Visit to snow caps farewell to school

Students from Whareama School travelled with a small group of parents and principal Darren Kerr to Mt Ruapehu to frolic in the snow as a farewell trip before they leave the small country school.

Senior pupils at Whareama School celebrated their time at the school with a ski trip to Mt Ruapehu.

Principal Darren Kerr said the trip at the end of last month was a biennial leaving treat for senior pupils at the country school east of Masterton.

They were joined in their visit to the Whakapapa ski fields by parents including himself, Marty Dawes, Kevin Silvester, Dean Taylor and Caroline Le Grove.

Mr Kerr said the travel and three-day stay was fully funded by the school Board of Trustees and the trip was used "as a farewell to our senior students".

The group had stayed for the duration of their trip at the Puketoi Ski lodge, he said, which was a five-minute slide down to the Happy Valley ski area and "a real experience in itself".

"Every child had lessons and they were all up and skiing on the second day.

"The confidence that this trip builds in kids over a short period of time is amazing," he said.

He said only two of the 11 pupils on the trip had skied before and the group had two "picture perfect days on the mountain" that had enhanced the experience for everyone.

"Many of the students ventured higher up the mountain on the second day to challenge themselves in intermediate ski trails, and even some of the adults challenged themselves as well," Mr Kerr said.

After skiing for most of the first two days, he said, the pupils began finding other recreational uses for the snow, including the building of snow caves and throwing snowballs at each other.

The group visited the Tokaanu hot pools on the final day, Mr Kerr said, to "help our weary legs recover before the drive home".

"Everyone had an amazing time and an experience that will last a lifetime for all those involved."