CHIARA Young O’Keeffe (now at Piopio Primary) and Saskia Watkins, both eight-years-old, at a previous school athletics event. PHOTO SUPPLIED
KIDS from schools across the district are gearing up for the Waitomo InterSchool athletics event this Friday. It will be held in Piopio rather than Te Kūiti because of construction work at the usual venue. “Piopio College is hosting it this year. Te Kūiti High usually host it in their grounds [but] they’re building the gymnasium there so their grounds are unsafe,” Aria principal Pam Voyce said. “All the Te Kūiti schools will be bussing out.” Children will compete in events including sprints, shot put, high jump, long jump, discus and a team relay. St Joseph’s Catholic School Te Kūiti said the 22 students representing their school felt thrilled about going to the event. The junior students at St Josephs looked forward to competing in hurdles, long jump and sprints especially, they said. Kids at Rangitoto School were also feeling positive and well prepared. “Rangitoto School students are super excited to be attending the Waitomo InterSchool Athletics this Friday. Our students competed well in our school athletics yesterday and they are prepped for the competition,” Rangitoto School office manager Sabina de Rooy reported. She said the school will send 14 students. The event is being held for students who won or placed at events at individual schools’ athletics days. Places are limited to ensure all schools have a chance to send their best students. Last week’s combined Aria Primary/Piopio Primary athletics event, among several which fed into this one, was held later than sheduled but still went ahead. It was intended to be on Friday 11 November and went ahead on Monday 14 November due to heavy rain in Piopio. Pam said a contingent of their students would attend the Waitomo InterSchools Athletics, feeling confident after already holding athletics with the larger Piopio Primary School.
