Over the past few weeks, we have held our Peer Support Camps, helping our new students find their place in the college. Below are some highlights from our students:
Kauri
In the days leading up to camp, I felt nervous. I didn’t know how the camp experience would turn out – if I was prepared to go, or if I would be alone the entire time. But that’s why we go to camp, after all, to try new things and make connections!
On the way to camp, we turned on the speaker and blasted music for a sing-along containing everything from Taylor Swift to the Backstreet Boys. It was a long drive down but after we arrived and got everything sorted, the activities began. The many activities included rock climbing, tubing, abseiling, axe throwing, flying kiwi, slug guns, and archery. I enjoyed the water activities and the senior abseil into a river the most! Even after dinner, the fun didn’t stop. On the first night, we competed in a Valentine’s Day-themed newspaper fashion show where my group won best dressed! We finished off the night with a thrilling Burma Trail and shouting the Whānau chant into the sky.
The second and last night of camp was my favourite; we performed skits around a campfire, roasted marshmallows, and even saw the Peer Support Leaders dump a bucket of water over Mr Potter’s head! To end the night, we turned up the music again and had a karaoke dance party.
Overall, Peer Support Camp was amazing. If you asked me to pick a specific highlight, I wouldn’t know what to choose from all the amazing memories I made in just three days!
Sofia Tabolt Da Silva, Year 9
Mataī
It feels like an eternity ago, I was a small Year 9 on my way to my first school camp, so nervous I could hardly think. Everything seemed so large, confusing and frightening at camp back in Year 9 – the abseiling felt like I was on Mt Everest, the kayaking felt like whitewater rafting, and even the rooms felt like mini-castles.
Now many years later, I was lucky to return to camp, everything seeming way less scary and big than it once did. This time I wasn’t one of those terrified Year 9s, I was the person in charge of looking after them. I remember back in Year 9 looking up at my Peer Support Leaders (literally and figuratively), and thinking I could never be able to do what they do, inspire others the way they inspired me, get everyone involved and participate the way they did to all of us Year 9s.
And yet at Mataī camp 2024, just last week, I actually was one of those Peer Support Leaders and I had the time of my life! The feeling of responsibility over the Year 9s and watching them overcome the same fears I once had felt so much better than even doing the activities all those many years ago. As I looked into the eyes of the nervous Year 9s at the bottom of the abseiling wall, I saw reflections of myself at their age and that feeling was one of the best things.
I am so grateful that I got to return to Tōtara Springs for Mataī Camp 2024 as a mentor this time and I hope that in four years time, the Year 9s that were on camp with me this year end up writing their own version of this as Student Whānau and Peer Support Leaders.
Jayden Klopper, Student Whānau Leader
Tōtara
This month, Tōtara Year 9 students went on an unforgettable journey, escaping their classrooms for a three-day camp trip. This camp not only provided students with a thrilling vacation but also boosted their personal growth, teamwork, long-lasting memories and friendships.
One of the standout moments of our camp experience was the annual campfire gathering, where we let loose with our Whānau chants. This year, we witnessed the most epic Year 9 chant ever. Two students took the lead, with a powerful callback that pumped up the whole group to give it their all. Peer Support Leaders and teachers were blown away by the energy and spirit that filled the campfire circle. Through the excitement, a surprising friendship blossomed between two campers who bonded over a shared bee sting that they found to have been exactly at the same spot. Turning their pain into laughter, they showed us all the power of resilience and humour in overcoming challenges.
One of the highlights of camp was the focus on personal development. Students were given opportunities to discover and shape their leadership skills through many different activities. Some of these activities involved us getting outside of our comfort zones and fears while others were exhilarating and fun.
To our beloved Year 9s, we hope you had a blast. Carry that spirit in all things you do.
Love, Tōtara Whānau
Mataī
Camp will always be about new opportunities in either connections or experiences for Year 9 students. Whereas for Peer Support Leaders and teachers, it’s about the opportunity to be a person that can influence Year 9s in a way that better builds their confidence in the moment or in the long run.
This year was my third and final time I would return to Tōtara Springs for school camp. The last time I would be making ‘bets’ with the Year 9s just to help get them to try an activity that they aren’t too keen on. “I’ll do it, if you do it” was the game changer and was the push for Year 9s to try scary yet exciting new experiences. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be that influence and encourage those to just get out of their comfort zone. It definitely helped them come out of their shell and generally improved the atmosphere of camp for everyone.
It’s bittersweet to say that this was my final time visiting Tōtara Springs for school camp. I still remember the encouragement from my Peer Support Leaders when I was a Year 9 and without them, I would’ve never enjoyed camp the way I did and would have definitely been more on the introverted side compared to now. I only wish that the Year 9 students of this year will continue being the great people I saw during their time at camp.
I hope that when the time comes they’ll give the same encouragement and push to whoever needs it, so that future Year 9s can also make memories that will last a lifetime.
Jasmine Langit
Mataī House Captain
