The minute the students were dismissed at the end of the Feast Day Mass, many were seen rapidly dashing out of the auditorium, surging with hunger to find the various location around the school in which they could receive the special treat that the PTFA generously provided.
A free sausage sizzle was given to the students in celebration of the Feast of the Visitation, one of the most important feast days commemorated by the college. The meal was eagerly consumed by the students, many asking for more servings.
“I was really looking forward to it. I really enjoyed the sausage sizzle, I had three and I wanted more.”
However, these would not be the only treats for the students at Sancta Maria College.
When the bell rang at 1:30, signalling the end of the kindly extended lunch, those in Year 7 and 8, headed to D block to be engaged in multiple activities that ranged from sports, arts, culture and drama. In alternating groups, the games played were, somakalo, pukana, captain’s coming, silent ball and Chinese whispers.
Students in Years 9 and 10, headed to the auditorium from where they would later spread out to the chapel and A block classrooms to be challenged in three activities, house chant offs, quizzes and structure building. Many students found the structure building to be the most enjoyable.
“I liked the newspaper crafting one the best. We had to build the tallest structure we could out of newspaper and tape and it had to be able to hold a tennis ball on top. It was fun because it was hands on and we had to work in teams. I wanted my team to win.”
The seniors of the College, those in Years 11, 12 and 13, were sent to the gymnasium for a healthy competition of tug of war. Akaroa managed to be the overall winners of the competition, with first place in Year 11 and 13 but losing to Hokianga when the year 12s competed. It was enjoyable for both, those who were competing and those who were part of the audience
“It was fun to be participating in the tug of war, there was definitely an adrenaline rush but it was hard to win. We kept slipping. It was actually very funny.”
The spectators were all very enthusiastic, cheering vigorously for their house members
“I was cheering very loudly for my house to win against all the other houses. When we won a few, I was extremely happy and proud, especially since some of my friends were the ones competing.”
The fun festivities planned for the students, wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the efforts of the many students and teachers of the Sancta Maria College community. A special thanks to them and everyone else who helped make the the day thoroughly enjoyable and memorable.
Zoe Chou
