July 7 - Homestay, School

We met up up with the students at Hauraki Plains College. While we think of college as after high school, this is a five-year high school. They have around 700 students.

I got to attend a faculty meeting first thing this morning. They have them three days a week! It only lasted about 10 minutes, though.

To start off this morning, some of our students shadowed classes, while others sat in on special presentations. We witnessed a very nice music presentation by students who had written and performed their songs about home.

Then, they all had an opportunity to make a flax weaving and play a traditional stick game. They really had fun with the game, and it's one they can bring back to the States and share.

After lunch, we took a short walk up to the domain. The domain is basically their Sports Complex were they have their soccer field and rugby field. Then it was back to school to meet up with their family is to head back home for their last night of the home stay.

A little more about my homestay family: they own a 55-acre farm wth dairy cattle.  Anne works at the school as a hospitality teacher.  Doug is is in fence construction.  He is a hoot-and-a-half! He loves to talk,  and it's slightly irreverent.  He built the finest fire for us last night in the wood stove. And,  the heat from the wood stove dried the clothes we washed last night.

Tomorrow we leave bright and early for Hobbiton. Many of the students have been looking forward to that for a while.  And, I think all of them are looking forward to the big All Blacks game tomorrow night.

Thanks for your patience in waiting for pictures. I know the families are seeing plenty on the closed FB page. As soon as I get to secure, free internet, I'll update here.