By Chelsea Boyle
A former All Black and a former tennis professional were amongst the diverse range of leaders on hand to lend some advice to pupils that are about to head into secondary school.
More than a hundred Year 8 pupils from across Wairarapa went to hear Buck Anderson and Belinda Cordwell speak at the ‘Moving On’ conference held at Kuranui College yesterday.
Mr Anderson shared his eight steps to success with the children, which included tips on how to cope with disappointment.
Wairarapa REAP schools liaison Trudy Sears said the day was about giving children a little bit of a taste of the things that are in the community.
“Some of these activities are right on their doorsteps,” she said.
Encouraging the children to try new things early helps “broaden their horizons”.
“It is not long before they make subject choices.”
Principals involved were happy with the wide range of workshops that were available, which included sessions focussed on art and Muay Thai.
Local artist Katie Gracie led a Paint the Earth workshop in which pupils created clay tiles.
Featherston Muay Thai head trainer Kelly Birch introduced the children to simple kick boxing techniques.
Returning workshops gave pupils a glimpse into careers in the fire service.
This is the fifth year the conference has been held.
It aims to provide children with ideas for possible career paths.
