Today was one of the most rewarding days in my twenty years of teaching.
One might say this was to be expected when you hear that the day included Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating, Supper at the Queenstown Skyline Restaurant and our very own Awards Ceremony back at our hotel.
However, my thoughts are not just based on the adrenalin rushes, the fine food and the wonderful atmosphere throughout a day of real highs. Some days ago now, I spoke at the Kids Can Charity presentation, about how as a school we value as much the experiences learned outside of the classroom as those learned inside. When we think more deeply about how we add value to our children, character building experiences must come high on the list and today I witnessed a group of students who behaved like the closest knit family. They supported each other through situations that for some were exhilarating but for others were highly stressful.
It has been a joy and a privilege to help look after such a superb group throughout this whole three week tour. From the outset, wherever we have gone our boys have been praised for the way they behave, the standards they set and how they are such great ambassadors for the school. Today was no exception with real loving care and support evident throughout the group.
The morning started with a deliberately light breakfast before climbing aboard the coach for Adrian to drive us out to Kawarau Bridge - and oh what a venue we encountered.
The Kawarau Bridge Bungy (bungee) is home to the original 43 metre Bungy Jump. If you've heard of Bungy, you've heard of the Kawarau... it is where Bungy founders AJ Hackett and Henry van Ash started it all. The world's first and most infamous of leaps is still going strong, with tens of thousands Bungy jumping each year.
We had boys who initially said no, who changed their minds and decided to bungy. We had those who had said yes, then felt scared but still decided to carry on and conquer their fears. Two of the former were Dan Davies who overcame his fear of heights to jump with real confidence and Oliver Tolhurst who also jumped to ensure Mr Davies lost his beard; one of the latter was Fred Idahosa who in the process also ensured Mr Neethling lost his moustache later in the day. My high point of the day was to see Chris Vipond overcome this barrier to take a real leap of faith, and experience the immediate boost at having stretched himself further than he ever expected. We had some interesting attire with one who jumped as a swimmer in speedos, one who jumped in Superman Pants and one who braved a Mankini. No names mentioned but photos and videos are available upon request.
Almost all of the boys chose to jump and each was given the decision whether to bob above the water, touch it, or be immersed. Above, Ben Love is at full extention just touching the water surface and on the rebound was heard to sing out the Arsenal anthem - once a Gooner always a Gooner! On the platform above is Ben Hennah who had just jumped and was climing the steps to rejoin the group supporting those jumping from the bridge.
Once we had completed this event, we jumped back onto the coach and returned into Queenstown, with a short light lunch stop, before going on to visit the Shotover River.
Here, we undertook breathtaking rides through the narrow and spectacular canyons on four Shotover Jet Boats. They operate on an exclusive area of the Shotover River and are the only company permitted to operate within the famous Shotover River Canyons. The canyons consist primarily of steep rock walls that have been carved over thousands of years by billions of tonnes of fast flowing river water from the heart of the Southern Alps. The canyons of the Shotover River provide for a truly unique location and the very grandeur of this spectacular environment adds to the excitement and exclusivity of the Shotover Jet experience.
Some of the faces of the students that I shared a boat with this afternoon were sights to remember. We were not allowed to take cameras onto the boats but if you ask the right person, he even managed to gain video footage - once a G......... - good job Ben.
Further details on the dinner and award ceremonies will follow tomorrow as I have only four hours until wake up for our flight departure from Queenstown back to Auckland before flying on to Hong Kong.
Best wishes everyone.
OK - back in the land of the living having just woken the boys up for a very early breakfast.
When we returned to the hotel from the jet boating, it was time for the public and ceremonial removal of one Springbok moustache and one shaggy Welsh beard.
Fred celebrates his victory as Mr Neethling takes ten years off.
Ollie helps to re-house the five birds nesting in Mr Davies' beard.
This evening we went on to have our final dinner in New Zealand at the Skyline in Queenstown. We were welcomed by Queenstown's leading Kapa Haka group.
The Skyline restaurant served up a mouthwatering 'Taste of New Zealand' buffet, with large portions keeping everyone happy. This buffet included South Island salmon, seafoods, salads, roast meats and delicious desserts. Tiered seating guaranteed stunning views from every table. It was a formal occasion and the photogrpah below shows Daniel, Clark, Fergus and Davey in their tour formals.
From here we returned to our Sherwood Hotel for the formal presentations.
This was a celebration of the tour. The first presentations were some spoof awards to students and parents reminding everyone of some of the hilarious moments over the past three weeks. Words of thanks were then said by myself, Chris Bound and Patrick Maylor (on behalf of the travelling parents also including Alexander Jurgens) followed by presentations to each of the staff members by students. Mr Neethling then awarded four silver plates to the students who have made the most impact on the pitch.
Ali Wood was the most valuable player in the U17s.
Ben Hennah was the most valuable player in the U18s.
Jacob Olde was awarded the most improved player on tour.
Fergus Bailey was awarded the Man of the Tour.
