Athletics Day was held on Wednesday, 12 February and was filled with fun, sun, colour, laughter, competition, music, and most importantly participation.

From beginning to end – from our Hakas, both in houses and as a whole, to the 3000metres completed on Thursday, the event embraced what the school is all about.

The diversity of those competing from our Turangawaewae students to our International students, everyone put on a good show. We must be prideful of our school, and emit that into our community. Athletics Day illustrated those with energy and passion for their Houses and individual drive. Also pleasing to see the offers of assistance in breaking down the event by a number of students once we were complete.

It was particularly awesome to see so many of our students participating both in a social and competitive capacity. The Haka of Ruaumoko, Tane Mahuta and Tama-nui-te-ra was great to witness.

Mr Thompson as our perennial announcer, kept the programme running along with some military precision.

The staff kept winning traditions alive (cough, cough), but really more appreciation goes to their assistance to make the day what it was. From those helping with events, crowd control and security/monitoring around the school, to tuck shop, medical and wellness needs. Paul, our groundsman, did a great job presenting the fields and assisting with some logistics for the day. Your efforts are most appreciated.

We will learn who achieved individual and house accolades in the next few days, but it will be a close-run competition for the house champion as participation was consistent across the three.

Finally, the students on our Sports Committee need to be recognised for their efforts pre-event, during the event and after. It was a grand job, and a pleasure to be associated with a great bunch who genuinely want to do well for themselves and others.