Tōtara
Year 9
Camp was fun! I loved every bit of it, from the rock climbing to the raft building, the campfires, and most importantly, all the fun we had.
Over the few days we were there, we made new friends, bonded with our groups, and connected with our Whānau at camp. I played a little volleyball, but not for long, along with all the other fun activities. Although I was tired and sore on the way back, it was such a fun experience, I’d gladly do it again!
I wish we had more time at camp because all the activities were really fun. A highlight was during raft building. We struggled to work together to come up with a plan to make a boat, but eventually, we found a design and made a type of waka. It worked better than the Peer Support Leaders’ boat, but it could only hold lightweight people. Our lighter teammates went on, and it worked, and we had so much fun.
The second day, after sunset, was fun because there was a Burma trail. It was fun being blindfolded, but I didn’t get scared at all, and came out perfectly fine. Others, however, were screaming and yelling, and some were frightened, but that’s the trail’s goal. The last day wasn’t a full day, but we still had fun with the adventure run. The most exciting thing happened while we were on the trail, we were the first and only ones to see an eel in the water. After that, we had time to finish up, get ready, and spend the rest of the day enjoying our last moments at camp before we left.
Ewald Greyvensteyn, Year 9
Peer Support Leader
Peer Support Camp 2025 was incredible, between carrying Year 9s across a river to dropping them on the bank on the other side while proceeding to fall face first into the bank myself (accidentally), I have to say being a Peer Support Leader on this camp was a great experience. The vast range of different activities I got to participate in as well as helping other people participate too (although to be honest most Year 9s are more than capable of doing things themselves), allowed us to build a connected group of Year 9s who have built friendships throughout this experience, that potentially will last a lifetime.
Samuel Hiley, Year 13
Nīkau
Peer Support Leader
The Year 9 Peer Support Camp is a great opportunity for new students to transition smoothly into college. As Peer Support Leaders, we play a crucial role in guiding and mentoring younger students, helping them build confidence, form new friendships, and settle into college life.
This year was my third and final time returning to Ngāruawāhia for camp. Having one last opportunity to experience Peer Support Camp is a memory I will never forget. The group activities with the Year 9s, Nīkau’s Got Talent night, the pranks, and the late-night talks between the Peer Support Leaders all contributed to an everlasting memory of camp.
As camp slowly came to an end, I realised how much this experience had changed the Year 9s and how important our role as Peer Support Leaders was. It gave them a chance to step out of their comfort zones, build their confidence, and learn how to support each other effectively. This transformation made me reflect on how impactful positive leadership can be and how even a little encouragement can go a long way in making someone feel valued.
As I look back at my years in college, Peer Support Camp as a Year 13 would definitely be one of the highlights of my college years. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a Peer Support Leader again, and it’s bittersweet to say that this was my last ever school camp. The support I received from my own Peer Support Leaders when I was in Year 9 has definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone, and I am truly thankful for them.
I hope that in four years, this same group of Year 9s will continue to grow into amazing people and become Peer Support Leaders themselves so that they can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Patrick Zhang, Year 13
Rimu
Year 9
Year 9 Rimu camp at Totara Springs was an unforgettable experience. We got to do awesome and adventurous activities. Some of my highlights were raft building, a Canadian slide, and mini-games that Mr McCormack hosted.
During raft building, we were split into small groups and had to make our own rafts to float down the river. We were given 10 minutes to construct the rafts. We were allowed to use black tubes, ropes, planks, and a lot of teamwork.
The Canadian slide was a thrilling activity with a mix of adrenaline and fear! Even Mr Tomkins and Mr McCormack went down the slide! They both made a big splash, the water definitely got in everyone’s nose. We spent hours seeing how to flip and make the biggest splash! Everyone was cheering and hyping up the people going down the slide, there was heaps of team spirit everywhere we went.
Teamwork was in every activity, even if it was a one person task. Whether we were constructing rafts holding our friend’s hand during the Burma Trail or telling someone where the bathroom was. We built bonds with each other and made new friends in our groups.
Lauren O’Neill, Year 9
Peer Supporter
As a Year 13 peer supporter, leadership camp offered many unforgettable experiences. I got to watch the shy or even the mischievous Year 9s find their footing. In the three rapid days, the atmosphere shifted from nervous introductions, to loud chatters that even the teachers struggled to quiet down. By the end of camp, the connections were strong and joyful. It was a stark contrast to the one-day trip I experienced as a Year 9, shortened due to Covid. It was really wonderful being a part of something that I missed out on in Year 9, which would’ve helped heaps to grow closer to my peer supports, who always tried to lend a hand when I was struggling. As a Peer Supporter, knowing the tough stages I faced as a Year 9, it was a pleasure to help the new Year 9s through those stages too, and to see a positive reflection of our actions that helped the Year 9’s take that first step onto that scary water slide or other fears they had once been too afraid to conquer.
It wasn’t just the Year 9s that were able to build closer connections together, but the peer supporters and staff crew too. There were many activities like running through the river and thinking the leaves were eels, or screaming at spiders in the shed – an experience that made us peer supporters seem no tougher than the Year 9s. Even in those moments we still managed to come out stronger, with peer supporters supporting peer supporters. I can’t forget coordinating and cracking up with the teachers to craft devious plans to scare the Year 9s in the Burma Trail. Knowing that it is my last year in college, coming out of camp has also allowed me to create a closer bond with my school whānau that I know will still be there even when I graduate from Pakūranga College.
Lydia Qiu, Year 13
