Middle NZ: Teaching is more than meets the eye

Optimist yachts are used to teach children to sail. Photo / File

A popular choice for children when asked what they want to do as a job when they grow up has always been and still is — a teacher.

I think it has something to do with children thinking they are going to be the one to stand in front of the classroom and tell people what to do, rather than being the person being told what to do.

Also teachers have a huge influence in children's lives simply because they spend so much time with them.

I bet every teacher in the world would love their job to be as simple as the above description.

The reality is far from it .

On Monday I had a taste of what it's like to be a teacher and as far as I'm concerned they all need a medal.

I volunteered to join one of my grandchildren's class on an adventure. I would be driving four children to the Clive Pools and then onto Pandora Pond where they would be sailing in the Optimist yachts.

Days before the event I attended a meeting at the school where helpers were taken through the series of planned adventures, safety and schedules.

Teachers had to sight our car's WOF, registration, driver's license and Covid vaccination proof.

On Monday I was invited into the class as the teacher went through the roll, not just to see who was present but to ask every child if they had a hat and a jersey. If not it was sorted out quickly and then she talked us through the day asking the children what safety measures their drivers should take.

Hands flew up in the air with answers coming thick and fast. Check children have seatbelts on, no speeding . . . . All very good answers.

Drivers also had to keep on eye on their "children".

Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.

Then it was time for the children to find out what car they were going in. Smiles all around as we set off to the Clive Pools where they were split into groups for pool activities. Lots of laughter and shrieking.

Then it was out to the playground, some great games, lunch and then off to Pandora Pond.

So far the weather had played ball. Not too hot, not too cold.

At the pond the children changed into wetsuits, put on life jackets, then listened to a safety briefing from the person running the show,

He emphasised that first and foremost the children would be safe on the water, even if they capsized. He would be out there on his boat and could be beside them in seconds, plus they had lifejackets on.

He also emphasised that this was not an activity to take lightly.They had to listen and be sensible.

They had already had lessons during the week so they knew all the important parts of the yacht and how to steer it.

However, practice on land is not quite the same as getting out on the water. I was pushing yachts out, telling the kids to jump in, and "put that thing down".

"It's a rudder" they kept telling me. Some of them sailed straight across the pond, others went in circles, some had difficulty even moving.

It was fantastic seeing some of them suddenly get the hang of it as their sail caught the wind and they were off - in a straight line.

It started to rain just as we neared the end of sailing time. It was our job to take the yachts back up to the boat shed, derig them (the kids had learned to do that during the previous week) and clean them.

Many hands might make light work but cold hands make for a long haul as we all got drenched in the process.

Finally it was done and we headed back to school with much talk and laughter about the day.

Would I do it again? You bet.

During all of this the teacher was calm, cool and collected, no matter what was thrown at her.

The planning that went into this trip is a feat in itself and this was just day one of the adventures.

So here's a salute to all you amazing teachers out there with our future in your hands, juggling a million things at once.

• Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.