Winter’s here

Hi there
It’s bloody freezing at the moment, and winter is pretty much here in New Zealand. Friends at other schools have been under a foot of snow, and been of school so far this week, why can’t it snow in Oamaru. Because of the lack of snow, but the really cold wind, i’ve been whinging that others have been off and i haven’t. At least i’ve got over it now.

Since the 10th of this month, school

has become more and more enjoyable, with the heralding of new Special needs classes been thrown my way, i am feeling great. The weekend after, we headed down to Dunedin for the Otago Highlanders match verses the Reds(somewhere in Oz) in the Super 12 rugby. The atmosphere was amazing, thrownbeer cans n all, the Highlanders won, as i hoped by quite a good score, but the Semi finals will be played against the Canterbury Crusaders, who destroyed the Wharatahs 96-19. It should at least be an interesting match but at least we can guarantee a kiwi side in a finals where the blood match between the kiwis and oz teams will be decided.

Since the weekend in Duners, the increase in Special needs lessons have arrived, and asside from cleaning out the science prep room i’m enjoying myself. The tuesday that week, i’ve been asked to take part in a Mountain risk management course in town for 2 days. A chance to be of some use in tramps later in the turn and hopefully next term. Unfortunatly, the course was cancelled and i had to work Saturday night, from 7 till midnight as i had been asked earlier in the week to cover someone. Still, it was a good weekend. The Saturday that weekend, we decided to go for a wee gander around the back country with the mini, and up to Dansey’s pass, only to find it snow bound and covered with ice, so a hasty retreat. The one thing i don’t understand, how the mini is a constant source of entertainment and abuse for the students at the school. Whenever we go past everyone, they all smile when it chugs on, but they wouldn’t laugh considering we’ve clocked over 7000km in 4 months. Plus, you never know when the mini might save the day…..total wishfull thinking of course.

This week has been brill, i’ve been really busy, but definatly not bored. One of the boys chucked margarine into my room from the window, and i wasn’t impressed to say the least (don’t laugh), the culprit remains at large, and i will post you of any details. I suppose its pretty funny now, looking back.

This weekend, we hit Stewart Island, which is the third island, right at the very bottom of New Zealand. There’s 1 pub(i think), a shop, a population of 400people, and a coastline of 1000km. Should be interesting at least.

I’ve got to go, and open the gym up for some boys, but i’ll speak soon.
Tom