Students earn credits on snow

SKI TRIP: Kuranui College Year 12 PE students Avonlea Butcher, left, and Michaela Bird, get to grips with the snowy slopes on Mt Ruapehu during a study field trip to the skifield. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Year 12 physical education students at Kuranui College have completed NCEA ski assignments on the snowy slopes of Mt Ruapehu.

All 13 students successfully passed the Level 2 'Ski on beginner terrain standard' and the majority gained their Level 3 'Ski on intermediate terrain standard', with the remaining students swapping their skis for snowboards.

Kuranui College PE head Jane Russell was delighted with the results.

"During the week, the weather was not very good so the students did very well to persevere with the conditions. It was great to see the students gain the credits despite the weather.

"The students had lessons on the Monday and were then able to ski in small groups for the rest of the week. Each day usually started with a recap lesson and further skills practice in preparation for their assessments," she said.

On Wednesday afternoon the conditions worsened and the visibility decreased altogether, so we called it quits and went to Tokaanu for a swim in the hot pools."

The college this year ditched their usual minivan and trailer and hired a bus instead and the change was much appreciated.

"It was excellent, we were able to sleep and enjoy the journey. We were very grateful to our Tranzit driver Gary, who was so helpful and tolerant, making our trip a real breeze," Ms Russell said.