This year the senior hike was compiled in three parts. In Week two of the term the students demonstrated their leadership skills by leading the Year 0,1 and 2 students for a hike to the twin kauri on the Tuahu track. Here are some lovely photos of this experience.
The following week we entered the Kaimai Range at Upland Road and after short hike in we made camp on the banks of a small stream on the North/South track. We were joined by three of last years Year eight (now Year 9) students who were eager to finish what was last year hike! That night we completed a wonderful solo in a dense and highly active bush. After hot chocolate we slept soundly. The following morning after what can only be described as a hearty hikers breakfast we set off to conquer the North/South track exiting at the end of Thompsons Track Road. What an tough walk! What a determined team! This is what sets Matahui apart from the rest. Check these photos out…
The final stage in the Senior Hike took on an experiential/eco-learning perspective which supports this terms inquiry learning and the focus for our Leigh Camp. Our visit to Maungatautari showed us the continual work involved in protecting and restrengthening our native bird, plant and animal species. On day two we hiked to the highest point of the mountain by now a light stroll for the class. That afternoon we made our way to Karapiro and on a cold and windy day abandoned our shelters and booked into cabins. The day concluded with a bike ride on the Te Awa cycle way and upon dark a game of spotlight. On our final day the class partook in a high ropes course and at morning tea we visited New Zealand Rowing’s high performance facility. There we had the good fortune to meet Hamish Bond. For our final afternoon we completed a return trip on our bikes to the Arapuni Swingbridge on the Waikato River Trail. Fish and chips and home! Here are some more shots…
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