Tōtara
Year 9
Camp was fun! I loved every bit of it, from the rock climbing to the raft building, the campfires, and most importantly, all the fun we had.
Over the few days we were there, we made new friends, bonded with our groups, and connected with our Whānau at camp. I played a little volleyball, but not for long, along with all the other fun activities. Although I was tired and sore on the way back, it was such a fun experience, I’d gladly do it again!
I wish we had more time at camp because all the activities were really fun. A highlight was during raft building. We struggled to work together to come up with a plan to make a boat, but eventually, we found a design and made a type of waka. It worked better than the Peer Support Leaders’ boat, but it could only hold lightweight people. Our lighter teammates went on, and it worked, and we had so much fun.
The second day, after sunset, was fun because there was a Burma trail. It was fun being blindfolded, but I didn’t get scared at all, and came out perfectly fine. Others, however, were screaming and yelling, and some were frightened, but that’s the trail’s goal. The last day wasn’t a full day, but we still had fun with the adventure run. The most exciting thing happened while we were on the trail, we were the first and only ones to see an eel in the water. After that, we had time to finish up, get ready, and spend the rest of the day enjoying our last moments at camp before we left.
Ewald Greyvensteyn, Year 9
Peer Support Leader
Peer Support Camp 2025 was incredible, between carrying Year 9s across a river to dropping them on the bank on the other side while proceeding to fall face first into the bank myself (accidentally), I have to say being a Peer Support Leader on this camp was a great experience. The vast range of different activities I got to participate in as well as helping other people participate too (although to be honest most Year 9s are more than capable of doing things themselves), allowed us to build a connected group of Year 9s who have built friendships throughout this experience, that potentially will last a lifetime.
Samuel Hiley, Year 13
Nīkau
Peer Support Leader
The Year 9 Peer Support Camp is a great opportunity for new students to transition smoothly into college. As Peer Support Leaders, we play a crucial role in guiding and mentoring younger students, helping them build confidence, form new friendships, and settle into college life.
This year was my third and final time returning to Ngāruawāhia for camp. Having one last opportunity to experience Peer Support Camp is a memory I will never forget. The group activities with the Year 9s, Nīkau’s Got Talent night, the pranks, and the late-night talks between the Peer Support Leaders all contributed to an everlasting memory of camp.
As camp slowly came to an end, I realised how much this experience had changed the Year 9s and how important our role as Peer Support Leaders was. It gave them a chance to step out of their comfort zones, build their confidence, and learn how to support each other effectively. This transformation made me reflect on how impactful positive leadership can be and how even a little encouragement can go a long way in making someone feel valued.
As I look back at my years in college, Peer Support Camp as a Year 13 would definitely be one of the highlights of my college years. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a Peer Support Leader again, and it’s bittersweet to say that this was my last ever school camp. The support I received from my own Peer Support Leaders when I was in Year 9 has definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone, and I am truly thankful for them.
I hope that in four years, this same group of Year 9s will continue to grow into amazing people and become Peer Support Leaders themselves so that they can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Patrick Zhang, Year 13
