Paul Hickey: Winding down the year for Christmas

THANK YOU: Paul Hickey, here with The Hits' Kat Hicks (left), Salvation Army Rotorua Captain Amanda Martin and Rotorua Daily Post reporter Adriana Weber, wants to thank everyone who contributed to the recent can appeal. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

AM I the only parent who gets really confused about what day the final school day of the year is for my children?

It's not that the info hasn't been published in newsletters or anything; just that there are so many dates running around in my head at this time of the year that it kind of slips my mind.

So the answer for me is today, as my daughter Destiny finishes her days at Mokoia Intermediate before heading off to Lakes High School next year. She won't have her big brother around, though, as Joel has finished his years at Lakes and heads into tertiary education next year.

Last days at school can be some of the most boring (think stacking desks and polishing floors) but I do recall my final ever day at school was a blast.

Someone at Lakes High had won a national competition to have a concert at the school, and the prize coincided with my last day before heading into my first radio job. Live in our gym we had one of the top Kiwi acts of the day, Push Push (with Mikey Havoc). It was one hell of a way to finish my school days!

Hopefully you have your children's final school day under control. Half finished up last week, and still plenty more to close up over the next few days. If not check my webpage at thehits.co.nz/paul for a list!

So this week is my final week on the air for 2014 on The Hits Rotorua.

I'm looking forward to a busy one with so many Christmas-themed aspects to the show. I've got heaps of stocking filler gifts with our "Fairy Lights" promotion, there are some guaranteed spots at this Saturday's The Hits Advent Calendar Opening at Rotorua Central, and I'm looking forward to hearing some of the messages from kids who have called The Rotorua Santa Line.

Just in case your children haven't yet, they can call (07) 349 5525 and leave a message for Santa, and their message might also end up on the radio, thanks to McDonald's. It is interesting hearing the toys that are wanted by the different genders and age groups. Have a listen.

And just as a final note, a huge thank you to everyone who donated to the Salvation Army Foodbank during last Monday's 2014 Rotorua Daily Post & The Hits 97.5 Food Drive.

The 5777 cans that were collected was a record number, and it really does show we are a community that cares about each other.

And to all the volunteers whom we managed to rope in to help, thank you too - it couldn't have been done without your hard work and commitment on the night as well.

-Paul Hickey is the host of the locally based 9am-3pm show on The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM.

Follow on Facebook The Hits Rotorua and on Twitter @paulhickeynz