear a mythical costume or animal onesie.

Back by popular demand will be the opportunity to examine the animal scat on display in the Teeth Talons & Taxidermy, then make your own animal poo to take away. There will be a session on making poppies for Anzac Day as well as a chance to make spectacular paper planes that will be launched from the upstairs atrium.

Young movie fans can grab the popcorn and head to the Embassy Theatre to watch one or all of the three children's movies on offer - Two by Two: Overboard, Tom and Jerry the Movie and Peter Rabbit 2 The Runaway.

For the teenage audience, there are R13 rated releases Ascendant and Voyagers.

Whanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club and YMCA have action-packed holiday programmes lined up for the next two weeks.

Gym club director Annette Cox said there had been a high number of bookings.

"We still have spaces left on some days," she said.

"We have a few exciting things that aren't listed on the programme like visits from Sport Whanganui and Whanganui Rugby and there will be something for everyone."

The programme includes a range of gym, outdoor and indoor activities, special outings and games.

The Waimarie riverboat has a special two-hour Princesses and Pirates school holiday cruise scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, which includes soft drinks and ice creams in the galley. Ticket prices are $15 for a child and $45 for adults ($40 for residents).

The Waimarie riverboat will host a school holiday pirates and princesses cruise.

Photo / Bevan Conley
The Waimarie riverboat will host a school holiday pirates and princesses cruise. Photo / Bevan Conley

The next school term will begin on Monday, May 3 and end on Friday, July 9.

Ten things to do this school holidays.

• Creative Repurposing Workshop with Sustainable Whanganui.
Wednesday, April 28 in the Harekeke Room at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre, 83 Maria Pl. It runs from 11am and 3pm, and entry is free.

• Warrior Wrestling presents 'Whanganui Showdown'.
Friday, April 30 at the War Memorial Centre.
https://www.whanganuivenues.co.nz/eventcalendar/event/116-warrior-wrestling-whanganui-showdown

• Animal Holiday Programme at the Whanganui District Library.
April 19-April 30 at the Davis, Rangiora St, Hakeke St, and Gonville libraries.
www.whanganuilibrary.com/index.php/whats-on/events/

• Hylton's Pit mountain bike trails.
Located off Brunswick Road, Aramoho, opposite the Ravensdown Fertiliser Bulk Store.
https://whanganuimountainbikeclub.co.nz/hylton-pit/

• The Extravaganza Fair.
Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18, at Kowhai Park. 9am to 5pm.
Market stalls, arts and craft, food, musical entertainment, circus shows, performers, kids shows & games. Entry is free.

• Night at the Museum - Mysterious, Mythical and Magical Creatures.
Wednesday, April 21, at the Whanganui Regional Museum. 6pm to 8pm.
Ages 4 to 10, costumes or onesies are encouraged. Gold coin donation.

• Skating at The Rink.
April 21 and April 28 at 37 Hatrick St. 2pm to 4pm. There is a $5 entry fee.

• Wanganui Competitions Society April Dance Competition.
Wednesday, April 28 to Sunday May 2. From 9am onwards.
Dancers from throughout the country are entered to compete. Classes include Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap and Groups.
https://whanganuivenues.co.nz/eventcalendar/event/138-wanganui-competitions-society-april-dance-festival-2021

• Lip balm making workshop at Canaan Honey, 176 Mosston Rd. Tuesday, Apr 20 from 1pm to 2pm.
Children 6 years and up have the chance to make two lip balms plus some extra to take home. $25 per child.
Email sales@canaanhoney.com ot txt 021 728 889.

• Atene Viewpoint Walk.
An easy one to two hour walk for the whole family that offers views over Whanganui National park.
www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/atene-viewpoint-walk/

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