Just when we thought the days couldn't get any better, they did.

We spent this morning at Carisbrook School, in friendly competition and creative expression. Firstly the competition. The basketball was fiercely fought and deservedly won by Carisbrook. Next up was touch, where Beckenham dominated. The decider was the softball, and yes we were victorious. The trophy will be coming back with us to Christchurch. Carisbrook were fabulous hosts and it was awesome seeing the children interact so positively with each other. The real bonus of the morning was the Brophy Ariel Silks programme which is running at Carisbrook.  Jenny very kindly offered to run a session for our children (and some adults) and they absolutely loved it! The morning wrapped up with a delicious lunch provided by Carisbrook.

Waving enthusiastic thanks to the children and staff at Carisbrook, we climbed aboard our buses and headed into town. Our next destination was the long awaited Cadbury's visit, which lived up to everyone's expectations. With chocolate lining our tummies, we went on to explore the beautiful railway station and sports museum. Our final visit was to the Otago Early Settler's Museum. By this stage, we were all pretty bushed, but the interactive nature of the museum had everyone buzzing again. It has been a lovely evening here in Dunedin, so we headed off back to the beach for some more fun in the sandhills to wrap up the afternoon. Yet again, our wonderful parents put on a fabulous spread for dinner, then we settled down to be entertained at our camp concert. We laughed, we wowed and some of us even cried; what a talented bunch we have in Te Whānau Kauri!

That's it, we are nearly done. What an awesome week it has been. A huge thanks to all our fabulous parents. We have loved spending the week with you and have hugely appreciated the contribution you have made, especially in the catering dept. Tomorrow we head to Oamaru to experience the steam punk culture and have fish and chips for lunch. We should be back in Christchurch by 5ish, but will send a more accurate time through to you once we leave Oamaru.

Friendships forged over the chessboard.

Giving our all on the basketball court.

Victorious in the touch.

Sandy showing us her graceful side.

What flexibility!

Thanks for the delicious lunch Carisbrook!

Admiring the beautiful railway station.

Chocolate filled tummies.

Experiencing life in the 'olden days'.

Leaping for joy in the sand dunes.

Jarred shared his sign language talent with us all.

Today felt like our busiest day yet. We hit the ground running with a quick trip up Baldwin St. The keen ones raced and the rest of us followed. Forest were victorious in the Jaffa roll, Mountains cracked in half a few metres into it and Coast disappeared into the gutter. Next it was off to the Otago Museum. Over the next four hours we walked through the university and down iconic Castle St to the botanical gardens and bird avery, and explored the museum and butterfly forest. We greeted our friendly bus drivers again at three and then it was off to Moana Pool. At the rate the children rushed up and down the hydro-slide, they weren't as tired as we thought they were! After a nourishing dinner, it was evening activity time. The little blue penguins were well worth the 45 minute wait, as we watched them waddle up the beach towards us. Andrew from Hair-Raiser Tours entertained, educated and spooked us, as we toured the streets around the Octagon, learning about it's darker history.

And they're off!

Our five fastest finishers.

We all made it!

Ready, set, roll ...

Otago University

Playing in the gardens.

Butterfly encounters.

These pics are self-explanatory. It was fun on that slide!

That's them down on the sand. Safety in numbers.

On their way to their nests, right under our feet.

Andrew tells us of the fate faced by Mr Ward when he opened an explosive parcel.

There were a whole raft of responses to the stories we heard.

We are just back at camp after a fabulous day on the peninsular. Through Juliette being transformed into an albatross, we learnt about this mighty bird, before heading off to the observatory to see three chicks in their nests, waiting for their parents to return with a meal. We also saw and learnt about the disappearing gun and the Maori heritage of this beautiful place. Next stop was Larnach's Castle, where we were wowed by the majesty and interesting history of this awesome place. We were thrilled to bump into a special friend there. We are now having some down time before an early dinner, then it's back on the buses, with the Year 7s heading off to see the little blue penguins and the Year 8s into the Octagon for a hair raising tour!

Dressing up as an albatross.

We got to see three chicks.

The disappearing gun.

To the top of the castle!

Mountains selfie time.

Look who we found!

The beautiful hanging staircase.

Group 3 striking a posh pose.

And of course 'the dab'.

Showing that we care with pristine bunk-rooms.

Preparing a yummy dessert.

As we approached Otago, the sun peeped out from behind the grey Canterbury clouds, matching the enthusiasm and energy of the Kauri campers. Leaving behind damp Ashburton and drizzly Timaru, the team raced down the steps to the magical Moeraki boulders, leaping and posing. Hitting Dunedin Holiday Camp at 5pm, we unpacked and headed off to St Kilda's Beach where we rolled, dug, raced and cartwheeled. After a scrummy dinner, it was off to wash, spin a few yarns and relax. Bring on day two!

Passion Friday Food Group: Next Friday, 1 April, for Passion Friday our food group has decided to have an appliance day. We are meeting this week to organise exactly which appliances will be brought in to school, and what ingredients we will need. I would love extra support for this session, to ensure that all appliances are safely operated. If you are able to help us out between 11 - 12:30 next Friday, please send me an email Many thanks in advance.

Dunedin Camp: 

Top Team Leaders: Nine of our children took the opportunity to put their leadership into action at Top Team last Saturday. The Top Team crew were full of praise for their efforts.