Sport in Education and High Performance Class

The High Performance Class (HIP) was set up this year to allow for students who were motivated to excel in an environment with like minded athletes, determined to succeed at the highest level. A culture of excellence was established with the expectation that 100% of gear was brought for all practicals. Completion of all of our assignments was also expected and mandatory. Our academic performance was expected to parallel our physical exploits and we were taught how to write assignments properly. We took part in a range of physical training experiences specific to our sport and fun activities to promote teamwork, and communication skills. Outside personnel worked with us, including a former All Black trainer, international rugby sport psychologist, a Sport NZ nutritionist and former and current Olympians. We were able to push each other and create a really positive team environment to support others when they were struggling and use each individual’s strengths to make ourselves better than before. We enjoyed studying at a higher academic level than we were used to and were always kept on our toes by classmates and Mr Wylds to present our best work. The assessments matched our sporting interests, were set out in a way that was much easier to understand and allowed us to follow and progress individually. Having the opportunities to work with professional sports people and learn from their experiences was really awesome to expand knowledge and learn new skills in a wide range of sports and physical activity. The work for next year is going to be up at another level so the new intake will need to step up and be prepared to be self motivated and work at a higher level. Cambell and Milla

Stacey Fuhler (nee Waaka) after her korero with the class and some random guy photobombing (top left) - Mr Martin!

SPORT IN EDUCATION - Level 3

Kia ora. Well, it’s kind of a sad time to be asked to write this because it means our time in SIE has come to an end. There are lots of standouts from this programme; probably the biggest one is the whole whanau approach, the way we are all in this together and have each other’s backs - even the teachers. Everyone just looks out for each other, whether we are playing a game on the field, or working on our assignments; it gives you more motivation to know we all help each other. So, for the current group of Year 13, we started with SIE in Year 11 not knowing what to expect. But, straight away, you could tell it was kind of different. Just the way Mr Reid pushed us hard in everything we did was new. And, if we slacked off, he told us about it. But it was because he believed in us and wanted us to be successful. Then, in Level 2 we stepped up a gear, and the assignments got tougher. Plus, we now had this new fella, Dr Stew, who was just like Reid, but older - ha-ha. So, between the two of them, the course was just full on, which was kind of great, because we never knew what to expect. This year, in Level 3, we have had all the choices. Some of the crew would go off and do construction, building those sheds you see on the field. Some would go to Trades Academy two days a week for their specialised courses. Another group did full on PE with the Dr. and the academic assignments that he makes go with it. Most of the team did a new thing called Sport Literacy where we wrote magazine style articles about the school athletics, MMA and fitness circuits. SIE has also proved to be a good fit for other students who have openings in their timetables. Head girl, Milla, joined us for one line of SIE this year which was awesome because she is a great role model, and so fit. For those of you who don’t know, one of the best things about SIE is the way the work is changed up more to better suit our interests. It just makes learning more interesting when you can write more about what we are doing in practicals. So, a big ups goes to Uncle Reidy and Koro Doc. for believing in us and extending our knowledge. Also, there have been other teachers along the way who have helped to make SIE so successful, especially Mrs Zonneveld for her English work and Mr Scott who joined construction this year. Finally, we all feel that other teachers could take something from the culture, respect, enthusiasm, discipline, humour and energy that was found in SIE. For many of us, it kept us at school much longer than anyone thought we would. Kohi, T.K., Aquilla, Kelly-Anne, Tarere, Kobe, Levi, Luke, Phillip, Joseph, Braidy, Bailey, Paora, (the hearty ones who started in Year 11 and finished Year 13).