R13 heads to Long Beach!

Last Friday, we went for an amazing rock climbing trip down at stunning Long Beach. I really enjoyed the drive down; in Eliza's car we blasted music and sang along. When we arrived, we played volleyball, velcro catch and rugby while others looked for shells. When the rotation changed, we went down to the cold dark caves with our phone torches on. We looked high and low and were thrilled when we saw an adorable blue penguin which was definitely the highlight of the day for many. We then walked back along the beach where we changed rotations meaning my group was last on the rock wall. I was nervous at first; I had butterflies in my stomach. However, they did not last as I began to climb the wall and was not disappointed! It was such a fun experience, the hour we had flew by! I would most definitely do it again. Thank you to Ben the instructor, Miss Lang and all the parents for helping belay :)

- Moana Spurr 

Last Friday, Room 13 went rock climbing at Long Beach. My group was on the beach first, for a good hour and a half we played rugby. It started off as a sunny day. The next block we were still on the beach but we decided to go explore a cave, and we saw a little penguin poking its head through a hole in the rocks. After exploring the caves for a bit we exited them and went to play cricket on the grass. We played cricket for about half an hour until it was our group's time to go rock climbing. We walked to the rock where the other group was rock climbing, we then switched groups over and it was our turn to climb. The instructor got us in a group to inform us about the harness and helmet safety, we then got our safety gear on. After all of our equipment was on we did something called bouldering where we walked along the small rocks without a harness to get used to the rocks. We then started the climbing. By now it was a pretty mild day but it was still pretty nice. I nearly climbed to the top of the hardest one but I climbed to the top of two of the other climbs. Overall I really enjoyed the day and it was a very fun experience.

- Lewis Rae 

On Friday, Room 13 went rock climbing at Long Beach. The drive there consisted of great sea views, and views of Port Chalmers. When we got to Long Beach we were allowed to eat some food, and since I was hungry, I ate all of my pea chips. I was in group one with Amy, so when we got onto the sandy beach we all stared up at the great big rock that we would soon be climbing. The rock climbing instructor Ben, showed us how to put on our harnesses and helmets with the help of parents.

I struggled with rock climbing a bit, but I managed to climb a bit of two rocks. It was quite fun but I did end up banging my arms a bit. While we were waiting, me and Amy managed to find a crab!
After we had finished rock climbing, me, Amy and the rest of my group sat down on the beach and we all ate our food. After around ten minutes, we decided to go to the caves. The caves were quite dark and a bit wet, as well as having a low ceiling so I felt a bit claustrophobic. Some people did manage to see a penguin, but a lot of us couldn't due to people being in the way.
We all went back to the carpark and we hung out at the field, and we played music. It was quite a fun experience.

- Jess Edwards 

Last Friday rm 13 went to Long beach to go rock climbing. It started off as a sunny day. The class was split into three groups. I was in group 3. We set up a rugby field in the sand and started to play. It was good fun and sand was everywhere. The rock climbing group finished up and we had some morning tea. After that group two started climbing and group 3 kept playing rugby with group 1. Then we went to the caves and we saw some yellow eyed penguins.The caves were cool but we had to get back to the wall for our turn. We had a safety briefing and put on our gear. We started off on some bouldering which is close to the ground. Next we went on to the wall. I started off on an easy one and made it to the top. Then I helped belay Lewis up it. Next I went to the hardest one. Only 2 people so far that day had made it to the top. It started off easy then had a hard section in the middle. After a struggle I made it to the top.
It was a great day and I had lots of fun.

- Chris Jenks 

On the 20th of October, we went to Long Beach to rock climb. I was in group two, where we had free time, rock climbing and then back to free time. Having a day out at Long beach was really fun and interesting. It was a great experience to rock climb with classmates and support people who weren't that comfortable rock climbing. I was really nervous and scared seeing the height of the rock, but when I gave it a go, it wasn't as bad as I expected. I loved playing volleyball on the beach and throwing seashells in the water. The weather was great and made lots of funny and memorable memories with classmates and friends. While we were finishing up we took some pictures and blasted music in the car while driving back to school, ( thanks Janine for buying us frozens :).

- Manu Pole 

on Friday 20th on October Room 13 and 1 went to long beach for rock climbing it started off very sunny and a little windy group 2 and 3 were on the beach playing volleyball, touch etc until it got cold muggy and the sky went grey. When group two went to go rock climb group 1 and my group went to the cave and saw a blue eyed penguin! we all got our phones out to get photos of the little penguin when i saw it i said that looks like a cat! then it was time to go back for my go at rock climbing... i was sooo scared to climb up the rock because the rocks were so high up! but with a little help of ben the instructer and the parents we all made it to the top safely. When we left Manu, Moana, Eliza we were blasting music and dancing! Over all i had a really fun time at Long beach

- Malia Lourie 

On Friday, We went on a class trip to the beautiful long beach to go rock-climbing. In the morning, we drove the forty minute tedious drive that involved Annie sticking her head out the window and some cows blocking the road, which had us laughing for a while. When we arrived, we headed down the narrow track to the beach itself. We arrived at the huge rock that towered over our heads and groups 2 and 3 separated from group one (who went climbing first) and left to go further along the beach. We played games, dug large holes and the sand, and even went shell hunting in the shallow bits of the water. Soon came the time for us to go to the wall. Annie and I were very exhilarated as we got closer and closer to the big climb. We put our harnesses and helmets on and got ready to climb. The favourite one I tried was the hardest rope there. The middle one. As I climbed higher and higher I started shaking, but Annie was supporting me from far down below. Finally I reached the top and felt a rush of relief. What felt like only five minutes later, we had to change rotations. We ended the fantastic trip with a bit of time at the grassy park and swing close by. Overall, I loved the trip and would 1000000 percent go again.

