Leadership Day

The stones crunched beneath our feet, as we wandered over towards frost-coated grass. As we arrived at the grass, children from other schools began to arrive. Quiet murmurs spread through the group ready to start the day’s activities. We were ready and rearing to go. Our instructor came to separate us into the groups we would be working in. We started the day off with a game of Shark (aka Seaweed).

One of the first activities was leaping to a trapeze. The aim of this activity was to trust each other.
We looked up at the trapeze dreading our turn on the top. We got harnessed up one by one. Each of us climbed slowly to the top where we would jump. The trapeze hung in front of the next victim who had to leap to it. As you stood in position to jump you could hear the voices of the students counting down - 5...4...3...2...1...JUMP! As you leapt through mid air, the rush of wind whipped your hair across your face stinging your eyes. Just as you thought you were falling, you suddenly feel the cold but yet comforting feel of the trapeze.
You hung there just holding on to the trapeze waiting to be let down. On the ground a sense of relief washed over you, knowing you have made it safe and sound.

As we moved on to our next activity the grass that was once frost coated is now mud squishing beneath our feet. The next activity was ball transfer and the aim of this activity was to work together as a team. You had to transfer a set of ping pong balls using half pipes. The trick was not to drop them which was difficult as the pipes didn't reach the end and you could not walk with a ball in your pipe. Once a ball reached the end of its frightening journey a sigh of relief passed down the line. For each of the activities you had to work together or you would not succeed.

Another one of the activities was purposely designed to make you use your brain. You were placed with a partner who you sat back to back with. You were then both given the same amount of straws in the same colours. One of the buddies would design a shape using the straws. They would try to explain their design without showing it to them while the other buddy tried to make it. To complete this activity you used your brain and tested it in different ways. Being able to think outside the square like this can help us become better leaders.

Throughout the day we learnt to work together as a team and share our ideas to make better ideas. Another thing was to learn new skills to help and direct others and try new activities with students.

We left with mud-clogged shoes and a head filled with new skills and activities and also knowing some of us had overcome fears. Being at Whenua Iti was a really good experience to help us progress as House Leaders.


By Tegan and Amber.