School Holiday Programme 2023

Despite the challenging whether at the start of the year our teams were able to go ahead with the annual January School Holiday Programmes without too many changes. Activities included nature connection programmes, surfing, walking, biking (and bike care), as well as lots of opportunities for team building across all Dreamer age groups.

Here is what our year 7 & 8 Dreamers got up to.,

The Year 7 and 8 Summer Holiday programme was full of experiences, challenges and growth for our dreamers. One of the outcomes we were after with this programme is to familiarise a group of Year 7’s planning to start at Tikipunga High and create connections with some of Year 8’s. We also utilise a fantastic organisation called Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) who deliver a Nature Connection programme over three of the five days. 

Whakawhanaugatanga was the focus on the first day. Matua Dwayne had the dreamers familiarising themselves with the high school by way of a detailed scavenger hunt. Teamed up with Year 8’s they spent an hour finding all sorts of clues in nooks and crannies of the school! Team building, kai and the school pool meant connections were well underway by the end of the day. 

The following three days took us out and about on various adventures. Ako and kaitiakitanga were the big focus and outcome of day two.  First was water quality investigations at Taurikura with experts from EMR. Dreamers were checking fish traps, testing stream water and weeding seedlings aimed at protecting waterways on the farmland. The day was packed with information and delivered in the ultimate adventurous way! 

We were into the water on the third day, snorkelling at Kowharewa Bay on the Tutukaka Coast. Although visibility was limited, dreamers developed their confidence and had a well deserved dip in the water out in the elements. Freedive Aotearoa was also on site with breathing techniques to maximise the dive experience.

Fatigue was setting in after two epic days of action, nevertheless we set off to climb Mt Aubrey and snorkel Reotahi Marine Reserve. The sun shone and the climb was worth the views. Dreamers were definitely challenged with the climb however the reward was gearing up and submerging into the Reotahi Marine Reserve. Visibility was a whole lot better and we managed to spot numerous fish life. The dive definitely left the kids wanting more.

To wrap up the week on Friday, we summed up all the learnings into a paper version of Kahoot! It was amazing to collate all the knowledge we had gained in the week into one frantic quiz competition. Although exhaustion had set in, positivity and whanaungatanga was high. Dreamers were able to finish the week, optimistic about the year ahead!