- Chi Smithies 

Last Friday room 13 went rock climbing at Long Beach.As we were driving up in the rusty old school van I was pretty nervous, as we pulled into the long beach car park fear started to take over my body. I was pretty quite until we walked through and I saw the gorgeous sandy beach. My group was the first group to rock climb up the rock wall, our instructor Ben talked us through how to put on the harness and helmet etc. Once it was time to start climbing i decided I would try to go on the easy rope first to see how I would feel so high up off the ground. Sarah was belaying me and I felt pretty safe with her helping me. Once I got about a meter of the ground we did our safety/trust test, I would yell down to Sarah "Have you got me?" and Sarah would reply with "I have got you". After Sarah yelled up to me I would hold on to my rope and lean back with my legs straight. I found this pretty scary as i didn't trust myself on straightening me legs , I thought i would slip or fall. As I was getting higher and higher the fear took over my body again, ben saw I was struggling and came up to help and guide me to the top. Sarah and Ben were really encouraging Sarah even said if i got to the top she would give me a juicie. I ended up finding the courage and made it to the top. I was really proud of myself and really enjoyed the experience.
Thank you to all the helpers for coming along and helping us we wouldnt be able to do it without you

- Bella Tempero 

On the 20th of October Room 13 went on a trip to Long Beach for Rock Climbing. Our class was separated into three activity groups, one group at a time went rock climbing while the other two did other activities around the beach. There were five different ropes going up the wall and each of them had different difficulties. At first I was very nervous and I didn't really want to go up, but when I started climbing I realised how fun it actually was. As you got higher on the wall you could see so much water, going out so far. Room 13 was very lucky that we had so many parent helpers on our trip that made the day possible. Overall it was a very fun day! 

- Caitlin McPherson 

Last Friday Room 13 went rock climbing and we had lots of fun. It was a nice drive up to the beach where we were rock climbing and the view was amazing. When we got there we unpacked all the sports gear and all the rock climbing gear and went down to the beach. There were 3 groups and I was in group 3, group 1 went first then group 2 and last but not least my group, group 3. When group 1 and 2 were rock climbing me and my mates that were in group 3 we played rugby and had an amazing time playing. I bowled a few people over.
Then we went to the caves and the rock climbing rock. It was a very fun day and I tried my hardest.

- Covey Stevenson 

Last week Friday 20th of October we went rock climbing In the morning we all arrived at school ready to go on an adventure we all went with different people and when we arrived my group group 2 played in the sand we played volleyball velcro, catch, rugby and buried Tommy in a hole he was ok though. We took some funny 0.5 with Miss Lang and then went over to the rocks. First we had a safety briefing from our instructor Ben. Then we got our gear on and picked what rock we wanted to climb first.The first one i went on wasn't too high but it was a fun challenge i made it to the top and once i came back down i had to help my mum belay Manu we would feed the extra rope into the bucket. Once Manu had come back down i want to the next one it was the same height but a lot harder the rock was flat so i didn't have many places to hold onto but i made it to the top. The last one i did was the hardest one but i didn't even get halfway because we have to stop. We went to the park and played on the tree swing and played some volleyball.When we drove back my mum got us frozen floats. Thank you to Ben our instructor Miss Lang for organising the whole event and all the parent who did rides.

- Eliza Rowntree

It was so much fun! Last Friday Room 13 had the opportunity to go rock climbing at Long Beach. On Friday morning we arrived at school waited for the bell and hopped in our transport. Half of us were in the vans which was a very bumpy ride. The views at Long Beach were gorgeous! The sun was shining and the water was clear. I was rock climbing first so the instructor Ben taught us the safety precautions and we were right to it. I had butterflies in my stomach but when I was climbing the all disappeared. Rock climbing was so much fun! Not long after we went into the cold, dark caves and spotted a cute little Blue Eyed Penguin! We took some cute photos and made are way to the playground were we listened to some music and played volleyball. the weather was very nice all day and i had heaps of fun with my friends! overall it was a very fun day and a great experience. Thanks to Ben, Miss Lang and all the parent helpers who made this experience possible.

- Darcy Tavendale 

On Friday me and Room 13 went to Long Beach to go Rock Climbing, it was really scary putting all of your trust into the parents while they were belaying but I eventually got over the fear because ben helped me feel more confident. Some other good parts were digging a quite deep hole and having fun swinging on the tire swing on the walk there. the atmosphere of the day was great and it made me feel good about myself. I also felt more comfortable in mufti instead of the regular uniform. when we first went rock climbing i thought it was going to be light work doing the tallest one. I think I underestimated it by quite a lot as when I got up to the middle i tried to quit but ben pushed me (mentally) and I made it to the top. i was surprised that I managed to make 4 successful rock climbs in one day and i was really proud of myself. another one of the best parts was Miss Lang handing out the moro chocolate bars as the cherry on top overall 10/10 day.

- Tommy Green 

On Friday we went to Long beach. The drive was long, around forty minutes, but it was one of the best rides in my life because the windows were all down. I was in group two, which meant I did rock climbing second. Once we arrived, everyone in group two and three went to wait on the sand for our turn at rock climbing. I mostly splashed in the cool ocean waves, looking for shells with Chi. Soon, it was our turn to do rock climbing. We put our helmets and harnesses on, ready to climb. After some bouldering to practice, we began to climb. Once I started climbing the rocky cliff face, all my worries about it melted away. Soon I was at the top, looking at the gorgeous view. I abseiled down and waited for my next turn. I climbed one more, the hardest one there, and somehow managed to get up to the top despite my nerves. After that, our group left and went to the final cycle. During the final cycle, I went on the triangle swing. All too soon it was time to go back. We drove back with the windows down, arriving at school just in time.

- Annie Wagner