Last week the children and staff at Whakamaru School were part of a fun, learning event. The NZ Army were taking part in training exercises in the Mangakino area and offered to come to the school to set up a boot-camp style activity programme for the morning. All the children from Y1 - 8 were able to take part in some or all of the activities. These ranged from boot camp physical training, riding in the trucks, running up and down hill with the very heavy flack-jackets on, tasting some of the MRE 'Meal- Ready to Eat"dehydrated food and a session on the equipment they carry in their packs. Many children went home a different colour that day - army camouflaged faces.
I was very impressed with the way the soldiers organised the sessions, their manner with our students and the informative talk they gave to the older students, who were very interested in the army life.
Great to hear the animated talk in the playground and oral language discussion in the classrooms, over the following days.
EOTC is such an important part of our education programmes - particularly for those students who do not get the opportunity to be involved in experiences such as these.
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